We Are Social’s Monday Mashup #487

Mashup
Facebook launches new COVID-19 Community Help hub
In response to the ongoing global pandemic, Facebook has expanded its Community Help feature – first launched in 2017 to help users facing after man-made, accidental and natural disasters – with the launch of a new, global COVID-19 Community Help hub. The feature allows Facebook users to request or offer help to those impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, as well as to donate to non-profit fundraisers. It will launch first in the US, Canada, France, UK and Australia, according to Facebook.



Facebook rolls out Experiments, simplifying campaign testing
Facebook has rolled out a new feature called Experiments, which allows marketers to combine the results of multiple types of tests of their ad campaigns – previously referred to as Test and Learn and Split Testing – and optimise their performance in a single place. The feature allows for the usual A/B testing, as well as measuring conversions and brand lift.

Facebook releases several updates for video content on its platform
Facebook has announced a number of updates to the way it stores and promotes video content on its platform, including changes to its playlists feature and a new option, called Series, which enables creators to better organise their videos and improve related content suggestions. The social network has also rolled out a new videos tab, providing viewers with a central destination for a Page’s series and playlists and the ability to opt in to receive notifications when new videos are uploaded.



Snapchat unveils new Snapchat App Stories
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. With more and more platforms developing their own Stories-style content, Snapchat has launched Snapchat App Stories which allows users to share their content in select partner apps – such as Tinder. However, unlike on Snapchat itself – where content lasts for 24 hours – App Stories will default to a seven-day expiration. Developers can now sign up to add Stories to their apps.



Snapchat reports engagement records amid coronavirus pandemic
In a recent blog post, Snapchat noted that over the last few weeks Snaps sent between friends and group chat engagements have reached an all-time high – beating the platform’s pervious peaks on Christmas and other major holidays. The platform also noted that time spent on video and voice calling via the app was up more than 50 per cent in late March (compared with late February), while time spent playing with its AR Lenses was up more than 25 per cent. Snap Games is also seeing its highest figures ever for overall time spent.

Tumblr gives people an escape from the coronavirus pandemic
Tumblr has launched an official new blog, Cozy.Tumblr.com, which is full of art memes, photography and other wholesome content to help its users cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

We share our response to the UN’s global ‘call to creatives’
Just over a week ago, the United Nations put out an international open brief to creatives around the world asking for help in communicating some of the most important messages around the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, our team in London put their heads together to launch Snap Safe – a new Snapchat AR Lens to help people keep a safe two-metre physical distance in public during the coronavirus outbreak.



Ones to watch
YouTube is reportedly working on TikTok competitor called Shorts which  will allow people to upload brief videos into a feed inside the mobile app.