SOCIAL
Twitter Launches New NFT Profile Image Display Option to Twitter Blue Subscribers

It’s been in testing for the last few months, and now, Twitter is launching its NFT profile display option, though only to Twitter Blue subscribers in iOS in the initial phase.
As shown in the video, now, paying Twitter users will be able to show off their NFTs in a more certifiable capacity, with the images directly linked back to the ownership data on OpenSea. That could also limit unauthorized NFT use, as people who don’t own the image won’t get the new hexagonal logo or additional linking options.
As explained by Twitter:
“Twitter is where people go to talk about things they care about, and often where people have their first experience with crypto and NFTs. We’re now seeing people use NFTs as a form of identity and self-expression, and as a way to join the thriving community and increasingly active conversation on Twitter. This new feature provides a seamless, user-friendly way for people on Twitter to verify their NFT ownership by allowing them to directly connect their crypto wallets to Twitter and select an NFT from their collection as their new profile picture.”
Twitter Blue subscribers will see the new option in their profile picture settings, which will guide them through the linking process for their NFTs.
As you can see here, you connect your crypto wallet, which links to your NFT collection, establishing a direct pipeline between your image and ownership info.
That then switches your profile image to the new hexagonal shape (note: you’ll also have a hexagonal profile in Twitter Spaces chats), which, when tapped, provides profile visitors with more info on the displayed image.

As noted, Twitter’s been working on the new display for some time, so it’s little surprise to see the feature go live, especially considering the popularity of NFT profile images in the app. Indeed, with total NFT sales reaching $24.9 billion in 2021, versus just $94.9 million in 2020, the market is exploding, and it’s become fairly common to see various colorful, digital characters taking over your Twitter feed, with even celebrities getting on board with Bored Apes, CryptoPunks, cats, aliens and more.
But it is interesting to see this added as a Twitter Blue exclusive. Twitter launched its $US2.99 per month subscription offering in the US back in November, in addition to Canada, New Zealand and Australia, which provides access to a range of add-on features like undo tweets, new color themes ad-free articles.
The initial Blue offering, it’s safe to say, hasn’t been a massive hit. But tapping into the popularity of NFTs could be a masterstroke for the option, because you can bet that the people spending thousands on JPG images also have enough expendable income to shell out another few bucks to display those graphics in this new format.
Of course, that does also limit the accountability aspect, because while not all users can access Twitter Blue, and not everyone will pay for the add-on features, there will remain many NFT profiles that won’t have the new hexagonal frame. The ideal would be that all NFT owners would use the hexagonal option, thereby making it easier to catch out those misusing content that they don’t own, but that won’t be possible just yet, reducing the impact in this respect.
Still, it’s a good way to boost interest in Twitter Blue, and it’ll be interesting to see whether Twitter continues to roll out new features like this as Blue exclusives, which could turn it into a significant supplemental income stream for the company.
It’s worth also noting that Twitter doesn’t actually need many users to sign-on to Twitter Blue to make it a hit. Based on its current user count, even if only 1% of Twitter users sign-up and pledge that monthly fee, that would still equate to more than $6 million per month (+$18m per quarter).
You can bet that more than 1% of Twitter users are keen on NFTs, and with Meta also looking to get into the NFT market, now is the right time for Twitter to make a move, and a bigger push in the NFT space.
Whether you like them or not, NFTs do look set to play a bigger role in the next stage of digital connection, with expanded NFT usage, beyond just profile images, potentially facilitating broader exchange of digital goods.
Though one issue with Twitter’s process could be its reliance on OpenSea, with a recent outage at the platform essentially knocking out Twitter’s NFT option as well.
That highlights an issue with what’s theoretically a decentralized market, where people are not – again, theoretically – reliant on any one platform.
It seems we still have a way to go on that front, but even so, this will likely prove to be a popular option, which will drive more users to sign up to Blue.
SOCIAL
Meta Launches Updated Version of WhatsApp for Windows

Meta’s launched a new version of WhatsApp for Windows PCs, which includes an updated UI for multi-person chats, providing more capacity to use WhatsApp for video meetings.
As explained by Meta:
“You can now host group video calls with up to eight people and audio calls with up to 32 people. We’ll continue to increase these limits over time so you can always stay connected with friends, family and coworkers.”
The refreshed Windows app also loads faster, and runs smoother than previous versions, while it also includes improved multi-device syncing, so you can easily switch devices and maintain your chats. Other in-app elements like link previews and stickers will also now be displayed in the desktop app.
Which is good, and it will be handy complement for your WhatsApp interactions. But at the same time, video chats are a far cry from this:
Meta published this preview of its coming metaverse virtual meeting experience a year and a half ago, and since then we’ve seen nothing even close to this within its gradually evolving VR space.
That’s despite Meta sinking billions of dollars into its metaverse experience, and the development of new tools that will facilitate this type of next-level interaction. When this is what was at least tacitly promised, it’s kinda hard to get overly excited about desktop video chat.
Like, cool, and yeah, probably handy. But it feels like a step backwards. Maybe sideways.
In any event, it’s not the metaverse, and we’re still a long way from that becoming a thing. So till then, we have better video meetings via WhatsApp. Worth keeping in mind, and trying out if you’re interested.
Meta’s also launched a new WhatsApp beta for Android tablets, while it’s also developing a Mac version, which is also in early beta.
They won’t let you appear as a 3D robot in a virtual environment either, but they also could be handy.
You can download the new WhatsApp for Windows here.
SOCIAL
March Madness: Athletes balance privacy, online profile

Aliyah Boston recalls her parents prodding her to be more active on social media, to extend her brand as her basketball prowess began to draw national attention.
She said she would be more active — and then post just one photo in two months, which is no way for an athlete influencer to earn big money in the era of name, image and likeness compensation.
Eventually, the South Carolina superstar saw the light — and the green.
“With the NIL, my mom and my dad were like: this is the time for social media to continue to brand yourself,” Boston said. “That’s when I really started to post more.”
The NIL age has opened a vast new world of earning potential for athletes. Social media platforms, once solely windows into smaller worlds, are now heavily trafficked gateways to wider audiences and revenue streams. Social media also turbocharged March Madness, an event that already had communal elements — think bracket and office pool — before the internet even existed.
Taking advantage of this chaotic social media explosion to cash in requires a bit of savvy, discernment and engagement — lots of engagement.
“Some things you think will go viral and it goes nowhere,” said Jeffrey Weiner, senior vice president of sports marketing firm GSE Worldwide. “Some things you think are silly and no one’s going to care about and it goes viral. You never know. You shouldn’t worry about the ‘like’ numbers and things like that. Just post, post, post.”
Finding the right fit is key when it comes to NIL deals.
If an athlete hawks something they don’t believe in, it will show in their posts. No one is going to buy a product or solicit a business if the person promoting it appears to be going through the motions or comes off as a used car salesman — unless that’s the schtick they’re going for.
“I don’t want my page to turn into full of advertisements and me shoving things down people’s throats,” said Nebraska pole vaulter Jess Gardner, who has partnered with about 15 different brands and has more than 300,000 combined followers on TikTok and Instagram.
“That’s not why people are coming to my page,” she said. “I make fun and lighthearted content, and so I can do that if I’m working with brands I actually love. That’s where I want to take the NIL route.”
Personality sells.
The tendency when promoting a product is to switch personalities, like a TV anchorperson shifting to an on-air persona. Many of the most successful influencers find a balance, staying true to their identity while still promoting the product.
Authenticity with a dash of amusement is the best bet.
“End of the day it’s a video distribution platform and it allows athletes to showcase their personality however they see fit,” said Julian Valentin, head of customer success for NIL platform Opendorse. “I always say with student athletes to only do what you’re comfortable with.”
That’s the way Shaylee Gonzales approaches it.
The Texas guard has 206,000 TikTok followers on, 93,000 more on Instagram. Her posts are a mix of basketball, fashion, personal life and products she has deals with.
“The more you are yourself, the more people will like to follow you and feel like they know you,” she said. “I love posting things that I enjoy doing or hobbies I like to do.”
Find the right balance of business and whimsiness and social media opens the the NIL revenue stream.
Miami twin basketball players Haley and Hanna Cavinder are social media sensations who have cashed in on their online fame. Hanna Cavinder noted that the twins carefully choose what they post online.
“Everybody thinks they know you, but they only know the things you want to show them,” she said. “Obviously, I love connecting with my audience and my fans and being organic. They love the twin thing, so we love sharing that. But honestly, I live a more private life than people think.”
“You pick and choose what you want people to see,” she added. “And that’s just kind of how I go about it. Now, social media is more of my business, not more of my life.”
With more than 4.4 million followers on their shared TikTok account alone, they have become millionaires through NIL deals.
Those deals will likely increase during March Madness, especially after the Hurricanes upset No. 1 seed Indiana in the NCAA Tournament.
“I think what I love the most is it’s setting me up so much for the future,” Haley Cavinder said. “And name, image and likeness, all athletes, especially female athletes, if you use it the right way and to your advantage and you remain consistent, it’ll help you in the future.”
That’s what got Boston’s attention — well, after her parents noticed first.
The All-American has promoted Buick, Crocs, Orange Theory, Under Armour and Six Star Nutrition, among other brands. She will likely be one of the WNBA’s top draft picks and could have a lucrative overseas career as well, but has already set a firm financial foundation.
“I have people in my corner who help me be able to work with brands, agencies,” she said. “It’s been smooth.”
And lucrative.
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AP National Writer Eddie Pells, AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds and AP Sports Writer Eric Olson contributed.
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AP March Madness coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness and bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
SOCIAL
Instagram Adds Reminder Ads and Promoted Results in Search

Instagram’s launching two new ad options, with Reminder Ads, that enable users to opt into alerts ahead of an event, and ads in search results, helping to better connect with users in a discovery mindset.
First off, on Reminder Ads – as you can see in the below example screens, Reminder Ads will enable users to opt into alerts about specific events in the app.
As per Instagram:
“Reminder ads, rolling out to all advertisers as an option in feed, help advertisers build awareness, anticipation, and consideration for upcoming moments.”
Once a user opts-in via the ad CTA, they’ll then receive three subsequent notifications of that event, with the first coming a day before, then another 15 minutes ahead of the start time, with a final alert as it begins. Which will ensure that you don’t miss out – and while three reminders may seem a little much, if you’re really keen (or forgetful), it could be of benefit.
Reminders can be set up to three months ahead of time, and once you’ve added a reminder to a post, you can create additional posts with reminders for the same event, without adding new event details. The event time will also be displayed in local time equivalent:
“For example, if you’re in New York City and select 8pm as the event time, the event time will be set as 8pm EST. But someone who’s in Los Angeles will see the event time as 5pm PST.”
It’s another way for brands to better promote their live events, and encourage engagement, which could be used for in-app events, like live streams, or as per the example above, TV shows, movie releases, sporting events, etc.
There’s a range of possibilities, and it could be a handy consideration for your events, depending on your IG audience.
Instagram’s also launching new ads in search results, helping to connect with users based on contextual keywords.

“Ads will show up in the feed that people can scroll when they tap into a post from search results. We plan to launch this placement globally in the coming months.”
That’ll provide another way to get your promotions in front of users as they go looking for specific content, with Instagram also adding ads in Explore last year. This new placement is more specific, with the ads showing up when users tap into a specific post from the Search results, which is the next level of discovery in the app.
Interestingly, Twitter announced the same in January, which it had actually offered as a placement in the past, before depreciating it because it wasn’t highly effective. Though I’m sure Instagram came up with this entirely independently – I’m sure Meta isn’t monitoring other apps and just copying what they do.
Either way, some new considerations for your IG ads, and some new ways to reach audiences in the app, in different mindsets.
You can learn more about Reminder Ads here, while Search Ads are being rolled out with selected accounts from this week.
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