Tag Archives: Social Media Today

Facebook has added yet another tool to Facebook Stories, this time in the form of a new ‘Animate’ option which enables users to add basic motion, of varying types, to still images. As you can see in this example from social media expert Matt Navarra, the option provides four basic animation modes: Bounce Pan Zoom In Zoom Out Within each of those modes, however, there are additional controls that alter the presentation. There are three ‘Bouce’ modes available, and you can choose the direction the image moves in ‘Pan’, while you can also zoom in and out faster and further, depending on your preference. It’s a simple way to add […]

With online video consumption reaching new highs during the COVID-19 lockdowns, YouTube has announced a new slate of YouTube Original programming, featuring a range of high-profile celebrities and online influencers, which will help boost interest in YouTube’s exclusive offering. As outlined by YouTube: “Among the announcements, celebrities and educators come together to energize distance learning in “Celebrity Substitute” including Karlie Kloss working through a coding problem and Ken Jeong giving a Biology lesson; a weekly series “Stay Home With: YUNGBLUD,” following the UK recording artist and his band as they adjust to a remote lifestyle while creating music; a short-form family series, “Create Together #WithMe,” hosted by Joseph Gordon-Levitt featuring […]

With Zoom usage soaring amid the COVID-19 lockdowns, the multi-participant video streaming tool has released a new, large-scale update that aims to address its various security and privacy concerns, which have come into much sharper focus in recent weeks. As explained by Zoom: “Today we announced robust security enhancements with the upcoming general availability of Zoom 5.0, a key milestone in our 90-day plan to proactively identify, address, and enhance the security and privacy capabilities of the Zoom platform. By adding support for AES 256-bit GCM encryption, Zoom will provide increased protection for meeting data and resistance against tampering.” AES encryption is the key element of this update – 256-bit AES (‘Advanced […]

Should brands still be looking to promote under the looming cloud of COVID-19? This is a difficult question to answer, as, for the most part, it depends. It depends on your product and its relevance at this time, it depends on your messaging and how in-tune you are with broader world events. Essentially, it’s less about what you want to say right now, and more about what your audience wants to hear, and will respond to if they’re, indeed able. So, crystal clear, right? Marketers should just pay attention and make sure they’re providing messaging that people want amid the crisis. To provide some further insight on this, Twitter recently […]

Like all social platforms, Pinterest has seen a big surge in usage amid the COVID-19 lockdowns. But in variance to others, Pinterest is specifically seeing increased shopping activity in its app, which could make it a more important platform for brands looking to maintain business activity, and offset some of the losses caused by the shutdown of physical outlets. But making the most of Pinterest isn’t necessarily easy. You need to understand the platform, how people use it, what they respond best to, and how to creatively frame your products to catch people’s eye in Pin feeds. With fewer users than Instagram and Facebook, business owners also aren’t necessarily as familiar […]

In its latest effort to improve content transparency in the lead up to the US election, Facebook is adding new location markers on individual business profile posts, on both Facebook and Instagram, which will highlight where the managers of that page or account are primarily located, helping to provide additional context. As you can see in this example, there’s a new ‘Poster based in Brazil’ note at the top of the Facebook Page post. As explained by Facebook: “In 2018 we started giving people more context about Facebook Pages, including the primary country location of the people who manage a Page, so people can better understand who’s behind it. We […]

This is a little grim, but… Instagram has this week confirmed that it’s fast-tracking the development of an account memorialization tool for users who’ve passed, in light of the impacts of COVID-19. As you can see in this example, posted by reverse engineering expert Jane Manchun Wong, the updated account memorialization process would add a ‘Remembering’ notifier below the profile image, and would display a new pop-up cover with a flower icon to any new profile visitors. In response to Wong’s discovery, Instagram confirmed that it is developing this feature, with the company then further clarifying to BuzzFeed that it’s actually ramping up development of the option due to the […]

With misinformation about COVID-19 ramping up, YouTube is taking a tougher stance on any videos which include false health claims, or cite information that runs contrary to official health advice. In an interview with CNN, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has outlined the increased action YouTube is now taking on this front, with the provision of accurate, timely information playing a key role in halting the spread of the virus and protecting communities. As per Wojcicki: “Of course, anything that is medically unsubstantiated – so people saying like ‘take vitamin C, take turmeric, we’ll cure you’ – those are examples of things that would be a violation of our policy. Anything that would […]

With most schools shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Facebook is making Facebook Kids available in more regions, while it’s also providing some new tools to help kids find and connect with others in the app. As per Facebook: “Starting today, kids in more than 70 new countries around the world can use Messenger Kids, with more coming soon.” That’s a significant expansion – up till now, Messenger Kids has only been available in the US, Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Thailand. Now, a lot more parents will have the option of downloading the app for their kids – which will no doubt also spark a whole new round of privacy […]

If you wanted to know how much value Facebook sees in the emerging Indian market, this deal certainly provides some indication. After recent reports that Facebook was looking to acquire a stake in Indian internet provider Jio, The Social Network has now confirmed that it has purchased a majority stake in the Reliance-owned venture for a massive $US5.7 billion. As explained by Facebook: “Today we are announcing a $5.7 billion, or INR 43,574 crore, investment in Jio Platforms Limited, part of Reliance Industries Limited, making Facebook its largest minority shareholder. The investment underscores our commitment to India, and our excitement for the dramatic transformation that Jio has spurred in the […]