The social media landscape is constantly evolving, and successfully maneuvering the sharp twists and turns of this ever-changing road can be a challenge for even the most proficient PR pros and business owners. We’ve done the work for you and compiled everything you need to know.
Here’s our monthly roundup of all things social media, compiled by our social media guru Drew Boehmker.
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Twitter Tweaks Its Layout
If you haven’t visited Twitter recently, be prepared for a shock: the social media giant just unveiled a completely new look, with the goal of making the platform “lighter, faster, and easier to use”—especially for new users. Most notably, a new side navigation menu on the mobile version of the app allows users to access their profile, additional accounts, and privacy settings all from one place.
The revamp also brings a number of aesthetic changes, including bolder headlines, a refined typeface, and more intuitive icons so that people can engage with individual tweets easier than ever before. However, reception to the overhaul has not been universally positive, with many users lamenting the new look. As the social media platform continues to figure out its identity in 2017, time will tell what becomes of Twitter going forward.
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Snapchat Reveals “Snap Maps”
In another move to captivate its audience of over 160 million users, Snapchat recently introduced the “Snap Map,” an opt-in feature that allows users to find the precise location of their friends on the social media platform and see “moments” of major events happening nearby. While some tech bloggers have called the Snap Map “a huge innovation,” the feature is also raising eyebrows for its serious privacy concerns, especially given the platform’s popularity with a younger demographic.
In other Snapchat news, the platform also rolled out “on-demand geofilters,” a feature which allows users to create custom geofilters directly in the app using a full suite of design tools and then activate them for as little as $5.99. Geofilters can be used to celebrate a specific event or tied to a specific location, and users can choose to make them last for as little as one hour to as long as 90 days. Learn more about how you can get in on the fun of creating on-demand geofilters here.
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Facebook Cracks Down on Clickbait
The world can breathe a sigh of relief, because Facebook is finally getting serious in their fight against clickbait—which the platform defines as “headlines that intentionally leave out crucial information, or mislead people, forcing people to click to find out the answer.” Facebook recently announced that the platform will be changing its algorithm in an attempt to screen every individual post for clickbait and will dramatically limit the reach for posts that are deemed misleading.
For social media professionals, this means a renewed emphasis on creating Facebook posts that are relevant, helpful, and informative (instead of relying on “shock factor” to drive likes, comments, and clicks).
In addition, social media marketers should take note that the Facebook algorithm now prefers that posts use the “link format” (which creates a full drop-down containing the link — see example at right) to help users see exactly what kind of content they will be engaging with before they click. Posts that include links in the caption without a dropdown will have their organic reach penalized.
Scooter Media Is Your Social Media Resource
Staying up-to-date on social media can seem like a daunting task, but by using our tips hopefully you will find that it’s not nearly as intimidating as it might appear. Keep posting, tweeting, and Instagramming, and be sure to check back here each month for everything you need to know to stay on top of the social media game.
For more social media updates, also be sure to check out past “What’s Moving on Social Media” from January, February, March, April, and May.
About Scooter Media
Scooter Media is a full-service communications agency in greater Cincinnati specializing in public relations and social media.
