What’s new in digital marketing this week? We have the scoop! Each week, our digital media team gathers the most interesting news and trends in the digital marketing world so you can stay up to date.
Here’s a look at the latest:
Snapchat adds Sounds option to compete with TikTok
As TikTok has become increasingly popular, legacy social media platforms like Snapchat have been fighting to keep users engaged. One of TikTok’s biggest draws is its vast music library, which has led to catchy memes, choreography, and singing duets. Songs that go viral on TikTok also have a big impact on Spotify streaming numbers and Billboard charts. To compete, Snapchat recently introduced Sounds, a new function that allows users to add sound clips to their snaps from a curated catalog of music.
Time will tell if Snapchat’s new Sounds feature will influence the platform’s Discover feed, leading to trending songs and dances à la TikTok. Paying attention to shifts in user behavior and adjusting messaging and media strategy accordingly, will be critical for Snap advertisers to stay relevant in the space. As always, if you have questions about advertising on Snapchat, TikTok, or any other social media platform, we’d love to chat!
YouTube tests short-form video feed
“Short and sweet” vertical videos aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. YouTube recently announced it is working on a TikTok-esque short-form vertical video feed. The new function, called Shorts, was launched in India last month, where TikTok was recently removed. Like TikTok, Shorts includes quick editing functions like timers, speed controls, and the option to include sound and music clips to videos. Currently, users in India need to have at least 10k subscribers to create Shorts, but YouTube is expected to roll out Shorts for all users in the coming months.
Instagram offers new features to fight online negativity
Instagram is adding several new features in an effort to combat bullying and hate speech on the platform. Users now have the ability to choose who can tag/mention their profile, delete negative comments en masse, set up comment filters, and block multiple accounts at once. In beta testing, Instagram has seen these efforts help larger accounts maintain a more positive environment.
Along with removing negative comments, Instagram made it easier to highlight and amplify positive interactions on posts. Users can now “pin” a select number of comments to the top of the thread, so they appear directly below the post. These new features can be very helpful when it comes to managing multiple unwanted interactions and setting a positive tone for your account.
We’re here to keep you updated on the ever-changing world of digital marketing. If you have questions about any of these updates and what they could mean for your business, drop us a line or reach out on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter.
