Social Media News Round-Up: 14/05/21

May 14

eBay dips its toes into the world of NFTs, YouTube launches Shorts along with a new creator fund, and Instagram rolls out ‘preferred pronouns’ feature

YouTube rolls out Shorts to all US users and sets up $100 million creator fund

YouTube’s short-form video feature Shorts is now officially available to all US users and creators. Shorts work in a similar way to TikToks and Instagram Reels: videos have a 15-second limit when using music from YouTube’s library, or a 60-second limit otherwise. YouTube Shorts also offer automatically-generated and manual captioning options to allow creators to make their content as accessible as possible. App users in the US can find Shorts via the new dedicated Shorts tab, or by heading to creators’ channel pages.

As part of the launch, YouTube has also announced a $100 million Shorts Fund to reward creators for their content. Best of all, it’s not limited to YouTube Partner Program Creators; rather, anyone who creates unique Shorts content is eligible to participate in the fund - a huge monetisation opportunity for the site’s huge network of smaller influencers and creators.

Instagram now allows users to display their preferred pronouns

Instagram has introduced a new feature which allows users and creators to display their preferred pronouns on their profiles. These pronouns are then displayed next to a user’s name and they can choose whether this is displayed publicly or only to followers. Instagram currently allows users to add up to 4 pronouns by searching the ones you would like and selecting an option provided by the platform. If their preferred pronouns are not offered as an option, users can fill out a form to request they get added to the list.

Messenger and Instagram launch new expressive and integration features

Facebook-owned platforms Messenger and Instagram have rolled out new features making it easier for users to express themselves. Messenger now offers some new chat themes, including a Star Wars theme, as well as visual replies, which allow users to reply to messages using a photo or a video. The two platforms have also taken their message integration to the next level, with Messenger users now able to see if someone has viewed your message on Instagram.

Instagram tests new ‘reshare’ sticker

Instagram is testing a new ‘reshare’ sticker which will allow users to better highlight feed posts reshared to Stories. Many brands and creators upload their feed posts to Stories to drive people to interact with their content, however Instagram says that lots of users don’t like this type of resharing as content consumption can get repetitive. The reshare sticker would, in theory, allow for a smoother integration of main feed posts into Stories, however the platform hasn’t yet shared any details on exactly what the sticker will look like or how it will function. Stay tuned for more details on this one!

TikTok explores new job listing and recruitment tools

TikTok is dipping its toes into recruitment - or perhaps just stepping on LinkedIn’s toes - with its latest test. According to Axios, TikTok is currently testing a new tool that would enable brands to recruit employees on the platform, as well as showcase their workplace culture to potential candidates via TikTok clips. The test is still in beta, and though the move may not be expected or seem to make much sense on the surface, it signs with broader usage trends on TikTok, which is already becoming an active space for career guidance and advice.

eBay announces the ability to buy and sell NFTs on its site

eBay has announced that its customers will now be able to buy and sell NFTs on its site. In a statement from the company’s Senior VP and General Manager in the Americas, eBay said that NFTs are an opportunity to “unlock new assets for collecting” and “new ways for people to fuel their passion,” as well as to “expand eBay’s appeal to a new generation of collectors”.

What are NFTs? And what opportunities do they present for creators? Find out here