Tuesday Tune-Up #482

Tuneup
Nick Carolan

Snapchat launches a new Creator Marketplace
With more than 180 million people interacting with Snapchat Lenses everyday, it’s no surprise that businesses are eager to find creators that’ll make the next big thing for them. That’s why Snapchat is launching a Creator Marketplace, making it easier for companies to find and partner with Snapchat creators, including Lens creators, AR creators and at a later date, prominent creators known as Snap Stars. The Creator Marketplace will open to businesses later this month.

Twitter rolls out new Tip Jar feature
Twitter is now giving users the option to send tip their favourite accounts with its new Tip Jar feature. Supporting a variety of payment options and links, such as PayPal and Venmo, Tip Jar can be accessed by tapping on the dollar bill icon next to someone’s username when viewing their profile. Twitter doesn’t take any cut of the money, simply acting as a facilitator between these payment platforms in order to support their creators.

Twitter updates its offensive tweet warnings
Twitter has updated its offensive tweet warning to better detect strong language used as part of a mutual ‘vocabulary’ – meaning it’s better equipped to detect banter between mates without ill-intent. It’s the latest update to Twitter’s ‘read before you tweet’ prompt, which urges users to consider whether what they’re about to post will cause offence. In internal tests, this has proven effective in getting users to revise tweets or delete them altogether.

Clubhouse is funding 50 pilot audio shows
From an interview series to a game show, Clubhouse is funding the creation of fifty audio shows made by creators on its platform. Each month, $5,000 will be banked by select creators, with Clubhouse also providing gear and creative support in order to create their series. At pilot stage, this is a chance for creators to put their best foot forward, with the possibility of Clubhouse signing them to a longer term deal.

Plus, after a year of iOS exclusivity, Clubhouse is finally making its way onto Android. This update is sure to create renewed excitement amongst Android users who have been patiently waiting to get in on the game.

Platforms mark Mental Health Awareness Month
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and platforms are unveiling resources and features to help promote mental health awareness over the entire month. Facebook is encouraging its users to take a #MentalHealthMinute, urging them to make emotional health a priority. A ‘Let’s Talk’ sticker pack has been developed with input from WHO, with mental health resources and tools made available via partner organisations. Tumblr’s ‘Mental Wealth Month’ is partnering with Free Black Therapy, Headspace, Shine and other organisations, holding specific themed days to provide access to their unique services.

Facebook encourages users to read articles before sharing
Facebook is testing a new feature designed to encourage users to read links before sharing. Following Twitter’s lead of implementing a similar feature in June last year, Facebook users who go to share a news article link they haven’t opened will receive a prompt encouraging them to open it and read it, before sharing it with others. The initial test will reach 6% of Facebook’s Android users globally in a gradual rollout that aims to encourage “informed sharing” of news stories on the platform.

Facebook pushes ahead with Instagram For Kids, despite blowback
Lawmakers in the US are banding together in a joint effort to stop Facebook from launching a version of Instagram aimed at children under 13, citing detrimental health effects of social media on kids and Facebook’s reportedly checkered past of protecting children on its platform. Attorneys general from 44 states and territories have urged Facebook to abandon its plans in an open letter which draws on reports detailing the increased likelihood of “mental distress, self-injurious behaviour and suicidality among youth” arising from social media use at a young age.

Facebook unveils new suite of Messenger features
Facebook has launched a raft of new messaging features across Messenger, Instagram Direct and Messenger Kids. Included amongst the updates are themed (read: ‘branded’) stickers and backgrounds on Messenger, visual replies and read receipts on Instagram, as well as improved audio recording tools and an updated archive feature to assist with inbox management.

The Tuesday Tune-Up features additional reporting by Hannah Currey.