Today in social media news, Google’s Area 120 launches a social video sharing app for DIY-ers, Facebook reaches a new milestone of 2.5 billion monthly active users and Twitter takes steps to stop the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus.
Google’s Area 120 Launches Short Form Video App For DIY-ers Called Tangi
A product from Google’s in-house incubator Area 120, Tangi is an experimental social video sharing app for 60-second tutorials.
Why it matters: With a similar feel and layout as Pinterest—where 83 percent of users have made a purchase based on the content they saw from brands—Tangi could be a lucrative platform for marketers when and if the app supports ads.
The details: Tangi is an app for DIY lovers to learn and share their favorite how-tos via tutorials under 60 seconds. Unlike TikTok or YouTube, the app has a “Try It” feature that lets users upload pictures of their re-creation of the video they learned from. The app is ad-free, free to download and available everywhere except the EU.
Facebook Reaches New Milestone Of 2.5 Billion Monthly Active Users
In its Q4 2019 performance update, Facebook reported an increase of 34 million in daily active users (DAU), taking it to 1.66 billion DAU for the period.
Why it matters: Though steady, Facebook’s growth momentum will need to be complemented by increased revenue per user in regions outside the US in order to convert new users into worthwhile opportunities for marketers.
The details: The update shows that Facebook added a million additional users in the North American market, its main revenue source. It also saw added 14 million DAU in the Asia-Pacific market. In addition to reaching 2.5 billion MAU, Facebook’s revenue for Q4 was $21 billion, up 25 percent year over year. Still, the platform’s costs and expenses also increased 51 percent year over year.
Twitter Launches Dedicated Search Prompt To Prevent Misinformation On Coronavirus
Twitter has seen over 15 million tweets on the topic of the coronavirus in the past four weeks and wants to ensure factual information about it is surfaced.
Why it matters: The global outbreak of coronavirus has led to the spread of inaccurate information across Facebook and YouTube too. Seven organizations that partner with Facebook issued fact checks that found false coronavirus claims, leading Facebook to lower those people’s ranks in users’ daily feeds.
The details: Twitter has launched a dedicated search prompt that provides anyone who uses it with “credible, authoritative information” about the coronavirus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s also stopping auto-suggest results that might lead to non-credible content about the virus on Twitter.
Pinterest Launches AR-Powered Beauty Try On For Mobile
Pinners can now try on different lipstick shades via Pinterest’s new augmented reality (AR) feature “Try On,” powered by Lens.
Why it matters: Given that 90 percent of pinners use Pinterest to make purchase decisions, it’s in Pinterest’s best interest to enhance users’ shopping experience via AR. The platform says it’s working on even more AR categories.
The details: Those looking to try on lipstick, save a shade for later or buy through the retailer’s site can access the AR feature by opening the Pinterest camera in search. Upon clicking “Try On,” pinners will be able to browse different lipstick shades and swipe up to shop from brands like L’Oreal, Sephora, bareMinerals, NYX Professional Makeup, Urban Decay, YSL Beauté, Lancôme, Neutrogena and Estée Lauder. They can also use the “try on” button on select products and see how the lipstick looks on skin stones that match their own. The feature is available on the mobile app for iOS and Android in the US.
Social Networking Platform For Moms Raises $2 Million
Founded by Katya Libin and Amri Kibbler, the platform lets moms post to forums, chat in groups and even find job candidates.
Why it matters: The platform’s success could mean more opportunities for brands to reach its community’s “ambitious women who are coming together to support each other.”
The details: According to TechCrunch, HeyMama announced the close of $2 million in seed funding with investors among the likes of fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff and founder of OWYN Kathryn Moos. Once a social media account and online magazine that started in 2014, HeyMama’s goal as a platform is to help moms connect online and offline, as it holds events in 11 cities across the country. Brand partnerships fuel its revenue and 85 percent of its members are from word-of-mouth referrals. A HeyMama membership costs $35 a month or $349 a year.
Snapchat Inks Deal With NBC On Tokyo 2020 Olympics Shows
According to Variety, NBC will produce four exclusive Snapchat shows in a mobile-first, vertical format.
Why it matters: NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel said that NBC wants to offer advertisers a way to reach Snapchat’s large and young audience, demonstrating the network’s increased level of comfort with Snapchat as an evolution of the brand’s platform.
The details: This marks the third partnership between Snapchat and NBC Olympics, following deals for the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics and PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. Among the four shows, two will, for the first time, showcase Olympic highlights to be updated in near real-time. NBC is gearing up to produce more than 70 episodes for Snapchat, triple the amount it produced for the 2018 Winter Games. Leading up to the games, Snapchat will also curate users’ coverage of the Tokyo Olympics for its “Our Story” feed. NBC has also called on Twitter to present Olympic content via an exclusive 20-minute live daily studio show from Tokyo.
Tinder, Pandora Top Revenue Charts For US Subscription Apps
New data from Sensor Tower show that U.S. subscription non-gaming app revenue saw a year-over-year growth of 21 percent from $3.8 billion to $4.6 billion.
Why it matters: While Tinder and Pandora led the revenue chart, Google’s cloud storage app Google One also earned 15 percent of revenue for the top 100 apps. Google One’s position indicates that subscription revenue may be diversifying beyond music streaming and dating apps.
The details: Subscriptions made up 19 percent of the total $24 billion that consumers spent on non-game apps from Apple’s app store and Google Play. Tinder led the revenue chart for subscription-based apps and accounted for 10 percent of the spending in the top 100, followed by Pandora, YouTube and HBO Now. Pandora generated 20 percent of subscription revenue for Google Play and YouTube’s subscription revenue for Apple’s app store exceeded $1 billion.
Vine Successor Byte Debuts On iOS And Android
The Byte app makes its debut two years after Vine’s co-founder Dom Hofmann announced he was working on a successor to Vine.
Why it matters: To compete against TikTok and others like Firework, Triller and Facebook’s Lasso, Byte will have to woo influencers who have tried transferring their audiences from platforms that lack monetization. The cards may be in Byte’s favor as Vine turned TikTok stars Joshdarnit, Lance Stewart and Chris Melberger are already on Byte.
The details: Hofmann’s goal is for Byte to focus on helping creators monetize their content. The app will launch a pilot of its first partner program to offer popular creators monetization options. It also plans to fund its own revenue sharing on the app.
Editor’s Note: Our weekly social media news post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, January 31. 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.
