SOCIAL
Twitter’s New ‘Status’ Indicators are Nearing Launch
It’s been developing the option over the past few months, and now, it looks like Twitter’s new ‘Status’ feature may be nearing a release.
As you can see in these screenshots, posted by reverse engineering extraordinaire Jane Manchun Wong, the new ‘Status’ option would let you add a small, customizable status update into your tweets.
There’ll be a range of default status options, including ‘Shower Thoughts’, ‘Hot Take’ and ‘A Thread’, which could help to eliminate some of the common uses of emojis and other means to signify the same, giving you more characters to use for your actual tweet text.
There’ll also be a ‘Spoiler Alert’ option – though really, Twitter needs to employ the blackout text option available on Reddit, where the text of spoilers is covered, unless you choose to tap on it.
When someone posts a tweet with a status, you’ll be able to tap on that status indicator, which will take you through to a listing of all the tweets that have applied the same activity.
Initially, it had seemed that this new status option would be more pointed towards allocating an activity update to your tweets, which would lessen the need for people to add event hashtags to their username, for example, to show where they’re at.
That was seemingly the original inspiration for the option, when Twitter first previewed it back in 2018.
Since then, however, it’s gone through a few upgrades, and a few management changes, which now seems to have evolved it into more of a direct addition to the content of each specific tweet, as opposed to a general activity indicator.
As noted, various elements of the feature are now built into the back-end of the app, including this intro screen which was spotted by Alessandro Paluzzi last month.
It seems very close to launch, which could provide another prompt to get people engaging and interacting via tweet.
Or it could just be an extra distraction, which isn’t really necessary to facilitate the same. I mean, most Twitter users are already accustomed to habitual notes like ‘Thread’, so there’s not really a huge need, as such, for custom tags to signify them, while being able to see others who are posting ‘Hot Takes’ on any number of topics doesn’t really seem like an enhancement.
But maybe they will add new functional value, while also providing new tweet categorization options – so if you’re a fan of ‘Shower Thoughts’, then Twitter can show you more of them via its algorithmic process.
Hard to say, but it could add another prompt to get more people tweeting.
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.
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