Facebook Will Now Count Unconnected Facebook and Instagram Accounts Separately in Ad Reach Data

This is a big change for Facebook advertisers: as on 12th October, the social network will start counting people who haven’t linked their Facebook and Instagram accounts in its Accounts Center as separate entities for ad purposes – in other words, if your accounts aren’t linked, Facebook will assume your Facebook and Instagram profiles are two separate people. 

With this new change, Facebook’s ad reach estimates could improve dramatically, with a considerably broader scope based on variable accounting. However, t his may also make ad estimates less accurate by inflating statistics and providing inaccurate numbers to advertisers, which can impair planning and ad reach estimations.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-will-now-count-unconnected-facebook-and-instagram-accounts-separat/608089/

Pinterest Shares New Insights into Emerging Travel Trends as People Look Beyond the Pandemic

Travel related content searches are on the rise by 19% on Pinterest compared to the pre-pandemic period in 2019, as more borders begin to open up. Domestic travel has been particularly popular, and Pinterest has provided a map of the most popular places among Pinners in recent months.

This could help you think about how to sell your travel programmes and packages, as well as the items and elements that people will require on their new adventures.

The search trend will be similar on FB sooner or later and IG will start to have more travel-related content.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-shares-new-insights-into-emerging-travel-trends-as-people-look-be/608356/

Facebook Adds New Shipping Options to Marketplace Facilitating More eCommerce Activity

Facebook continues to evolve its on-platform shopping tools, this time with the addition of new shipping options on Marketplace, which will enable people to expand their pool of items to buy, facilitating more eCommerce activity in-app.

Shipping on Marketplace, which is now available to UK users, will enable sellers to add an estimated shipping cost to their listing, broadening their audience of potential buyers.

Marketplace browsers will also be able to filter their searches based on shipping options, making it easier for them to find expanded listings and sellers.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-adds-new-shipping-options-to-marketplace-facilitating-more-ecommer/608280/

Say Hi to Messenger API support for Instagram Messaging

Announced updates to the Messenger API to support Instagram messaging, allows biz to manage their customer communications at scale.

Currently, in beta, it facilitates businesses to integrate Instagram messaging into their business applications and workflows with the aim to increase customer satisfaction and sales.

Last year alone, daily conversations between people and brands across messenger and Instagram grew >40%. Some brands that were involved in the beta stage include – Adidas, H&M, Nars, Sephora, Michael Kors

Link: https://messengernews.fb.com/2020/10/19/say-%f0%9f%91%8b-to-api-support-for-instagram-messaging/

TikTok Shares New Research into How Users Respond to Ads on the Platform

TikTok teamed up with MediaScience, a neuromarketing research business, to determine if ads on the app will have the same level of engagement and response as content videos. This was a lab-controlled test with 343 participants that replicated the regular in-app experience over a series of ad tests to measure engagement, recall, and overall response in comparison to competing platforms.

Here’s what they found:

1. Brand recall for TikTok ads were strong, regardless of view duration. An ad on screen for 6 seconds or less still delivered 38% of the recall compared to ads viewed 20 seconds or more.
2. Ads on TikTok take less time to make an impact with their audience than similar ads on other platforms.
3. Brand messaging was better received on TikTok than it was on other apps, with brands advertising on the platform driving stronger brand perception than on other platforms.
   
   

According to the data collected, TikTok users are more receptive to commercial content, with better response and engagement rates than other platforms. While this isn’t to say that TikTok ads are failproof, and there are other factors to consider such as approach and audience fit, the data shows that taking the time to learn how TikTok works and what types of promotions or content perform best for your target audience can produce significant results.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-shares-new-research-into-how-users-respond-to-ads-on-the-platform/607122/

Twitter Launches New #ExtremeWeather Mini-Site to Help Maximize Climate Change Messaging

Twitter’s new ‘Exploring #ExtremeWeather’ mini-site provides a range of climate case studies and data insight, based on tweet trends. The mini-site includes a range of interactive visualizations, created in partnership Brandwatch, NTT Data, and Sprout Social, as well as overviews that enable visitors to explore tweet discussion trends around key events, including the Australian bushfires, the Jakarta floods and the Texas freeze.

The visualisations look at how the overall conversation on Twitter has evolved, as well as specific components of interest and discussion, which could help provide more context for how trends grow while also providing more scientific background on climate change’s impacts. In addition to a general overview, T itter has added specific tweet insight for each trend, indicating important mentions that sparked increased debate around each event. Check out Twitter’s #ExtremeWeather mini-site here.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitter-launches-new-extremeweather-mini-site-to-help-maximize-climate-cha/607126/

Facebook Shares Insight into Content that it Looks to Limit in News Feeds

Facebook is increasing transparency and supervision into its procedures, including how its technologies determine what users see in their News Feed on a daily basis.  The main focus here is on potentially misleading and problematic content, with Facebook looking to reduce the reach of posts that fall into these categories such as Ad Farms, Clickbait Links, Comments Likely To Be Hidden, Engagement Bait and more.

Some of the limitations are indirectly encouraging content creators and page owners to utilise one of Facebook’s new tools that enables page owners to automatically delete/prevent certain keywords being commented on in their posts.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-shares-insight-into-content-that-it-looks-to-limit-in-news-feeds/607120/

Roblox – Brands are Flocking There, But What Is It?

Roblox is a metaverse, where users can download and create their own avatar, choose a name, dress themselves up with skins. It’s goal is to create a platform for immersive co-experiences, where people can learn, work, play, create and socialise. In simple terms, it’s a virtual world. Similar to Ready, Player One. 

Brands are flocking to Roblox to generate content to reach out to users, mostly targeting younger populations with low purchasing power who will remember the brands in there as familiar and be more likely to choose them as they grow up. Brands can sell verch – virtual merchandise, which is a Roblox concept, with customers paying in Robux (virtual currency). A percentage of these sales will go to developers and brands.

The platform went public in March 2021 and marketers are taking notice. In August 2021, they reported an equal number of users under and above 13. It now has about 48.2 million members, with users ranging in age from 6 to 60. However it’s early days still, and metrics that matter are still not determined and no benchmarks are set. 

Apple rolls out Major Design for Safari 15

Apple rolled out Safari 15 on Monday for iPhones, iPads and Apple Watch. macOS was excluded and will likely be updated at the end of the year in conjunction with the new macOS Monterey. 

2 big changes for Safari 15 especially for iOS and iPadOS

• The relocations of the address and search bar from the top of the screen to the bottom for single-handed users 
• Minimalistic streamlining of the interface to use less screen space overall

Users that are not comfortable with the new changes can opt to revert back to the old layout.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/09/apple-rolls-major-safari-redesign-out-to-macs-ahead-of-monterey-release/

Twitter’s Testing a New Option That Will Show You the Spaces That People You Follow are Tuning In To

Twitter is launching a new test that will show you when someone that you follow on Twitter is listening in to a Space, by highlighting that broadcast at the top of your timeline.

• Alerting users to in-progress Spaces of interest had significant engagement potential
• However, if you came across a Space on a niche interest, or a questionable topic, you might not want people to know that you’re tuning in

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitters-testing-a-new-option-that-will-show-you-the-spaces-that-people-yo/605538/

Instagram is Removing Swipe-Up Links for Stories, Replacing the Function with Link Stickers

Starting from Aug 30, swipe links will be replaced by link stickers to improve Stories interaction on the app. Users who have the swipe link function will be notified of the update with a prompt and revert to the link sticker instead. These are the benefits Instagram shared:

• A streamlined stories creation experience – Stories stickers, like Donation, Music, Poll, and now Link, help you further express yourself and share what matters to you on Instagram – in this case links.
• Added creative control – The sticker looks and functions the same way as others (i.e. question, poll, and location) – providing increased creator control. It can toggle to different styles, be resized, and be placed anywhere on your story for maximum impact.
• Further engagement – We also know that engagement and closeness are important to people. Users can receive quick reactions and replies on posts that have the link sticker, like any other story that is shared (e.g. the tray of emojis), whereas you couldn’t receive feedback with the “swipe-up” link.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-is-removing-swipe-up-links-for-stories-replacing-the-function-wi/605437/

TikTok is Developing its Own AR Effects Creation Platform to Expand its Visual Tools

The AR Effects Studio would enable creators to build their own effects for the platform.

This platform launched early in Aug 2021, but is still in its early, beta stages. This can help to create a whole new user experience, and works similar to the Facebook’s Spark AR platform and Snapchat’s Lens Studio

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-is-developing-its-own-ar-effects-creation-platform-to-expand-its-vis/605441/

Leveraging Tiktok Trends to Run Media Buy Ads on Facebook

NYC wanted to increase awareness and push downloads for their new Telegram stickers. They tapped on a Tiktok trend which is, Tell me you’re Singaporean without telling me you’re Singaporean.

They showcased the unique habits of the locals in a carousel style which is light hearted in nature.

However, the CTA is not strong and there is a lack of messaging in each frame.

TikTok Launches ‘Creative Solutions’ Guide to Building Effective TikTok Campaigns

With TikTok gaining more and more popularity, more brands and marketers are looking into how they can maximise the app’s tools and functions to boost their content’s reach and discovery. Unlike how Instagram and Facebook works, in terms of reaching out to the community, incorporating organic trends and even re-purposing ad campaigns or even creating professional-looking ads might not equate to more views and reach.

Thus, TikTok has put together a creative guide for brands based on case studies of effective organic videos that have done well on the app. TikTok explains creatives should be tailored to the platform’s unique characteristics. This guide provides useful notes and tips for effective and noteworthy best practices to make the most of the app for creators.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-launches-creative-solutions-guide-to-building-effective-tiktok-cam/605010/ 

Instagram Adds New Features to Help Protect Users from Bullying and Abuse

Current features:

• penalties
• personal accounts to switch off DMs from people they don’t follow

New features:

• “Limits” option
• temporarily limit unwanted messages & comments from selected groups
• groups recommended based on detected activity
• display stronger warning message such as deletion of account
• automated detection based on certain terms & phrases in comment field
• hidden words feature for DMs
• automatically filter DMs based on potentially offensive terms, phrases or emojis
• re-routed to Hidden folder

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-adds-new-features-to-help-protect-users-from-bullying-and-abuse/604846/  

Instagram Adds New ‘Audio’ Tab to its Search Options to Boost Reels Engagement

What

Instagram has added the capacity to search for audio specifically within the search tab in the app.

How it Works

Now when you search on Instagram, you’ll be able to switch across to a new ‘Audio’ tab, which will highlight the various tracks available for use within the app. 

Tap on any track and you’ll see a TikTok-like display of the Reels that have utilized samples of that song.

You can then save the audio for your own usage, while also getting a full overview of relevant trends and clips for inspiration.

This makes it easier to tap into trends based on music clips, with a focus on Reels creation based on the same.

Why?

Instagram is likely looking to increase Reels usage, in an effort to fend off rising competition from TikTok, it makes sense for it to align with usage trends, and facilitate related discovery as best it can.

As Tiktok continues to grow its user base and influence among the younger audiences, it is likely that Instagram is going to continue to add similar tools to slow down IG to TikTok user migrations, which eats into their audience bases.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-adds-new-audio-tab-to-its-search-options-to-boost-reels-engagem/604775/ 

Reddit Tests New TikTok-Like Video Feed as it Looks to Expand its Video Options

Reddit will be adding a video feed option to their forums after their previous acquisition of the company called Dubmash.

This was due to the popularity and rise of short video content.

As they do not have their own camera function for users to upload videos, they allow them to upload their video content from other platforms like TikTok, IG, YouTube and others.

A key takeaway would be Reddit is a popular platform for social and tech related topics. The new video feed will enable users to view videos of similar categories of videos they have previously watched or threads they have commented on. This will be a great tool for new tech tools to be discovered on Reddit.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-tests-new-tiktok-like-video-feed-as-it-looks-to-expand-its-video-opt/605008/ 

Instagram Verification

IG has rolled out a verification form to facilitate the application of account verification. Where previously the submission form was ambiguous, this new form clearly defines what needs to be uploaded, and has additional fields support to ensure documents and links are uploaded properly.

You can find this by going to Account ->  Request Verification

Do note that for applications which are unsuccessful, you need to wait for up to 30 days from the date of application, before a resubmission can be done.

Facebook Shares New Insights into the Key Elements of Effective Video Content

Video effectiveness on Facebook is determined by 2 main factors – executional elements such as ads, duration etc as well as the creative element which includes copy quality and design. These elements are at 20 and 70% respectively

7 best practices

• Frame for mobile (the article recommended 4:5 for FB and square for IG but we SHOULD GO FOR 1080 x 1350 px for IG!!!!!!!)
• Made for sound off – but we should go for sound on for most of the time!
• Showcase the product or service (main subject of the ad) 
• Have a single message focus – avoid squeezing multiple messages in one creative
• Showcase unique brand – due to FB algorithm, not everything will be showed
• Get to the point – make sure the key message is in the front. 
• Use movements or fast edit in introduction – aim to include some fast paced movement at the start and avoid having a still introduction. 

Highly recommended

• Say it it in less – succinct in messaging
• Flip the traditional storytelling arc
• Spark interest with twists and surprises
• Visual interest. Bright colours and close up

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-shares-new-insights-into-the-key-elements-of-effective-video-conte/604940/ 

Instagram Tests New Comment ‘Limits’ To Help Reduce the Impact of Targeted Abuse by Groups

IG is testing out a new comment limitation that would be suggested by their system to individuals as they bump up their battle against cyberbullying. It is a good move on their part, but however, it could also mean it can prevent people from being called out when they post something very negative.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-tests-new-comment-limits-to-help-reduce-the-impact-of-targeted/603061/

How to Succeed with Video on Each Social Network

Youtube

• Ideal video length: 2 minutes
• Hottest video trends: YouTube challenges, 360-degree videos, VR videos
• Invest in Youtube SEO to make your video stand out and attract engagement
• More in-depth content such as product demos, how-to tutorials, FAQ sessions, vlogs, etc

Facebook

• Ideal video length: 2-3 minutes
• Hottest video trends: More silent videos, user-generated content (UGC), personalised videos
• The Facebook algorithm prioritises native videos
• Videos on Facebook play without sound on default. Recommended to include appealing visuals that will still make sense regardless of audio

Instagram

• Ideal video length: 30-60 seconds
• Hottest video trends: Influencer reviews, time-lapse/back & forth looping videos, shoppable videos
• Use stunning visuals
• Use plenty of relevant hashtags to facilitate the easier discovery of your videos

TikTok

• Ideal video length: 9-15 seconds
• Hottest video trends: Short & story-driven videos, videos with scrappy production value, videos with colourful captions displayed on the screen
• Vertical videos work best
• Take note of songs used on For You page for music that gives you the best chance of being featured

Twitter

• Ideal video length: 15-30 seconds
• Hottest video trends: Ultrashort brand videos, event videos, story-driven animated videos
• Engaging brand voice with personality
• Spark curiosity

LinkedIn

• Ideal video length: 30-90 seconds
• Hottest video trends: Short explainer videos, thought leadership videos, industry insights
• Include an obvious CTA
• Position brand & solution consistently to show that you are the foremost authority on a subject

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/how-to-succeed-with-video-on-each-social-network-infographic/602911/

Facebook is Testing a New ‘Threads’ Option for Feed Posts

Facebook is working on a new ‘Threads’ option, which would provide a means to add new posts to an original, in order to build a broader contextual story through your updates.

Every new post added to your Facebook post thread would be connected back to the original which creates a longer stream of updates aligned to a source announcement. This is something that was seen earlier on Twitter.

According to TechCrunch (i.e. an American online newspaper focusing on high tech and startup companies), this could benefit selected public figures that do some form of real-time commentary on an event. This could mean something along the lines of an award show, or a tech keynote event.

Instead of editing the post, they can add on to the original post with this Threads function which allows users to follow things a lot more easily.

For threads on the profile page, the 2 posts share the same background, making it really subtle that it is a thread. To those who are unaware of this feature, it looks just like 2 separate posts. For those who are interested in looking at a live thread example, you can look at Politician Uran Ismaili’s post on 2nd July.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebooks-testing-a-new-threads-option-for-feed-posts/602831/

Creators Instagram Account

Instagram has been introducing new updates and changes to the app, which can be hard to keep track of or familiarise yourself with. @creators is an account that although it’s directed to helping content creators understand Instagram better and to keep them up to date with the latest trends and updates on the app, can be helpful to all of us since Instagram is one of the social platforms our clients use.

They have been pushing out more posts related to Reels, to push the use among creators with weekly trend reports which come with best practices and even pro tips to help them get started. The account is helpful for anyone who wants to understand the app better, or even to get the most out of the app.

Link: https://www.instagram.com/creators/

How to Make Sense of Clubhouse Marketing: Should You Join the Clubhouse?

Think of Clubhouse as a cross between a Facebook group and a live podcast. It’s just like an online breakout room – but far more casual and more personal. Unlike Facebook or Instagram, this social network does not thrive on visual content; rather, Clubhouse is audio-based, with hardly any text. And unlike a podcast, which is passive by nature, Clubhouse gives people the ability to insert themselves into conversations and provide real value in discussions.

Right after a conversation, you can easily just connect with those you’ve met in the room. As anyone can just pop into the conversation, there’s no telling whom you will be meeting on the app. For marketers, this is a great way to connect with CEOs and business owners – who may turn out to be potential leads for your company, too.

Here’s a caveat, though: Clubhouse may be a great relationship-building medium, but it is not designed to simply operate in a vacuum.

Link: https://www.preciouscomms.com/making-sense-of-clubhouse-marketing/

Creative Guidance Navigator

Facebook this week has launched a mini-site of ad tips, showcasing best practices and case studies to help improve our ad creation approach.

While content is not new, they have taken the initiative to create this site where we can quickly filter out what we need, and gain inspiration.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/business/creative-guidance-navigator

Leveraging a More Human Approach to Community Management

Humanising brands and their brand managers are now on trend following a response from Amazon that went viral on TikTok over the weekend. Several commenters defended the honesty of the social media manager and looked down on the formal response from the MD of the social team. Commenters were also reminiscing about a 2018 incident where a customer pushed back to 7-eleven.

Link: https://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/people-rally-behind-coffee-loving-lizard-who-is-a-regular-in-a-florida-convenience-shop-36777319.html

Facebook Runs Video Tests to Make Instagram More Like TikTok

Facebook announced last Wednesday that they will be testing changes to Instagram photo-sharing and make it more like TikTok. The app will be changing its hierarchy of priorities as TikTok is a direct competitor to Facebook by being one of the most downloaded apps and not owned by Facebook, that they need to keep up with. They will be focusing on creators, video, e-commerce and messaging.

Instagram is intending to break away from simply being a photo-sharing app, by not prioritising photos in the feed. Similar to TikTok’s interface, Instagram will be focusing more on video formats – full screen, immersive, entertaining, mobile-first video. They will be introducing more organic content to make people we don’t follow more discoverable, similar to TikTok For You Page.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-runs-video-tests-to-make-instagram-more-like-tiktok/602771/

Pinterest Bans All Weight Loss Related Ads

National Eating Disorders Association helpline has reported they experienced a 40% increase in call volume in 2020 that were related to mental health and eating disorder struggles compared to the year before.

The new policy clamps down on weight loss related ads and prohibits them. These include:

• Any weight loss language or imagery;
• Any testimonials regarding weight loss or weight loss products;
• Any language or imagery that idealises or denigrates certain body types
• Referencing Body Mass Index (BMI) or similar indexes; and
• Any products that claim weight loss through something worn or applied to the skin

For context, Pinterest also shared a trend in searches, which supports the radical self-acceptance movement of body-neutrality:

• “Healthy mindset quotes” searches are up to x13 from the previous year
• “Body neutrality” and “stop body-shaming quotes” are up 5x
• Body acceptance quotes are up 7x
• “self-love illustration art” has increased 63x.

Pinterest adds that ads promoting healthy lifestyles and habits, like fitness products and services, will still be allowed as long as they don’t promote weight loss.

This is an important adaptation as many young people were cut off from their normal routines and hobbies during the pandemic that might have been their main opportunity for healthy exercise. Now, those same young people are experiencing the pressure of having to return to their social circles after almost 15 months of being away or distanced, and many experience heightened body image related insecurities.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-bans-all-weight-loss-related-ads/602748/

TikTok videos are now up to 3 minutes long

Users expect short-form entertainment. Not sure how 3 minutes will work especially on the For You pages

Link:

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-will-enable-all-users-make-longer-videos/602769/

Instagram Tests Sticker Links in Stories for All Users

Instagram is now running a test to give all users the option to add URL links to Stories through linked stickers. This allows users to directly link their post CTA button on a sticker instead of the current text “link in bio”.

With the “swipe up” replacement it allows users to directly comment on the stories which can pose potential threat to malicious comments or increase rate of misinformation. If they integrate Facebook’s Admin tool function where certain keywords and 3rd party links are disallowed they might be able to mitigate this risk.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-tests-links-in-stories-for-all-users–

25 Ways to Use Social Proof on Your eCommerce Website to Increase Sales [Infographic]

Below are some ways that social proof can help increase sales on your eCommerce website. Here are a few that make the list:

• Customer Testimonials
• Celebrity Endorsements
• Case Studies
• Media Mentions
• Trust Seals
• Certifications & Badges
• Platform Integrations
• Ratings and Reviews

Check out the infographic in the article for more detail.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/25-ways-to-use-social-proof-on-your-ecommerce-website-to-increase-sales-in/602104/

Instagram Adds New Elements to Its Branded Content Tools, Including Multi-Brand Listings in Posts

Instagram has announced some new updates to its Branded Content tools to further increase transparency while making it easier for brands and creators to manage Branded Content requests and approvals.

New tools and benefits:

• Creators can tag up to 2 brands in a single Branded Content (each brand can see the other before approval)
  • expands capacity for tie-in promotions
  • provide cross-promotion potential
• Creators can post content before brand approval (albeit without a brand name)
  • increased freedom for creators to post without long turnaround times, which is critical for engagement and trends
• Request for approval available through settings. Brands have more access to Content Insights in Branded Content partnerships (reels & IG live response data set)
  • a more collaborative process with increased transparency

These new tools could possibly increase brand partnerships with creators, influencers, and industry experts across IG.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-adds-new-elements-to-its-branded-content-tools-including-multi-b/601175/

LinkedIn Tests New ‘Dark Mode’ in its Desktop App

LinkedIn is currently testing a new ‘Dark Mode‘ display option for its desktop app, which, as it sounds, would make the app much darker, and predominantly black. 

LinkedIn has confirmed that dark mode will be available ‘in the coming months’ with all members globally able to access dark mode by Fall.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-tests-new-dark-mode-in-its-desktop-app/601198/

Messenger API made available for Instagram

KRDS had released a couple of AI-enabled chariots on Messenger. Last week, during the F8 Developer conference, it was announced that the Messenger API will be available for Instagram.

For me, the difference in Instagram’s use of a Chatbot is more towards shopping, in line with what Instagram is focusing on.

Opportunities like this we need to move fast and propose to brands that we work with.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-opens-up-messenger-api-for-instagram-providing-new-customer-servi/601167/

Facebook Adds New Messaging Element into its Login with Facebook Process, Enhancing Audience Connection

Currently in beta testing, where the users have an option to allow a business to get in touch with them directly via Facebook messenger. This is an add-on the function where previously we were able to log in on 3rd-party websites using our Facebook credentials similar to google login.

Advantages

• Businesses can connect directly with its users
• Eliminates middleman (email) when reaching out to users
• Provide ads on messenger based on user interests

Disadvantages

• Users may view brand messages as spam if brands do not segment the users accordingly
• Users may not be keen on being fed ads on messenger

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-adds-new-messaging-element-into-its-login-with-facebook-process-e/601169/

Instagram Reverses Reach Penalty for Feed Posts Re-Shared to Stories Amid Accusations of Censorship

So a few months ago, Instagram had plans to stop the feature for users to add posts to Stories. And they rolled it out to a select few people.

Back then, it was met with a lot of flak – as it was one of the features that had become a staple for many users.

Instagram’s intention has been to improve the Stories experience and stop users from simply seeing a duplication of their main feed within Stories, it’s also, unwittingly, ended up reducing the reach of posts around important events and issues.

So now, Instagram is rolling back that change, which will ensure that re-shared feed posts continue to get the same amount of reach as any other Stories content.

Over the last few weeks, amid escalating tensions in Palestine, various Instagram users have noted that their posts are not being seen in the app. 

Some people like Mia Khalifa and Bella Hadid have called this as a form of censorship, implying that Instagram has been deliberately seeking to limit pro-Palestinian voices in the app.

Good for content creators who would like to update

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-reverses-reach-penalty-for-feed-posts-re-shared-to-stories-amid-a/601031/

Twitter Pauses Public Requests for Profile Verification, Just a Week After Relaunch

This is an update from my sharing 2 weeks ago when Twitter announced they would re-open public requests for profile verification. Due to an influx of requests, Twitter had announced on 28 May that it needs to put this process on hold again to clear the backlog. After opening its public application process for 8 days, Twitter has clearly not found a way to tackle high volumes of profile verification process but, I do think that we should still continue submitting applications when they are able to clear the backlog within the next few months and the hype has died down.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitter-pauses-public-requests-for-profile-verification-just-a-week-after/601017/

Facebook F8 Conference Goes Back to Roots With a Focus on Developers

Facebook said it wants to make it easier for developers to build augmented reality effects for group calls via its new Multipeer API. The API lets developers build AR effects that “deliver a coordinated experience across multiple call participants.”

Link:  https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-publishes-new-report-on-the-future-opportunities-of-ar-and-vr/601333/