Platform 5: This week’s most important social media changes (edition 57)
This week’s 5 most important social media changes
What’s changed in the last seven days? What does it mean?
Twitter changes how they handle the character limit and partners with Spotify, Facebook gets rid of FBX, Pinterest updates with a variety of new changes and Instagram may be getting post boosting in the near future.
Let’s take a look at these changes in more detail.
Links and tagging no longer count to Twitter 140-char limit
An update to Twitter will allow users to enter more text into status updates. By not counting links an additional 23 characters can be entered to reach the 140 limit. Tweets with images get 18% more clicks, 89% more favourites, and 150% more retweets. This move change will mean Twitter feeds should be filled with more rich content and imagery, bringing it further towards a useful platform for sourcing news and a variety of content.
Find out more about the Twitter changes here.
Facebook waves goodbye to desktop ad service
Starting in November this year, Facebook Exchange (or FBX) will no longer be available to advertisers. Instead, the leading social platform will be doubling down on smartphone ads. Facebook is choosing to focus on products like custom audiences and dynamic ads that will allow marketers to target users on smartphones. This is a shift away from desktop ads may make it easier for marketers to reach users in the increasingly growing mobile environment.
Find out more about changes to FBX here.
Pinterest changes look to improve the service
Pinterest has rolled out a number of changes aimed at improving the service. Pins now include new information about how they’re being collected across Pinterest. Users can now see the total number of repins and likes a Pin has received across all of Pinterest. There is also a way to see all the boards where a Pin was saved. Changes have been rolled out on Android and web and will reach iPhone and iPad users soon.
Learn more about updates to Pinterest here.
Twitter partners with Spotify for audio cards
Twitter has now added Spotify streams to their list of music services integrated into audio cards. Twitter audio cards allow users to hear 30sec snippets from tracks while scrolling through their timeline, which saves having to link to external players. Spotify streams will also be featured within Moments. This move should stop users from leaving the service to access streams and other Spotify content while on Twitter.
Learn more about Spotify & Twitter audio cards here.
Instagram could be gearing up to implement boosted posts
In the latest update of Instagram, a number of items have been spotted the may confirm post boosting in the near future. Included were can_boost_post, granting the ability to boost posts similar to Facebook; can_see_organic_insights, possibly allowing all users to access profile analytics; can_convert_to_business, reaffirming Instagram’s stance on allowing the standard account to be changed into a business account; and show_insights_terms, which typically means things like insight data, reach, impressions, engagement and more.
Find out about the possible changes to Instagram here.
Follow us on Twitter for news of these social media and content marketing changes as they happen.