Threads Updates, Short-Form Twitch Features, TikTok Shop Support, YouTube Features in Testing

Instagram Threads: All the Latest Updates

Days after Threads was released by Meta, users across the globe began sharing their thoughts about what was missing from the viral social platform–mostly more Twitter-like features. Users have shared common hopes about the future of Threads and how Meta can make it the elite Twitter competitor, taking social media to the next level with innovative community-building features and more. Now, Threads is taking the next steps toward fulfilling the wishes of its millions of users online. 

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri shared that the following features are undergoing development and will be available on Threads in the near future:

• Following feed (top requested feature)
• Threads edit button (unavailable on Twitter)
• Specialized search functions (ie. searching individual Threads)
• Notes (extension of Instagram feature)
• Hashtags
• Web access
• Like lists (similar to Twitter)

Furthermore, Lia Haberman reported in a recent issue of her ICYMI newsletter that a Threads brand deck that has been in circulation with partners includes Threads will soon have compatibility with Mastodon, a Trends & Topics feed, and direct in-app messaging.

One of the most noteworthy updates to come with Threads is that it is working on branded content tools according to a report from Axios . The branded content tools in development will aid creators in producing sponsored content with a special label. The announcement of such tools came as a surprise to many as both Mark Zuckerberg and Adam Mosseri shared that advertising and monetization are not current priorities for Threads. Meta has yet to announce when these branded content tools will be available for creators, but some may infer that they will follow the highly-anticipated engagement tools like having a Following feed.

Threads released their first update following their record 100 million user count. Instagram software engineer Cameron Roth shared in a Thread a list of changes that came with the new build plus improvements with using Threads on iOS 17. As Meta continues to develop Threads, it is also launching a Threads beta program for Android users. Android users participating in the program will have early access to new platform features and bug fixes. 

Although the initial hype for Threads has calmed down, millions of users turn to Threads daily to connect with their favorite influencers and closest friends. If you’re interested in being the next Threadfluencer or upping your game on Threads, check out our article on how to gain followers on Threads for content creation and platform optimization tips.

New Features Coming to Twitch for Streamers

TwitchCon Paris was full of esports tournaments, live podcasting, meet and greets, and more. To wrap up the fun-filled weekend, Twitch announced a set of new creator features geared toward streamer growth and engagement. 

Twitch’s new creator features distinguish short-form content as a pivotal strategy for viewer growth. New features coming to Twitch include disappearing Stories, a Discovery Feed, Featured Clips, and more. Discovery Feeds will showcase a personalized mix of Clips, short-form video highlights, for each Twitch user to discover content from new creators, whether they are live or not. Beginning in August, streamers may select Featured Clips to display on their Creator Dashboards with the power to approve content creators and Clips to be shared. 

In its official blog post, Twitch noted that the Discovery Feed and related new features come as a response to streamers asking for better growth opportunities on Twitch and ways to optimize Clips on the platform. Twitch Product VP Jeremy Forrester told Eurogamer in an interview that Twitch’s new features are not meant to compete with TikTok and other short-form platforms directly. Forrester emphasized, “We don’t want to build a platform where people just come and consume the feed for an hour a day…We want to utilize things like short-form content and UX that people are familiar with in order to help streamers grow their live stream community.” 

Twitch shared that users can expect to see these new features in addition to Guest Star updates, Shared Mod Comments, ad break controls, and more this fall.

ByteDance Backs TikTok Shop Sellers With New Features

TikTok is going beyond its current first-time purchase discounts and free shipping offers to support TikTok Shop. TikTok is conducting a limited-time program in which the company will reimburse TikTok Shop sellers when shoppers are refunded for unreturned items under $20. In order for sellers to be eligible for a full-cost reimbursement, their buyers must return an item because it is no longer needed or doesn’t fit properly. Sellers who refund their buyers for quality and shipping issues will only be eligible for reimbursement from TikTok of up to $10.

In another aggressive push towards promoting TikTok Shop, ByteDance is experimenting with a Shop Feed on TikTok for select users. Matt Navarra , social media expert and reporter, shared to Twitter a few screenshots of the new Shop Feed which features special first purchase offers and top deals of the day. A search bar sits at the top of the Shop Feed for users to look up sellers, products, and more. Additional tabs for orders, messages, favorites, and vouchers are also pictured in one screenshot. Users may view items in this Shop Cart by tapping the shopping cart icon in the upper right-hand corner of their Shop Feed. 

TikTok’s Shop Feed and new Shop policies are making the transition towards a Western Douyin-like platform more abrupt than gradual. Many sellers have hopped onto the new shopping platform and embraced the discovery capabilities of having products go “TikTok viral.” TikTok has not shared when its reimbursement program will end nor has the company distinguished who exactly has access to the Shop Feed and why. For more updates on TikTok Shop, be sure to subscribe to Spreading the Influence. 

Experimenting at YouTube: Quizzes, Hyperlinks, and More

Another week, another batch of innovative features in testing at YouTube! YouTube is taking its streaming platform to the next platform with new features for both creators and viewers to enhance their engagement capabilities. As of recent, YouTube is in the process of testing AI-generated quizzes, hyperlinked keywords, and AI-powered title suggestions.

YouTube is testing AI-generated quizzes with a focus on viewers in order to test the educational strength of different content and improve the learning experience for those interested in a particular video’s content. More or less, these AI-generated quizzes in testing help viewers retain more information about the educational content shown and expand upon that learning to cover any missed bases. AI-generated quizzes are currently only being tested on the YouTube mobile app for both iOS and Android devices with select users.

Another AI tool YouTube is testing is an AI-powered video title suggestion tool. The AI tool suggests video titles based on video transcripts and descriptions as well as trending signals from across the platform. According to YouTube, the tool is geared towards helping creators attract the most users possible by leveraging the power of AI. Select users may access the new AI tool via the area below the title field in YouTube Studio a few hours after uploading since the AI program needs time to assess the content shared. 

No matter where you are or what platform you’re on, hyperlinks save a lot of time and hassle from having to research trending topics, new content, and more. YouTube shared that it plans to test a new hyperlinked keywords feature in the comments section under videos. With hyperlinked keywords, viewers can explore related topics and recommendations discussed in various comments. YouTube shared that both single words and phrases may be hyperlinked with the upcoming feature. By activating a hyperlink, you will be accessing a new YouTube search page with a variety of related content Creators may deactivate or remove hyperlinks from their comments sections, but only YouTube has the power to add hyperlinked keywords based on a content analysis process. 

YouTube is continuously working on upgrading its platform to be the go-to video-streaming destination. We look forward to what’s to come at YouTube and what upcoming user features it has in store.