Instagram is sliding into your DMs and Meta violates the DMA

1/5 Chief of Instagram declares sends a key focus?

Adam Mosseri, the chief of Instagram, has doubled down on his sends focused tirade. In a new video posted to his official account, Mosseri has restated that creators must be finding ways to make their content more shareworthy. According to Mosseri, more users are now engaging in DMs on Instagram than they are in feed posts. As such, creators should be focusing more on how to get users to click Send on their posts, rather than getting them to comment. To emphasise the importance of shares within Instagram, the app has been recently rolling out send counts to certain users; allowing users to see the amount of times a post has been shared. How can creators make their content more shareable? By focusing on triggering a strong emotional response in users.?

2/5 EU commision claims Meta’s subscriptions violate DMA?

Meta’s revolutionary plan to grant EU users an ad free experience has just hit a major bump in the road. Earlier this week, the EU Commission ruled that Meta’s subscription plan does not comply with the DIgital Markets Act, which seeks to provide EU users with more control over how social platforms mobilise their personal data. Meta released its €9.99 per month subscription just last November, which allowed EU users to say no to both ads and data tracking. In theory, Meta should be free from any financial penalties as the subscription plan does give users the freedom to avoid data tracking. However, according to the EU Commission, Meta’s subscription model does not allow users to avoid their data being used, but instead is more akin to a “personalised ads based service”, and removes their freedom to consent to the usage of their personal data.?

3/5 TikTok is creating a new AI chatbot, Genie

In an attempt to compete with the increasingly crowded world of AI chatbots, TikTok is preparing to release its own version to Western users. The chatbot, Genie, would allow users to ask questions in-feed and receive immediate responses. Whilst Filipino TikTok users have had access to its “Tako” chatbot tool since May last year, Genie would be able to answer more complicated questions, and integrate all of the apps AI offerings into one location. Including TikTok's generative AI search function, which is currently in use on Douyin, and allows users to discover both in and outside of the platform. While Meta’s AI chatbot provides a simple way to use its AI tools, TikTok’s Genie would be more focused on discovery.

4/5? The hottest influencers on the block? Your employees.?

With influencer costs steadily rising, marketers are looking for new, refreshing ways to engage their audiences. Consumers are becoming increasingly tired of sponsored posts, instead longing for genuine content and creators who love the products they are pushing. The solution? Employees. Whilst organic brand content may not be revolutionary, many brands are leaning on their employees to offer an extra level of authenticity to their audience. Kim Kardashian recently unveiled Skims’ new Outdoor Essentials campaign, in which actual Skims employees modelled the products. The campaign was a raging success, generating UGC and showcasing a diverse group of real women. Through employee led campaigns, brands are able to emphasise their humanity, and connect with audiences on a more authentic level than influencers often allow.?

5/5 Snapchat expands its Snapchat+ offerings?

Snapchat is upping its personalisation game, offering new customisation options for paying Snapchat+ users. Firstly, subscribers can now craft their very own custom digital house to appear on Snap Map, allowing users to build a version of their home. Snapchat is also expanding its Bitmoji pets offerings, now allowing users’ pets to sit next to their Bitmoji’s as they text friends. Stories are also getting an upgrade, with new “lightning quick Snaps” rolling out soon. Via this new feature, users can create Stories with new expiration times lasting .10, .25, and .50 seconds. These new additions are likely to appeal to Snapchat’s core audience; young, fun loving users who go nuts for a quirky, cute new update.

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