Social Scoop Unplugged #10
Want to stay ahead in the social media game? This week’s Social Scoop Unplugged has you covered! Instagram is downgrading video quality for less viewed clips to enhance user experience based on engagement. Meanwhile, Meta is developing a new search engine for its AI chatbot, and Instagram is preparing for some spooky Halloween-themed activations. Plus, IG’s chief clarified how brand logos can impact reach. Snapchat is also shipping AR spectacles to EU developers, and LinkedIn is testing an advanced AI assistant for recruiters along with a fresh top navigation bar design.
Instagram’s Video Quality Downgrade: What You Need to Know
Have you noticed your older reels looking a bit fuzzy? You’re not imagining things! In a recent Q&A on Instagram Stories, Adam Mosseri, the big cheese at Instagram, shared how video quality works for Stories and Reels.
So, here’s the scoop: if a video isn’t getting much love (aka views) over time, Instagram may decide to lower its quality to save on resources. But don’t worry—if your clip suddenly catches fire and goes viral, it can be upgraded back to its glorious, high-definition self!
Mosseri explained,
“In general, we want to show the highest quality video we can when someone is watching a Story or Reel. But if something isn’t watched for a long time… we will move to a lower quality video.”
This means that popular creators get to shine bright with better video quality, while the less popular ones might fade a bit into the background. Not exactly fair play, right?
He also acknowledged a common concern:
“Smaller creators historically haven’t gotten their fair share of reach on Instagram, and we want to change that. So we’re making some changes to how we rank recommendations to give smaller creators a better chance of breaking through.”
It’s a step in the right direction, but this video quality game feels a bit counterproductive.
In practice, Mosseri mentioned that the quality shift isn’t usually a massive deal. He noted,
“In practice, it doesn’t seem to matter much, as the quality shift isn’t huge… Quality seems to be much more important to the original creator, who is more likely to delete the video if it looks poor, than to their viewers.”
But let’s be real—who wants to share a blurry video? While he may have the data to back up his claims, it’s something worth keeping an eye on. If you’re tracking your engagement metrics, just remember that those older clips with fewer views might end up looking a little lacklustre, which could impact their performance in the long run.
Meta’s New Venture: A Search Engine for Its AI Chatbot?
Meta might be venturing into the search engine territory to power its AI chatbot. Yes, you read that right! Reports suggest that the company is keen to reduce its reliance on Bing and Google for web searches, especially as all three tech giants compete for the crown in the AI arena.
So, what’s the plan? It seems Meta is looking to beef up its data collection methods to create a more robust AI tool. Imagine a new Meta search engine that delivers real-time insights for all its apps! This could be a game-changer for Threads, providing timely updates on breaking news and enhancing engagement across the platform.
When Meta first unveiled its AI chatbot last September, they shared that it would tap into Bing’s search results to offer richer responses. Mosseri explained, “In text-based chats, Meta AI has access to real-time information through our search partnership with Bing and offers a tool for image generation.” Whenever the chatbot uses Bing, it even provides a handy web link for context.
Then came the news in April of this year: Meta partnered with Google to further expand its search capabilities. Now, however, they’re eyeing the development of their very own web crawler. According to The Information, Meta is exploring this move to keep pace with OpenAI, aiming to create a search engine that can deliver conversational answers about current events through the chatbot.
This shift could provide a safety net for Meta, ensuring they aren’t solely dependent on Microsoft or Google if their partnerships falter. But let’s be real, building a fully functional search engine is no small feat—it’s a monumental task that’s probably why Meta sought those partnerships in the first place.
The exciting part? Meta already has web crawlers in action, gathering info from various sites, and they’ve ramped up their activities in recent months. While these crawlers could be laying the groundwork for this new search engine, we can’t overlook the scale of the project. A dedicated Meta search tool would not only enhance its data collection efforts but also bolster the AI language models for future applications.
It seems this isn’t just about creating a competitor for Google and Bing; it’s about maximising Meta’s own data resources. But, let’s be clear, this is still a significant undertaking. If they get it right, there could be fantastic opportunities ahead for Zuck and his team.
Given the competitive landscape, this move isn’t surprising. As the AI race heats up, it’s likely we’ll see more companies striving for independence from their existing partnerships. So, stay tuned for what’s next in Meta’s journey—this could be just the beginning!
Instagram Gets Spooky with Halloween Features
Instagram is serving up some fun new features to help you celebrate the spookiest season of the year! Get ready to add a touch of fright to your DMs and Stories with a bunch of Halloween-themed activations.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
• Secret Halloween Keywords: Instagram has introduced secret keywords in DMs and Notes that trigger cool animations. Type in words like “Halloween,” “Happy Halloween,” or “Trick-or-treat,” and watch as bats flutter across your screen. And don’t forget to sprinkle in some Halloween emojis for extra effect!
• Spooky Chat Theme: Get your chats in the Halloween spirit with a festive theme for DMs and broadcast channels. Enjoy chatting in a spooky environment, or use Meta’s AI tools to create your own unique backgrounds. Imagine conversing while surrounded by a virtual haunted house!
• “Add Yours” Templates for Stories: Instagram is rolling out five custom templates designed for Halloween fun! These templates invite your viewers to:
• Share their own spooky pics.
• Answer Halloween-themed questions.
• Showcase their creative costumes or favourite Halloween memories.
• New Halloween Font and Text Effect: Jazz up your posts with the new Halloween font and text effect! This is a fantastic way to make your content stand out and capture the festive vibe.
While Meta is keen for everyone to get involved with its AI tools for creatingHalloween-themed images, I’ll admit, I still find it puzzling why some folks would prefer AI-generated content over their own personal creations. There’s something special about sharing genuine moments and experiences, after all!
These exciting features are sure to help users and brands alike embrace the Halloween spirit. Brands can get creative with their Halloween campaigns, dressing up their posts and communications to connect with their audience in a playful way. So, gather your favourite treats, unleash your creativity, and get ready to decorate your feeds with some fang-tastic content!
And don’t forget to keep an eye on how your followers engage with your spooky posts—there might just be a few surprises lurking in the comments!
Instagram Clears the Air: Your Logo on Reels? No Problem!
Just a quick update that’s super important for all you Reels creators out there! Instagram’s chief, Adam Mosseri, has shared some clarity regarding including your own logo on your Reels, and it’s good news!
Here’s the scoop:
Adam stated that adding your brand’s logo won’t hurt your reach on Instagram. In his words:
“If you watermark a Reel with your own logo, will that affect its reach? The answer is no, that’s actually good to go. What we try to do is not recommend Reels with logos from other apps, but if it’s your own logo, don’t worry about it.”
This is a relief because back in 2021, Instagram introduced a penalty for Reels featuring the TikTok logo, making it clear that reposting content from other platforms isn’t the way to go if you want to expand your audience. While your posts will still reach your followers, they won’t show up in Explore or recommendations if they’re branded with logos from competing apps.
The advice then was to steer clear of content that looked “visibly recycled” from other apps. Since then, platforms like YouTube have joined the short-form content game with Shorts, which falls under the same “no logos from other apps” rule.
But here’s the silver lining: including your own brand logo on your Reels is totally fine and won’t impact your reach at all!
Now, some might say it’s a bit unfair for Meta to limit the reach of content from competitors. But hey, they’re just trying to promote original content within their apps, especially when it comes to discovery.
So, remember: if you’re looking to broaden your audience, skip reposting TikToks with their logo on them. But feel free to add your own branding to your Reels without a second thought!
Happy creating, everyone! Let’s get those Reels buzzing!
Snapchat’s AR Spectacles Set to Land in the EU for Developers!
Exciting news for all you AR enthusiasts! Snapchat has just announced the next phase of its AR Spectacles project, and this time, it’s reaching out to developers across Europe! If you’re based in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, or Spain, get ready to start testing out these innovative devices.
Last month, Snapchat introduced its AR Spectacles at the Partner Summit, giving U.S. developers the green light to explore this cutting-edge technology. And now, it’s the EU’s turn to dive into the action! Here’s what you need to know:
• Subscription Access: Approved developers will pay a monthly fee to access the current model of the AR Spectacles. For just €110 per month, with a 12-month commitment, developers can bring their creative visions to life. This subscription includes support from the Spectacles team, ensuring that you’re never alone on your AR journey!
• Development Costs: The initial access fee helps Snap cover development and support costs while maintaining a level of exclusivity, as the device is still in the testing phase and not yet ready for public release.
• Innovative Features: With the new “Snap OS” operating system, wearers can interact with Snap’s AR experiences using their hands and voice, adding a whole new layer of engagement!
• Competition with Meta: Snap’s AR glasses are set to compete with Meta’s devices, which are currently in testing and boast superior features. Although Snap has been a pioneer in AR since launching non-AR Spectacles back in 2016, the competition is heating up as both companies gear up for a public release.
• Market Pricing: Pricing will play a significant role in this battle for AR supremacy. Apple’s VisionPro is already out of the running with its hefty $3,599 price tag. Meta has indicated that its glasses will be priced similarly to modern mobile devices, which might give Snap an edge if they can offer a more affordable option.
As Snap moves forward, they aim to expand access to more developers, allowing them to experiment and create innovative AR experiences. Prototypes of the Spectacles are set to start shipping to EU developers in the coming weeks, with additional markets expected to gain access in 2025.
This is an exciting time for AR development, and I can’t wait to see what creators will come up with using these new tools! Let’s keep our eyes peeled for some amazing AR experiences on the horizon!
LinkedIn’s New AI Assistant: A Game Changer for Recruiters!
Just when you thought LinkedIn had maxed out on generative AI features, they’ve rolled out something new and exciting for recruiters! Meet the Hiring Assistant, a tool designed to streamline the recruitment process by automatically generating a shortlist of LinkedIn users who fit the bill for advertised roles.
So, what does this mean for job seekers? Well, it’s not just about impressing human recruiters anymore; you’ll now need to appeal to AI-driven systems that will analyse your profile and application data.
Here’s the scoop:
• Automated Shortlisting: The Hiring Assistant will create a pipeline of qualified candidates based on specific hiring goals, surfacing top applicants for review. This means less time sifting through applications and more focus on the best matches!
• Enhanced Communication: The AI tool can draft outreach messages to potential candidates and even answer basic questions about the roles, making it easier for recruiters to engage with applicants.
• Interview Management: Scheduling interviews, taking notes, and managing follow-ups are all part of the package! This allows recruiters to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on what really matters: building and training their teams.
• Safeguards in Place: LinkedIn assures users that they’ve built safeguards to ensure the accuracy and quality of the automated recommendations, though it’s natural to wonder how effective these measures will be.
• SEO for Job Seekers? There’s a slight concern about how this system could be manipulated. Job seekers might find themselves reverse-engineering job ads to tailor their profiles more effectively for the AI’s preferences, creating a more SEO-like process for job hunting. But let’s be honest, many recruiters already have arbitrary systems in place to sift through applications, so this could actually enhance the experience!
• Testing Phase: Currently, LinkedIn is testing the Hiring Assistant with a select group of customers, including major names like AMD, Canva, Siemens, and Zurich Insurance. A broader rollout is expected to be announced next year!
While it feels a bit odd to reduce human assessment in career decisions, this new tool could be a significant step forward for LinkedIn and its users. I’m excited to see how it evolves and what it means for the future of recruitment!
LinkedIn’s UI Update: A New Look for Navigation
LinkedIn is shaking things up with a new user interface (UI) that’s currently in the experimental phase! According to app researcher Radu Oncescu, the platform is testing a revamped top navigation bar, moving all in-app navigation options to the top of the screen. This shift could significantly change how we interact with the app, and I’m here to break it down for you!
What’s Changing?
• All-in-One Navigation: Instead of spreading notifications, inbox alerts, and other shortcuts across the top and bottom of the app, this new design will consolidate everything into a single line at the top. This could make it easier to navigate through different sections of the app without clutter.
• Current Layout: Right now, your profile, search, post composer, and inbox shortcuts are at the top, while the bottom banner features your home feed, “My Network,” notifications, jobs, and (for some) the “Video” tab.
• Cleaner Feed Experience: By moving the navigation bar to the top, users could enjoy a less cluttered home feed since the bottom function bar wouldn’t obstruct their view while scrolling.
• Reduced Icon Size: In this new setup, the icons would be smaller to fit into a single row. While this might save space, it could also make it less intuitive to use, especially for frequent posters.
Potential Concerns
• Post Composer Mystery: One question remains: where does the post composer fit into this new design? Currently, it’s unclear, and not having a visible composer could lead to reduced original posts, which is vital for engagement on the platform.
• Habitual Shift: Changing a familiar navigation setup can be tricky. Users might find it challenging to adapt to this new layout, which could impact engagement levels if not rolled out thoughtfully.
• Experimental Phase: Keep in mind that this UI update is still in the experimental phase, meaning it might not ever make it to a wider audience. However, it raises interesting questions about how LinkedIn is thinking about the future of their app!
What Do You Think?
So, would this new top navigation bar be a better look for your LinkedIn experience? While it could streamline navigation and reduce clutter, it’s a significant change that could affect how we interact with the platform. I’m curious to see how this experiment unfolds and whether it will ultimately enhance or hinder our LinkedIn experience!
Let’s keep an eye on this one!
That wraps up this week’s Social Scoop Unplugged! 🚀 Remember, the world of social media never stops evolving, and neither should your strategy. Stay curious, keep experimenting, and don’t forget to adapt to these exciting updates as they unfold.
If you’ve found this helpful, share it with your network or drop me a message with your thoughts and feedback. Until next time, keep shining and be creative online!