Tuesday Tune-Up #324
Facebook is losing ground among teens and young adults, according to eMarketer’s latest figures from the US. The latest forecast reveals that, while the platform is still growing its daily user figures among older audiences, growth among 12-to-17-year-olds and 18-to-24 year-olds are both set to drop faster than previously predicted. This could result in Facebook losing as many as two million users under 25, interestingly with many favouring a move to Snapchat over Instagram.
Snapchat flak following latest update
But Snapchat may not stay cool for long. 1.2 million people have signed a petition asking Snapchat to roll back its latest redesign, claiming it is hard to use. The petition posted on change.org was started by Australian man Nic Rumsey who said that many users are resorting to VPN apps to get rid of the new design and get back to the old Snapchat. With many users taking to Twitter to protest with various quips and memes, it’s surprising Snapchat has yet to give in. Don’t worry, Nic Rumsey, surely there’s a place for you to tackle these very important issues in Parliament. We’ve heard a few spaces may open up soon. #SOS #SaveOurSnapchat #RedesignBan #NicRumsey #NationalHero
Snapchat analytics finally available for creators
It seems Snapchat has done something right for their users in the last week. Well, for creators who make official Stories or have large followings, that is. Starting this week, tens of thousands of creators will start seeing new insights that include audience demographics, time spent viewing Stories, completion rates and more. By ignoring creators, Snapchat pushed them towards monetising their presence elsewhere (AKA Instagram and YouTube).
Instagram is now alerting users when people screenshot stories
Just when you think Instagram is done copying Snapchat, it’s revealed they are now testing out another new feature that Snapchat helped make famous. A number of users have revealed they’ve received notices explaining that the next time they screenshot a photo or video in Instagram Stories, the person who posted will be notified. And the person who screenshotted will be horrified, probably.
Snap offers free ads to advertisers spending on Instagram
Snap wants to attract new advertisers – specifically advertisers who are already spending money with its biggest competitor, Instagram. To lure them over, Snap is reaching out to those advertisers that are buying vertical video ads on Instagram and other competitors and offering them free advertising credits to give Snapchat a try. These credits are said to be worth “several hundred dollars” according to a source.
Snapchat goes big on ad tech
Over a year after it first began testing the ad tech waters, Snapchat is finally opening up its API to all ad tech vendors, agencies and brands. The new programme will enable advertisers to purchase, run and track ad campaigns programmatically on the platform and use Snap’s data to inform targeting and measurement. The trial of this programme has already proved positive for Snapchat, as its latest quarter financials reported that 90 percent of Snap Ads run during the fourth quarter were purchased programmatically
Facebook brings Stories photo editing to desktop
Big news for Facebook users who want to edit their Stories on desktop. Facebook has introduced a dedicated photo editing feature for all three of you. It can be accessed by clicking the “Edit Photo” button in the right bottom corner in Stories and gives the option for several different fonts and colour styles. Not sold? Read more here.
Facebook lets users hangout with interest groups in VR
Facebook has now opened its social virtual reality initiative, Spaces, to allow users to connect with people beyond their friends and family on the platform. From last week, users (in the trial) can now connect with up to three other members of a Facebook Group they’re a member of, and get together in Spaces and share 360-degree photos or videos.
This post courtesy of Tommy Willis.