The biggest updates to happen on social media.
Trend foresights delivered by: Poppy Newton & Bhagwant Sandhu
Facebook has launched ‘Professional Profiles’ allowing creators to elevate their efforts by having access to key insights such as post performance and audience growth. Having access to more insight through personal profiles could well be Facebook’s opportunity to win back the youngsters, especially with their large reach!
Instagram’s new feature of ‘Reels Replies’ is giving users a fun way to communicate and engage with their peers on the platform. By replying to a comment with a Reel of your own, ideas can be shared in a new dynamic way, perhaps a signal of the comments section evolving to become a more intimate, creative space.
Twitter continued to take inspiration from TikTok’s aesthetic and test new user interface options with a reformatted Explore tab. With tweets displayed on the full-screen mobile format, Twitter is clearly recognising the success of TikTok’s addictive user interface and wants users to spend longer looking at areas of the app that extend beyond their main feed. With platforms trying more to resemble TikTok, are they all headed in the same direction?
LinkedIn’s expansion of its Service Marketplace indicates it is invested in Freelancers looking to make a footing on its platform. The updated dashboard can help freelancers and brands seamlessly connect. We know that freelancers took a major hit during the pandemic, but the gig-economy is rising again. It’s therefore a positive to see LinkedIn demonstrate an original solution for freelancers.
TikTok tested a new ‘re-post’ option to increase the reach of content. People love sharing their favourite content with friends, and TikTok is improving users’ capabilities for this. However, understandably, some have raised concerns at the potential for mass re-distribution of content which can increase the likelihood of misinformation to be spread. All eyes are on TikTok to approach this hurdle going forwards…
YouTube removed public dislike counts in a bid to protect its creators. The price of going viral is often overlooked, and creators can become the target of attack by crowds online. YouTube is preventing its creators from being publicly spammed with dislikes, which is a move against online harassment. This exemplifies YouTube’s dedication to creating a positive space online, by protecting their creators without harming the viewers.