The weekend read

It's Friday, communicators, the day that's like dessert at the end of a long meal week. To celebrate, I've curated a collection of delectable ideas, leads and reads, shared them via @dontgetcaught on Twitter, and curated the best of the lot here for you. Sweets to the sweet:

• Pass the cookies: Facebook announced algorithm changes to newsfeeds and said, "In some cases, post reach and referral traffic could potentially decline." Basically, posts from friends will trump posts from pages.
• French macarons are best: WhatsApp voice calling (free, international) is coming to iPhones.
• Gives a whole new meaning to dessert menu:  Here's a look at the Wall Street Journal's efforts to catch up digitally. Share with your media relations team.
• Vote for this flavor: Paying attention to election campaigns is a great way to learn the latest in social media tactics. One new way to track that: The New York Times's new Facebook page on Washington and politics.
• Cookies, indeed: I'm too scared to try this, but you can now download your Google search history.
• Just desserts: Twitter now lets you receive direct messages from anyone, even people you don't follow. Don't panic: The default setting for this feature is "off."
• Mail-order macarons: Here's a smart look at Amazon Prime users, their habits, and the level of search business they may redirect away from Google.
• Macaroon or macaron? Facebook is asking some users how they pronounce their names.
• Orange is the new cookie: Another great audience to study: Netflix users. Here's a deep dive that looks at the emphasis on original series.
• And now, here are The Cookies: Say goodbye to FM radio, kids. The switch to digital and the end of FM begins in Norway.
• Just point me toward the bakery: Confused by the new features in Google Maps? So was David Pogue. His primer is here.
• Dorm food desserts? New data on the college experience offers a mine of data on students and grads.
• Cookie jar:  ICYMI, this week I looked at live-stream video apps and whether they'll reshape your communications strategy.

Sample these additional treats: sign up for my free monthly newsletter, buy my new ebook on moderating panel discussions, or let me know how we can work together in 2015 with an email to eloquentwoman at gmail.com.

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