Social Media Buzz Weekly: Roundup of Social Media Updates

Welcome to Social Media Buzz Weekly, your weekly bulletin of the latest social media updates. With the social media landscape evolving with each passing day, it can be challenging to keep a tab on the rapid developments. Well, not anymore, as we have taken it upon ourselves to keep you abreast of every happening in the social media space.

So, without any further ado, let’s take a look at some of the most significant developments from the last week in the world of social media.

1. Twitter’s Developing a New ‘Reply Filter’ Option to Give Users More Control Over Their Tweet Experience

https://www.redmention.com/news/twitters-creating-a-new-reply-filter-choice-to-give-customers-extra-management-over-their-tweet-expertise/

Twitter has been working to provide more ways for users to control their in-app experience and limit negative interactions where possible. It is currently developing a new ‘Reply filter’ option, which would enable users to reduce their exposure to tweets that include ‘potentially harmful or offensive language’ as identified by its detection systems.

The filter would only stop you from seeing those replies, so others would still be able to view all responses to your tweets. But it could be another way to avoid unwanted attention in the app, which may make it a more enjoyable experience for those who’ve simply had enough of random accounts pushing junk responses their way.

2. Pinterest Launches New Streamlined In-App Purchase Process for Shopify Merchants

https://www.specser.com/pinterest-launches-new-streamlined-in-app-purchase-process-for-shopify-merchants/

Pinterest’s looking to help Shopify merchants maximize their in-stream sales with the addition of a new streamlined conversion process that will make it faster and simpler for users to buy direct from your Pin listings.

Pinterest’s new ‘Hosted Checkout’ process enables users to select all the relevant product order info within the app, rather than referring you back to a merchant website to make an actual purchase.

3. Reddit Announces New Developer Platform to Facilitate Additional Tools and Functions

https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/17/reddit-developer-platform/

Reddit’s looking to facilitate expanded functionalities and research tools, with the launch of a new Reddit Developer Platform, which will provide access and resources that will enable outside developers to build and iterate on Reddit’s existing operations.

This could lead to new systems for researching Reddit discussion, which can be a valuable source of market analysis and insight, while it may also enable new options for Reddit ads, and placements via third-party management tools.

4. WhatsApp Launches New Desktop App for Windows PCs

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/social-media/whatsapp-launches-new-desktop-app-for-windows-users-report/article65777925.ece

WhatsApp has added another way for users to stay in touch, with a new desktop app for Windows PCs. The new WhatsApp for Windows, which is now available in the Microsoft store, provides another means to log into your WhatsApp chats via your PC, in a more integrated, streamlined manner.

The new native Windows app will provide increased reliability and speed, while also facilitating more integrated notifications, and better design, which is optimized for desktop systems.

5. TikTok Outlines its Preparations for the Upcoming US Midterms

https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/our-commitment-to-election-integrity

TikTok has outlined its election security measures, including a new Election Center to host official updates and information, new labels on candidate accounts, and updated guidance on political ads and endorsements.

TikTok’s Election Center will provide information on how to vote in your region, while it will also include additional voting information resources for people in special categories, including deaf voters, overseas citizens, service members, etc. All of this information will be sourced from official providers to help maximize voter participation.

6. YouTube Will Now Automatically Add Watermarks to Downloaded Shorts Clips

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-will-now-automatically-add-watermarks-to-downloaded-shorts-clips/629940/

YouTube is taking steps to stop users from re-posting YouTube Shorts clips to other apps, via the addition of new watermarks on Shorts clips. While this could encourage cross-promotion, this could also be a way of limiting short video sharing across apps, in order to make it a little harder for creators to simply re-post their Shorts to Reels or TikTok as well, as a means to build their presence in each app.

It’s worth noting both TikTok and Reels also include watermarks on downloaded clips, in an effort to restrict the same, so it’s not surprising to see YouTube take a similar approach.

7. Meta Outlines its Approach to Election Security Ahead of the US Midterms

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-16/meta-pulls-out-familiar-playbook-in-advance-of-2022-elections

Meta outlined last week how it’s working to combat the spread of political misinformation within its apps, via a range of measures and awareness tools designed to help users make more informed choices about their votes in the upcoming polls.

It said that its approach to the 2022 US Midterms will incorporate learnings from its past efforts, and will entail a range of elements.

Wrapping Up

And that was a wrap of this week’s Social Media Buzz. We’ll be back next Monday with more news and updates for you from the social media world. Till then, stay tuned!

If you want to read more on the latest developments taking place in the social media space, take a look at ClickInsights’ Social Media Buzz, wherein we bring to you monthly reports on everything going on in social media, ranging from platform updates to policy changes that influence the way we market.