We Are Social’s Tuesday Tune Up
Facebook is introducing a full-screen video player
Facebook is launching a new full-screen video player in the style of popular formats such as Reels and Stories on Instagram, as well as content on TikTok and Shorts on YouTube. The player, launching first in the U.S. and Canada, will automatically show videos in vertical mode and will recommend relevant videos to watch next. These recommendations will also appear on the Facebook Feed and Video tab.
It will also offer new controls such as a full-screen mode for horizontal videos, a slider to skip along on longer videos and the option to tap on a video to pause or jump back or forward 10 seconds.
X is working on a new Explore page
X is working on a new Explore page, featuring topic summaries that will be generated in real-time by its AI chatbot, Grok. X is also expanding users’ access to Grok, now giving all Premium users access to the AI chatbot. The new Explore page layout will also feature a ‘Live on X’ section, giving users insight into in-progress Spaces and live-streams.
Additionally, ahead of an upcoming election, X has expanded its community notes feature to users in India. This feature has proven helpful to users across the globe in identifying misleading information, especially surrounding political moments
YouTube launches new features for Live streams and AI skip ahead feature
YouTube is now live testing a new AI-driven process that will allow users to skip to the best parts of a video or clip. The system detects segments within any clip, so that users can jump to the next most relevant segment.
Meanwhile, live streamers are also getting some handy updates. Firstly, YouTube has introduced Live reactions, which enables creators to view reactions to their broadcasts, and where they occurred. Live streamers will also now have improved quality options, with the ability to stream in HDR.
LinkedIn launches new features for marketers
LinkedIn has launched its own version of connected TV (CTV) ads, enabling marketers to activate video campaigns directly onto their audience’s TV sets. LinkedIn explains that users “can easily launch a LinkedIn CTV campaign and scale it across our network of publishers, including Paramount, Roku and Samsung Ads.“
LinkedIn is also launching Live Event Ads, which will enable marketers to promote upcoming LinkedIn events in-stream, providing another way to raise awareness of upcoming broadcasts.
In other news
X’s AI chatbot, Grok, is now available to all premium subscribers. X is wiping out spam accounts and warns that users may see a drop in followers. Meta updates its AI-labelling policy. TikTok is one step closer to launching its photo app. Instagram adds a new Notify sticker. Meta is testing a Threads bonus program.