Just try me
Hard to believe, but it's just one month until the first official day of spring! That's also around the time that U.S. lawmakers will spring into action — grilling the heads of Facebook, Twitter and Google when they return to Congress to face more questions over misinformation and disinformation on the platforms.
In other news:
It's Facebook vs. Australia: WYNTK
YouTube gets ready to launch its TikTok copycat
Meet Generation Snapchat
And these accounts may help you get through the rest of winter
Read on ⬇️
Crikey
If you're looking for the latest news from Australia, you won't find it on Facebook. That's because the social media giant scrubbed Aussie media publishers from the platform last week. The ban follows a battle with the Australian government over a proposed law that would require Facebook (and Google) to pay for news content. Here's what you need to know.
The background
FB and Google have been battling with the Australian government for some time over a proposed law called the Media Bargaining Code. Created by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, it would require the tech companies to negotiate with publishers and compensate them for sharing their news on the platform. Last week, Google finally relented, inking deals with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and other publishers. But Facebook took a different approach, making good on its threat to shut down media publishers in Australia. What does this mean? Australian publishers can't post content on Facebook, Australian audiences can't view or share that content, and neither can anyone in the international community. (Try it: Search for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Facebook).
The 4% rule In arguing its case, FB says news only makes up 4% of the content people see in their feed. "The proposed law fundamentally misunderstands the relationship between our platform and publishers who use it to share news content," William Easton, the managing director of Facebook Australia and New Zealand, said in a blog post. That might be the case, but perhaps that 4% isn't the same across all countries where FB operates. According to an article by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), many people in the Pacific region actually rely on Facebook for their news — not Google. Add to that the fact that many non-media sites have also been hit by the ban in Australia. There are also concerns about a proliferation of misinformation on the platform in the absence of real news, particularly amid COVID and trying to raise awareness about vaccines. What's next FB said it had been prepared to launch Facebook News in Australia (a tab of news content, including content that FB pays publishers for; it launched earlier this year in the United Kingdom). But it says it won't do this under the current set of rules. However, this may not be the end of the story. It appears that discussions between FB and the Australian government are continuing. We'll see what happens. Meanwhile, downloads for the ABC news app are outpacing Facebook, according to App Annie. So there may be some winners in this after all.
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ICYMI
Coming soon to a platform near you
Get ready for a(nother) TikTok copycat, more live video collaboration, and (potentially) more audio features. Here is what you can expect to start rolling out in the coming weeks and months.
YouTube Shorts: This TikTok copycat from Google-owned YouTube is a short-form video tool that allows you to create "snappy" videos using your mobile phone. Announced last September, it's currently in beta in India, with plans for a U.S. launch in March. Potential editing tools include a multi-segment camera, speed controls, a timer and countdown, and of course, the ability to record with music. Learn more.
Instagram Multi-Participant Live Video Chats: Step away from the Zoom. Within the next few weeks, you'll be able to live chat on IG with up to three other people. Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri spilled the tea during an appearance on "A Little Late With Lilly Singh." You'll also be able to use face filters on the live stream. And while this is interesting news, honestly, the funniest part of the interview was the fact Lilly Singh had to re-download the app in order to test it with Mosseri. "I'm doing a cleanse," she says.
Twitter Voice DMs: This is a Mashable exclusive. Apparently, Twitter India is testing the ability to send audio DMs. But unlike the previous two updates, there is currently no timeline for rolling this out more widely. And while Messenger and WhatsApp offer similar features, given that Twitter DMs can often be a source of harassment, I'm really curious about how the test is going to go. 😳
Meet Generation Snapchat
If your audience on social media is 13+, you'll definitely want to check out the latest Snapchat Generation Global Report. But even if your audience skews older, I feel like there are some big takeaways for all social media managers and marketers about social media use — today, and into the future. Here are some of the highlights:
Snapchatters are 150% more likely than non-Snapchatters to use photos rather than words to communicate
They are 3X more likely than non-Snapchatters to use augmented reality more than they did last year to try on products
The number one way they like to creatively express themselves: Music
And more than half of those surveyed said they feel they have the power to make social change (please do!)
NEWS-LIKE
🔴 Reddit CEO Defends Platform's Role in GameStop Surge [CNBC]
🔴 LinkedIn's Developing a New Freelance Marketplace Platform to Facilitate New Opportunities [Social Media Today]
🔴 A Second Google A.I. Researcher Says the Company Fired Her [NY Times]
🔴 Inside the Making of Facebook's Supreme Court [The New Yorker]
🔴 WhatsApp to Go Ahead With Changes Despite Backlash [BBC News]
APP-LIKE
Listen up. Clubhouse, a new invite-only audio app, has surpassed 8 million downloads since it launched in early 2020, according to App Annie. It probably helped that Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg both made appearances on the app recently. And while it's definitely heading into mainstream territory, Clubhouse still has a way to go. As of Feb. 20th, it was #25 in Canada on the list of top free downloads on iOS (and #50 in the U.S.). It also has competition. Twitter's audio feature, Spaces, is in beta, and Facebook is also reportedly working on its own audio-chat product.
HAPPY-LIKE
It has been a bit of a winter, so to help you continue to muscle through, below is a list of some fun and inspiring social media accounts you might want to check out. And I'd love to know what accounts are inspiring you right now. Send me an email with your picks! hello@thesocialplatypus.com.
TWITTER
@GurdeepPandher — From deep in the Yukon woods, Gurdeep Pandher brings happiness and joy every day through his dancing and his kind words. (You can actually find him on all of the socials).
@CanadaPaintings — One part inspiration, one part education, this account features artwork by past and contemporary Canadian artists. It's definitely one of my favourite Twitter accounts right now.
INSTAGRAM
@wantshowasyoung — Watching this couple model clothes left behind at their laundromat is just too cute. I first read about them in this New York Times article.
@giftedwaterloo — I'm going to give a shout out to one of my favourite local shops, because: (1) Their posts make me feel like I'm in their store; and (2) They have done an amazing job of optimizing Instagram for online shopping during the pandemic.
TIKTOK
@nabela — Get ready to enjoy some "pockets of peace" with Nabela Noor, who focuses on creating the most beautiful decor, food, drinks — you name it.
@mommyfarmer — If you enjoy waking up to farm life every day, but not having to do any of the chores, you can get your fix here.
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