Facebook Is Working to Keep Its Systems Operating, Seeing Lower Ad Spend Amid COVID-19 Lockdowns

Facebook has provided an update on the usage levels of its apps amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as notes on evolving ad trends on its platforms.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 25, 2020

Facebook Announces Free Assistance for Health Agencies Looking to Use Messenger to Communicate COVID-19 Info

Facebook will provide free services to health organizations in order to help them use Messenger to scale their response to the COVID-19 crisis.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 24, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Social Media Today

A look at the recent top stories in social media and what they mean for marketers.

By Social Media Today staff

Facebook's Testing New Tools to Combat COVID-19 Misinformation on WhatsApp and Messenger

With various COVID-19 misinformation campaigns gaining traction in messaging apps, Facebook is working to stem the spread with tests of several new features. 

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 24, 2020

Facebook Says That Approvals for AR Effects Submitted to Facebook and Instagram Will Be Put on Hold

Due to required staffing changes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Facebook will not be approving any user-submitted AR effects for Facebook or Instagram for the time being.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 20, 2020

Facebook Makes Desktop Refresh Available to All Users

After months of testing, Facebook is now making its new desktop layout available to all users.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 20, 2020

Facebook Is Testing a New Option Which Would Connect Brand Loyalty Programs to In-App Activity

Facebook recently launched a new program which enables users to connect their brand loyalty programs to their Facebook activity, adding a new way for brands to incentivize engagement.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 20, 2020

Facebook Expands Ban on Ads Seeking to Capitalize on COVID-19 Fears

Facebook is expanding its ban on ads seeking to capitalize on COVID-19 concerns to now also include ads and commerce listings for hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and test kits.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 20, 2020

WhatsApp Launches New COVID-19 Info Hub Amid Concerns Around Misinformation Being Shared In-App

WhatsApp has launched a new information hub to help ensure its 2.5 billion users are getting accurate information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 19, 2020

US Government Looking to Use Cell Phone Location Data to Halt the Spread of COVID-19

The US Government is reportedly in talks with several tech companies about using their user data to track the spread of COVID-19.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 19, 2020

Facebook Launches 'Mood' Mode for Facebook Stories Frames

Facebook has added a new 'Mood' mode for the Facebook Stories camera, which enables you to create a GIF-centric Stories frame conveying a chosen feeling.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 19, 2020

Facebook Adds New COVID-19 Information Panel to the Top of All User News Feeds

Facebook is adding a new COVID-19 information panel to the top of all user News Feeds, while it's also making Facebook Workplace available for free to government agencies and emergency services.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 19, 2020

Facebook Warns of Ad Approval Delays Amid Staff Changes Due to COVID-19 Impacts

Facebook says that, due to changes to its moderation processes, with staff out of its office due to COVID-19, there may be some delays and errors in ad reviews.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 19, 2020

Facebook Creates $100 Million Grant Program to Assist Small Businesses Dealing With COVID-19 Impact

Facebook has announced a new $100 million grant program to assist small businesses dealing with the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 18, 2020

Facebook Launches New, Million-Dollar Grant Programs to Support Fact-Checkers and Local Newsrooms

Facebook is launching two new grant programs to help better ensure the flow of accurate, relevant information amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 18, 2020

Facebook Will Provide Staff With $1000 Bonus and Eliminate Performance Reviews Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Facebook is looking to provide assistance for its staff and local communities amid the COVID-19 outbreak with a one-off bonus payment and additional benefits.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 18, 2020

WhatsApp's Testing Disappearing Messages Based on a Set Time Limit

WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new option which would enable users to set their WhatsApp messages to auto-delete after a set time limit.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 18, 2020

Facebook-Owned CrowdTangle Provides New Trend Search Tools and COVID-19 Content Tracking

Facebook-owned social media monitoring tool CrowdTangle has launched a new search feature to help journalists track down relevant information on evolving web trends.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 18, 2020

Facebook Expands Access to Local Alerts in Order to Help Communicate COVID-19 Updates

Facebook has announced that it will expand access to its local alerts feature, while it's also matching up to $10 million in donations for COVID-19 research.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 14, 2020

Facebook Plays a Significant Role in Fueling Political Division - So How Can That Be Fixed?

No matter how you look at it, Facebook plays a significant role in fueling political division. But can that be addressed?

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 13, 2020

Facebook Takes Down Another Russian-Backed Cluster of Accounts Attempting to Shift US Political Sentiment

Facebook has announced the detection and removal of yet another group of accounts engaging in coordinated inauthentic behavior.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 13, 2020

New Report Looks at Social Platform Performance Benchmarks by Industry

The team from RivalIQ has put together a new report on social platform performance benchmarks, based on analysis of over 2,000 brand accounts.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 11, 2020

Facebook Begins User Testing of New 'Horizon' VR Social Platform

After announcing its coming 'Horizons' VR social world in September last year, Facebook is now moving into the beta testing phase for the feature.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 11, 2020

Facebook Launches New Community Accelerator Program to Help Leaders Utilize Facebook's Tools

As part of its ongoing focus on facilitating communities on its platforms, Facebook is launching a new education program for group admins and community leaders.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 11, 2020

Facebook Launches New Business Resource Hub for Organizations Impacted by Coronavirus

Facebook has launched a new business hub to help organizations impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 11, 2020

Facebook's Testing a New Option to Cross-Post Facebook Stories to Instagram

Facebook is testing an option which would enable you to share your Facebook Stories to Instagram.

By Andrew Hutchinson • March 10, 2020