Random Round Up: Social Media News and Updates, May 2024

With another month comes another wave of changes to social media. Here at That Random Agency, we’re dedicated to keeping you in the loop with the latest updates. So, let’s dive into what’s new and exciting on our apps. 

1. X is Saying Goodbye to the “Likes” Tab

    X plans to hide post likes across the platform. That’s right — the “Likes” tab on profiles will soon vanish, meaning you won’t be able to see what users have given approval to. X engineer Haofei Wang explained, “Public likes are incentivizing the wrong behavior. For example, many people feel discouraged from liking content that may be ‘edgy’ in fear of retaliation from trolls, or to protect their public image.” 

    Here’s our question: Why would anyone “like” something they wouldn’t want associated with their profile? This change seems like it could open the door to promoting darker, more controversial content under the guise of privacy, potentially leading to a more radicalized feed. While Elon Musk’s own history of liking controversial posts might explain this move, it raises questions about the future direction of X. 

    2. UMG is Back on TikTok

      The three-month long standoff between Universal Music Group (UMG) and TikTok over royalty payments and AI policies has finally come to an end. The label’s music is back on the platform, thanks to a new deal that promises better remuneration for UMG’s artists, new promotional opportunities, and protections against AI. 

      Lucian Grainge, UMG’s chairman and CEO, celebrated the agreement as a new chapter that emphasizes the value of music and welfare of the creative community. And honestly…he couldn’t be more right. With new music from beloved artists like Ariana Grande or Taylor Swift dropping in the last couple months, we’re relieved. 

      3. Instagram Updates That Help Small Creators Break Out

        Instagram announced several major changes to its algorithm to give creators a fairer chance at reaching new audiences. These include:

        Definitely a win for creators, and kudos to Instagram for championing originality. These changes will not only support smaller creators but also ensure we get fresher and more diverse content in our feeds. 

        4. Instagram Might Be Expanding Notes to Feed Posts and Reels

          Instagram is at it again, testing a new feature that lets users add Notes to feed posts and Reels (if you’re unfamiliar, Notes can be found in your direct messages, underneath the search bar). Indeed, IG seems to be pushing for Notes everywhere…having just recently added the option on profiles.

          Image source: @permolity on Threads 

          While some users are annoyed by the development of features they don’t use, it’s clear that Instagram is targeting younger audiences who seem to enjoy Notes. With competition from TikTok and Snapchat, Instagram is definitely looking for ways to keep engagement high and spark conversations within the app.

          5. Threads is Catching Up to X with a New Chronological Feed feature

            Threads is introducing a new feature that allows users to add a chronological filter within search results, a move that brings it closer to being a true X replacement. As Threads Chief Adam Mosseri announced, the new “Recent” tab will allow users to view the most up-to-date posts, making it easier to follow real-time events like sports. 

            This update is quite crucial for Threads which, despite its growth to 150 million monthly active users, has seen its momentum slow down. With real-time discovery elements, Threads aims to boost engagement and user growth.

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            As always, stay tuned for more social media news and insights as they come. If you want to collaborate with experts who stay ahead of the curve, get in touch with us at Random!

            Unpacking the 2024 Nielsen Marketing Report: Strategies to Supercharge Your Campaigns

            Nielsen’s Annual Marketing Report is here, with insights into how marketers should be allocating budgets and measuring success in 2024. And…well…it’s pretty long! If you’re pressed for time, fret not - we read the whole thing and recapped the key takeaways and findings in this blog post. Aren’t we nice? Read on for the insights you need to know as you prepare for the rest of the year and beyond.

            Takeaway #1: Despite a Down Economy, Spending Optimism is Up

            Despite inflation, slowed consumer spending, and supply chain uncertainties, 72% of global marketers anticipate bigger ad budgets this year — up from 64% last year. Global marketers plan to allocate 63% of their budgets to digital channels, focusing especially on social media, search, online video, and digital display, driven by the higher perceived effectiveness of these channels. Among all the digital channels, social media stands out as a frontrunner with an average ROI that is 36% higher than all media over the past three years. 

            Random’s Take: While it’s tempting to pour all your resources into digital, don’t neglect other media channels! What’s effective for one brand may not work so well for another. A balanced mix may help you reach a wider audience and maximize your ROI. Industry specifics aside, billboards, radio and print ads, and other non-digital marketing channels are still effective with the right strategy.

            Takeaway #2: Misalignment Between Marketing Tactics and KPIs

            As the economy dwindles, it seems like the marketing department is busier than ever with more opportunities, but with those bigger budgets comes a catch: more pressure to deliver results.

            Here’s the irony though — 70% of marketers are focusing on performance marketing over brand-building initiatives, but the top KPIs are long-term ROI and full-funnel ROI. 

            According to Nielson, a brand loses an average of 2% of future revenue for every quarter it stops advertising, whereas ongoing brand-building efforts can account for 10% to 35% of a brand’s equity. It’s important to balance your short-term performance goals with long-term brand-building strategies. Advocating for a full-funnel approach means recognizing that some insights might be hiding in plain sight! Optimize your budget for short- and long-term goals and reassess underperforming channels for secondary objectives.

            Random’s Take: Performance marketing might garner more immediate and measurable wins, but building a brand is a marathon, not a sprint. Performance marketing does little to attract new customers and can lead to brand erosion when overused. Don’t forget that you need top-of-funnel leads to nurture along the buyer’s journey; without brand-building efforts, you’ll have a tough time converting if consumer’s don’t know who you are first.

            Takeaway #3: Media Balance is Key

            With today’s fragmented media, reaching your audience amidst all of the noise requires a deep understanding of your audience. Nielsen’s data shows the average on-target rate for digital ads in North America is just 65%, and confidence in measuring the ROI of CTV (Connected TV) investments is only 31%. In simpler terms, there are challenges in targeting precision and ROI measurements for digital channels. 

            Random’s Take: Precision is everything! A one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it anymore — knowing how your audience interacts with media is crucial. A cross-media approach can help overcome these challenges and enhance reach.

            Takeaway #4: There’s a Disconnect Between Insights and Execution

            While 84% of global marketers are confident in their martech’s ROI measurement capabilities, only 38% actually evaluate the holistic ROI across traditional and digital channels. This disconnect means blind spots and misattribution, causing marketers to underestimate the overall impact of their efforts. Not to mention, fewer than half of marketers feel confident in measuring the ROI of individual channels like social media.

            Marketing mix modeling (MMM) tools, like this one by Analytic Partners, offer a full picture of how your campaigns are performing. Even though MMM is highly effective, only 30% of marketers rely on it for measuring holistic ROI. 

            Random’s Take: Ultimately, it’s important to embrace a comprehensive media planning and measurement strategy. This approach will help you make smarter, data-driven decisions and get the most out of your marketing budget.

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            Looking to fine-tune your marketing strategy? Our team of experts is ready to help you leverage these insights and achieve your goals. Get in touch with us today, and let’s take your campaigns to the next level!

            Random Round Up: Social Media News and Updates, April 2024

            It’s no secret that social media platforms are always changing. App developers for the likes of TikTok, Meta, and X are constantly rolling out new features that redefine the ways in which brands and creators interact with audiences. With how often things change, it’s hard to keep track of everything. Lucky for you, we’re here to share some of the latest social media news and updates that you need to know right now (cos nobody likes getting left in the digital dust). 

            Meet Your New Assistant: Meta AI is Here

            Meta AI is Meta's latest addition to Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. It enhances functionality within feeds, chat, search, and more, allowing users access to real-time information without the need to leave the app. Think of it like a Google search built right into the Meta platforms that you know and love.

            As social media platforms continue to evolve into search engines themselves, Meta’s AI feature solidifies its role as a one-stop shop for all types of research. This new function broadens the opportunities for visibility on the platform. So whether you’re planning a dinner with friends and trying to find the best place to eat or looking up hacks to save money, you can now do it while also liking pictures of your friend’s vacation and giving your hot take on the new Taylor Swift album. Thanks for the assist, Zuck!

            The TikTok-ification of Social Continues: Short-form Video Coming to LinkedIn?

            LinkedIn is experimenting with a TikTok-like short-form video feed, TechCrunch confirmed in March. This places LinkedIn among a long list of other platforms — which includes Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube — that have adopted similar features in response to TikTok’s surging popularity.

            LinkedIn’s version still focuses on career-oriented and professional content, but the short-form video feed aims to boost user engagement and content discovery with easy-to-consume, quick-scroll videos. While the feature is still in its preliminary testing phase and not widely available, it’s possible that LinkedIn might eventually monetize this feature to attract more creators to the platform. 

            “Blend”-ing In: An Instagram Collaborative Reels Feed Could Be On the Way 

            Instagram is allegedly developing a new feature called “Blend,” which generates a private feed of Reels tailored to you and a friend’s shared interests. This internal prototype, not yet available to users, is comparable to Spotify’s collaborative playlist feature launched in 2021. The feature aims to enhance the discovery and viewing of Reels by leveraging the videos you and a friend have previously shared together. 

            If launched, Blend could offer Instagram users a collaborative experience that is not yet available on its rival app, TikTok. By using direct message interactions to boost Reels content, this feature could give Instagram a competitive edge in the short-form video space, which TikTok continues to dominate.

            Go Long! Longer Videos Are Making a Comeback

            While social platforms have trended towards short form video since TikTok took the world by storm, longer videos seem to be coming back into fashion as platforms increase their maximum video lengths. Instagram users can now use up to three minutes of clips in Reels, while TikTok is reportedly testing 15 minute videos. 

            As users turn to social media to answer questions they might normally type into a search engine, creators are encouraged to utilize longer videos to provide more in-depth answers and engage viewers looking to social media for entertainment and information. “Time” will tell (see what we did there) if it catches on!

            Slide Into More Engagement:  Instagram’s Focus Shifts to Direct Messages

            In an episode of the 20VC podcast, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri noted that much of  “Instagram’s growth has been in stories and DMs.” As users increasingly share personal updates and photos on private stories or “Finsta” accounts (what the cool kids call “fake Instagram” accounts), Instagram has responded by launching several new direct message-focused features. These features include notes, text-only status updates in the DMs page, and broadcast channels - a public, one-to-many messaging tool for creators to invite all of their followers into and engage with their most interested fans.

            Image source: Instagram Blog

            As user engagement shifts toward more private spaces, it’s advisable for brands and organizations to leverage these channels, especially as social media evolves into a more significant customer service tool in the near future. So check in with your community managers; their DMs are probably blowing up!Want to work with social media experts that are always plugged in to the latest and greatest trends? Then you’ve come to the right place. Get in touch with us today!