Mad Digest Weekly Updates 7th Aug-12th Aug

Top Updates of the week

Instagram Takes Inspiration from BeReal with New Test Features

In the modern social media landscape, replication is the ultimate compliment, and it seems that rising app BeReal is the latest app that’s getting attention, and various ‘compliments’ as a result. BeReal is based on a random prompt, sent out to all users at a different time each day, which asks people to share what they’re doing, with a 2-minute time limit to provide an update.

And as you might expect, given the attention that BeReal is gaining, Instagram is now lurking around its flanks, and looking for ways to utilize its key elements, in order to negate the app’s growth, and boost its own performance. Instagram recently launched a new ‘Dual’ camera mode, which enables users to capture content and their reaction at the same time, using their phone’s front and back cameras simultaneously which many have noted looks very similar to BeReal’s UI.

And now, Instagram’s testing another feature which feels very BeReal-esque:

As you can see in this example, Instagram’s testing a new option that would enable you to add a QR code to your posts, which other users would then be able to scan, in order to see, on a map, where exactly you are any given time. Of course, we don’t have a lot to go on, but it could be an issue if youngsters are unwittingly posting their location at any given time, for anyone to see.

WhatsApp Adds New Privacy Tools, Including Online Activity Controls and the Ability to Silently Leave Group Chats

First off, WhatsApp’s giving users more control over how others see them in the app, with the option to switch off online activity markers, or restrict those signals to certain users.

As shown here, you’ll soon be able to decide who can see when you’re online in the app – ‘Everyone’, ‘Contacts’, ‘My Contacts Except’ or ‘Nobody’. WhatsApp’s also adding a new option to leave groups silently, so you can skip out of a group chat without alerting all group members.

In addition to this, WhatsApp is also extending the time window for deleting your messages from your chats. And finally, WhatsApp’s also rolling screenshot blocking for ‘View Once’ messages:

That could facilitate even more private sharing on WhatsApp, which may lead to more questionable material being shared. If that’s what people want – though that specific aspect has also been the focus of various authorities, in various regions, who have called on Meta to enable a level of messaging access to authorities, in order to avoid its apps being used for illegal activity, which is currently shielded by its privacy measures.

LinkedIn tests New ‘Discover’ Feed, New Groups Elements in Order to Enhance Engagement

LinkedIn has announced some new updates to help facilitate more discovery and engagement in the app, including a new ‘Discover’ feed, more contextual info on job listings and updates for groups.

First off, LinkedIn’s currently testing a new ‘Discover’ feed, which, as is the trend of the moment in social media, aims to highlight algorithmically recommended content that you may be interested in, based on your in-app activity.

As you can see in these example screens, LinkedIn’s Discover feed will highlight newsletters, videos, events and more, matched to you, based on your interests. So it’s kind of like TikTok’s ‘For You’ feed, but for professional updates on LinkedIn.

On another front, LinkedIn’s also adding a new ’Meet the team’ section on the details page in job listings, in order to help applicants get a better feel for who the team is, what they’re working towards, as well as links to their LinkedIn profiles, so candidates can get a better understanding of what they’re interested in, and passionate about.

LinkedIn’s also testing a new ‘Celebrations’ display in your ‘Notifications’ stream, in order to better enable members to keep up with the latest job milestones, changes, work anniversaries, etc.

As you can see here, the new prompts will give you more ways to stay in touch with your connections, based on key changes and events. It could be a good way to stay front of mind with important connections – though it could also lead to more spam (like templated birthday messages from people who never engage with you otherwise).

Google Outlines New Algorithm Improvements to Improve the Accuracy of its Displayed Search Results

Google’s looking to add more context to its Search results, in order to mitigate the spread of misinformation, by adding improved contextual data matching for Search Snippets, and more supplementary info within Search results, in order will help users decide on which results are most accurate.

First off, Google’s improved its algorithms that fuel its Search snippets, which are the direct response results that it displays in Search queries.

In other words, the system can now double-check stated facts and claims for use in snippets, which should help to improve the accuracy of the displayed results.

In addition, Google also says that its systems are also getting better at understanding when a featured snippet doesn’t provide relevant context. It has reduced the appearance of featured snippets in such cases by 40%, helping to improve immediate answers, while also stopping the spread of misleading or false responses.

Google’s also looking to help provide searchers with more context around why certain results are displayed, including expanded context within its ’About this result’ element.

As you can see in this example, the update will include the addition of info on how widely a source has been circulated, online reviews about the source or company, and information on site ownership. That could help to provide important context on the information presented, which may influence the searchers’ view on the accuracy of the listed info.

Google’s also expanding its ‘Content Advisory’ warnings on search results where its system doesn’t have high confidence in the overall quality of the results available.

Google notes that this does not indicate that no helpful information is available, or that a particular result is low-quality, it simply adds more context about the whole set of results on the page.

Trending

Elon Musk Sells off Tesla Stock in Preparation for Possible Twitter Deal

It seems that Elon Musk isn’t entirely confident that he’ll be able to pull out of his $44 billion Twitter takeover deal, with Musk reportedly selling almost $7 billion in Tesla stock in recent days in preparation for a transaction, if he is ordered to pay up.

Musk has since confirmed the sell-off, explaining that:?

The Musk/Twitter takeover is scheduled to be heard in the Delaware Court of Chancery in October, after Musk and his team sought to exit the deal based on Twitter’s inability to convince them that only 5% of its active users are fake/bot accounts.

In response, Twitter has outlined its ‘airtight’ case against Musk’s various claims, with the court scheduling an expedited trial based on Twitter’s counter evidence. Twitter’s counter filing has also suggested that this element is not a legal impediment to the closing of the deal, under its original terms.

Featured

2022 Update: Brands take near me queries seriously

Have you ever been out with friends and wanted to grab a quick bite? Or were you out on the town and your footwear gave way and you needed a quick fix so you searched for a footwear store near you? In the current day and age, the I want it, I need it, I got it, culture is extremely prevalent and people want results, options and a quick fix as soon as possible. LINK