Social Media News Updates - March 2023 | Luan Wise & Andy Lambert

Social Media Updates

In this session, Andy and Luanne discuss the latest feature changes on various social media platforms. They cover Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.

Instagram

• Instagram is looking to add multiple collaborators to posts and stories.

• This feature is not yet available in the UK but will allow for more co-created content and wider distribution.

LinkedIn

• LinkedIn has introduced a new video cover story feature for profiles.

• The platform has also added a new creator mode that highlights content creators' profiles.

Twitter

• Twitter has launched a new feature called Spaces that allows users to create audio chat rooms.

• The platform is also testing an undo tweet button that gives users a short window of time to retract tweets before they are posted.

Facebook

• Facebook has introduced a new tool called Neighborhoods that connects people living in the same area.

• The platform is also testing a new feature called Hotline that combines elements of Clubhouse and Q&A platforms.

TikTok

• TikTok has added automatic captions to videos for accessibility purposes.

• The platform is also testing a new shopping tab that allows users to purchase products directly from creators' videos.

Social Media Growth and Interaction

This section discusses the importance of considering social media growth and interaction. It also introduces the green screen feature for reacting to stories.

Green Screen Feature

• The green screen feature allows users to react to stories with their own face reactions.

• This interactive way of showing surprise or delight is a more expressive capability beyond simple likes and comments.

• The green screen feature can be engaging, but it may not be for everyone who has a fear of being on camera.

Real Watch Time Stats and Reels Creation

This section covers real watch time stats coming to Instagram insights, making reels creation easier, and the importance of keeping an eye on watch time as a primary signal of engagement.

Real Watch Time Stats

• Real watch time stats are coming to Instagram insights.

• Reels have become much more accessible to create, and Instagram is still moving in that direction despite rolling back on how much people see them in feeds.

• Watch time is one of the primary signals of engagement that defines ranking or algorithm.

Encouraging Content Creation

This section discusses how Instagram encourages content creation through new features like top three stickers for stories.

Top Three Sticker for Stories

• Instagram is doing a lot around trying to encourage interaction on the platform, which generates engagement and ranks higher.

• The top three sticker for stories is an easy way of encouraging participation in content creation by adding personal views.

Adding Music to Feed Posts

This section briefly covers adding music to feed posts and its relevance for those who use music as a core part of their message.

Adding Music to Feed Posts

• Adding music to feed posts may be relevant for those who use music as a core part of their message, but most people view their feed with sound off by default.

Social Media Updates and Features

In this section, the speaker discusses various updates and features on social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.

New Interaction Tools

• Instagram has added new interaction tools to feed posts, stories, and reels.

• These tools allow users to add prompts that encourage participation and engagement with their content.

• Users can add little prompt stickers on their posts that ask questions or encourage viewers to share their own content in response.

• This feature makes it easier for people to engage with content beyond just leaving comments.

Quiet Mode

• Facebook has introduced a "quiet mode" feature that allows users to silence notifications and let others know when they are offline.

• This feature gives users permission to take a break from being constantly online.

Broadcast Channels

• Facebook Messenger is rolling out broadcast channels, which allow businesses to send mass messages to subscribers who have opted-in.

• Businesses can create channels with titles, descriptions, and invitation links that people can use to enroll in the channel.

• Broadcast channels can be used for critical service announcements or for notifying close fans of product updates or events.

Reels on Facebook

• Reels are now available on both Instagram and Facebook, making it easier for creators to repurpose their content across both platforms.

• Videos on both platforms now have a consistent time limit of 90 seconds.

Unlocking Creativity on Instagram and Facebook

This section discusses how Instagram and Facebook are trying to address the challenge of coming up with content all the time. It also talks about tools that help in achieving a good creative result in the shortest time possible.

Tools for Editing

• Finding tools that help achieve a good creative result in the shortest time possible is cool.

• Facebook has released Grooves, which allows users to put music behind their videos automatically.

• Putting music to your content brings it to life, even if it's just browsing around your office surroundings.

The Importance of Sound

• Music changes the feel of your content, and sound is always on by default when using Reels.

• There is still demand for text-based social networks, and Meta may be preparing for the demise of Twitter by building a product to capitalize on this need.

Verification Subscription

• A verification subscription costs $15 per month for either Facebook or Instagram. To be verified on both platforms, it costs $30 per month.

• The subscription reduces the chance of an account being hacked or impersonated but does not guarantee increased reach due to complexities within the algorithm.

Understanding Social Media Algorithms

This section delves into how complex social media algorithms can be and how they affect user experience.

Algorithm Complexity

• Increased reach was removed from verification subscriptions due to complexities within social media algorithms.

• The Twitter algorithm is not understood even by Twitter itself because it has evolved so much over time.

Final Thoughts

This section provides some final thoughts on the topics discussed in the transcript.

Subscription Support

• The subscription also offers better support, which is always a good thing.

• Increased reach was removed from verification subscriptions due to complexities within social media algorithms.

Niche Features

• There are some other niche features, such as being able to gift creators with three stars.

• While there are many changes to come in 2023, there is still a need for people to use text to communicate.

Social Media Updates

In this section, the speaker discusses updates on various social media platforms.

Facebook

• User numbers have not declined recently.

• Users are not unique to any one platform.

• Focus should be on finding our own audiences rather than worrying about whether a platform is dead or alive.

Twitter

• Bookmarks are becoming a trackable metric on Twitter.

• Twitter Blue subscribers get additional features such as prioritized replies and layers of access.

• Text formatting may not be necessary and could pose accessibility issues.

LinkedIn

• Users can now star important messages in their LinkedIn DMS.

• Profile appearances have been updated with more categories for activity tracking.

LinkedIn Updates and AI Tools

In this section, the speaker discusses various updates on LinkedIn, including interest-based ad targeting, AI-powered Club articles, and premium features for writing headlines and job descriptions.

Interest-Based Ad Targeting

• LinkedIn has been adding more criteria to its platform for interest-based ad targeting.

• You can now target by groups that people are in or content they've engaged with recently.

• The more information users give to these platforms, the more relevant content they should see back.

AI-Powered Club Articles

• LinkedIn is using AI tools like chat TBT to write articles collaboratively.

• Beta testers can add comments but must write at least 125 characters per comment.

• However, notifications for likes and comments are not integrated enough yet.

Premium Features

• A LinkedIn premium account is required to use AI tools for writing headlines and about sections.

• There is also AI available for jobs and recruiting purposes.

Podcast Academy and Other Changes

In this section, the speaker talks about changes on LinkedIn such as scheduling posts from a company page. They also discuss the Podcast Academy feature.

Scheduling Posts from Company Pages

• Users can now schedule posts from a company page on LinkedIn.

• This feature was previously only available natively on personal profiles.

Podcast Academy

• The Podcast Academy is a curated collection of other people's podcasts in one place on LinkedIn.

• It is growing out of pilot mode and adding more resources.

Tick Tock for E-commerce and Reposting

This section discusses the potential of Tick Tock as a commercial platform for e-commerce businesses. It also highlights the ability to repost content on Tick Tock.

Tick Tock for E-commerce

• Instagram has struggled with in-app shopping, but Tick Tock is determined to make it work.

• E-commerce businesses should keep an eye on Tick Tock as a potential commercial platform.

• There is now a special area within a Tick Tock profile to add app links.

Reposting Content on Tick Tock

• Users can repost TikToks, which is useful if you're not creating your own content.

• Users can see what others have reposted in their profiles, making it easier to find and share content.

In-the-Moment Content and Monetization on TikTok

This section discusses the importance of authentic, in-the-moment content on TikTok and how creators can monetize their platforms.

In-the-Moment Content

• TikTok's approach to authentic content is similar to Be Real's social platform.

• In-the-moment content hasn't become wildly popular yet, but it's something to keep an eye on.

Monetization on TikTok

• Creators struggle to make money from their massive communities, so TikTok has introduced subscriptions and access to unique content.

• Businesses need to think about where their perfect audience following is spending time and who they are following.

Keywords and Search Function on TikTok

This section discusses the importance of keywords and the search function on TikTok.

Keywords

• Keywords are becoming increasingly important on TikTok.

Search Function

• The search function has become more important with the increase in character count for captions.

Social Media Trends and Insights

In this section, the speaker discusses some new ideas and inspiration for social media trends. They cover updates from various platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest.

New Features on Social Media Platforms

• TikTok now has a refresh feature to update feeds. There are concerns about potential bans in certain countries.

• YouTube is promoting podcasts and has added new analytics for shorts.

• Pinterest now allows up to five-minute idea pins.

Premium Social Media and AI Integration

• The speaker predicts that paying for social media privileges will become more common due to reduced advertising revenue.

• AI integration into social media platforms will increase, with content prompts helping users create content.

Engagement Trends

• Short-form video content like TikTok drives high levels of engagement.

• Collaboration is crucial for growth, with LinkedIn's collaboration articles being particularly useful.

• Building communities around specific topics is becoming increasingly important. Micro-communities with deeper levels of engagement are on the rise.

Overall, the speaker emphasizes the importance of staying up-to-date with social media trends and adapting to changes in user behavior.

Introduction and Session Information

The speaker thanks the audience for attending the session and provides information about upcoming sessions.

Session Information

• The speaker thanks the audience for attending the session.

• More sessions will be held in the next seven days before the end of the month.

• The next session will be on April 27th.

• Links to sign up for future sessions will be provided tomorrow.

• The recording of this session is available.

Follow-Up and Closing Remarks

The speaker encourages attendees to follow them on LinkedIn and announces that they will be closing down the current session.

Follow-Up

• Attendees are encouraged to follow Andy and the speaker on LinkedIn.

Closing Remarks

• The speaker announces that they will be closing down the current session just before noon.

• It is noted that it is currently National Day of Reflection, which marks three years since lockdown began in their country.

Upcoming Sessions

The speaker provides information about upcoming sessions.

Upcoming Sessions

• Tim will speak at 10 past 12 about his book on social selling.

• Chloe's creative session will begin at 12:45 pm today.