The word “microbrowser” clearly got my attention. Never heard that before. Colin Bendell defines them as the little parts of other software that do HTTP requests to a URL to generate a preview. Like the little URL preview in iOS messages, WhatsApp, or Slack.
I’m a tiny bit skeptical of the name, because what’s happening is the software making that HTTP request and parsing out a little data to use however it will. I’m not sure I’d call that a browser of any kind, but I take the point.
I agree that these things are mega important.
[…] the real gold for marketers is from word-of-mouth discussions. Those conversations with your friends when you recommend a TV show, a brand of clothing, or share a news report. This is the most valuable kind of marketing.
It reminds me of how tools, like Yoast’s SEO plugin for WordPress, help with managing the look/content of social preview cards.
I could see value in this same kind thing where it shows Slack and WhatsApp and all those tools, even if it’s harder to control.