7 Things You Need To Know About The Digital Services Act (DSA)

The Digital Services Act will impact every social network, search engine, and online marketplace that does business in the EU. It aims to protect internet users by establishing an “unprecedented new standard” for online platforms that will see companies such as Google, Meta (Facebook), and Twitter held accountable for illegal and harmful content. What’s more, the DSA will force online platforms to share how their algorithms work, put processes in place to remove illegal goods and content quickly, and crack down on users who spread misinformation.

Just what is the Digital Services Act, when does it come into effect, and what does it mean for platforms and the people who use them – including digital marketers? Keep reading to find out:

  1. What Is The Digital Services Act?
  2. When Does The DSA Take Effect?
  3. Which Online Platforms Will Need To Comply?
  4. Okay, But What Does The DSA Actually Do?
  5. What Are Digital Services Companies Required To Do?
  6. So What’s This About Algorithms?

Facebook Users Still Don’t Know How Facebook Works

Pew researchers called up almost a thousand Americans and asked them if they knew about the list of “traits and interests” that Facebook keeps for almost all active users. The company provides users easy access to it – you can see your own list here – yet 74 percent of respondents to the survey said they did not know about the list’s existence.

Furthermore, 51 percent of those surveyed said they were “not comfortable with Facebook compiling this information.”

Unless companies pay, their Facebook updates reach 6 percent of followers

One more argument against leaning too heavily on social media to promote your business.  shares the recent news about how Facebook treats businesses and what they may have in mind for the future:

Facebook continues to tighten the screws on the businesses that use the service to market to their customers. Independent research shows that new updates from businesses reach about six percent of the people who follow those businesses. It is rumored that Facebook intends to reduce this number to “between one and two percent” over time. Businesses that want to reach the people who follow them at higher rates will have to pay Facebook to reach them through paid advertisements.

Always remember: your own web site is more important than any other online venue. By using their platform you are helping their business first and foremost, then (if you do it right) benefit yourself.