Happy Friday! We wanted to provide you with some great social media content as you head into your long Labor Day Weekend, and are sharing four of the newest social media updates from this week.
Snapchat is now enabling musical GIF sharing, Facebook is testing a new “things in common” label in an effort to connect more people on the platform, Instagram is now allowing users to apply for verification, and Facebook Watch has launched worldwide. Let’s jump in ⬇️.
Snapchat Now Lets You Send Musical GIFs
Snapchat has integrated with music GIF provider, TuneMoji, enabling musical GIF sharing via Snap story or within chat. Snapchat’s new developer kit, Snap Kit, which was launched in June, is what enables TuneMoji’s integration into Snapchat. TuneMoji has a searchable database of GIFs, much like Giphy, with the capability of searching by words, phrases, or emoji.
The annoying piece at the moment, however, is that while TuneMoji GIFs can be shared via Snapchat, they can’t be shared within Snapchat itself. These musical GIFs must be pushed to Snapchat from within the TuneMoji app. Hopefully a closer integration will be coming soon, but in the meantime we’ll enjoy the added element of fun with GIFs!
Facebook Tests “Things in Common” Label to Try to Connect Non-Friends
Unsurprisingly, Facebook wants people to consistently discover things they have in common with the rest of the Facebook community, with whom they are net yet familiar. The company is testing a new label, called “things in common,” that people will see when commenting on posts among non-friends.
So, how will this work? While reading through public conversations on the platform, label boxes will appear above someone’s name (with whom you are not friends) who has something in common with you, i.e. you both went to the same college, or you both work at the same company. There are many other types of labels; such as if you’re both part of the same Facebook Group, or are from the same town, but are not friends on Facebook.
The idea of this “things in common” label is to spark connections with people whom you might otherwise pass over. Currently this is just a test in the U.S., and will obviously only be able to see information that people have made public.
You Can Now Apply to be Verified on Instagram
This is the best news we’ve heard all week! Instagram is now allowing more people to apply for verification on the platform, in addition to more security improvements. Users with large followings will be able to fill out a request form in hopes of becoming verified by Instagram.
To apply, you’ll simply go to your profile, navigate to settings, and tap “request verification.” You can then fill in your account name, full name, and a legal or business I.D. You will receive a notification from Instagram on your verification status, although the review process time frame has not been determined.
We always wondered how accounts were verified in the past, but this new update will provide some clarity and a clearer path to verification.
Facebook Watch is Launching Worldwide
In support of Facebook’s goal to “…provide publishers and creators with the tools they need to build a business on Facebook,” they are launching Facebook Watch worldwide. Facebook Watch is the social media giant’s hub for original video content, and direct competitor to YouTube.
We were surprised to learn that the Watch tab touts over 50 million monthly viewers who watch at least 1-minute of video, since it’s not something we normally use, but it makes complete sense given video’s popularity among social media users. Watch also hosts participatory viewing experiences like Watch Parties, Premiers, and HQ Trivia competitor, Confetti.
The key to Facebook’s success will be in “fostering an active, engaged community and sharing longer content that viewers seek out and regularly come back to.” We hope this brings them the success they need right now!
Did you enjoy today's content? Leave a comment below, and check back every Friday for the latest in social media!