New social media app noplace hit the No.1 spot on the App Store last week. The platform was previously invite-only but since opening to the public, downloads have soared. The text-only platform uses AI to feed users the most relevant updates based on their interests. The app has two feeds, one with your friends and the other a global feed from everyone using the app. Aimed at Gen Z users, the app has been described as a ‘modern day Myspace’ with accounts having profiles, badges, top 8 friends lists and chats.
Image credit: noplace
The idea of the app is to give people a space where they can follow their friends, as well as find new users who share the same interests. noplace creator, Tiffany Zhong wanted the app to be a space where users share what they are doing in the moment, rather than updating friends on what they have already done. They can also tag topics and interests in their posts, which the app calls ‘stars’.
Snapchat releases new personalisation features
Snapchat is introducing a host of updates for Snapchat+ subscribers to further personalise their accounts. First up, subscribers can design a personalised house on Snap Map that friends will be able to see when they share their location. They can design their house however they wish including choosing its style, colours and more.
Image credit: Snap
Users can also have their pet appear next to their Bitmoji in chats. The pet feature has previously only been visible on Snap Map but the new update allows you to have your furry friend with you at all times. Snapchat is also introducing lightning-quick Snaps, which allows users to send or post content that lasts only .10, .20 and .50 seconds.
Image credit: Snap
As for standard users, Snapchat is rolling out a new “live mirror” in its Bitmoji Builder. The system will create a Bitmoji based on what is shown in the camera viewfinder, making it easier for users to create realistic avatars of themselves.
Meta changes its ‘Made with AI label’
Meta is changing its ‘Made with AI’ label after photographers complained that the platform was applying labels to real photos. After the feedback, Meta is changing the tag to say ‘AI info’ instead. The detection technology Meta uses to detect AI in photos is not changing, just the name of the label.
Image credit: Meta
Meta explained that the previous tag did not make it clear enough to users that an image tagged with the AI label was not necessarily created with AI but may have used AI tools in the editing process. This means that if users use tools such as Adobe’s Generative AI Fill to remove objects, their photos might still be tagged with the new AI label.
YouTube releases a copyright sound eraser tool
YouTube has released a tool to easily remove copyrighted music from creator’s videos without impacting other audio in the video. YouTube has been testing the tool for a while and uses AI to specifically detect and remove copyrighted songs. But, YouTube has warned that at times the algorithm may fail to remove just the song. If the song is too difficult to remove, creators can try other editing options such as muting all sound in the copyrighted segments or cutting them out altogether. Once the copyrighted music has been removed from the video, YouTube will remove the content ID claim – YouTube’s method of spotting the use of copyrighted content.
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Instagram says Sends are the key to improving reach
Instagram has caused a bit of confusion lately with varying advice on how to make the most of its algorithm. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri has cleared things up over on Instagram reiterating that creators should be focusing on making their content more shareworthy.
With more people engaging through DMs in the app, Instagram is actively working on amplifying content that encourages sharing behaviour – in other words, posts that users want to send to their friends. Mosseri said, “Don’t force it as a creator, but if you can, when you’re making content, think about making content that people would want to send to a friend, to someone that they care about, and it will help your reach over time.” Instagram is also looking to add sends display counts in the app, which have already started rolling out to select users.
TikTok adds new ad restrictions
TikTok has added more controls and disclosure elements to ads targeted at teens. Advertisers in the U.S. will no longer be able to reach teen accounts with personalised targeting tools. On the update, TikTok said: “Advertisers will now only be able to reach teens using a few broad targeting options, such as location, language, and device-related information.” This is being put in place to make sure that teen user data is not exploited by advertisers.
Image credit: TikTok
TikTok is also giving users more control over the ad content that they’re shown. Users can choose to see more or fewer ads related to their interests and can customise the ad topics that TikTok identifies as relevant to them. It has also introduced a “Disconnect Advertisers” feature, which allows users to stop future off-TikTok data from being shared and used to serve them personalised ads. And, TikTok is also adding new AI disclosure requirements for advertisers which require ads that use AI to be labelled as such.
