Social Media News Round-Up: 05/02/21

Bebo co-founder announces plans to relaunch the social network

Yes, it’s confirmed: Bebo is making its return! The social network’s co-founder Michael Birch has said that he aims to provide a “refreshing break” from the misinformation spread elsewhere and take on Facebook and Twitter with the relaunch of Bebo. Bebo, which stands for “blog early, blog often,” was once the most popular social media platform in the UK, reaching more than 40 million members at its peak. 

LinkedIn rolls out new Page admin roles

LinkedIn has rolled out new Page admin roles and permissions in an effort to “further ensure the trust and safety” of its users’ LinkedIn Pages. The new admin management system will allow users to assign and approve admin requests with one of four new roles: Super admin (full functionality on the Page), Content admin (can create and manage feed posts, live streams, events and Stories), Analyst (can measure the Page’s performance via analytics) and, coming soon, Curator (can curate posts for your “My Company” Tab and access related analytics). Users can now also add anyone to their Page as an admin, not just first-degree connections.

Google increases information about sites in its search results

This week, Google added a new menu item to search results in the US on mobile, desktop and its Android Google app. The new link provides searchers with more information about the site they are about to visit before they click on the actual link. Dubbed the “hamburger-style” feature, the new menu icon will pop up a new information panel with additional info about the site, including a short description of what the site is about and some data about whether the connection to the site is secure.

Facebook tests topic exclusions for advertisers

Facebook has said that it will begin testing advanced advertiser topic exclusion controls soon. The topic exclusion controls will enable businesses to stop their ads appearing next to certain topics in users’ news feeds. Facebook already offers similar exclusion tools for some of its ad products, in-stream video ads, where it offers exclusions for topics including ‘news’, ‘politics’ and ‘religious and spiritual’ content. The new topic exclusions will relate to a whole different set of categories and apply to content that appears within users’ news feeds.

Facebook tests new in-app screen on iOS 14 to convince users to opt-in to tracking

It’s no secret that Facebook has not been happy with Apple over its new iOS 14 data tracking option, which allows users to opt in or out of being tracked on specific apps. In response, Facebook have now begun testing a new in-app screen that will appear before Apple’s opt-in prompt. The additional prompt is said to provide more information about Facebook’s privacy controls, how it uses data to personalise advertising and why opting in will “support businesses that rely on ads to reach customers.”

Social media platforms launch new initiatives to celebrate Black History Month

The major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Twitter, have launched new initiatives to celebrate Black History Month. Facebook is launching a series of educational videos and programs aimed at highlighting black creators and their contributions to culture in various ways. It’s also launching a new We The Culture creative community to showcase black creators alongside its Lift Black Voices hub, which will showcase and celebrate black communities throughout February. Instagram is also promoting black voices via the hashtag #ShareBlackStories, while YouTube will be hosting a range of activities, including a showcase of artwork from black guest artists, on its platform.

Instagram rolls out new Recently Deleted feature, allowing users to review and restore deleted content

Instagram is rolling out a new feature, Recently Deleted, to allow users to restore content that has been deleted. The feature will come in the form of an in-app folder that keeps most deleted content (including photos, videos, reels and IGTV videos) safe for 30 days, after which it will be permanently deleted. Deleted Stories will be kept in the Recently Deleted folder for just 24 hours instead, during which time you can choose to restore them or leave them to be permanently deleted.

Instagram confirms it’s working on bringing ‘Vertical Stories’

TikTok is certainly the new cool kid on the block that just about everyone wants to copy. Instagram has confirmed this week that it is working on a new ‘Vertical Stories’ feature, which would mean users swiping vertically to view Stories rather than horizontally and could give the app even more of a TikTok-like feel. Instagram has already prioritised Reels, a short video feature it essentially cloned from TikTok.

Twitter gets a rebrand

Twitter has unveiled its first rebrand in five years. The platform’s new look has been described as more ‘grungy’ and ‘scrapbook-ish’ than previously, with the use of lots of layering and mixed media described by Leslie Berland, CMO and People at Twitter, as “complex and imperfect, by design.”

Snapchat introduces new “Safety Snapshot” to educate users on data privacy

Snapchat is introducing a new feature, “Safety Snapshot,” which will ensure that users are educated about the security of their data. The new “digital literacy program” will be located in the ‘Discover’ section of its app and will be a collation of outside experts posting content tips each month and teaching young users the risks associated with the web and how to protect themselves.