Social | Page 18 of 182

Facebook Wants To Sell HBO Subscriptions; Pinterest Ads On The Rise

December 14, 2018, 09:05AM

This week in social media news, Facebook is in talks to sell premium TV, surprises New Yorkers with privacy advice, tests search ads and makes life event posts more elaborate, Pinterest is inspiring US marketers, Instagram adds voice messaging feature to DM’s and Facebook might predict where you’re going. Also, the government is definitely watching your Twitter, Instagram offers data to creators and Snapchat partners with Adidas with augmented reality.

Facebook In Talks To Offer HBO, Other TV Subscriptions

Purchasing HBO and other premium TV subscriptions may soon be available on social networks like Facebook beginning next year, Recode reports.

Why it matters: TV and social media have strong ties, especially during live episodes and around premieres. Facebook understandably wants to get in on that action as it continues its push for Facebook Watch and other video offerings—not to mention another stream of revenue. The question is, why would users pay to watch HBO on Facebook when they can watch it on HBO Now? Social integration could be the key.

Details: Facebook is in talks to act as a reseller for premium TV channels including HBO, Showtime and Starz, sources told Recode. Subscribers would then be able to watch the channels on Facebook, most likely from the Watch hub.

Pinterest Will Attract 32 Percent Of US Marketers This Year

The number of US marketers that use Pinterest continues to rise, according to predictions by eMarketer.

Why it matters: Pinterest leverages consumers’ needs to discover new ideas organically, but with the help of a clever recommendation engine. In February, Pinterest reported that there were 600 million monthly visual searches on its platform, a 140 percent increase from 250 million a year earlier. Marketers are taking advantage of the site’s rising popularity through integrated Pins and ecommerce.

Details: EMarketer forecasts that 31.9 percent of US marketers will use Pinterest in 2018, up from 29.1 percent in 2017. As a result, Pinterest’s US ad revenues are expected to reach $553.3 million in 2018.

Facebook Brings ‘Privacy Pop-up’ To Manhattan

Facebook has set up shop in Manhattan’s Bryant Park to hand out hot cocoa and answer questions about privacy.

Why it matters: While advertisers continue to spend on the platform, user sentiment has dropped and youngsters are leaving in favor of Instagram and Snapchat. Facebook has already hosted these pop-up events in London, Dubai, Dublin, Ireland and Cologne, Germany. Face-to-face contact with users allows the brand to address concerns and make a more intimate connection.

Details: Facebook users can find the brand set-up in Manhattan’s Bryant Park Thursday, where team members will answer questions and demonstrate how to navigate the site’s privacy settings.

Instagram Offers More Data To Influencers With Creator Accounts

Select Instagram users are being offered “Creator Accounts” that provide access to data normally reserved for businesses.

Why it matters: One of the biggest complaints popular Snapchat users had was that the company didn’t treat them as an asset or provide data that could help them drive traffic. While Snapchat is slowly trying to remedy this, Instagram became a popular alternative for creators looking for more statistics such as follower counts. With Creator Accounts, influencers can access even more information that will help drive personal business decisions.

Details: Instagram has offered a select number of creators the opportunity to try its new “Creator Account.” The move recognizes influencers as entrepreneurs and allows them to sort messages, review data and more. The test will roll out to more high-profile users in 2019.

Snapchat Partners With Adidas For Trying On Virtual Shoes

Adidas has launched a sponsored AR lens that lets users “try on” the new Ultraboost 19 shoes before they hit stores.

Why it matters: Augmented reality continues to surpass VR adoption for several reasons, one of which is the ease in which a user can visualize purchases. This is reportedly the first time in which Snapchat has offered a shoe filter. Snapchat is leveraging its popular Lens feature to encourage ecommerce and attract high-paying brand partners.

Details: Snapchat users can see what the new Adidas Ultraboost 19 runners look like on their feet, thanks to a sponsored Lens. The shoes go on sale December 15, but the AR effect lets users imagine what they would look like on their feet. Tapping on the Adidas logo in the menu bar of Snapchat’s lenses activates the AR experience. It starts with an unboxing video, then lets people try them on or get more information.

Governments Demand More Info From Twitter, The Company Reports

Alongside its Transparency Report, Twitter said that global governments are requesting more information than in previous years.

Why it matters: Government interference has been a tradition since the invention of the government. However, in a digital age, users are much more aware of the implications and social media makes spreading propaganda as easy as a mouse click. On the flip side, governments in which freedom of expression is much more limited are demanding more takedowns.

Details: Twitter reported that it received 6,904 government requests for information on 16,882 accounts. Demands do not necessarily warrant a response, however. Twitter turned over at least some data in 56 percent of cases. The US requested the most information, followed by Japan and the UK. Turkey and Russia requested the most takedowns of data.

Facebook Tests Ads In Search Results

Advertisers may soon have the ability to choose search results as a placement option for advertising.

Why it matters: As more advertisers shift funds to Instagram, Facebook is on the lookout for new marketing real estate. Search result ads appear with a “sponsored” label, much like Google Adwords.

Details: A small beta test is being conducted in the US and Canada for retail and automotive brands. Participants can select “search results” as a placement option on static image and carousel ads, but no video at this time. Should the test prove successful, Facebook could roll out the new placement to other brands and regions.

Life Events Get Special Treatment On Facebook

Life events from getting a new job to losing a loved one can now be shared in a more creative way.

Why it matters: Life event posts encourage users to engage with one another and will most likely serve as a flag for advertising data, i.e. new families, new job, etc.

Details: Facebook announced new ways to commemorate moments in a user’s life. This includes animated photos and videos. Users can select images from a gallery of provided artwork, their own images or those belonging to tagged friends and Pages. An icon can be added to represent the update and the post will be prominently displayed on a user’s profile.

No Need To Type, Instagram Brings Voice Messaging To DM’s

Instagram added a voice messaging feature to its direct messages.

Why it matters: Instagram finally caught up to Facebook–they’ve had the feature in its Messenger platform for a long time. However, voice messages are the favored way of communication, so better to be late than never, right?

Details: Users can record messages by holding down the microphone button and instantly send once you release the button. Don’t like the embarrassing thing you recorded? Don’t freak out, users can re-record by sliding your finger over to the trash can button to delete it.

Instagram Focuses On Hashtags To Create #InstaGiftGuide

#InstaGiftGuide pairs 34 gift-worthy products and six 2018 hashtag trends to create a holiday shopping guide.

Why it matters: There are a lot of products on Instagram and many ways to shop, so it can hard to narrow down on gift ideas. #InstaGiftGuide makes it easier by searching famous hashtags like #catsofinstagram.

Details: Instagram combined its essential elements, brands and hashtags, to develop the #InstaGiftGuide. Earlier this year, the platform developed two new ways to shop via stories and its shopping channel in Explore. Among the hashtags linked to the #InstaGiftGuide are #tutting, #oddlysatisfying and #vaporwave.

Facebook Filed Three Patents To Figure Out Your Next Move

Location tracking is going up a notch and Facebook wants to figure out your next move.

Why it matters: Facebook wants to advertise to users in the best way and it includes when you’ll be offline and where you’re going after work. This might not be uneasy news for some, after Facebook’s notorious security breach exposed the personal information of over 50 million users.

Details: Facebook has filed several patent applications in order to figure out when a user is going next and when they’ll be offline. The first patent “Office Trajectories” describes a tech method that predicts where a user is going based on previously logged locations. The second patent “Location Prediction Using Wireless Signals on Online Social Networks,” gauges the strength of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular and near-field communication (NFC) signals to figure out your location–more precisely than GPS. Its third patent focuses on targeted advertising based on movement patterns, so it will alert you to promotions if you’ve visited two locations related to another pairing.

Snapchat Tests New Photo Features

Snapchat is testing several camera features that originated on Instagram.

Why it matters: Instagram took everything Snapchat was famous for and ran with it, leaving the disappearing-message app in a tough position competitively. Two can play at that game, but can Snapchat play the game well?

Details: As spotted by developer and social media sleuth Jane Manchun Wong, Snapchat is testing several camera modes: portrait, gridline, batch and timer. Portrait mode–those selfies blurred background–are all the rage, so as a “camera company,” Snapchat is wise to catch up.

YouTube Rewind Is The Sites’ Second-Most Disliked in History

YouTube’s attempt at celebrating its creators backfired when it excluded some of the year’s most-watched content.

Why it matters: Bt excluding creators that got into hot water, audiences felt that YouTube was being disingenuous and catering only to potential advertisers.

Details: Each year, YouTube creates a montage that pays tribute to its creators and most notable moments in the last 12 months. When audiences viewed the collection, however, they didn’t appreciate the absence of notable creators. PewDiePie and Logan Paul, among others. Leaving certain offenders out of the annual video could be meant to discourage repeat performances, but many audience members felt disappointed that rising starts were omitted.

Editor’s Note: Our weekly social media news post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, December 14. Have a news tip? We’re looking for changes to and news surrounding social media platforms as they relate to marketing. Let us know at editorial@alistdaily.com.

12 Dank Marketing Memes That Illustrate 2018

BY Matthew Downes

December 13, 2018, 04:58PM

We’re closing out 2018 with 12 dank marketing memes, specially curated for the unique tastes of those discerning chief meme officers out there. Gladden your heart with such AList favorites as “Lil Brandz,” “Twitter Musk” and “Papa John + Crying Cat,” and peruse our reading list to explore the inspiration behind the memes.

May your ROI be merry and bright. Happy New Year!

#1. Much Like The Flywheel Itself, This Meme Is Not Simply A Metaphor: It’s A Way Of Life

Sometimes you gotta pivot.

#2. Because GDPR Had To Be On This List

Your newly minted Chief Data Protection Officer had a lot to do this year.

#3. If Marketing Was Romaine Lettuce, Blockchain Was The ‘E. coli’ Of 2018

Ninety-nine percent of the time—it’s not.

#4. We Should Have Made This A Video Meme

It was too good to be true.

#5. Influencers Are So Hot Right Now

Special shoutout to everyone on TikTok.

#6. How Did We Get Here? And Where Are We Going?

Navigating the whole brands-having-personalities thing.

#7. Chief “Hide The Pain” Officer

Marketer-of-all-trades.

#8. What Kept You Up At Night

Thanks, programmatic!

#9. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Presented without comment.

#10. You Light Up My Life

Famous among moths.

#11. Introducing Unilever’s New CMO

Gritty Keith Weed.

#12. Lil Brandz

Wonder what’s in store for us all in 2019!

Reading list:

Well, that’s it. Want to make a suggestion or issue a cease and desist order? Did we miss the perfect marketing meme mashup? Did we totally blow it?

Let us know on Twitter @alistdaily.

Facebook Tests Live Shopping Videos; YouTube Adds Autoplay

BY H.B. Duran

December 7, 2018, 09:20AM

This week in social media news, Facebook wants to be the next home shopping network, YouTube Mobile gets an autoplay option, Facebook makes holiday wishlists, tests keywords and entices video creators in India while Snapchat reveals the quick service restaurant dining habits of its users.

Facebook Tests Live Video Shopping

Facebook is testing a new feature that would allow merchants to describe wares in a live video and fulfill orders through chat.

Why it matters: Humans are visual creatures and as consumers turn to their smartphones for inspiration, Facebook wants to cash in. Should the feature be widely adopted, ecommerce would be expanded on Facebook and open the door for similar Instagram opportunities.

Details: A select number of Pages in Thailand are testing a live shopping feature, Facebook confirmed with TechCrunch. Retailers would demo and describe their products via a live feed, similar to a home shopping network. Interested viewers can screenshot an item they like and send it to the seller via Facebook chat, where they can be invoiced and complete the transaction.

YouTube Mobile Gets Autoplay Option

Soon when mobile users browse YouTube’s home page, videos will begin to play automatically, but with the sound off.

Why it matters: YouTube previously added this feature for Premium Android users so they could preview content before viewing, with “great results.” The company says that by previewing content beforehand, it allows viewers to make more informed decisions about what to watch, resulting in longer engagement times when they do.

Details: YouTube is beginning to roll out Autoplay on Home for Android and iOS devices. Users will see videos begin to autoplay with the sound off while browsing YouTube’s home page on their phones. The option can be turned off or allowed only when there is WiFi access.

Facebook Adds Inspiration Section For Brands

A best-of-class collection of successful ad campaigns is now available to marketers to peruse for inspiration on Facebook.

Why it matters: As the second-largest seller of advertising in the world, Facebook needs to keep marketers happy and inspired amid an agonizing stream of controversies. Proving that advertising works on the platform certainly doesn’t hurt.

Details: The new Inspiration section is a collection of top-performing ad content, curated by Facebook’s Creative Shop. Users can browse by month, vertical, region and success rate, as displayed on a leaderboard. The section currently features ads from Hershey’s, Amazon, Uber and more.

Facebook Makes Pinterest-Like Collections Shareable

Facebook users can now share their collections of posts with others as a kind of “wishlist” for the holidays.

Why it matters: Collaboration means more time spent on the platform—a statistic that has gone down for Facebook in recent months. Creating and sharing collections allows users to communicate ideas with others, which in turn inspires those friends and family to log in and check it out. Facebook says that “millions” use this feature each day, so (at least in theory) millions will begin sharing those collections like an Amazon wishlist.

Details: Facebook collections rolled out a year ago but were visible only to their creators. Now, users will be able to share them with others. The idea is that collections will inspire collaboration or gift ideas, hence the timing of this release.

Keyword Mentions Being Tested For Facebook Groups

Group admins may soon be able to set up notifications for specific keywords.

Why it matters: Brands would be able to identify intent-related keywords within a group and offer a timely reaction. While the intent is to allow admins to weed out offensive conversations, the opposite could also be true.

Details: A new feature in testing would allow Facebook group admins to set up alerts when certain keywords and phrases are mentioned. This feature could help moderate offensive content, alert to interesting topics or notify brands of a particular interest.

Facebook Watch Offers Monetization In India

Indian Facebook users with over 10,000 followers can now access monetization tools for video.

Why it matters: Facebook continues its video push by offering tools similar to YouTube, its biggest rival. India is proving a lucrative market for social media giants, as well. Facebook added Stories features for Diwali celebrations this year and Snapchat just partnered with several publishers to offer local Indian Discover content for the first time.

Details: During a creator event in Mumbai, Facebook announced that Indian content creators can access tools to monetize their videos. The features are limited to videos at least three minutes in length and for creators with at least 10,000 followers.

Snapchat Explores The Eating Habits Of Its Users

Snapchat found that its users visit quick service restaurants (QSR) at least two times per week and usually on the weekends.

Why it matters: Advertisers on Snapchat can use this information to plan campaigns around when and where users are eating. Likewise, QSR brands can use this information to time campaigns and drive visits during less popular times of the week.

Details: US Snapchatters grab a bite between shopping trips and most often on Saturdays while Canadians do so on Fridays, the social network revealed. Different restaurants vary in popularity depending on the day. Taco Bell appears to be the most popular choice for a quick bite, especially on Sundays at 16.05 percent. Time of day also effects QSR visitation, Snapchat found. For Starbucks, peak US Snapchatter visitation is at 3:00 p.m. while McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King and Taco Bell are busiest at 6 p.m.

Editor’s Note: Our weekly social media news post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, December 7. Have a news tip? We’re looking for changes to and news surrounding social media platforms as they relate to marketing. Let us know at editorial@alistdaily.com.

Advertising Week: Joining The Social Conversation With Memes

BY H.B. Duran

October 2, 2018, 01:51PM

Memes are more than a lo-res picture with words—they are community level conversations. In an Advertising Week session called “Memeology 101: The New Language of Cultural Ideas,” Reddit’s head of brand strategy Joe Federer explained why memes work, how brands should utilize them for effective marketing . . . and when they shouldn’t.

Like genes, Federer explained, memes replicate themselves with small personal changes. The format stays the same, but someone adds their own twist and repeats the process.

To varying degrees brands have tried to incorporate memes into their marketing campaigns, Wendy’s twitter stands out as a highlight while there have been many more attempts from brands that didn’t quite work.

To uses memes as a marketing strategy, brands must first understand why they work. The movie Office Space is a “meme machine”—something that generates memes about the work environment. Still, people may not sit down and watch the entire movie just to get a quote you want to share. When you take a screenshot, however, you take the same idea and deliver it into a bite-sized conversation.

“The meme machine is as important as the meme itself,” said Federer.

Brands that want to use memes as part of a marketing strategy risk being perceived as an older person trying to look cool. In fact, there is an entire group on Reddit devoted to this idea called r/fellowkids, named after a scene in the show 30 Rock in which Steve Buscemi tried to pass as a kid in a high school.

Don’t let this intimidate you, however. Federer said that failure is part of the process. He told the audience about a campaign he worked on with water purifying company, Brita, that used self-depreciating humor to reach Redditor users. The brand went so far as to recreate the “How do you do, fellow kids?” meme with a 55-year-old member of their team.

In the case of Brita, the campaign was successful because it stayed true to the format and message of the original joke.

“When you jump on a meme, don’t dismantle it to serve your needs,” warned Maria Vorovich, fellow panelist and strategy director at Grey. She added that you can have a brilliant meme living side by side with cinematic marketing like matching luggage. Vorovich also stressed the importance of being agile in the social space. The meme space is constantly in flux, so jumping on a meme too late won’t have the desired effect.

“Make sure you have a place in the conversation,” she said. And, if you don’t, that’s okay. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge that it’s not right for you or a client’s brand.
At the request of an audience member, Federer and Vorovich offered three pieces of advice on how to successfully use memes in marketing.

The answers were:
1. You don’t have to create from scratch. Go ahead and hijack an existing meme.
2. You can learn from commonality looking at meme story history. Understand what the meme is saying and how it got there.
3. Surprise people with something they don’t expect. If it feels familiar, take a different approach.

Facebook Hosts London Pop-Up To Answer Data Questions

BY H.B. Duran

September 14, 2018, 10:10AM

This week in social media news, Facebook takes in-person questions from London residents and YouTube Kids adds a new experience for older users.

Also, Instagram attracts massive TV engagement and fights the opioid crisis, LinkedIn offers classes on airplanes and YouTube ads go vertical. Facebook teaches its AI some new tricks and prepares advertisers for the holidays, while Europe votes on a law that could impact business models based on user-generated content. Meanwhile, Facebook tackles brand safety and revamps Canvas, LinkedIn redesigns Groups and Instagram plays with video tagging. Pinterest hits a milestone, Mark Zuckerberg explains himself, Twitter revamps desktop view and YouTube brings a new show to India.

London Pop-Up Lets Facebook Users Understand Data

A pop-up in London this weekend will invite users to come down and ask questions about how their data is being used by Facebook.

Why it matters: Facebook has had to answer for its data usage policies by answering questions from the media and government, but the conversation with users has largely been one-sided. The social media giant is giving local users the chance to have a dialogue about the situation and better understand things like privacy policies and how data is used.

Details: Facebook is hosting a pop-up at 3-4 Carnaby Street in London from 12:00 p.m. Friday, September 14 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 16. The event is free and open to the public.

“Whether that’s how your data is being used, how to use Facebook’s privacy tools and controls or how to make the most of things like Groups and Stories. Now more than ever, we understand the importance of helping people build a Facebook experience that’s right for them,” Facebook said.

YouTube Kids Launches New Controls, Experience For Pre-Teens

Parents have been given new controls in YouTube Kids, allowing them to hand-select what content their children can access, as well as approve content designed for those 8-12.

Why it matters: There’s a significant difference between a 5-year-old and a 12-year-old in terms of what they enjoy online, and no two children are alike. Giving parents more options allows them to cater a YouTube experience for their individual child.

Details: YouTube is giving pre-teens a new experience that includes more music and gaming videos. Parents can select “Younger” or “Older” to grant access to the default content or this new line-up designed for more mature eyes. The “Older” experience is available in the US, with plans to expand globally. Meanwhile, the additional parental controls can prevent children from searching and restrict access to whichever channels or content Mom or Dad has pre-approved.

Instagram Hosts Fewer TV Posts, But Most Of The Engagement

Nielsen found that TV marketers gained the most social engagement on Instagram and with video/image posts.

Why it matters: TV marketers have to compete with other digital entertainment, and social media is an effective way to keep viewers engaged. Knowing what gets viewers most excited (or at least responding) on each platform will help marketers formulate a plan around key moments—premieres, finales, story twists, etc.

Details: Nielsen measured owned social content (posted by official accounts) across three weeks leading up to the fall TV season. On Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, TV marketers posted 142,000 pieces of content and earned 154 million engagements. Surprisingly, Instagram accounted for just eight percent of these social media posts but attracted 70 percent of the engagement.

LinkedIn Now Offers Training In-Transit Through Delta, Others

LinkedIn Learning courses offer training and insights for professionals in-transit that include thousands of interviews and courses, accessible through partnering transportation companies.

Why it matters: LinkedIn wants to build a reputation for nurturing professionals, and offering training on-the-go could be an effective way of accomplishing this. In addition to helping professionals learn new skills, LinkedIn has the potential to sell advertisements or sponsored content for brand exposure outside of the app.

Details: LinkedIn Learning courses are now available through in-flight entertainment on Delta Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, select Alaska Airlines flights and with Eurostar rail service.

Instagram Tries To Help With Opioid Addiction

A new pop-up will appear when Instagram users search terms and hashtags related to opioids, offering resources for addiction recovery and education.

Why it matters: According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 115 people die each day from an opioid overdose in the US. The opioid crisis in America has spawned multiple lawsuits and a hard look at the pharmaceutical industry. Instagram has the opportunity to reach its millions of users with resources and help, even if they are privately searching the app.

Details: Instagram has rolled out a new pop-up message that will appear if users search for opioid-related terms. Users will be able to obtain support resources and advice for family and friends of substance abusers.

YouTube Adds Vertical Video Ad Format

Advertisers on YouTube can now create messages designed for the vertical video format.

Why it matters: With the rise of IGTV and other vertical video formats, YouTube is adapting to make sure it appeals to young audiences.

Details: During the Dmxco conference, YouTube announced a new vertical video ad format that works the same as horizontal ones. Hyundai is one of the first brands to test it out.

Facebook’s ‘Rosetta’ AI Searches Memes For Violating Policies

Rosetta, Facebook’s artificial intelligence platform, has been taught to analyze, translate and flag memes that may be in violation of the site’s policies.

Why it matters: Memes express everything from humor to social commentary, but since they are made up of embedded text on an image, they are harder to spot through machine learning. With Rosetta reviewing over a billion public images per day, Facebook is getting some much-needed assistance on the moderation front.

Details: In a blog post, Facebook’s engineers detailed the process in which it taught Rosetta to analyze images with text on them. In addition to policy enforcement, Facebook says that Rosetta is making image searches more relevant and can improve screen reading for the visually impaired.

European Parliament Approves New Copyright Law

Members of Parliament in France have approved a European Union law that requires tech giants to automatically filter copyrighted content or obtain licenses for news and other content.

Why it matters: Social media business models are based almost entirely by user-generated content, placing tech giants like Facebook and Google in a difficult (and potentially expensive) position. Under the new law, these companies would be required to pay for any copyrighted material posted on its site or implement a way to block the content automatically. Critics point out that fair use images, such as memes, would be unfairly removed and result in censorship. A final version of the law is still under negotiation.

Details: A law that would help musicians and other professionals seek compensation for their work may force sites like Facebook and Google to re-think their business models in Europe. The law, approved pending a final version, has tech giants and their associations understandably concerned.

“[EU lawmakers] decided to support the filtering of the internet to the benefit of big businesses in the music and publishing industries despite huge public outcry,” said Siada El Ramly, director general of Edima, an internet platform association that includes Facebook and Google. “We hope that governments of the EU will hear their citizens’ concerns in the next stage of negotiations.”

Holiday Ad Templates Now Available On Facebook

It’s not even Halloween, but businesses are already planning holiday content on social media.

Why it matters: Adding holiday-themed overlays to advertisements help brands stand out on the platform and attract consumers as they plan their holiday spending.

Details: In a Tuesday blog post, Facebook reminded brands about advertising features to help their campaigns stand out, including dynamic ads with image overlays, holiday templates and ads that feature a collection of goods.

Facebook Rolls Out Brand Safety Tools

Marketers on Facebook can now exclude certain publishers, apps and content categories from delivery.

Why it matters: In this time of political turmoil (especially as the US mid-term elections loom closer), brands do not want to display ads next to content they find offensive. As Facebook pushes more video content, the company is trying to avoid the brand safety pitfalls experienced by YouTube.

Details: Facebook announced new controls across Facebook in-stream videos, Instant Articles and Audience Network to give all advertisers more choices. Marketers can gain access to a list of publishers that monetize their content, for example, and that list has been extended to include Instant Articles and in-stream videos. Undesired publishers can be added to a block list to avoid association. Publisher delivery reports allow marketers to view where their ads have been shown once a campaign has been launched.

Instagram Tests Ability To Tag Friends In Video

Instagram is testing a feature that would allow users to tag others in a video, similar to how you can in a photo.

Why it matters: If the feature becomes standard, influencers may be able to tag brands in videos such as unboxings and product reviews. In addition, tagging one another in videos may encourage more sharing and engagement on the platform.

Details: As confirmed by TechCrunch, Instagram is testing the ability to tag users in a video. The test is available only on mobile devices at the moment, and visible to voluntary test participants. A button at the bottom of a video will display a list of users tagged in the post. Instagram declined to provide additional details.

LinkedIn Unveils New Groups Experience

On Monday, LinkedIn launched a new version of Groups that includes access through the mobile app, engagement notifications and multimedia sharing.

Why it matters: LinkedIn is nurturing professional communities and encouraging more engagement on the platform—making it more attractive to potential advertisers.

Details: The new LinkedIn Groups experience includes new features like the ability to edit comments and posts, as well as share multiple photos. Group members will receive notifications whenever someone comments with a post and access Group activity from a mobile device. New features will be added in the near future that includes recommended Groups, access to Group conversations from the LinkedIn feed and a navigation panel for easy access.

Facebook ‘Canvas’ Is Now ‘Instant Experience’

Two years after the launch of Canvas, Facebook has added new capabilities and reintroduced the serve as “Instant Experience.”

Why it matters: The new features make it easier for mobile advertisers to create and launch campaigns and drive purchases.

Details: Canvas has been reborn as Instant Experience, complete with new templates and Facebook Pixel integration. Templates include Storefront, Lookback, Customer Acquisition, Storytelling and Forms.

Pinterest Hits 250 Million Monthly Users

In a blog post, Pinterest announced that it has reached 250 million MAU.

Why it matters: Pinterest’s unique visual format taps into consumers’ desire for inspiration and discovery over hard sales pushes. The site is especially popular outside of the US, with half of its user base and 80 percent of new sign-ups hailing from elsewhere in the world. Pinterest translates this affinity into business opportunities, saying that 78 percent of its users find brand content to be useful.

Details: Pinterest has announced the milestone of 250 million MAU on its platform. In addition, the site reported over 175 billion Pins, an increase of 75 percent over last year.

Mark Zuckerberg Begins Series Of Explanatory ‘Notes’

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that he will publish a series of notes that outline what he’s doing to make the site better.

Why it matters: Zuckerberg is taking personal responsibility for the issues surrounding Facebook. In a series of notes to the public, he hopes to explain how they are fixing problems with the site, as well as the challenges thereof. Embracing an attitude of transparency could help Facebook garner favor during this time of constant scrutiny.

Details: In a Facebook post, Mark Zuckerberg said he will start publishing a series of letters he calls “notes.” Beginning with election interference, Zuckerberg will address the issues his company is facing, while outlining the steps they are taking to solve problems. He warns that the process of fixing these problems could take years but expects to “end the year on a better trajectory” than when Facebook entered it.

Twitter Tests New Desktop Interface

A new desktop interface would allow Twitter users to access mobile features.

Why it matters: Bringing Bookmarks and Explore tabs to the desktop would encourage interactions normally reserved for the mobile app.

Details: In a Twitter post, the company announced that it is testing a new desktop interface that includes mobile features like Bookmarks and Explore. Users with access to the test reported faster load times, as well.

YouTube Launches Original Programming In India

YouTube Originals has launched in India with the debut of a new show called AR Rahman’s ARRived.

Why it matters: YouTube claims to be the biggest digital video platform in India with 245 million unique users per month, putting the brand in a unique position against streaming giants like Netflix.

“With our growing reach and highly engaged audience, brands have an incredible opportunity to engage with the audience,” YouTube India head of Entertainment Satya Raghavan told the Press Trust of India. “Our goal is to further boost the ecosystem and supercharge the growth.”

Details: YouTube has invested in original streaming content for the Indian region, beginning with AR Rahman’s ARRived in the coming weeks. YouTube tested the market by piloting two cricket-based talk shows.

Editor’s Note: Our weekly social media news post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, September 14. Have a news tip? We’re looking for changes to and news surrounding social media platforms as they relate to marketing. Let us know at editorial@alistdaily.com.

Instagram Adds New Superzoom Effects; Periscope Offers Audio Streams

BY H.B. Duran

September 7, 2018, 10:30AM

This week in social media news, Instagram Stories are ready to become memes with new Superzoom effects and Periscope allows podcasts on the go.

Also, Instagram helps parents start a dialogue with their kids and LinkedIn names the top 50 US start-ups on its site. Facebook braces for election time and its users take a break, Snap releases new shades, Instagram develops a shopping app and Twitter finds a bug. Meanwhile, Twitter plays with conversational features and YouTube rolls out picture-in-picture video and adds charity donation.

Instagram Adds ‘Superzoom’ Effects To Stories

New effects on Instagram let users quickly zoom into a person or object, then overlay an effect for dramatic or comedic impact.

Why it matters: Instagram’s new Superzoom effects are reminiscent of what you’d find on Vine, offering the potential to make Instagram Stories go viral (most likely captured as a GIF, since Stories disappear.) These new effects encourage creativity at a time when Instagram is trying to establish itself as a source for entertainment.

Details: Instagram is now offering several effects called Superzoom that add dramatic or comedic animated effects to Stories. The effect focuses on a person or object, then quickly zooms in, adding an effect such as camera flashes, flames, a big red X to indicate something is wrong and a heart-filled fog with cheesy music. You can see examples of these effects, as posted by Twitter user Matt Nevarra:

.@Instagram adds 6 new meme-worthy Superzoom effects https://t.co/Qgi5hgoEeL pic.twitter.com/25txjQM9Bq

— Matt Navarra (I quit X. Follow me on Threads) (@MattNavarra) September 7, 2018

Periscope Adds Audio-Only Stream Option

Twitter-owned Periscope now allows users to broadcast without video.

Why it matters: In addition to creating opportunities for podcasters on the site, allowing users to post audio may also make the feature more accessible to those without native-language keyboards.

Details: For its annual #HackWeek, Periscope created an update that allows users to broadcast with only their voice. In a blog post by Periscope staff engineer Richard Plom, he explained that some users would stream with the camera covered because they didn’t feel comfortable broadcasting themselves or their surroundings. Periscope’s team decided to challenge themselves with a quick turnaround for this update and were able to successfully launch in four days.

Instagram Releases ‘A Parent’s Guide’

A microsite has been unveiled on Instagram, offering parents an overview of the site as well as options and topics to help start important conversations their children.

Why it matters: A number of studies suggest that social media browsing can lead to anxiety and depression among users, especially on a site like Instagram that is used to present a picture-perfect version of one’s life. Instagram is offering tools to help parents understand the site/app and talk to their children about it.

Details: Instagram has released “A Parent’s Guide” that includes an overview, privacy options, glossary of terms and list of potential questions that parents can use to start a conversation. These questions include topics like bullying and how “likes” and “comments” make a child feel about Instagram posts. In addition, Instagram offers six accounts the company calls #RoleModels, suggesting that following inspirational accounts makes the experience more uplifting.

LinkedIn Lists Its 50 Top US Start-Ups

On Thursday, LinkedIn published an article promoting “young companies reaching that escape velocity.”

Why it matters: LinkedIn is a place for professionals to build a career, so highlighting entrepreneurs is designed to inspire and encourage its users.

Details: LinkedIn created a list of US start-ups based on LinkedIn engagement, including jobseeker interest and employee growth. The top five are Lyft, Halo Top Creamery, Coinbase, Noodle.ai and Bird. The entire list and can be viewed here.

Facebook Building ‘War Room’ For Mid-Term Elections

The social media giant is building a physical “War Room” to manage activity related to the US Mid-term Elections and is “laser-focused on getting it right,” according to Facebook’s head of civic engagement, Samidh Chakrabarti.

Why it matters: After the revelation that Facebook had become a vehicle for foreign election interference, the company has a lot to prove—especially after, on Wednesday, Sheryl Sandberg told Congress they were “too slow” to react.

Details: In an interview with NBC News, Chakrabarti indicated that Facebook is tackling foreign interference head-on and has made some progress in the area. In addition to identifying and blocking such activity, Chakrabarti said they have detected, blocked or removed over a billion fake accounts in the last six months alone and have added over 10,000 people to Facebook’s security team.

“We have to be ready for anything,” he said, “that’s why we’ve been building this war room, a physical war room . . . so, as we discover problems that may come up in the hours leading up to the election, we can take quick and decisive action.”

Snapchat Reveals New Spectacles Styles, Curation Tools

Snap has unveiled two new styles for its POV camera Spectacles, each made to look more like traditional sunglasses. A new feature will be added later this fall to publish captured footage.

Why it matters: Snap is pushing its Spectacles with the new style, tools and by allowing them to be sold on Amazon. More footage means more posts and engagement on Snapchat, making it more attractive to advertisers.

Details: On Wednesday, Snap revealed Nico and Veronica, two new styles of Spectacles camera glasses. The water-resistant glasses capture up to 70 videos or hundreds of photos on a single charge, then wirelessly transfer them to a user’s phone. A new feature will be added to Snapchat later this fall that automatically curates Spectacles Snaps into a single Highlight Story for easy sharing.

Instagram Is Developing A Stand-alone Shopping App

A new app is reportedly in development at Instagram designed for ecommerce.

Why it matters: If the reports are true and the app comes to market, Instagram would be in a unique position to sell products to its millions of users.

Details: According to The Verge, sources familiar with the matter say Instagram is developing a stand-alone app designed for browsing and shopping. The app may be called “IG Shopping,” although Instagram declined to comment.

Twitter Bug Pushes ‘Liked’ Posts By Mistake

Twitter has acknowledged a bug that inserts posts into a user’s timeline, claiming that a followed account liked it even though they might not have.

Why it matters: With Twitter backpedaling against claims of political censorship, the bug could be interpreted as a kind of “fake news” on the timeline—claiming someone you follow liked a post from a politician or regarding a hot-button issue, for example.

Details: Twitter users may have noticed that the site will tell them about posts one of their friends or followed accounts interacted with. A deeper look, however, found that some of this activity never actually happened. A spokesperson for the company confirmed that the issue is affecting several accounts but Twitter is working to fix it.

FCC Chairman Expresses Concerns About Today’s Tech Giants

In a blog post, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai suggested that tech giants like Google and Facebook could be held to the same transparency standards as those operating broadband networks.

Why it matters: In an age where tech giants track our every move and control what content we see, Pai is concerned that consumers have little to no insight on how these decisions are made.

Details: Ahead of Wednesday’s hearing with Facebook and Twitter, Pai shared his concerns on a Medium blog post that focused on transparency, expression and privacy. Although he says he does not want to control these companies like a utility provider, “It’s time to have a full and open conversation about the realities of today’s Internet economy.”

Study Finds Americans Taking A Break From Facebook

Pew Research has released new findings that suggest Americans are taking a new look at their relationship with Facebook.

Why it matters: Consumers are becoming more aware of the impact that social media has on their daily lives and mental wellbeing. Some consumers are disenfranchised with the social media giant while others remain unphased by revelations of data collection or misuse.

Details: A study released by Pew Research asserts that 44 percent of US consumers aged 18 to 29 say they have deleted the Facebook app from their phone in the past year. Just over half of all respondents said they have adjusted their privacy settings and 42 percent have taken a break for several weeks or more.

Twitter Tests ‘Conversational’ New Features

Twitter has been playing with a number of features lately, including threaded replies and seeing who’s online.

Why it matters: Aside from a few key changes like extra characters, Twitter hasn’t altered its original form all that much since its inception. CEO Jack Dorsey has recently stated that he is rethinking the site’s core features in order to foster healthier conversations.

Details: On August 31, Twitter’s director of product management Sara Haider posted screenshots of new features she has been testing. Among them are color-coded reply threads. Jack Dorsey retweeted the post, adding that they are also playing with online status indicators.

Playing with some new Twitter features: presence (who else is on Twitter right now?) and threading (easier to read convos) https://t.co/aCVRxVDfy0

— jack (@jack) August 31, 2018

YouTube Rolls Out New Miniplayer To Desktop Users

Some desktop users have observed the ability to let a video play while they continue to browse YouTube.

Why it matters: The video miniplayer is already in use on YouTube mobile applications, making the desktop site more like a mobile experience. Allowing users to multitask on the site may encourage them to view more, as they will already be searching for a new video before the previous one has ended.

Details: According to Beebom, YouTube has begun rolling out its desktop miniplayer, first spotted in testing earlier this year. Although not accessible to all users yet, the feature mimics functionality on YouTube’s mobile app.

YouTube Allows Non-Profit Donations With ‘Giving’ Suite

YouTube Giving is a new suite of features that allows streamers to host fundraisers on the site.

Why it matters: Charity live streams are common among the gaming community. Offering a way to more easily collect donations allows YouTube to compete with Twitch, where many of these streams take place.

Details: YouTube has released a suite of features called YouTube Giving. The suite, currently in beta testing, allows online creators to host fundraisers, donation matching and Superchat For Good, a version of promoted chat comments that raises funds for charity instead of the streamer. To show off and test the new features, YouTube has partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for a series of fundraising gaming videos in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Editor’s Note: Our weekly social media news post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, September 7. Have a news tip? We’re looking for changes to and news surrounding social media platforms as they relate to marketing. Let us know at editorial@alistdaily.com.

Twitter Celebrates #HashtagDay, Signs Deal With Overwatch League

BY H.B. Duran

August 24, 2018, 10:00AM

This week in social media news, hashtags turn 11 and Twitter’s esports partnership dreams come true.

Also, Facebook is all about that transparency, inviting publishers to scrutinize ads and banning a popular app. On the brighter side, Facebook has made it easier to create video ads on the platform. Pandora listeners share music on Snapchat, LinkedIn helps job seekers, Facebook could be testing voice controls and has deleted more bad actors from its platforms. Instagram sees if it can keep users scrolling, Facebook tries to make MRIs less of a pain and GIPHY creates its own version of Stories. Meanwhile, Snapchat users get a peek at the new Android design, Twitter vows to promote conversational health and LinkedIn invites economic research.

Twitter Celebrates 11 Years Of Hashtags

Just over a decade ago, Twitter started the trend of adding a hash/pound sign in front of a phrase so that users could sort tweets by topic.

Why it matters: Twitter says that over 125 million hashtags are shared on its platform each day. The hashtag has helped gain worldwide awareness for everything from social causes to brand campaigns and has spread to other platforms as a universal way to share ideas.

Details: Users on Twitter can celebrate the 11th anniversary of the hashtag with—what else—a hashtag. Using #HashtagDay in a tweet will add the emoji of a hashtag inside a blue heart. The site is also asking users to share which hashtag has made the most impact on them this year.

Overwatch League Partners With Twitter For All-Star Weekend

Blizzard’s Overwatch League has signed a multi-year with Twitter that includes a weekly show, match highlights and on-demand video.

Why it matters: Overwatch League attracts the kind of viewership Twitter is looking for when it pursues video partnerships. The Overwatch League Grand Finals in July, for example, averaged over 861,000 views per minute. This partnership would allow Twitter to reach a wide audience of 18-34 consumers, which extends to brands that want to time advertising around events.

Details: Twitter will show highlights of the Overwatch League All-Star Weekend tournament this weekend, and continue its partnership with the 2019 season. The partnership includes a live weekly show and match highlights.

“From the inception of the Overwatch League, the community on Twitter has always been one of our most passionate and engaged,” said Daniel Cherry, vice president and chief marketing officer for Activision Blizzard Esports Leagues. “That’s why we are particularly excited to announce this collaboration, beginning with the Overwatch League’s All Star-Weekend.”

Facebook Creates New Video Editing Tools For Advertisers

Advertisers on Facebook can now access a suite of editing tools to create mobile video campaigns.

Why it matters: Facebook claims that mobile-first creative has a 27 percent higher likelihood of driving brand lift video ads that are not optimized for mobile. As brands find it harder to gain traction in Facebook’s ever-changing algorithm, a video may prove beneficial for standing out in a saturated Facebook ad marketplace.

Details: Facebook has introduced a number of video tools for advertisers on its platform, including the ability to edit, crop and create video ads from templates or existing photos.

Ad Archive API Lets Journalists Scrutinize Marketing On Facebook

Facebook is accepting applications for journalists and researchers to access a new Ad Archive API. This tool would allow users to view detailed information about an ad in order to better understand its origins.

Why it matters: Facebook is gearing up for mid-term elections with all the transparency it can muster.

Details: A new Ad Archive API will be tested with publishers, educators and academics in the US before being offered to other users. The API offers ad creative, start and end date, and performance data, including total spend and impressions for ads. It also shows the demographics of people reached, including age, gender and location.

Facebook Bans myPersonality App For Data Abuse

Psychometric app myPersonality has been banned from Facebook after an investigation found misuse of user data.

Why it matters: Following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook is taking a second look at the hundreds of apps it allowed to access user data. The social media giant has updated its policies regarding data usage and security which has resulted in numerous app suspensions and investigations.

Details: myPersonality, a Facebook app introduced in 2007, refused to comply with an audit of its security practices and thus was banned from the platform. In ablog post, Facebook said “it’s clear” that the app shared user information with only limited protections in place. Facebook is now notifying roughly 4 million people who chose to share their Facebook information with myPersonality.

Pandora Premium Gets Snapchat Integration

Special album cards can now be shared on Snapchat by Pandora Premium users.

Why it matters: Albums or playlists shared on Snapchat redirect users back to Pandora, offering a new trackable source of traffic and incentive for users to upgrade to Premium. Snapchat, meanwhile, gains a new method of engagement for a user base that has dropped in recent months.

Details: Beginning August 22, Pandora Premium users can share a song, album or playlist with their Snapchat followers directly from the Pandora app. Snapchat users in the US who tap on the music card will gain access to Pandora’s entire music library. Listeners can already share Pandora content via Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp and Twitter, so Snapchat integration rounds out the list for engagement.

Voice Control Code Found Inside Facebook App

A dictation feature has been located inside the code for Facebook and Messenger, indicating that the company hasn’t given up on zero UI.

Why it matters: Facebook put its smart speaker plans on hold amid privacy scandals this year, but finding code inside the app may show that the company plans to continue its voice-controlled ambitions. As the third most popular entry point into the internet, Facebook stands to gain tremendous market share with a smart speaker . . . so long as users trust the company enough to use it.

Details: As reported by TechCrunch, App investigator Jane Manchung Wong discovered code within the Facebook and Messenger mobile apps that allows users to dictate text to a voice assistant called “Aloha.” Speaking while in a message thread will transcribe a user’s voice into text. In addition, the code describes the feature as having connections with external Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices.

Facebook Removes Over 5,000 Ad Targeting Categories

Amid accusations (and lawsuits) over ad targeting discrimination, Facebook has announced the removal of over 5,000 targeting options.

Why it matters: Previously, marketers on Facebook could exclude certain groups such as race or religion from seeing an ad, but that extended to housing and other industries that prohibit discrimination.

Details: Facebook has announced plans to remove over 5,000 targeting options for advertisers, including ethnicity and religious beliefs. To help curb any discrimination, Facebook will also roll out certification programs for all advertisers, beginning in the US. Advertisers will be required to complete this certification in order to continue advertising on Facebook.

LinkedIn Upgrades Job Search Features

Job hunters on LinkedIn now have access to a dashboard that consolidates search results, in addition to new features to help make decisions.

Why it matters: Building a reputation for matching businesses with job hunters allows LinkedIn to attract more users, as well as solicit paid features.

Details: New features have been added to LinkedIn Job Search that include notifications when a company posts an opening, salary comparisons and the ability to work remotely. The updated interface also eliminates the need to open multiple job posts and allows users to search by more parameters like telecommute.

Facebook Removes More Accounts For ‘Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior’

The fight against fake news and outside political interference rages on as Facebook removed multiple Pages and accounts designed for this purpose.

Why it matters: It’s important for Facebook to be transparent about its efforts to curb foreign interference ahead of the mid-term elections, as the company fights to regain its reputation after the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Letting users know what they are up against—and when they are successful—will help ease concerns about Facebook’s spread of misinformation.

Details: Facebook has announced the removal of “multiple” Pages, groups and accounts for coordinated inauthentic behavior on Facebook and Instagram. These accounts were found to originate in either Russia or Iran, although Facebook has not found a link between the campaigns. Facebook explained that they often find it necessary to sit back and watch this behavior before removing it.

“There is always a tension between taking down these bad actors quickly and improving our defenses over the long term,” Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s head of cybersecurity policy wrote. “If we remove them too early, it’s harder to understand their playbook and the extent of their network. It also limits our ability to coordinate with law enforcement, who often have investigations of their own.”

Instagram Tests Recommended Posts

Beginning Tuesday, Instagram is testing recommended posts that will appear once a user has caught up on their news feed.

Why it matters: Instagram recently implemented the “all caught up” feature to prevent endless scrolling and promote digital wellbeing among its users. Recommended posts are less prone to endless scrolling and users are given the choice as to whether they want to see them.

Details: When a user has caught up on Instagram posts from accounts they follow, two choices will now appear—view past posts or scroll to view recommendations. Instagram says they will refine the product based on user feedback.

Facebook Collaborates To Speed Up MRI Scans

Facebook and NYU School of Medicine’s Department of Radiology have announced a research project dubbed fastMRI that uses AI to make the process up to 10 times faster.

Why it matters: In its quest for world data domination, Facebook has amassed an arsenal of advanced technologies. Using this tech to help others would paint Facebook in a more favorable light as the company faces worldwide scrutiny, lawsuits and bad press. MRIs currently take up to an hour, which is difficult for young children, those who are claustrophobic and patients who experience pain when lying down. Speeding up the process would not only ease this tedious process but free up the machine for more patients.

Details: Facebook has announced a partnership with the NYU School of Medicine’s Department of Radiology to improve the MRI process. MRI scanners work by gathering raw numerical data in a series of sequential views and turning the data into cross-sectional images. AI would be able to gather and display these images with less data, thus speeding up the process.

GIPHY Adds Animated ‘Stories’ To Its Webpage

Popular GIF database site GIPHY took a cue from social media networks by adding Stories to its homepage.

Why it matters: GIPHY may not be a social network unto itself, but the site is integrated with multiple platforms including Twitter and Facebook. These curated Stories have obvious implications for social media, should the company make it available to users.

Details: GIPHY has updated its website to feature Stories, a series of animated GIFs with subtitles curated by the site’s editorial staff. GIPHY Stories are displayed as a slide show that users can swipe through vertically on mobile devices and viewed horizontally on desktop. GIPHY’s first Stories include “The Bachelorette Finale in GIFs” and “The best GIFs for your summer out of office email.”

Snapchat Redesign Is Faster, According To Android Testers

Android users with root access can try out Snapchat Alpha, a new experience being created from the ground up.

Why it matters: Snapchat’s users have dropped this year following a controversial redesign. In the company’s Q2 earnings call, CEO Evan Spiegel said that re-engaging Android users will be a “higher focus” for the company moving forward. One of the users’ biggest complaints was how slow the new app was, so early tests are promising.

Details: Early testers of Snapchat’s new Android design say that it runs “smoother,” and shows improvement in terms of speeds. The app is far from being polished, however, and lacks several features like being able to send chats.

LinkedIn Invites Economic Researchers To Mine Data

LinkedIn is attempting to digitally graph the global economy and is inviting researchers to join the team.

Why it matters: In the short term, data mining raises questions about the safety of user information, although LinkedIn says it has privacy restriction in place. In the long term, LinkedIn wants to positively impact the global workforce by better understanding the economy. According to LinkedIn, its existing graph has been leveraged by organizations such as the World Economic Forum, the World Bank, state/local governments, and nonprofits to help identify macroeconomic trends and opportunities.

Details: LinkedIn says that its economic graph allows the company to connect users with job opportunities on a massive scale. The company is inviting economic researchers to help out, but proposals must be approved. In addition, data will not be available for download to prevent abuse.

Jack Dorsey Says They Are Ready To ‘Question Everything’ About How Twitter Works

Twitter founder Jack Dorsey continued his media tour this week with an interview on CNN, during which he reiterated the company’s willingness to change drastically.

Why it matters: Dorsey expressed his displeasure at how Twitter has become a hub for abuse and an echo chamber for ideas when it was originally designed to spawn conversation and discovery. Twitter takes a risk giving the site an overhaul but could benefit in the long term if it proves to discourage abuse.

Details: In an interview with CNN, Dorsey was reluctant to commit to a timeline for changes and seemed to ask more questions than offer answers. He did, however, admit that Twitter’s design encourages users to follow certain behaviors in regard to likes and follows.

“We are aware of some of the silos and how we’re isolating people by only giving them crude tools to follow accounts. We need to broaden our thinking and get more back to an interest-based network,” he said.

Editor’s Note: Our weekly social media news post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, August 24. Have a news tip? We’re looking for changes to and news surrounding social media platforms as they relate to marketing. Let us know at editorial@alistdaily.com.

YouTube Red Gets Its First Theatrical Release; Twitter Cracks Down On API

BY H.B. Duran

August 17, 2018, 10:50AM

This week in social media news, YouTube Red makes its theatrical debut, Twitter explains its API changes and LinkedIn woos sales teams with new features.

Also, Pinterest gives an inside look into its recommendation AI, Twitter considers big changes, Crimson Hexagon is off the hook, Tweetbot loses key features and LinkedIn updates Groups. Facebook advertisers are turning images into video, Instagram addresses widespread attacks and Twitter finally suspends Alex Jones.

YouTube Red Competes With OTT Giants By Going To The Movies

YouTube’s indie film Viper Room is headed to theaters this fall, making it YouTube’s first foray outside the app and qualifying the company for film awards.

Why it matters: Film is thriving on OTT both in terms of viewership and acclaim. This year, Netflix was nominated for eight Academy Awards and a whopping 112 Emmy nods. In order for YouTub Red to be taken seriously as a source for quality entertainment worthy of a subscription fee, it needs to become an award contender alongside competitors Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.

Details: Thanks to a partnership with distributor Roadside Attractions, Viper Room will be released in theaters October 26. The indie film, which stars Susan Sarandon, was acquired by YouTube Red back in March and its theatrical release is timed perfectly to qualify for the upcoming awards season.

Twitter Tightens The Reigns On Its API

Twitter is taking a more “focused approach” to improving its app and controlling its user data, as evidenced by cutting off certain features to third-party apps.

Why it matters: As Twitter woos advertisers, it needs to control how users interact with its platform. While Twitter will still allow certain apps access to its API, some features have been discontinued so that users can only get the full experience through official apps.

Details: In a blog post on Friday, Twitter explained why it has cut off certain features from third-party apps like Tweetbot (see below). The company has removed support for Twitter for Apple Watch and Twitter for Mac, replaced its previous Twitter for Windows app with the Progressive Web App and removed support for some outdated developer tools. Twitter reminded users that the official site and apps were always the exclusive source for tools like Periscope and polls.

“We know some of you don’t like this more focused approach,” wrote Rob Johnson, Twitter’s senior director of data enterprise solutions, adding that the company is still invested in its developer ecosystem.

LinkedIn Supports Sales Team With New Features

In an effort to “win the hearts and minds of the entire sales organization,” LinkedIn has added new functionality to its Sales Navigator tool.

Why it matters: LinkedIn is courting revenue by offering its Premium members more tools to succeed. The revamped Sales Navigator feature is designed to help businesses grow on its platform by acquiring new clients and expanding existing client relationships.

Details: LinkedIn has added new tools to its Sales Navigator feature including Office 365 integration, mobile lead pages, new search options, SNAP partners and tools to oversee the deal pipeline. The features add on to LinkedIn’s existing Premium Insights that the site began offering in 2016.

Pinterest Explains Its Recommendation Framework

A Pinterest engineer shared details about PinSage, an advanced recommendation framework being used for ad recommendations on the site.

Why it matters: Image search is becoming a popular method of discovery and technology companies recognize this. Google recently updated its image search display, Apple is developing image search and Amazon has secretly been working with Snapchat for a visual search feature as well. As a visual platform, it’s important for advertisers to understand how Pinterest technology aids in search results.

Details: Pinterest Labs developed a new graph convolutional neural network called PinSage, one of the engineers explained in a blog post on Wednesday. To put it in layman’s terms, PinSage analyzes more information than a standard deep-learning method, making its recommendations more accurate and helpful. PinSage has been used for ad recommendations beginning in February and for shopping recommendations in June, according to Venture Beat.

Jack Dorsey ‘Rethinking’ Core Parts Of Twitter

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said that he is experimenting with features that would promote alternative viewpoints in Twitter’s timeline. The idea would be to address misinformation and reduce “echo chambers” on the platform.

Why it matters: Twitter, as with other social networks, has been accused of censorship and stifling voices counter to their own personal viewpoints. As global users consume news content from social media, companies like Twitter are considering the responsibility of their impact on ideas. If Twitter offers multiple viewpoints, it invites conversation and exploration of new ideas.

Details: In an interview with The Washington Post, Dorsey expressed concerns about Twitter’s core features that aid the spread of misinformation. In addition to displaying alternate viewpoints in the news feed, Dorsey said he is considering a redesign of like buttons, follower counts and labeling bots.

LinkedIn Updates Group Feature To Promote Engagement

Several changes are rolling out to LinkedIn Groups this month, including access from the homepage and simplifying management.

Why it matters: Making LinkedIn Groups easier to interact with and manage from mobile devices would allow the site to increase engagement on the platform.

Details: Based on user feedback, LinkedIn will soon add the ability to manage groups in both iOS and Android apps and simplify the number of admin roles down to owner and manager. In addition, users will be able to access their Groups more easily from the home page and receive notifications about Group activity.

Tweetbot Loses Features Ahead of Twitter API Changes

Tweetbot has lost several key features due to Twitter’s API changes, including push notifications and timeline streaming on WiFi.

Why it matters: Twitter’s API changes are an effort to better control data accessed by third-party apps. The changes are forcing users to use the official app if they want the full experience, however, which is leaving some developers frustrated.

Details: Tweetbot’s timeline will refresh every one to two minutes instead of in real-time and likes, retweets, follows and quotes have been disabled. In addition, any push notifications for mentions and direct messages are also delayed. Activity and Stats tabs have been removed, and Tweetbot has disabled its Apple Watch app as a result of the Twitter API cutoff.

“Because Twitter has chosen not to provide alternatives to these interfaces,” Tweetbot told its users, “we have been forced to disable or degrade certain features. We are sorry about this, but unfortunately, this is totally out of our control.”

Crimson Hexagon Reinstated After Facebook Investigation

Data firm Crimson Hexagon has been allowed back on Facebook after an investigation found it did not use data for government surveillance purposes.

Why it matters: Facebook suspended the data firm in July after a Wall Street Journal piece drew attention to potentially suspicious clients, including Government agencies and a Russian non-profit. After it was learned how Cambridge Analytica used Facebook data, the company isn’t taking any chances.

Details: Facebook has reinstated Crimson Hexagon onto its platform after several weeks of investigation, the company announced on Thursday.

“To our knowledge, no government customer has used the Crimson Hexagon platform for surveillance of any individual or group,” the company said in a blog post.

Facebook Marketers Can Now Turn Still Images Into Video Ads

New Create to Convert tools have been introduced that allow advertisers on Facebook to animate still images.

Why it matters: Video direct-response ads have become a popular strategy on Facebook, increasing 3.8 times across the company’s platforms over the last year. Cutting through the noise of Facebook feeds could be made easier by creating eye-catching animations. Adding these tools allows Facebook’s advertisers to create low-cost animations and (hopefully) achieve higher ROI.

Details: Facebook introduced new tools on Wednesday that add motion to still images, such as animating a brand logo or creating moving elements to an image. So far, tests of the format with Shopback have achieved 5.5 times higher conversion rate while lowering cost per registration by 5.7 times.

Some Instagram Users Locked Out

Several Instagram users have reported issues accessing their accounts this week due to what appears to be a coordinated hacking effort by scammers. Instagram has issued a blog post providing steps to unlock user accounts that have been impacted.

Why it matters: Instagram has not acknowledged (and may not know) the source of these attacks, but it has become a big enough problem that the company has created an official post about it. One clue can be found in the guidelines put forth by Instagram—”suspicious third-party apps.” Instagram suggests revoking any access to such applications but does not define how users can determine which ones are suspicious.

Details: Following what appears to be a coordinated effort to take over Instagram accounts, the company has issued guidelines on how to regain access. Among the usual suggestions like changing passwords and email addresses, Instagram strongly advises that users revoke access to any suspicious third-party apps. This story is still developing.

Alex Jones Receives One-Week Suspension From Twitter

Infowars host and right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been suspended from Twitter for a period of one week.

Why it matters: Just last week, Twitter founder Jack Dorsey refused to cave to pressure from other social media sites and left-leaning users to ban Alex Jones or Infowars, fearing that the social network will become “constructed by personal views” that can swing in any direction. After being punished or removed altogether by Facebook, YouTube, Apple and others, Alex Jones has continued behavior that violates Twitter guidelines. The move to suspend him shows that Twitter is enforcing its rules for a reason and not banning him out of peer pressure.

Details: Alex Jones has been suspended from Twitter for violating the site’s guidelines—specifically, targeted harassment. In a Periscope livestream, the Infowars host, now fueled by what he perceives as censorship, told viewers, “now is time to act on the enemy” ahead of a “false flag” attack. Jones’ conspiracy theory and right-wing political podcasts have already been removed from Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Twitter has been slow to jump on the “ban” wagon, citing concerns over political bias.

Facebook’s Acqui-hire Points To More Interactive Video

Tech startup Vidpresso has officially joined Facebook, giving the social media giant access to its staff and interactive video tools.

Why it matters: As Facebook places more emphasis on its video efforts, Vidpresso’s tools will allow it to compete with interactive communities like Twitch and attract more high-profile creators.

Details: Vidpresso has joined Facebook effective August 13, signaling a more interactive future for video on the social network. The small tech startup offers interactive video tools like polls, comments and elements from different social networks on one screen. Facebook did not buy the company itself, but rather hired its staff and purchased the technology. For now, Vidpresso will continue to provide its tools to clients like BuzzFeed, Turner Sports and Nasdaq.

Twitter Lite Now Available In Over 45 Countries

A streamlined version of Twitter has been added to the Google Play store in 22 additional countries, bringing the app to over 45 countries worldwide. In addition, push notifications have been added so that users can stay informed and threaded tweets give users the entire story.

Why it matters: Social giants are finding new ways to reach underserved locations that don’t have access to smartphones or reliable data. Facebook released its own Lite APK in the US and 7 other countries in March. Twitter’s availability in more countries puts it at an advantage over Facebook for the time being.

Details: Twitter Lite, a pared-down version of its app, has been added to the Google Play Store in Argentina, Belarus, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Romania, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Yemen, and Zimbabwe. This brings the total of available countries over 45.

Facebook Makes It Easier For Kids To Add Friends

Children using Facebook Messenger Kids can now initiate friend requests, a process normally left up to parents. The feature is opt-in and parents still need to finalize approvals.

Why it matters: Teenagers are using Facebook less, so it would be wise for the site to entice consumers before they turn 13. The new process allows children to initiate friend requests on their own and doesn’t require parents to oversee the entire process (just the finalization). Facebook is making it easier for parents to take a hands-off approach, no longer requiring that parents be friends with their children and now giving friend requests over to the young users themselves.

Details: A new feature has been added to Facebook Messenger Kids, allowing children to begin the friend request process on their own. When parents opt-in, the app will generate a random four-word passphrase that children can share with others. The parent must still approve all friends before they become official.

Facebook Signs Exclusive Rights To Stream La Liga Soccer Games In India

Facebook has signed an exclusive deal to offer free streaming of La Liga soccer games in India and its subcontinents.

Why it matters: La Liga has two of the largest soccer followings on Facebook, offering the social network a built-in following of avid fans.

Details: Spanish soccer league La Liga has signed its first social media deal—a three-year exclusive contract with Facebook beginning with the 2018/19 season. The partnership will include free game streaming across the La Liga Facebook Page as well as individual team Pages throughout India and its subcontinents.

Snapchat Adds Native Ecommerce To AR Lens

Nicki Minaj’s shoppable AR Lens on Snapchat could mean the feature will open up to creators, as well as native shopping features app-wide.

Why it matters: Often imitated, Snapchat is taking steps to ensure that its signature AR Lenses offer value to brands and its creators. Roughly seven million Snapchat users employ AR Lenses each day, according to the brand, making it prime real estate for brand interaction. Sponsored Lenses have been used for everything from film promotion to makeup, but until now, shopping within the Lens was only available to brands. In addition, users would be directed to an outside website. Opening the shopping feature to creators—and keeping buyers in the app—will allow Snapchat to foster its own ecosystem.

Details: Nicki Minaj is promoting her new album “Queen” on Snapchat with a sponsored AR Lens. Users can try on a bejeweled mask, then tap “add to bag” to purchase a Queen necklace from the artist. Assuming this is a partnership with Minaj and not a brand, the promotion marks the first time shopping through the AR Lens has been opened to creators. Even if the Lens is sponsored by a brand, i.e. Republic Records, it’s a pretty big deal to integrate native ecommerce directly into the Lens.

Facebook Page Engagement Continues Downward Trend

A new study found that engagement with Facebook Pages had declined by over 50 percent in the last 18 months.

Why it matters: Increased competition and Facebook’s algorithm changes are making it more difficult for brands to organically stand out from the crowd. While business Pages are posting more often, overall engagement is on a steep decline. Pages that posted more than 10 times per day experienced the biggest engagement drop-off, while those who posted less than once a day experienced more engagement overall. BuzzSumo found that the optimal video length on Facebook is anywhere between 30-120 seconds.

Details: A joint study by Buffer Social and BuzzSumo examined more than 43 million posts from the top 20,000 brands on Facebook and compared engagement to 2017. The top 20,000 Facebook pages published an average of 135 posts per month during the second quarter, amounting to just over four per day. Buffer observed a 24 percent increase in posts per day compared to the first quarter of 2017.

Editor’s Note: Our weekly social media news post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, August 17. Have a news tip? We’re looking for changes to and news surrounding social media platforms as they relate to marketing. Let us know at editorial@alistdaily.com.

Friend List Feeds Retired From Facebook; Twitter Says Its Rules Are A ‘Living Document’

BY H.B. Duran

August 10, 2018, 10:00AM

This week in social media news, Facebook adds extra Page verification, nixes Friend List feeds and bans the sharing of blueprints for 3D-printed guns.

Also, LinkedIn explains how it addresses potentially harmful activity and Facebook hosts a panel on the intersection between technology and free speech. Facebook Messenger introduces AR games, Twitter explains its ever-changing rules and YouTube could soon be the second largest website. Pinterest takes promoted video width “to the max,” Facebook holds its own in the US as a mobile browser and LinkedIn makes it easier to highlight a professional journey; Facebook has also been busy testing its dating feature, connecting small businesses and enforcing its community guidelines while YouTube Premium announces its first Spanish-speaking slate of programming.

Friend List Feeds Retired From Facebook

Facebook users can no longer view a custom News Feed based on their Friends Lists.

Why it matters: Facebook is steering users back to its main News Feed, putting them at the mercy of the site’s algorithm. The company has been focused on prioritizing friends and family over brands in the Feed, making the retirement of Friend List Feeds—which highlight only the desired updates—a bit ironic.

Details: Effective August 9, Facebook has retired the ability to sort one’s News Feed by specific Friend Lists. Facebook said the purpose of this change is to “focus on improving [the] main News Feed.” Users can still create, edit and share Friends Lists as normal.

In Light Of Attacks, Facebook Page Managers Are Being Scrutinized

Two-factor authorization and confirming a primary country location will now be required of anyone who manages a Facebook Page, the company announced on Friday.

Why it matters: Facebook recently uncovered a coordinated attempt to influence US politics through the creation of fake accounts and Pages. Scrutinizing Page managers helps the site prevent future behavior targeted at US audiences.

Details: Facebook has introduced new rules related to its Pages and those authorized to manage them. Page Managers that require additional verification will not be allowed to post on their Pages until they complete the process. “Enforcement will follow shortly this month,” said Facebook, although details were not provided. In addition to the new verification process, users can view a Page’s history, such as when it merges with another Page. The company hopes that by making this information public, users will be able to determine when activity doesn’t seem right.

LinkedIn Joins The ‘Safe Community’ Discussion

Paul Rockwell, LinkedIn’s head of trust and safety, posted an article on Thursday that explains how the site handles spam, harassment and other unwelcome content.

Why it matters: Facebook is taking most of the heat lately, but LinkedIn admits that it has been targeted with suspicious activity, as well (although on a much smaller scale). Admitting this, as well as outlining how the situation is being handled allows LinkedIn to maintain its integrity with users—getting ahead of any controversy that may erupt later.

Details: LinkedIn reminded its users on Thursday about how to report content that “makes them uncomfortable.” The networking site assured its users that reports are taken seriously. Rockwell’s article outlines recent action taken by his team to combat suspicious or unacceptable behavior, such as removing fake accounts. Like Facebook, fake accounts were created to connect with political organizations, presumably to influence them and their activities. Rockwell said there was no evidence of fake news or malicious ads being spread, but his team doesn’t “take their existence lightly.”

Facebook Hosts Panel On Free Expression

A Facebook Live panel is being held on Thursday at 2 p.m. PST to discuss where technology and free speech intersect and the challenges thereof.

Why it matters: By welcoming conversation around the topic of free speech, Facebook is attempting to show that it is not biased or censoring content based solely on differing viewpoints.

Details: Facebook’s “Hard Questions” series continues with a panel to discuss where and when technology giants like Facebook can or should censor content. The panel will be moderated by Andrew McLaughlin, co-founder of Higher Ground Labs. Panelists include Monika Bickert, Facebook’s vice president of global policy management, Malkia Cyril, executive director of The Center for Media Justice, Daniella Greenbaum, a former reporter at Business Insider and Geoffrey King, a journalist, attorney and lecturer at UC Berkeley.

AR Games Debut For Facebook Messenger

Facebook has introduced the first of several planned multiplayer AR games for video chat on Messenger.

Why it matters: Facebook Messenger hosted over 17 billion video chats last year, making it an obvious testing ground for the company’s ongoing push for augmented reality. The new video chat AR games also place Facebook at an advantage over Snapchat. For one, Facebook’s version is designed for split-screen multiplayer unlike those on Snappables released earlier this year. In addition, monetization used for Instant Games has already laid the groundwork for how Facebook could monetize this new interactive feature.

Details: Beginning Wednesday, Facebook Messenger users can challenge friends and family to “Don’t Smile” and “Asteroids Attack.” In “Don’t Smile,” users see who can hold a serious face the longest. Those who crack a smile are exposed with an AR filter that exaggerates the grin for all to see. In “Asteroids Attack,” video chat participants navigate a spaceship through a barrage of asteroids. Facebook said it is planning to roll out more games in the coming weeks and months, including a kitten match game and a virtual beach ball that can be bounced back and forth between callers.

Twitter Says Its Rules Are A ‘Living Document’

In a blog post, Twitter explained how its rules are constantly changing and why the site doesn’t always enforce them the way users expect.

Why it’s important: In light every other major social media outlet banning Infowars, the timing is right for Twitter to address how violating content is identified and enforced. As Twitter faces pressure to join the purge, the company is standing by its admittedly vague and ever-changing policies. Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey said they have been “terrible” at explaining rules in the past, but refused to “succumb to outside pressure” in regard to Jones and Infowars for fear of becoming the politically-biased site it has often been accused of.

Details: Twitter provided users with a recap of its “living document” that governs behavior on the platform. This including different kinds of prohibited behavior added over the years, like unwanted sexual advances and threats to expose or hack someone. While the company pledged to continually adapt and improve, it warned: “Given the scale of Twitter, we will not always get it right.”

YouTube Could Become Third-Largest US Website

A new study shows that growth on YouTube could propel it past Facebook to become the second largest website in the US.

Why it matters: Should predictions become reality, Google is poised to dominate the US in terms of website traffic—bolstering its position as the world’s top ad seller.

Details: While Facebook traffic is on the decline, YouTube traffic is rising, according to a study by market research firm SimilarWeb. For the past several years, the top US sites have been Google, Facebook, YouTube, Yahoo and Amazon, in that order. As CNBC reports, however, Facebook’s decreasing user base could allow YouTube to slip into the number two spot. In addition, Amazon is on a course to overtake Yahoo for website traffic.

Promoted Videos Go Maximum Width On Pinterest

Pinterest is now offering promoted videos at “max. width,” four times larger than a standard video option.

Why it matters: Testing of the wider format resulted in higher purchase intent and brand awareness, Pinterest announced. For example, UK retailer John Lewis saw a 20 percent increase in awareness and a 33 percent increase in purchase intent in a campaign promoting their new nursery collection.

Details: Advertisers on Pinterest now have two video sizes to choose from—standard and max. width. Standard videos are the same size as a regular Pin and fit seamlessly into a user’s feed. Max. width, on the other hand, is four times larger and spans the width of both columns. The new format has been in testing but is now available for all advertisers on Pinterest.

Facebook Finds Success As A Mobile Browser

A recent study on mobile browser usage found that Facebook holds 7.6 percent of market share in the US and over 10 percent in many states. Considering the ubiquity of Chrome and Safari, that’s a sizable chunk.

Why it matters: Facebook has become a primary source of internet consumption for many people, which adds pressure on the company to take responsibility for the content it spreads. In addition, Google faces increasing competition and acquisition costs as it pays to be the default browser on new mobile phones.

Details: Analytics provider Mixpanel conducted a study of mobile behavior across 20,000 of its users in the first half of 2018. While Safari and Chrome are the most oft-used browsers, Facebook has grown to be the third most popular in the US. In Washington, for example, Facebook holds 13.74 percent of browser market share.

LinkedIn Revamps ‘Experience’ Layout To Highlight Growth

Consecutive work experience on LinkedIn profiles will now automatically group under the same employer.

Why it matters: For professionals that work their way through the ranks, a LinkedIn profile begins to fill with separate sections for each job position. This new layout makes it easier to get a sense of a user’s professional journey and experience.

Details: With the new Experience layout, LinkedIn users can list every position held while at a company in a bullet list, highlighting their professional growth and varying experience in a streamlined format. According to LinkedIn, creating a better way to highlight past experiences and show career movement across each role has been one of the site’s top requests.

Facebook Tests Dating App On Employees

Facebook’s new dating feature is undergoing an internal test, according to source code located within the app.

Why it matters: Announced during its F8 conference, Facebook’s dating feature would allow users to privately build separate dating profiles using first names only. These profiles would be hidden from regular friends and news feeds. Internal testing doesn’t guarantee that the feature will ever go live, but it does show that Facebook is still on board with the idea.

Details: An internal test of Facebook’s dating feature is being conducted with the company’s employees, according to internal source code found by independent app researcher Jane Manchun Wong. The test version tells employees, “The purpose for this dogfooding (slang for testing one’s own products) is to test the end-to-end product experience for bugs and confusing UI. This is not meant for dating your coworkers.”

Facebook confirmed the test with The Verge but would not provide additional comment.

Spanish-Language Slate Coming To YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium is developing an unknown number of Spanish-speaking titles, the company announced.

Why it matters: With availability in 16 regions including Mexico and Spain, YouTube Premium is taking advantage of popular Spanish-speaking performers on its platform. Latin pop star Maluma, for example, has five videos on YouTube that have garnered over one billion views.

Details: Although details are scarce, YouTube has confirmed the development of Spanish language movies and series for its Premium platform. Actor Gael García Bernal, singer Maluma and comedian Sofia Niño de Rivera are all attached to these projects.

“Latin America is a region filled with creative storytellers with unique voices, and we’re looking forward to working with them to bring their innovative brand of programming to YouTube fans around the world,” said Susanne Daniels, global head of original content at YouTube in a statement.

Facebook Removes Alex Jones Pages

Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones faced additional punishment from Facebook this week that resulted in four Pages being removed from the site.

Why it matters: The fact that Facebook felt the need to write a blog post about this move is notable. The company has taken a softer approach in the past by deprioritizing offenders in news feeds rather than removing pages altogether, but this move indicates a clear line in the sand. Prior to his exit, Facebook’s chief security officer urged the company to “pick sides when there are clear moral or humanitarian issues.”

Details: On Monday, Facebook confirmed the removal of four Pages belonging to Infowars and Alex Jones, citing repeated violations of its guidelines. Specifically, Facebook found the content to glorify violence and use dehumanizing language to describe people who are transgender, Muslims and immigrants. Jones was recently suspended from Facebook for violating the site’s policies in regard to hate speech and Jones has already been banned from livestreaming on YouTube for 90 days.

Updates Catered To Small Businesses Roll Out On Facebook

Facebook has made updates to its site designed to help small businesses that extend to recommendations, mobile Pages, job tools, events and a Local section for users to browse.

Why it matters: As the world’s second-largest ad seller, Facebook needs to appeal to businesses big and small. Together with prioritizing local news, making it easier to interact with local happenings helps Facebook’s mission to create more meaningful interactions, as evidenced by prioritizing back in March.

Details: Local business Facebook Pages have been updated with features that allow users to make reservations, book appointments and other features that help facilitate a purchase. On mobile, Stories give businesses an opportunity to engage users with behind-the-scenes, product spotlights and specials, etc. Recommendations are now displayed in a more prominent position on Pages and users can purchase tickets from Events pages. Facebook has also expanded its job application tool globally and added a “Local” section for users to browse businesses and events in their area.

Editor’s Note: Our weekly social media news post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, August 10. Have a news tip? We’re looking for changes to and news surrounding social media platforms as they relate to marketing. Let us know at editorial@alistdaily.com.

Consider ‘Style’ When Marketing To Gen Z And Millennials, Report Says

BY Steven Wong

August 8, 2018, 09:52PM

VidMob revealed the results of its State of Social Video study, which surveyed 1,000 16 to 24-year-olds (Gen Z) and 1,000 25 to 34-year-olds (millennials) across the US in May about their media consumption habits and advertising preferences. The findings illustrate where younger audiences are spending their time and that they consider style one of the most important aspects of their representation.

Essentially, the younger the audience is, the more time they spend watching videos. The Gen Z participants surveyed said that they spent 41 percent of their time watching videos which comes out to about 25 minutes for every hour of time spent consuming digital media. Meanwhile, millennials reported that 33 percent of their time, or 20 minutes out of every hour, was spent with video.

Young audiences spending over half of their video viewing time on social media apps on mobile devices, with YouTube being the most prevalent platform, followed by Snapchat and Instagram. More specifically Gen Z respondents said that 59 percent of their video time was through social apps, which is 5x more time than the time spent with linear television and twice as much than with streaming services such as Netflix.

However, the study points out that the Stories features on both Instagram and Snapchat have gained exceptional popularity. Millennials mostly watch Stories on Instagram, although Snapchat is a second-place winner, while the reverse is true for Gen Z but at a slimmer margin.

The most popular video types for both demographics are How-to tutorial videos and hacks, which appeals to almost half of both audiences, but many—especially female Gen Z Snapchat users—also report that they turn to Stories to see comedy. The study also states that one in four people from both groups actively seek out videos for services and products they’re considering for purchase.

According to a related VidMob blog post, “Younger audiences engage with content that resonates with their personal style.” To this end, brands need to think about personalizing video content in a different way. Instead of thinking about age, gender, ethnicity or life stage, the company suggest emphasizing style because young audiences value “vibe over their tribe.” More specifically, they’re looking for styles that best match their individual tastes, optimized for social viewing on mobile devices. Respondents said that this was more important to them than celebrity or influencer endorsements and age/life stage topics.

With that being said, the report also notes that Gen Z tends to be swayed by influential people, images and colors more often than millennials. About 41 of Gen Z participants said they felt more positively toward ads that they thought were visually beautiful compared to 32 percent of millennials.

But at the same time, both groups find repetitive ads annoying, with over a quarter of Gen Z stating that they tuned them out. Almost half of millennials recommended that brands keep their videos short, while 66 percent of Gen Z didn’t mind longer videos. Additionally, 23 percent of Gen Z respondents also said that getting the right music should be a priority for brands.