Social platforms such as Instagram and TikTok continue to innovate to engage users, while Meta is also adjusting its ad policies to become more inclusive. In this blog post, we dive deeper into the latest trends, and explain what this could mean for your social media strategy.
Instagram has announced an update to its carousel posts.
The number of frames has doubled from 10 to 20.
Brands and social content creators now have more space to tell their story in one post, the perfect opportunity to share a lot of content in a creative and visually appealing way. Increasing the number of frames can help increase engagement, as users will stick with a post longer if they view all 20 parts. 📸
I want to know more!
Another interesting trend at Instagram is the announcement of a“screenshot-blocking” feature for temporary direct messages (DMs).
Like Snapchat, Instagram wants to protect users’ privacy by blocking screenshots of disappearing messages.
For influencers and brands, this can be a reassuring development, especially when sharing exclusive or sensitive information in temporary messages.
This new functionality gives users more control over their private information.
Instagram location sharing
Instagram is moving away from traditional metrics such as number of followers or likes, and is now focusing more on reach and views.
Instagram’s algorithm and analytics tools are being tweaked to focus on “Views” as the most important statistic.
This is especially important for creators, who Instagram says benefit more from broad reach than high follower numbers.
This means that the impact of your content, and how often it is shared, becomes more important than ever.
So it’s no longer about how many people follow you, but how many people you reach – a trend that may well affect your strategy.
In addition, Instagram is testing a new feature called “Friend Map,” which allows you to see your friends’ location on a map. This feature is similar to Snapchat’s Snap Map making it easier for them to meet up or find connections near them. While this may be a nice addition for users, it also raises privacy questions. Fortunately, Instagram allows you to choose whether you want to share your location, and with whom.
TikTok: interactive communication and in-app shopping
TikTok continues to innovate to improve user interaction. For example, TikTok introduced testing group chats and stickers in direct messages (DMs). These new features make it easier to communicate with multiple friends at once and add a creative, playful dimension to messaging. By introducing group chats, TikTok hopes that users will spend even more time on the app when they can share videos with multiple friends at the same time.
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Perhaps the biggest news from TikTok is its partnership with Amazon.
TikTok users will soon be able to purchase products directly in the app through Amazon without leaving the app.
This integration plays into the growing trend of social commerce, where users make purchases directly from their favorite platforms.
This means that brands active on TikTok have an opportunity to showcase their products faster and more effectively.
At a time when speed and convenience are crucial to buying behavior, this collaboration offers opportunities to shorten the customer journey.
More innovations: AI and new promotional opportunities
There are other developments in the social world.
TikTok continues to improve itself in the field of AI, with the launch of “Jimeng AI,” a tool that converts text (prompts) into short videos.
Although this tool is still in its infancy, it promises to be a game-changer for content creators looking to use AI to produce content.
In addition, TikTok has launched a new “Spotlight” promotional option specifically for the film and television industry.
This allows studios to fuel in-app engagement by collaborating with creators and directing fans directly to streaming platforms or ticket sales.
These types of niche functionalities offer new opportunities for brands to develop a strategy within TikTok’s platform, something that may also become true for other industries in the future.
What do these trends mean for you?
Whether you’re creating content for a client, designing campaigns or strategically integrating social commerce into your plan, it’s clear that the landscape is constantly changing. By responding smartly to these changes, you can ensure that your clients always stay ahead in the marketplace. Of course, we’re here to help you do just that. Want to know how we can leverage these new trends for your brand? Then contact us – we are ready to help you boost your online presence! 💬
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