If there is one thing you can count on in the social media world, it’s that platforms never stay static
In fact, platforms suffer when there are no updates or changes! The best platforms change, advance, and upgrade. That means what once worked on social media, isn’t what is going to work today. We want to keep you up to date with the latest changes on social media - including the most popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Check out these social media updates from November 2016.
Facebook Changes
A unified inbox for Facebook and Instagram
Most of us know that Facebook uses Messenger, which is tied into Facebook Pages. If you have a Facebook Page, you can turn on notifications for the app through Messenger. Now, Facebook has announced that they will be integrating Facebook Pages, Messenger, and Instagram. This will make it easier for businesses to respond to their followers, thus simplifying customer support.
The new inbox is accessible by tapping the messaging icon at the bottom of Pages in the Page Manager. It features a tabbed interface for Facebook comments, visitor posts, reviews, messages, and Instagram comments. The new inbox gives you basic information on the people who have contacted you.
Facebook Jobs App on Pages
Poised to take on some of LinkedIn recruiting business, Facebook has silently added a new Job tabs on their business pages. This could give companies one more to get traffic to their page while also getting more candidates to view their open positions.
The tab allows businesses to share details about job openings with information like job title, salary, and whether it is a full or part-time position. There will also be an “apply now” button that will start a typical application flow. However, Facebook will be able to pre-populate the form with information from the user's profile, making the application process simple for interested applicants.
Like by Smiling
While not officially a feature yet, Facebook has acquired the startup called FacioMetrics, which has developed an emotion detecting app which has since been taken off of app stores.
While Facebook is currently using FacioMetrics to enhance its Snapchat style face masks in videos and live broadcast, it’s not a stretch to imagine the social media platform may one day use the technology to employ in other areas. Perhaps one day you’ll be able to add a like or an emoji reaction by showing off that emotion with your own face.
Instagram Changes
Instagram launches two new features: live streaming and disappearing messages
Instagram has two new features to play around with. You’re now able to live stream video on your Instagram for up to an hour. Your followers will receive a notification when you go live, which lets them tune in and interact with you as you broadcast.
Instagram has also announced new disappearing images and video in its direct messages. This is decidedly similar to Snapchat, which Instagram has been competing. With disappearing photos, you’re able to send images and videos directly to groups and individuals.
Pinterest Changes
A new Explore section
Pinterest has added a new section to its Explore section to its app. With the new section users will be able to look at recommendations based on algorithms and trending content on Pinterest. The goal is to get new content in front of users, content that their existing social graph may not be tapping into. Other social media platforms have features similar, notable Instagram’s Explore and Snapchat’s Discover.
And, a Tried It button
Pinterest is primarily known as an idea board - a place to store recipes, DIYs, products, or crafts you want to try. Now, Pinterest is looking to track and let people share the projects they have completed. With the new Tried It button, users will be able to share their progress and recommend the pin to others. You’ll also be able to track pins people have tried.
This means an easier way to tracking pins through the shopping cycle, from the dreaming stage to the completed project. This is outside of direct conversions from buyable pins. The Tried It feed may also depend on your region. Pinterest found during testing that the those in the U.S. try more food and drink recipes while those in the U.K. look more at home decor, fashion, and beauty ideas.
Periscope Changes
Super Fans
The app that helped jumpstart the live video trend is adding a new feature that will help content creators reach a specific audience. Periscope is added “Super Fans” or in other words the top 10 of your most engaged viewers. Periscope is basing this off of whether users are following you and how often the watch and engage with your live streams. It even ranks your fans (one through 10) for you.
Adding to this, Periscope is allowing you to create your own groups, which allows you to reach communities that have specific interests, such as online fans, Super Fans, or real-life friends. This lets you build relationships with your most loyal followers or allows you to share something exclusively to your top followers.
There you have it, folks! The latest changes in social media. Do you have any ideas on how to implement some of these updates into your social media plan? Let us know! And, stay tuned. We’ll keep you updated in case of any more updates to your favorite social media platform.
Comments