Instagram

Instagram is Testing this Somewhat Intimidating Full-Screen Stories Display

Are you ready for the next stage of the Stories takeover in your Instagram app? Back in May, we reported that Instagram was testing a new double-story Stories feed with some users. Now, Instagram has confirmed that it’s also testing this somewhat intimidating full-screen Stories display: As you can see in these screenshots, posted by AdWeek marketing…

WhatsApp has Added Animated Stickers, QR Codes and New Video Call Options

WhatsApp has Added Animated Stickers, QR Codes and New Video Call Options

Facebook-owned messaging giant WhatsApp has released some new, interactive features, including animated stickers, new dark mode options, QR codes, and more. First off, after they were spotted in testing in the latest beta version of the app, WhatsApp has now announced animated stickers in chats. The stickers provide another way to engage within WhatsApp threads –…

Facebook

Facebook Adds Custom Audience Creation Options Based on Increasing eCommerce Activity

With Facebook and Instagram Shops on the way, Facebook has this week added some handy new Custom Audience creation options to align with increasing eCommerce activity. As you can see in this screenshot, posted by Michael Vittori (and shared by social media expert Matt Navarra), now, in your Custom Audience options through Facebook Ads Manager, there’s a new…

Facebook

What Facebook is Doing to Address Hate Speech as #StopHateforProfit Campaign Goes Into Effect

With over 400 advertisers set to pause their Facebook ad spend from today as part of the expanding #StopHateforProfit campaign,  The Social Network has made efforts on various fronts to address concerns around its policies regarding hate speech – and in particular, its decision to leave aggressive, threatening comments from US President Donald Trump upon…

YouTube

YouTube is Testing its TikTok-Like ‘Shorts’ Option

Back in April, The Information reported that YouTube was working on a new, TikTok-like, short-form video option that would live within YouTube, providing a new way for YouTubers to tap into the rising, 15-second clip trend. Now, YouTube has released more information on the coming function. As reported by TechCrunch, YouTube has shared some new details on the…

Google

Google Expands Access to its Business Messaging Tools from Maps and Search Listings

Google will enable more businesses to facilitate direct messaging from customers via maps and search listings, with a new expansion of its business message tools. As explained by Google: “Today we’re expanding Business Messages in Maps and Search to support all kinds of businesses, and giving them the ability to integrate Business Messages directly with their customer service platforms….

Facebook

Facebook Adds New Warning Screen to Stop Unintended Sharing of Older News Articles

With more people relying on Facebook for news content, The Social Network has also become a key source of debate and discussion around such, and that, unfortunately, also includes the spread of misinformation and/or skewed framing of events in order to further political agendas. Part of this comes via blatant misinformation being circulated – both on Facebook and…

YouTube

YouTube is Testing a New Analytics Overview Summary to Help Creators Maximize Performance

YouTube is working on a new video analytics display that is designed to help creators better understands where their views are coming from, and how they can maximize each video’s performance. As explained by YouTube Creator Insider Conor Kavanagh: “This is a new analytics video overview that has smarter explanations about how your video is…

TikTok

TikTok Removes a Feature that Grabs Data from User Clipboards after New iOS Update Exposed the Process

TikTok has said that it will remove a feature that reads data from the clipboard on user devices as they use TikTok after a recent iOS update exposed the practice. Jeremy Burge of Emojipedia posted this example of the process on Twitter: “Okay, so TikTok is grabbing the contents of my clipboard every 1-3 keystrokes. iOS 14 is…