There’s a saying in most states of something to the effect of, “If you don’t like weather, wait 15 minutes and it’ll change.” Well, the same can be said for social platforms.
It is hard to keep up. That’s why SmartBrief started this regular ICYMI post to keep you current on the latest news about social platforms, views and trends. (If you missed any previous posts, visit this list of ICYMI social platforms posts.)
Latest on using social media platforms
LinkedIn will let you track competitors
LinkedIn rolled out several new tools, including a Group Identity targeting option that relies on first-party data and a competitor analytics dashboard that looks at competitors’ platform growth and content. Other updates include Lead-Gen forms that automatically populate with members’ business email addresses, and the ability to send newsletter notifications to subscribers. See Social Media Today and Adweek for the details.
Twitter’s mission for “public conversation” detailed in v2.0
Twitter — we assume Elon Musk? — provided an overview of what it calls Twitter 2.0 in a blog post and it’s “continued commitment to the public conversation.” While little of it was new, the company repeated its message that “none of our policies have changed. Our approach to policy enforcement will rely more heavily on de-amplification of violative content: freedom of speech, but not freedom of reach.” Adweek has more details.
Listen up California!
Snapchat is expanding its Privacy Controls with a setting that limits the data companies can collect from users. The tool appears for all US subscribers, but it works only in California, where a new privacy law takes effect Jan. 1. TechCrunch has more.
Quick hits
- Twitter is done trying to stop COVID-19 misinformation, via Metro (UK)
- Take a poll with WhatsApp’s latest feature, via Android Central
- Pinterest shutters Creator Rewards Program, via TechCrunch
- “Message Yourself” with WhatsApp, via TechCrunch
Trends, studies & how-tos
Journalists turn to Mastodon server as Twitter alternative
Twitter’s uncertain future since its acquisition by Elon Musk has led several journalists, for whom Twitter has been a vital tool, to move to the journa.host server on Mastodon. The server, billing itself as “a reliable home for journalists,” was started by journalist Adam Davidson and so far has drawn more than 2,500 members, as well as $12,000 from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York. The New York Times has more.
Fake brand accounts spread to Mastodon, Hive Social
The increase in brand impersonators on Twitter following Elon Musk’s ownership echo the rise of fake brand accounts across social media since early 2021, and new platforms like Hive Social and Mastodon are not immune. Experts recommend marketers register handles on new platforms with potential for growth to prevent issues and regularly monitor online activity tied to the brand. Learn more at Adweek.
TikTok tops Instagram for paid influencer marketing
TikTok is the preferred platform for 45% of paid brand collaborations, followed by Instagram (39%), with 14% of influencer marketing focusing on user-generated content and not a specific platform, per analysis from influencer marketplace Collabstr. Influencers still prefer Instagram, with 82% offering services via their platform accounts, while 61% offer paid TikTok services. MediaPost has more.
Quick hits
- Post News secures funding from Andreessen Horowitz, activates 65K accounts, via TechCrunch
- US activity on Twitter up since Musk assumed ownership, via NBC News
- How to use Instagram to grow your email list, via Social Media Examiner
- Meta platform CPMs continued ’22 drop over Thanksgiving holiday weekend, via Adweek
- Truth Social becoming less social, via The Wrap
Business news
Consumers OK with top brands stopping Twitter advertising
Half of Twitter’s top 100 advertisers — from Allstate to Yum! Brands — have paused ads on the platform since Elon Musk took control of the company, and those brands have accounted for $750 million in Twitter ad spending this year, says nonprofit watchdog group Media Matters. This decison by these brands is approved by 49% of consumers in a Pollfish survey, disapproval by 27% and there is an uncertainty from 24%. CBS News and The Wrap have details on the Media Matters report, while MediaPost has the Pollfish survey.
Elon Musk’s Twitter runs afoul with the EU
Europen Union Industry Ehief Thierry Breton says the EU may ban Twitter if it doesn’t shore up its content moderation rules, sources say. Breton made the comment during a video meeting with self-proclaimed Chief Twit Elon Musk, telling him he must comply with certain rules and agree to a “extensive independent audit” in 2023. Read more in this Reuters/Financial Times report.
Info on 5.4M Twitter users available at hacker forum
Information purloined from Twitter, including nonpublic email addresses and phone numbers, have turned up on a forum for hackers. More than 5.4 million users could be affected, and a security researcher has found that another loss of data could turn out to be more important. BleepingComputer has more.
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