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…
Facebook Tests New Reels and Rooms UI, Integrated Into the Facebook Stories Panel
Facebook may be close to giving Instagram Reels exposure a significant boost, by integrating a new Reels clips display directly into the Facebook app, as it seeks to combat the continuing rise of TikTok.
As you can see in this example, posted by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi, Facebook is currently testing a new display option for the top of feed Stories panel, which would give users the option to see an alternative feed display of either Stories, Instagram Reels clips, or in-progress video and audio rooms.
That could help boost discovery of Facebook’s new audio rooms, which are now in live testing with selected creators and groups, but it would most significantly increase exposure for Instagram Reels, with Reels content highlighted right at the top of the Facebook app, which is used by 2.85b people per month.
Instagram, of course, has a billion active users of its own, but many Facebook users are not users of Instagram, or TikTok. That could make this a great option for Facebook to boost interest in Reels, by exposing a range of new audiences to the option, which could subsequently increase engagement, and interest in Reels overall.
LinkedIn Publishes New Digital Magazine of Business Growth Tips
LinkedIn has recently published a new ‘Return to Growth’ digital magazine, which provides a range of insights, tips and interviews with experts to help inspire brands in revising and improving their post-COVID-19 strategies.
As explained by LinkedIn:
“Ready for Business 2021 explores everything that’s involved in using digital marketing to drive growth and get your strategy moving. There’s detailed insight on identifying your highest-value audiences and engaging them when they’re at their most receptive. We dig deep into the growing importance of trust and thought leadership content in a post-pandemic world, highlight the changing nature of B2B buyer journeys, and share stories and strategies for how your marketing can inspire, entertain – and engage the ready for business mindset at scale.”
The 50-page magazine, includes a range of helpful articles and notes, including the results of a new LinkedIn user study, which sought to discover more about why people use the platform.
There’s a huge amount of insight here, and if you’re looking to make LinkedIn a priority, or you simply want to get a better understanding of the latest platform trends and features, then it’s worth a download – it’s free, and the interviews alone are worth the time, even for experienced LinkedIn marketers.
You can download LinkedIn’s ‘Ready for Business 2021’ digital magazine here.
Instagram Launches Live Test of Image and Video Uploads From the Desktop Version of the App
It’s been in development for the last few months, and now, Instagram is launching a first live test of the capability to publish feed posts from the desktop version of the app, with a small group of users now able to access the full suite of upload and posting options.
NEW! @Instagram lets you create + publish posts via desktop! pic.twitter.com/JWzwKg1kyO
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) June 24, 2021
As you can see in the above tweet from social media expert Matt Navarra, some users are now seeing the desktop posting “+” icon in the top bar of instagram.com. When clicked, that then enables users to upload images or videos direct from their PC hard drive.
Once you add your visual, you then have access to all the regular, in-app options for editing feed posts, including image formatting tools and filters. You can then upload, direct from the site, giving you another way to manage your Instagram content and process.
The option doesn’t facilitate Stories or Reels uploads at this stage, but additional tests have shown that IGTV uploads are also in the works, which likely suggests that full posting functionality is coming in the near future.
Instagram says that this is a small test for now, with a view to further expansion soon. What do you think? Will you use the desktop app more with this latest update?
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