Welcome back to Spark Social Report by Spark Growth, your weekly source for social media updates! This week, Instagram added a new dashboard for business and creator accounts. Read the full article for more updates!
This week, Instagram announced that a new “Professional Dashboard” is rolling out for all Business and Creator accounts. This dashboard replaces and consolidates the former “Professional Resources” page. Providing quick insights and other educational resources, the three key features include: Track Your Performance, where users can view insights and trends based on their account’s performance; Grow Your Business, where users can easily access tools that can help them optimize their account more effectively; and Stay Informed, which offers users educational resources on how they can make the most of the platform. By including all these resources in one place, this dashboard offers a more efficient way for businesses to gain useful insights and guidance for their account.
A few months ago, Facebook announced that it would be introducing Facebook News in the U.K., a feature that offers users news pieces from leading national and local sources. As of this past Monday, Facebook began rolling out this feature to U.K. users. In addition to the Facebook News partners it announced in November, new partners include Channel 4 News, Daily Mail Group, Financial Times, DC Thomson, Sky News, and Telegraph Media Group.
As of January 22, 2021, Twitter started its process of removing verification badges that belong to inactive Twitter accounts. A day before the deadline, the platform announced that it had preemptively reached out to these users to give them a heads up. These users also had the option to keep their verification but were required to provide any additional information as per Twitter’s updated verification guidelines.
To any Twitter users who have never been verified but are planning to, be advised that Twitter isn’t currently accepting any new verification applications. However, the platform has stated its plans to make the application process available in “early 2021,” so keep an eye out for this!
Last call! As part of our new verification policy, we’ll remove verification badges from inactive and incomplete accounts starting tomorrow, January 22.
We've reached out directly to those who need to take action to stay verified. For more info: https://t.co/pDI1YmZOM7 pic.twitter.com/J3Aj9H3X7x
— Support (@Support) January 21, 2021
The platform is also in the process of updating its branding. Leslie Berland, a member of Twitter’s marketing team, announced in a thread that these changes were made to better reflect the raw, diverse, and complex nature of the platform. Changes include new typography and visual updates to videos, posters, GIFs, and banners, as well as to the backdrop of the platform’s iconic bird symbol. View Berland’s full Twitter thread below.
Every year our marketing team takes a step back from our brand, creative work, public expression and activations. We look in the mirror and ask ourselves if what we see creatively, reflects what Twitter is.
— Leslie Berland (@leslieberland) January 27, 2021
Snapchat
Dark mode fans have another platform to get excited about! Snapchat recently confirmed that it is testing a dark mode option with a small percentage of users. Though there is no official word on when this feature will be released to all users, the popularity of dark mode likely means that Snapchat’s version will be accessible to the public sooner or later. Be sure to check our blog every Friday as we’ll be sure to update you when it happens!
TikTok
TikTok has launched yet another resource hub called “Creator Portal,” which educates creators on the basic tools and tips of getting started on the platform. The hub features six learning categories, which include Getting started on TikTok, TikTok creation essentials, TikTok foundations for success, TikTok content Strategy, Community guidelines and safety, and Getting paid to create. Multiple guides are included under each category. This learning portal will be a helpful resource for brands and creators who are unfamiliar with TikTok, or who are looking to optimize their existing profile. You can access the Creator Portal resource hub here.
LinkedIn has updated its comment controls to help users better control and moderate discussions on their posts. Similar to platforms like Twitter and Instagram, users can now choose who is allowed to comment on their posts, including the options of Anyone, Connections Only, or No one.
YouTube
YouTube has started testing a feature called “Clips,” which enables creators to share specific segments from their videos and live streams. YouTube states, “Clips can be 5–60 seconds in length and will play on a loop directly on the original video’s watch page.” When a user creates a Clip, a unique URL will be generated that can be shared manually across other digital channels and social media platforms. This will be a useful feature for creators to share quick and eye-catching segments of their video. While this feature is only being tested on a select group of creators right now, the platform is hoping to roll out this feature soon.
Pinterest is currently testing “Story Pins” with a select group of users, which is the platform’s version of Stories. However, unlike Stories on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and LinkedIn, Story Pins do not disappear after 24 hours. Rather, Story Pins exist within a Pin. Social Media Today says that the format provides a “vertically-aligned presentation option for Pin content, which can be used to add more context to your regular Pins.” Right now, there’s no word on when Story Pins will be available for all users.
In a related update, the platform is also introducing Story Pins following streams. This is a place where users can see new Story Pins from the creators they follow, and will be viewable at the top of their home feed. This feature will help users discover new content and ideas from creators.
Lastly, Pinterest has expanded its AR (augmented reality) Try On filters by including eyeshadow products! Now, new shoppable eyeshadow Pins showcase products from brands like YSL, NYX Cosmetics, and more. Users can access this by clicking on the camera icon in “Search,” where they can then browse, try on, and buy these eyeshadow products. Pinterest’s first Try On feature included lipstick products, but with AR filters becoming more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pinterest will likely continue to partner with brands and create a wider variety of these filters.
That wraps up this week’s social media updates! Be sure to follow us on Twitter for more of the latest digital marketing news.
And while we’re on the topic of shoppable products on social media, have you taken advantage of the eCommerce features on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest? If you’re unsure how to get started, we can help. Click the link below to schedule a conversation with one of our social media experts!
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