Social Media Platform News and Updates for DECEMBER 2024
Get familiar with the latest from Meta and other social media channels! From pioneering virtual reality tools in education to experiential retail innovations, Meta is redefining tech engagement. Discover its advancements in ad performance, Messenger's upgraded video calling, and changes in Facebook's content metrics and follower systems. Threads is enhancing user interaction with trending topic summaries, while LinkedIn focuses on streamlining experiences with UI tweaks and ad measurement tools. Discover the updates from Instagram, Pinterest, X, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, highlighting everything from AI-driven creativity to dynamic shopping features. Explore how social media continues to evolve, shaping content creation, user engagement, and advertising strategies worldwide.
Social media updates for Meta
Meta Expands VR Learning with Education Beta Program
Meta is collaborating with universities in the U.S. and U.K. to beta-test VR tools for classrooms, aiming to enhance education with immersive experiences. Schools like Imperial College London and the University of Leeds will trial VR/XR prototypes for specialized courses like Anatomy and Physiotherapy. The initiative extends Meta's push to integrate VR into mainstream education, ultimately preparing students for broader metaverse applications.
Meta Launches Experiential Retail with Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Pop-Up
Meta has opened a “Meta Lab” pop-up store in Los Angeles, showcasing its Ray-Ban smart glasses and providing a glimpse into its future hardware innovations. The space offers try-on experiences, VR elements, and live entertainment events to attract customers, blending tech with lifestyle. The initiative supports Meta’s retail experiments ahead of future AR product launches, building momentum for its hardware ecosystem.
Meta Introduces Flexible Media to Enhance Ad Performance
Meta’s new “Flexible Media” ad option enables its system to optimize ad performance by customizing visuals for different placement groups. Advertisers can upload multiple creative options, allowing Meta’s AI to dynamically choose the best-performing combinations for specific audiences. This update is part of Meta’s push toward automated ad delivery, leveraging its AI systems to maximize campaign effectiveness.
Social media updates for Facebook
Meta Enhances Messenger and Facebook Video Calling with New Features
Meta is introducing HD video calls, default on Wi-Fi, with an option for mobile data users, improving the quality of video chats. The update includes noise suppression, voice isolation, and the ability to leave audio or video messages when calls go unanswered. Additionally, Siri can now assist iOS users in sending messages hands-free, and AI-generated backgrounds are being rolled out for video calls to add a personal touch.
Facebook to Phase Out Public Followers on Personal Profiles
Meta is removing the option for personal profiles to have public followers, redirecting users to “Professional Mode” if they wish to retain this feature. This change aligns personal profiles more closely with their intended purpose and provides creators with professional tools, including ad opportunities, through Page-like features. The staged rollout will help Meta optimize recommendation slots for creator content and AI-driven engagement.
Facebook Adopts Unified “Views” Metric for Content Performance
Following Instagram’s lead, Facebook is replacing multiple content metrics with a unified “Views” count for all content types, simplifying performance measurement. The new metric aggregates views across videos, photos, and text posts, with Stories now counting repeat views instead of unique impressions. Changes also include renaming metrics like "Watch Time" to "Minutes Viewed" and aligning Facebook’s analytics with Instagram for consistency.
Social media updates for Threads
Threads Enhances Trending Topics and Search Features
Threads is expanding its trending topics feature, using Meta AI to provide summaries for more trends, making it easier for users to understand discussions. The platform is also introducing search filters, allowing users to search by date range or specific accounts, a much-requested feature among social media managers. Additionally, Threads now supports landscape video viewing, aligning with other platforms for an improved video experience.
Threads Tests Default "Following" Feed Amid Bluesky Competition
Meta is testing an option to allow Threads users to set the "Following" feed as their default, potentially reducing reliance on AI-driven recommendations in the "For You" feed. This move mirrors competitor platforms like Bluesky and X, which already offer similar default settings. The change aims to grow user followings and counter Bluesky's recent momentum, though it risks reducing overall engagement on the app.
Threads Gains 35 Million New Users in November
Threads added 35 million new signups in November, marking three consecutive months of over one million daily signups, according to Meta. The platform now has approximately 275 million monthly active users, driven by features attracting users from X and Bluesky. Despite its growth, Threads still lags behind X's 570 million monthly active users globally.
Social media updates for LinkedIn
LinkedIn's UI Update: Potential for a Smoother Experience?
LinkedIn is experimenting with a new UI that places all in-app navigation options at the top, consolidating notifications and inbox alerts in a single line. This layout change could improve ease of access by reducing screen clutter, though it's unclear if the post composer is present in the new setup. While this updated design is still in testing, it has the potential to streamline user interactions within the app.
LinkedIn's "Know-How That Sticks" Video Ad Campaign
LinkedIn's U.K. campaign, "Know-How That Sticks," targets younger professionals by promoting the platform's video feed through short, engaging videos showcasing career advice in a TikTok-like format. This push aligns with LinkedIn's 34% year-over-year increase in video uploads, aiming to draw more attention to its evolving video features. Whether these videos will significantly engage audiences remains to be seen. Still, LinkedIn continues its efforts to adapt to the popularity of short-form video.
DoubleVerify Expands Media Quality Measurement on LinkedIn
LinkedIn advertisers can now gain deeper insights into video ad performance thanks to DoubleVerify's expanded media quality measurement services on LinkedIn's premium video inventory. This feature enables independent ad viewability and tracking placement, helping advertisers effectively verify and optimize ad results. With LinkedIn reporting a 34% growth in video uploads, this addition could be crucial for brands aiming to maximize ad reach and engagement.
Social media updates for Instagram
Instagram Story Highlights Profile Update
Instagram is introducing a dedicated tab for Story Highlights, moving them from the main profile grid to simplify the layout. This change, aimed at streamlining profiles and making more content visible "above the fold," will still allow users to pin their highlights. While this makes profiles cleaner, it might reduce the visibility of Story Highlights as they become less prominent.
Instagram Removes Option to Follow Hashtags
Instagram is removing the ability to follow hashtags to reduce spam and irrelevant content in users' feeds. Posts from hashtags already followed will no longer appear in the main feed as Instagram shifts focus to its algorithmic recommendations, which better understand user preferences and context. While hashtags remain searchable and usable in posts, this move signals their declining importance as algorithms increasingly prioritize relevant content over manual tagging.
Instagram’s Holiday DM Updates
Instagram has introduced new features for DMs, including 17 sticker packs, a redesigned sticker UI, and the ability to nickname friends within chats. Users can now also share live locations, though privacy safeguards are in place to ensure safety. These updates align with Instagram's shift towards making DMs the primary mode of sharing and enhancing personal interactions during the holiday season.
Social media updates for Pinterest
Pinterest Rolls Out New Holiday Shopping Features
Pinterest has introduced several holiday shopping tools, including personalized wishlists, celebrity-curated gift guides, and AI-powered recommendations. Users can save products directly to a wishlist or browse curated collections from creators like Paris Hilton and K-Pop group TWICE. Additionally, a new experimental feature, "Holiday Finds," tailors shopping suggestions based on individual activity, enhancing the platform’s holiday shopping experience.
Pinterest Enhances Ad Options for Holiday Campaigns
Pinterest has unveiled a "Festive Season Hub" alongside new ad features, including Special Offers tags and AI-powered tools like automated ad setup and background generation. The updates streamline ad creation and enhance visibility, helping businesses capitalize on Pinterest’s 537 million monthly active users. These tools aim to optimize performance during the holiday season, making Pinterest a strategic platform for holiday marketing campaigns.
Pinterest Hits Record Usage and Revenue Growth in Q3
Pinterest reached a record 537 million monthly active users in Q3 2024, with a significant revenue increase of $898 million, marking 18% growth year-over-year. While U.S. and EU user growth has stagnated, international markets show promise, driving ad potential. The platform’s focus on shopping tools, AI enhancements, and user engagement positions it for a strong performance during the holiday season.
Social media updates for X (Twitter)
X's Payments Plan Paused: Regulatory Roadblocks in New York
X, formerly Twitter, has paused its rollout of in-app payments following regulatory challenges in New York. While X holds payment transmitter licenses in 38 states, its application in NY was withdrawn after a legal filing highlighted concerns over ties to Saudi Arabia. Elon Musk's vision of transforming X into an "everything app" remains stalled for now.
X Rolls Out "Radar" Trend Analysis for Premium+ Users
X has expanded access to "Radar," a new real-time keyword analytics tool, for Premium+ subscribers, enabling in-depth trend tracking to enhance brand engagement. Costing $16 per month, Premium+ offers additional tools like Media Studio, Grok AI chatbot, and an ad-free experience, positioning it as a valuable choice for business users.
X Limits Blocking Functionality to Allow Viewing but Restricts Engagement
X is updating its blocking feature, allowing blocked users to still view but not engage with public posts. This adjustment has drawn criticism, as blocking is often a key defense against harassment and unwanted interactions. The change is likely intended to increase post visibility but could reduce the platform's safety features.
Social media updates for TikTok
TikTok Explores AI Avatars for Continuous Creator Engagement
TikTok is advancing the integration of AI-driven avatars, as demonstrated by Douyin's "V Project," which allows creators to create virtual avatars resembling their personalities. These AI avatars can interact with followers 24/7 by responding to comments, DMs, and live stream chats in the creator's style, providing constant engagement without requiring the creator's active presence. While such technology has already proven successful in China, it remains uncertain whether Western audiences will embrace these virtual influencers with the same enthusiasm.
TikTok Boosts Lemon8 Sign-Ups via Account Integration
ByteDance is linking TikTok and Lemon8 accounts, enabling users to log in to both apps with the same credentials to facilitate content cross-sharing. Lemon8, a mix of Instagram and Pinterest, gained traction last year but hasn’t seen sustained adoption in Western markets. The integration aims to leverage TikTok’s massive user base to revitalize Lemon8, though the app’s lack of unique features could limit its success.
TikTok Launches AI Video Creation Tool for Marketers
TikTok’s new Symphony Creative Studio allows businesses to generate videos using product descriptions or URLs, automatically incorporating top-performing content styles. The tool supports customization, language options, and digital avatars, making TikTok trends more accessible to brands without extensive video production expertise. This practical approach to AI integration reflects TikTok’s focus on utility rather than novelty in AI tools.
Social media updates for Snapchat
Snapchat Introduces Prada and Miu Miu Accessories for Bitmoji
Snapchat has launched its first branded handbag collaboration, allowing users to accessorize their Bitmoji avatars with Prada and Miu Miu handbags. These virtual accessories are available starting November 19 and are part of a growing portfolio of Bitmoji fashion partnerships, including brands like Adidas, Nike, and Crocs. This move aligns with the growing trend of avatar-based interactions in virtual spaces, potentially paving the way for Bitmoji integration into metaverse-like experiences.
Snapchat Launches Sponsored Snaps with “Wicked” Campaign
Snapchat has debuted its Sponsored Snaps ad format with a DM campaign promoting the new movie Wicked. This ad, featuring actor Jonathan Bailey, will appear directly in user inboxes with a call-to-action to purchase tickets. While this ad type offers brands a highly personal way to connect with Snapchat's 443 million daily users, it risks alienating users who view their inbox as an intimate, ad-free space.
Snapchat Expands Brand Safety Features with DoubleVerify
Snapchat has strengthened its partnership with DoubleVerify to provide brand safety and suitability measurement for ads. This feature enables advertisers to ensure their campaigns appear alongside appropriate content, using AI-driven classification for transparency and effectiveness. The collaboration builds on Snapchat’s previous tools like ad viewability and fraud detection, aiming to attract more advertisers while improving campaign quality.
Social media updates for YouTube
YouTube Music Launches 2024 Recap
YouTube Music's 2024 Recap provides users with personalized stats like top artists, songs, genres, and albums for the year. New features include animated screens, podcast insights, and a listening timeline to highlight key music moments. The feature also allows users to share Recap data cards, enhancing engagement and music discovery.
YouTube Introduces Jewels and Gifts for Vertical Live Streams
YouTube's Jewels system allows viewers to purchase and send gifts during vertical live streams, earning creators Rubies (1 Ruby = $0.01). Eligible U.S. creators in the YouTube Partner Program can enable this feature, which enhances real-time viewer engagement. YouTube is also offering a limited-time bonus, providing eligible creators with an extra 50% on gifts earnings for three months.
YouTube Experiments with Member Hub Redesign
YouTube is testing a redesigned Member Hub on mobile to improve accessibility for channel members. The update aims to help members better understand perks and manage membership settings more efficiently. This change is part of YouTube's efforts to enhance user experience for memberships.
YouTube Updates Text Formatting in Studio Descriptions
YouTube is streamlining text formatting tools in Studio descriptions, placing options like bold, italics, and strikethrough in the bottom left corner of the editing field. This update is live for mobile creators and is rolling out to desktop users. The change aims to make description editing more intuitive and user-friendly.
Comments