Category Archives: Blog

Monday Morning Learning – 13 July 2020

Blog, , , ,

Instagram Provides New Options to Manage How IGTV Previews Appear in the Main Feed and Discover

Instagram has added some new tools to help IGTV creators manage how their content appears when it’s listed in the main feed, and within the Discover tab. There are now more options to control how your IGTV video previews are displayed, with ‘profile cover’ relating to the thumbnail shown in Discover feeds.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-provides-new-options-to-manage-how-igtv-previews-appear-in-the-ma/581355/

Instagram Gives All Users the Option to Pin Post Comments

The platform has today confirmed that all users can now pin up to three comments within their post-interaction streams. Things to highlight:

The option is designed to encourage more civil discussion by “highlighting positive comments”

It could also be a great way to amplify common questions and answers. If someone asks a good question about your product, you could pin it, then reply, helping profile visitors get more context.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-gives-all-users-the-option-to-pin-post-comments/581190/

WhatsApp Adds QR Codes for Businesses

You can now open directly a conversation through QR Codes

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/whatsapp-adds-qr-codes-for-businesses-and-catalog-links-to-simplify-sharin/581343/

Instagram Is on Pace to Overtake Twitter as a News Source

Younger users in particular are much more likely to turn to Instagram for news. In the US specifically, 12% of adults overall used Instagram for coronavirus-related news in April, but more than double (26%) of those aged 18-24 used it for that purpose.

While the text is still the most popular mode of digital news consumption, younger audiences are more likely than older generations to prefer visual storytelling formats for their news. 

https://www.emarketer.com/content/instagram-on-pace-overtake-twitter-news-source?ecid=NL1001

Google Adds New Predicted Audience Action Tools into Google Analytics

Analytics will now suggest new predictive audiences that you can create in the Audience Builder. For example, using Purchase Probability, we will suggest the audience “Likely 7-day purchasers” which includes users who are most likely to purchase in the next seven days.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/google-adds-new-predicted-audience-action-tools-into-google-analytics/581439/

Monday Morning Learning – 6 July 2020

Blog, ,

6 Facebook Ad Mistakes That Can Sink Your Marketing Budget (and How to Avoid Them)

Facebook ads can be a great promotional option and can provide significant benefits, with respect to both increasing brand awareness and boosting sales. But not all Facebook ad campaigns are created equal.

Often, even a seemingly simple oversight can cause you to quickly burn through your Facebook ads budget, without getting the results you want.

Here are six common Facebook ad errors that you need to avoid.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/6-facebook-ad-mistakes-that-can-sink-your-marketing-budget-and-how-to-avoi/581013/

Facebook’s TikTok-clone Lasso is shutting down as Zuckerberg gears up to launch Instagram Reels

The news of Lasso’s exit comes on the heels of Facebook planning to launch Instagram Reels, another app that functions almost identically to TikTok. Unlike Lasso, Reels will be able to use Instagram’s users, which stood at 1 billion as of 2018, to cross-promote

https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/facebooks-tiktok-clone-lasso-is-shutting-down-as-zuckerberg-gears-up-to-launch-instagram-reels/articleshow/76745585.cms

Snapchat Launches New Shoppable AR ‘Try-On’ Campaign with Gucci Shoes

Snapchat and Gucci are launching the first global sponsored augmented reality shoe try-on Lenses on the social media platform. Gucci will feature four pairs of sneakers in two different Lenses (each Lens will showcase two pairs). Snapchatters will be able to try out the shoes in AR to see how they look.

This is not the first time Snapchat has featured products in an AR Lens, but it’s the first use of Snapchat’s Shoppable AR option, which will enable Snapchatters to purchase the shoes they like directly from the Lens via a “Shop Now” button.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-launches-new-shoppable-ar-try-on-campaign-with-gucci-shoes/580762/

Microsoft Building One Platform To Run Ads On Bing, Google, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

This gives small and medium-sized businesses one place to manage all their campaigns from social to search, including Bing and Google. The platform takes one budget and monitors performance across all platforms, and optimizes performance across the different channels. IF this takes off as expected, this could potentially reduce demand for point solutions that address channel optimizations across search, social and programmatic. Furthermore, this makes a performance-driven approach very accessible on a mass level.

https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/353251/microsoft-building-one-platform-to-run-ads-on-bing.html?edition=118962

LinkedIn Adds New Analytics Tools for Company Pages, New Process to Limit Page Follow Invites

LinkedIn has rolled out a range of new tweaks, including new Follower analytics for company pages, a new audio option for pronunciation on user profiles, and an alternative process for limiting company page invites.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-adds-new-analytics-tools-for-company-pages-new-process-to-limit-p/580946/

Monday Morning Learning – 29 June 2020

Blog

Whatsapp’s Latest Update May Not Be As Exciting

Whatsapp has ditched an exciting new feature seemingly in development for the Facebook-owned chat app. 

As it stands, there appear to be five bundles of animated stickers – dubbed Playful Piyomaru, Rico’s Sweet Life, Moody Foodies, Chummy Chum Chums, and Bright Days. All appear to be supplied by WhatsApp.

In future, should the feature roll out worldwide, third-party animated stickers should be available for chat app users – just like the current, unmoving stickers available in your app.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/1301593/WhatsApp-Animated-GIF-Stickers-Playful-Update-Disappointed

Facebook Adds New Warning Prompts to Stop Unintended Sharing of Older News Articles

Facebook is looking to address this by adding in a new warning screen when people go to share a link that will alert the user if the content they’re looking to share is more than 90 days old.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-adds-new-warning-prompts-to-stop-unintended-sharing-of-older-news/580576/

Youtube’s Latest Experiment Is A Tik Tok Rival Focused On 15-second Videos

The company announced on Wednesday it’s beginning to test a new feature on mobile that will allow users to record 15-second long multi-segment videos. That’s the same length as the default on TikTok as well as Instagram’s new TikTok clone, Reels.

YouTube’s latest experiment is a TikTok rival focused on 15-second videos

Facebook Rolls Out Updates for Live Producer Streaming Platform, Including Graphic Overlays for Broadcasts

Some users are now seeing a dedicated ‘Graphics’ tab in Live Producer, which enables you to add different types of graphic overlays on your stream.

Among the various options:

You can add a news ticker that scrolls along the bottom of the broadcast

You can highlight viewer comments on top of the stream

You can run polls, and display viewer results in real-time

Facebook is also adding a new ‘Feature Link’ option for your live-streams, that could provide another means to drive direct traffic from your stream, keeping your CTA top of mind as you broadcast.

Facebook has reported that viewership of Facebook Live streams has risen by 50% since January, with live videos also generally seeing much higher levels of engagement than regular video uploads.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-rolls-out-updates-for-live-producer-streaming-platform-including/580485/

Apple Unveils iOS 14 With A Cool Feature Called ‘App Clips’

The advantage is that we can use functions that apps have, but without the need for the user to install the app. Payments and NFC-triggered actions are the most suitable features.

https://developer.apple.com/app-clips/

Snap Inc. To Open First Southeast Asia Office In Singapore, Expand In Region

Snapchat parent company Snap Inc. plans to open its first Southeast Asia office in Singapore this year. 

https://www.google.com.sg/amp/s/www.thejakartapost.com/amp/news/2020/06/26/snap-inc-to-open-first-southeast-asia-office-in-singapore-expand-in-region.html

Monday Morning Learning – 22 June 2020

Blog

Facebook Gaming Updates Help Video Creators Monetize Content

Facebook is working on an additional ad format called Live Breaks, which will give creators more control over the ad experience with the ability to manually set an ad break in the middle of a stream. Creators will be able to choose from 90- and 180-second ad breaks. The new format blends creator-generated content such as clips and highlights with a traditional ads experience.

Facebook Gaming Updates Help Video Creators Monetize Content

Search Trends During COVID-19 and the Exit Phase [Infographic]

The COVID-19 pandemic is still evolving, with the virus only now reaching some parts of the world. And as we all learn to live with the threat of the outbreak, we’re also adjusting our daily routines and processes to accommodate best practices, which has subsequently seen significant changes in how people are searching, and the information they’re looking for online.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/search-trends-during-covid-19-and-the-exit-phase-infographic/579763/

LinkedIn Expands Roll-Out of LinkedIn Stories to Australia

LinkedIn Stories has already received a lot of criticism, with many people suggesting that it doesn’t fit with the professional communications focus of the platform. But the introduction of Stories does make sense. Broader engagement data shows that Stories is increasingly how the next generation of social media users are communicating, in preference to the traditional News Feed, and as such, leaning into the evolving trend seems like a logical way to go to maximize engagement and interaction.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-expands-roll-out-of-linkedin-stories-to-australia/580224/

Twitter Launches Audio Clips in Tweets on iOS

Twitter has  launched the option to add 140-second audio clips to tweets among a selected group of users on iOS. To create an audio clip in a tweet, users will be able to tap the new wavelengths icon at the bottom right of the tweet composer. You’ll then be able to record your audio, with your profile photo on screen and a recording progress bar at the bottom. To note:

  • only available on mobile app
  • once you reach the time limit for a Tweet, a new voice Tweet starts automatically to create a thread
  • users not allowed to reply to tweets with audio clips
  • cannot upload pre-recorded audio

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitter-launches-audio-clips-in-tweets-on-ios/580036/

Facebook ads: Good Questions, Real Answers: How Does Facebook Use Machine Learning to Deliver Ads?

A refresher on how Facebook ads work

https://www.facebook.com/business/news/good-questions-real-answers-how-does-facebook-use-machine-learning-to-deliver-ads/#

YouTube Tests New Shoppable Product Ads, Launches “Video Action” Campaigns

YouTube is adding a new eCommerce ad unit, and a new way to maximize your video campaigns, in order to help marketers capitalize on the rise of online video. The process is largely automated – eligible advertisers will be able to sync their Google Merchant Center feed to their video ads. Merchants will also, eventually, be able to expand the call-to-action button on each product displayed, putting more emphasis on specific listings.

For Google Commerce Shoppable Ads, this is an opportunity to expand from Fb Catalog. Same functionalities and same ease of use when it comes to setting up.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-tests-new-shoppable-product-ads-launches-video-action-campaigns/580133/

Google Has Released a New, Pinterest-Style App called ‘Keen’

Over the years, as Pinterest has morphed into a visual discovery engine, and increasingly focused on eCommerce, Google has watched it slowly, but surely, nibbling at the edges of its core search business, therefore they have launched Keen to try onboard newer communities to the app.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/google-has-released-a-new-pinterest-style-app-called-keen/580129/

Monday Morning Learning – 8 June 2020

Blog, , ,

From Takeovers to Top View ads, What It Costs to Advertise on TikTok

Ads start at $8 per cost-per-thousand-impressions in the U.K. Also, they require advertisers to spend a minimum of $25,000. The platform isn’t for those advertisers looking for cheap viral marketing campaigns. Rather, it’s a premium media buy for those with deep pockets. More details on ads and pricing in the article.

From Takeovers to Topview ads, what it costs to advertise on TikTok

TikTok Shares Case Study on How to Implement a Branded Hashtag Campaign

Brands create a specific hashtag linked to a video challenge, which they can then use to expand their messaging by facilitating an interactive, engaging video response campaign. That’s not necessarily easy – you can’t just come up with an idea and expect TikTok users to follow along.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-shares-case-study-on-how-to-implement-a-branded-hashtag-campaign/579330/

Instagram Tests New Format for Recommended Content Listings Below the ‘All Caught Up’ Marker

Instagram is testing a new format for its suggested follow listings which would appear within your main feed, below newly posted updates. The new recommendation listings appear within the main feed, with separate tabs for ‘Suggested’ and ‘Older’ posts. The ‘Older’ listing takes you back to posts that you’ve already seen.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-tests-new-format-for-recommended-content-listings-below-the-all/579256/

How Social Platforms are Responding to the #BlackLivesMatter Protests Across the US

With #BlackLivesMatter protests being held in various cities across the US in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, social media platforms have also been adding their support to the cause.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/how-social-platforms-are-responding-to-the-blacklivesmatter-protests-acros/578908/

Facebook Creates Shopping Data Sets to Make More Humanlike Chatbots

Facebook researchers this week introduced Situated Interactive MultiModal Conversations (SIMMC), a novel research direction aimed at training AI chatbots that take actions like showing an object and explaining what it’s made of in response to images, memories of previous interactions, and individual requests. They detail new data sets designed for this purpose containing around 13,000 human-to-human dialogs across two domains — furniture and fashion — along with several tasks framed as objective evaluation protocols.

Facebook creates shopping data sets to make more humanlike chatbots

YouTube Rolls Out Video Chapters to All Creators

After testing them out with selected users over the last month, YouTube is now officially launching its new chapters segmentation display for video clips. YouTube has built-in haptic feedback on mobile – “so users will feel a slight “thump” that informs them they’re moving into a new chapter”. On platforms where haptic feedback is not available, YouTube will ‘snap’ you to the start of each chapter.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-rolls-out-video-chapters-to-all-creators/578811/

Monday Morning Learning – 1 June 2020

Blog

TikTok Is Growing Around The World With China, India And The U.S. Being Early Successes

There are many reasons to think of TikTok as more of a competitor to YouTube. TikTok is not about sharing what you did today or where you went (though there is some great travel content on TikTok), but more about creating and sharing content, such as songs, dances, ideas, challenges – all presented in short video form.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikevorhaus/2020/05/24/tiktok-is-growing-around-the-world-with-china-india-and-the-us-being-early-successes/#51f27acf349e

Anonymous Reviews Critiquing Singapore Influencers Spark Controversy

Over the past week, Instagram page @influencerglassdoor has gained huge popularity for posting reviews about influencers. The reviews are submitted by members of the public who claim to have worked with the influencers before. However, given that these submissions are anonymous and there is a lack of evidence, it is no different from defamation and baseless accusations. This page has gained the attention of several big influencers in the industry.

Because of potential lawsuits arising, the admin of the page is now asking for evidence to be accompanied with these claims. They can come in the form of email threads, text messages, etc. This also signals a shift of “power” between influencers and consumers/agencies.

https://mothership.sg/2020/05/glassdoor-influencers-reviews/

Instagram: @influencerglassdoor (It’s private, but you can request.)

Facebook Launches Collab, a Mix-and-match App for Making Collaborative Music Videos

Creators can either record their own musical arrangement or swipe to discover arrangements to build a composition, or a “collab.” While there are some elements of TikTok’s duets in this idea, the difference is that all videos posted to Collab can be mixed and matched with others.

Bryan Goldberg

Chinese Tech Giant Tencent Seeks to Purchase a Stake in Warner Music

The Warner investment would further reinforce Tencent’s growing presence in the music industry. It swapped stakes with Spotify in 2017 ahead of the music-streaming giant’s listing, while Vivendi SA sold a 10% stake in Universal Music Group to Tencent for $3.36 billion late last year, valuing the world’s largest music company at more than $33 billion.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/chinese-tech-giant-tencent-seeks-to-purchase-a-stake-in-warner-music/578896/

The Rise of New Short-Form Video App Zynn Could Spell Trouble for TikTok

There’s a new, Chinese-owned, short-form video app on the rise, Zynn, hitting the top of the US App Store charts this week. Zynn’s key differentiator is, essentially, an in-built pyramid scheme. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/the-rise-of-new-short-form-video-app-zynn-could-spell-trouble-for-tiktok/578733/

Disney’s Head of Streaming Is New TikTok C.E.O.

Kevin Mayer will lead the Chinese-owned app for making and sharing short videos, which has exploded in popularity during the pandemic.

Instagram is Currently Testing a New, Double-story Stories Feed for Some Users

A double-story Stories listing may only be the start – if that proves popular, you can bet that Instagram will take it as a signal that more Stories is better.

That could have major implications for social media usage moving forward. At this stage, Instagram is still testing, but it’s worth noting the growing focus on Stories, and considering how that relates to your posting strategies.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-is-testing-a-double-story-stories-feed-with-some-users/578819/

Monday Morning Learning – 26 May 2020

Blog,

Facebook Shops Rollout 

The feature will allow businesses to create digital storefronts where they can host ‘catalogues’ of their products, with links to purchase the product either on the retailer’s website or directly within Facebook. Facebook has also partnered with eight different third-party shopping platforms including Shopify, BigCommerce and Woo, which will no doubt make the transition easier on businesses that are established with these platforms.

Facebook Shops rollout is a big moment for social commerce

How Does Facebook’s Acquisition of Giphy Impact Others?

Currently, while the Giphy API can see what you search for, it does not actually store or use your data in any way. With the Facebook acquisition of Giphy, this may change and it may impact the way other networks use Giphy, as competitors to the Facebook ecosystem such as TikTok, Twitter and iMessage may no longer support Giphy integrations.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/16/21260104/facebook-giphy-acquisition-twitter-slack-snapchat-apple-imessage-signal-facebook-tinder

STB and Zouk Spice Up Virtual Party Collabs With Interactive AR Filters

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has partnered nightclub Zouk Singapore to organise a series of virtual parties around the world named “Zouk Phuturescapes”, which aims to promote Singapore’s offerings across the world. To add an interactive element to the parties, STB and Zouk worked with VICE to create AR filters on Instagram. One of these AR filters will feature an avatar of the American DJ Diplo against a 3D virtual background of Gardens by the Bay.

https://www.marketing-interactive.com/stb-and-zouk-spice-up-virtual-party-collaboration-with-ar-filters

Facebook Tests 3D Product Images in Marketplace Among Advanced AI and AR Shopping Initiatives

While Facebook takes a big leap into eCommerce with its new Shop options for both Facebook and Instagram, it’s also working on a range of more advanced AR and AI-based tools to improve the online shopping experience.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-tests-3d-product-images-in-marketplace-among-advanced-ai-and-ar-sh/578282/

Social Media Size Guide

In the infographic, you can see the key image requirements for all the major platforms – worth noting in your approach. Extremely helpful to have.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/social-media-image-size-guide-2020-infographic/578083/

Twitter is Testing a Feature That Limits Who Can Reply to Your Tweets

Twitter today acknowledged that it has begun testing a new setting that lets users limit who can reply to tweets. Similar to Facebook’s post view settings, the current implementation features a small glove icon in the corner. Tapping on it brings up a “Who Can Reply?” window.

From there, users can pick from one of three options: Everyone, People You Follow and Only People You Mention.

Twitter is testing a feature that limits who can reply to your tweets

With Stores Closed, MAC Cosmetics Expands AR Try-on for E-commerce

After three years of testing augmented reality in a selection of its 4,500 stores, MAC Cosmetics is going all-in on an AR try-on tool for its e-commerce site. MAC’s AR try-on tool comes at a time when shopping habits and the retail environment continues to change post-coronavirus shutdowns. The company is hoping its AR-play will be used as an omnichannel tool moving forward.

With stores closed, MAC Cosmetics expands AR try-on for e-commerce

Monday Morning Learning – 18 May 2020

Blog, , ,

Why Marketers Aren’t Spending On Tiktok Despite Its Explosive Growth

According to a leaked pitch deck, TikTok offers brands various advertising campaigns such as in-feed videos, brand takeover, creating a hashtag challenge, building a branded lens on the platform, and custom influencer package. However, despite its wide reach of over 800 million users monthly globally, marketers do not seem to be too keen on pushing its marketing efforts on the platform.

https://www.marketing-interactive.com/analysis-why-marketers-are-hesitant-to-get-onboard-tiktok

Instagram Officially Launches Option to Share Instagram Live Broadcasts to IGTV

As per Instagram:

– Live video replays won’t include any likes or comments from your original live video

– The number of viewers for your live video will restart once you share it to IGTV

– You won’t be able to edit or trim your live video before sharing it to IGTV

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-officially-launches-option-to-share-instagram-live-broadcasts-to/577995/

Facebook Adds Messenger Rooms for Groups and Events

While it’s still in the process of rolling out its new Messenger Rooms group video chat feature to all users, Facebook has today announced that Messenger Rooms will also be available within groups and events, providing another engagement option within smaller audience subsets.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-adds-messenger-rooms-for-groups-and-events/577918/

LinkedIn Launches its Own Polls Option to Facilitate More Engagement

After it was spotted in testing last month, LinkedIn has now officially launched its new native polls option, providing another way to gather feedback and boost engagement on the platform.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-launches-its-own-polls-option-to-facilitate-more-engagement/577824/

LinkedIn Rebrands Editorial Team to LinkedIn News as it Continues to Expand News Coverage and Content

Editors play a central role in LinkedIn’s professional community, from original reporting to cultivating/curating conversations from members, Influencers and publishers. Their intent is to give professionals the news and views they need now to stay informed and to build their voices. To help members connect with this content, they are launching a distinct editorial identity – LinkedIn News – that positions them as a “trusted professional news brand”.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-rebrands-editorial-team-to-linkedin-news-as-it-continues-to-expand/578006/

Google Chrome adds new tab grouping feature to make organisation easier

Users will soon be able to start grouping their tabs, eg by topic or by urgency, etc.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/1283117/Google-Chrome-next-update-will-make-browsing-easier

Monday Morning Learning – 11 May

Blog, , ,

YouTube Adds New Options for Marketers Looking to Reach Viewers Watching on Home TV Screens

With streaming content consumption soaring during the COVID-19 lockdowns, YouTube is seeing some major shifts in viewing behavior, and it’s now looking to provide new ad options to help marketers tap into these evolving consumption trends.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-ads-new-options-for-marketers-looking-to-reach-viewers-watching-on/577619/

Burger King Will Give You a Free Whopper If You Catch Its Moving QR Code on TV

Burger King (USA) gamifies TV ads during quarantine to promote its burgers for order via the BK App

https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/burger-king-will-give-you-a-free-whopper-if-you-catch-its-moving-qr-code-on-tv/

Instagram is Testing New Ways to Navigate Through Your Stories Feed

Over the past few years, Facebook has repeatedly noted that Stories are on track to overtake the News Feed as the primary surface for social media engagement.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagrams-testing-new-ways-to-navigate-through-your-stories-feed/577615/

Facebook Is Running a New Series of Education Sessions for Facebook Group Admins

After recently running a series of workshops to help community leaders make the best use of Facebook groups to maintain a connection during COVID-19, Facebook has now announced a new schedule of education events for Facebook group admins, which are designed to help people better manage their online communities, while also facilitating more connection between community leaders.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebooks-running-a-new-series-of-education-sessions-for-facebook-group-ad/577322/

Instagram Will Now Show Stories and Posts from Health Bodies More Prominently in User Feeds

Instagram has announced that it will now surface Stories from official health bodies that you follow higher in your Stories feed, in order to help increase the distribution of key COVID-19 updates and information. This only relates to health organizations that you’ve chosen to follow, so it won’t increase the reach of such messaging across the board, and it won’t change anything for those who don’t want such in their Insta feed. But for those who may be using Instagram to stay connected to key updates, now they’ll be easier to find within the two streams.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-will-now-show-stories-and-posts-from-health-bodies-more-prominent/577438/

Facebook Videos Longer than 30 Seconds Might Not Play Completely on Feed Anymore.

After 30 seconds, the video will stop and FB will invite you to continue watching on Facebook Watch.

News feed videos on mobile app stopping at 30 seconds saying ‘Continue on Watch’ from facebook

Monday Morning Learning – 4 May 2020

Blog, , ,

Facebook Outlines a Range of New Video Tools, Including Messenger Rooms for Group Video Hangouts

  • Facebook will soon double the capacity of group video calls on WhatsApp from 4 to 8 participants
  • Over on Messenger, Facebook is adding new effect tools to improve video chat presentations. Facebook’s adding 360 virtual backgrounds to change the look of where you are in video calls.
  • Messenger Rooms option that will be hosted in Facebook Messenger, but will be made available across all of Facebook’s apps, providing a new option for people that want to set up virtual, unplanned hangouts to catch up. 
  • Instagram Live is coming to desktop PCs

URL: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-outlines-a-range-of-new-video-tools-including-messenger-rooms-for/576758/

TikTok is testing a ‘shop now’ button for influencer videos

TikTok is testing a new ad format that links advertisers to its prominent influencers to let those creators display a prominent call-to-action button in their videos, according to people familiar with the matter. The ad revenue will be split between TikTok and the influencer.

URL: https://digiday.com/marketing/tiktok-is-testing-a-shop-now-button-for-influencer-videos/

Why User-Generated Content Should Be at the Heart of Marketers’ Post-COVID Playbooks

Identifying content opportunities in a post-COVID world via trust, social proof, human connection and understanding the new consumer behaviour

URL: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/why-user-generated-content-should-be-at-the-heart-of-marketers-post-covid/577063/

Facebook is Adding New Location Transparency Listings on Posts from Pages with High Reach

Facebook is adding new location markers on individual business profile posts, on both Facebook and Instagram, which will highlight where the managers of that page or account are primarily located, helping to provide additional context.

URL: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-is-adding-new-location-transparency-listings-on-posts-from-pages-w/576579/

Facebook Invests $5.7 Billion in India’s Jio Platforms.

The deal would bring together JioMart in its WhatsApp platform to enable people to connect with businesses. India will be a testing ground for WhatsApp payment services. 

URL: https://about.fb.com/news/2020/04/facebook-invests-in-jio/