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Over the past few years, Instagram has transformed itself from just a photo-sharing platform into one with an integrated online shopping experience. It has features such as shopping tags on posts and Stories; Instagram Checkout, which allows users to purchase items without exiting the app;and Shops, a full screen storefront available to business accounts.

Twitch has introduced a new tool, Soundtrack, that will allow its creators to add licensed music within their streams. This makes it easier to find rights-cleared music for creators who previously struggled with their archived streams muted.

With 41% of the world population under the age of 25 this year, Gen-Z is playing an increasingly important role in shaping our future. This year, not only did Gen-Z have to adapt to wide-reaching disruptions brought about by the pandemic, but they had to do so during their formative years.

As TikTok’s protracted battle with the United States continues to fill the front pages, and with new short-form video apps flooding the market every other week; it is easy to get lost in the narrative that TikTok is in serious trouble. While it would be naive to think all is rosy for TikTok, the truth is that the market incumbent continues to grow strength to strength.

Back in March 2020, TikTok announced plans to build a Transparency Center located in their Los Angeles office. This facility is meant to “provide outside experts an opportunity to directly view how the Tik Tok teams go about the day-to-day challenging, but critically important, work of moderating content within the platform”.

Being stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic, with malls closed and restaurants under restriction, drove our lives online. Even with lockdowns slowly lifting across most countries, the surge in digital adoption and new consumer behaviour during this period is set to continue.

At the IKEA Harajuku store in Tokyo, an in-store installation stands out differently from its previous physical installations. Imma, a virtual influencer, has “lived” in the installation for more than three days. The latest installation of the “Happiness at home” campaign was created using high-definition LED screens and gave the illusion of an actual place that Imma had “curated” and “lived” in. These rooms make use of current IKEA products and styles using pre-recorded videos and images of Imma working and living in her IKEA-styled living room and bedroom.

Facebook had announced the launch of its Messenger Rooms feature earlier in April and has steadily been working towards expanding it to its family of apps and devices.

Last week, TikTok announced its collaboration with Amazon and launched an Alexa skill for TikTok that enables a voice control feature.

Instagram finally launched Reels after months of testing and development in the hopes of competing with the increasingly popular app TikTok.

Our Innovations Director in Singapore, Arnaud Robin shares some key takeaways from our Global Pride Crossing campaign.

Now Instagram is introducing a new fundraising feature where you can now raise money for a personal cause. This allows an array of causes to be supported and funded. More details in this week's blog post.