We Are Social Asia Tuesday Tune-Up #422
Written by Benjamin Oi, Marie Ng, and Clio Goh.
Snapchat Gives Some Brands Their Own Profiles
Snapchat has announced that it is launching Brand Profiles, which will be a permanent home Brands to house all of their Snapchat content. This would be a one-stop-shop where consumers can experience all of a brand’s content such as AR Lenses, native commerce stores, highlights, and story posts. Similar to Creator Profiles launched last year, Brand Profiles will look distinct from regular user profiles.
With a reported 229 million Snapchatters using the app daily, Snap believes Brand Profiles will provide important real estate to build deeper authentic relationships with millennial and Gen Z audiences.
Brand Profiles also include new mobile and web management tools to help brands with collaboration, content management, and analytics. Currently in closed beta, Snap plans to roll out Brand Profiles by the end of the year. In the meantime check out some of the brands which are part of the closed beta for inspiration – Dior Ben & Jerry’s, Kylie Cosmetics, Prada, Target, VSCO.
Instagram Launches New Shop Section; Powered by Facebook Pay
In the latest update to improve the consumer shopping experience, Instagram has followed in the footsteps of Facebook and announced the implementation of a designated Shop page to offer more commerce solutions that will make shopping on the platform more convenient. Listed under its Explore tab, a header “Suggested For You” also introduces a customized review of shops and brands for the user to check out based data insight gleaned from the user’s browsing patterns. Users will also now be able to purchase on Instagram directly using Facebook Pay for both shopping purchases and charity donations.
With the new update, this will create a more seamless experience, as consumers are now able to browse, shop, and make payments without exiting the application. This will be introduced in US markets first and will be gradually introduced to worldwide markets
As more consumers have been shopping online due to the pandemic, this could be an opportunity for brands, especially home-grown businesses to be able to reach out to a wide target audience to promote their products.
Facebook Messenger Can Now Do Screen Sharing On Mobile
Facebook is expanding its screen-sharing feature in Messenger to both its Messenger Rooms and mobile app, providing another way for users to engage within Messenger video calls.
The screen sharing feature was launched on Facebook’s Messenger desktop and web app earlier this year, catering to the rise in desktop and video chats amid Covid-19 global lockdowns, and to better compete with popular platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype. Now, Facebook users will be able to do the same on their mobile devices.
As many are still working and socializing from home amidst the pandemic and with the lockdowns coming back into effect in many regions, this feature makes it easier than ever for users to share their photos, surf social media, or shop together online while being physically separated from their loved ones. Users can instantly share their screens with friends and families in video calls up to 8 people or in Messenger Rooms with up to 16 people.
Screen sharing is now available globally on the latest versions of Messenger’s iOS and Android apps, desktop, and web versions.
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Disclaimer: Featured image taken from Snapchat.