This week, as usual, there are a few new AI-powered tool updates across social, this time with TikTok filtering keywords and Google launching celeb AI bots. Instagram is boasting the success of its trial Reels and wants you to use them too (T&Cs apply).
Meanwhile, creators on IG are getting creative with BTS shots from photographers and supersize edits from fashion lovers. And, over on TikTok, users are desperate to find out which Jellycat they are. I’m a heart-shaped sheep in case you were wondering. Anyway, read on for more social media news.
Snapchat launches new AR gaming tools
Image credit: Snap
Snapchat is launching a new tool in its Lens Studio to create Bitmoji games. Snap explained that AR creators and developers will be able to use the app to build “back-and-forth gameplay” and can “Snap and respond to a challenge or turn in the same game.” There is also a new Character Controller, a leaderboard update and new tools for personalising and animating Bitmoji.
TikTok is launching new AI-powered Smart Keyword Filters for users to limit content they don’t want to see. The new tool will use AI to block content that contains similar keywords – e.g. if you choose to filter out “remodelling”, TikTok will also filter out “renovation”. The app has also rolled out its Manage Topics feature, which lets users tailor the For You feed to show more or less of certain topics.
LinkedIn is launching some new prime slot ad options. First up is – excuse the pun – First Impression Ads. These are full-screen, vertical video ads for single-day campaigns, which are the first ad that a member will see when they open the app. Similarly, there is also new “Reserved Ads”, which will put non-video ads (e.g. Thought Leader Ads, Single Image Ads and Document Ads) in the first ad slot in the feed.
TikTok has added a new AI-generated ad tool called Insight Spotlight, which allows advertisers to sort by user demographics to see what videos users are watching and what keywords are associated with popular content. TikTok is also launching a streamlined way for brands to farm influencer content with a new tool called Content Suite. It pulls together vetted user content that mentions a brand, which the advertiser can then scroll through videos and request permission to turn them into an ad, all in one place.
Google is testing new AI-generated depictions of famous people, which can offer advice and notes in the voice of the person they’re based on. Called “Portraits”, the AI-celebs will use Google’s AI tool Gemini to generate “relevant and insightful responses” and draw directly from the famous person depicted’s content. What can go wrong? *cough* Meta *cough*.
After lots of success over the last six months, Instagram is keen to get more creators testing its trial Reels feature. ICYMI – trial Reels are Reels shown to a selection of users who don’t follow your profile, which can give you a rough idea of how your content will perform. Instagram said, “After trying trial reels, 40% of creators started posting reels more often, and of those who did, 80% saw an increase in reels reach from non-followers.” If you want to give it a go, you will need to have a professional account and activate a trial Reel in the publish part when uploading a Reel.
