Flip Raises $144 Million to take on TikTok and Amazon

1/5 Flip Raises $144 Million to take on TikTok?and Amazon

Flip, a social commerce platform that features consumer made product review videos, has recently raised $144 million in funding. With approximately 5 million downloads, the app is not new to the social commerce scene, but this recent boost in funding sets Flip up to succeed in its quest to take on TikTok and even Amazon. Claiming to be “the last honest place on the internet”, Flip allows users to scroll through brand name product review videos from other shoppers who have bought the product. Reviewers then earn money based on views and click-through product sales. (Via Bloomberg)?

2/5 Discord is rolling out ads

Discord is officially changing its long-standing anti-advertising stance, introducing new ads on the platform aimed at gamers. Yet, instead of regular ad slots, Discord’s new advertisements will be in the form of “sponsored quests”; brands can advertise in these ad slots enticing users to play their game. Streamers can then click on the sponsored quest and complete it whilst their viewers watch. Viewers, in turn, can then complete the same quest in game. The hope is that gamers will not feel too much of a disruption to their beloved platform, whilst Discord is sneakily making a buck. (Via CNET)?

3/5 Facebook updates its vertical video display and recommendations algorithm?

Facebook is the latest in a long line of social media platforms that are getting swept into TikTok-ification. The platform has recently unveiled its new, full-screen video player, which will show videos to users in a TikTok-esque format. On top of this, videos will now feature simplified scrolling options, presenting users with an improved slider and forward/back jumping options. Meta is also seeking to update its video recommendations to keep viewers engaged for longer. Whilst the platform is yet to share how it will explicitly change its current algorithm to do so, it's not a huge leap to assume it will be eerily similar to that of TikTok. (Via Social Media Today)

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4/5 Meta is testing a Creator Bonus Program on Threads?

In the hopes of boosting the popularity of its flailing Threads app, Meta is currently trailing its Creator Bonus Program, which will see certain creators get paid for their posts. The program will offer cash incentives to creators who post particularly engaging content, to keep on posting and bringing in viewers. The initiative is, at present, invitation only. Meta has made it clear that the details of the program and the bonuses offered may change depending on the creator. (Via Social Media Today)?

5/5 Google testing AI for search answers in the UK

Google has begun trialling search answers written by artificial intelligence (AI) in the UK, after the feature was tested in the US last year. Initially only a small proportion of logged-in UK users will see an AI-generated "overview" at the top of some search results. But some publishers worry AI answers may reduce visits to their sites as chatbot-style responses will satisfy users' curiosity without having to click-through to their websites, while AI answers will also contain fewer links and ads. (Via BBC)

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Lloyd Williams, Head of Strategy @ Socially Powerful.

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