This week, we’re coming at you with another round of social media updates! Instagram is expanding Reels to 60 seconds as well as implementing new initiatives to protect young users, and Twitter is adding a ‘Shop Module’ to their newly launched Professional Profiles. Keep reading to learn more about these awesome updates!
Instagram Allows 60 Second Reels
In one of our previous blogs, we discussed how Instagram is looking to be more than just a platform for sharing photos, and how one of the main expansions they plan on focusing on is video. Instagram already allows longer video uploads in other areas of the platform such as Feed and Stories, so it makes sense that the next expansion is Reels. This expansion will allow users to create longer clips as well as more easily repurpose the content they have already created for TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Instagram is quickly evolving, and we’re so excited to see more of what is to come!
Instagram’s New Initiatives to Protect Young Users
Speaking of Instagram’s evolution, it is no secret that more and more young people are getting started on the app. The internet is a wonderful tool where people can connect and learn about all kinds of things, but it also poses some serious threats to younger people. Instagram is making an attempt at making their platform a safer space for young, impressionable, people. Two main updates to improve safety are defaulting minor’s accounts to private and restricting ad targeting options for younger audiences.
On the private account defaults, Instagram says, “Wherever we can, we want to stop young people from hearing from adults they don’t know, or that they don’t want to hear from.” They believe that private accounts are the best way to prevent this from happening, and will ensure that everyone under the age of 16 (or 18 in some countries) will automatically be defaulted into a private account upon joining Instagram. However, it is important to note that users will still be able to change their accounts to public if they wish.
As for ad targeting, Instagram will no longer allow advertisers to target those under the age of 18 based on their interests of activity on other sites and apps. They will only be able to advertise based on age, gender, and location. This is in an effort to ensure that users are well equipped to make purchasing decisions relative to their age.
Twitter Adds a ‘Shopping Module’ to Business Profiles
As eCommerce continues to grow, social media platforms are having to stay up to date with the demands of their users. After launching an initial test of Professional Profiles for brands back in April, they want to continue to implement shopping elements to their platform. In their next stage, Twitter will begin testing a ‘Shop Module’ with a selection of brands in the US. Twitter explains, “The Shop Module is a dedicated space at the top of a profile where businesses can showcase their products.” Here, users will be able to scroll through a carousel of products and even purchase within the app.
Social media is growing and changing right before our eyes. We hope these updates give you some insight on things to keep in mind while you’re doing your social media marketing. If you’re able, start playing around with these features and putting this knowledge to the test!
Source: Hutchinson, Andrew. “Instagram Expands Reels to 60 Seconds, Providing More Capacity for Creativity.” Social Media Today, 27 July 2021, www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-expands-reels-to-60-seconds-providing-more-capacity-for-creativi/604006/.
Source: Hutchinson, Andrew. “Instagram Implements New Initiatives to Protect Young Users, Including Privacy Defaults and Ad Targeting Restrictions.” Social Media Today, 27 July 2021, www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-implements-new-initiatives-to-protect-young-users-including-priv/603950/.
Source: Hutchinson, Andrew. “Twitter Takes next Steps into Ecommerce with Test of Shopping Module on Business Profiles.” Social Media Today, 28 July 2021, www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitter-takes-next-steps-into-ecommerce-with-test-of-shopping-module-on-bus/604089/.