Get the need-to-know highlights from the social media industry that happened the week of October 9-13.
Meta
Creator Compensation for AI ChatbotsMeta is investing heavily in creators, with a whopping $5 million deal for a top creator’s contribution to AI chatbots. Explore Meta’s creator programs to potentially monetize your contributions.AI Celeb BacklashMeta’s introduction of AI celebrities faces resistance, indicating a challenge in user acceptance. Monitor public reception to AI advancements within Meta platforms, adjusting engagement strategies accordingly.Comment Filter EnhancementMeta’s new feature prioritizes comments from verified users, potentially altering engagement dynamics. Verify your Meta accounts to ensure your comments gain priority and visibility.
Threads
Edit Button AdditionThreads introduces an edit button, enhancing post-editing flexibility without additional costs. Use the edit feature to ensure your posts are accurate and up-to-date.Trending Topics and MoreWith new features like trending topics, GIFs, and voice posts, Threads aims to enrich user engagement. Use these new features to enhance your Threads presence and engagement.
Avatar Interaction ControlsControl who interacts with your avatar with Instagram’s new settings, a move towards enhanced user control. Customize your avatar interaction settings to manage your engagement levels.New Stickers and Interactive FeaturesInstagram announced experimental stickers and interactive features to boost engagement and personalization. Experiment with new stickers and features to enhance your posts’ engagement.Desktop Activity AccessInstagram extends account activity accessibility to desktop, enriching user experience across devices. Monitor your account activity on desktop for a more comprehensive overview.
Enhanced Search and Chat PrivacyWhatsApp revamps its status search bar and upgrades the Chat Lock feature, aiming at a more user-friendly and secure experience. Use the enhanced search and privacy features to optimize your WhatsApp experience.
Twitter/X
Community Member VettingThe new member vetting feature in Twitter/X communities mirrors Facebook Groups, enhancing member quality and interaction. Embrace the vetting feature to foster a more curated community environment.Live-Stream and Spaces Buttons TestThe platform is testing new live-stream and Spaces buttons within the Post Composer, paving the way for richer content sharing. Stay on the lookout for these features to enhance real-time engagement with your audience.Expanded Profile Bios FeatureExpanded profile bios offer users more space to express themselves, improving personal branding opportunities. Use the additional bio space to provide a more comprehensive introduction to your profile visitors.Reply Restriction to Verified UsersA new feature allows post replies restriction to verified users only, aiming at promoting a verification paywall. Consider the impacts of this feature on your engagement strategies, especially if verification is a part of your plan.Variable Upload Quality for Video CreatorsTesting variable upload quality options empowers video creators with better quality control. Explore these quality options to optimize video content on the platform.Potential Removal of Engagement CountsTwitter/X contemplates removing all engagement counts and buttons, leaving only ‘views’ visible, which could alter user interaction dynamics. Prepare for possible changes in engagement metrics and how it may affect your content strategy.New Premium Subscription TiersTwitter/X is working on three new Premium subscription tiers offering varying ad experiences, from full to no ads in the feed. Evaluate the new subscription options against your usage needs and ad tolerance.
YouTube
Glow Effect ExtensionYouTube’s glow effect, which pulls colors from the edges of the video player, now extends to a fullscreen view, with an option for users to disable it if desired. Check out the glow effect in fullscreen view and decide whether you prefer it on or off for a better viewing experience.New Audio Description and Pronoun FeaturesYouTube enriches creator profiles with new audio description options and the addition of preferred pronouns, promoting inclusivity and better content understanding. Use the new audio description feature for broader accessibility and update your profile with your preferred pronouns to foster a more inclusive community.‘Posts-Only’ Feature TestThe ‘posts-only’ feature under testing emphasizes community engagement by focusing on community notes feed within the mobile app. Engage with the ‘posts-only’ feature to foster a stronger community and monitor its effect on your channel engagement.
TikTok
News DroughtA study reveals TikTok’s algorithmic recommendation systems effectively isolate users from news content, dubbing it a “news wasteland.” If you’re on TikTok for news, you might want to diversify your sources to stay informed.Legal Hurdles in Montana and UtahTikTok faces a federal court hearing in Montana that might lead to a state ban, while Utah sues the platform over its harmful impacts on young users. Keep an eye on these legal developments that could affect TikTok’s availability and usage.Disney PartnershipTikTok and Disney kick off a unique partnership, creating a content hub for fans to engage with Disney-themed content and activities.Revamping Creator Payment for Viral FiltersTikTok restructures its payment system for creators of viral filters and effects, making monetization more accessible. If you’re a creator, delve into TikTok’s updated monetization structure to potentially earn more from your viral creations.Direct Posting from Various AppsTikTok now supports direct posting from a range of apps including Adobe, CapCut, and Twitch, making content sharing more seamless. Use this feature for a smoother content upload experience from different platforms.Expanded Mental Health SupportIn line with World Mental Health Day, TikTok announces expanded mental health support options for users.
Alt Platforms
Bluesky
Graysky Mobile App Bluesky welcomes Graysky, its first third-party mobile app, set to launch later this month, marking a significant milestone for the platform. Keep an eye out for Graysky’s launch to experience Bluesky on mobile.Security-Focused UpdateBluesky bolsters security by introducing email verification and flagging misleading links, promoting a safer user environment. Revisit your Bluesky security settings to take advantage of these new features.
Mastodon
WordPress IntegrationWordPress.com blogs can now be followed on Mastodon and other federated platforms, bridging the gap between mainstream and alternative social networks. Connect your WordPress blog to Mastodon to reach a broader audience.User Count AdjustmentMastodon discovers an additional 407K+ monthly users, indicating a larger user base than previously thought. The growing user base could mean more engagement opportunities on Mastodon.
Pebble/T2 Social
Hashtag MayorshipsPebble unveils “Hashtag Mayorships” to highlight the most active user on a particular hashtag, fostering community engagement. Engage with this new feature to become a “Hashtag Mayor” and boost your visibility on Pebble.
Snapchat
UK Data Watchdog AlertSnapchat receives an enforcement notice from the UK data watchdog over its AI chatbot, hinting at potential data privacy concerns. Stay updated on data privacy issues, especially if you’re a UK Snapchat user.
Google Business Profiles
Social Media Links ExpansionGoogle broadens access to social media links in business listings, enabling businesses to share more platforms with potential customers. Update your Google Business Profile to include all your active social media links.
TV and Movie Discovery ReportReddit publishes a report on its role in TV and movie discovery within the app, highlighting the platform’s influence on entertainment choices. Explore Reddit for TV and movie recommendations and join discussions around your favorite titles.
Top Reads on Social Media and Creator Economy
Social Media Trends and Concerns
The Internet’s Lost Fun FactorThis piece in The New Yorker discusses how the internet has transitioned from being a fun, exploratory space to a more controlled and commercialized arena. Content Moderation DilemmaThis article in Garbage Day delves into the challenges of content moderation and how it’s turning into a failed project. AI Audio’s Disinformation Wave on TikTokThe New York Times article highlights how AI-generated voices aid the spread of falsehoods on TikTok.
Creator Economy Insights
Networking App for Content CreatorsA former TikTok employee is creating a networking app for content creators to share insights and ‘spill the tea.’ Legal Music Remixing for TikTokHook aims to provide a platform for creating legal remixes of popular tracks for TikTok. Viral Video Challenges for TikTok Shop SellersBusiness Insider discusses how viral videos on TikTok Shop can both benefit and challenge sellers with sudden sales spurts.
Exploring New Frontiers
Google’s AI-Centric SearchGoogle’s AI-driven search can now generate images and draft texts, marking a significant advance in search experience. LinkedIn’s Newsroom ExpansionLinkedIn is scaling up its newsroom to enhance its news coverage, showcasing a blend of professional networking and real-time industry updates.YouTube Overtakes Netflix Among TeensA survey reveals YouTube surpassing Netflix as the preferred video source among teens, indicating a shift in digital consumption patterns.Social Media Subscription ModelsThis analysis explores the potential impacts of social media subscription plans on user engagement and platform revenue.Duolingo Owl’s Gen Z AppealFast Company examines why Gen Z is captivated by Duolingo Owl, shedding light on successful branding strategies that resonate with younger audiences.The Free Internet DilemmaA discussion on Hot Takes Space probes whether posting on the internet should remain free or become a paid endeavor.TikTok’s Tinned Fish TrendBusiness Insider delves into TikTok’s obsession with tinned fish, illustrating how social media can spotlight unexpected trends.
That’s it for updates!
Sources and Resources
