Searching for answers

Just Another Day in Social Media. 🤪

It's happening! Twitter posted its first-ever edited tweet! In early September, the company, announced it was going to start testing the feature through its Twitter Blue subscription service. As for how it will work, Twitter has previously said that users would be able to edit the tweet "a few times" for up to 30 minutes after it is posted. What's interesting is that you can see the time that the tweet was last edited. And if you click on that, it will take you to a list of previous versions. Reaction to the edited tweet were mixed, but I'm ready. 👍

Here are today's top stories: 

• Searching for answers... on TikTok and Instagram

• Switching between Facebook and Instagram may be about to get easier

• Twitter wants to be "the best place for video"

• And Pinterest has some suggestions for this year's top Halloween costumes 🎃

🗓 The next newsletter will drop in your inbox on Monday, Oct. 17th. Have a great Thanksgiving long weekend!

 Just TikTok It? 

Remember when people used to say "Just Google It" or "Let Me Google That." Well, the way we all search might be about to change — if the younger generation has anything to do with it. Google's own internal data suggests that nearly 40% of Gen Z prefer to search on TikTok and Instagram. And the search engine is already trying to make some changes to keep people on the site, including photo-based results and a "Neighbourhood Vibe" check, according to the NY Times. But it may be too late for some, and many others may be prepared to make the switch. Nick Barclay of The Verge tried replacing Google with TikTok, and reported that it "worked better than I thought." 

If your target market or audience is Gen Z, you'll want to consider at least dipping a toe into TikTok. Here are some ways to get started. 

 Get Familiar  
As a marketer or social media manager, it's important to understand the social media landscape. So if you haven't done so already, sign up for a TikTok account and start to explore. Not only will you find entertaining influencers and fun dance challenges, but also a wide range of communities, such as #BookTok. I would also recommend being patient as the algorithm learns what you like. At first, you'll be served up all kinds of content, but over time it will learn what you like. And you might be surprised by what you find. For example, one of my client's is a hospice, and there is a lot of "death positive" content on TikTok, including people sharing their end-of-life journeys. TikTok 3.5 billion all-time downloads earlier this year, so chances are that your interests and communities are already there.

 To Post Or Not To Post? 
So, before you break out into a sweat at the thought of having to post on TikTok, take a deep breath. There are actually a few different ways you can be on TikTok, without actually having to post.

Monitoring — Even if you're not posting to TikTok, people may be talking about your brand. Regularly check in to find out what people are saying about your company/organization.

Ads — When it comes to social media, you often pay in time or money. If you're short on time, but have a budget for ads, consider creating an advertising campaign. To get started, visit TikTok For Advertising. You'll also want to see what's trending now. And if you need advice, I love the tips by Savannah Sanchez.

Managing an account — Creating organic video content takes a lot of resources. Do you have someone on your team with the time, energy, knowledge (and passion!) to post regularly and consistently on TikTok? If the answer is no, don't do it. If the answer is yes, have them come up with a story board, budget, plans for a consistent posting schedule, and of course, overall goals and objectives. Think of TikTok like a TV show.

*Note: Whatever you plan to do, make sure to grab your brand handle before someone else does.

 Search on Instagram 
Unlike TikTok, you're probably already on Instagram (personally, if not professionally). So you may already be familiar with search. But here are a few tips from Buffer on how to get featured on Instagram's Search and Explore.

SOCIAL SNACKS

📱 Switching Between Facebook and Instagram 📱

Meta just announced that it's launching a new Accounts Center (U.S. spelling) where you'll be able to switch between your Facebook and Instagram accounts, and share across profiles. You just have to add your accounts to the Accounts Center first (I noticed my two personal accounts are already in there, so you won't be starting from scratch). You can find the Accounts Center in the settings section of Facebook, Instagram and Messenger. In addition to being able to switch between profiles, you'll also be able to create new accounts, and see all of your notifications "displayed for each profile," the blog post says. This "new experience" is being tested globally on Android and iOS, according to Meta. (Please, please, please, let this update make managing multiple accounts easier 🤞). 

📹 Twitter Brings You... Video 📹

Twitter is not about to be left behind when it comes to video — or, at least it seems that way. The company recently announced it's "rolling out two new updates to how you experience videos." This includes:

• Immersive viewing — Now, when you see a video in your feed, just tap on it and it will launch in full-screen mode

• Discovery — Twitter is also adding a "Videos for you" video carousel in the Explore tab

And here's the video example it gave for how it wants to make Twitter the best place for video (I thought that was TikTok and YouTube 🤔)

Managing social media is hard enough — staying up-to-date shouldn't be. Level up your social media knowledge in minutes a week. Sign up for our newsletter today!

 IN THE NEWS 

🔴 A New Refrain From Artists: We 'Almost Gave Up on Instagram' [NY Times]

🔴 Elon Musk's Texts Reveal What Led to Twitter Bid, Before Deal Fell Apart [Washington Post]

🔴 Court Finds Meta, Pinterest Culpable in Suicide of U.K. Teen Molly Russell [Mashable]

 GOING FROM IG TO OG 

Do you wish Instagram worked the way it did years ago, before Reels, videos and ads took over the feed? It looks like you're not alone, because two developers have just designed an app that looks and works just like Instagram, but offers you the option of turning off Reels, ads and suggested content. The OG App also allows you to create feeds based on your interests, and share them with friends. But before you get too excited, Apple just kicked the OG App off the App Store because it said it accessed Instagram in an unauthorized way. But it's still available on Google Play (Android users — go forth and download it for all of us!)

 HALLOWEEN INSPO 

Not Strange At All

If you want to be on trend with your Halloween costume this year, Pinterest just released a list of the top 10 costumes based on growth in searches. Below, you'll find a clue to #1 on the list. 

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