This week, Instagram rolls out new editing tools, clarifies how its Map feature works, and launches an exclusive awards programme. Over on Facebook, Reels gets an upgrade with new features designed to keep you scrolling by serving a feed that feels more personal than ever.
Meanwhile, TikTokers are sharing their biggest betrayals inspired by Kanye West, Chicken Shop’s Amelia Dimoldenberg is stepping into the fast lane with her new F1 show, and Coop and his stoop are capturing hearts across social. Read on for more social media news.
Instagram launches awards program
Image credit: Instagram
Instagram is launching a new awards program rewarding 25 creators with a gold ring. The program will recognise creators who “shift culture and break barriers”, decided by a star-studded judging panel. Judges include Instagram head Adam Mosseri, director Spike Lee, designer Marc Jacobs, YouTuber Marques Brownlee, actress Yara Shahidi, makeup artist Pat McGrath, and more. Winners will receive a physical ring designed by English fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner, along with a digital golden ring around their Instagram profile and a custom “Like” button that appears when liking feed posts. Winners will be announced on 16th October.
Facebook has added some new features to Reels to help boost engagement and keep us scrolling. Firstly, the platform is rolling out “friend bubbles” on Reels and feed posts, which will show up on content that your friends have liked. Facebook is also adding TikTok-style topic search links to the bottom of the Reels display, so you can find more content on that subject. Finally, Facebook’s added a new “not interested” feature that will let users to tell Facebook’s algorithm that a post or comment is not for them.
Instagram’s Map feature had a rough start, with lots of users worried about how their location info would be shared. So, to reassure us all and get us using the feature Instagram is rolling out a few fixes:they’re dropping reminders on the feature to show you how it actually works, they’re making the location indicators more obvious so you know without a doubt if you’re actually sharing your location, and they also ditched profile photos from the Map content, to show that the Map isn’t tracking your real-time moves.
Instagram has rolled out new features for Edits, kicking off with a selection of new text displays, including a custom font inspired by K-pop singer Jennie. There is also a selection of spooky new sound effects just in time for Halloween. And finally, Edits is also adding a media kit-esque option to let creators share their account and Reel metrics as a PDF report.
