This week’s most important social media changes
What’s changed in the last seven days? What does it mean?
Snapchat separates brand content, YouTube’s version of ‘Stories’ arrives, new Instagram business tools, Facebook to release Messenger for kids.
Let’s take a look at these changes in more detail.
Snapchat separates branded content
For businesses publishing branded content on Snapchat, the platform will now separate friends’ content from the branded Discover content. A welcome change for users but a challenge for brands as they compete with and differentiate themselves from other branded content in the Discover feed.
More here.
YouTube targeting a piece of the ‘stories’ pie
It’s taken them longer than rivals Facebook and Instagram, but YouTube is testing ‘Reels’ – its own version of Snapchat Stories for YouTube creators. It’s another example of platforms doubling down on video features after Facebook recently launched its Creators app to help improve the live broadcast experience on the platform.
Read the YouTube announcement.
Messenger Kids on its way
Facebook has rolled out Messenger Kids in the US and will release it more widely in the app store in the coming months. The app is for children aged under 13 and will allow parents to download it to their child’s phone / tablet, create a profile for them and filter friends / family they can communicate with through the app. It will not feature any advertising and will contain safety filters to prevent certain content types (e.g. violence).
More here.
New Instagram tools for businesses
To celebrate the milestone of 25 million businesses now registered on the platform, Instagram will start to roll out new tools for businesses in the coming weeks, including insights related to how users found them. Stay tuned as these hit the platform.
More here.
Video ads coming to Facebook?
Reports that Facebook will test pre-roll ads on Facebook Watch (its platform for original content). Is this the start of ads being rolled out across Facebook videos?
Read more here.
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