Issue #50 - Snapchat To Create Tier Subscriptions
In an attempt to get as much work done today, I have switched my phone off. I'm actually getting stressed out from not having it on or being able to go on Instagram. Bearing in mind its 11am when I write this and I haven't been on Instagram since 8am, it's killing me! So to make matters worse, let's discuss the goings on, on the social platforms seeing as I can't go on them!
X
X has been in the mud a little especially when it comes to their advertising on the platform. Not long ago we were being told, "everyone is coming back" and that revenue was on the up however I think there might've been a little twist to that tale.
Within the last week, key advertisers have been pulling out of running their ads on X. And when I say 'key advertisers' I mean big, big names. We're talking Disney, Apple, IBM plus more. This is due to the companies finding out they are running next to anti-sematic content.
Not only that but it seems with a mix of what Musk has been saying and the mis-spreading of information and profiting, it's been up to X CEO, Linda Yaccarino, to try and heal the wounds that Musk has created and that the app itself has created.
Social Media Today states that "their newly free-speech-aligned X app, which is now significantly more reliant on crowd-sourced moderation, via Community Notes, to manage key tasks. Which, based on a growing number of investigations, is clearly not capable of handling such."
One key advertiser that has pulled out is Paris Hilton's media company. To make matters look even worse if you're unaware, Paris Hilton only as of last month agreed on a partnership with X. The plan for the partnership would be “a launchpad for new initiatives in video and live video, live commerce, Spaces, and so much more.” The deal also established a revenue-sharing agreement between the parties."
Of course Musk isn't going down without a fight. He will be suing Media Matter, an American Watchdog Group, over the findings. As reported by The BBC "The lawsuit, filed in Texas on Monday, argues: "Media Matters knowingly and maliciously manufactured side-by-side images depicting advertisers' posts on X Corp's social media platform beside Neo-Nazi and white-nationalist fringe content and then portrayed these manufactured images as if they were what typical X users experience on the platform.
"Media Matters designed both these images and its resulting media strategy to drive advertisers from the platform and destroy X Corp."
To read more, have a look at these articles:
For X this couldn't of come at a worse time as they were hoping to have their MRC Brand Safety accreditation.
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#2 - Balck Friday is slowly looming towards us (Article)
#3 - The Tesco Christmas ad is here! (Article)
TikTok
TikTok is bringing AR filters to your lives... as in your TikTok Lives. Not your actual life. We haven't quite reached that Black Mirror part of our lives yet.
In 2022, TikTok released a web version of 'Effect Editor' which allowed TikTok users to make AR effects however due to its success everyone will now be able to make them and allow users to make these funky in-stream effects via your mobile.
This comes as a part of TikTok's continuation to allow creativity to flow through the app and create a creative platform for all to use.
TikTok have stated:
Now available globally, TikTok’s mobile effect editor allows creators to make effects for TikTok directly from the TikTok app - without having to download another app or tool - offering creators an advanced, end-to-end effect creation experience on TikTok that puts effect creation at your fingertips. That means anyone - no matter their skill level or access to advanced tools or software - can become an effect creator and make effects that spark trends on TikTok.
It's no surprise that TikTok has adapted this for users to do on their mobile phones. As AR becomes more integrated into our platform usage, this will only be the start.
I can't say I love it but that's because these types of updates aren't my thing, however, for those who have artistic ability coming out everywhere and anywhere then this might be just up their street to start engaging with futuristic art?
To read more have a look at these articles:
Snapchat
Now is this a last but not least moment? Snapchat is now joining the money-making scheme of tiered subscriptions. Now I don't want to be passing blame to anyone but I blame Elon Musk for this. If we did not have the tier system, as first introduced by him, then I don't think the others would've followed. Maybe further down the line in time however we're now ending 2023 with the tier subscriptions to social media platforms that once were fully free! I also understand that the DSA coming into play would have an effect so tier subscriptions were probably inevitable.
But let's focus on Snapchat. X, Meta and now Snapchat have all cottoned onto the fact there are people out there that want to be paying for their socials, or rather socials without adverts.
Luckily this is still in the testing phase and Snapchat have not made it official just yet. Although, this screenshot allows for us to have a sneak peek at what the costing tiers may be and all I can say is.... jeez!
There are people out there who are paying for Snapchat+ and surely you wouldn't be paying another subscription on top of that as well to get rid of adverts?? Surely not? If so I can't imagine Snapchat will be too successful with that business venture.
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If so, how will this change advertising on the platform? Will we start seeing more adverts? Will the adverts be of better quality? Who knows!
Sad to see the one news story a month from Snapchat is a bad one but let's hope that they have some more exciting news lined up! Maybe to see us off into next year?
To read more have a look at these articles:
Instagram / Threads
Today we're starting with a Threads story! Not only that but I'm going to ask you a Threads related question. How would you like a Threads account for your birthday?!
No? Think you'd rather have something else? Yeah, I don't blame you.
No, this isn't some new feature that Meta is offering for your birthday, rather instead President Joe Biden has received for his birthday. I mean if the social media platform is good enough for a President, then surely it's good enough for us?
It wasn't just him but also, according to Vice President Kamala Harris, and the second gentleman, Douglas Emhoff.
Now with the first story in mind, have they made the switch because of this? It would appear not but it's no surprise that this has been done.
With the presidential election coming up, maybe it was to remind the younger generations that politics can be cool? (I cringe whilst I type that) It's a way for Biden to get on the younger generation's side, as he is running again next year.
You're right, this isn't groundbreaking news however it's interesting to see how social media can play a massive part in politics.
To read more have a look at these articles:
It's official! The ability to publicly download Reels has now been launched. This was a feature/update I remember discussing a few weeks ago and now, just before we leave November 2023, the new feature is here.
This was just originally for users in the US however it now seems, in order to stay in competition with TikTok, the feature is now available.
Now, of course, credit is due where it's needed and with this new feature will see users, once they've downloaded the video, with the video still showing Instagram's logo and the user who created the Reel.
Social Media Today states "It’s not a revolutionary change, but it will facilitate more engagement, in new ways, which could help to boost exposure potential for Reels creators." To which I think most of us can agree with.
To read more have a look at these articles:
Meta
Only a small story today from Meta but some sad news at that. If you're an avid Facebook user and you keep your profile as update as you can then you might know that Meta are removing the 'hobbies' section from your profile!
I don't know why this is something they feel the need to get rid but apparently Facebook sees no need for it anymore.
To be honest, looking at photos I vaguely remember doing this years and years ago.
As you can see in the screenshot above, this feature will be leaving on the 13th of December this year and it makes me wonder, why the platforms get rid of them?
To read more have a look at this article:
Opinion of the week
'The Tesco Christmas advert will soon be bigger than the John Lewis advert'
John Lewis, I think has slowly been losing its sight on their Christmas advert. Whilst they're still the one that most of us wait for and then once released we realise Christmas is a lot closer than we want to admit, I think Tesco might start to have the edge a little. I mean this year they took the prime spot of releasing their advert when I'm A Celebrity started. If I remember rightly this used to be the case with John Lewis and X Factor.