Social Media Updates You Need To Know
The social media landscape is constantly changing and it's almost impossible to keep up with all the social media updates! What was once designed simply for connecting with family and friends, has transformed into a personalised platform designed to connect big brands with consumers and ease the way people interact with technology. So, what are the latest updates in the social media industry? Take a look at the five most recent updates we think are changing the social media game!
Threads VS Twitter
Gaining 30 million users within the first 24 hours, we think it's safe to say that everyone and their mother has heard of Meta's latest app, Threads. This is a new app, built by the Instagram team, designed for sharing text updates and joining public conversations with users worldwide. You log in through your own Instagram account which makes sign up simple. Posts on the app can be up to 500 characters and users can add links, photos, and videos.
With a very similar interface to Twitter, Threads users are already starting a war between the two platforms, debating on which is superior. Since it is such a new app, it is hard to tell whether or not it's going to stick around and live up to the initial hype. But, regardless, it seems as if every person and brand has hopped on the bandwagon, with all of them already threading away!
Snapchat AI Added To Platform
If you haven’t already noticed the little chatbot pinned to your Snapchat tab, the social media platform has found a way to include AI into its most recent update! Snapchat recently introduced a new feature called ‘My AI’ for Snapchatters to ask their burning questions in a conversational way. From offering lifestyle advice to suggesting gift recommendations for your best-friends, the new update for Snapchat is easing generative AI into everyday life. ‘My AI’ operates on the latest version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, as a mobile-friendly version of the world’s most recognised AI platform.
While users have been able to send chats and snap photos to the chatbot, users have reported the AI feature as being “creepy”. MyAI has received unexpected backlash from users due to its ability to respond to the user’s location, even when users have not shared their location publicly. While the new Snapchat update is far from perfect, Snapchat warns users about the possibility of the new AI ‘friend’ to produce biassed, incorrect, harmful and even misleading content. Snapchat remains transparent about the evolving nature of ‘MyAI’ and the continual development for ensuring its safety for its users. Talk about an AI ‘bestie’ you never had (... or wanted?)!
BeReal Scores a New Chat Feature
As the popular phrase goes, “It’s BeReal time!” Prepare yourself because BeReal is planning to launch a new chat feature called RealChat! The app was first introduced as a place where people could post pictures of themselves to show their real-life action. But now, not only can users post a photo of what they are doing in real-time, but will be able to message one-on-one with friends. The launch of the new private chat function was in response to BeReal’s declining user engagement and goals of competing for the social media limelight against Instagram. The new feature will provide a space for users to privately share and react to BeReals and to get users to spend more time in the app!
What’s the catch? As with any social media chat feature, BeReal is still developing methods to prevent messages from users you don’t want to hear from by allowing people to block certain users and report messages to the BeReal team. Users can only message another user if they are friends with them on the platform. BeReal is excited to challenge the norms of communication and are looking to trial the new feature soon.
Twitter Allows Creators To Access Email Addresses
Known for his electric vehicles and launch of SpaceX, Elon Musk is planning to introduce a new Twitter feature allowing content creators access to their subscribers’ email addresses. After buying Twitter in 2022, Elon Musk impresses us yet again by giving content creators the opportunity to access the email addresses of their paying subscribers. This brings us to ask the big “why?” question. The new feature will make it easier for creators to ‘take their subscribers with them’ if they chose to leave the platform. This is a huge step for influencers and content creators, ensuring they can continue to compete for their share of subscribers.
As part of Musk’s ambition to turn Twitter into a so-called ‘everything app’, the new feature is part of the CEO’s plan to draw in more content creators with large followings to monetise their content with paid subscriptions. The new feature gives subscribers the option to share a large portion of their personal data and with the creators they support, so make sure to read the terms and conditions.
Company Pages Can Now Send & Receive DMs on LinkedIn
If you thought you’ve gotten away with the influx of social media changes, we're not done yet! LinkedIn is planning to build out its messaging tools with the view of launching a new DM strategy for company pages to send and receive DM’s. The new way to professionally connect allows users to start a conversation with a company page to discuss topics like business opportunities, training programs, product offerings and more! The launch of a dedicated company inbox will kickstart two-way conversations for page admins to engage more with their audience. You might be thinking “doesn’t LinkedIn already have a chat function?” While LinkedIn already allows member-to-member interactions, the new social media update will dedicate a company inbox to be managed by allocated admins for enquiries that matter the most to the business.
TikTok Update Tests Chatbot AI
A social media update wouldn’t be complete without a review of our personal favourite - TikTok. The short form video platform is in their planning stages to test an in-app AI chatbot called Tako as part of their TikTok update. The new chatbot will be developed to recommend videos based on what people ask for and will revolutionise the way search and navigation operates across all social media platforms. How’s that for a change in communication style? The release of Tako will equip the app with the capability to answer a wide range of queries, but it is still unclear what AI model TikTok is using to function Tako. The push for AI is changing the way user’s are expressing their interests and preferences in social platforms.
Our Social Media Overview
From having a handy artificial friend in your back pocket, to content creators accessing your email address, these recent social media changes are shifting the way we interact with one another. Social media is slowly moving away from the basic conversational interactions we once knew, and towards a future where generative AI and user data is at the heart of social media. As data nerds obsessed with the most popular marketing trends, we too are adapting to the changes our most loved social platform brings us. If you’d like to keep up with all things digital, check out our Trends eBook for 2023 or follow us on Instagram for all the latest updates.
