MONDAY MORNING LEARNING – 18 JULY 2022
Published on 18 Jul '22
Instagram Turns Every Video into a Reel
Instagram announced that all new videos under 15 minutes would automatically publish as Reels, unifying its video formats and handing every creator the full Reels tool‑set (music, AR, templates, Dual camera).
Existing videos also began migrating into a dedicated Reels tab, boosting their discoverability in Explore and cross‑posting to Facebook.
The move simplifies content workflows and squarely positions Meta’s visual app against TikTok’s short‑form dominance.
For marketers, it means prioritising vertical video and adding captions, audio and effects to stay competitive.
Source: blog.hootsuite.com
Facebook Debuts a ‘Feeds’ Tab for Chronological Posts
Meta split the Facebook home screen into two experiences: ‘Home’ (algorithm‑driven discovery of Reels and suggested content) and the brand‑new ‘Feeds’ tab that shows friends, Groups and Pages strictly in chronological order.
Users can create a Favorites filter inside Feeds to spotlight their closest connections, while Home continues to surface short‑form video.
The change answers long‑standing calls for more control and transparency, echoing similar feed options on Instagram and Twitter.
Brands now need creative that can stand out in both discovery‑heavy Home and relationship‑focused Feeds.
Source: techcrunch.com
Twitter Tests ‘CoTweets’ for Co‑Authored Posts
Twitter launched a limited test of CoTweets, letting two accounts co-author a single tweet that displays both avatars and shares engagement metrics.
Ideal for brand-influencer partnerships, event collaborations, and cross-promotion, CoTweets appear on both timelines and to the combined follower base.
Only the initiator can pin or delete the post, while either party may untag themselves at any time.
Although still experimental, the feature illustrates Twitter’s push to make conversations—and collaborations—more public and interactive.
Source: techcrunch.com
Snapchat Launches Snapchat+ Paid Subscription
Snap unveiled Snapchat+ at $3.99 per month, offering power users early‑access and exclusive extras: the ability to pin a “#1 BFF,” see Story re‑watch counts, custom app icons and priority support.
The service rolled out in nine countries—including the U.S., UK and India—within days of the June 29 announcement, marking Snap’s first major foray into direct consumer revenue.
Subscriptions give Snap a hedge against a volatile ads market and create a VIP tier for its most engaged community members.
For creators and brands, Snapchat+ hints at future premium tools (analytics, commerce) that could sweeten audience engagement.
Source: newsroom.snap.com
YouTube Rolls Out Picture-in-Picture on iOS
After months of beta testing, YouTube began a phased release of picture‑in‑picture (PiP) to all iPhone and iPad users in the U.S.—free for Premium members and gradually for ad-supported viewers.
PiP lets videos float in a resizable window while users browse other apps, dramatically improving multitasking for tutorials, music, and news.
The launch brings iOS parity with Android and may increase total watch time as viewers keep videos running in the background.
Creators should optimize intros and on-screen text, knowing audiences may be watching in a smaller, movable frame.
Source: arstechnica.com
