The Social Media News To Help You in March
Happy International Women’s Day! Here’s to all of the amazing women in our lives and those that came before us. Here are three of the social media and influencer marketing-related news you need to know in March.
This week, we take a look at Rival IQ’s new social media benchmark report, recent U.S. legislation attempting to ban TikTok, and Instagram is discussing adding a new feature when it comes to direct messaging.
Rival IQ Shares New Social Media Benchmarks Report
Brands have relied heavily on social media to communicate with customers and market their products or services. However, with the ever-changing social media landscape, brands must keep up with the latest trends and metrics to evaluate their content's performance.
The most recent Social Media Benchmarks report from Rival I.Q. provides some further context, with insights into the average engagement rates companies in various industries are recording across the most popular social media apps.
Rival I.Q.'s research includes some intriguing insights into brand engagement and what we, as advertisers, can expect to see in terms of performance. But, in the end, the actual outcomes of our clients' content will depend on how well we understand their target audience and how we can drive action based on that.
U.S. Senators Raise New Push to Ban TikTok
Surprise, surprise. I‘m talking about TikTok again. According to a story published by Reuters, "a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is introducing legislation that would give China's ByteDance about six months to divest popular short video app TikTok or face a U.S. ban."
The new effort, led by Reps. Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi seek to "address national security concerns posed by Chinese ownership of the app."
And there even appears to be alignment with President Biden if this bill ends up on his desk. Will the United States succeed in banning TikTok this time after several attempts?
Instagram Adds New Features to Direct Messaging
Instagram's user engagement has shifted towards direct messages over in-feed postings. And, like any good platform, Instagram is embracing the shift and evolving to improve the D.M. experience.
They recently announced numerous enhancements to direct messages, including:
You can now edit messages for up to 15 minutes after hitting send.
You can pin your favorite or most essential chats (up to three!) to the top of your inbox for quick access.
Read receipts can be turned on or off for all or select chats.
Continue reading the updates and learn how to use them here.
Are you looking for more like covering my favorite social media tools to use, like GoCharlie.ai. Or get the keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and more deep dives on other social media or influencer marketing topics.
Social Media News You Can Use in March
This week, LinkedIn hints at a potential change to their algorithm, insights into how older adults use TikTok, and Meta looks to get ahead of challenges with political content.
LinkedIn Indicates New Algorithm Changes
On Entrepreneur's "Problem Solvers" podcast, LinkedIn's editor-in-chief Dan Roth discussed potential content changes and strategic approaches that could impact your brand’s platform strategy.
First, LinkedIn is shifting away from the “trend-chasing” tactics that are popular and effective in other social media platforms like TikTok. Instead, Roth sees LinkedIn's future as a platform where value is produced by publishing useful, evergreen content that helps users learn and identify business insights or opportunities. Roth said that LinkedIn users should focus less on trending topics and more on regularly sharing knowledge over time.
How Adults In The U.S. Use TikTok
Is TikTok geared toward older adults? Maybe not, but at the very least, the app is less focused on Generation Z than most headlines suggest. According to journalist Ryan Broderick, approximately 40% of TikTok users are in their 30s and 40s, also known as millennials (and some Gen Xers).
For comparison, a decade ago, that age group made up only 20% of Instagram's user population. Broderick discovered another remarkable data point that may scare the teenagers in your life into declaring that TikTok is no longer cool. Users between the ages of 35 and 49 are more likely to upload videos than those aged 18 to 34.
Overall, the article debunks the idea that TikTok is only for millennials and Generation Z. It emphasizes the platform's growing appeal among people of all ages and demographics, with each group having its usage patterns and motivations.
Meta's Looking to Reduce Reach of Political Content
Suppose you don't already follow accounts on social media that regularly post political content. If so, you're less likely to stumble across it this election season, as Meta is deliberately working to limit the reach of political content for users who aren’t seeking it. However, because so many things are in flux and even “evergreen” content might cross into the political realm as Meta currently lacks a clear definition of what will and will not qualify.
According to Social Media Today, "This is a significant shift, especially when you consider that historically, the best-performing posts in social apps have been those that generate a lot of replies, and the content that's most likely to trigger a response is that which sparks an emotional response." That could be joy or happiness, but it can also signify anger and outrage, which political content excels at." It will be interesting to observe the actual effects as Meta seeks to broaden this technique.
Are you looking for more like covering my favorite social media tools to use, like GoCharlie.ai. Or keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and more deep dives on other social media or influencer marketing topics.
More Social Media News You Can Use In February
Here are three of the social media and influencer marketing-related news you need to know in February. This week, Google has secured a partnership with Reddit to use its data for Google’s AI tools, Meta is testing cross-posting between Facebook and Threads, and Threads begins to mark political posts that have been fact-checked by 3rd party sources ahead of the election.
Are you looking for more like covering my favorite social media tools to use, like GoCharlie.ai. Or keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and more deep dives on other social media or influencer marketing topics.
Google To Gain Access To Reddit Data For AI Training
Google has announced an agreement with Reddit to gain access to its content through the Reddit Data API, allegedly worth $60 million annually. Google is paying Reddit for access to its publicly available content via an API to help train Google's large language models (LLM). Google believes its company's access to the Reddit Data API will "improve its products and services..." including "...more efficient ways to train models." How will this shake out?
Some believe that Reddit could be a bad sample set for training artificial intelligence compared to literature or magazines. On a social media platform like Reddit, grammar is fast and loose, there are a lot of memes and inside jokes, it's full of misinformation, and it's predominantly male
Meta Tests Cross-Posting Between Facebook and Threads
Earlier this week, Meta launched a new test of cross-posting between Facebook and Threads, with some users now encouraged to publish their Facebook updates straight to Threads. The feature is currently under restricted testing on iOS and will only apply to text and link posts (not video updates).
This will make sharing updates across numerous platforms much easier for brands, given Instagram and Facebook are already integrated. However, it raises the question of whether users prefer the same content posted on Facebook and Threads or if they would instead want to create more long-form written content similar to X.
Threads Debuts Fact-Checking Markers Ahead of Elections
Meta is also implementing fact-checking markers to Threads prevent the spread of false information during the upcoming election. These markers will be similar to indicators Meta has already used on Facebook and Instagram, which rely on a network of third-party fact-checking organizations to determine the validity of a post. As the ubiquity of AI deepfakes grows, fact-checking may become increasingly important in preventing the public from falling for false narratives.
However, not everyone sees things this way. Elon Musk, for example, sees professional fact-checking as a constraint designed to preserve specific narratives. X chooses a crowd-sourced model, allowing app users to determine what is true and what is not. And that does not seem to have worked for Musk to date, and I expect the misinformation to be worse ahead of the election.
Thanks for reading, I hope you found these stories insightful!
The Latest Social Media News You Can Use In February
Happy February! Happy Black History Month! And a happy birthday week to me! This week, we’re looking at Universal Music Group pulled their music library from TikTok, Instagram tests a new group conversation feature in notes, and Meta attempts to address Finsta (Fake Instagram) accounts.
Are you looking for more like covering my favorite social media tools to use, like GoCharlie.ai. Or keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and more deep dives on other social media or influencer marketing topics.
Universal Pulls Music from TikTok, Citing AI & Artist Pay Concerns
TikTok and Universal Music Group have called off negotiations. Universal, which owns the music rights to well-known musicians such as Taylor Swift, Adele, Drake, Billie Eilish, and many others, will remove all its content from the social networking app on February 1.
In an open letter to its artist and songwriting community, Universal claims to have pressured TikTok to provide "appropriate compensation for our artists and songwriters, protecting artists from the harmful effects of AI, and online safety for TikTok's users."
Music has been a key component of TikTok's popularity. As a matter of fact, "TikTok users are significantly more likely to both discover and share new music content in the app, while 75% of its users also find new artists via TikTok clips," according to Social Media Today.
Instagram Tests New Conversation Starters in Notes
We are back with another Instagram Notes update! IG Notes are short messages (maximum of 60 characters) that appear at the top of the Instagram direct message inbox. Notes disappear after 24 hours of publication and can include music snippets and tiny five-second movies.
A fresh test of Notes prompts started earlier this week, incorporating typical conversation starters to help people create group discussions via Instagram direct messaging. As mentioned a few weeks back, Notes are prevalent among youthful users.
According to Instagram, teens are ten times more likely to create a note within the app. Instagram is observing and making a concerted effort to keep these younger users on the platform, and they will continue to prioritize upgrading Notes to keep these users interested.
Catch You on the Flipside!
Instagram has added another opportunity to engage with a smaller group. "Flipside," a new private sharing option, has recently debuted, as noted by Social Media Today. Similar to a Finsta account, this feature provides an alternative profile area accessible only to you and your selected connections.
This shift underscores Instagram's dedication to encouraging more private sharing, consistent with the recent trend in social apps. As mentioned in the article, fewer users are choosing to post on their public feeds in favor of smaller, more intimate engagement circles, a trend that Instagram has identified as noteworthy.
Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, stated on Threads, "We're not even sure we'll launch it on Instagram." On the one hand, it feels fantastic to create a clear and private place. On the other hand, it's another approach to reach a smaller audience, in addition to secondary accounts and close friends. We'll see how people react in the test and iterate accordingly."
Have a great start to the week!
More Social Media & Influencer Marketing News You Need In January
Chicago has finally made it through the big freeze and that means we’re one step closer to my birthday! This week, we’re looking at how more social media trends are worth knowing in 2024, the rise of long-form video content, and a recent study shows that global media ad spend is going up.
Are you looking for more like covering my favorite social media tools to use, like GoCharlie.ai. Or keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and more deep dives on other social media or influencer marketing topics.
16 Most Important Social Media Trends for 2024
It's the start of the year, and that means trends are still top of mind. Hootsuite has now shared 16 trends that will be important for advertisers. Here are a couple worth knowing:
Social Media Is Turning Into a Search Engine: If consumers want to learn more about a product or service, Google search results don't always provide genuine results insights from actual consumers. But do you know where you may find a wealth of guidance from real people? That's right: social media.
In 2024 and beyond, social media platforms pose the greatest threat to traditional search engines. TikTok has integrated Google search results into its in-app results, and the platform's Creative Center now includes powerful search capabilities such as Keyword Insights.
Longer Form Content: We've discussed this in the past, but expect longer videos (2-5 minutes) to reappear. First, the major platforms continue to increase their maximum video lengths. Instagram Reels can now last up to 15 minutes, while TikTok is reportedly attempting the same duration (more soon). X (Twitter) also launched its premium service, which allows paid users to upload videos up to two hours long.
TikTok Experiments with 30 Minute Uploads
The app, once known for its 15-second videos reminiscent of the now-defunct Vine, has evolved, increasing the maximum post limit. TikTok is currently experimenting with 30-minute uploads on the beta version of the app, which is similar to the span of a sitcom.
TikTok's ultra-short-form videos initially appealed to viewers with short attention spans and an insatiable demand for material. The post-restriction gradually increased from 60 seconds to 3 minutes, eventually reaching 15 minutes.
So, what does this mean for the content creators? Increased possibilities for monetization. Longer videos provide more options for pre and mid-roll advertising, allowing creators to generate greater cash. This move is especially helpful for creators who previously earned most of their income from longer-form channels such as YouTube.
Global Mobile Ad Spend to Reach $402B in 2024 Fueled by Social & Creators
According to Data.ai's new State of Mobile 2024 report, global mobile ad expenditure will reach $362 billion in 2023, up 8% from the previous year, fueled by revenue from short-form video and video-sharing apps. According to the estimate, mobile ad expenditure will reach $402 billion in 2024, an 11% rise over the previous year.
Which app is leading the charge? None other than TikTok: "In 2024, TikTok stands poised to surpass gaming giants and secure its position as the highest-grossing app in history," said data.ai CEO Theodore Krantz in a statement.
Social apps and the creator economy are also receiving attention for new monetization alternatives outside adverts, with further growth projected in 2024. It is predicted to reach $1.3 billion, a 150% year-over-year rise.
Until next time!
Social Media News For You In January
This week, we’re diving deeper on all things YouTube and how utilizing hashtags on LinkedIn may not have the impact you’re expecting like it does on other platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Are you looking for more like covering my favorite social media tools to use, like GoCharlie.ai. Or keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and more deep dives on other social media or influencer marketing topics.
Short-form Video Moves Beyond Mobile Devices
Speaking of short-form video content, this type of video has always been associated with watching on one's mobile device. However, consumers are now utilizing their connected TVs (CTVs) to view it. According to internal data, views of YouTube Shorts on CTVs have increased by more than 75% in the United States and 100% globally, demonstrating that vertical video content is popular even in horizontal formats.
It's a new chapter in the streaming experience, and we anticipate that other video platforms will heavily rely on non-traditional, multi-format commercials to help advertisers find new ways to connect with viewers. Like social media content, more engaging ad experiences capture and hold viewers' attention. Platforms have already begun to explore more immersive tactics, with short-form ads on CTV, shoppable TV ads, stop ads, and even 'zen ads.'
Do You Need to Use Hashtags on LinkedIn?
As the algorithms of the most popular social media platforms continue to evolve, the necessity for hashtags to enable one's content to be found has decreased. Social media platforms are now far better at capturing the full context of a post's text, including pictures, user history, and all keywords. But is that true on a platform like LinkedIn, where content is more for professional content and B2B organizations typically thrive?
According to SocialMediaToday, LinkedIn says "Using hashtags can be a useful tool for visitors to quickly understand what a post is about and find other similar topics. To be most successful, hashtags should be directly related to the post's theme. In addition to hashtags, we use conversation topics and keywords to find relevant material."
We can infer from this that LinkedIn relies less on hashtags for users to discover new posts, but your content can still utilize hashtags to increase the impact and reach of your postings. You want to ensure that your hashtags are relevant to your content.
YouTube Adds Simplified Tools to Edit Long-Form Clips into Shorts
YouTube is making it easier for content creators to start publishing YouTube Shorts by enabling them to create short-form video content with their Shorts editing UI and the "remix" feature. Creators can now repurpose existing long-form content and resize it for YouTube Shorts, avoiding the need to reshoot any additional footage.
At the Motion Agency, we've seen the rise of YouTube Shorts, which is YouTube's fastest-growing content type, now driving more than 50 billion daily views in the app. Want to learn more, just watch this Short from YouTube?
Want more social media and influencer marketing news? Be sure to check out the latest podcasts I’ve been on sharing my learnings and insights. If you’ve only got time for an article, then uncover the keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and other deep dives on other social media topics.
