New Research Highlights Trump Campaign's Focus on Microtargeted Messaging via Facebook Ads

New research from Bloomberg has shown that the Trump campaign has run 21x more Facebook ads than the Biden camp, using finite targeting to hone specific messages. 

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 14, 2020

Snapchat Tests TikTok-Like UX with Vertical Scrolling in Discover

Snapchat has confirmed that it's testing a new, TikTok-like format for scrolling through Discover Snaps.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 13, 2020

How to Get Started with Facebook and Instagram Shops

With Facebook gradually rolling out its new Shops option, here's an overview of how to set up your Facebook and/or Instagram Shop.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 13, 2020

Byte, the Second Coming of Vine, Is Seeing a Surge in Downloads Amid Debate About TikTok's Future

With regulators weighing concerns about TikTok, Byte, from Vine co-founder Dom Hofmann, is seeing a surge in popularity.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 13, 2020

15 Social Media and Messaging Platforms to Grow Your Business in 2020 [Infographic]

Which social platforms have the biggests audiences in 2020? Check out this comparative chart.

By Mark Walker-Ford • July 13, 2020

Pinterest Updates Feed Algorithm to Boost Specific Content Types, in Addition to Usage-Defined Trends

Pinterest has made a change to its algorithm which will enable it to amplify certain content types of its choosing, in addition to usage-defined recommendations. 

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 10, 2020

Facebook Weighs Ban on Political Ads in the Days Leading into the US Presidential Election

Facebook is considering a total ban on election ads in the days leading into the US presidential election, according to new reports.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 10, 2020

Instagram Provides New Options to Manage How IGTV Previews Appear in the Main Feed and Discover

After recently expanding the listing options for IGTV content, Instagram has now also added new ways for IGTV creators to manage how their content is displayed.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 9, 2020

YouTube Adds New RPM Metric to Help Creators Better Understand Monetization Performance

YouTube's adding a new metric to provide more transparency over how much money creators are making from their videos.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 9, 2020

Twitter Provides New Data on the Resurgent Conversation Around Sports [Infographic]

Twitter has provides some new info on the resurgent sports conversation on the platform as several major leagues look to get back to play.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 9, 2020

Amid More Questions About Data-Sharing, TikTok Releases Latest Transparency Report

With several nations reportedly weighing a ban on TikTok, following India's removal of the app, the platform has shared its latest report into official content removal and takedown requests.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 9, 2020

WhatsApp Adds QR Codes for Businesses, and Catalog Links to Simplify Sharing

WhatsApp has added two new two new tools to help businesses promote their WhatsApp presence: QR codes for businesses and catalog links for sharing product listings.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 9, 2020

Facebook Removes More Accounts Due to Manipulation Efforts, Including New Push by Right-Wing 'Proud Boys'

Facebook has removed another set of accounts for 'coordinated inauthentic behavior', including a new group linked to the right-wing Proud Boys in the US.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 8, 2020

Facebook Adds New, Free Courses in Effective Community Management

Facebook has added a new Community Management education stream to its free Blueprint program.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 8, 2020

Google Adds New Knowledge Panel Insights to Google Image Results for Added Context

Google is adding new Knowledge Panel information listings to Google Images results, helping to provide more context about visual entries.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 8, 2020

Twitter's Working on a New Subscription Service, Which Could Provide New Options for Prominent Users

A new job posting has pointed to Twitter's development of a new, subscription-based offering - though how that would function is unclear.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 8, 2020

Facebook's Civil Rights Audit Raises Significant Concerns with the Platform's Political Policy Approach

An audit of Facebook's approach to civil rights has raised serious concerns with the platform's policies, in particular, its decision not to fact-check political ads or take action on comments from political leaders. 

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 8, 2020

Instagram Gives All Users the Option to Pin Post Comments

After testing it out over the last few months, Instagram will now enable all users to pin up to three comments on their posts.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 7, 2020

YouTube Launches New 'Analytics for Artists' to Provide More Insight for Musicians

YouTube has launched a new 'Analytics for Artists' dashboard which will help musicians better understand how their content is used across the platform. 

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 7, 2020

WhatsApp's Rolling Out Dark Mode for its Web Version

WhatsApp is now rolling out its dark mode option for web users, after launching it in the app back in March.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 7, 2020

Instagram Launches Test of New 'Shops' Tab with Selected Users

Instagram has launched a global test of its new Shops tab, which, eventually, will make it easier for users to buy direct from businesses in the app.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 7, 2020

Instagram Launches TikTok-Like 'Reels' Functionality in India

With TikTok shut down in India, Instagram is seizing the opportunity, releasing its TikTok-like clone 'Reels' in the Indian market.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 6, 2020

TikTok, China and the New Data Battleground

With concerns rising about China's recent actions in India and Hong Kong, concerns around data gathering by social apps has also come into focus.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 6, 2020

Facebook Adds New Prompts to Urge Mask Use in the US as COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise

Facebook is adding new prompts on both Facebook and Instagram to urge mask use in the US, as COVID-19 cases reach new highs. 

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 2, 2020

Twitter's Working on a New Collaborative Option for Fleets

Twitter is working on another iteration of its new 'Fleets' tool, which would enable users to create collaborative Fleets, its version of Stories.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 2, 2020