SOCIAL
Twitter Updates Rules on Hateful Conduct to Cover Discrimination Based on Age, Disability or Disease.
Twitter has this week issued an update to its rules around hateful conduct, which it first launched last year.
The rules are designed to help keep Twitter conversations more civil, and set clear parameters around acceptable behavior on the platform.
As per Twitter:
“As a result, of months of conversations and feedback from the public and conversations with both internal and, external experts, and our own teams, in July 2019, we expanded our rules against hateful conduct to include language that dehumanizes others on the basis of religion. Today, we are further expanding this rule to include language that dehumanizes on the basis of age, disability or disease.”
In essence, the new rules mean that tweets like the above will be removed when reported from now on – though, initially, the accounts who tweeted them won’t be suspended, as they would have done so before the rules were put in place.
It’ll be interesting to see how Twitter actually enforces such. Setting a rule is one thing, but the difficulty in areas like this is that it’s not always so clear cut, and there will be instances where people feel like they are being targeted due to one of these reasons where that wasn’t the tweeter’s intent.
For example:
Now, granted, the chances of this tweet being reported in the first place are not very high – but does this ‘dehumanize’ older people? I don’t think it does, but the definition is not so clear as to what that means. If someone were to be offended by this, they could argue that it does, in fact, fall into Twitter’s definition of hateful conduct, and theoretically, it could be subject to removal.
That would be a bit over the top, but it’s an example of how rules like this, which are intended to protect people from harm, can be misinterpreted. And with Twitter working to clear up any gray areas in its rulings, these new parameters might not actually help beyond the platform’s existing rules and policies.
Worth noting, too, that rulings on such cases require human intervention – i.e. more labor time. Twitter recently warned the market that, over the next year, it’s planning to increase its headcount and expenses by 20% in order to cover additional costs like this. Which, if it’s required, makes sense, and Twitter is seeing higher engagement as a result of its efforts to clean up the platform, which these measures add to. But it still seems potentially problematic. Twitter’s intent is worthy, and it should be looking to improve on this front. But the lack of definitive guidelines could come back to bite it in some respects.
The true tale will play out in Twitter’s actions – the new rules go into effect from this week.
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.
Google Limits News Links In California Over Proposed ‘Link Tax’ Law
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Daily Search Forum Recap: April 15, 2024
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SEO7 days agoGoogle Limits News Links In California Over Proposed ‘Link Tax’ Law
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SEARCHENGINES6 days agoGoogle Core Update Volatility, Helpful Content Update Gone, Dangerous Google Search Results & Google Ads Confusion
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SEO6 days ago10 Paid Search & PPC Planning Best Practices
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MARKETING7 days ago2 Ways to Take Back the Power in Your Business: Part 2
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SEARCHENGINES5 days agoWeekend Google Core Ranking Volatility
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PPC7 days agoCritical Display Error in Brand Safety Metrics On Twitter/X Corrected
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MARKETING6 days agoThe power of program management in martech
