Snapchat has launched a new location-sharing feature called Snap Map. Now you can see where your friends are out and about and also share snaps with non-friends for 24-hours, with a heat map showing people where the most snapping is taking place, at large events for example.
Facebook offers two new tools for targeting ‘valuable’ users Facebook has introduced a couple of solutions to help advertisers get more value from their campaigns. 1. Value optimization – this enables advertisers to optimise their ad campaigns based on purchase value data passed through the Facebook pixel. 2. Value-based Lookalike Audiences – this allows you to include a value column in your customer list, which you can then use to reach new people that look like your highest spending customers. If you think this is a little confusing, check out Facebook’s blog post about it. Then you’ll really be confused.
Facebook to launch app for influencers to manage content Facebook is set to launch an app that will help creators better manage their content on the platform. It also features a Live Creator Kit that enables influencers to more effectively manage live broadcasts, adding intros and outros, custom stickers and frames.
Instagram Stories hit 250M daily users and Live video replays added
Instagram is leaving Snapchat for dust as Instagram Stories reach 250 million daily users, up from 200 million in April and 150 million in January. You can also now add live videos to your stories on Instagram and they’ll be viewable by others for 24 hours, whereas before they disappeared at the end of broadcast.
Instagram rolls out new face filters If you’ve updated your iOS or Android applications to version 10.21 or higher, you’ll be able to access brand new face filters on Instagram! Take a road trip without leaving your bedroom or put on a virtual face mask ready for bed. There were also some cheeky Father’s Day stickers for those whose dads know what Instagram is (not mine).
Instagram tests ‘Favourites’ to encourage more private sharing
For a while now, Instagram has noticed that users have tried to hack the system to share pictures with only a limited about of friends. This can involve creating separate accounts just for close friends or deleting images straight after they’ve been posted and acknowledged by your nearest and dearest with a Like. Now Instagram is testing letting people make a favourites list of friends who’ll be able to see special posts just for them. You’ll know you’re someone’s favourite if you see the little green ‘favourites’ badge on a post.
Twitter is introducing a direct message button to help engage users As Twitter doubles its efforts to become the go-to platform for customers services and sales, it is rolling out a button that could make it easier to get users to engage with brands. The feature will mean that users can be prompted in DM to do a variety of things including: write tweets, follow accounts or click through to websites, with brands able to add up to three customisable buttons.
YouTube shows off 1.5 billion monthly users figure… My, my, what big user figures you have YouTube! Its CEO, Susan Wojcicki announced the milestone at last week’s VidCon conference in California, as well as mentioning that they’re all ‘logged in’ users which implies that there are even more viewers watching who aren’t logged in to the platform. It was also revealed that on average a YouTube user will watch a hour of video every day.
… and introduces new VR180 format It’s like 360 video but…you know… half of that. YouTube has launched a new new VR180 format in an attempt to get more creators onto the video creation bandwagon (FYI it’s a very odd shaped wagon).
Spotify adds 40 million monthly active users in a year Spotify has announced that it now has 140 million monthly active users, up from 100 million a year ago. Of course this is great news for its ad revenue stream, with Brian Benedik, vp and global head of sales at Spotify, saying that they have been able to increase business there by 50% year on year.
93% of influencers are incorrectly signposting ads on Instagram A study has found that that just 7% of sponsored content posted by the most followed celebrities on Instagram was compliant with guidelines and regulations set by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Influencers are required to use a tag such as #ad high up in their post copy (not hidden in comments) whether they have been paid or just received a freebie. #sp or #partner are often used instead – INCORRECT!!
