Let's face it – keeping up with social media trends can feel like trying to drink from a firehose, right? One minute you're on top of the latest Instagram feature, and the next, TikTok's thrown a curveball that has everyone scrambling.

But don't worry, we've got your back!

We're rolling out this nifty little resource that we'll update every single week. Think of it as your cheat sheet to the social media marketing world. We'll sift through all the noise and bring you the juicy bits – you know, the stuff that actually matters for your marketing game.

No fluff, no filler, just the need-to-know updates that'll help you stay ahead of the curve and maybe even impress your boss (or clients) with your trend-spotting superpowers.

So, bookmark this page, set a reminder, or tie a string around your finger – whatever works for you. Just make sure you drop by each week for your dose of social media marketing news.

November 04-November 08

1. Meta Debuts Experiential LA Pop-Up Store to Showcase Ray-Ban Smart Glasses

Meta is changing tech retail with its new "Meta Lab" pop-up store in Los Angeles, designed to showcase their Ray-Ban smart glasses through immersive experiences.

The space features interactive try-on sessions, VR demonstrations, and a customization shop, complemented by live entertainment including comedy shows, podcasts, and workshops with notable creators.

Following the success of a similar showcase at Meta's Connect conference, where 25% of attendees made purchases, this retail experiment will extend to Phoenix in January 2025. 

The initiative serves as a strategic foundation for Meta's future retail approach, particularly in preparation for their AR-enabled glasses planned for 2027. 

The Los Angeles location remains open through December 31st, marking Meta's ambitious step into experiential retail.

2. X Plans Free Version of Grok AI Chatbot to Boost User Adoption

In a strategic pivot, X is developing a freemium version of its Grok AI chatbot, moving beyond its current exclusive availability to X Premium's 1.3 million subscribers (representing just 0.26% of the platform's user base). This expansion aims to gather more comprehensive user data and potentially drive premium subscriptions.

The move comes as xAI, X's artificial intelligence division founded by Elon Musk, seeks to strengthen its market position after securing $6 billion in funding. The company has invested in significant infrastructure, including the "Colossus" AI supercomputer cluster, to support this initiative. 

However, the expansion faces potential scrutiny due to international investments and possible conflicts with Musk's anticipated role in the Trump administration.

This broader access strategy could prove crucial for both X's business recovery and xAI's competitive stance against other AI companies, though the extent of user interest in AI-generated content remains to be tested through this wider release.

3. Pinterest Hits All-Time User High in Q3 2024, Shows Strong Revenue Growth

In its third quarter report for 2024, Pinterest demonstrated significant growth with 15 million new users, reaching a record 537 million monthly active users. The platform generated $898 million in revenue, marking an 18% year-over-year increase. 

While experiencing robust global growth, Pinterest faces challenges in user expansion within its key revenue markets - the US and EU. The platform continues to invest heavily in AI development, including enhanced shopping features like Body Type Filters, though this has led to a 25% increase in research and development costs. Heading into the holiday season, these improvements position Pinterest favorably for continued growth.

4. Instagram Expands Post Boost Eligibility, Simplifying Promotional Options

Instagram has increased its promotional capabilities by expanding the types of posts eligible for boosting, now including content with GIFs and stickers that were previously restricted. 

This update streamlines the advertising process for businesses looking to amplify their successful organic content. 

While Professional Account holders can take advantage of these new options, some limitations remain, particularly regarding copyrighted music, though users can now opt for boost-eligible alternatives. 

The platform maintains certain restrictions, including ineligibility for users subscribed to Meta's ad-free service in Europe. This improvement aims to help businesses maximize their content's reach through simplified promotion methods.

5. TikTok Strengthens Music Discovery with New Spotify and Apple Music Integration

TikTok has launched a new "Share to TikTok" feature, enabling direct music sharing from Apple Music and Spotify. 

Users can now showcase their favorite tracks through customizable stickers and share them via direct messages, with links redirecting to the original streaming platforms. 

This integration capitalizes on TikTok's significant role in music discovery, where research shows users are highly engaged in finding and sharing new artists. 

The platform's influence on the music industry has grown substantially, with 75% of users discovering new artists through the app, making this integration a strategic move to enhance music engagement.

November 11 - November 15

1. Instagram Is Removing the Option To Follow Hashtags

Instagram is removing the option to follow hashtags to combat spam. Hashtag spammers have long used irrelevant tags to reach more people, clogging up feeds.

Instagram is tackling this by eliminating the follow feature, so you won't see posts tied to hashtags in your main feed anymore, though they'll still appear in Explore and Search.

With smarter algorithms, Instagram is better at understanding content and reducing spam. While hashtags still help discover content, their role in engagement is diminishing as algorithms evolve to show more relevant posts.

2. Facebook To Remove the Option To Allow Public Followers on Personal Profiles

Facebook is removing the option to allow public followers on personal profiles. The change, rolling out over the coming months, will impact users who currently enable non-friends to follow their posts.

Meta sees this feature as unnecessary for non-creator or business accounts, so it's removing the option. Users will be prompted to either remove their followers or switch to "Professional Mode," converting their profile into a Page.

This shift could open up more ad opportunities and promote creators by driving engagement with AI-recommended posts. The update will be phased in over time, likely arriving next year.

3. TikTok Adds New Gen AI Video Creation Tools for Marketers

TikTok has introduced new AI tools for marketers, allowing them to generate TikTok-friendly video clips through its Symphony Creative Studio.

Users can input product details or URLs, and the tool will create videos using licensed images, sounds, and avatars. Marketers can also include a digital avatar to narrate the video script and generate content in multiple languages.

The tool is designed to make video creation easier for brands, even without video production expertise. It complements TikTok's existing AI tools, offering a practical solution for brands to join TikTok trends and expand their reach.

4. Google Announces New Shorts-Focused Video Ad Options

Google has announced new ad options for YouTube Shorts, including stickers and animated image ads. Sticker ads allow brands to showcase a single product image that leads to a carousel of products.

Animated image ads display multiple product images in sequence. These new formats let brands use images from their Google Merchant Center, offering an easy way to promote products without creating original video content. Additionally, Google is rolling out format buying controls and testing a "Creator Partnerships" tab for managing influencer collaborations, enhancing campaign performance, and audience targeting.

5. LinkedIn Adds ‘Open to Volunteer’ Option

LinkedIn has introduced an "Open to Volunteer" option for users to signal interest in volunteer opportunities.

This feature adds a new tab to profiles, where users can specify the causes they support, their skills, and preferences like location and whether they prefer in-person or virtual volunteering.

LinkedIn will then highlight relevant opportunities and send alerts for potential fits. This tool aims to connect members with nonprofit organizations, fostering skill development and community engagement.

While it could lead to increased outreach, it offers a valuable way for users to showcase charitable interests and contribute to causes.

November 18 - November 22

1. Australia Pushes Ahead With Teen Social Media Ban

The Australian government is pushing forward with the "Online Safety Amendment" bill, which would ban social media use for individuals under 16. The bill holds platforms accountable for enforcing age restrictions, but experts question its enforceability and effectiveness.

With inconsistent detection systems across apps, the proposed law could be difficult to implement fairly. Additionally, some argue that banning teens from social media might not address underlying issues and could push them to other platforms.

The bill, exempting messaging apps, may face challenges as new apps rise in popularity, rendering the proposal potentially ineffective.

2. X Users Can Now Activate Side-Swiping Likes and Replies In-Stream

X has introduced an optional feature for iOS users, allowing them to enable side-swiping for likes and replies in-stream. Users can customize side-swipes to perform different actions, like bookmarking or doing nothing.

This update offers a more measured approach compared to previous plans to remove engagement buttons and counts entirely. While the feature is optional, it gives users the chance to adapt to new behaviors, potentially paving the way for further changes in the future.

This shift reflects a more cautious strategy than originally proposed by Elon Musk to clean up the timeline's aesthetics.

3. Snapchat Announces First ‘Sponsored Snap’ Campaign

Snapchat has launched its first Sponsored Snap campaign, sending DM video messages promoting the movie Wicked to U.S. users aged 18+.

While the direct-to-inbox ads could be valuable for brands targeting Snap's 443 million daily active users, the move may annoy users, especially since DMs are a more intimate space for many, particularly teens. Ads in personal inboxes are generally unwelcome, and if this becomes a frequent ad format, it could lead to user frustration.

The success of this campaign will determine whether Sponsored Snaps become a regular advertising feature.

4. TikTok May Enable Creators To Build AI Bots in Their Likeness

TikTok's parent app Douyin is developing the "V Project," which allows creators to generate AI avatars that mimic their personality and engage with users 24/7.

These avatars can respond to comments, DMs, and even interact during live streams. While Douyin has seen success with virtual avatars, it remains unclear whether such AI-driven interactions will resonate with Western audiences, especially given previous market trends that didn't translate well across regions.

Despite advancements, there's skepticism about replacing human interactions with bots, as the essence of social media is direct engagement with real people.

5. LinkedIn Phases Out Its Dedicated Live Audio Events

LinkedIn is phasing out its dedicated live audio events, which were introduced in 2022 as part of the audio social trend.

Starting December 2, 2024, audio events will be integrated into LinkedIn Live, requiring a static image for audio-only broadcasts. This shift reflects the fading popularity of live audio features, similar to the decline seen with platforms like Meta and Reddit.

While audio events didn’t gain much traction on LinkedIn, it marks the end of a trend that was once hailed as the future of social engagement. If you were relying on this feature, it’s time to adjust your strategy.

November 25 - November 29

1. Instagram Launches ‘Collage’ Option for Stories

Instagram is testing a new "Collage" feature for Stories, allowing users to create more dynamic and personalized collages from their camera roll. Unlike the rigid Layout option, this feature offers more flexibility for designing unique visual content.

This update follows Instagram's trend of incorporating popular features from other platforms, similar to its replication of Stories from Snapchat and Reels from TikTok.

While collages haven’t become mainstream, they’re gaining niche interest, with the potential for brands to leverage the feature, especially in the context of year-end content.

2. Threads Will Now Display Alternate Feeds at the Top of the Main Feed

Threads is introducing a new feature that allows users to easily switch between their "Following" feed, "For You" stream, and custom lists directly from the home screen. This update eliminates the swipe gestures for liking or disliking posts, simplifying user interaction.

The move follows increased attention on Bluesky, which has become a popular alternative for real-time, news-driven content, particularly among journalists and political discussions.

Threads’ algorithmic approach, which prioritizes engagement over timeliness, has been seen as less effective for news updates, pushing users to try platforms like Bluesky.

3. X Launches Labels for Parody and Fan Accounts

X is rolling out new labels for parody and fan accounts to clarify their identity and reduce misrepresentation. Parody accounts will now display a jester's hat icon, and users must add these labels to avoid suspension.

This change follows issues with impersonating accounts buying blue checkmarks, which led to confusion and a decline in brand trust. The new labels aim to restore clarity and help rebuild X's credibility with brands.

4. Instagram Tests New Placement of the DM Button in the Main UI

Instagram is testing a new placement for the DM icon in the app's bottom navigation bar. The DM icon may appear in the middle or second spot, reflecting the growing importance of messaging on the platform.

Instagram has shifted focus towards DMs, as users increasingly share photos and videos through messages rather than posts or stories.

This change aligns with Instagram's strategy to enhance direct messaging, which has become the primary channel for engagement on the app.

5. WhatsApp Rolls Out Voice Note Transcripts

WhatsApp is rolling out voice message transcripts, allowing users to read audio notes instead of listening to them. This feature enhances accessibility and bridges the gap between those who prefer voice messages and those who don’t.

The transcripts will be generated locally on users' devices, ensuring privacy and security. The feature supports various languages depending on the OS, including English, Spanish, French, and more.

While not perfect, it provides a helpful way to engage with voice messages, and it will be available globally in the coming weeks.

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