We Are Social’s Monday Mashup #265
UK consumers are influenced by online reviews like never before
According to a recent survey from GfK, 54% of UK adults aged 16+ use online reviews to get product or service information. The results showed that 61% of all respondents aged 16-34 and 35-54 would seek review online before making a purchase. We were let down by only 42% of the less-digitally savvy over-55s saying they would, bringing the overall percentage down for everyone. Luddites.
Facebook teases new, immersive mobile ads
Facebook used a Cannes Lions presentation to launch what could be a real money-spinner this week: a new, immersive ad unit. Once a user clicks on the ad, it takes them to a full, browsable mini-site, keeping the entire experience within Facebook. The question, now, is to what extent brands will be willing to invest. Watch this space.
Facebook is testing a mobile lead-generation ad unit
Another day, another Facebook mobile ad unit. The social network is testing lead-generation-based mobile ads that will allow users to sign up for newsletters or complete forms with two taps, with fields being pre-filled with the information Facebook already has about the user. If they sufficiently help to reduce the hassle of filling out details, the ads could be a real success.
Jazz up your photos with Facebook’s new photo uploader
Facebook has introduced a new way to spruce up your photos by adding text, filters or stickers onto any of your photos. The functions may not exactly be revolutionary but Facebook is keen to stay on top of the game especially with the likes of Snapchat and Japanese messaging app, Line, already being early to the party. The new photo uploader is currently being tested but watch this space for when it is rolled out across iOS soon.
You can now use Facebook Messenger without having an account.
Not keen on using Facebook but want to stay connected with your friends? Do not worry – Facebook has this sorted. Starting in Canada, North and South America, users can sign up for the Messenger app without having a Facebook account. The change comes with a new “Not on Facebook?” button where people can then upload their phone contacts which will be matched with other Messenger users. The head of Messenger, David Marcus calls it ‘an augmented address book’ where a user will have all of their address book and the ability to search for everyone on Messenger.
Instagram revamps its ‘search and discover’ functions
From having a pretty basic ‘Explore’ function, Instagram has ramped it up a notch and introduced a whole new way of exploring and searching for photos. As well as a revamped explore feature, complete with trending tags, users can now search specific categories, location-based topics or even events in real time. The change brings Instagram into being at the forefront of real-time content alongside the likes of Twitter and Snapchat.
Snapchat gives advertisers the hard sell
Snapchat took a very temporary break from being cool last week and released a no-fun infomercial about Snapchat‘s ads. In a zero fuss, zero enjoyment video, Evan Spiegel explains how Snapchat’s full-screen ads slot between its content while Facebook and YouTube’s are either annoying pre-rolls or only fill part of the screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JYZqg0511M
Bringing back the Mayor!
Location-sharing app, Swarm has brought back mayorship to the delight of… no-one, really. Since launching off the back of Foursquare, the app has slowly declined in the ranks and it seems the latest efforts may just be a bit too late.
Happy birthday to Reddit!
User-generated blog Reddit celebrated its 10th birthday this week. Since the website was set up 10 years ago there has been 190,227,552 posts, 36,136,190 user accounts and 1,715,454,785 comments… only 0.36% of which mention cats. Reddit is now so huge that its current active users would make up the 8th largest population in the world, just after Nigeria and larger than Russia, Japan, and Mexico.
Crocs goes creative
Summer is a big season for crocs and to really push sales, the brand has recently partnered with Twitter to create a new, interactive campaign. Consumers can pick a pair of crocs and an outfit of choice for a model to wear… whilst going down a waterslide. The content will live on a micro blogging site called Funway Runway and will be a ‘cross section of fashion, fun and footwear’.
Lilly Pulitzer collaborates with Snapchat
American brand, Lilly Pulitzer has collaborated with Snapchat in offering custom prints to add to customers own Snapchat photos. When a user enters a store they can automatically add a printed ‘geofilter’ to their photos. Jane Schoenborn-Paradis, vp of creative communications at Lilly Pulitzer commented on how (Snapshat) “is such a visual platform and allows us to share our prints and enforce what we’re known for in a fun way.”
Facebook shows its support for same-sex marriages
Have you noticed that your Facebook News Feed is looking a lot more colourful? After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is now a fundamental right, Facebook launched the new ‘Celebrate Pride’ tool where users can show their support of marriage equality by adding a rainbow filter over their profile photo.
It’s not just Facebook that’s shown support for the latest ruling in America. Lots of brands have leapt on the back of the same-sex marriage legalization and have demonstrated their support in a variety of ways:
