Here’s a look at what’s been happening across your favorite social media platforms lately:
TikTok
- The platform more than tripled the maximum length of videos that users can upload. Creators can now post 10-minute videos. The previous maximum was 3 minutes, which was established in July 2021 (up from 60 seconds).
- TikTok published a massive overview of key user trends and shifts. Among the many details in the report is additional insights into the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt trend, which has 7.4 billion views.
- TikTok launched a new Brand Safety Center to help prioritize the safety and security of creators. “We strive to create the most trusted environment for brands, built on a foundation of safety, transparency and accountability,” TikTok says.
Meta
- The IGTV app – the spot to watch longer form Instagram videos – is being shut down. “We will focus on having all video on the main Instagram app,” the company says. This news comes after the IGTV branding was retired in October.
- Speaking of videos, the company is all in on Reels, expanding the short-form video concept to all Facebook users. “Watching video is half of time spent on Facebook and Instagram,” the company says, “and Reels is our fastest growing content by far.”
- If you received an email or notification to enroll in Facebook Protect, it is not spam. It’s a new feature from Meta to assure that Facebook Page admins have taken additional steps to secure their accounts.
- Facebook (as well as Twitter) has removed accounts spreading misinformation that targets Ukrainians.
- The LinkedIn Podcast Network recently launched, where the company will host a variety of shows focused on key professional trends. It will feature both internal staff and external experts.
- A poll shows that LinkedIn users strongly dislike unsolicited messages. This includes product pitches, people using the app as a dating site (yes, for real) and people who message quickly after connecting.
- If you’ve had a gap in employment, LinkedIn now has options for you to explain this and add to your profile. This ranges from being laid off to bereavement to volunteer work.
YouTube
- YouTube continues to push short-form content. The desktop version of YouTube now displays a channel’s Shorts clips in a separate element.
- The platform is trying to make it easier to find live content while users are browsing. A new indicator will show a ring around a profile image with the word “Live” on it.
- We’re sorry for putting this song in your head, but … “Baby Shark” is the first video on the platform to pass 10 billion views. Enjoy!
Also Happening
- Twitter has added labels to “Good bots” and “Automated” tweets. “#GoodBots help people stay apprised of useful, entertaining, and relevant information from fun emoji mashups to breaking news,” the company says.
- Clubhouse added a text chat option that runs alongside the main audio discussion in each session. “Don’t want to miss your moment to share a killer joke?” Clubhouse says. “Want to put in a song request? Want to react with an emoji? You can now drop it in the in-room chat.”
- Snapchat has partnered with Ticketmaster to help users discover live events. Users can easily purchase tickets to those events through a seamless checkout process.
