More NSW Business Support, Cloud PCs, Core Updates & More

Let’s look back at this week’s business, technology and marketing news! You’ll find updates about NSW business grants, Google’s core update, new Microsoft Ads features, social media updates and so much more.

Of course, for even more business news, you should subscribe to the Localsearch Digital Newsletter! 

This Week’s Business News Highlights

Monday, 12 July 2021

• Big 4 banks announce lockdown support refresh for Sydney businesses affected by snap closures.
• Clubhouse forms partnership with TED to create exclusive audio rooms to discuss big ideas.
• Aussies cautioned over new fake Australia Post email informing recipients of a damaged package in attempts to steal personal and financial information.

Tuesday, 13 July 2021 

• Video extensions are now available on Microsoft Ads globally.
• NSW Government to announce business support packages to help with cashflow impacted by the lockdown.
• Google confirmed the July 2021 Core Update finished rolling out yesterday, meaning businesses need to be keeping a close eye on their website traffic coming from the search engine to ensure they haven’t been affected.

Wednesday, 14 July 2021 

NSW Business Support Recap

• Businesses with a turnover 30% lower than an equivalent 2 weeks in 2019 will receive between $1,500 to $10,000 a week. Figure to be calculated as 40% of the business’s NSW payroll payments.
• Sole traders can also receive a flat payment of $1,000 per week in the above scheme.
• NSW small business grants (including the new business payments) to be tax exempt.
• NSW Government to extend business grants and offer payroll tax relief for those significantly impacted by the lockdowns.

Find out more on the Service NSW website. 

Thursday, 15 July 2021 

• Twitter is shutting down Fleets, their full-screen stories and ad feature, only months after being rolled out globally due to low use. 
• Google will be removing posts showing in the Knowledge Panel. They have confirmed it will not impact posts from Google My Business in the local business panel. 
• Microsoft is releasing a cloud PC called Windows 365, which will allow businesses to stream Windows 10 or 11 in a web browser.

Friday, 16 July 2021 

• Twitter has rolled out a feature allowing users to restrict who can respond to individual Tweets, which is handy for businesses needing to moderate post engagement.
• Google has added a feature to their iOS app allowing users to instantly delete the last 15-minutes of search history only, which can be peace of mind if you’re handling sensitive information. 
• Facebook will soon be rolling out their own payment system, Facebook Pay, across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp, allowing retailers to receive payments directly through transactions in the apps.