Strike Social

What's New On Instagram? Instagram Updates: Read the latest news about the platform ?? ?? (Follow us for more Instagram updates!) ?? Instagram Ends Hashtag Following Starting December 13, Instagram will officially retire its hashtag-following feature. This means users will no longer see feeds populated by followed hashtags in their main timelines. Once a key tool for expanding reach and fostering engagement, hashtags will take a backseat as Instagram shifts its focus toward new content discovery methods. For creators and businesses, this change could impact strategies for content discovery, organic reach, community building, and even content categorization. With hashtag feeds disappearing, it's time to explore alternative ways to connect with audiences and stay visible in an evolving algorithm-driven environment. ?? Instagram Trials Recommendations Reset Feature Instagram is rolling out a new feature that lets users reset their content recommendations across Explore, Reels, and Feed for a fresh start. This update aims to help users, especially teens, create a safer and more positive experience by tailoring content to reflect their evolving interests. With this feature, users can clear recommendations, unfollow accounts sharing unwanted content, and use tools like "Interested" and "Not Interested" to fine-tune what they see. Instagram is doubling down on protecting younger users by enforcing stricter guidelines for age-appropriate content. Sensitive or mature posts are hidden, and parents can now find detailed explanations of these safeguards in the Transparency Center. ?? Instagram Introduces Filter for Deactivated Accounts Instagram is making follower management easier with a brand-new feature highlighting deactivated accounts in your follower list. This dedicated 'Deactivated Account' category allows users to quickly identify and manage inactive profiles, offering the option for bulk removal to clean up their follower base. This update is designed to help users maintain accurate follower counts, improve engagement metrics, and keep their accounts organized. By simplifying the process of removing inactive accounts, Instagram ensures your follower list reflects your true audience. via Lindsey Gamble, Meta, Swipe Insight?*source links in the comment section ?? #creatoreconomy #privacy #influencermarketing #instagram #updates #news #reels #creators

With the Cyber Five and Q4 in full swing, TikTok’s new Smart+ Campaigns promise to simplify ad management with AI-driven automation. This makes it an exciting option for brands gearing up for the busiest season of the year. But is it the right fit for your strategy? ? Ready to make your holiday campaigns count? Message us to book a meeting, and let’s discuss how Strike Social can boost your TikTok Ads with customized strategies that deliver results. In our latest blog, Strike Social’s Digital Account Director and TikTok Ads Expert, Aileen, shares her expert insights into this new feature. We explore: ?? Benefits and limitations of TikTok Smart+ ?? How it compares to traditional campaigns ?? Key tips for media buyers Want the full breakdown? Read the article here ?? TikTok for Business #tiktok #tiktokads #paidsocial #advertising #cyberfive

?? Media Buyer Myths: Busted! ?? We asked our media buyers what common myths they'd like to set straight, and Cian Bautista, one of our experts, gave us this hot take. ? Follow our page for more myth-busting insights from our team and learn what it takes to create precision-driven campaigns. ?? Curious to know what really drives campaign success? Claire is here to break down one of the most misunderstood aspects of media buying—and her insights might surprise you! ?? ?? Watch the video on why certain assumptions about media buying don’t hold up! #LifeAtStrike #mediabuying #paidads #advertising #paidsocial

If you're advertising on YouTube, imagine transforming your video and image ads into a dynamic shopping experience that drives engagement and action. With Demand Gen campaigns, you can: 1?? Reach the right audience: Google’s machine learning surfaces the most relevant products to the most interested viewers. 2?? Drive measurable outcomes: Optimize for max conversions, target CPA, or ROAS with visuals that captivate and convert. 3?? Simplify your strategy: Use your Google Merchant Center product feed to auto-generate high-quality creatives tailored to your audience. Get more out of every ad dollar. Learn how Demand Gen campaigns drive measurable results on the YouTube Advertisers page. #YouTube #YouTubeAds #advertising #ads #demandgen #VAC

Many advertisers struggle to scale campaigns effectively during high-stakes periods like the holiday season. Often, the issue isn’t your creative or targeting—it’s your budget pacing strategy. ? Tired of overspending on underperforming ads? Our Meta-certified team can optimize your pacing for better results—send us a message to get started. A well-paced budget ensures your campaigns stay efficient, adaptable, and ready to capture high-conversion opportunities when they matter most. In our latest blog, Strike's Meta Ads Expert, Giesele, breaks down: 1?? How budget pacing works and why it’s vital. 2?? The risks of poor pacing during seasonal spikes like Black Friday or Q5. 3?? Real-world strategies Strike Social uses to optimize pacing for consistent ROAS. Read the article here and discover how to keep your campaigns running at peak performance during even the busiest ad seasons. ?? #Meta #MetaAds #advertising #paidsocial

What's New On Instagram? Instagram Updates: Read the latest news about the platform ?? ?? (Follow us for more Instagram updates!) ?? Instagram Tests Tab for Story Highlights Instagram is testing a new profile layout that could change how we view Story Highlights! The update introduces a dedicated tab for featured Stories, making organizing and showcasing your content more accessible. With dual-display functionality and a Reels-style organization, the new layout will give your Stories enhanced visibility. Story Highlights will now appear in the main profile grid, as well as a separate tab alongside regular posts and the Reels tab. This change improves content accessibility and streamlines profile navigation for a more user-friendly experience. In a limited rollout phase and testing in select markets, Adam Mosseri hinted at this feature, which is expected to be officially announced soon. ??? Instagram Denies Reducing Reach of Sponsored Content Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head, has debunked another common myth in his ongoing series of informative posts. This time, he’s addressing the rumor that Instagram purposely downranks posts labeled as “sponsored” to force brands to pay for more reach. Mosseri clarified, “We don’t downrank posts that you mark as sponsored. It helps us understand Instagram to know what is sponsored, but it’s important for creators to mark things as sponsored without fear of downranking so they can comply with local laws globally.” This post is part of Mosseri’s broader effort to clarify common misconceptions about Instagram. ?? Instagram Tests Simplified AI Profile Image Generation Instagram is testing a new feature that could change the way users update their profile pictures. The app is experimenting with AI-generated profile images, allowing users to create more stylized, artistic versions of themselves directly from their profile editing options. While this may be a fresh approach for Instagram, it’s not entirely new in the social media world. However, the move raises questions about authenticity. Social media has long struggled with bots and fake profiles, with AI-generated images sometimes used to deceive users. via Lindsey Gamble, Adam Mosseri, and Social Media Today, LLC)?*source links in the comment section ?? #creatoreconomy #privacy #influencermarketing #instagram #updates #news #reels #creators #brandsafety #brandsuitability?

As we approach the holiday season, brands prepare for one of the most intense retail periods: Cyber Five. But in a world where every click counts, how do you make your holiday campaigns truly shine? The answer is data-driven marketing ?? ? Message us to explore how CampaignLab’s 24/7 machine learning technology can dynamically adjust your campaigns for peak performance. During high-stakes events like Cyber Five, data-driven insights help brands maximize ad performance, optimize budgets, and deliver hyper-relevant content to the right audiences. ?? Why should you care about data-driven marketing this holiday season? Because every impression and conversion tells a story that can guide smarter spending and more impactful audience engagement. Don’t leave your success to chance — let the data drive! ?? In this article: Check out what Strike Social’s Director of Technology, Bing Bu, says about the importance of a smooth data pipeline. ?? Want to know how to use data effectively for holiday advertising? Our article explains how machine learning and predictive analytics can drive better results in this Cyber Five event. #data #CyberFive #retail #holiday #technology #ai #advertising #paidsocial

What's New On Instagram? Instagram Updates: Read the latest news about the platform ?? ?? (Follow us for more Instagram updates!) ?? Instagram Adds DM Filters for Creators Instagram has just rolled out new messaging filters designed specifically for creators! These updates make managing message requests easier and quickly finding key inquiries in a crowded inbox. Now, creators can sort DMs by criteria like the sender's follower count, verified accounts, and even separate messages from brands or other creators. A dedicated "Story Replies" folder lets creators easily distinguish actual messages from Story reactions to focus on real connections and collaboration requests. nstagram says it’s “continuing to invest in improvements” to make navigating DMs even easier for creators, so we may see further updates soon! ???Instagram Expands Post Boosting to More Formats Instagram expanded its post-boosting options, giving users even more ways to amplify their top-performing content! Previously, specific posts with GIFs, stickers, or copyrighted music faced restrictions and couldn't be boosted. Now, Instagram's latest update allows most GIFs and stickers to be eligible for boosting, making it easier to turn your standout organic posts into promoted ones. If you've ever hit a wall trying to boost posts, it might be worth revisiting those popular updates to extend their reach while trending. While most GIFs and stickers are now eligible, copyrighted music remains restricted. But there's a new option: swap out restricted tracks for a boost-friendly song to keep the momentum going. ?? Instagram Introduces AI for Age Checks, Teen Safety Meta is stepping up safety on Instagram with new AI-powered tools focused on protecting teens. Using advanced "Adult Classifier" technology and automated age detection, Instagram aims to curb age misrepresentation while enhancing privacy for younger users. The system will categorize users as under or over 18, track content interaction, analyze follower connections, and even scan birthday posts to ensure age consistency. Privacy adjustments will kick in automatically for teen accounts, imposing age-based content restrictions and blocking unwanted interactions. This proactive age verification approach directly addresses parental concerns and keeps teens' experiences age-appropriate. (via Bloomberg, Instagram for Business, and Social Media Examiner) ?*source links in the comment section ?? #creatoreconomy #privacy #influencermarketing #instagram #updates #news #reels #creators #brandsafety #brandsuitability

?? Ever wonder what keeps Bing Bu, our Director of Technology, up at night? When the data pipeline goes quiet, it’s every tech leader’s nightmare. ?? ? (Follow our page for more exclusive insights and expert tips from the Strike team) Imagine starting your morning only to find out no fresh data has come in. Whether it’s a glitch in the cloud or an API snag, any disruption means our team is on high alert to troubleshoot fast. Data is at the heart of everything we do, powering campaign precision and results. That’s why we’re relentlessly focused on keeping data flow smooth and error-free—no matter what obstacles come our way. #LifeAtStrike #technology #data #datascience #paidsocial #advertising

What's New On Meta? Meta Updates: Read the latest news about the platform ?? ?? (Follow us for more Meta updates!) ?? Meta Builds AI Search Engine to Reduce Google Dependence Meta is developing its AI-driven search engine to cut ties with Google and Microsoft Bing for its chatbot's information needs. This in-house search engine aims to respond directly to topics like news and sports, reducing reliance on external search providers. Meta's web crawlers are already gathering data to support this initiative, which is a backup if Google or Microsoft end their partnerships. Beyond contingency, the project is part of Meta's long-term goal to enhance its AI models with more controlled data sources. ?? Meta Q3 Earnings Surpass Expectations with 19% Revenue Growth Meta's latest earnings report reveals weaker-than-expected user growth and warns of rising infrastructure costs in 2025. In after-hours trading, the stock saw a slight dip. Key figures include earnings per share at $6.03, above the $5.25 forecast, and revenue at $40.59 billion, surpassing the $40.29 billion estimate. Sales grew 19% year over year, with net income up 35% to $15.7 billion. However, daily active users reached 3.29 billion, just shy of the anticipated 3.31 billion. Despite these challenges, Meta forecasts fourth-quarter revenue between $45 billion and $48 billion, surpassing analyst expectations. As competitors like Alphabet and Microsoft report strong earnings, all eyes remain on Meta's evolving strategy in the digital advertising space. ?? Meta Develops AI to Catch Teens Lying About Age Meta is harnessing AI to identify users misrepresenting their age on Facebook and Instagram, aiming to shield minors from potential harm. According to Bloomberg, the tech giant is developing an "adult classifier" that will categorize users as either older or younger than 18 by analyzing their account data, including follower lists and interactions. This new AI system is set for live testing on Instagram early next year, enhancing Meta's efforts amid increasing scrutiny regarding the impact of its platforms on teens. In response, Meta suggests that app stores enforce age restrictions to prevent young users from creating accounts. Until broader regulations take effect, the focus remains on improving existing measures to ensure young users' safety online. Meta for Business (via The Information, CNBC, Bloomberg) *source link in the comment section ?? #meta #metaai #ai #search #teensafety #facebook #instagram #updates