Social Media News Round-Up: 04/03/22
THIS WEEK’S SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING NEWS AT A GLANCE:
Scroll down to read the full news stories
🎙 Twitter tests a new podcast tab
🚨 Meta expands trial of updated removal alerts
💬 Instagram launches automated captions in feed videos
⏳ TikTok announces 10 minute videos
Twitter tests a new podcast tab
After acquiring podcast discovery app Breaker in 2021, this week Twitter has been spotted testing a new podcast tab in a move signalling a further push by the platform to facilitate podcast discovery and engagement.
App researchers found the new podcast tab accessible in both the side and lower function bars of the app.
In other news Twitter also released a statement committing to expanding the visibility of Birdwatch, the app’s fact-checking initiative first seen in testing in January last year. The Washington Post criticised Twitter in a report this week for failing to expand the initiative beyond a small group of 10,000 fact-checkers and the few users who can see their notes in this crucial time as Russia’s war on Ukraine rages on. Seemingly in response to this Twitter wrote in a blog post:
‘Starting today, a small (and randomized) group of people on Twitter in the US will see Birdwatch notes directly on some Tweets. They’ll also be able to rate notes, providing input that will help improve Birdwatch’s ability to add context that is helpful to people from different points of view.’
Image Source: Twitter
Meta expands trial of updated removal alerts
Last year in response to an Oversight Board recommendation Meta launched an initial test of their updated post removal alerts, which aim to provide more context on post removals in its apps, including informing users if their post has been removed through automatic detection.
This week Meta published a report stating their decision to expand the alerts in certain locations, further seeing what impact they have on user behaviour.
Instagram launches automated captions in feed videos
After being one of the most requested features from app-users for years, in 2020 and 2021 Instagram launched automated captions for IGTV uploads and then Stories in the app. Now this week Instagram has announced the launch of auto captions for feed posts in an initial 17 languages, with users being able to switch them on in the options tab of an upload.
Instagram said:
‘Adding captions makes Instagram more accessible to those in the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Captions are default ON for creators.’
Image Source: Instagram
Creators now have the ability to maximise the viewership and accessibility of their content on the platform by adding auto captions in all content forms on the app, including Reels using the ‘Captions’ sticker.
Instagram also announced this week the closure of its separate IGTV app and in-stream video ads, with creators soon being given the option to monetise their videos with sticker ads for Reels among other options. And was spotted further testing its ‘Digital Collectibles’ feature.
TikTok announces 10 minute videos
Users may have spotted a notification on TikTok titled ‘Account updates: Upload longer videos’ within the last few days. TikTok has announced the rollout of 10 minute videos to all users this week via TechCrunch:
‘We’re always thinking about new ways to bring value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience. Last year, we introduced longer videos, giving our community more time to create and be entertained on TikTok. Today, we’re excited to start rolling out the ability to upload videos that are up to 10 minutes, which we hope would unleash even more creative possibilities for our creators around the world.’
Image Source: SocialDay
The move is thought to provide more monetisation options for creators on the platform, considering the difficulties of monetising short form content.
This week TikTok also added a new ‘Agency Center’ feature to the app under LIVE settings. TikTok explained to Social Media Today:
‘LIVE agency is a function that allows creators to be discoverable by LIVE Talent Agencies to help develop/coach growth within LIVE (i.e. tips and tricks, best practices, etc). LIVE Agencies will eventually be able to invite creators to join their network, where they will train, coach, and connect them with their community of experienced LIVE Creators, in order to improve their broadcasting approaches.’
