Simply Social Newsletter

Meta’s New Brand Safety Controls

Meta has recently launched a new range of brand safety tools for brands’ ads. One update being, the ability to turn off comments before ads go live, with brands previously only able to disable comments after campaigns are live. 

Meta states, “We understand this functionality can be important for brands when running sensitive campaigns or during periods of heightened sensitivity.”

Along with this, brands now have the ability to specify which user profiles their ads or promotions are displayed on, over both platforms. Meta is also improving its “block lists” feature, and now supports third party created “block lists” for brands that work with Meta partners.

What does this mean for my brand?

• Easier Promo Management: This update will allow brands to easier manage how their ads are shown across both Instagram and Facebook.
• Protecting Your Brand: If expecting negative comments from users, this update will make it easy to protect your brand image and lower the chances of your ads popping off for the wrong reasons.
• Targeting the Right Audience Made Easier: This update may be helpful to avoid specific accounts who may clash with your campaign, or users who you feel are not a suitable branding fit. 

Snapchat Tests Out New Ad Formats

Snapchat is testing out new ad formats, which will allow brands to target users directly via DMs. Snapchat has explained that these Sponsored Snaps will allow participating marketers to show vertical, full-screen video Snaps to users in their chat inbox.

Snapchat states:

“Snapchatters can choose to open the Snap and can engage by sending a message directly to the advertiser, or using the call-to-action to open a predetermined link.”

These ads will include a “Sponsored” tag to differentiate them in your chat list, however will not be shown to users via notification.

Along with this, Promoted Places will allow brands to show their store locations on the Snap Map. Taco Bell and McDonalds are two of the handful of first brands to partner up with Snapchat and utilise this update.

What does this mean for my brand?

• Easily Reach Younger Audiences: If teenagers or young adults are your primary target audience, you are in luck - as one of the main user groups of Snapchat fall within this category.
• A Whole New Marketing Platform: With Snapchat previously having little to no advertisements, this brings a whole new platform for your brand to advertise on, and if you get there early, you may have the ability to compete with larger brands on a more level playing field.
• Targeting Local Customers: With your business being shown on the Snapmap, users who live locally may find themselves wanting to visit your restaurant or store more often.

Understanding "Quality Content" in Social Media: Insights from YouTube

YouTube’s latest “Why We Watch 2.0” report dives into what qualifies as "quality content" on the platform. The study reveals that community engagement and emotional resonance are key factors in what keeps viewers coming back. While the concept of "quality" is subjective, the report highlights that viewers prefer content that makes them feel seen and understood over highly polished productions.

What does this mean for my brand?

• Focus on Emotional Connection: Prioritise content that resonates emotionally with your audience, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding.
• Leverage Community Engagement: Create content that builds a sense of community, as viewers seek platforms that make them feel part of something larger.
• Shift from Perfection to Relatability: High-quality content is more about emotional impact than visual effects; aim for authenticity and relatability in your messaging.

LinkedIn’s Surge in CEO Activity 

With a 23% rise in CEO posts globally, LinkedIn has become a key platform for professional discussions. CEO posts generate four times more engagement than other content, driven in part by AI tools that simplify content creation.

What does this mean for my brand?

• Increase Executive Presence: Encourage your leadership team to be more active on LinkedIn to boost engagement and visibility.
• Leverage AI Tools: Use generative AI to streamline content creation for busy executives, making it easier to share thought leadership.
• Adapt to the Platform Shift: As more professional conversations move to LinkedIn, it’s crucial to engage on the platform to stay relevant and connected to key industry discussions.