📲 Gen Z Highly Influenced By User-Generated Content On Instagram
#News #Insta

🔹 Gen Z uses Instagram (69 per cent), YouTube (62 per cent), and TikTok (50 per cent) for product discovery, whereas Millennials choose Facebook (66 per cent), as per a recent survey by Bazaarvoice, Inc. Shoppers, including Gen Z across the globe, are increasingly relying on user-generated content (UGC) for product discovery and purchase decisions, and personalised offers are becoming key drivers of sales across multiple product categories. The study identifies a shift in customer behaviour, with omnichannel purchasing now combining webrooming, showrooming, and social media as important components. Eighty-eight per cent of shoppers want a consistent buying experience across all channels, with four out of five preferring a combination of in-store and online purchases.

🔹 Three-fourths of consumers engage in online-to-offline shopping, which involves researching things online before purchasing them in physical stores (webrooming), while 59 per cent do the opposite (showrooming). Over one-third (39 per cent) of consumers utilise social media for product discovery and research, with 31 per cent making direct purchases through these channels. In 2021, more than half of respondents (55 per cent) stated that they had never shopped on social media. This year, that figure has decreased to only 24 per cent. More than half of consumers, self-identified creators, are eager to share opinions when rating products. Last year, half (forty-six per cent) of respondents identified as passive consumers, who tend to read consumer opinions rather than sharing their own. This year, that number dropped to just 28 per cent.

🔹 This is good news for shoppers, 86 per cent of whom say they engage with creator content before making a buying decision, the report said. Sixty-five per cent of global shoppers rely on UGC, such as ratings, reviews, photos, and videos in their buying decisions. Nearly half of shoppers find user reviews on retailer websites the most influential content when researching the products online. Gen Z is highly influenced by UGC, with 80 per cent considering it crucial in their decision-making process. However, generation impacts what type of content they prefer.

🔹 Baby boomers rely more on traditional UGC-like ratings and reviews, while Gen Z prefers visual content like photos and videos from social media influencers.
Personalised offers drive 45 per cent of shoppers to complete purchases online. They resonate even more strongly with Gen Z, 61 per cent of which find these tailored offers impactful. Electronics (47 per cent), apparel (42 per cent), and health and beauty (39 per cent), are the product categories for which personalised offers are most influential.

🔹 “This year’s study reinforces that to succeed today, brands and retailers must meet their customers wherever they shop—especially on social platforms, where consumer engagement and comfort with purchasing are on the rise,” said Zarina Lam Stanford, chief marketing officer (CMO) at Bazaarvoice. “The demand for user-generated content is higher than ever, and it’s a powerful tool for creating genuine connections that influence purchase decisions. As consumers shift from passive observers to active content creators, brands have a unique opportunity to harness authentic voices and build trust across all touchpoints.”

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📲 Instagram Tests New Placement of the DM Button in the Main UI
#News #Insta

🔹 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. Which 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. As per Mosseri:

“Messaging is used a lot more than the create button, so we’re testing putting DMs in both in the middle position, and in position two where you can still swipe over to it. We’ll see how it goes.”

🔹 So some people are seeing the DM icon in the middle, while others are seeing it in the second spot in the lower function bar. Or they may be seeing a different variation of the DM icon: 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. Which, as per Mosseri's note, make sense. Over time, more and more social media interactions have switched to DMs instead, with Mosseri noting this shift back in 2022. Which is why Instagram has been working to lean into this change, by also adding new elements like inbox Notes to encourage more DM interaction, and making it easier to share posts via DMs.

🔹 Because while messaging may not feel like the main focus of IG, it now kind of is.Again, as per Mosseri, in an announcement earlier this year: "When you think of Instagram, you probably think of a feed of square photos. But how Instagram works has changed a lot over the years, and if you look at what people share, and how people express their creativity, the primary way they do so is actually DMs on Instagram. More photos and videos are shared in DMs than are to Stories or to feed on any given day."

🔹 So more than what Mosseri noted in 2022, DMs are actually now the primary channel for engagement between users, with the main feed becoming more of a TikTok-like stream of recommended entertainment. As such, the change probably makes sense, even if it does seem a little unusual. It might not actually be necessary, but maybe it helps to fuel already rising behaviors.

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📲 Instagram DMs add live location sharing and nicknames
#News #Insta

🔹 Instagram is adding the ability to share your live location with friends in your DMs for up to one hour at a time so you can find each other when arriving at concerts, outings, and other gatherings. The feature works within Instagram's direct messages, which also gets a few other new features, including sticker packs and nicknames. Instagram says you can temporarily share your location privately with others through DMs, either one-to-one or within group chats, and the feature is off by default.

🔹 It's similar to the location-sharing features in Snapchat's SnapMap but without the overhead view that includes everyone who shares their location with you in one place. For now, the new features are only available in "select countries" (Instagram does not list where.) You can also now give yourself and your friends nicknames in your DMs, including within group chats. You can lock friends out of that ability if you don't like what they named you, and the feature only stays within specific chats - so outsiders can't see each other's provided nicknames.

🔹 DMs have 17 new sticker packs with over 300 new stickers, too, which you can drop into chats with your friends. You can even mark the stickers friends send you as favorites inside chats, re-use them, and make your own with the cutouts feature or generate them with AI. Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, said last week that people are using messages more than the create button, so the company is now testing a new placement for the chat icon that puts it on the bottom and center of the app.

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📲Instagram Launches ‘Collage’ Option for Stories
#News #Insta

🔹 Instagram’s testing out another collage feature, with some users seeing a new prompt to post a collage of images from their camera roll to Stories, as another means to create more engaging Stories content. Instagram’s now 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. Which is not entirely new.

🔹 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. Which looks pretty much the same as this new Stories option, albeit in a different element. And really, Instagram’s probably been working on collages ever since late 2022, when Pinterest’s " Shuffles" app started gaining traction.

🔹 Shuffles enables you to create artistic collages from Pinterest images, and the app quickly generated interest with various audiences. As per Meta’s now familiar strategy, if any new social app function gains any traction, it copies it, in order to stem the potential flow of users away from its own apps.

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📲 Threads Will Now Display Alternate Feeds at the Top of the Main Feed
#News #Insta

🔹 Now rather than having to tap on the Threads icon at the top of the feed to make your alternative feed options show, they’ll be present on-screen, while you’ll also be able to easily swipe across to each. Which also means that the current Threads functionality of indicating “Like” or “See less” by swiping left or right on a post will be gone.

🔹 As per Threads:

“Some of you have asked about swiping on posts. Now, tap the heart to like a post if you want to see more like it. If you want to see less of something, tap the three-dot menu, then “Not interested.”

🔹 So Threads is going back to the more traditional social media functions, as opposed to using swipes as an indicator. Which I’m guessing not many people used anyway, as it’s not a well-known, and thus, overly intuitive UI.

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🚨Australian Government Votes to Ban Under 16s from Social Media Apps
#News #Insta

🔹 Despite conflicting evidence around the viability. and value of the plan, the Australian Government has now voted to implement a new law that will force all social media platforms to ban users under the age of 16. The controversial bill was passed late last night, on the final full sitting day of parliament for the year. The government was keen to get the bill through before the end-of-year break, and ahead of an upcoming election in the nation, which is expected to be called early in the new year.

🔹 The agreed amendments to the Online Safety Act will mean that:

🔹 Social media platforms will be restricted to users over the age of 16

🔹 Messaging apps, online games, and "services with the primary purpose of supporting the health and education of end-users" will be exempt from the new restrictions (as will YouTube)

🔹 Social media platforms will need to prove that they've taken "reasonable steps" to keep users under 16 off their platforms

🔹 Platforms will not be allowed to require that users to provide government-issued ID to prove their age

🔹 Penalties for breaches can reach a maximum of $AUD49.5 million ($US32.2 million) for major platforms
Parents or young people who breach the laws will not face penalty

🔹 The new laws will come into effect in 12 months' time, giving the platforms opportunity to enact new measures to meet these requirements, and ensure that they align with the updated regulations. The Australian Government has touted this as a "world-leading" policy approach designed to protect younger, vulnerable users from unsafe exposure online.

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📲 Block, Mute, Restrict, Report – What’s the difference?
#tips #Insta

🔹 What it means to Restrict someone on Instagram - This feature allows you to discreetly restrict someone without alerting them. The restricted person won’t see when you’re online, and you won’t receive notifications for their comments. They also can’t tag or mention you or remix your content.

🔹 What it means to Mute someone on Instagram - If you want to control what you see on your Stories and Feed without cutting off someone entirely, Mute is your go-to option. This allows you to hide someone’s posts, stories, or messages while still following the account. You can mute an account in a variety of ways in order to limit your interactions with them

🔹 What it means to Block someone on Instagram - When you block someone, they can no longer search for your profile, view your content, or send you messages. When you block someone, it will block their account, other existing accounts, or any new accounts they may create. Note: There are multiple ways to block someone on Instagram. People aren’t notified when you block them. You can view a list of accounts you’ve blocked from your settings.

🔹 What it means to Report a profile or post on Instagram - You can report Accounts, Comments, Messages, Posts and more to Instagram. Our team works 24/7 to quickly review and remove content that goes against our Community Guidelines. Reporting on Instagram is always anonymous, so the person who posted the content will not know you reported it. This feature is ideal if you want to address serious issues and ensure your safety.

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📲 Meta plans to build a $10B subsea cable spanning the world, sources say
#news #Insta

🔹 Meta, the parent of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is the second-biggest driver of internet usage globally. Its properties — and their billions of users — account for 10% of all fixed and 22% of all mobile traffic. Meta’s investments into artificial intelligence stand to boost that usage even further. So to make sure it will have reliable infrastructure to support that business, Meta is taking the pipes into its own hands.

🔹 TechCrunch has confirmed with sources close to the company that Meta plans to build a new, major, fibre-optic subsea cable extending around the world — a 40,000+ kilometer project that could total more than $10 billion of investment. Critically, Meta will be the sole owner and user of this subsea cable — a first for the company and thus representing a milestone for its infrastructure efforts.

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📲New Instagram Campaign to Protect Teens from Sextortion
#news #Insta

〰 Instagram is launching a new campaign, informed by NCMEC and Thorn, to help teens spot sextortion scams and help parents support their teens in avoiding these scams.
〰 Instagram is partnering with creators teens love to raise awareness of our campaign and make sure teens know sextortion is never their fault.
〰 Instagram is also nnouncing new measures to further protect people from sextortion, including hiding follower and following lists from potential sextortion scammers, preventing screenshots of certain images in DMs and rolling out our nudity protection feature globally.
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📲 Meta’s Implements New Requirements for Financial Services Ads in Australia
#news #Insta

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has implemented new requirements for financial services ads in Australia. The new rules require advertisers in the financial services industry to complete an authorization process before they can run ads on Meta's platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. This process involves submitting information about the advertiser's business and providing documentation to verify their identity and authorization to advertise financial products or services.

These new requirements are part of Meta's efforts to increase transparency and accountability for financial services advertising on its platforms, particularly in light of concerns about misleading or deceptive ads in this industry. The changes are intended to protect consumers and ensure that financial services ads on Meta's platforms are legitimate and comply with relevant regulations.

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📲 Meta Seeks to Ease Tensions with Trump While Outlining Election Integrity Efforts
#news #Insta

Meta acknowledges that its content moderation efforts may have gone too far, leading to harmless content being taken down and people being unfairly penalized. This appears to be an attempt to ease tensions with former President Donald Trump, who was banned from Meta's platforms.

Meta has implemented various measures to combat foreign influence operations, AI-generated misinformation, and election-related claims. It has also given users more control over political content in its apps.

However, Meta is trying to build a neutral relationship with Trump, who is expected to run for president again, in order to avoid further conflict. This may be a challenge given Elon Musk's involvement and criticism of Meta.

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📲 Instagram creators can now turn on replies in broadcast channels
#news #Insta

Instagram is introducing new features for its broadcast channels that allow creators to interact more directly with their followers. These include enabling "Replies" in limited group chats within the channels, allowing participants to respond to messages and comments. Creators can also publish "Prompts" - time-sensitive questions to encourage audience engagement.

Instagram is also rolling out new metrics for creators to track their channel performance, such as total interactions, story shares, and poll votes. These new features are aimed at helping creators grow and manage their audiences more effectively on the platform.

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📲 Meta Shares Insight Into the Performance of Its AI-Based Ad Elements

Meta (the parent company of Facebook) shares insights into the performance of its AI-based ad elements. Meta's AI technology is used to optimize ad content and targeting, with the goal of improving the effectiveness of digital advertising campaigns. Meta's AI-powered ad tools analyze user data and behaviors to serve more personalized and engaging ads.

The benefits of AI-driven advertising, such as increased ad relevance, higher click-through rates, and improved return on investment for advertisers. However, there is concerns around privacy and the responsible use of AI in advertising. Overall, this shows Meta's efforts to leverage AI to enhance the digital advertising experience for both advertisers and users.

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📲 Meta Interviews Marketing Leaders for New ‘Performance Talks’ Hub
#news #Insta

Looking to get a better handle on Facebook and Instagram marketing as we head into the new year?
This could help. Meta recently launched a new “Performance Talks” hub, which includes a range of video interviews with various brand and marketing leaders, in which they explain how they’ve been able to maximize their success by using Meta’s various promotional tools.

The Performance Talks video interview series sees Meta speaking with professionals, from all different sectors, to discuss their key tactics and tricks in maximizing Meta’s tools. You can check out a heap of videos on the site, which are filterable by region, with each also including links to relevant guides and explainers on the topics and elements discussed by each expert in the clip. The videos range from super short, to around 7 minutes or so in length, so they’re easy to get through and could provide some quick takeaways for your strategy.

There’s currently around 50 videos up on the site, but it won’t take you long to get through them and absorb various tips and notes to get you thinking. It could be a handy site to bookmark for the holidays, for whenever you have a second to spare, with pointers on Meta’s automated Advantage+ ads, Reels, audience growth tactics and more.

Some of them are in different languages, while some are only available in certain regions. So that’ll make it even easier for you to get through them. And while they won’t all offer relevant, useful insights for your approach, there will be some gems in there that could specifically align with your thinking.
Worth a look if you want to get more out of your Facebook or IG marketing efforts next year.

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Instagram locks out developers of third-party consumer apps
#news #Insta

Meta's recent changes to its developer tools are affecting third-party consumer apps that previously integrated with Instagram. Notably impacted are Tinder and Hinge, which allowed users to link their Instagram profiles to share posts with potential matches. The journaling app Day One, owned by Automattic, will also lose its ability to import Instagram photos and posts due to the shutdown of the Instagram Basic Display API, effective December 4, 2024. This API enabled third-party apps to connect with users' Instagram accounts.

Developers are encouraged to switch to the new Instagram API, but these APIs only support business accounts and lack the necessary functionality for apps like Day One. Consequently, Day One users will no longer be able to automatically import Instagram content, although existing journal entries with Instagram photos will remain accessible. This feature was previously a significant selling point for Day One's Premium version.

Day One expressed disappointment over the change, acknowledging the integration's value to users. Other affected services include Discord, which has already removed its Instagram connection, and apps that embed Instagram posts, such as Spotlight and SnapWidget, which are also advising users to switch to business accounts.

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📲 Threads tests a feature that lets you see how well specific posts performed
#news #Insta

Threads is currently testing a new feature that allows users to view individual post performance metrics, moving beyond the previous aggregated insights. Users in the test can sort their posts by views, likes, and replies, and see detailed breakdowns of interactions from both followers and non-followers, including how many users followed them as a result of specific posts. Instagram head Adam Mosseri highlighted that this enhancement will help users understand which types of content resonate with their audiences, especially after Threads adjusted its algorithm to prioritize content from accounts users follow.

These updates come as Meta has been actively improving Threads in response to the rising popularity of X competitor Bluesky, which recently surpassed 20 million users. New features include deeper integration with the fediverse, advanced search capabilities, custom feeds, and AI-generated summaries of trending topics. Despite having over 275 million monthly active users, Threads is facing increased competition from Bluesky, particularly in daily active users. The surge in Bluesky's popularity has been attributed to shifts in X's content and political stance following the recent U.S. presidential election.

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Did you know you can add your fav songs to spotify directly from Instagram? 🥳

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Psst! did you know there's a secret font hidden in Stories? 🤫

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📲 Instagram will let creators test experimental reels on random people
#news #Insta

Instagram is introducing a feature that allows creators to test their reel ideas with new audiences before sharing them with their followers. These trial reels will initially be shown to non-followers, and creators will receive engagement data—such as views, likes, comments, and shares—about 24 hours after posting. This data will help creators decide whether to share the content with their followers.

The feature aims to encourage creators to experiment with new content styles without risking their established audience engagement. Instagram will provide insights on how trial reels perform compared to previous posts, and creators can either share successful trial reels with their followers or set the platform to automatically share them based on initial performance within 72 hours.

Instagram's announcement highlights that many creators feel hesitant to try new content for fear of it not resonating with their existing audience. The trial reels feature will be available to all eligible creators globally in the coming weeks, and it can be enabled through a “Trial” toggle before publishing. Trial reels will not appear on the creator's main grid or in followers' feeds.

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📲 Meta’s Testing Options To Hide Like Counts on Reels, Replies on Threads
#news #Insta

Meta is testing new features on Instagram and Threads to give users more control over how their engagement metrics are displayed. On Instagram, users may soon be able to hide view counts on their Reels, which could encourage viewers to explore more content rather than just the most popular clips. Meanwhile, Threads is testing an option to remove users' replies from their profiles, allowing only "Threads" and "Reposts" to be visible.

These changes reflect a broader shift away from traditional vanity metrics, such as likes and follower counts, towards focusing on meaningful engagement. Meta's initiatives align with previous actions, such as making like counts optional on Instagram, in response to user feedback.

The industry has seen a move toward valuing metrics like views and shares over likes, especially as algorithm-driven feeds reduce the need for users to follow specific accounts. This shift acknowledges that social media engagement is evolving, with a greater emphasis on meaningful interactions rather than superficial metrics. As platforms adapt, they are prioritizing features that enhance user comfort and engagement in the current digital landscape.

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🚨 The extremely online life of the American teenager
#news #Insta

A new Pew survey reveals that nearly half of U.S. teens are "almost constantly" online, with distinct preferences for different platforms. YouTube remains the most popular site, used by 90% of the 1,391 teens surveyed, though this is a slight drop from 95% in 2022. Seventy-three percent use YouTube daily. TikTok follows as the second-most popular platform, used by 63% of teens, with notable gender differences in usage frequency.

Despite high engagement with video and image-based platforms, other sites see much lower usage: only 6% of teens use Threads, and Facebook's usage has plummeted from 71% a decade ago to 32%. Instagram is the only Meta product used by a majority of teens, while X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit are even less popular, at 17% and 14%, respectively. Additionally, Snapchat's popularity is waning, while WhatsApp has seen a rise in usage, now at 23% among teens.

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