Measuring the pulse of social media through headlines
Dearest gentle reader,
Welcome to the newest edition of The Pulse. We’ve got juicy gossip about Meta AI, a new hidden likes update, and stats about the future of social search.
We also got YouTube Image Search before GTA VI.
Issue #06:
❤️ X’s Like Button Goes Incognito 📰 TikTok As A News Source 📆 July ‘24 Social Media Holidays 📸 YouTube Image Search?! ☕️ Instagram Chief Spills the Tea ⏸️ Meta’s AI Dreams on Hold 🔎 Is Social Media the New Google?
Now this is a welcomed change on X! You can freely like that occasional questionable meme without anyone seeing your liking activity. Those hearts you tap will be hidden from the prying eyes of followers and the world.
X says this is all about giving users more freedom to engage with content without fear of judgement. Sounds good, right?
Some folks are wondering if there’s more to the story. Could this be a sneaky way for X to encourage interaction with their, well, let’s just say, more mature content updates? Only time will tell!
Public likes are incentivizing the wrong behavior. For example, many people feel discouraged from liking content that might be “edgy” in fear of retaliation from trolls, or to protect their public image. Soon you’ll be able to like without worrying who might see it.
X might be aiming to be the king of news, but according to a new report, social media users are turning elsewhere for their daily dose of headlines. Surprise, surprise – TikTok is now a bigger source of news for many people than X!
This juicy info comes from the Reuters Institute Digital News Report, a massive study on how people around the world consume news. The report throws some shade on X’s ambitions to become a trusted news source, despite Elon Musk’s claims.
TikTok’s News Takeover? While YouTube and Facebook are still the top news platforms overall, TikTok is surging in popularity for news content. This has some folks worried, especially considering concerns about Chinese influence on the app.
Social Media Holiday Calendar – July 2024
Light up your social media strategy this July with our explosive calendar packed with holidays to engage your audience.
From celebrating iconic figures to indulging in summertime fun, there’s something for everyone!
YouTube just upped the search game with a pilot program for image-based searches powered by Google Lens!
Imagine this: you stumble upon a fascinating object in a random video but have no idea what it’s called. No more scouring the comments section or ending up with weird searches on Google.
With this new feature, you can simply snap a screenshot or upload a picture, and YouTube will use Google Lens to find related videos that might hold the answer.
While it’s still in the testing phase, the potential impact is undeniable. Think about the possibilities – identifying breeds of adorable animals in compilation videos, deciphering cryptic art supplies used in tutorials, or even tracking down the origin of that hilarious meme you just saw.
The ability to search visually for related videos is a game-changer, offering a more efficient way to explore the diverse world of YouTube.
INSTAGRAM
Decoded: Instagram Chief Spills the Beans on Algorithms & Creator Cash
Ever wonder what makes that post go viral or how creators rake in the big bucks on Instagram? The platform’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, is shedding some light on these mysteries in a recent interview.
Here are the three main takeaways for all social media managers and aspiring influencers:
Smaller Creators Get the Spotlight: Forget the established stars – Instagram’s algorithm is prioritizing content from up-and-coming creators who haven’t hitched their wagons to other platforms yet. So, new voices have a better chance of breaking through the noise.
The Long & Short of Content: Mosseri acknowledges the rise of short-form video content (think Reels and Stories) but emphasizes the continued importance of high-quality “traditional” content like photos and carousels. It’s all about diversifying your content strategy to cater to different preferences.
Focus on Creators, Not Publishers: Instagram seems to be favoring individual creators over established media outlets. This aligns with a broader industry trend where power is shifting from institutions to independent voices.
META
Meta’s AI Rollout Stalled in Europe: Data Privacy & User Opt-Out Concerns
Meta’s ambitious plans for an AI rollout in Europe have been put on hold due to concerns surrounding data usage.
European regulators have expressed reservations about the amount of user data Meta’s AI system would require to function effectively.
Adding fuel to the fire, multiple reports reveal that users won’t have the option to opt out of having their data used to train Meta’s AI tools. This lack of user control has further stoked privacy concerns.
So, what does this mean for the future of Meta AI?
It’s likely that Meta will need to address European concerns before its AI can establish a foothold across the continent. This could involve implementing stricter data privacy measures or offering users more control over their public data is used for AI training.
We don’t train on private stuff, we don’t train on stuff people share with their friends. We do train on things that are public. – Meta Chief Product Officer Chris Cox on using user data to train AI models.
STUDY/INFOGRAPHIC
Is Social Media the New Google? Gen Z Says Maybe
Remember the good ol’ days when Google was your one-stop shop for information? Well, things are changing, especially for Gen Z.
A recent Forbes article reveals a surprising trend: Gen Z is increasingly turning to social media for their online searches. Here’s the scoop:
Social Media Search on the Rise: A whopping 24% of people reported primarily using social media to find information online, with a third not even feeling the need for search engines!
Gen Z Skips Google: Compared to older generations, Gen Z is 30% less likely to use search engines for brand searches, and a staggering 64% less likely to use them for general searches.
Bye Bye Keywords, Hello Discovery: Gen Z prefers the more immersive and interactive experience of social media, where content discovery happens organically through feeds and recommendations.
This shift has major implications for businesses. Gone are the days of relying solely on keyword-optimized websites. The future of online discovery lies in creating engaging social media content that resonates with younger audiences. Are you ready to adapt your strategy for the new generation of searchers?
