Google reveals a Google+ sign-in for apps
Users now can sign into applications through a Google+ account, Google says, although the setup differs from Facebook because it won't share activity on third-party websites unless the user requests it. "Whether you're building an app for Android, iOS or the web, users can now sign in to your app with Google, and bring along their Google+ info for an upgraded experience," a Google blog post says. PC Magazine (2/26)

Network Update

App.net announces a freemium approach
App.net, which positions itself as an ad-free Twitter alternative, has adopted a freemium model. Paying users can invite friends to use the service for free, but the free users will face limits on how many people they can follow and how much data they can store. The shift to freemium aims to help the network develop a larger user base to attract interest from third-party developers, Zachary Seward writes. Business Insider (2/26)

Ideas in Action

How a tongue cleaner for dogs took off online
Orabrush's tongue cleaner for dogs, Orapup, has a YouTube channel with 4 million views. CEO Jeff Davis initially tested Orapup through "crowdfunding" site Indiegogo, raising more than $60,000. The company says it used geo-targeted ads to build online awareness, which is expected to fuel offline sales. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (2/22)

Research and Reports

More users are engaging with top brands on Instagram, study finds
Instagram user engagement with brand photos is up 35% from November, according to a study by Simply Measured, which also found that 59% of the 100 leading brands are taking advantage of the photo-sharing service. The study also found that Pinterest and Instagram had the biggest growth among social networks in brand engagement over the past quarter. ClickZ (2/26)

SmartPulse

Are you concerned about your social media accounts being compromised by hackers?

Yes	63.30%
No	36.70%

What can you learn from the recent rash of social media hackings?: Attacks on the Twitter accounts of Jeep and Burger King should be a wake-up call to brands of all sizes, SmartBrief's Jesse Stanchak writes. They're a reminder to have appropriate password security and a reliable monitoring system to help respond quickly if the worst occurs, he writes in SmartBrief's SmartBlog on Social Media.

Do you produce a podcast? 

Yes

No

The Takeaway

What marketers should know about podcasts
Podcasting is an easy and effective marketing tool, say Deb Evans of Deb Evans Consulting and Qiigo's Christian Pillat. Unlike blogging, podcasts don't require you to agonize over every word, and they create content that's easy to reuse. Good podcasts should be less than an hour, stream at a regular time and be heavily promoted, Evans and Pillat say. RepCapitalMedia.com (2/26)

4 steps to increase Facebook Graph Search visibility
Optimizing a Facebook page for Graph Search starts with encouraging fan interactions such as check-ins and photo "likes," Andrea Vahl writes. Businesses looking for better results should fill out their page's Category and About sections, and note their physical location as well, Vahl writes. SocialMediaExaminer.com (2/25)

Social Shareable

The oldest marathoner hangs up his competition shoes
Fauja Singh began running in his 80s to distract himself from the grief of losing his son. He became a marathon runner at age 89, kept on despite having his records snubbed by Guinness and ran his last official race in Hong Kong on Sunday at age 101. He's only retired from competition, however. "The day I stop running will be the day that I die," he said. ESPN.com (2/22)

SmartQuote

People have this belief we're just lucky. There's nothing lucky about going viral in the Orabrush model." -- Orabrush CEO Jeff Davis, as quoted by Advertising Age Share: