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Short-Form Video App Zynn Has Been Removed From the Google Play Store

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short form video app zynn has been removed from the google play store

Hey, remember how a few weeks back we reported on the sudden rise of TikTok clone Zynn, which is partly funded by the Chinese rival of TikTok’s parent company?

Zynn

As a brief summary, Zynn is an almost direct copy of TikTok, and is funded by Kuaishou, which is a rival app for Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok). Kuaishou has also been funded, in part, by Tencent, which is the biggest social media company in China, and is working to fend off rising competition from TikTok’s parent company ByteDance.

So there are a lot of moving parts to Zynn’s sudden arrival in the US market – but what’s shot Zynn to the top of the app charts is that it’s using, essentially, a pyramid scheme as a growth tactic. When you watch videos in the app, you earn money, while you can also boost your in-app earnings by getting your friends to also download Zynn. Those earnings can then be used to buy gift cards, and even, reportedly, transferred through to PayPal – so it’s, again, like TikTok, but with the option to also earn money through usage.

Which sounds questionable already – but now Zynn seemingly been caught out in even more questionable tactic.

According to Wired, Zynn has been removed from the Google Play Store amid accusations that it’s been stealing people’s content from other apps. Zynn remains available in the App Store for now, but Wired notes that Apple is also investigating the app.

Now, it’s not unusual for people to replicate popular accounts in new apps, and even steal their content – and it wouldn’t be surprising, given the financial incentive, to see this happen on Zynn. But as Wired reports, there’s a more concerning element at play in this case:

Zynn officially launched in the Apple App Store on May 7th, and was first installed by Google Play users on May 5th, according to Sensor Tower. Many of the impersonator accounts [however] uploaded their first posts on February 19th. The significance of that date isn’t clear, and Zynn did not respond to a request for comment sent to an email address listed on its website.”

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So it seems, at least based on this evidence, that the duplicate videos must have been uploaded by Zynn staff, possibly in an attempt to fill it with engaging content, in order to maximize its performance.

To be clear, Google hasn’t said that this is why Zynn was removed from the Google Play store, but Wired provides a range of examples of influencers who’ve had their content re-posted to Zynn, under profiles in their name, without their knowledge. 

That’s a pretty significant concern – as noted, there’s already something about Zynn’s growth hacking that feels not quite right, and seems likely, at best, that it’ll attract a range of scammers looking to cheat its system in order to get as much money from the app as they can.

Stealing content from other apps could cause a sudden shut down of the rising app – and while people will still be active in the app, and as noted, you can still download it on iOS, if an investigation finds that Zynn has knowingly done this, that will bring a lot of scrutiny, and pressure on the app.

Zynn could, however, remove all the offending content and be reinstated, this could be a minor bump in the road in the broader scheme. But the reputational hit might be more significant. People are already attached to TikTok, they have connections and networks within the app. Zynn’s cash giveaway is it’s only true lure – and that may well work, but it could also see it banned entirely, while additionally bringing more scrutiny onto Chinese-owned apps.

As noted, the app remains under investigation, and is not available in the Google Play Store. Maybe the short-form video app battle will have to wait.   

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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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.

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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.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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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.” 

“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.

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“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.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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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.

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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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