Weekly social roundup
Here we go again…
Meta really can’t let other people have their own thing, can they? This past week, it was announced that a brand new standalone app is coming from the company. And of course, people are divided.
Not only that, but X is removing major features, TikTok is helping creators get discovered more, YouTube is adding WAY more features, and a whole lot more.
Let’s get into it.
Sponsored Post
You cover social. The industry buys across 19 channels. This guide connects the dots.
The Agency Guide to Attention is the playbook for how attention metrics work, what makes a placement actually high-quality, and how leading media teams at the world's top companies use Adelaide AU to cut waste and drive better outcomes across 19 channels. Get your free copy.
So, like, Snapchat?
Instagram’s new app is here 😵💫
They have been teasing us with this new app for ages, and it’s finally being slowly rolled out!
Instagram “Instants” is a new standalone app from Meta, where you can send unedited photos to your friends that disappear after 24 hours.
So … Snapchat?
Meta has been working behind the scenes to figure out what the YOUTHS want, and it seems the youths want authenticity and seeing their friends on social media (wouldn’t it be great if they allowed that on other social media platforms they own?!).
The new app is currently in testing mode in Italy and Spain, but I am sure it will be rolling out to other countries soon if the initial test goes well.
Will this be an app you’ll be downloading, or are you already rolling your eyes and saying, “NO MORE APPS!”?
Because I feel like the ladder is going to be the sentiment around this particular app.
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
Top Meta news from the week
Instagram has updated its insights tool to make it easier to understand what’s working and what’s not…
Want to earn money on your Instagram Reels? IG is giving more users the ability to earn through affiliate programs that are tagged in Reels. And you don’t even need that many followers to join!
Instagram has updated the way links look inside your bio (and it’s a lot sleeker!).
AI summaries have come to Instagram. You can now click the AI summary at the end of an Instagram caption to see more content that is similar to a previous post.
Happy One Year to Edits! The app has added more features on its first anniversary, including improved captions (and more fun fonts and features!), customized effects, and so much more.
Instagram is giving users more ways to start a Blend with their friends. I’m guessing this is something people want?
Finally! Meta is working on improving Meta Account so all of your social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, Threads, WhatsApp) can be used in one place.
Meta is giving parents even more access to their kids’ content by allowing them to see the topics their kids are talking about with Meta AI.
Want to prove your results easily on Threads? You can now create shareable view cards to display on your public profile.
You can now more easily quote reply to a Thread you’ve posted … to be honest, I didn’t think this was hard to begin with.
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
Top TikTok news from the week
TikTok is giving creators the tools to manage how their videos are discovered in the app by adding and removing keywords to improve discoverability.
TikTok lets you create and post content exclusively to your Friends. I’ve already used this a few times!
TikTok’s AI remix feature has been pulled after creators spoke up about their data being used in ways they don’t consent to.
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
Top X news from the week
You can also snooze all videos, gaming, and crypto from your X feed, as well.
X is shutting down Communities because … no one was using it.
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
Top YouTube news from the week
YouTube is giving more users and creators access to its likeness-detection tools, which stop people from being able to impersonate or upload images of your face.
Voice Boost will allow you to amplify voices and reduce background noise on videos you’re watching.
Experience Points are points fans can earn for watch time, and help creators spot their most active fans.
New parental controls have launched in Europe so parents can manage screen time.
Gifts have launched for all horizontal livestreams on mobile, so creators have more ways to earn $$.
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
Top Other news from the week
Are you a regular at a place? Snapchat is officially rewarding you with a loyalty badge on your Snap Map.
Read of the Week
Clipping on social media makes me wonder what’s real and what isn’t.
After that Wired piece about the indie band Geese went viral, I think a lot of people are starting to discover the power of digital marketing and something called “clipping.”
If you’re unfamiliar with the world of clipping (AKA: paying someone to post short clips of longer content — like a concert, music video, podcast episode, etc). The more and more long-form content is clipped and shared, the more it makes the thing seem more popular than it really is. It’s a perfect way to reach new people, go viral, and get more eyes on something you’re trying to sell.
However, people are wondering if this form of marketing is manipulation, and whether anything online feels authentic anymore. Dun dun dun.
Other reads I loved this week:
Marketing Event of the Week
Digital Marketing World Forum
It’s baaaaaack! The Digital Marketing World Forum is back in London on May 6-7 at Excel London. If you’ve never been and have always wondered if it’s worth the ticket, it absolutely is.
There are 200+ speakers from global brands like Google, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, etc, all speaking about different areas of marketing. From social media to paid marketing to AI automation, it’s giving everyday marketers (hi, me!) a chance to hear from top decision-makers on the future of our industry.
Plus, there are tons of networking opportunities and a Learning Hub, where you can connect and share insights with others in the space!
The team at DMWF has been so kind and is offering Talk Social To Me readers 30% off when you use the code SOCIAL.
See you next week!
Thank you for reading! If you have any questions or feedback, just reply to this email. I’m always checking and love chatting to you all!
Thanks for all the support, and I’ll see you all next week!
Mackenzie
