8 awesome social media updates from this week

Social Media Essentials: Catch up with the latest updates in social media

Welcome to our weekly summary of what's happened in social media this week. This week we look at Twitter revoking verified accounts, we update you on the top Instagram stats for 2018 and LinkedIn rolls out its Career Advice mentoring program.

Facebook rolls out news feed ads with direct links to messenger experiences

For the first time ever, Facebook announced that businesses will be able to drive targeted audiences to Messenger and keep them engaged with new tools.With Messenger Platform 1.3, businesses can promote their Messenger experiences with news feed ads that directly open Messenger conversations. According to Facebook, this new ad format:

Can combine the powerful audience targeting and selection capabilities of ads on News Feed, and the identity and canonical nature of Messenger conversations. We believe that as examples such as Absolut Vodka, Tommy Hilfiger and Activision have shown, directing people from a News Feed ad to Messenger can lead to increased conversions.

The ultimate list of Instagram Stats 2017

We have looked high and low to bring you the latest Instagram stats from 2017. Use these stats to inform your 2018 social media strategy and see how marketers are looking to expand their brands reach with Instagram.

70% of Instagram posts don’t get seen (Sprout social, 2017)

Before the Instagram algorithm update posts were ordered by featuring the newest posts at the top of your feed. Instead, the change brings about an algorithm-driven feed, which is now ordered by what you are most interested in. Brands, in particular, became concerned that their content might no longer be seen.

Consequently, your posts will now be ordered by how popular your post is according to its likes and comments. In addition, if users have an interest in your content or have interacted with you, their posts will also take priority. Your content will also appear if users have searched your profile or viewed your account multiple times. Here are some practical ways you can avoid getting lost in your followers feed. 

Instagram has 800 Million users overall (Instagram, 2017)

Instagram has doubled its user base, to 800 million monthly actives in two years, fueled by new features such as stories, shoppable photos, explore pages and many more new features. Find more Instagram Stats here. 

Twitter to revoke verification for some accounts

A few hours after announcing a review of its verification program, Twitter began revoking the verified status of some accounts. They targeted white supremacists Richard Spencer and Jason Kessler among many others. Twitter announced that they have stopped accepting public submissions as it reviews the program and plans to work  'on a new authentication and verification program. In the meantime, we are not accepting any public submissions for verification and have introduced new guidelines for the program'. Find their fully updated verified rules here. 

LinkedIn rolls out its Career Advice mentoring program

LinkedIn has launched Career Advice, a new product looks to connect users with mentors who can help them figure out anything to do with their career. The user enters their preferences and they can receive advice on how to find a new job, feedback on work experience, and any general career advice.

Facebook add highlighted video shares

Facebook will now highlight shares to video insights for pages, Giving publishers and creators more information about the top Pages that are re-sharing their videos. Facebook announced:

Video publishers have requested more information about where people are watching and engaging with their videos to help inspire future collaborations with other Pages. We hope this update will better inform video publishers about how their videos are performing across Facebook, and enable them to connect with other Pages to build community.

Instagram Expand access to the branded content tool

Back in June Instagram introduced the branded content tool, allowing influencers to easily communicate when they are working with a business. Allowing for more transparency on their platform. They have decided to expand the use of this tool according to Instagram 'Instagrammers with high levels of engagement and access to insights. This expansion will allow us to continue to learn how creators, businesses and the community engage with branded content.'

Twitter tugged on our heartstrings

Rachael Prior shared a tweet about her father who has passed away and received an unexpected outpouring of heartwarming memories. Her tweet quickly went viral with over 2k people commenting on it with their own stories of loved ones who have passed away and what they miss about them around christmas time. J K Rowling and James Corden were among some of the well know celebrities who shared this story on their twitter feeds.

Nowhere and no time do I miss my dad more acutely than in the men’s department of M&S at Christmas.

— Rachael Prior (@ORachaelO) November 11, 2017

Rachael told the BBC:

'It was nice to share my moment. Twitter has felt like a place overwhelmed by politics of hate, so this thread reminded me why I joined. It can be a place where people come together and support each other. Everyone can connect to the loss of a loved one'.

Iv shared this story for that reason, it is great to see the power of social media being used to support and encourage others. We need to see more of this on social media.

Social Media Marketing Trends 2018

2018 is fast approaching and it's important you are equipped for up and coming trends in social media. Each day users scroll through 300 feet of content, giving brands a very small window of time to grab the users' attention. Therefore, how can your brand start building ideas that work for the speed of feed? Here are five key trends we believe will have the biggest impact on your social media strategy in 2018,  including predictions from 10 social media specialists

What do you think of Twitter revoking verification for some accounts? ? Do you think you would use LinkedIn Career Advice tool? Let us know what you think and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. Don't forget to join us next week for another weekly roundup.

Contributer : Smart Insights