Facebook and its Oculus VR Arm Outlines Significant Growth, Announces Messenger Integration

Oculus

While the COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on everyone in different ways, the global lockdowns and mitigation efforts have accelerated the usage of digital platforms for social connection, shopping, work – basically every function in some form. One of the key beneficiaries of that has been VR, which has seen a surge in popularity as … Read more

Snapchat Publishes New Insights into User Engagement Around the Super Bowl

Super Bowl

Super Bowl LV is fast approaching, and that also means that a whole raft of brands will be looking to link into the surrounding conversation on social, in the hopes of capturing their own ‘Dunk in the Dark’ viral moment of branding glory during the event. Indeed, that tweet from Oreo back in 2013, which has … Read more

Facebook has Shared an Update in its Approach to Apple’s coming IDFA Changes

IDFA

So which of the Seven Stages of Grief is this? This week, Facebook has shared an update in its approach to Apple’s coming IDFA changes, which are expected to have a significant impact on its data-tracking capability, and reduce the performance of its ad products. Apple is expected to release its IDFA update very soon, which will add … Read more

Social Platforms Launch New Initiatives to Celebrate February Black History Month

Black History

February is Black History Month, and this week, all of the major social platforms have announced new programs and initiatives to celebrate Black stories, and highlight the contributions of people of color, as part of the event. Here’s a look at what each platform has announced, and how you can take part in the various events … Read more

Facebook Begins Testing of New Topic Exclusions for Advertisers within News Feeds

Facebook

Facebook says that it will soon begin testing advanced advertiser topic exclusion controls which will enable businesses to stop their ads appearing next to certain topics in the News Feed, based on their brand suitability preferences. As explained by Facebook: “We are planning to test a solution that will allow an advertiser to select a topic, like ‘Crime … Read more

LinkedIn Continues to See Record-high Levels of Engagement, and Beats Revenue Expectations

LinkedIn

LinkedIn continues to see record-high levels of engagement, and beat revenue expectations in the most recent quarter, according to the latest update from parent company Microsoft. As per Microsoft’s FY21 Q2 update, posted last week, LinkedIn sessions grew 30% in the last three months of 2020, while the platform’s total revenue increased 23% in the period. As outlined … Read more

Google is Looking to Add New Contextual Data Panels to All Search Results to Inform Users of Site Info

Google

Google’s looking to help users get a better understanding of the websites displayed in its search results by adding new informational panels accessible on all listed site matches in SERPs. As you can see here, by tapping on the three dots at the top right of any search result, you’ll now be able to access information about … Read more

Twitter Publishes 2021 Downloadable Events Calendar to Assist Marketers

Twitter

Every year, Twitter publishes a downloadable events calendar to assist marketers in planning for all the key dates in the months ahead. But last year, with so many events being canceled due to COVID-19, the calendar itself ended up being kind of useless. I mean, it was still handy, but it had to be revised so … Read more

TikTok has announced a New Partnership with WPP

TikTok

TikTok has announced a new partnership with advertising giant WPP which will give WPP clients access to internal tools and options to help maximize their on-platform efforts, and tap into the rising influence of the video platform. As explained by TikTok: “Recognizing the significant opportunities for brands that both short-form video and digital content continue to present, WPP … Read more

Instagram is Testing the Removal of the Option to Share Feed Posts Within Stories

Instagram

While Instagram continues to add more and more functions, it also, increasingly, wants users to better focus on what they post within each element, in order to maximize engagement. Late last week, Instagram began sending out this notification to selected users. As you can see in this screenshot, shared by social media expert Matt Navarra, Instagram is now … Read more