Monday Morning Learning – 23 March 2020
Published on 26 Mar '20
WhatsApp Launches World Health Organization Chatbot to Answer COVID-19 Queries
To use the service, WhatsApp users can save the number (+41 79 893 1892) in their phone contacts, then text the word ‘Hi’ in a WhatsApp message to begin. The bot will then respond via a series of prompts, covering key queries and information – and ideally, dispelling some of the rumors and misinformation around the outbreak which have been spreading via social and messaging apps.
Facebook Is Testing a New Option Which Would Connect Brand Loyalty Programs to In-App Activity
The process enables brands to use Facebook ads to connect with their loyalty program members on the platform using Custom Audiences to target those who’ve previously created a profile with the business.
AR Approvals Temporarily on Hold
With the company sending more staff home to reduce the potential spread of the virus, Facebook says that all of its Spark AR reviewers will soon be inoperable. As a result, no user-submitted AR effects, for either Facebook Stories or Instagram, will be approved until further notice.
Instagram Launches ‘Stay Home’ Sticker and Story to Encourage Social Distancing Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
This week, Instagram has launched a new ‘Stay Home’ sticker for Instagram Stories in order to encourage people to stay inside amid the evolving COVID-19 outbreak.
Instagram’s Working on a Disappearing Messages Option
The new option, at least at this stage, would see all of your messages disappear from the chat window after you’ve read them and navigated to another section of the app. Note that WhatsApp is also looking to add the same functionality, though with added control elements for your disappearing communications (i.e. disappear after 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week etc).
https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagrams-working-on-a-disappearing-messages-option/574534/
Facebook now lets most users opt-in to dark mode & desktop redesign
Facebook has officially rolled out its sweeping desktop redesign that offers dark mode, tabbed home screen and a cleaner profile, though the interface is slightly different in terms of position of the elements. For example, the profile cover+photo is now in a different position (photo is in the center, not on the side anymore).
Instagram Launches First Stage of IGTV Monetization, With In-Stream Ads Coming to Selected Channels
After its coming, IGTV monetization tools were spotted in testing last month. Instagram has now confirmed that it’s reaching out to a group of selected creators in order to invite them to participate in the initial testing of in-stream ads on their IGTV videos.
