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 look at some of the most significant developments from the last week in the world of social media.

1. Meta Outlines Its Efforts to Combat ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams

https://www.wired.com/story/meta-pig-butchering-report-2024/

Meta has provided some new insights into its ongoing efforts to protect users from scams, while it’s also shared some tips on what to look out for to avoid scam activity, and in particular, “pig butchering”, which has become a bigger problem in recent years.

Meta says that it’s actively working with law enforcement to help catch out and punish these groups, while it’s also sharing information with industry peers to expand its detection systems. The company said that so far this year it has done takedowns of more than 2 million accounts connected to scam compounds in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, and the UAE.

2. Meta Adds Video Calling Updates, Including HD Video Calls

https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/20/messenger-gets-hd-video-calls-ai-backgrounds-and-more/

Meta has announced some new updates for audio and video calling via Messenger and Facebook, just in time for your holiday catch-ups.

First off, Meta is rolling out HD video calls, which will now be enabled by default for video calls made on WiFi. You will also have the option to switch on HD video calls using mobile data as well, providing improved video calling within its apps. Meta is also rolling out background noise suppression and voice isolation to help you make clearer, higher-quality calls. Moreover, it is adding audio or video voice messages for when people don’t answer your call.

3. TikTok Expands Online Safety Education Program With PTA

https://www.wusf.org/education/2024-11-21/tiktok-national-pta-team-up-social-media-training-florida

TikTok has announced that it’s expanding its partnership with the National PTA in the U.S., in order to empower parents to help their teens understand digital safety, and how to spot potentially risky and dangerous behaviors online.

TikTok’s latest initiative on this front will see it contribute funding to bring the PTA’s “Create with Kindness” program to more high schools across the U.S., which aims to facilitate conversations between teens and their families about online safety. The program provides access to a range of guides on online safety, which schools can use to facilitate local events to help raise awareness, and answer questions about key concerns. PTA has already run various events of this type, with the added funding enabling it to expand the program to more regions.

4. Instagram Launches ‘Collage’ Option for Stories

https://www.socialdiscoveryinsights.com/2024/11/28/instagram-introduces-new-collage-feature-for-stories/

Instagram is rolling out a new Collage option for Stories, which then enables you to select multiple images from your camera roll to create a collage image.

Instagram has enabled users to create different kinds of collages within Stories for some time, via its Layout option, though that’s more rigid, in that the actual format of the collage is defined by the Layout you choose. This updated version is a bit more free form, which could enable you to create all new kinds of visual designs with your images. Instagram’s been experimenting with collages for some time, with the platform also testing out collages within group chats.

5. Instagram Adds New Stickers, Location Sharing in DMs

https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/25/24305587/instagram-dms-live-location-sharing-nicknames

Instagram’s gearing up for an influx of DM use over the holidays, by adding a range of new stickers, along with an updated sticker UI, in order to help you spice up your messages.

First off, Instagram is adding 17 new sticker packs, covering a range of themes, for the holiday rush. Cutouts, which Instagram added earlier this year, are stickers based on your photos, enabling you to use your own captured images as stickers as well. Instagram is also updating the sticker UI within DMs, making it easier to find the right sticker to match your mood. Also, Instagram is adding the option to nickname your friends within DM chats, to enhance personal connection.

6. Instagram Tests New Placement of the DM Button in the Main UI

https://mobiletelco.in/app/instagram-tests-dm-button-placement/

Instagram’s expanding its test of an alternative placement of the message icon in the main app UI, as DMs continue to see more usage in the app.

Some users are now seeing the DM icon in the middle of the bottom function bar in the app. This is currently where the “+” creation button is for regular posts, but according to IG chief Adam Mosseri, people are now messaging a lot more than they share feed updates. This version was spotted in testing back in July, so the experiment in moving the DM icon has actually been live for some time, though it’s now seemingly being expanded to more users.

7. Instagram Will Soon Let Users Reset Recommendations In-Stream

https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/19/instagram-will-soon-let-you-reset-your-recommendation-algorithm/

Instagram is testing a new option that will essentially clear its memory of what it knows about you, in order to re-shape your recommendations in-stream.

Instagram will still keep your activity and interest info for ad targeting. But in terms of the content that it recommends to you, which is an increasing amount of what you see in the app, this will give you the option to reset and start over. This could be a good way to update and refresh your IG experience, especially if you’re no longer interested in a topic, or you feel like Instagram’s algorithm is a little too sensitive to certain elements.

8. Snapchat Adds Prada and Miu Miu Bags for Bitmoji

https://mumbrella.com.au/snapchat-works-with-miu-miu-and-prada-for-bitmoji-fashion-items-857708

Snapchat’s adding some more customization options for its Bitmoji characters, with users now able to dress their characters up with bags from Prada and Miu Miu via Snap’s first branded handbag partnership.

Snap has added a range of designer bags to its digital accessories, providing new ways to customize your digital character. The new accessories will add to Snap’s existing range of Bitmoji fashion partnerships, with users already able to access Bitmoji clothing that reflects the latest releases from Adidas, Converse, Nike, Jordan, Crocs, Levi’s, and more. Snap also added Bitmoji “Beauty Drops” last year, which replicate real-world make-up product launches that you can add to your virtual persona.

9. Snapchat Announces First ‘Sponsored Snap’ Campaign

https://www.thekeyword.co/news/snapchat-launches-sponsored-snaps-ads

After announcing Sponsored Snaps back in September, which will be the first Snapchat ad type that gets directly inserted into user inboxes, Snap has now announced its initial Sponsored Snap campaign, with a DM video message going out to all U.S. Snap users aged 18+ to promote the new movie “Wicked”.

The Wicked Sponsored Snap will feature actor Jonathan Bailey telling people that they should go watch the movie. The Snap will also feature a CTA guiding users to buy tickets for the film. And that message will be coming into Snapchatter inboxes very soon, which will likely be disruptive for many users. 

10. Pinterest Launches Holiday Campaign Hub

https://web.swipeinsight.app/posts/pinterest-launches-holiday-campaign-hub-with-performance-boosting-solutions-12865

Pinterest has added some new ad options for the holidays, while it’s also launched a new “Festive Season Hub” to help guide businesses through the Pin ads process.

First off, Pinterest is giving all advertisers access to its new “Special Offers” element for Pin ads, which enables you to add specific offer tags to maximize interest. The tags will help to make your Pin promotions stand out, which could prompt more people to tap through on your offers. Pinterest also recently updated its automated ad tools, with the introduction of its “Performance+” automated ad suite, and new AI creative options for your promotions.

11. X Adds ‘NFL Portal’ to Encourage Sports Engagement

https://nypost.com/2024/11/18/sports/elon-musks-x-launching-new-one-stop-shop-nfl-portal/

X has added a new “NFL Portal” activation, which will make it easier for NFL fans to track the latest news and chatter, while also contributing with their own thoughts and opinions.

The new NFL Portal will bring together posts from NFL teams and rights-holder accounts, along with key reporters and fan profiles, to keep football fans updated. In addition to this, X has also added separate tabs for game schedules and live scores, an overview of the current standings, and team and player stats. That’ll make it much easier for people to add contextually-relevant commentary, by giving them easy access to key data that can help to better inform opinions and notes.

12. X iOS App Users Can Now Activate Side-Swiping Likes and Replies In-Stream

https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2024/11/22/customize-swipe-gestures-x-ios-app/

X engineer May Ly has announced that users on iOS can now choose to enable side-swiping like and reply options, by activating such in their app settings.

Users can now switch on side-swiping functions, which are available within your “Timeline” options. You can also hide the engagement buttons and numbers below each post, if you want. X isn’t imposing this as a new function and UI, as many had expected. Instead, X is giving users the opportunity to try this out as an option, which could lead to it eventually becoming a more habitual behavior.

13. LinkedIn Phases Out Its Dedicated Live Audio Events

https://vulse.co/blog/linked-in-ends-dedicated-live-audio-events-what-this-means-for-creators

LinkedIn is retiring its dedicated audio events option, and rolling audio events into its existing live-streaming tools.

From December 2, 2024, the creation of native Audio Events will no longer be available. If you have an Audio Event scheduled before December 31, 2024, you can host it as usual. If you have an Audio Event scheduled after that date, you must create a new event through LinkedIn Live by December 15, 2024, as the original event will be removed. This will mean that you can still run audio-only live events, but you’ll need to add a static image into the video field, via a third party tool.

14. Australia Passes Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

https://www.reuters.com/technology/australia-passes-social-media-ban-children-under-16-2024-11-28/

Australia has passed into law a social media ban for children aged under 16 after an emotive debate that gripped the nation, setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech.

The law forces tech giants from Instagram and Facebook owner Meta to TikTok to stop minors logging in or face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million). A trial of methods to enforce it will start in January with the ban to take effect in a year. The Social Media Minimum Age bill sets Australia up as a test case for a growing number of governments which have legislated or said they plan to legislate an age restriction on social media amid concern about its mental health impact on young people.

Wrapping Up

And that was a wrap of this week’s Social Media Buzz. We’ll be back next week 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.