This week, Instagram expands its BeReal/Snapchat-esque feature, Meta updates community notes and axes community chats, Snapchat adds new DM features, and more.
Meanwhile, X users are getting creative with their header images and guilty pleasures are all over our FYP. Read on for more social media news.
Instagram expands Shots
Image credit: Andrew Hutchinson via SocialMediaToday
Instagram is giving more users access to its “Shots” quick image sharing feature. Shots lets you take a “no-edit, no-filter” picture and share it with friends – a bit like BeReal. That friend(s) will then only be able to view the image once before it disappears – a bit like Snapchat. The Snapchat BeReal love child has been in testing mode for a while, but it’s now being rolled out to more users.
Snapchat is launching “infinite retention” on group chats, which allows users to keep their chats in the app permanently. Snapchat was seen testing this option last year under the name “never delete”. The app is also introducing Group Streaks. These are essentially exactly the same as OG Snap streaks, but on group chats instead.
Meta is expanding Reels trending ads to more advertisers. These ads use AI to “curate the most trending and culturally relevant Reels inventory”, which makes it easier to get your ads front and centre, “where culture happens.” Meta is a big fan of this – naturally – and claims that initial tests have shown these ads can boost unaided awareness by +20%. On Threads, Meta’s also rolling out more ad options, including carousel ads and expanded image formats.
Meta has updated its Community Notes feature, with users now being able to vote on whether the notes were beneficial or not. All users will be able to thumbs up or thumbs down a note, and Meta will take on the feedback to help refine its approach going forward. Meta’s also rolling out notifications for when a post that you’ve interacted with gets a Community Note.
