Social Scoop Unplugged #3
Weekly Social Media Highlights: 2024 Video Content Trends, Longer Shorts, TikTok’s ‘Thoughts’, Pinterest’s Ad Push, and Meta’s Reels Guide
Are you ready to catch up on the latest buzz rocking the social media scene? In this week's edition of Social Scoop Unplugged, we’re diving deep into the top video content trends shaping up for 2024.
First up, we're seeing a surge in the popularity of longer video shorts, proving that users are craving more substantial content even in bite-size formats. And speaking of innovation, TikTok has rolled out its 'Thoughts' feature, adding a new layer of personal expression that's perfect for deeper engagement.
But that's not all! Pinterest is stepping up its game with an expanded ad push, offering more dynamic ways to reach your audience. Meanwhile, Meta isn't holding back either, with a fresh Reels guide aimed at turbocharging your content strategy.
And for a bit of tech flair, X (formerly Twitter) has introduced a new DM editing feature - because we all make typos, right? Plus, Threads is making moves with its latest desktop update, making cross-platform engagement smoother than ever.
Keep reading as we unpack these updates and explore how you can leverage them to stay ahead in the dynamic world of social media. Whether you’re looking to refine your strategy or just keep up with the digital Joneses, these insights are gold!
2024 Video Content Trends Report: Key Takeaways
Tubular Labs has just dropped its latest deep dive into the world of social media video, and the findings are a goldmine for anyone keen on staying ahead of the curve. With a database of over 11 billion videos from 28 million creators, their insights are as robust as they come.
Here’s a sneak peek into their 36-page H2 update, which you can download here, but let’s break down the standout trends:
The Rise of Longer Short Videos: Contrary to the quick-hit trend of super short clips, there’s been a noticeable shift towards longer content. On YouTube, video lengths over 30 seconds surged by 39% in the first half of 2024, even though shorter uploads (under 30 seconds) are still increasing. Creators seem to be exploring deeper narratives, pushing the boundaries of what defines a “short” video.
TikTok’s Lengthening Clips: Over on TikTok, longer clips (between 1 and 2 minutes) are also gaining traction. While the platform still thrives on ultra-short content, engagement is shifting towards these slightly extended videos. This could signal a shift in user preference, making it a crucial point for refining your content strategy.
Niche Content Booms: Tubular’s report highlights some surprising trends in TikTok content. While beauty and music are expected powerhouses, “Business and Finance” content is experiencing a notable rise. Topics like “Home ownership at a young age” and “Viral finance tips” are gaining momentum, indicating that audiences are hungry for financial insights and entrepreneurial advice.
Instagram and AI: Instagram’s engagement is on the up, largely thanks to Meta’s push to fill feeds with AI-recommended content. As of April, 50% of what users see on IG comes from AI suggestions rather than followed profiles. This shift might explain why engagement is rising and suggests that leveraging AI in your strategy could be beneficial.
Facebook’s Revival: Facebook video uploads are making a comeback, possibly driven by the popularity of Reels or the need to repurpose TikTok content. With overall Facebook posting in decline, the rise in video could be a strategic move to revive user activity on the platform.
There’s plenty more to dig into in Tubular’s full report, so if you’re serious about maximising your video content, it’s definitely worth a read.
For a deeper dive into these trends and more, check out Tubular Labs’ full H2 report here.
Stay ahead of the curve and adjust your video strategy to match these evolving trends!
Meta Shares Reels Marketing Tips in New Guide
Looking to make the most out of Reels for your holiday campaigns? You’re on the right track. Reels have become Meta’s fastest-growing content type, amassing over 200 billion views daily across Facebook and Instagram. As short-form video dominates the content landscape, understanding how to leverage Reels effectively is crucial for maximising your messaging.
Meta has just released a new resource to help you get there: the “Reels Performance Playbook.” This 10-page guide is packed with actionable insights on crafting compelling Reels, tapping into trends, and measuring performance.
Here’s a snapshot of what you’ll find in the guide:
Understanding the Reels Language: The guide dives into what makes Reels so engaging and how you can use this format to enhance your brand’s presence. It’s all about connecting with viewers through creative storytelling and trend alignment.
Creative Options and Formats: You’ll get a comprehensive look at various creative approaches and formats that work well for Reels. This section is designed to inspire and guide your content creation process, ensuring your Reels stand out.
Performance Insights: Meta’s guide doesn’t just focus on creation; it also offers valuable tips on tracking and interpreting Reels performance. Understanding these metrics can help you refine your strategy and boost engagement.
Even though it’s just 10 pages, this guide is a treasure trove of insights that can significantly enhance your Reels marketing strategy. It’s particularly timely for planning your holiday campaigns, where impactful and engaging content can make all the difference.
Ready to dive in? Download Meta’s “Reels Performance Playbook” here and start optimising your Reels strategy today!
TikTok Adds Instagram Notes-Like Feature to Inboxes
Originality? Maybe it’s overrated—or at least, it seems to be taking a backseat in the social media world right now. This week, TikTok rolled out a new feature that feels eerily familiar if you’ve been using Instagram recently.
Meet TikTok’s new “Thought” feature. Essentially, it lets users share a short, text-based message that appears in a speech bubble at the top of their Stories feed in the inbox. It also shows up on your profile image, creating a visual highlight that’s hard to miss.
Here’s what you need to know:
How It Works: Just like Instagram Notes, TikTok’s Thoughts allow you to post a brief text update, which will then be visible in the Stories section of your inbox. It’s a quick and easy way to share your mood or an update with your followers.
Visuals and Placement: The Thoughts appear in a speech bubble on the Stories bubble in your inbox and also show up on your profile image. This positioning makes them highly visible and easy for your followers to engage with.
A Familiar Feeling: If this sounds like Instagram Notes to you, that’s because it is—just repackaged for TikTok. Instagram’s Notes have been quite popular, especially among younger users, so it seems TikTok is following suit.
Why the Copycat Move?: TikTok’s move to incorporate a feature similar to Instagram’s Notes isn’t surprising. Both platforms have been mirroring each other’s features for a while now. TikTok’s focus on short, engaging content aligns with its existing format, making this a logical addition to its suite of tools. And while TikTok has its own unique strengths—like a superior algorithm for content discovery—the similarities between the two apps continue to grow.
What’s Next?: TikTok is currently testing this feature with select users. If it proves as successful as Instagram Notes, it could become a staple in the TikTok experience, offering another way for users to connect and share.
So, will TikTok’s “Thoughts” make waves like Instagram’s Notes? Given the success of the latter, it’s certainly possible. At the very least, it’s worth trying out to see how it enhances your TikTok experience.
Stay tuned to see how this new feature evolves and how it might impact your content strategy on TikTok.
Pinterest Launches Expanded Promotional Push
Pinterest is stepping up its game with a fresh push to enhance its visibility and attract more advertisers. This new phase of its promotional campaign, which kicked off in July, is designed to showcase the platform’s diverse ad capabilities and appeal to a broader audience.
Here’s what’s happening:
Campaign Focus: The expanded campaign zeroes in on themes like party planning, recipes, and shopping discovery. By spotlighting these areas, Pinterest aims to illustrate how users can connect with a variety of interests and find inspiration for their next big project or purchase.
Visual Appeal: The new promotional materials feature eye-catching animations, adding a touch of magic to the app’s offerings. These slick visuals are designed to captivate potential advertisers and highlight the engaging nature of the platform.
Revenue and Growth: Pinterest has seen consistent growth in user engagement over the years, though the pace slowed down a bit in Q2. The platform is focusing on Western markets to boost its revenue, capitalising on its strong position as a shopping discovery tool. The goal is to convert high-intent users into active spenders through enhanced promotional efforts.
Youth Engagement: A notable trend is the increase in Pinterest usage among younger demographics. This shift is a key target for the campaign, aiming to draw in this audience with tailored content and features that resonate with their interests.
Holiday Season Push: With the holiday season on the horizon, Pinterest is positioning itself as a go-to resource for planning and inspiration. This timing could help drive more users to engage with Pins and explore new products and ideas during the busy shopping period.
Overall, Pinterest’s expanded promotional push is a strategic move to enhance its market presence and attract more advertising partners. By focusing on high-interest areas and leveraging appealing visuals, the platform aims to make a significant impact and drive increased engagement and revenue.
Stay tuned to see how this campaign evolves and how Pinterest’s enhanced features might benefit your holiday marketing strategies.
X Rolls Out DM Editing on iOS
In the midst of its ongoing controversies in Brazil, X is pushing forward with updates—most recently, adding DM editing for iOS users. Over the weekend, iOS users got the ability to tweak their direct messages right in the app, bringing X’s DM features more in line with other messaging platforms.
Despite this step forward, X still has a ways to go. Although Elon Musk promised to make encryption the default for all DMs, it hasn’t rolled out yet. For now, verified users can enable encryption for their messages, but Musk himself has called the current system “clunky.” Meanwhile, audio and video calls are encrypted by default.
Given that Musk has cut the company’s staff by about 80%, delays in some projects are hardly surprising. X has recently slowed its update pace, focusing on integrating new elements and working towards Musk’s vision of an “everything app.”
In the past two months, X has rolled out several updates, including:
• Video conference calls
• Post reply sorting options
• Auto-advance mode for video viewing
• Enhanced analytics tools
While these updates offer useful features, they’re not likely to be game-changers. The challenge for X is that these incremental updates might not spark a surge in user interest. Musk’s vision includes integrating more functionalities, but the app’s current offerings still lag behind competitors in terms of innovation.
Additionally, X is working on its Grok AI chatbot, which now includes image creation capabilities, and it’s in the process of adding payment options and a new UI that hides like and comment counts from the main feed.
So, while X is making strides, its innovation pace has been affected by staffing changes. The road ahead will be interesting to watch as the platform continues to evolve.
Threads Adds Option To Rearrange Columns on Desktop
Good news for Threads users on desktop: you can now rearrange your columns! This simple yet useful update gives you more control over how you view your Threads feed.
Since its desktop launch in May, Threads has offered a column-based layout similar to TweetDeck and Hootsuite. This setup allows you to monitor separate streams based on keywords, topics, people, and your “Following” and “For You” feeds. It’s a great way to keep tabs on various elements within the app.
Here’s a breakdown of the new feature and what it means for you:
Enhanced Customisation: The new ability to rearrange columns lets you tailor your display to better fit your workflow. You can now prioritise which streams you see first and adjust your view according to current trends or tasks.
Improved Functionality: Along with this update, Threads has recently added analytics to its desktop version. This addition complements the column rearrangement feature, offering more robust tools to track and analyse engagement.
Streamlined Experience: While this isn’t a groundbreaking change, it addresses a commonly requested feature. For social media managers and power users, the ability to move columns around will make it easier to manage and monitor different aspects of your social strategy.
Overall, this update may seem modest, but it’s a step towards a more flexible and user-friendly experience on Threads. The feature is rolling out to all desktop users starting today, so you can start customising your view right away!
Instagram now lets you add words on posts like Reels
Instagram is making it even easier to jazz up your photo posts with a new feature that mirrors the creative possibilities of Reels. You can now add text and stickers directly onto your photos, adding a personal touch to your posts. Whether you want to splash a motivational quote or a fun sticker across your latest vacation snapshots, this update lets you get as creative as you like.
Here’s the scoop:
New Text Options: Announced this Wednesday, the update allows you to overlay text on your photos during the editing phase. You’ll find a variety of new fonts, including the ever-controversial Papyrus (because some things never go out of style). This addition aims to give your photos a unique flair and make your posts stand out.
How It Works: To use this feature, select the photo(s) you want to post, tap the text button (look for the big and small “Aa” in the corner), and start typing. You can scroll through different fonts just as you do when creating a Reel, giving you plenty of options to match your photo’s vibe.
Layering and Stickers: Want to add more flair? You can layer in additional images by tapping the gallery button and resizing or repositioning them as needed. Although this feature currently lacks advanced layer management like in Reels, it’s a step towards more sophisticated editing tools. You can also adjust the shape and placement of stickers for extra customisation.
This update follows a wave of recent additions to Instagram, including the testing of rectangle grids, increased carousel limits, profile songs reminiscent of MySpace, and even the ability to create an AI version of yourself.
So, whether you’re a fan of minimalist vibes or bold, eye-catching statements, this new feature gives you another tool to personalise your feed. Time to get creative with your captions and stickers!
That’s all for this week’s edition of Social Scoop Unplugged! 🚀
As the social media landscape continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, remember that your strategy should be just as dynamic. Stay tuned here for your weekly updates, ensuring you’re always ahead of the curve!
If you’ve found this roundup insightful, please share it with your network, or drop me a line with your thoughts and feedback. Until next time, keep your notifications on and your posts inspired!