Facebook enlists users to help fight fake news
After a number of moves to cleanse its platform of faux publishers, Facebook has finally revealed a five-part plan to eliminate those who make money off click-bait headlines containing blatant untruths. Unlike their cryptic “algorithm,” the plan is pretty clear and calls for users to help fight the cause. How’s that for citizen journalism?! The effort includes easy fake news reporting, fact checkers, banned ad pushes on suspect stories, sharing algorithms and eliminating spoof domains.
Live audio content now available on Facebook
Just when you thought platforms were all about visuals, Facebook shifted focus to audio-only advancements, perhaps in a nod to the success of podcasts? They’re trialling a new audio function that allows users to broadcast live from the app and post audio direct to Newsfeeds so friends can listen to the audio content as they browse through the platform. A handful of publishers including BBC World Service, HarperCollins and Adam Grant are already on board, and the feature is expected to become available to all users later this year. Facebook launches Live 360 video
Not so fast, Facebook hasn’t forgotten the importance of video. They recently announced that combined Live and 360 video functions will roll out to all Pages and Profiles this year after their successful December launch with National Geographic live from the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah. But you don’t need to be broadcasting from a cool-sounding desert – mere mortals will soon be able to use the new tool as well, even from their humble bedrooms (or something slightly less creepy…).
Facebook prepares for mid-roll ads
Game on, YouTube! Facebook is also upping their competitive edge with the addition of mid-roll video ads – a clever move aimed to help media companies and the social network generate revenue from their ever-growing video audiences. The initiative was tested with Facebook live videos last year and will soon be rolling out to all publishers. While YouTube ads are served before the video plays and are skippable after five seconds, Facebook opted for a different format. Ads will be limited to 15 seconds and will be inserted 20 seconds into any video that runs for at least 90 seconds. Facebook will be offering publishers 55% of the ad revenue, the same as YouTube.
Facebook launches new coloured text backgrounds
And don’t worry, they haven’t completely given up on text-only updates…Facebook is also testing a new coloured background option for text. The test, oddly, is only available to Android users – iOS and web users will be able to see the coloured updates, but won’t be able to create them. Unfortunately, the new colours are unlikely to make the actual text updates any more interesting.
Instagram launches stickers and ‘hands-free’ recording
In yet another blatant ripoff of Snapchat, Instagram has launched a sticker button so users can add weather, time and location to their images. The platform has also improved its video recording function, meaning users can just tap to start and finish a recording, rather than having to hold the record button down for the entire recording. Take THAT, Snapchat…
Uber and Snapchat team up for more personalised rides
Speaking of Snapchat, Uber users in the US will soon be able to unlock exclusive snap filters within the ride-hailing app as part of Uber’s push to become more personalised. The feature is available in the feed of the Uber app after rides begin. Users can swipe between three different cards – “Your ETA,” “Your Ride” and “Mystery.” When users click on “Unlock filter,” Snapchat will automatically open.
Snapchat launches new targeting tools
Just what we’ve all been waiting for! Notoriously non-targeted Snapchat is finally making upgrades to allow advertisers to improve targeting and increase the amount of time people spend with their ads. The upgrades include goal-based bidding, which enable brands to bid on engagement rather than simple ad views.
Snow claims 40-50M monthly users
Don’t worry, that’s not a tragic weather headline. Asian Snapchat clone Snow, which Facebook tried unsuccessfully to buy in 2016, now has between 40M and 50M monthly users. The app had 100 million downloads in December, with 40-50 percent of its user base active on the app each month. The one-year-old app is used predominantly in China, where Snapchat is banned. Should we expect Snow on our forecast any time soon? We’ll see what 2017 brings! L’Oreal Paris wears Snapchat Spectacles to the Golden Globes
L’Oréal Paris, official makeup sponsor of the Golden Globe Awards, put on its Snapchat Spectacles to give viewers a sneak peek into the awards show. The $130 device was worn by celebrity makeup artist Sir John as well as two other L’Oréal Paris brand ambassadors, who used them to stream behind-the-scenes content such as celebrities getting ready backstage and the walk down the red carpet. The internet loves Meryl Streep and (still) hates Donald Trump
Let’s take a moment to applaud Meryl Streep for her stellar Golden Globes Speech. Queen Meryl used her acceptance speech for the famed Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Globes to call out the president-elect and highlight the importance of defining a free press. The internet proverbially blew up with adoration and praise for her speech. To no one’s surprise, the president-elect also had to put in his 2 cents….
Here are some of our favourite tweets from the evening:
There has never been anyone like Meryl Streep. I love her. #GoldenGlobes
Ever wondered what happens to your digital self when you die?
New Year, new you…where you’re one year older, one year wiser, and perhaps one year closer to your ultimate demise? Morbid, sure, but the start of the year has me thinking about living my best life and the legacy I want to leave behind. And then I remember my embarrassing social media presence – from my ironic Bebo profile pic to my embarrassing abandoned Tumblr blog….
In a perfect world, this would be buried along with me. However, now we leave a social footprint and legacy behind. You can actually prepare for your demise by setting up a digital life estate plan, which is essentially a will for your online presence (sign me up!).
Sites like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter have policies related to death, and other accounts will remain dormant until deleted due to inactivity or transferred to family or friends.
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