We Are Social’s Monday Mashup #347
As trust in key institutions in the US plummets, new YouGov data has revealed that consumers are trusting ads more and more when it comes to making decisions about purchases. 61% of survey respondents said they trust advertising they see, read or hear – an increase of 11 percentage points compared to March 2014.
Facebook Messenger gets reactions and mentions features
After some testing Facebook has rolled out both mentions and reactions to Facebook Messenger. This means that when you’re organising a hen party over chat, you can thumbs down all the boring stuff about which mini-penis props you’re going to buy and when one of the bridesmaids tells you the amount of alcohol you think is needed is ‘breathtaking’ ?. Mentions can also be used in said chats by using @, so you’ll know when you’re needed to pay attention again.
Facebook is testing a gif button for commenting.
That’s right, it’s nearly here. Gif El Dorado. Facebook is testing the ability for users to be able to comment… USING GIFs.
Facebook Live adds desktop live streaming for all users
Pew, pew, pew! Gamers rejoice, users can now livestream gameplay from Facebook’s desktop website via their webcam. Previously a privilege only extended to Facebook pages, individual gamers can now share how many crafts they’ve mined to all their friends and family – LIVE!
Facebook tests enhanced local search and discovery feature
Facebook is testing a new location search feature which will let users find recommendations on things like ‘dinner nearby’ or ‘bars nearby’ or ‘sex shops nearby’ (KIDDING! But the other two are real.). It works by entering a query into the search bar and relevant places will be listed along with Facebook ratings and a list of your friends who have visited them.
Facebook launches new video ad format to make ecommerce easier
A new video format called Collection has been launched by Facebook for good old-fashioned selling. The format involves a video and underneath it are four of the products, featured in the video which users can then buy. Clicking on any of these four hero products will take you through to a quick-loading collection of up to 50 further products to peruse and then on the brand’s website if you please. Brands will also have a metric to calculate how many people have clicked through to website or just stayed on the 50 collection products within Facebook.
Facebook introduces Split Testing for advertising
This week Facebook is introducing split testing which lets advertisers run two ads without audience overlap and then optimise the one which is performing best. Different components of the ads can be tested across different devices and browsers and Facebook has said it found that split tests lead to an average 14% improvement in cost per acquisition.
Facebook introduces Header Bidding integration
I know, WTF is Header Bidding? I didn’t know either. Here’s a handy article which I used to get up to speed but in a nutshell, it seems to be the ability for publishers to let multiple advertisers bid on their inventory. This drives the price up and means more money for the publishers. In what is being called a ‘digital advertising coup’, Facebook is bringing advertiser demand from its Audience Network to mobile web publishers that use header bidding. Publishers who use Header Bidding (most savvy ones will) will now be able to take advantage of advertising coming through the Facebook Audience Network using Facebook’s various technology partners.
Instagram lets retailers make more ‘shoppable’ posts
Instagram has rolled out a feature in the US where retailers will be able to post images, for free, and tag products with a instant click-through link for users to purchase. Not available on video or carousels YET, brands will also be able to see how many people clicked through. Businesses will also be able to connect a product inventory to their account which will make “tagging a product is as simple as tagging a person in a post” says Instagram. Furthermore, have you ever seen a post from your favourite salon or perhaps dentist (..?) and thought, “I’d like to book to go there now?”. Say no more my friend, Instagram is also adding a ‘book appointment’ button.
Twitter ups its Live Streaming game to take on Facebook
In an attempt to not get totally eclipsed by Facebook, Twitter has created an application program interface (API) that makes it easier to live stream video from cameras and other equipment. Twitter already has a deal with GoPro and drones but now is adding streaming technology to hardware, software and all wares in between so that people can stream to their heart’s content without even connecting to the Twitter or Periscope apps.
Twitter might build a paid subscription service…
… IF the people want it. People have started tweeting screenshots of the survey that Twitter has been sending around to gauge opinion. A mock-up of how the service might look has also been shared. It would be offered to power users, brands and news organisations and would provide details analytics, alerts for breaking news and information about what an account’s followers were tweeting about.
LinkedIn introduces trending storyline
It’s time for LinkedIn to step up to the plate with a brand new trending storylines feature. Trending storylines will be rolled out first in the US with other countries to follow. Take a look…
Medium launches paid membership subscription
A new business model for Medium means that users will be able to purchase a membership which lets them access exclusive content, read articles offline and get new features earlier.
Foursquare gives marketers access to location data
Dubbed the ‘Google analytics for the real world’, Foursquare is now offering marketers access to a location data dashboard which can tell them when people visit certain retailers, including what time of day it is and how often they go. Hopefully no-one discovers my post-midnight Dixy Chicken visit frequency (Hackney Downs branch if you must insist on knowing).
Snapchatters talk about the woe of broken Snapstreaks
As the world around us crumbles in front of our very eyes, amid terrorist attacks, civil wars and small-handed world leaders; a new blight is upon us – breaking a Snapstreak. A Snapstreak is when you Snapchat the same person for a large number of consecutive days, if you miss a day, it’s gone and people even take on ‘streaksitters’ to keep their streaks going while they’re away on holiday.