Too legit to quit
There are 71 days until the U.S. election and we are definitely part of this 55% (which you think would be much higher, no?)
In today's newsletter — TikTok is fighting back. Instagram updates keep on coming. And those Twitter conversation settings are coming in pretty handy for at least one brand. We break it all down for you below ⬇️
TikTok: And I'd Do It Again
TikTok is about to go all litigious. It will reportedly file a lawsuit against the U.S. government this week, saying it was deprived of due process and unfairly treated as a security threat. The lawsuit comes after months of accusations that the app and its China-based parent company ByteDance were putting U.S. users' info at risk. Things intensified on Aug. 6 when U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order against TikTok, saying it would ban U.S. operations within 45 days. A week later, Trump issued another executive order giving TikTok 90 days to divest itself of its U.S. operations.
Setting the record straight After the first executive order was issued, TikTok responded to say that it was shocked by the move, especially since it had been in talks with the U.S. government for over a year to discuss their concerns. It says it has never put U.S. users' info at risk, and last week launched a new information hub to counter rumours and misinformation about the company. It also created a new Twitter account to share information in real time.
Any takers?
With TikTok facing a potential ban in the U.S., parent company ByteDance has reportedly had talks with several potential buyers interested in its operations in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Microsoft was one of the first companies to show interest after Trump threatened to ban TikTok in the U.S.
Oracle is working with current U.S. ByteDance investors (like General Electric) on a potential deal
Twitter is also reportedly interested in buying TikTok's U.S. operations
What's next
TikTok continues to be the most downloaded non-gaming app in the world, with 2 billion downloads worldwide to date, according to app analytics firm Sensor Tower. But with an uncertain future ahead, downloads in the U.S. — its third largest market — are falling, and its competitor list is growing.
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ICYMI
Insta-updates
If you thought the global rollout of (TikTok copycat) Reels was enough to keep Instagram busy for a while, you’d be wrong. Over the last few days, the Facebook-owned social media platform has kept the updates coming, including:
Suggested Posts: Soon, you'll start to see content from people you don't follow, via suggested content. Once you go through your feed and come to the end of new content, a message will pop up that says "you're all caught up." And then Instagram will post suggestions (based on accounts you do follow).
Private Posts: If you've ever accidentally shared private posts – you can stop worrying. Instagram has put new controls in place so "you can tell who can or can't see a private post or story before you hit send," according to Vishal Shah, VP of Product at Instagram. (Phew.)
QR Codes: "Nametags" have been replaced by "QR codes" that can be scanned by any third-party camera app. Just go to your Instagram profile, click on the three horizontal lines in the top right-hand corner of the screen (aka a 🍔). Click on "QR code", take a screenshot and save it to your photos. And in case you want to follow our account...
Replies? Not today, Satan
It was just a few weeks ago that Twitter launched new conversation settings that allow you to choose who can reply to your tweets. A quick refresher — before posting your tweets, you can choose from three reply options: everyone (default), only followers, only mentions. Well, it couldn't have been better timing for Goodyear, which became embroiled in a PR brouhaha with Trump last week. Goodyear obviously went with door #3 but chose not to include a handle (ergo, no replies). And we know what you're thinking — sure, people can still DM and quote tweet. But controlling replies is honestly a dream come true for many social media managers. 🎉
HOW-TO
One of the best ways to set yourself up for social media success is to schedule regular social media editorial meetings. Whether you are a mighty team of one, or part of a group of social media contributors, this can help keep you focused on the task at hand. Here are three steps to make the most of your meetings.
NEWS-LIKE
🔴 An Influencer House Wouldn't Stop Partying, So L.A. Cut Its Power [New York Times]
🔴 Facebook's Big QAnon Crackdown Might Have Come Too Late [The Verge]
🔴 Hundreds of Millions of Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Accounts Compromised by Data Breach [TechRadar]
🔴 BTS Breaks YouTube One-Day Record With 'Dynamite' Debut [Forbes]
CAREER-LIKE
Looking for that next big career move? Here are some recent job postings you might want to consider:
TikTok is looking for a Content Strategist. Qualifications: deep passion for social media and strategy (and TikTok, we're guessing)
Bud Light Seltzer is looking for a CMO — that's right, a Chief Meme Officer. We're not great at memes, but wondering if they need a CGO? (Chief Gif Officer).
HAPPY-LIKE
In case you haven't been on Twitter recently, you may have missed some pretty heartwarming student-teacher reunions. It's (almost) enough to make us want to go back to school.