HM DL: August 4, 2023: YouTube Shorts Trends; AR Snapchat Filter; Threads' Userbase

New YouTube Shorts Features Resemble TikTok's

YouTube is expanding capabilities on its short-form video product, Shorts, with a slew of new features that closely resemble similar features on its competitor TikTok, including a vertical live video feed and more.

Media Post

The DL:?YouTube is adding a list of new features to Shorts, their short-form video product,?which takes inspiration from its competitor, TikTok. One notable and?exciting addition will feature a vertical live video feed, allowing users to watch live streams while browsing other streams. To boost engagement and generate revenue, Shorts will offer paid chatting and memberships through live video. Users can also expect new features for creating Shorts videos directly from horizontal YouTube clips. Another noteworthy feature, called Collab, will allow users to record videos alongside another video. YouTube is set to roll out all these amazing features over the next few months, bringing users a fresh and cohesive short video experience.

Drake Makes Concertgoers Cry Using AR Snapchat Filter

The rapper is using the lens in real-time during shows.

AdWeek

The DL:?Recording artist Drake has been selling out arenas nationwide on his new "It's All A Blur" tour. The tour features several holographic and augmented reality applications, most recently utilizing Snapchat's famous crying digital filter. Concertgoers are shown digitally altered on the jumbotron weeping to his song "Laugh Now Cry Later" in real-time. Another fun example of the augmented reality trend is to create experiential marketing experiences. In the past few years, many advertising campaigns have leveraged companies like Snapchat to create augmented reality advertisements to promote their offerings. Innovations in wearable and projectable technology popularize these experiences in real-world applications.?With Virtual & Augmented Reality continuing to gain popularity in advertising, it is worth exploring creative uses in your next campaign.

Meta’s Threads Still Has Users One Month On, But It Doesn’t Have A Real Vibe Yet

It’s been exactly a month since Meta’s text-based app Threads launched and brands are still finding their feet with the platform. But not having a solid social strategy in place for Threads right now in these early days isn’t something to worry about.

DigiDay

The DL:?Threads, a new text-based app launched by Meta, had a sharp ascent in terms of user growth, becoming the fastest-growing platform in history. However, it is now facing a reality check as it is losing users. Brands on Threads are adopting different approaches; some take a tongue-in-cheek approach, while others replicate their previous Twitter messaging. Marketers and users alike are struggling to define their strategies and personas on the platform. Meta acknowledges the drop in daily active users (DAUs), which decreased by around 78% within a month after launch. Despite the decline, Meta remains optimistic, as they have experienced similar challenges with other platforms like Facebook and Instagram. As Threads matures and more functionalities become available, its culture is expected to improve, attracting more users in the future.

YouTube Highlights Latest Shorts Trends to Help Inform Your Content Approach

Recent rising trends include “Skibidi Toilet,” a series of shorts about singing toilets.

Social Media Today

The DL: YouTube has launched a video series to guide creators in leveraging YouTube Shorts effectively. The series highlights five rising trends within Shorts:

• 'Popular Media as Muse': This trend, also known as 'trendjacking' or 'newsjacking', involves tapping into key discussion topics and pop culture trends to create engaging Shorts. Creators can draw inspiration from upcoming movie releases and other pop culture events to create tie-in content and capitalize on social media marketing tactics.

• 'The Rise of Rizz': This is a trending term to describe someone's charisma in drawing romantic interest. While it is an example of participatory content, it emerged unexpectedly and is difficult to plan for in advance. While interesting, it may not provide a direct creative tip for creators.

• 'Skibidi Toilet':?This peculiar trend is based on a character singing a song from a toilet. It reflects Gen Z's love for absurdist humor but requires careful execution.

• 'Permission to Flex': Encourages engagement by inviting creators to share their personality types. It exemplifies participatory content that encourages engagement due to its ease of participation and shorter commitment requirements.

• 'Chess': Chess-related content, including unique adaptations like 'Chess Boxing' and comedic live streams.?This trend shows how creators can reimagine and modernize older concepts to spark new trends.

While the video series provides valuable insights into these trends, creators should critically assess each trend's relevance and potential in their specific content application. However, it's essential for creators to adapt the trends to their unique content and audience to achieve the best results. Connect with HM to get more information on emerging trends.?

Around?The Town...

Be in the know more often by following us on our social media channels for exciting updates and insights. Click below to become a part of the Hoffmann Murtaugh community!

Follow HM here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoffmannMurtaugh/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoffmannmurtaugh/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCArBCI3P5HToHzR41lTJc6A

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HMurtaugh

We are always up for a chat on our favorite topic: media! So, if you would like to brainstorm on how to navigate the ever-changing media landscape, we'd be happy to connect.

And if you would like to read the HM DL Newsletter a bit earlier - sign up to have our newsletter delivered directly to your inbox every Friday morning: https://hoffmannmurtaugh.com/hm-dl/.