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 Considers New Subscription Which Would Enable EU Users to Eliminate Ads

https://www.reuters.com/technology/meta-may-allow-facebook-instagram-users-eu-pay-avoid-ads-wsj-2023-09-01/

Meta is reportedly weighing the potential of offering paid versions of both Facebook and Instagram, which would enable E.U. users to avoid ads and personal data usage, entirely in both apps.

Under the reported proposal, Facebook and Instagram would remain free, but users would be able to pay for a subscription to remove ads, if they so chose. The cost of such an option would likely need to be priced at least $US6 per month, based on Meta’s most recent earnings report, which shows that Facebook generates $US17.88 per quarter from each E.U. user. Meta could vary that to $8 per month to account for fluctuations, though there would also need to be considerations as to the impact of subsequent reductions in overall ad exposure, and how you mathematically align that with these figures.

2. TikTok Outlines Enhanced Transparency Measures, in Compliance With EU DSA Regulations

https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-eu/compliance-digital-services-act-eu

After announcing that EU users would soon be able to opt out of algorithmic personalization in the app, as part of its Digital Services Act (DSA) compliance, TikTok has today outlined various other steps that it’s taking to meet the updated DSA regulations.

The EU DSA, which comes into effect soon, is designed to ensure that user rights are better protected, particularly in relation to the use of personal data, while also enabling businesses to operate “on a level playing field” within the digital space. As part of this, each platform now needs to provide more insight into how they use data, and enable EU users to opt out of such, if they choose.

3. TikTok’s AR Effect House Comes Out of Beta Mode

https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/31/tiktoks-effect-house-ar-development-platform-exits-beta/

TikTok has marked its latest milestone in AR development, with its Effect House AR studio for creators now coming out of beta mode after more than a year of development.

Much like Snapchat’s ’Lens Studio’ and Meta’s ’Spark AR’ platform, TikTok’s Effect House enables creators to build their own AR effects for the app, with a range of templates and tools available to facilitate the process. TikTok actually launched the initial version of Effect House with selected developers back in 2021, as an in-app tool, which was eventually expanded into the separate Effect House platform that’s now being used by creators.

4. Instagram’s Testing 3-Minute and 10-Minute Reels Uploads

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/instagram-testing-10-minute-reels/495257/

Instagram is experimenting with longer Reels clips, with 3-minute and 10-minute Reels now being tested internally at the app. Instagram may soon let users upload much longer videos as Reels, mirroring TikTok’s longer video uploads which it rolled out last year (note: while some users are no longer seeing the 10-minute video upload option on TikTok, you can still upload 10-minute videos).

5. Snapchat Launches New Generative AI ‘Dreams’ Option to Create Fantastical Depictions in the App

https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/29/snapchat-launches-a-new-ai-selfie-feature-called-dreams/

Snapchat’s making another foray into generative AI, with a new element called “Dreams” that will enable you to place yourself into imagined dreamscapes.

The new Dreams option will enable users to manipulate their selfies into variable depictions, which largely replicates how tools like PrimsaAI enable you to apply generative AI to your image. As Snap looks to build in more revenue generation options (like Snapchat+, its subscription tier), it’s also planning to charge for Dreams creations, with the first “pack” of eight images available for free, then any subsequent set costing you $0.99 via in-app purchase.

6. X Tests New Option That Would Enable Creators to Gather Email Contacts From Subscribers

https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2023/09/x-is-adding-more-job-functionalities.html

X is looking to develop a new option that will enable subscribers on X to share their email contact information with a creator they follow, if they choose.

This would provide each creator with full access to an off-platform contact method for each subscriber, or at least each one that opts in, enabling them to provide direct offers, or even move to another platform entirely with those contacts, if they so choose. Enabling data portability like this on X could be another lure for creators and brands that have considered building their presence on the platform, with many more now likely to factor in how they might be able to leverage this element, in order to expand their connections, and build business, both on and off-platform.

7. X Adds Streamlined Reply Option for DMs, Shares Details of Coming Audio and Video Calls

https://www.redmention.com/news/x-provides-streamlined-reply-choice-for-dms-shares-particulars-of-coming-audio-and-video-calls/

X has rolled out a new functionality for DM interaction, with the ability to now swipe right on any DM in a chain to directly reply to it.

The new reply process makes it a little easier to respond to any message in a chat. X also added the capacity to reply direct to a specific message within a DM thread back in May, and this new swipe-to-reply UI will enhance that capacity even more. You can also still add a general reply by typing a response into the text bubble at the bottom of the display, so you don’t have to respond to a specific message by swiping on it. But it’s another option to help improve the process, which could be handy for streamlining your chats.

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.