May has not disappointed in terms of social media developments. From a simpler Twitter, to political intrigue and a new design for Instagram there have been plenty of big developments.

See below for just some of the most important and must know developments. Have we missed any? Are you looking forward to any of the developments below?

Simpler Twitter

One of the world’s most mature social media networks is slowly becoming “a whole lot simpler” says original founder and now Chief executive, Jack Dorsey.

Twitter is over 10 years old and by most respects floundering. The stock price is at an all-time low and statistics point to an inability to win new users to the platform. Enter into the mix Jack Dorsey. Original founder of Twitter and for the past year Chief executive.

Some of the most recent changes to Twitter brought about under Jack’s watch include:

• Removing the @reply rule where if you begin a tweet with someone’s username only you and them see it on your timeline.
• Removing character count for added images, media or polls.
• Not counting username characters in the tweet limit (140 characters) to encourage conversation on the platform.

The above developments are being implemented in an effort to win back the original beliefs and standards of Twitter. Do you like these changes? What do you think will be the next big development?

Check out the interview with Jack Dorsey on the BBC News website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36376037

Updated look for Instagram

The first app icon update for Instagram since iOS 7 and one that has not gone unnoticed. As usual, for any update on social media, views are mixed.

Instagram state the new logo and theme represents the rainbow lives of its users and the mixture of cultures from around the world that use the app. The new theme is carried inside the app with more focused on the photos and videos without any change to the navigation.

Do you like the new look for Instagram? Will you miss the old app logo?

Is Facebook politically bias?

There has been debate recently, in the U.S. as to the coverage of politics on Facebook. In particular the coverage on Trending Topics.

Following anonymous allegations of political bias Facebook launched an investigation into the policies and practices around Trending Topics. They also sought to find out if anyone working at Facebook could influence Trending Topics or breach Facebook policies. The preliminary results of the investigation and conclusion were sent to the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee John Thune.

Facebook states that there was “no evidence of systematic political bias in the selection or prominence of stories included in the Trending Topics feature.”

WhatsApp Desktop

The world’s most popular messaging app just became available on desktop. WhatsApp announced, “Just like WhatsApp Web, the new desktop app lets you message with friends and family while your phone stays in your pocket.”

Available on Windows 8+ and Mac OS 10.9+ you can download the desktop version via the following link: www.whatsapp.com/download then you have to open the app on your phone and scan the QR code.

Will you use this new desktop version?

More?

If you have enjoyed this blog we recommend the following:
Social Media in April 2016
Social Media in March 2016

Have we missed anything? What do you think will be the big developments of June?

Thanks for reading (and watching our YouTube video). Check back soon.