We cover the most relevant social media news for marketers, so make sure our daily round-up is part of your morning routine and never miss important updates.
This week’s happenings in social media include Facebook updating and explaining their terms of service for greater transparency, UNIQLO partnering with TikTok to launch #UTPlayYourWorld campaign, Instagram working on stop-motion camera feature for “Stories,” Telegram rolling out updates for chats, Snap publishing “Friendship” report, Twitter updating “Lists” and Instagram introducing ads to “Explore,” Facebook bringing “Top Fans” targeting option, YouTube adding three new features to Homepage, Twitch rolling out subscriber-only streams for creators and more.
Facebook Clarifies Language In Terms Of Service Around Targeted Ads
Facebook is updating its terms of service to better explain how the platform makes money from targeted advertising and what rights users have when using the service.
Why it matters: Facebook is making it clear to users that the service is free due to targeted advertising, a concept that bewildered members of Congress during CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s congressional hearings over privacy concerns last year.
The release states that the updated TOS is “the result of our work with the European Consumer Protection Cooperation Network” and “based on input from ongoing conversations with regulators, policymakers and consumer protection experts around the world.”
The details: In a press release posted to Facebook’s Newsroom, Anna Benckert, VP and associate general counsel, announced that newly streamlined terms of service will go into effect on July 3rd, 2019.
The release states that the updates are part of Facebook’s “ongoing commitment to give people more transparency and control over their information.” Key changes to the TOS include an explanation on how the platform generates revenue from target ads, why they take certain content moderation actions, clarification on the intellectual property rights of users and what happens to content after it is deleted.
Facebook Brings ‘Top Fans’ Targeting Option To Pages
Facebook launches a new feature, which will allow adding updates to “Top Fans” for organic page posts.
Why it matters: Top Fans targeting provides a way to facilitate more community engagement and establish a stronger connection.
The details: The new option enables the Page owners to create posts exclusively for “Top Fans” to show appreciation or give access to exclusive content. To take advantage of the update, all eligible Pages will need to first turn on “Top Fans” badge by going to their Page Settings and selecting the ‘Facebook Badges’ section.
YouTube Gives The Users More Control Over Homepage
YouTube announced the addition of three new homepage features, focused on the user’s preferences and interests.
Why it matters: The company’s intent is to “to help viewers find new interests and passions—such as a new favorite artist, a new creator they can follow or simply the best food recipes.” This means that brands need to be aware of the control the users gain with this update and create more specific content to connect with their audiences.
The details: With the new updates, YouTube users will be able to more easily explore topics and related videos; remove suggestions from channels they don’t want to watch, and finally, learn more about why a video may be suggested.
Facebook Launches New Content Decision Board
Facebook has a new plan for people to appeal content decisions through an independent body. The social media giant shared the results of, “Global Feedback And Input On The Facebook Oversight Board For Content Decisions,” a global report compiled after hosting six in-depth workshops and 22 roundtables attended by more than 650 people from 88 different countries. The report details the findings and the announcement of a board to oversee content decision making.
Why it matters: The independent board will consist of 40 members who will work on keeping community standards, identifying harmful content and ensuring fair appeal processes.
The details: The general themes seen by Facebook in the process of the survey included:
- “First and foremost, people want a board that exercises independent judgment—not judgment influenced by Facebook management, governments or third parties. The board will need a strong foundation for its decision-making, a set of higher-order principles—informed by free expression and international human rights law—that it can refer to when prioritizing values like safety and voice, privacy and equality.
- Also important are details on how the board will select and hear cases, deliberate together, come to a decision and communicate its recommendations both to Facebook and the public. In making its decisions, the board may need to consult experts with specific cultural knowledge, technical expertise and an understanding of content moderation.
- And people want a board that’s as diverse as the many people on Facebook and Instagram. They would like board members ready and willing to roll up their sleeves and consider how to guide Facebook to better, more transparent decisions. These members should be experts who come from different backgrounds, different disciplines, and different viewpoints, but who can all represent the interests of a global community.”
LinkedIn’s New Custom CTA Buttons And Other Features
LinkedIn added new custom CTA buttons and other features to the platform, aiming to help businesses engage their communities and participate in the conversations even more.
Why it matters: The new features will provide another way for businesses to drive direct traffic and response from their company page visitors.
The details: The new features are:
- Custom CTA button options, which include “Contact Us,” “Learn More,” “Register,” “Sign up” and “Visit Website.”
- Communities Hashtags, allowing associate a Page with relevant hashtags and join important conversations on relevant topics.
- Mobile Admin Editing, enabling quick updates to key Page details and the ability to edit posts you’ve already published from a mobile device.
Twitch Rolls Out Subscriber-Only Streams For Creators “On Good Behavior”
Twitch is bringing “Subscriber Streams” to the platform.
Why it matters: Subscriber-only streams promise to be useful for creators who want to collaborate on a specific event and earn subscribers in the process.
The details: From now on, a Twitch Affiliated or Partnered creator can broadcast exclusively for moderators, VIPs and subscribers. There will be no additional cost to the subscriber besides the minimum $5-a-month fee they already pay to support the streamer.
Twitter Tests Another Desktop Design
Twitter announced the revamped, simplified desktop design in January and the company is still currently in the process of testing the update. However, tests are now available to more people in Canada and other locations, TechCrunch reported.
Why it matters: With the update, Twitter’s trying to solve some of the usage issues it’s been facing, and make the platform more user-friendly and convenient to use.
The details: Per TechCrunch, the new look in testing has three columns; the center continues to house the main timeline, with all the chops and changes affecting everything else around it; and “The Home,” “Explore,” “Notifications,” “Messages,” “Bookmarks,” “Lists” and “Profile” are in a column, with “More” feature taking the user to another set of options.
WhatsApp Is Toying With A Feature That Shares Status To Multiple Apps
According to The Verge, WhatsApp is testing the idea of letting its users share posts from their WhatsApp status with other apps. The company, however, insists that the accounts will not be linked.
Why it matters: Although there’s a direct link to share status to Facebook, WhatsApp told The Verge “that it’s not doing anything to link your accounts on the two services. Instead, it’s making use of the same iOS and Android data-sharing APIs as every other app, meaning data is transferred between the apps on-device.”
The details: Starting today, users in the WhatsApp’s beta program will start to see a new sharing option beneath their status, enabling them to post a status directly to their Facebook story, or other apps including Instagram, Gmail or Google Photos.
Instagram Introduces Ads To “Explore” Section
Instagram announced the addition of advertising to “Explore.”
Why it matters: According to the company, more than 50 percent of accounts on Instagram use “Explore” monthly and 80 percent of users follow a business on Instagram. “Explore” can help the users discover the next service or product and provide an opportunity for advertisers to reach new audiences while being a part of culturally relevant events and trends.
The details: The ads will roll out in the next month and advertisers will be able to easily extend their campaigns using automatic placements with a simple opt-in to reach audiences in “Explore,” the blog post states.
Twitter Updates Lists To Make Them More Accessible
Twitter will update its “Lists” feature, which lets the users create custom feeds based on their interests.
Why it matters: The new test will enable users to simply swipe left and immediately switch between their main timeline and list timelines.
The details: “Customizable timelines that are easy to access? We’re thinking about ways to do this! One idea we had is for you to be able to swipe to your lists from home. If you’re in the test tell us what you think!” the tweet said.
Facebook Offers More Transparency For Social Issue, Electoral Or Political Ads In More Countries
Facebook shared a blog post, announcing the global roll out of the company’s transparency tools for social issues, elections-related or political ads.
Why it matters: “We believe that transparency leads to increased accountability and responsibility over time–not just for Facebook but advertisers as well. It’s why we continue to introduce tools that allow elected officials, those seeking office, and organizations aiming to influence public opinion to show more information about the ads they run and who’s behind them. At the same time, we’re continuing our work to combat foreign interference in elections worldwide,” the blog post says.
The details: Here are the highlights:
- Getting Authorized
Facebook confirms advertisers’ ID and allows them to disclose who is responsible for the ad. Also, the ad and “Paid for by” disclaimer are kept in the Ad Library for seven years, with other information, including range of spend and impressions, as well as demographics of who saw it.
- Holding Advertisers Accountable
In over 50 countries and territories, Facebook already requires that advertisers get authorized and add disclaimers to the social issues, elections-related or political ads and now the regulations are being expanded to Ukraine, Singapore, Canada and Argentina. The company will systematically detect and review ads in Ukraine and Canada through a combination of automated and human review. In Singapore and Argentina, Facebook will begin enforcement within the next few months.
There is also a plan to launch the Ad Library Report in Singapore and Argentina after enforcement is in place. The Ad Library Report will allow to track and download aggregate spend data across advertisers and regions.
- Expanding the Ad Library API
Facebook rolls out access to the company’s Ad Library API worldwide to allow regulators, journalists, watchdog groups and other people analyze ads about social issues, elections or politics and help hold advertisers and Facebook accountable.
The complete list of the countries where the tools are available can be viewed here.
Snap Inc. And Protein Agency Study Friendships Around The Globe
Snap Inc. partnered with Protein Agency to conduct a study on the impact of culture, age and technology on friendship. The researchers engaged 10,000 representatives, aged 13-75 in Australia, France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UK from four main generation groups: Gen Z, millennials, Gen X and Boomers.
Why it matters: The research provides an insight into human behavior when it comes to friendship and preferred methods of interacting with friends, key points look at “how many friends they have, how and where they meet their circle of friends, what qualities they look for in a best friend, what topics they do and don’t talk about with their friends, how they communicate with each other, how they resolve fights, and what they want to change about their friendships.”
The details: Here is what to take away:
- On average, people’s social circle consists of 4.3 best friends, 7.2 good friends and 20.4 acquaintances
- “Honesty” and “authenticity” are the most important qualities of a best friend and “having a large social network to tap into” is the least important when making friends, the respondents said
- Only 7 percent of Gen Z’ers and 6 percent of millennials said they don’t enjoy talking with friends online, compared with 13 percent of Gen X and 26 percent of baby boomers
- Among Gen Z and millennials surveyed, 61 percent said they believe that video and photos help them to express what they want to say in a way that they can’t with words
- Millennials are the least likely to say “I wouldn’t share that” across all categories surveyed and are also more likely to want “as many friends as possible” than any other generation
- Gen Z, on the other hand, are seeking intimacy in their friendships and want authentic relationships more than any other generation surveyed
UNIQLO Rolls Out Its First Campaign On TikTok
UNIQLO launched its first social media marketing campaign, titled #UTPlayYourWorld on TikTok. The campaign challenges users to share videos of themselves wearing their favorite Uniqlo clothes.
Why it matters: “TikTok empowers everyone to be a creator directly from their smartphones and is committed to building a community by encouraging users to share their passion and creative expression through their videos. We see a huge opportunity for brands to connect with today’s generation and expand their reach by embracing the native, natural and creative form of content on TikTok,” said Masaki Nishida, VP and head of monetization, TikTok Japan.
The details: According to the company’s press release, the TikTok challenge will continue until July 11th and the final winners will be announced between July 12th and July 19th. The challenge participants in the US, France, Japan
Telegram Updates Include Location-Based Chats And More
Telegram shared a post, announcing several new updates, including location-based chats and the ability to add contacts without phone numbers.
Why it matters: The new updates make it easier for users to exchange information and communicate with convenience, leading to more engagement on the platform.
The details: With the new updates from Telegram, users can add people nearby, start location-based chats, transfer group chats and toggle message previews for specific chats. Also, iOS users can take advantage of Siri shortcuts and theme picker and icon style.
Instagram Spotted Testing “Stop-Motion” Tool For Stories
Instagram is reportedly working on developing a stop-motion camera feature for “Stories.”
Why it matters: The tool will provide a new way to create video updates without having to record an actual video.
The details: Stop-motion tool will ghost the frame the user is capturing with the previous to ensure that the placement and movement are correct. At the moment, the process allows up to 10 frames, which will be posted as its own individual “Story.”
Editor’s Note: Our weekly social media news post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, June 28. 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.
