Instagram Feed Update
As you might have noticed Instagram is in the process of rolling out a feature that will change your feed. Likes and direct messages are moving to the top of your home page making way for Instagram shopping and reels to have their full-time debut. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri said he wants to help individual creators earn their livelihoods on the app, whether by becoming video stars or e-commerce moguls.
With more than a billion active users on the platform, 80% of them are following brands meaning there is a clear active base of potential customers on the platform ready to spend money as we head into the holiday season. Although this will take some time to get used to, we can see a bright feature in brands using Instagram to allow consumers to directly buy from the page. The flipping of the feed also pushes users to test out reels as its now centre stage on the platform and find their favourites as Instagram continues the overtake of TikTok. There have also been trials for live videos to introduce shopping so beauty moguls can promote products with a direct shopping link while streaming.
Facebook Integrating Messenger
Facebook is now allowing users to manage all accounts from one place on your device. The main feature being users of each app will no longer have to have them all downloaded to reach each other, making it easier to link the Instagram demographic with Facebook’s key demographic. All messages from Facebook messenger and Instagram DM can now be found in one place with hopes to bring WhatsApp into the mix which would make Facebook the leader in global messaging. Facebook has commented saying: “We’re connecting the Messenger and Instagram experience to bring some of the best Messenger features to Instagram – so you have access to the best messaging experience, no matter which app you use.” We think this could be a great move, making everything accessible without the hassle they gain loyal users for life.
Instagram Cracks Down On Trolls
We’ve saved the best till last; Instagram is finally taking on the trolls of our digital world. The new tools will allow Instagram users to block comments on their posts from a certain user without the user knowing. Blocked users will still be able to see their comments on a post, but the comments will not be visible to anyone else.
The company also rolled out a new tool to control what comments can appear on users posts so that they can guard themselves against unwanted followers. Also new is AI technology and human resources to help control abusive content involving projects such as “comment warnings,” which will scan your post and ask you if you really want to say that mean thing you’re about to say to another user. They are also targeting hate speech directed to some individuals and communities by monitoring certain key words. We applaud them for taking a step to make the ever-growing cyber world a better place. Do you think this will stop the online hate? Share your opinions with us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.
