Facebook officially released a new logo and a Messenger update. Most of these features integrated with Instagram Direct and Messenger connection.
This new Messenger update has many features which no messaging application will have. Some of the new features include customizable emoji response bar, collaborative video viewing, rooms for combined video chat, colour gradients in the theme and personalized stickers. These features are all available in Messengers new update.
The most important part of this new update is the unique Messenger logo. It is two colored and represents the future of messaging and a fun place for the users. It also tells people that you are close to people who live far away from you. For the past few years, the Messenger logo was only blue. This new update upgraded the logo as well and made it as per the taste of people.
Messenger Update Makes It Unique From Other Messaging Apps
The new update also includes updated chat themes like tie-dye and love. The users can also customize the theme as per their taste. A Facebook spokesperson said that around 10 million people customize their themes every day and set it as per choice. Facebook made this easier for the users to change the themes with this new update.
This is not it, many new features like selfie stickers and vanish modes are also launching soon to make Messenger a fun app for the users. All together all these new features of messenger have blessed the users during the pandemic. These features are enough for the users. This new update is the moment to reflect instead of a shift as all the updates are benefiting the users.
To make it easier than ever to slide into someone’s DMs on Instagram when using Facebook Messenger, Facebook and Instagram are merging their messaging services, allowing for cross-platform communication.
To bring the best of Facebook Messenger to Instagram DMs, they will allow users on both platforms to seamlessly connect with each other.
10 new features are coming to Instagram DMs besides cross-platform messaging.
Users can choose to delay the update to a later time or update immediately.
You’ll see the following prompt upon opening Instagram if you’re eligible for the update.
If you choose to update now, here’s more about the new features and the changes you can expect
Upcoming Features on Instagram Direct Messaging
These are some new features you will get Instagram DMs:
Messaging Across App: Connect with people seamlessly across DM and Messenger by using either app to send messages or join video calls.
Watch Together: During a video call, you can enjoy watching videos on FB Watch, IGTV, Reels, movies, TV shows and more with other users.
Vanish Mode: After they’re seen or when you close the chat when you choose this mode, seen messages disappear.
Selfie Stickers: Creative with your selfie to a series of boomerang stickers to react to messages.
Chat Colors: Customize your chats with color gradients.
Custom Emoji Reactions: Create a shortcut of your favorite emojis to use quickly in conversation.
Forwarding: Easily share content with up to five friends or groups at once.
Replies: Respond directly to a specific message in your conversation and keep it flowing.
Animated Message Effects: Add visual flair to a message with animated send effects.
Message Controls: Choose people who can message you directly or who can’t message you at all.
Enhanced Reporting and Blocking Updates: Report full conversations in addition to single messages. Receive proactive blocking suggestions across Instagram and Messenger when you add your accounts in the new Accounts Center.
Users can choose to utilize or not from the above new features. The main change to know of is who’s able to message you.
Now, people using Messenger can connect to you on Instagram without you downloading a new app, and vice versa.
You can find messages and calls from people using Instagram in the Instagram app.
Facebook says even more ways to connect will be added over time.
Some of these features will be available on Instagram first and come to Messenger after. Such as custom emoji reactions and selfie stickers.
Growth of Messaging on Instagram & Facebook
Facebook highlights how far messaging has come since it was first brought to Instagram.
Now, people send more than 100 billion messages to each other every day on Facebook’s family of apps alone.
Internal research from Facebook to who use messaging apps in the US. It finds out that four out of five of them say they’re important for spending more time with friends and family.
It will be even easier for people to stay connected and express themselves in new ways with the new update.
Facebook is going to roll out these new features on Instagram and Messenger around the world.
Though does say it will be expanded globally soon but a few countries will receive the update first.
This week in social media news, Instagram is testing three new designs to accommodate tabs for Reels and shopping; Twitch launches a suite of competitive tools for organizers called Versus; Snapchat’s new study reveals Gen Z has higher ad recall than older age groups; Facebook explains how it’ll enforce ad limits for pages in 2021 and more.
Instagram Tests Three New Designs To Make Room For Reels And Shopping
Instagram is globally testing the insertion of two new tabs on the platform. One for its newly launched TikTok clone, Reels, and one for shopping. Three new designs are in works to accommodate the new tabs; Instagram chief Adam Mosseri confirmed to The Verge.
Why it matters: Mosseri says Instagram’s goal with the addition of two new tabs is to help individual creators “earn their livelihoods on the app, whether by becoming video stars or e-commerce moguls.”
The details: To avoid making the app feel crammed, adding two new tabs will require Instagram to move at least one existing tab—which could prove tricky and fruitless given many have already criticized the app for feeling crowded. For example, writer and investor Eugene Wei described Instagram’s current design as “a jumble of formats.”
Twitch Launches Invite-Only Suite Of Organizer Tools Called Versus
Twitch has debuted an invite-only suite of competitive tools called Versus that enables competitive organizers to “build cutting-edge competitions in just a few steps.”
Why it matters: Versus marks Twitch’s latest attempt to boost its esports presence. In April, it launched an esports directory to keep viewers updated on the most recent tournaments.
The details: In closed beta for now, Versus lets organizers customize their competition with rules, banners and a profile image, plus set up participant registration, all within Twitch. Game developers, Twitch Rivals competitors and collegiate esports leagues will have access to Versus starting today. And for those not invited by Twitch, there’s a waitlist.
Instagram Creates Equity Team, To Hire Director For Diversity And Inclusion
Instagram has convened a dedicated product group that’s tasked with better understanding and addressing bias in its product development and users’ experiences, head of Instagram Adam Mosseri announced in a blog post. In addition, the company is hiring a director for diversity and inclusion.
Why it matters: The news follows Instagram’s commitment in June to review the ways it could be undeserving certain groups of people, which has led the platform to develop and update a variety company-wide policies to support communities around the world. This work includes Instagram’s removal of 23 different banned organizations and the platform’s two-month review process of its verification practices to ensure a fairer process.
The details: Mosseri says the new Instagram Equity team will work to create “fair and equitable products,” by working with Facebook’s Responsible AI team to ensure algorithm fairness.
Instagram’s director for diversity and inclusion will help it find, keep and grow more diverse talent, the post says.
Snapchat: Gen Z Shows Higher Ad Recall Than Millennials And Gen Xers
According to the results of a study Snapchat commissioned Kantar to conduct; Gen Z are more likely to recall advertising than older age groups; even when they spend less time viewing skippable content.
Why it matters: Gen Z’s shorter attention span presents a challenge to marketers who are trying to reach the consumer group that has. According to Snapchat, estimated annual spending power of $1.2 trillion.
The details: The findings show that 59 percent of Gen Z recalled a brand’s skippable video ad, compared with 57 percent of millennials and 47 percent of Gen X. The study also found that 55 percent of Gen Z who watched a skippable ad for less than two seconds correctly recalled it, compared with 46 percent for millennials and 26 percent for Gen X and baby boomers.
Gen Z also has a higher rate of brand preference, as 65 percent of them say brands help them to express themselves; compared with 40 percent for Gen X and baby boomers.
Facebook Outlines New Ad Limits For Pages
Facebook is introducing four limit tiers of advertiser categories that outline how many ads each page can run concurrently to improve ad performance. The platform says it will start enforcing these ad limits from February 2021 through summer 2021.
Why it matters: As per Facebook, “When an advertiser runs too many ads at once, each ad delivers less often. This means that fewer ads exit the learning phase; and more budget is spent before the delivery system can optimize performance.”
The details: Facebook’s four tiers to help guide ad volume include 250 ads for small to medium-sized pages; 1,000 ads for medium to large-sized pages; 5,000 ads for larger pages; and 20,000 ads for the largest pages, or those with advertising budgets greater than $10 million in their highest spending month in the last year.
Facebook Watch Has Over 1.25 Billion Visitors Each Month
Two years after Facebook launched Facebook Watch, the network says 1.25 billion people visit Facebook Watch every month; head of video products Paresh Rajwat wrote in a blog post.
Why it matters: The news comes a month after Facebook challenged YouTube’s offerings when it launched official music videos in the US on Facebook Watch. The music destination, where Katy Perry exclusively debuted her music video for “Smile,” lets fans discover music videos through filters like artist, genre and mood.
The details: Facebook Watch’s success coincides with a string of new content partnerships it formed with television and media companies in France, Germany, Italy, the Middle East, North Africa, Spain and the UK.
In the gaming category on Facebook Watch alone, over 200 million people watch live videos each month, with watch time on Facebook Gaming increasing 75 percent from Q1 to Q2 this year.
In addition to music videos, gaming and television programming, live sports has contributed to the rapid growth of Facebook Watch. Just this past weekend, the UEFA Champions League broadcasts in Latin America drew in over 13.7 million viewers; making it the most-watched soccer match in history on Facebook, according to Rajwat.
Facebook also recently launched paid online events to help struggling small businesses and creators. Facebook says it won’t collect any fees from paid online events for at least the next year.
Lastly, Facebook expanded the availability of fan subscriptions and Stars so fans can donate to their favorite creators.
TikTok Announces New Marketing Partners And Stitch Feature
As ByteDance figures out a way to sell TikTok’s US operations, TikTok announced the launch of its new Marketing Partner Program and 20 partners who specialize in areas like campaign management, creative development, branded effects and measurement. In a separate announcement, TikTok said it’s launching a new editing feature called Stitch; which will enable users to clip and integrate scenes from others users’ videos into their own.
Why it matters: TikTok’s Marketing Partner Program is the latest addition to the company’s advertising platform, TikTok for Business.
The details: TikTok’s new marketing initiative comprises partners like Bidalgo, QuickFrame, Bare Tree Media, IgniteXR, Kantar and more. The app says its goal is to “build new opportunities for marketers to be creative storytellers and meaningfully engage with the TikTok community.”
Regarding the new app’s new Stitch feature, TikTok says it’s similar to Duet in that it’ll let users reinterpret and build on another user’s content. Every video created with Stitch credits the original creator in the new video’s caption; which directly links to the original video. Users can decide in their settings whether or not others can “Stitch” their content, according to TikTok’s company post.
Instagram Launches Reels Trend Insights, Adds ‘Suggested Reels’ To Main Feed
A month after launching TikTok clone Reels, Instagram has added ‘Suggested Reels’ in the main feed of some users; as well as launched a monthly Reels Trend Report on the @creators Instagram account.
Why it matters: Despite receiving criticism for its similarities to TikTok, Instagram Reels is gaining traction. Obviously found that Reels was the second most popular short-form video platform in August after TikTok.
The details: As spotted by influencer marketing strategist Lindsey Gamble; Instagram’s ‘Suggested Reels’ display is TikTok’s version of the ‘For You’ page; once again reflecting Instagram’s desire to mimic the Byte Dance-owned company’s success.
The Reels Trend Report will “take a deeper look” at popular monthly trends. The first report, posted to the @creators account, explores the “infotainment” trend; which involves creators teaching a special skill in an entertaining 15-second tutorial.
