On the lighter side of social media
The U.S. election is definitely keeping social media managers busy. We hope you're all doing ok, including whoever is managing the Twitter account for the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia, which had to clarify over the weekend that U.S. President Donald Trump was NOT having an event there. (Pro tip: When posting about an issue, make life easier for yourself and turn off replies).
And don't worry... today we're not going to focus on Twitter labelling Trump's tweets, or Facebook blocking conspiracy theories. This is a doomscrolling-free zone. Instead, we talk about:
WYNTK about election memes, #ChartThrobs, and how social media is honouring Kamala Harris
Disappearing messages on WhatsApp
How to "learn" on social media
And platforms supporting #BuyBlack this holiday season
This and more in today's e-newsletter. Read on ⬇️
We DID vote for this
Yes, social media can be a toxic place. But it can also be a place of goodness. And so we want to share some of the fun and happy posts that have been popping up over the last few days amid the U.S. election. But we get it if you have election fatigue, and totally understand if you want to keep scrolling. Although honestly, this might just cheer you up.
You can count on these memes
With a U.S. election vote count that seemed to drag on forevah, people were primed to poke fun at the process. The state of Nevada — one of many still counting votes days after the Nov. 3 election — was at the centre of the meme universe for a while. The frustration of not being able to get an answer more quickly bubbled over onto Twitter (here are some examples compiled by Buzzfeed) and filtered through the TikTok community (with videos like this). Nevada eventually went to President-elect Joe Biden, but it may be a while before the state recovers from this good-humoured teasing.
#ChartThrobs
Two of biggest names trending on social media over the last few days were surprisingly not President Trump or Biden. Instead, Twitter and TikTok users have been swooning over CNN's John King and MSNBC's Steve Kornacki, who have spent endless hours tapping out results on their respective #magicwalls and trying to help voters make sense of what was going on. The fan club includes comedian Leslie Jones – known for her enthusiastic coverage of the Olympics — who tweeted several times about her thirst trap, Kornacki. Meanwhile, CNN posted a list of TikTok videos about both map magicians. Both King and Kornacki took some time to tweet to fans and thank them for their support. Hopefully they can both now get some much-deserved rest!
"I won't be the last" If you heard something shatter over the weekend, that was just Kamala Harris breaking through a glass ceiling (nbd 😍). Harris is the first female, first Black, and first South Asian Vice President-elect. "While I may be the first, I won't be the last," Harris said in her victory speech on Saturday night. In celebration, social media users got busy sharing pictures like this one — a nod to Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to desegregate an elementary school in the South — and this one that helps puts the win in context. FYI: Harris actually ran to be the Democratic nominee in the 2020 race, but had to drop out due to lack of funds. Let the 2024 speculation begin!
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!
ICYMI
What's up with WhatsApp
Social media companies have been pretty busy with the U.S. election, but Facebook did manage to squeak through a few updates for its messaging app, WhatsApp. This includes disappearing messages. Right now, you can set the timer for seven days. Why? "We’re starting with seven days because we think it offers peace of mind that conversations aren’t permanent, while remaining practical so you don’t forget what you were chatting about," FB said in a post. Here's how to enable disappearing messages. And as messages disappear in WhatsApp, payments are appearing — at least in India. FB announced on Nov. 5 that people across India can now send money securely using the app. According to CNN, the company had been testing the feature since 2018 with about 1 million users. But it's now able to make this feature more widely available. Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri says, "This is a big deal." We believe it.
How do I...
Do you know how to easily take the core out of a head of lettuce? Or the correct way to use a can opener? You just might if you ever came across some of the many how-to videos on TikTok. In fact, TikTok is trying to showcase these type of videos and is testing a "Learn" tab, according to TechCrunch. In the meantime, you can follow #LearnOnTikTok for fun and informative tips (or, let's be honest, to learn dances). Meanwhile, Snapchat is also trying to help educate businesses on direct-response advertising options. It recently announced a new feature called Snap Connect, where "subject-matter experts will guide you through the ins and outs of our direct-response solutions." You can also earn certification in three areas: mobile gaming, apps and e-commerce.
Social focuses on #BuyBlack
With the holidays just around the corner, several social media companies are trying to make it easier to find and purchase products from black-owned business owners. For example, Facebook has created a #BuyBlack Friday campaign in the U.S., along with a gift guide. TikTok also recently launched Support Black Businesses — "an online hub where Black entrepreneurs can learn about TikTok's ongoing partnerships and initiatives that drive awareness, support and patronage of their businesses," TikTok said in a statement. More than 40 Black-owned merchants across the U.S. and Canada will be featured on the website. And from Nov. 10-15, the TikTok community will be able to search businesses and products using the #ShopBlack hashtag. On a related side note: Oprah is focusing her 2020 Favourite Things list on products created by Black-owned businesses.
NEWS-LIKE
🔴 Facebook Says it Will Put Groups on Probation for Violating its Content Rules [The Verge]
🔴 Trump Will Lose His Protection Against Twitter Bans When He Leaves Office [Engadget]
🔴 TikTok Strikes New Licensing Deal With Sony Music [TechCrunch]
🔴 LinkedIn Launches a New Tool for Job Seekers [Search Engine Journal]
🔴 Snapchat Now Lets Creators Show Off Their Subscriber Counts [The Verge]
🔴 'Baby Shark' is Most-Viewed YouTube Video Ever, Topping 'Despacito' [Variety]
APP-LIKE
Short-looping video app TikTok continued to hold onto the No. 1 spot for most downloaded non-gaming app worldwide in October 2020, according to mobile app analytics firm, Sensor Tower. It had close to 66 millions installs, mainly in China and Brazil. It was followed by Facebook-owned messaging app WhatsApp, at 57 million installs. By comparison, WhatsApp was No. 4 on this list in September 2020. The country with the most WhatsApp installs: India. Perhaps this has something to do with the new payments feature?
HAPPY-LIKE
Going to the dogs
See, we told you there wasn't going to be any heavy election news. And this last update is no different. Because whether you are celebrating or sad today, one thing is clear — Biden's victory is a win for dog lovers everywhere! The social media community could barely contain its excitement after learning that Major and Champ will be taking their squeaky toys to the Oval Office in January. Champ, who has been with the Bidens since 2008, was at the White House when Biden was VP. But this will be a first for Major, who was adopted in 2018 and will be the first rescue dog to ever go to the White House. We hope these German Shepherds are ready for some serious social media love over the next four years. 💕
Hey, congrats — you made it to the bottom of the e-newsletter!
If you really liked it, why not forward it to a friend. 💌