The biggest updates in social media | October 2024
The social media industry is full of twists and turns. Join us as we recap all social media news from the month of October so you can get up to speed in no time at all.
Social media news
Meta
Meta previews “Movie Gen” AI video creation tool
Live soon
Soon you’ll be able to use Movie Gen to create new HD videos based on text prompts, as well as build upon your existing footage.
Meta announces image animation and video expansion tools
Live soon
Meta has announced some new AI creative options including “Image Animation,” which will allow you to animate still image assets by adding moving elements to your images based on text prompts. They’re also expanding their testing of AI-based “Video Expansion” which allows advertisers to extend their video asset into different formats using systematic prediction. Meta is also giving brands the ability to integrate creator content into their Collections ads, while testing the ability to add creator testimonials to a partnership ad. Meta’s soon-to-arrive video tab will also create more opportunities for advertisers to reach users.
Meta expands AI chatbot availability
Live now
Meta’s AI chatbot is now available in Brazil, Bolivia, Guatemala, Paraguay, Philippines, and the United Kingdom and is soon to be available in Algeria, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and Yemen.
Meta launches updated brand safety controls
Live soon
Meta has launched a live test that will allow brands to have the option to deactivate the comments on an ad before the ad is published. They’re also rolling out additional ad placement controls, thereby allowing brands to manage upon which user profiles their promotions are displayed within each app by uploading a list of public profiles for which they don’t want their ads to appear. Meta is also enhancing its block list options with third parties now able to create block lists for brands. Finally, Meta is also updating its Brand Safety and Suitability Center with enhanced listings that will better enable brands to control where and how their promotions are displayed.
Meta is working on a new AI “Memory” option
Live soon
The new element could be used to tailor your AI chatbot experience by asking Meta AI to remember specific details, such as your dietary preferences when recommending restaurants.
Meta is using facial recognition for security
Live soon
Meta is testing some new security processes using facial recognition. The technology could soon stop scams that make use of celebrity faces in ads by detecting where a person’s image has been used and asking that person to verify the legitimacy of the ad. Additionally, Meta is also testing video selfies for users to verify their identity to regain access to a compromised account.
Meta may be looking to build its own search engine
Live soon
According to reports, Meta may be looking to develop its own search engine for Meta AI to reduce reliance on Google and Bing for web searches within its AI chatbot.
Facebook rolls out updates to support a resurgence in younger users
Live now
The number of young adults using Facebook is now at the highest it’s been in three years. To support the interests of this demographic, Facebook is rolling out some new updates including new “Local” and “Explore” tabs to incorporate content from Reels, Marketplace, Groups, and Events. A new element in Facebook Dating called “Matchmaker” has been introduced, which enables users to invite up to five friends to swipe for matches on their behalf. Messenger is also experiencing some changes, with a new “Memories” element that will resurface past photos for re-sharing, “Messenger Communities” which are topic-based group chats, and an in-app expansion of Notes. Facebook is also rolling out event invites via SMS and email as well as AI summaries within groups.
Instagram tests WhatsApp Sticker for Instagram Stories
Live soon
Instagram is close to launching a WhatsApp Sticker for Instagram Stories that will be available for businesses who have connected their WhatsApp Business number to their Instagram account. The Sticker will help brands to drive DM connections with users via WhatsApp.
Meta tests improved Instagram to Threads cross-posting
Live soon
Threads is looking to add Instagram as a source for attachments when posting on Threads, allowing you to more easily cross-post your Instagram content to Threads.
Instagram launches new Profile Cards
Live now
Profile Cards are now available to all users allowing you to create a digitally flippable panel with a QR code for instant connection on one side, and a profile overview and summary on the other.
Instagram tests “Social Library”
Live soon
A new “Social Library” section would potentially list all the posts you’ve re-shared, liked, or bookmarked, compiled into lists so that you can find them again easily.
X (Twitter)
X removes ad revenue share from Creator Monetization Program
Live now
X has made a change to its Creator Monetization Program that allows creators to be paid based on the level of engagement with their content rather than ads in replies.
X makes changes to its block functionality
Live soon
X has announced changes to its blocking functionality, explaining that blocked users will soon be able to view your content if it is public but not engage with it.
X expands access to “Radar” keyword analytics option
Live soon
A new element in X’s analytics called “Radar” enables users to set up keyword analytics to track conversation volume and measure topical trends. Radar is currently being expanded to more users with selected Premium+ subscribers now able to access this tool.
X revamps Ad platform with SMBs in mind
Live now
X has added four key updates including AI targeting using internal engagement to optimize delivery of ads to the right audience, bid optimization for your target ROI, automatic tracking of pixel creation, and one-click DM support.
X improves speed of display for Community Notes
Live soon
X is looking to improve the speed at which Community Notes can appear on posts with new tests allowing Notes to appear within 15 minutes of being added.
LinkedIn adds a new puzzle game
Live now
“Tango,” LinkedIn’s newest game, is a logic game based on image matching. Check out Tango as well as LinkedIn’s other games here.
LinkedIn tests advanced AI assistant for recruiters
Live soon
A new Hiring Assistant tool will enable recruiters to generate a list of LinkedIn users who are suitable for an advertised role using AI. The new assistant will also be able to schedule interviews, take notes, and manage follow-ups.
LinkedIn experiments with new navigation bar
Live soon
LinkedIn is experimenting with a new UI which would place all in-app navigation options in a top navigation bar as opposed to having them divided between the top and bottom bars.
LinkedIn’s ID verification is growing
Live now
LinkedIn has reportedly verified 55 million of its members and is claiming the title of the social network with the most verified human identities.
TikTok
TikTok rolls out automated ad targeting options
Live soon
TikTok has announced “Smart+” which is a fully automated ad solution that takes care of the entire ad creation process including placement and bidding. TikTok is also rolling out “GMV Max” which automates TikTok Shop campaign creation. Additionally, TikTok is adding new Privacy-Enhancing Technology integrations to help advertisers utilize more consumer insights without uploading their audience data to TikTok, while its Conversion Lift Studies will help advertisers measure the impact of their TikTok campaigns.
TikTok offers mental health support to creators
Live now
TikTok is partnering with Headspace to provide up to 20,000 creators with six months of free access to the Headspace app. Additionally, TikTok has developed a new Creator Academy Playbook to guide creators on making content for World Mental Health Day as well as running a webinar in the U.S. around creator well-being. TikTok is also partnering with the World Health Organization to tackle mental health misinformation in the app.
TikTok launches in-stream shopping push
Live now
TikTok has launched a new “Fall Deals For You” promotion which will see TikTok offering discounts across thousands of trending products and big-name brands throughout October. Additionally, TikTok is hosting several live shopping events which have already been very successful in the Chinese version of the app for boosting in-app shopping.
TikTok offers improved in-store sales tracking
Live now
TikTok is partnering with location data company InMarket to help businesses measure the impact of their TikTok ads on in-store visits with conversion lift reporting and more accurate data to allow brands to understand how TikTok campaigns are driving in-store traffic and response.
TikTok partners with UnitedMasters to promote independent musicians
Live now
The new partnership will grant TikTok access to UnitedMasters’ catalog of music allowing greater exposure for UM musicians and provide commercial opportunities for artists via TikTok’s Commercial Music Library.
TikTok expands its STEM feed to all users in US, UK, and Ireland
Live now
TikTok’s STEM feed, which aims to provide science education content, will now be available to all users across the US, UK, and Ireland.
Key takeaways
- Meta expands AI creative options for image and videos.
- Instagram makes profile cards available for all users.
- X expands Radar for keyword analytics and tracking for selected Premium+ subscribers.
- LinkedIn tests advanced AI recruitment assistant to find users suitable for open roles.
- TikTok partners with UnitedMasters to promote independent artists.