Social media is forever changing which makes it easy to miss an update from time to time. Twice a month, we look into three of the latest key updates from the past few weeks from the various social media giants. Here’s what’s been happening recently…
YouTube Expands Crisis Response Panels to Provide More Mental Health Assistance for Users
YouTube’s looking to help connect more users to mental health assistance by expanding the presence of its crisis resource panels, which provide contact info on mental health providers, within the app.
As explained by YouTube: “Previously, our crisis resource panels only appeared in search results. We’re now expanding them to show on the Watch Page as well, right under the video title.”
As you can see in the above example, now, when users are viewing content related to mental health concerns, YouTube will showcase relevant contact info front and centre, providing more exposure for these critical resources, which may help to connect more people in need.
“The Watch Page is where people spend most of their time on YouTube, which means a big increase in the visibility of these messages. The panels appear on the Watch Page below videos whose content is about suicide and self-harm, delivering a powerful combination of educational and emotionally resonant content alongside prompts to take action if needed.”
YouTube says that it’s also updated the language of these alerts, in order to better communicate that such services are both free and available 24/7, with a view to getting more people in need to connect.
YouTube’s new info panels are being rolled out in the US over the coming weeks, with a broader global expansion to follow.
Instagram Launches Live-Stream Shopping Events for the Holidays
Instagram’s leaning further into live-stream commerce with the launch of a new series of shopping-based broadcasts heading into the holidays, which will also incorporate exclusive product launches and influencer recommendations to help maximise interest.
It’s holiday szn ❄️ and we made it easier to find the perfect gifts.
In the Shop tab, you can find the latest drops in fashion, beauty, home decor and more, as well as discover new brands and small businesses — all without leaving the app. pic.twitter.com/AvB8Apavqx
— Instagram (@instagram) November 2, 2021
Instagram will host a range of shopping-based broadcasts over the final two months of the year, including weekly interactive live-streams, starting this week.
As explained by Instagram: “On Fridays in November, (November 5, 12, 19) look out for the #BuyBlack Live Shopping series to discover brands from talented Black creators. From December 5 – 15, we’re hosting a Holiday Pop-Up Shop LIVE series. Picture the magic and charm of a holiday market, but from the comfort of your couch.”
Live-stream shopping holds major potential, with the process already becoming a major eCommerce element in China, where it’s projected to become a £423 billion industry by 2023.
Which is why YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram are all looking to tap into the trend, aligning with the rising use of online shopping, boosted by the pandemic, and the benefits of live-stream engagement, which can help to trigger engagement and purchase activity.
Facebook Abandons Facial Recognition and Will No Longer Identify Users to Tag in Uploaded Images
This is rather significant – this week, Facebook has announced that it’s shutting down its facial recognition program, and that it will also delete all of its facial recognition files, meaning that it’ll no longer be able to identify people in posted images.
As explained by Facebook: “In the coming weeks, we will shut down the Face Recognition system on Facebook as part of a company-wide move to limit the use of facial recognition in our products. As part of this change, people who have opted in to our Face Recognition setting will no longer be automatically recognised in photos and videos, and we will delete the facial recognition template used to identify them.”
That’s a big change on a key element that the company has stood by for years, which has been sparked partly by ongoing fines and legal challenges, while also being driven by its limited value, in relative terms, when compared to the rising costs.
Facebook’s facial recognition systems have long been a cause for concern among privacy advocates, while the process itself has also cost Facebook billions in fines due to legal action over its use and process.
A good move?
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