SOCIAL
How to find trending audio on Instagram Reels
Instagram is quickly closing the gap between its platform and TikTok, as part of its ongoing plot to swallow the politically-struggling video app whole.
The Meta-owned platform launched a few new features for Instagram Reels creators on April 14, including new metrics, gifts, and a space designed for users to “find inspiration” through trending audio and hashtags.
“We strive to make Instagram a home for creators like you to express your creativity, connect with your audience and earn a living,” Meta said in a blog post about the announcement(Opens in a new tab). “Today we’re announcing improvements to Reels — to empower you to do what you do best.”
Creators can now see the top trending songs and audio on Reels, along with analytics for how many times the audio has been used. This is a feature that TikTok has had for some time and has potentially led to the success (or lack thereof) of musicians and songs on the app(Opens in a new tab). To find trending audio on Instagram Reels, creators navigate to their professional dashboard and scroll down to “Reels Trends,” and will be served all of the top audio and hashtags. For instance today, on April 16, the top audio on Instagram Reels is “What It Is (Block Boy)” by Doechii with 25,500 reels, and the top hashtag is #coachella, with 5.2 million reels.
Along with the top trending songs and audio, users and creators will now be able to see the top trending topics and hashtags — important tools for creators to be able to reach out to a wider audience. Creators can also edit video clips, audio, stickers, and text on a newly unified editing screen, and they have access to total watch time, average watch time, the number of new followers you received as a result of your reels, and which fans have sent you gifts, all of which are metrics that were previously unavailable to creators. Many of those tools were already available on the app’s competitor, TikTok.
Instagram has been moving to overtake TikTok since the ByteDance-owned platform first gained traction in the U.S., so this is nothing new. But this comes at a time in which TikTok is struggling to fight bans. Lawmakers from governments across the globe have implemented various bans on the app due to fears that TikTok is giving user data to the Chinese government.
SOCIAL
Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?
In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.
The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.
According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.
Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.
Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.
The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.
This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.
Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.
As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?
Only time will tell.
SOCIAL
Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach
While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.
When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.
“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.
Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.
“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.”Â
“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.
“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.
Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.
SOCIAL
Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement
Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.
As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.
That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.
Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.
That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.
Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.
Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.
We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.
5 Psychological Tactics to Write Better Emails
Weekend Google Core Ranking Volatility
20 Neuromarketing Techniques & Triggers for Better-Converting Copy
Daily Search Forum Recap: April 15, 2024
Reddit Post Ranks On Google In 5 Minutes
Google Clarifies Vacation Rental Structured Data
4 New Google Ads Performance Max Updates: What You Need to Know
19 Best SEO Tools in 2024 (For Every Use Case)
Daily Search Forum Recap: April 16, 2024
Will Google Buy HubSpot? | Content Marketing Institute
-
MARKETING7 days ago5 Psychological Tactics to Write Better Emails
-
SEARCHENGINES7 days agoWeekend Google Core Ranking Volatility
-
PPC6 days ago20 Neuromarketing Techniques & Triggers for Better-Converting Copy
-
SEARCHENGINES6 days ago
Daily Search Forum Recap: April 15, 2024
-
SEO6 days agoReddit Post Ranks On Google In 5 Minutes
-
SEO5 days agoGoogle Clarifies Vacation Rental Structured Data
-
PPC2 days ago19 Best SEO Tools in 2024 (For Every Use Case)
-
PPC5 days ago4 New Google Ads Performance Max Updates: What You Need to Know
