Social Media News Round-Up: 05/03/21

Twitter adds stickers and ‘twemojis’ to Fleets in Japan

In a sign of what’s to come for Twitter users, the platform has expanded the functionality of its Fleets feature in Japan. Twitter users posting Fleets from iOS devices in Japan can now add stickers and ‘twemojis’ to their content via a new stickers tray. 

Instagram introduces Live Rooms

Instagram has launched a new feature which allows users to go live with up to 3 other people in a ‘Live Room’. Previously, Instagram only allowed users to go live with 1 other person. The new feature will allow users to expand the type of content they produce on Instagram Live, such as experimenting with talk show formats and hosting more engaging Q&As and tutorials. Live viewers will also be able to purchase badges in the Live Rooms, just as they can on Instagram Live, to show creators their support. Features like Instagram Shopping and Live Fundraisers will also remain available through Live Rooms. 

TikTok rolls out Q&A feature to all users 

After testing last month, the Q&A feature is finally here. 

TikTok has been trying to find ways to keep viewers engaged with creators and this new feature seems to have passed the trial phase. 

‘In videos, users will be able to designate their comments as Q&A questions, which are then labeled as questions in the comments section. This makes it easy for a creator to quickly identify and answer questions in their videos' comments’. TikTok NewsRoom   

The Q&A feature will be available on profiles as well as on live videos, making it easy for creators to see questions rather than scrolling through a lot of comments. 

Quick tip: “To turn on Q&A, go to your settings and privacy page, select Creator, tap Q&A and hit the “Turn on Q&A” button to activate the feature. To switch to a Creator Account, select “Manage account” in your settings and choose the “Switch to Creator Account” option. Make sure you’ve updated to the latest version of TikTok to enjoy all that's new with Q&A” - TikTok NewsRoom 

WhatsApp adds voice and video calling to its desktop app 

To save reaching for your phone when sat at your desk, WhatsApp announced that it’ll be rolling out support for video and voice calls on its desktop app. 

WhatsApp which is used by more than 2 billion users, started testing the features late last year and hopes to roll them out soon, starting with voice calls.  

Twitter Spaces launches on Android - ahead of Clubhouse

Twitter has taken the leap and launched its Spaces feature for Android users before Clubhouse, which remains invite-only and available exclusively to iOS users. Twitter announced the development earlier this week, confirming that Android users could start joining and talking in Spaces, although they are still unable to create their own - a feature that Twitter says will become available soon.

Users can now embed Pinterest Pins in OneNote and Word

Microsoft has announced that its Word and OneNote users can now embed Pinterest Pins interactively on its platforms. Pinterest has become an increasingly popular and important way for creators and educators in particular to discover materials and ideas for their content. The new integration will allow these users to embed, organise and share these Pins with others.

SocialDay announces that Dave Pepper will be joining the Social Media Marketing Awards Judging Panel 🥂

Have you checked out our Social Media Marketing Awards yet? Entries are now open and the deadline is fast approaching 🚀