This week, in one small step for social and a giant leap for Threads-kind, Threads has started testing separating accounts from IG. Instagram has added a load of new features to DMs, and TikTok has launched a chatbot that’s not just a chatbot.
Meanwhile, The Hunger Games has opened up a big ol’ can of worms with its new open audition, bringing in a lot of serious (and not so serious) audition tapes. Read on for more social media news.
Instagram adds new DM features
Image credit: Instagram
Instagram has added a bunch of new DM features to encourage more DM usage in the app. First up, there is a new text transcription of voice messages, so you can still get the lowdown without the whole bus having to hear. Plus, great news for your chatty friends as Instagram has also extended the maximum length of audio clips from 1 minute to 5 minutes. And, the app has also added a quick follow option in group chats so you can easily follow every user in a chat.
TikTok has launched an AI-powered chatbot on TikTok Shop’s Seller Center platform. TikTok claim the feature to be way more than just a chatbot, with it being able to provide: advice on how to maximise visibility, key insights into product performance, personalised marketing approach recommendations, and more.
Threads takes first steps to separate from Instagram
Image credit: @oncescuradu on Threads
Select users in the EU are now able to create a Threads profile without an Instagram login and can use an email address or phone number instead. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri said the process started late last year when they stopped using Instagram to dictate your initial follow recommendations. Threads still uses this data for post recommendations, but over time, it will gradually move away from this as well.
Got a blue tick on Bluesky? Whoop-de-do — so does everyone else. Bluesky has opened up its criteria for becoming a verified account so that “notable and authentic” accounts can now apply for verification through a new online form. Organisations can also request to become a “Trusted Verifier” to gain access to tools that allow them to verify other accounts.
