Social Media Weekly Roundup 27.11.20
Instagram introduces keyword search
Instagram is upgrading its search options, adding keyword search to the platform for users in six countries, making it a lot easier for people to search for and find new content. Previously, users could only search for specific hashtags, accounts and places. The new feature not only helps users but brands and creators too, who can now optimise their presence on the platform in another more accessible way.
Snapchat announces new entertainment feature Spotlight
Snapchat has launched a new TikTok-like feature which curates the very best videos on Snapchat, submitted to the platform by creators, in a dedicated in-app tab. Unlike TikTok, though, Spotlight will be closely moderated by Snapchat and won’t allow public comments, however the entertainment will become tailored to each user over time based on their preferences. Anyone can submit their videos to Spotlight and the best videos could win creators a share of the $1 million Snapchat is shelling out each day to celebrate and encourage users’ most creative content.
New UK tech regulator will limit power of tech giants including Google and Facebook
The UK government has announced a new tech regulator that will limit the power and aim to prevent the unparalleled dominance of Google, Facebook, and other tech giants. If successful, the move will level the playing field for smaller competitors, improve the fairness of the market for consumers, and encourage growth and innovation in the sector.
TikTok launches new feature that filters out videos with photosensitive content
TikTok has introduced a new feature which identifies and filters out videos with photosensitive content that could trigger seizures in people with epilepsy. The platform now also warns creators if their uploads contain effects that could trigger epileptic seizures, raising awareness of the issue and allowing creators to make more mindful decisions about their content. The move is a huge step forward for epilepsy sufferers and charities, as TikTok is the first platform to introduce measures to help users to avoid potentially dangerous content.
Twitter announces revamped account verification system coming in 2021
On Tuesday, Twitter announced that it would be relaunching its account verification system in 2021 after a three-year pause on new account verifications. Twitter announced it would be placing an indefinite pause on verifications in 2017 after controversy around the public accounts it had verified and not verified - most notably, its controversial verification of white supremacist Jason Keller. Part of the overhauled verification process will include Twitter automatically unverifying some of its users, in particular those that are inactive or have incomplete profiles - so, if you’re currently verified or are wanting to get verified next year, make sure your account is active and you’re not an egg!
Instagram upgrades its Branded Content ads creation process
Branded Content ads, a feature launched by Instagram last year, are a way for brands to spread awareness of themselves and their products through the creators that they work with. Up until now, though, brands could only create Branded Content ads when promoting existing organic posts. Now, the new creation process will allow brands to create ads without creators first posting organically, giving brands more flexibility and creators the power to approve and pause any ads that are published from their account.
It’s Black Friday...but you might’ve noticed a few changes this year
This week, we’ve taken a look at four of the best marketing campaigns of 2020 and considered what makes them great, what they are telling us about changing customer demands, and what the future may hold for Black Friday marketing.
