I've got the power
You know things are getting weird when Blockbuster checks in... and then abruptly checks out again.
But even in these strange times, it looks like social media managers may have won at least a small victory against Twitter trolls, while Creators also have something to celebrate. Read on... ⬇️
Finally, some control
As a social media manager, you know what it feels like to have to mentally go through a list of every type of response you think you might get on a post. And even when you are prepared, you might still get something a bit nasty (who doesn't like learning a new curse word 🙄). But it feels like social media companies are finally starting to put features in place that give social media managers (and all of us, honestly) more control, information and protection. These recent updates may not solve all of our concerns, but we're going to take them as signs of positive things to come.
Taking on trolls Twitter launched new conversation settings that control who can reply to tweets. So before posting, we can choose to: let everyone reply (the default), just followers, or only people mentioned in the tweet (this is definitely going to annoy a few people 😈). Based on testing, Twitter said the new settings made people feel more comfortable tweeting, and that DMs from problematic repliers didn't increase. Meanwhile, Twitter is also experimenting with a feature that is meant to make us take a pause before posting a saucy reply. (And, of course, there is always counting to 10.)
Hey, harassers...
LinkedIn is working on new controls to try and stop non-professional (aka, romantic, harassing, etc.) messages from sliding into our DMs with models that "detect potential harassment within messaging." This may mean that harassing messages are hidden, while giving the recipient the option of viewing and/or reporting it. 👏
Don't be misinformed
Facebook is rolling out a new global notification screen that pops up when sharing COVID-19 content. The screen lists the original source of the post and when it was created. This is a good idea, given that Facebook and Instagram reportedly took down 7 million posts between April and June for spreading coronavirus misinformation.
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NEWS-LIKE
One-stop-event-shop
When Facebook took on Zoom with the launch of Messenger Rooms, we should have known it was just the beginning. It looks like the social media giant now wants to become a one-stop-event-shop, and is rolling out paid online events. Currently available in 20 countries, Page creators can "create an online event, set a price, promote the event, collect payment and host the event, all in one place." But there is (of course) a fee to host an online paid event. However, FB says it's going to waive that "for at least the next year." Earlier this year, LinkedIn also announced enhanced virtual events, and it's only a matter of time before another platform jumps in.
Creators are getting 💵
A pediatric resident, a woodturner, and a cosplay creator are among the first recipients to receive funding from TikTok's new Creator Fund. The $200-million fund was announced by TikTok in July. Now, the platform has named the 19 Creators who will be the first to benefit. But don't get too excited — it's currently only available to U.S. Creators. Meanwhile, FB announced a $25-million fund for Black Creators on its newly launched (TikTok copycat) Reels. A report in the Wall Street Journal also suggests that Instagram offered "financial incentives" to TikTok Creators to move over to Reels. (Either way, it may be about time that Creators get paid.)
Is QAnon unstoppable?
If you've seen headlines about QAnon recently and are wondering what's going on, here's a brief summary: The conspiracy theory group — largely associated with Trump supporters — launched in 2017 and is known for posting theories about "deep state" networks and sharing misinformation about everything from COVID-19 to child trafficking. Facebook recently deleted a large QAnon group of 200,000 members, Twitter banned thousands of accounts linked to the group and TikTok blocked QAnon-related hashtags. But overall these efforts haven't done much to stop the proliferation of misinformation, like this one about child trafficking. A recent article in Vanity Fair wonders if the crackdown has come too late. (We hope not 😨.)
Guess what — there is no "one" best time to post. That's because it depends on when YOUR audience is online. Want to know how to figure that out.
Get step-by-step instructions in our latest blog post.
ICYMI
🔴 What Happens on the Internet Every Minute [DOMO via Social Media Today]
🔴 Facebook is Now Merging Instagram and Messenger Chats Into One Service [9TO5Mac]
🔴 Add Me to Search: Google Launches Virtual Business Cards [Search Engine Journal]
🔴 Snapchat Now Has Lenses Specifically to be Used in Viral TikTok Dance Challenges [The Verge]
🔴 YouTube Has Updated its Video Analytics, Added Quick Stories Insights in the App [Social Media Today]
🔴 Pinterest Says its Skin Tone Searches Are Now More Accurate [Engadget]
HAPPY-LIKE
Ok, that was a lot of social media news for one week. But we couldn't leave without mentioning a few recent baby announcements — including a mini muffin and a new crocodile hunter. Congrats! 🎉
