Hi everyone, Turner back again with a quick post today. We're going deep on a Banana portfolio company on Thursday 👀 The first three readers who reply guessing which one on their first try (no cheating) will get a free Banana cap 🍌🧢 (full public list of portfolio companies here).

We also did Banana Talent Drop #4 yesterday. Full scoop below, but click here if you still haven't joined.

Google's For You Page

At its 2022 Search On event, Google highlighted changes coming to reinvent its core search product. Reading between the lines, Google is building its own For You Page.

With competing apps from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and even its own product YouTube all opening to engaging content, Google leaves a lot on the table giving us an empty search box. It's also facing the growing threat of TikTok becoming a search engine.

According to Semrush, Google.com is the most visited web page on the internet, followed by YouTube. In fact, these two’s 22.6 billion daily visits are more than the next nine most visited web pages combined. (This is of course not a perfect comparison since many of the lesser ranked pages have apps with lots of traffic)

What could Google's FYP look like? I'd assume search stays a focal point, but Google's homepage could source information as its opened, just like any other algorithmic feed. The screenshot below from their Search On event is just scratching the surface.

As it gets to know you, it could work just like any other consumer mobile app serving you information and suggestions as soon as you open it. Search bar up top, relevant content as you scroll. Here's an example of what a search for "shop bomber jackets" pulls up (I cropped the GIF into three screenshots). Eventually, Google could show this without a search prompt.

The YouTube app already recommends videos. Google Chrome on mobile borrows elements as well. Upon launching the browser, scroll down to an endless feed of articles. For now, it only includes text, but what happens when it weaves in YouTube videos, just as if you were opening the YouTube app? What if there were a shoppable YouTube short video showing something Google thinks you might want to buy, just like if you were opening the Amazon app?

Today, Chrome just shows us interesting news articles. But in the future, it hints at what a Google For You page could look like if rolled out across Google's existing distribution. It will need to be careful not to disrupt the core search experience (probably the biggest challenge), but don't be surprised to see Google keep experimenting here.

Together with Deel

If you’re a regular reader of The Split, you know we follow things going on all around the world. A growing global trend Deel tapped into early was remote work. With our small US-based team, I don’t use Deel personally, but many Banana portfolio companies do. The consistent feedback has been that its the best software for onboarding and managing payroll for global teams. Its customer list speaks for itself.

Deel’s team of experts can guide you to hiring quickly in over 150 countries with compliant contracts, top local legal experts, global payroll solutions, and that’s just the beginning. They’ve simplified a planet’s worth of global hiring capabilities into one platform.

They put together an international compliance handbook going deep on:

• Finding and attracting global talent

• Which labor laws to consider when hiring

• Processing international payroll on time

• Staying compliant with employment & tax laws abroad

Check out Deel’s international hiring guide here.

Other Reads

Getir in talks to buy Gorillas: In what felt inevitable, the grocery delivery space continues consolidating as every player looks to expand its product offerings. I don't know the latest financials for each, but its interesting to see Getir sign-up to assume Gorillas cash burn. More from Bloomberg.

FBI crime data is out: What was most interesting to me was despite violent crime decreasing in 23 of the last 30 years between 1990 and 2020, Americans perceived it increased in all but two years. Its important to note this crime data can be subjective and not entirely accurate. More from The Appeal and a Twitter thread here.

Rivian recalling almost all vehicles: In what seems to be an easy fix common on new models from other OEMs, this is Rivian's third recall. More from the WSJ.

Auto OEM inventory returning to pre-pandemic levels: I wouldn't be surprised to see an overshoot and eventual deflationary pressures that eventually lead to lower car prices. h/t Carl Quintanilla.

TikTok is building its own US fulfillment centers: They've had trouble cracking ecommerce outside China, and creating a "Fulfilled by TikTok" experience for sellers could help boost adoption. More from Axios.

TikTok partnering with agencies to train live streamers: Taking a page out of its playbook in China, TikTok is using a network of agencies to cultivate an ecosystem of live streamers. They'll be compensated by the duration of streams and the total value of gifts the streams generate from viewers. More from Rest of World.

TikTok hits $990 million in 2021 European revenue: Losses also increased, but were due to rapid team expansion that outpaced early revenue growth. More from the FT.

China's growth rate falls behind rest of Asia for first time since 1990. More from the FT.

Spirit Halloween's $600 million business: If you've ever wanted the inside story on the Halloween retailer who operates 1,450 pop-up locations 2 months per year, this is a great read. More from Trung Phan's SatPost.

US monthly mortgage payments reach record high: Monthly payments for the median US home price assuming a 20% down payment on a 30-year mortgage continue their march higher. Not only has the average payment doubled in less than two years, the amount of principal being paid down has been cut in half. h/t Liz Young.

Career Services

Yesterday we did Banana Talent Drop #4. We're at nearly 100 candidates, with a wide range of experience and skills across nearly every function from many companies you've heard of. We've also gotten a lot of interest on the hiring side, now at 46 companies hiring from the bi-monthly drops.

If you're on the job market, check out over 50+ roles at Banana portfolio companies here.

Monkey Business