The Month in Brief
What's New on Instagram
Instagram announced several changes to the formats available on its platform:
- Some users can now upload up to 20 images per carousel, up from the previous maximum of 10. This feature is currently in testing and is not yet available to the general public.
- When a user comments on a carousel, they can now specify which slide they are referring to by using the @ symbol followed by the slide number. A thumbnail of the referenced slide is then added to the comment.
- It is now possible to boost a post that includes music.
- Instagram now lets brands highlight promo codes directly within their ads. Codes can be automatically applied at checkout or easily copied by users, improving the overall shopping experience.
- Instagram users can edit a direct message up to 15 minutes after sending it. It is also now possible to pin conversations for quicker access.
- The maximum duration of Reels could be extended to 3 minutes. This is still under exploration by the platform.
TikTok Gives Advertisers More Control Over Ad Placements
- Two major updates are coming to TikTok:
Advertisers can now choose to exclude their ads from the following content categories: gambling and lotteries, violent video games, combat sports, and content aimed at youth.
It is also possible to select an industry vertical in which a brand wants to appear, giving advertisers more control over brand exposure. Available verticals include: pets, beauty, food, fashion, travel, financial services, technology, automotive, gaming, professional services, and entertainment.
Additionally, TikTok may soon launch a new photo app called TikTok Notes. It would allow users to share images in a way similar to Instagram. No official launch announcement has been made yet.
New Feature on YouTube Shopping
YouTube Shopping is launching a feature called Collections, which lets creators showcase their favorite products from one or more stores connected to YouTube Shopping. Collections will appear in the product list and in the creator's video description, as well as on the profiles of the featured stores.
Study Reveals LinkedIn Best Practices
A study by Socialinsider identifies the best practices for maximizing shares, impressions, and engagement on LinkedIn. Here are the key takeaways:
- Using multiple images and short descriptions in your posts boosts engagement.
- Video content is more likely to be shared.
- Running polls increases your chances of reaching a high impression count.
- Encouraging your employees to create and maintain an up-to-date LinkedIn profile benefits your brand image.
- Finally, it is recommended to analyze the platform's built-in analytics to better understand your audience and engage with them strategically.
AI Could Drive a Drop in Search Traffic
Have you considered how AI might affect your SEO efforts? According to Gartner, AI has already changed how users search, and this shift could reduce search engine traffic by 25% by 2026. Platforms like ChatGPT have already cut web search traffic by a quarter for some users. This trend could have significant negative consequences for any business whose strategy relies on SEO.
Google Launches Google Vids
The tech giant announced the launch of Google Vids, an AI-powered app for generating videos. This new feature will be added to Google Workspace very soon. Learn more about how it works here.