Issue #48 - Meet Grok - Musk's New X AI Bot
Another week has dawned upon us. This week I will only be doing a 4-day week. I presume I will get bored by the time Friday comes around so I'll just take it off. A true stereotypical Gen-Z mindset there. No, I kid I kid. Instead, I will be travelling to Cardiff on Thursday night to go and see Micky Flanagan. Or as I like to call him Ricky Flanagan. I have no idea why. I must subconsciously think he suits the name better and that I don't really know who he is. I just decided to go because I thought a night out in Cardiff would be fun. Then 48 hours later I'll be back in Cardiff for none other than an ice hockey game. For anyone new to reading this I will always somehow find a way to bring in Taylor Swift or ice hockey within my introduction! But most importantly also social media news, which is what we're now getting into....
It seems Instagram are moving forward with its collaboration features between users. Within the last week Adam Mosseri (Head of Instagram) 'threaded' that there is a 'new test'
I was a bit sceptical about whether or not to include this within this week's edition because I feel like I discuss the potential of this feature all the time and now I'm getting a bit bored of reporting it. Don't get me wrong I'm really excited for the feature but I'm now at that stage where I've read about it so much about, it's starting to bore me.
If you're not quite at that level of boredom and you have no idea what I'm on about then let me take you for a quick dive as to what this feature is. Over time Instagram has built up on its content types and goes beyond the standard 1x1 image. Over time users can post videos, Reels and one big and very brilliant feature is the use of the carousel.
This feature allows for more than one image to be used. With this new feature users will be allowed to collaborate with each other. Good for brands who collaborate with one another and for users who actually use features such as this. Friends who want to collaborate.
To read more have a look at these articles:
Meta
Some good news for Meta users. Instagram will now be allowing you to A/B test. Now this is finally something we've all been waiting for!
This will now allow users to test what content works best with their audience so that they can create a better content strategy for their audience all for that all-important ROI.
However, I wouldn't jump for joy just yet. It seems the A/B testing is only for thumbnails and captions, as seen in the video Meta has provided.
Now as someone who's job basically now feels like a writer I shouldn't be disregarding copy but does anyone actually look at the captions? I, maybe, look out of curiosity but I can't imagine many people have that same mindset.
Meta states "While creating a Reel on mobile, you can test up to four different captions or thumbnails. Results of the test will appear in your professional dashboard and we’ll automatically display the winning variant on your profile or page unless you change it. We’re also experimenting with incorporating generative AI to help you create different caption and thumbnail options in the future."
Furthermore, Meta are "now rolling out the Achievements hub in professional dashboard where you can see all your achievements across Education, Stars, Reels and Progression in one place." Which looks a little like...
It's like a little game. Not only that but it makes a first! From knowledge, this is something TikTok does not offer.. yet...I'm sure I'll be discussing the social media domino effect in a couple of weeks with this feature!
But the icons are cute...so Meta has won me over.
To read more have a look at these articles:
X
Now to our headline story. Discussions of AI... my favourite. In all fairness, I feel like the discussions of AI within social channels have died down a little. And touch wood, it stays like that. Of course, Musk being Musk, he's the exception so with great regret, because I thought it would bring in a couple of extra readers, I have his new AI bot as the headline title.
Snapchat has one, TikTok has been developing one and Instagram are integrating it into their platforms with AI profiles so it was about time that X joined the party.
The only reason I use X is to keep up with hockey updates and that's it. I have no plan to use the AI feature and I couldn't anyway even if I wanted to because I don't pay for X.
Yes, who saw this coming? You can access the feature if you have Premium+ X, just like every other feature they announce. And yes, you did see that right Premium + because having a regular Premium subscription is just so old school now.
Grok, which does actually have a meaning which is 'understand (something) intuitively or by empathy.' You can see why Elon chose to name the AI robot that.
One key difference that I do like about the new AI feature is that Grok has been created to have some personality which other AI spaces don't have. As you can see in the image below Musk commented that the AI 'system is designed to have a little humour.'
Whilst this is all fun and games this is a little scary that now that AI is being programmed to have some sort of a personality. With the rise of AI we were able to stabilise ourselves from the robots taking over as we all concluded, they had no personality therefore they could never match a human.
Another aspect that is impressive with this new feature is that the information will be given in real-time. If I'm not mistaken software such as ChatGPT and Copy.Ai are still a couple of years behind? This might've changed so don't quote me.
As quoted by a blog by X "Grok is designed to answer questions with a bit of wit and has a rebellious streak, so please don’t use it if you hate humor!" How very X of them to say.
To read more have a look at these articles:
Now for the best story this Wednesday. One I am excited to announce as a massive Gif lover. X may be bringing back gifs on profile images. I'm kind of gutted there's no confirmation and its only speculation but I'll take some speculation for this story.
I wasn't a part of the original clan who were able to use gifs as profile pictures as Social Media Today states that "the capacity to actually upload a GIF as your X avatar has been unavailable, in any form, for more than a decade." and a decade ago I'd be 9 so... as much as I can't comment on the past I can comment that this future would be so fun!
It seems it's only in discussion currently, but let's think positively, it's a start.
To read more have a look at this article:
TikTok
For anyone who works for a marketing agency, this story might be for you. Since 2020, TikTok has been busily working away building up its Marketing Partner Programme. This programme has managed to stay afloat and as of this week has seen an expansion of its marketing partners.
The programme has been tested in Asia and this week is a significant week for the programme as it's now in an official global rollout!
The new category called 'Agency' now found within the programme will allow brands to 'recognize media agencies around the world with proven expertise in TikTok marketing.' According to TikTok.
TikTok sell this rolled-out programme as a "can operate as a one-stop shop for advertisers across marketing objectives, from driving upper-funnel awareness and site traffic to lower-funnel conversions and e-commerce sales"
Social Media Today quotes: “Historically, it was difficult for brands to find agencies that could support both media-buying and creative optimization needs on TikTok. These agencies have been vetted, trained, and badged based on their expertise in using TikTok-style creative assets as a lever for media optimization. They can operate as a one-stop shop for advertisers across marketing objectives, from driving upper-funnel awareness and site traffic to lower-funnel conversions and e-commerce sales.”
As well as the category of 'Agency' other categories include 'Creative', 'Campaign Management', 'Measurement', 'Commerce', 'Sound', and 'Effects.'
To read more have a look at these articles:
Other articles:
One last little thing. LinkedIn has reached 1 billion users! Wow. 1/8th of the whole population. That's a plethora of success stories...
To read more have a look at this article:
Suggested Reads:
#1 - Article
#2 - Article (Christmas is finally here....)
#3 - Article
Opinion of the week
I will admit it is starting to become harder and harder to make an opinion that isn't controversial but controversial enough to get some thoughts going. Not only that but I'm at issue 48. My memory is bad enough let alone remember all those opinions. If it was an opinion on Taylor Swift or ice hockey I really wouldn't have an issue but weirdly enough those topics don't excite people as much as it does for others... weirdos.
Issue 48's OOTW is....
'All new housing estate looks the same'
It's been ages since I've travelled cross country via train but usually when I travel down to London, you can usually tell when you're officially in the south with the brick of housing changing into a much nicer type of material however, all new estate that are being built I swear, all look the same.
They're all on one top of another and all have small gardens and usually a similar layout and look. If I ever get the privilege of owning a house I definitely won't go for a new build. Go for something a bit out of the ordinary.