Social Media Updates You May Have Missed

It’s no secret that social media is constantly changing and evolving. If you want to stay ahead of the game when it comes to marketing your business online, you need to keep up with new trends and features that emerge on the social platforms you use. We’ve rounded up the latest social media updates to keep you in the loop of what you may have missed recently!

Here are 10 social media 2019 trends you need to know to better market your business online:

1. Twitter’s 280 Character Count

If you’ve been using Twitter for quite some time, this update is one you probably appreciate. Twitter expanded its character count from 140 to 280 about a year ago, giving users the ability to express more of their thoughts without running out of characters and still getting straight to the point. Tweeting updates about your business, answering questions from consumers, and managing your online reputation via Twitter is a lot easier with 280 characters. As far as social media 2019 trends go, this is a big one.

2. Instagram launched IGTV

Over the last few years, social media users have produced more video content than ever. Instagram launched in 2010 as a photo sharing platform, but has since moved towards video with Instagram Stories, 1-minute video posts, and the newest video feature ““ IGTV. This separate video app allows Instagram users to produce videos up to 1 hour long and upload them onto IGTV. For every Instagram user that has the IGTV app downloaded, they will see an IGTV icon on the left-hand side of their profile by their story highlights. This allows Instagram users to watch vertical videos from their favorite brands and users without leaving the app.

3. Facebook Adds a News Feed Feature

Do you ever scroll through your Facebook News Feed and wonder why you’re seeing certain posts? Facebook announced a feature called “Why am I seeing this post?“ to clear up any questions you might have about the algorithm. This is actually the first time Facebook has ever giving an explanation for why you might be seeing posts on your News Feed! You could say we’re excited. If you click the right-hand corner of any post in your News Feed, you can access information on why you are seeing that certain post as well as the option to unfollow and edit News Feed preferences.

As a business owner, take advantage of this update and remind users to engage with your content if they want to receive updates and information on new product launches or your general content. If consumers interact with your content, they are likely to see more of it in their News Feed.

4. Checkout on Instagram Feature

If you are an e-commerce business, this update is for you. Instagram is introducing a new process that allows you to purchase a product without leaving the app. Consumers will be able to shop through your business’s Instagram feed of products and purchase directly from a photo.

Instagram is a great place for consumers to discover new products. In fact, 60% of users discover products on Instagram. This new feature could give a shortcut into your customer’s path to purchase because they have the option to purchase your product at the same time they discover it.

5. Instagram Tool for Branded Content

This update has been in effect for some time, but in case you missed it, we’ve got you covered. Instagram announced a way to tackle the lack of transparency when it comes to sponsored posts on their platform. When an influencer works with a business, they are able to post their content and tag the business partner by going into advanced settings and selecting “Tag Business Partner.” Once the business is tagged, “Paid Partnership with [business]” will display below the influencer’s name.

As a business owner, you will be able to see how well an influencer’s post performed through Facebook Insights. Learn more about this Instagram update here.

6. Twitter is Testing “Original Tweeter”

For the past few months, Twitter has been testing a new feature that allows users to identify who the original tweeter of a thread is. This will make it easier to find the original user of a viral tweet. For more information on this update, check out this post.

7. Quickly React to Posts on Facebook

Facebook has given users an easier way to engage with content. You can now tap and hold a video or photo and the Reactions bar will appear. This gives users an easier way to like, comment, and engage with your content because they will no longer have to click on the icon at the corner of a photo or video to choose a reaction. Such a small update like this might not seem important, but it can make a huge difference in the way consumers engage with your content.

8. LinkedIn Has a New Meeting Planner Tool

LinkedIn recently announced a new planning feature in LinkedIn Messenger that makes it easier to schedule meetings without having to use another platform to do so. LinkedIn users just tap their calendar icon to schedule a meeting and select the time they would like to meet. LinkedIn also updated their desktop experience to have messaging available on every page of their website. They also included active status, which lets you know if the person you’re talking to is online or not.

9. Reply to Instagram Direct Messages Through Facebook

Facebook has made it easier for businesses to see and respond to messages through one platform. If you manage the Facebook page for your business, you’ve probably noticed that you now can receive and respond to Instagram direct messages from your Facebook page inbox. 150 million people on Instagram have a conversation with a business every month, while 10 billion messages are sent between people and businesses on Facebook Messenger every month. This update has made it a lot easier for business owners to manage their messages across platforms.

10. Twitter Introduces New Camera Tools

This update has come at no surprise. With other social media platforms rolling out different types of video features, Twitter has decided to do the same. Twitter users will be able to swipe left to open a camera and snap a picture or video to add to their tweet. You can also broadcast live straight from the platform, which makes sharing real-time information that much easier.

Learning new tools and features to market your business online is a tedious task. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on the latest social media 2019 trends (and beyond)! We’re here to help you stay competitive in the ever-changing world of social media.

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