Social Scoop Unplugged #11
Want to stay ahead in the social media game? This week, Instagram launched new filters to streamline your inbox and a feature that encourages you to watch unwatched stories. Meta is also developing an AI system to detect when teens may be lying about their age. Snapchat is rolling out Snapchat+ gift cards in retail stores to boost subscriptions, while X is implementing diluted block functionality for a more user-friendly experience. LinkedIn has retired its celebratory post templates, and Pinterest recently hosted its annual summit, sharing key trend insights and future plans. Plus, Threads now allows you 15 minutes to edit your posts—perfect for last-minute tweaks!
Instagram Adds DM Filters for Creators
Instagram has just launched new DM filters specifically for Creator accounts, making it a breeze to manage and prioritise your incoming messages. If you’re juggling customer inquiries, brand collaborations, and follower interactions, these filters are an absolute game-changer!
How Do These DM Filters Work?
Now, creators can sort their message requests based on:
• Sender’s follower count
• Verified accounts only
• Brand accounts only
• Other creators
Plus, there’s a handy new “Story replies” folder to help you sift through genuine messages without getting lost in the sea of Story interactions. This update makes it much easier to keep track of brand inquiries, partnership requests, and other essential messages without the inbox clutter.
Which Instagram Account Type is Right for You?
With these DM filter updates exclusive to Creator accounts, let’s break down Instagram’s three account types and the benefits of each:
• Creator Accounts: Perfect for influencers, artists, and personal brands focused on growing their following and collaborating with brands. Creator accounts now come with exclusive tools like these DM filters, allowing you to manage high volumes of messages efficiently and spot collaboration requests faster. You’ll also gain access to robust insights and branded content features, ideal if partnerships are a key part of your strategy.
• Business Accounts: Great for small businesses and e-commerce ventures. Business accounts offer extensive analytics, advertising tools, and e-commerce features (like direct product links). While Business accounts don’t currently have the Creator DM filters, they provide other tools to help you track customer behaviour and optimise for sales.
Why You Might Consider Switching to a Creator Account
If your account revolves around personal branding or content creation, and you’re handling a steady flow of messages from brands and followers, switching to a Creator account could be incredibly beneficial. These new DM filters are designed specifically for creators juggling multiple message streams, making it easier to stay responsive and on top of potential opportunities.
As Instagram continues to enhance these tools, opting for a Creator account could be a smart move for anyone looking to streamline their communication and maximise engagement.
Meta’s New AI System to Spot Teens Lying About Their Age
Meta is set to harness the power of AI to tackle the issue of users misrepresenting their age on its platforms, aiming to protect younger audiences on Facebook and Instagram.
According to a recent Bloomberg report, Meta is developing a new AI-driven system designed to identify young users who have provided false age information. The report states:
“With a proprietary software tool it calls an ‘adult classifier,’ Meta will categorise users into two age brackets — older or younger than 18 — based on the person’s own account data. The software can sift through a user’s profile, see their follower list and what content they interact with, and will even scan unsuspecting ‘happy birthday’ posts made by friends to predict a user’s age.”
This initiative was first mentioned back in September, with plans for live testing on Instagram kicking off early next year. It’s a proactive move from Meta, especially in light of growing scrutiny regarding the impact of its apps on teens.
As different regions, including Australia, Denmark, the U.S., and the U.K., consider implementing age restrictions for social media, Meta’s efforts are crucial. These regulations could significantly affect user numbers on its platforms, which is why the company is stepping up its game. They’ve also proposed that app stores take responsibility for enforcing age limits to help prevent younger users from creating accounts.
Currently, Instagram employs various measures to prevent minors from registering as adults, including its age verification process that may require users to present a government ID or get verification from friends or parents. With advanced protections already in place for teen accounts, this new AI detection system is another step in the right direction.
While kids may always find ways to bypass these systems, Meta argues that app stores are ideally positioned to enforce age restrictions. Until such measures are adopted, we’re left with the tools and safeguards that platforms like Instagram can provide.
Snapchat Launches Snapchat+ Gift Cards in Retail Stores
Snapchat is getting into the festive spirit early this year by offering Snapchat+ gift cards at Amazon, Walmart, and Target, both online and in stores. If last year is anything to go by, this move could really boost those Snapchat+ subscriptions just in time for Christmas!
As Snap puts it:
“As we approach the holidays, annual Snapchat+ subscriptions are now available for purchase at Target stores across the US, and online and via Amazon and Walmart. Gift cards are easy to redeem right away at snapchat.com/plus. With Snapchat+, Snapchatters can unlock so many fun ways to personalise their app with custom chat wallpapers, seasonal app icons, Bitmoji pets, and more! It’s the gift that keeps on giving all year long.”
Sure, not everyone will be keen on those features, but they’ve been a hit with millions of Snapchat users. You can bet plenty of teens will be hoping to unwrap a Snap gift card this Christmas, eager to jazz up their in-app vibe just like their friends.
Last year, Snapchat tried something similar, rolling out gift cards exclusively through Amazon. Even with just that one retailer, they managed to ramp up Snapchat+ memberships from 5 million in September to 7 million by the end of Q4—talk about a festive cheer boost! While it’s not all down to the gift cards, they definitely played a big part. Expanding to more physical stores should give Snap another great push this holiday season.
With 12 million members now, Snapchat+ has turned into a nifty little income stream for the app as it looks to diversify its earnings. Snapchat still makes over 90% of its money from ads, but this extra cash flow is a welcome addition, especially as they invest in exciting new tech like AR glasses.
This move really shows how well Snapchat understands what its audience wants. In comparison, X Premium, which had a lot of hype when it launched, has struggled to hit even 1.3 million sign-ups. Turns out, users aren’t as thrilled about paying for blue check marks as Elon and the gang had hoped.
Snapchat’s offerings fit perfectly with how people use the app, which is why we’re seeing so many more users signing up for the paid option. And it looks like that trend will keep going strong into 2025.
While Snapchat+ may not ever compete with ad revenue, it’s proving to be a valuable boost for the app.
X’s New Blocking Update: What You Need to Know
Well, it’s happening… X is rolling out a pretty controversial update to how blocking works on the app. If you block someone, they’ll now be able to see your posts again—yep, you read that right!
Here’s the Scoop:
• Blocked Profiles Can See Your Posts: Even though blocked accounts won’t be able to reply to your tweets, they can still read your content, screenshot it, and even share their thoughts about you with their followers—without you having a clue.
• Elon’s Justification: According to Elon and the team, this change is about making things simpler. They argue that people could already peek at your posts by switching to another account, so why not just cut out the middleman? But let’s be real; most people aren’t that motivated to create a whole new account just to annoy you.
• The Big Picture: Musk himself has noted that giant block lists can be a problem for the platform, as they limit visibility. As one of the most blocked individuals on X, it seems like he’s keen on minimising the power of blocking to ensure more people see his posts.
• App Store Rules: This change raises some eyebrows when it comes to compliance with app store rules. Both the App Store and Google Play Store require apps to have a blocking feature for user-generated content, but the wording is a bit vague.
• For the App Store: “Apps with user-generated content must include the ability to block abusive users from the service.”
• For Google Play: “Apps that provide access to publicly accessible UGC must implement in-app functionality to report users and content, and to block users.”
While it’s not entirely clear what “block” means in this context, it seems like X’s new approach might be skirting the line of those guidelines. It’ll be interesting to see if either platform decides to step in.
So far, many users are less than thrilled with this update and have even started looking for alternatives. But Elon is standing firm that this is the way forward for X.
While this change might not sit well with everyone, it’s clear that X is taking a different direction.
LinkedIn Bids Adieu to Celebratory Post Templates
So, guess what? LinkedIn is saying goodbye to its collection of celebratory post templates! Yes, those cute little animated graphics that made sharing good news a bit more fun are on their way out.
What’s Changing?
According to a recent message from LinkedIn (thanks, Ahmed Ghanem!), here’s the scoop:
• They’re ditching a handful of infrequently used templates, like Appreciation, Welcome, and Skill Assessment Badges. So, if you loved those, you might want to get your last hurrahs in before they’re gone!
• The only survivor? The confetti template! 🎉 Looks like LinkedIn is shifting gears and moving away from this graphic style for good.
Now, here’s the silver lining: even with these templates disappearing, you’re still free to celebrate new teammates and professional milestones with your own fabulous text, images, and videos. LinkedIn’s just giving you a little nudge to get more creative!
Why the Change?
Let’s be honest; this seems like a minor tweak that’s all about getting users to post more original content. And let’s face it—those templates were starting to feel a bit dated. A fresh approach might just spruce up your feed!
Of course, some folks will miss those graphics, but with LinkedIn pushing more toward video content, it looks like the goal is to encourage everyone to share their own original images and updates.
And speaking of fresh ideas, with LinkedIn’s recent fascination with generative AI, we might just see a shiny new feature that lets you create your own custom backgrounds for those big announcements. Imagine all the possibilities—maybe with a quirky cartoon twist or a few extra fingers thrown in for good measure!
No official word on that yet, but fingers crossed it’s in the works!
Pinterest Unveils Big Plans at Their Annual Summit!
Pinterest just wrapped up their annual summit, Pinterest Presents, and wow, was it a showstopper! From key trends to exciting new features, this year was packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
What You Need to Know:
• Performance+ Is Here! Get ready for a new product suite that combines hands-on control with automation benefits. Better results and faster setup? Yes, please!
• Shop Smarter: New features will make shopping more fun for consumers while boosting performance for brands. Get ready to inspire those shoppers!
• Real Talk from Real Pinners: Learn about Pinterest’s fastest-growing demographics straight from the source, thanks to insights shared by Chief Content Officer, Malik Ducard.
Want more? Catch the full event above for all the juicy details, and don’t forget to download the recap PDF to share with your team!
Take Action:
• Chat with Our Team: If you already have a Pinterest account team, now’s the time to connect. New to Pinterest ads? Apply for sales support!
• Stay Updated: Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about product launches and company news.
Ready to elevate your Pinterest game? Dive into the full event now!
You now have 15 minutes to edit your threads
You know how sometimes you hit “post” and then realise you forgot to tweak that one tiny detail? Well, Threads just made our lives a little easier! Starting today, you now have a whole 15 minutes to edit your posts.
This is a game-changer, especially for those of us who want to put our best foot (or thread!) forward without the pressure of perfection. I don’t know about you, but this is definitely going to come in handy for me!
But wait, there’s more! For those of you sharing your Threads to the fediverse, those posts will now be sent out 15 minutes later, once you’ve had a chance to make any edits. This gives you the freedom to refine your message before it goes live for the wider audience.
What’s even cooler is that Threads is stepping up its integration with the fediverse! Now, if you’ve turned on sharing to the fediverse, you can see who’s following you and liking your content from other servers. Just tap on the post activity or follower list, and voilà! You’ll get the full scoop on your engagement. This is a fantastic way to connect with your audience and understand what content resonates best with them.
So, what does this mean for your business?
Polished Posts: With the new editing time, you can ensure your posts are exactly how you want them before they go out into the world. This means clearer communication and a more professional image for your brand!
Engagement Insights: Being able to see followers and likes from other fediverse servers gives you a broader view of your audience. Understanding who interacts with your content can help you tailor your strategies and create even more engaging posts.
Improved Connection: The ability to refine your posts and engage with a wider audience fosters a deeper connection with your followers. When your content speaks directly to their interests, you’re more likely to see increased engagement and loyalty.
Stay Ahead of the Curve: By utilising these new features, you can position your business as innovative and adaptable. Your audience will appreciate the fresh, dynamic content you create, making them more likely to follow and engage with you.
New Instagram Feature Alert: Unwatched Stories!
New Instagram Feature Alert: Unwatched Stories!
If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram lately, you might have noticed a fresh new feature that encourages you to catch up on those unwatched stories. You know, the ones you might have missed while swiping through everyone else’s highlights? This feature shows you bubbles of unwatched stories right in between the stories you’re currently checking out.
At first glance, you might be wondering, “Why do I need this? I’m already watching stories!” I get it; we’re all in the habit of catching up on the latest updates from our favourite accounts. But this little addition has some intriguing implications for our engagement on the platform.
Here’s why this matters for your business:
Increased Visibility: With Instagram highlighting these unwatched stories, there’s a greater chance that your content will get more eyes on it. If you’ve been creating engaging stories but feel they’ve been slipping through the cracks, this feature could boost your visibility among your audience.
Engagement Growth: The new algorithm adjustments mean that Instagram will use different signals to determine which unwatched stories to show you. This is great news for creators! If your stories resonate well with your followers, you could find them featured more prominently, encouraging even more interaction.
More Meaningful Connections: By prioritising unwatched stories based on interests, this feature might help your audience discover your content in a more meaningful way. It’s an opportunity for you to foster connections with those who may have missed your stories previously, allowing them to engage with your brand in a new light.
Stay Relevant: The change in how stories are prioritised will push you to think strategically about your content. Are your stories engaging enough to catch someone’s eye? This encourages you to create compelling narratives and visuals that stand out, keeping your audience coming back for more.
As we navigate this new feature, it’s essential to keep experimenting with your story content. Try mixing up your formats, incorporating polls or questions, and showcasing behind-the-scenes looks at your brand. The goal is to engage your audience in a way that makes them want to tap that unwatched bubble!
What are your thoughts on this new feature?
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!