Facebook Announces Integration of Messenger and Instagram Direct, Adds New Messaging Features

Facebook has taken the next big step in its messaging integration plan by announcing new cross-messaging functionality that will link Messenger and Instagram Direct, in various ways. You can cross message from Messenger and Instagram, and you’ll be able to see your Messenger threads in Instagram Direct. But your existing Instagram messages and call details will only be available on Instagram, at least at this point.

Other new elements:

• Selfie stickers – Animated stickers that are “a unique hybrid of Boomerang, emojis, and selfies”, and provide a new way to react to conversations.
• Watch together –  Instagram users will also now be able to join Watch Together video co-watching parties via Messenger. The new integration will also enable Watch Together parties focused on IGTV and Reels content
• Vanish Mode – enable users to send messages that automatically disappear after they’re seen
• Chat colours, Custom emoji reactions, and Message controls

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-announces-integration-of-messenger-and-instagram-direct-adds-new/586180/

How to Run an Effective Giveaway Campaign on Instagram

A follower ‘loop’ is a process that has been devised to maximize post reach.

90% of the time the followers gained via loop giveaways are not high-quality followers who will stick around for your content and engage with your profile long term. There’s a generally large drop off rate, typically 50% or more, at the conclusion of a loop process. If your only goal is to generate followers, then it might be a good mechanism, but for the far majority of businesses, loops won’t work well as a growth strategy.

Here’s a sample giveaway strategy that you can use:

1. Pick a niche prize that your audience will love – As noted, targeting your specific target audience will attract a more focused audience subset
2. Promote your giveaway across your social media following and email list – Getting more people interested will further boost exposure for your campaign
3. Run Instagram advertisements for your giveaway – Retargeting your own audience will help to boost exposure among those already interested in your products while utilizing Lookalike Audiences will help you gain new, like-minded followers
4. Leverage micro-influencers with similar audience – Collaborate and do a mini-giveaway with each micro-influencer, so they help promote your larger giveaway, again among targeted, interested groups
5. Utilize entrant data – After your giveaway ends, you can run a retargeting campaign offering a free gift to followers who sign-up to your email list

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/how-to-run-an-effective-giveaway-campaign-on-instagram/586121/

Laneige Makes Use of IG Filter for Foundation Launch

During a period where it’s difficult for users to purchase foundation (due to no testers allowed at various stores because of COVID19, Laneige has cleverly made use of an IG Filter to allow for users to choose a foundation that may match their skin tone.

https://www.instagram.com/laneigesg/?hl=en

Key Highlights from Facebook’s Annual Communities Summit

• 1.8 billion people in groups
• 70 million moderators
• Admin assist available to make it easier for moderators
• Topics within groups will be searchable via hashtags
• Certification for Community Management now available
• Facebook is also experimenting with an in-group hashtag challenge, similar to TikTok, to boost in-group engagement
• Chats will be added as a feature to groups to boost real-time interactions. They have several mini-features such as stickers, Q&A prompts, etc
• Groups will be easier to discover moving forward

We are live! Join us now for the Facebook Communities Summit Keynote and to celebrate 10 years of Facebook Groups.Tune…

Posted by Facebook App on Thursday, 1 October 2020

Facebook’s Removing its 28-Day Attribution Model for Conversions from Ads

Facebook has announced that it’s removing its 28-day attribution window option for Facebook ads, which will mean that advertisers will no longer be able to track direct actions based on their campaigns over a longer period. It will be reduced to 7 days and will take effect on 12 Oct.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebooks-removing-its-28-day-attribution-model-for-conversions-from-ads/586102/

Facebook Outlines How to Make Best Use of its New Video Insights Within Creator Studio

The detailed listing provides a range of helpful metrics – for example, for the first 48 hours after upload, you can see how your video performed by the hour, which, Facebook notes, could help in your scheduling for future uploads based on audience response.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-outlines-how-to-make-best-use-of-its-new-video-insights-within-cre/585537/

Facebook Announces New Advances in VR and AR, Including AR Glasses Coming Next Year

FB is providing an overview of the latest advances in its next level virtual and augmented reality tools: ie. Project Aria smart glasses.

The initial Aria prototypes will not provide AR overlays within the lenses, but will essentially be research devices, helping Facebook gather data to support the development of things like head-tracking, eye-tracking, and audio algorithms. The next step, then, will be consumer AR glasses – for which, Facebook is partnering with EssilorLuxottica, the makers of Ray-Ban, to build fashionable, Ray-Ban branded smart glasses, which will are set for release in 2021.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-announces-new-advances-in-vr-and-ar-including-ar-glasses-coming-n/585367/

Facebook Launches ‘Facebook Business Suite’, an All-in-One Management Tool for Facebook and Instagram

Facebook has launched yet another Facebook management platform, with this one, called ‘Facebook Business Suite’, which is focused on making it easier for small businesses to manage their Facebook and Instagram presence from a single platform. The new Business Suite platform incorporates all of your Facebook Page and Instagram profile options into one space and will be available on desktop or in a new mobile app. As per Facebook, Business Suite enables users to:

• Save time – Post to Facebook and Instagram at the same time and manage posts in one place to stay connected to both communities.
• Stay up-to-date – Get all of your Facebook and Instagram messages, notifications and alerts in one place so you can stay up to date and respond to all of your customers more easily.
• Business results –  See what’s working with Facebook and Instagram insights and learn what your customers are looking for.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-launches-facebook-business-suite-an-all-in-one-management-tool/585445/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup:%20Social%20Media%20Today%2009-19-2020&utm_term=Social%20Media%20Today%20Weekender

Google Adds New Listing Details to Streamline In-Store Purchases

Now, in listings on Google’s Shopping tab, users can select the ‘Nearby’ filter at the top of the page and view all the product options that are available in their local stores, which they can pick up that day. You can check each business’s opening and closing hours, as well as how far each store is from you. You’ll also get a preview of the items they sell that match what you searched for, with a carousel you can scroll through to see pictures and prices of the available products. A lot of this info was already available in different forms, but Google has now made it much easier to get all of the relevant detail on a single page, improving its shopping search and discovery process, while there’s also a click-to-call option on every business page, where such data is available.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/google-adds-new-listing-details-to-streamline-in-store-purchases/585376/

New Trend of Social Media Detox

Based on the documentary The Social Dilemma, there’s a new trend of celebrities and users encouraging social media detoxes, and there are widespread concerns about the addictive features of social media. This, in conjunction with iOS 14 may result in updates to users that were previously sharing a lot more of their data with Facebook.

Retailer BHG SG embraces digital scene with virtual influencer Ava Gram

The partnership comes as BHG looks to embrace the digital age, and explore how the future of technology can intersect with commerce. It also follows the release of BHG’s new eCommerce platform.

https://www.marketing-interactive.com/bhg-singapore-taps-on-local-virtual-influencer-ava-gram-for-in-house-labels-launch

Facebook Announces New Limits on How Many Ads Pages Can Run Concurrently

When an advertiser runs too many ads at once, each ad delivers less often. This means that fewer ads exit the learning phase, and more budget is spent before the delivery system can optimize performance. During the learning phase, the delivery system is exploring the best way to deliver your ad set – so performance is less stable and cost-per-action (CPA) is usually worse. The learning phase occurs when you create a new ad or ad set or make a significant edit to an existing one.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-announces-new-limits-on-how-many-ads-pages-can-run-concurrently/584943/

TikTok Reveals More Insights Into How Its Algorithm Recommends Content

Here are some of the key points:

• When users open TikTok for the first time, they are shown 8 popular videos featuring different trends, music, and topics. After that, the algorithm will continue to serve the user new iterations of 8 videos based on which videos the user engages with and what the user does
• TikTok will show you key, trending posts from several categories, then customize your feed based on the one you engage with the most
• Once TikTok collects enough data about the user, the app is able to map a user’s preferences in relation to similar users and group them into “clusters.” Simultaneously, it also groups videos into “clusters” based on similar themes, like “basketball” or “bunnies
• TikTok’s algorithm is less about pushing you to follow users and more about filtering you into content categories. Based on its engagement graph, TikTok will determine that you’re more likely to be interested in certain content based on what other users with similar interest profiles have engaged with.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-reveals-more-insights-into-how-its-algorithm-recommends-content/585034/

Facebook’s Testing New Email Marketing Tools: Here’s What We Know So Far

1. Facebook’s email marketing tool will follow GDPR subscriber list regulations.

Sending emails to people who didn’t knowingly sign up for them infringes on GDPR regulations — and emails sent through Facebook’s new tool won’t be an exception

And although Facebook is primarily a social media network, it will follow email privacy regulations by instructing users to only send marketing emails to contacts who sign up for them.

2. You can’t build email lists with addresses from your contacts’ Facebook profiles.

When hearing that Facebook offers email marketing, you might think that the marketing emails could simply go to someone’s Facebook Messenger or the emails associated with Facebook accounts that Like your business page.

However, like any other email marketing platform, your contacts will need to subscribe to a list and have an address associated with their contact name to get sent an email from Facebook’s platform.

3. Facebook’s tool might not be as advanced as other free email marketing software.

Available screenshots of the tool show that users can customize email headlines, subject lines, and body copy, but marketing organizations like IMPACT say it’s unclear how much design control email marketers will get related to images, color schemes, links, and formatting.

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/facebook-email-marketing-test?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup%3A%20Social%20Media%20Today%2009-12-2020&utm_term=Social%20Media%20Today%20Weekender

Google’s Adding a New Way to Track Video Ad Conversions if the User Doesn’t Initially Click Through

Tracking definitive video ad performance, or indeed any digital ad exposure can often be complicated by the fact that users might not necessarily click through on the ad straight away, but may still be influenced towards conversion by that exposure.

Essentially, EVC will keep tabs on those who’ve viewed your video ads, based on their IP or device tracking into, and provide you with insight as to whether they’ve actually gone on to make a purchase after seeing your promotion. That will provide more accountability within your campaigns, as well as new insight into what the impacts of your video ad efforts actually are, and how long it typically takes to see results.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/googles-adding-a-new-way-to-track-video-ad-conversions-if-the-user-doesnt/585103/

Microsoft Handles Xbox Series S Leak Like A Pro

XBOX had to deal with a crisis last week when there was a leak on the plan to launch a new XBOX that has since been kept secret.

When the leak happened, XBOX was extremely fast in managing it, with a few fun memes that were expressing their shock and then with a fast reveal of the product.

The XBOX account acknowledged the XBOX Series S leak in the best possible way:

https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/9/21361157/microsoft-xbox-series-s-console-leak-controller-packaging

Oracle Wins in TikTok Takeover Race

Oracle is the preferred partner for TikTok operations in the US, with Microsoft out of the running. TikTok’s algorithms will not be included in the deal, so Oracle will be gaining the brand name as well as access to the app users.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-drops-out-of-bidding-for-tiktoks-u-s-operations-11600039821?mod=djemalertNEWS

Instagram Warns of Major Impacts to Ad Targeting as a Result of Apple’s iOS 14 Update

Data sharing on IOS14 may impact retargeting on Audience Network, as the opt-out screen is now moved to the front, when the user launches the app. As more users pop out, they will be a decrease in the numbers of the audience that we can reach out to.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-warns-of-major-impacts-to-ad-targeting-as-a-result-of-apples-ios/585102/?fbclid=IwAR0Uq7nz2QUqtgtgyQ-NZcxDYBQR9f5qBv8jjC6b5qFPSyaqSVQueO4S7rM

Ikea gives its 2021 catalog an Animal Crossing-themed makeover in Taiwan

After the latest Animal Crossing became a worldwide phenomenon with its compelling combination of fishing, hunting, and interior design, it was only a matter of time before a major outlet tried to capitalize on its success. Now, Ikea Taiwan has done exactly that by recreating a number of pages from its iconic catalog using characters and in-game items from the Nintendo title.

https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2020/8/21/21395096/ikea-tawain-animal-crossing-catalog

Facebook Adds More Ways to Export Photos and Videos as Part of Data Portability Initiative

Facebook is now also facilitating the transfer of your Facebook visual content to Dropbox and Koofr, as it continues to explore new options in this respect.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-adds-more-ways-to-export-photos-and-videos-as-part-of-data-portabi/584775/

Facebook Adds New Personalization Tools for Watch

Facebook recently began rolling out a new topic selection option within Watch to help users better define their content recommendations.

In addition to this, Facebook has also added a new, dedicated section within Watch for live videos, which is recently used to host the UEFA Champions League final.

Facebook also recently added a new section for music videos in the US and India, which had previously only been available in Thailand. The music destination in Watch lets people explore music videos by genre, artist, or mood, and features themed playlists.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-adds-new-personalization-tools-for-watch-flags-new-organic-video/584769/

Facebook Is Letting Some Users View Instagram Stories on Facebook

And it’s not exactly straight-forward – as per the description in the screenshots, in order to view an Instagram Story on Facebook, you have to be connected with that user on both Facebook and Instagram, AND that user has to have linked their Facebook and Instagram accounts. Most people likely have connected their presence on both platforms, (as Facebook prompts you to do so at every opportunity), but it does also mean that the process is beholden to your privacy settings on both. If you’ve restricted who can access your Stories on Instagram, your Facebook connections also won’t be able to see it. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-is-letting-some-users-view-instagram-stories-on-facebook/584772/

TikTok Adds New ‘Stitch’ Feature to Facilitate Video Responses

TikTok has added a new feature which enables users to re-use snippets of other people’s video clips, in order to create responses and remixes on the theme. Stitch allows users the ability to clip and integrate scenes from another user’s video into their own. Like Duet, Stitch is a way to reinterpret and add to another user’s content, building on their stories, tutorials, recipes, math lessons, and more.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-adds-new-stitch-feature-to-facilitate-video-responses/584774/

Instagram Launches Dedicated Reels Tab

Available only in a few countries so far, most notably India, the Reels tab allows users to seamless switch to a more TikTok like experience on Reels. Feedback from users that have access to both TikTok and Reels is that Reels remains inferior to TikTok in terms of features. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-launches-dedicated-tab-for-reels-in-india/584776/

Google Adds New Labels to Images to Make it Easier to Find Visuals You Can Legally Use

Google adds identifier labels to identify if the image is licensed or not with Google Image, and a simple click to get the license.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/google-adds-new-labels-to-images-to-make-it-easier-to-find-visuals-you-can/584448/

LinkedIn Adds New Staff Connection Tools Via Company Pages, New Follower Analytics Options

LinkedIn’s latest feature, “My Company”, allows companies to send company-specific updates for employees, and encouraging employee advocacy, thus removing the need for a dedicated EO content hub! LinkedIn Analytics has also updated the latest followers, to show who these people are along with designation and company name. This would help BD and other departments in identifying if a specific company is checking us out and reach out to them. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-adds-new-staff-connection-tools-via-company-pages-new-follower-an/584612/

Facebook Provides New Tips to Help Improve Stories and Video Ads [Infographic]

Facebook has published a new set of tips on how marketers can improve their Stories and video ad content in order to better align with their key objectives.

And there are some valuable points of note, including:

– Stories ads with sound drive better results

– Adding stickers to static Stories ads is not effective

– Mobile-shot Stories outperform studio-shot ads

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-provides-new-tips-to-help-improve-stories-and-video-ads-infograph/583978/

E.l.f. seeks brand ambassadors for first TikTok reality show

E.l.f. Cosmetics plans to introduce the first reality show on social video app TikTok, while giving creators a chance to represent the beauty brand. “Eyes. Lips. Famous.” will stream from the @elfyeah channel on TikTok starting in late September, an announcement said.

https://www.mobilemarketer.com/news/elf-seeks-brand-ambassadors-for-first-tiktok-reality-show/583589/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup:%20Mobile%20Marketer:%20Daily%20Dive%2008-22-2020&utm_term=Mobile%20Marketer%20Weekender

Facebook Evolving Trends Research: Mindful Wellness

Five key trends of note:

• Safer Shopping – Relating to new shopping measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, and the shift to eCommerce
• Mindful Wellness – More people are turning to calming recreational activities to counter the stress of the situation
• Glocal Community – The pandemic has brought communities closer, leading to an increase in support for local businesses
• Gen Z’s Regeneration – The pandemic has solidified Gen Z’s support of causes
• Connected Convenience – More people are relying on messaging to stay in touch, including with brands

We have tried wellness tips with AXA and it worked really well (best content across 4 months), so you can consider how these trends can be leveraged to create meaningful content for your audience.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-evolving-trends-research-mindful-wellness-infographic/583976/

TikTok creates more opportunities for people to find and tap on trends 

TikTok’s discover page now showcases different trends on the platform, such as challenges, music and stickers. When people tap to view a challenge, they can see a small description of how to execute/participate in the challenge.

Facebook Provides Tips on How to Optimize Your Facebook Live Broadcasts

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-provides-tips-on-how-to-optimize-your-facebook-live-broadcasts/583748/

To maximize engagement for your stream, and drive optimal viewership by Colyn Montgomery, a Product Marketing Manager for Facebook Live:

• Preview Posts – Montgomery notes that a good way to raise awareness of your coming Facebook Live stream is to schedule an announcement post in Live Producer, which will then create a Facebook preview post that interested viewers can choose to get a reminder from.
• Crossposting – Montgomery also advises that users should look to crosspost to another Facebook Page where they can – be that of a guest on your live-stream or another, related Page that you control. “Crossposting allows you to post simultaneously to multiple Pages at once, and it looks like a native video to that Page, but the viewership is all aggregated, the statistics are all aggregated on that one video asset”

Tiktok: Microsoft to Continue Talks to Buy App’s US Arm

US tech giant Microsoft has confirmed that it is continuing talks to purchase the US operations of Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok.

Microsoft stressed that it “fully appreciates the importance” of addressing President Trump’s concerns.

Microsoft will also have to provide the US government with a list of the “proper economic benefits” to the country, it said in a blog post.

The tech giant hopes to conclude discussions with TikTok’s parent firm ByteDance by 15 September.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53628108

Wall Street Journal: Instagram lures TikTok Creators to Drum Up Buzz for Reels Launch

Instagram is offering TikTok creators up to hundreds of thousands of dollars to join its rival service, Instagram Reels, which is set to launch next month in the U.S. following tests in several other countries, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the discussions.

The Journal’s report indicates that Instagram is also willing to cover the costs of producing videos for Reels. Such incentive packages follow TikTok’s announcement last week that it was establishing a $200 million fund to supplement the income of up-and-coming creators on its platform.

https://www.mobilemarketer.com/news/wsj-instagram-lures-tiktok-creators-to-drum-up-buzz-for-reels-launch/582427/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup:%20Social%20Media%20Today%2008-01-2020&utm_term=Social%20Media%20Today%20Weekender

Facebook Unveils its New Music Video Approach, Which Could Provide a Boost for Facebook Watch

The new process will essentially enable publishers to maintain control over the video clips of their artists when posted to Facebook, including associated monetization. That will then give Facebook more capacity to arrange deals for such, which could lead to more musicians making Facebook a bigger focus for their releases.

It may not seem like a big shift, as you’ve always been able to watch music clips on Facebook. But exclusives could be important, and could provide a new boost for Watch usage.

It’ll be worth noting the view counts on these exclusives, and also, whether the same clips appear on YouTube after release.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-unveils-its-new-music-video-approach-which-could-provide-a-boost/582734/

Twitter Surveys Users on Possible Options for Tweet Subscriptions

Twitter has confirmed that it is working on “subscriptions and other approaches” as potential revenue opportunities, and this week, some users have reported seeing a new Twitter survey which asks them about a range of potential options that they might be willing to pay for, another step towards the next stage for the project.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitter-surveys-users-on-possible-options-for-tweet-subscriptions/582736/

LinkedIn Updates Job Applicant Matching Systems to Improve Recruitment Outcomes

“To address [recruitment efficiency], we built the Qualified Applicant (QA) AI model, which learns the kinds of applicant skills and experience that a hirer is looking for based on the hirer’s engagement with past candidates. We use the model to help our members find jobs for which they have the best chance to hear back from, and to reduce the likelihood of our hirers overlooking promising applicants by highlighting those who are a great fit.”

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-updates-job-applicant-matching-systems-to-improve-recruitment-outc/582665/

Apple iOS 14: Is Facebook’s And Google’s Worst Nightmare Coming True?

Apple has announced that in order to track you for advertising, apps such as Facebook and Google must ask explicitly for your permission to opt-in.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2020/06/25/apple-ios-14-is-facebook-and-googles-worst-nightmare-coming-true/#6c21768d4335

5 Key Tools to Improve the SEO Potential of Your Content

̌Four essential things you need to cover for perfect SEO writing are:

• Pick the topics that attract a lot of clicks
• Discover the keywords needed for the search engine to rank you
• Write a piece of content that adheres to search engines’ best practices
• Attract organic links by engaging with your audience, and refining your publishing process

Some of the best tools to do so: Google Trends, Google Keyword Planner, WebSite Auditor’s Content Editor, Yoast’s Real-Time Content Analysis, Buffer.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/5-key-tools-to-improve-the-seo-potential-of-your-content/582391/

How SEA Brands Can Tell Powerful Stories With The Right Media Mix

• TV has always enjoyed a high reach rate. In 2015, RR was at 78%, and in 2018 the number increased to 83%
• YouTube in 2015 had a 25% RR, and in 2018, it almost doubled to 47%.

Brand Impact Across Channels

• TV will naturally provide higher brand awareness (30% vs 8%), positive association (31% vs 10%) and purchase intent (31% vs 11%) as compared to YouTube
• At a glance, it may look like TV outperforms YouTube in all aspects (the channels account for 30% and 10% of a video campaign’s overall impact, respectively).
• But because online video engages more leaned-in, attentive audiences, YouTube packs a bigger punch when it comes to impact per ad exposure.

Using Integrated and Customised Messaging

Kantar sorted the campaigns in their study into three different groups, depending on how brands approached their multi-channel creative:

• Non-integrated: Creative with different messages served on TV and digital
• Integrated but same: Identical creative served on TV and digital
• Integrated and customized: Creative with the same message served on TV and digital after being customized for each channel

Hence, establishing a cohesive narrative was the key to success. Integrated and customized campaigns saw 67% more ROI than non-integrated campaigns.

https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/intl/en-apac/trends-and-insights/how-sea-brands-can-tell-powerful-stories-right-media-mix/