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October 2022 Social Media Platform Updates

Thursday 3rd November 2022

Blog Author Beth Perrin by Beth Perrin

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October 2022 Social Media Platform Updates

Thursday 3rd November 2022

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Plenty of exciting and useful features were released by our favourite social media platforms throughout October, so whether you’re a casual user looking to better connect with friends or a brand marketer hoping to boost your audience engagement, take a look through our monthly recap to discover some of the best new arrivals.

 

Twitter Edit Rollout

In our September updates blog post, we mentioned the long-awaited Edit Tweet function on Twitter - and, after a successful initial test amongst the platform’s internal team members, the tool has now been rolled out to Twitter Blue subscribers in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

To edit a tweet, simply tap on the three dots in the top right corner, then select ‘Edit Tweet’ and make the required changes (such as fixing a typo, rearranging media or adding a missed hashtag). In order to prevent users from making too many edits, the option is only available for 30 minutes after a tweet is posted, and a maximum of 5 changes can be made during this time. Edited tweets will have an ‘Edited’ icon beside them so readers will know that the original tweet has been changed, and clicking into the tweet will bring up any previously published versions.

 

 

Multiple Instagram Bio Links

Some creators on Instagram now have access to a new option which allows them to add more than one link to their bio on their profile. To the right of the main link, there’s an ‘and others’ indicator, which opens a list of additional URLs when tapped. It’s not clear yet how many links users will officially be able to add when the tool is launched in full, but it definitely seems like this step has been taken to eliminate the need for third-party platforms like Linktree, which is currently used by many Instagrammers as an alternative way to showcase more links.

 
 

Caption Feedback on YouTube

Accessibility is important on social media, and adding captions to your video content is a simple way to make things easier for people with hearing impairments. YouTube offers automated subtitles, meaning creators don’t have to add their own manually - but sometimes words are wrongly identified and errors are made, which is why the platform has decided to test a tool which lets viewers suggest edits if they think something has been captioned incorrectly. To add a correction, simply open the transcript, click the pencil icon and enter suggestions before clicking the check mark icon. Suggested edits will only be shown to the person who created the transcript, and won’t be visible to the video creator or the broader YouTube audience.


YouTube caption editing

 
 

Twitter Status Indicators

In order to let users add more context to their posts, Twitter has begun testing a range of status indicators including ‘Unpopular opinion’, ‘Breaking news’ and ‘Spoiler alert’, which will appear above tweets (similar to the Feeling/Activity option on Facebook). If you tap on someone’s status, the discovery page for that tag will be displayed, where you’ll see a button encouraging you to post your own tweet with the same status, as well as other relevant content and accounts.


Twitter status indicators

 
 

Anti-Screenshot Popups on Twitter

Thinking of screenshotting a tweet to send to your friends or share on another platform? A new prompt now pops up asking you to consider either sharing the tweet in the app, or posting a link to it instead. This is because Twitter wants to prevent users from sharing content outside of the app, as this results in reach and engagement that it can’t track, leading to lower usage data, which is damaging for the business.

 
 

Professional Twitter Dashboard

Twitter users with a professional account now have access to an enhanced dashboard which gives them the ability to “track performance, discover product offerings and tap into additional resources”. All of these stats were previously available within Twitter’s regular analytics section, but for pro users, they’re now displayed in a more intuitive way, which might make it easier for brands and other professional account holders to view their performance data and make decisions based on the results.

 

 
 

TikTok Photo Mode

Perhaps in retaliation to Instagram ‘copying’ many of its features, TikTok has added a new Photo Mode which lets users upload still images. Photos are displayed in a carousel format and a music soundtrack can be added, just like on regular TikTok videos. Viewers can then swipe through the pictures at their own pace. To start creating content in Photo Mode, tap the + icon at the bottom of the For You page, choose ‘Upload’ and select your desired photos from your phone gallery, then continue to the editing page to add effects and/or music.


TikTok photo mode

 
 

YouTube @handles

YouTube has added clickable name tag handles for all users, providing a new way for creators to drive traffic to their channels and promote themselves on the platform. Unlike channel names, which can be held by multiple users, handles are unique, so it’s now easier to confirm if you’re interacting with the right person. The handle you choose will also become your channel URL. YouTube explained that this update will make it “simpler and faster to mention each other in comments, community posts, video descriptions and more”.

 

 
 

New Twitter Spotlights for Professionals

Users with a professional account on Twitter have access to a range of Spotlights (extra modules that can be added to their profile which aren’t available to regular users), and two new ones were recently introduced. Firstly, the Link spotlight allows pro users to display an interactive button on their profile with a specific CTA such as ‘Listen Now’, ‘View Menu’ or ‘Book an appointment’ - so it’s a little more specific than the regular profile link. Secondly, the Community spotlight enables Community admins and mods to highlight the Twitter Community they manage on their profile, so visitors to their page can immediately see which group they’re responsible for.

 

 
 

Age-Restricted TikTok Streams

In order to improve the safety of its live streaming facility, TikTok has raised the minimum age to host a live video from 16 to 18. Plus, in the coming weeks, the platform plans to introduce a new way for creators to choose if they’d prefer to only reach an adult audience with their live stream, so that they can talk about more mature topics without younger viewers being able to join. Users also need to be aged 16 or older to access Direct Messaging and 18 or older to send virtual gifts or access monetisation features.

 
 

Instagram Scheduling

Instagram has launched a live test of native scheduling within the advanced options in the post composer, with a new toggle element that lets users choose a date and time for a post to go live. At the moment, both regular image posts and Reels can be scheduled (Stories have not yet been mentioned). Users can view their scheduled posts - and reschedule them if needed - through the Scheduled Content section on the menu. Will this update reduce the need for third-party scheduling software, or will your brand stick with its usual CMS?

 

 
 

Instagram Creator Portfolio

Instagram has announced an upcoming Creator Portfolio option, which will allow creators to build a media kit page where they can showcase their audience reach and previous collaborations they’ve done with brands. This comes as part of Instagram’s new Creator Marketplace, which is essentially a directory of listings where brands can browse for influencers they’d like to work with. The Creator Portfolio enables individual users to share their profile directly with potential partners in the app and highlight their best-performing content, helping them demonstrate to brands why they’re a good fit.

 
 

New LinkedIn Stickers

Following on from its addition of a Link Sticker back in August, LinkedIn has now also added ‘Person’ and ‘Page’ stickers, providing even more ways to drive traffic and boost engagement. These stickers let users tag relevant accounts and business pages in their content, which is good for LinkedIn’s in-app engagement levels, as they keep users on the platform - unlike the regular link sticker which directs people to external URLs.

 

 
 

Snapchat Director Mode

Snapchat has announced that its new Director Mode, which was first previewed in April this year, is being made available to all iOS users of the app. This mode includes a range of more advanced editing tools, including green screen, variable playback speed options and dual camera controls, so that Snapchatters can use the front and back facing cameras simultaneously to create 360 degree content. The Quick Edit feature also lets users take and edit multiple Snaps together with ease. Just look for the Director Mode icon in the camera toolbar or tap the Create button in Spotlight to get started!

 

 
 

Facebook Professional Mode

It’s been in a test phase for a while, but the ability to switch to a professional profile has now been rolled out to all users on Facebook. This gives creators access to a range of extra features that unlock more monetisation opportunities, as well as letting them build a public following and connect with their audience in more meaningful ways. Pro tools include Reels Play (a bonus programme that allows you to earn money for the Reels you share), Stars (live stream donation currency), in-stream ads and subscriptions. Users with professional profiles can also see advanced analytics and implement enhanced safety features, such as designating a Community Manager to moderate the chat during live videos.


 
 

Summary

Are you an influencer, business marketer or social media agency team member? If so, which platform updates have you been enjoying lately? Tweet us @3sixfivepro to tell us how you’ve improved your community connections or taken your content to the next level using any of these new tools.


 
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