Social Platform Updates: 2022 Recap

2022 was a landmark year for social media platforms. BeReal. 's spontaneity and dual camera format took the world by storm. Facebook and Instagram leaned into Reels. TikTok launched ad revenue sharing and a Friends tab. Elon Musk acquired Twitter . And YouTube doubled down on Shorts.

Each month, I publish a summary of the latest feature releases and major updates from social platforms. Here's a look back at what made headlines in 2022:

亚马逊 ??

? Announced Amp, a live audio app for users to create radio shows.

? Launched its Inspire app with a TikTok-like feed of shoppable content.

Clubhouse ??

? Added a text-based reply option for users who don't want to participate in a voice discussion.

? Added a protected profile setting to limit profile visibility to certain followers.

? Rolled out a private groups feature called “Houses.”

Discord ??

? Expanded premium memberships and added an analytics dashboard with membership revenue.

? Released server subscriptions in the U.S.

Facebook ??

? Launched its short-form video format, Reels.

? Announced polls, quizzes, and scheduling tools for Reels.

? Expanded the max length of Reels from 60s to 90s.

? Extended its 0% cut of creator earnings through 2024.

? Launched a virtual goods store for FB, IG, and Messenger.

? Deprecated its live shopping features and standalone FB Gaming app.

? Added cross-posting for Instagram Reels on Facebook.

? Tested a live-streaming platform called Super (think Twitch meets Cameo ), which will shut down on Feb 15, 2023.

? Unveiled a “Top fans” option to share exclusive content with top subscribers.

? Announced plans to retire its newsletter feature Bulletin in early 2023.

? Forced to sell GIPHY by the UK's anti-competition watchdog CMA.

Instagram ??

? Launched creator subscriptions for fans to financially support their favorite creators.

? Expanded its 'Remix' feature from Reels to all IG video formats.

? Deprecated the Instagram TV video format and accompanying IGTV app.

? Introduced chronological feeds and "favorites" feeds for all users.

? Pulled its Boomerang and Hyperlapse from app stores.

? Rolled out new tags to help BIPOC and other underrepresented creators receive credit for their work.

? Enabled creators to assign a moderator during IG Live streams.

? Tested full-screen video home feeds a la TikTok.

? Added support for NFTs.

? Enhanced parental controls to allow parents to set off-limit hours.

? Announced new IG Subscriptions features, including exclusive feed posts + Reels, subscriber chats, and an exclusive tab on a creator’s profile.

? Launched the ability to buy products and track orders in DMs.

? Added a searchable map.

? Released an IG creator marketplace to select brands on an invite-only basis.

? Launched a dual camera feature and "Candid Challenges" a la BeReal.

? Scaled back its shopping features and ended its creator affiliate program.

? Added a post scheduling feature.

? Unveiled an in-app media kit called Creator Portfolio.

? Added virtual gifting to Reels.

? Debuted IG Achievements (a la Snapchat).

? Rolled out Notes (ephemeral text posts) worldwide. Notes are limited to 60 characters, only viewable by friends, and vanish after 24 hrs.

LinkedIn ??

? Debuted its own podcast network.

? Released an audio events feature for LinkedIn creators.

? Added support for links at the top of creator profiles.

? Unveiled a new Discover tab to find people and content outside their network.

? Enabled clickable links within images and videos.

? Added a carousel format and design templates.

? Introduced pinned comments.

? Added a new Document ads format focused on lead generation.

? Launched auto captions for videos (English only for now).

? Released in-app post scheduling.

? Unveiled new creator mode analytics, including follower growth over time, audience demo breakdowns, and top posts performance.

OnlyFans ??

? Added support for NFT profile pictures.

? Partnered with Teespring to allow creators to sell personalized merch.

Pinterest ??

? Introduced a personalized shopping page called "Your Shop."

? Enabled users to export videos to share on other social platforms.

? Launched a new live-streaming app for creators called Pinterest TV Studio.

? Acquired AI shopping platform THE YES (acquired by Pinterest) .

? Released its collage-making app Shuffles publicly.

? Ended its creator rewards program.

Reddit, Inc. ??

? Revamped its mobile app and added a Discover tab.

? Launched a marketplace for NFT profile pics.

? Added support for GIFs in comments via GIPHY .

? Enabled users to mute subreddits on Android and iOS.

? Added support for images in subreddit comments.

Snap Inc. ??

? Introduced a creator revenue share for ads in Stories.

? Finally made it possible to change your username.

? Released a new buddy system to share real-time location data with friends.

? Partnered with Ticketmaster to match users with live events in their area.

? Launched Director Mode, which includes editing tools like green screen and dual camera recording.

? Partnered with Cameo to connect brands with creators to produce video ads.

? Launched a Dynamic Ads Service to personalize ads to each user.

? Added replies to Spotlight videos.

? Unveiled a $3.99 subscription called Snapchat Plus that offers exclusive content and early access to new features.

? Testing mid-roll ads in Stories.

? Halted future development of its flying camera, Pixy.

? Introduced new Snapchat+ features, such as priority Story replies, custom notification sounds for friends, Bitmoji backgrounds, and new homescreen app icons.

? Added a dual camera feature a la BeReal.

? Rolled out Lock Screen Widgets for one-tap messaging.

? Released Chat Shortcuts to pin unread Snaps and missed calls to the top of the Chat window.

? Unveiled Question Stickers for audience polls in Stories.

? Partnered with 亚马逊 for AR shopping.

? Announced a lenses monetization program for AR creators.

Substack ??

? Enabled select writers to upload or record videos.

? Released a recommendations feature to help writers promote one another's content.

? Announced audio features, e.g. voice overs for posts and support for multiple audio files.

? Working on a text-to-speech tool to read articles.

? Added bestseller badges to indicate a newsletter's paid subscriber volume.

TikTok ?

? Added Stories to its 'For You' page.

? Expanded its max video length to 10 minutes.

? Launched a music distribution platform called SoundOn for artists to earn royalties when their songs are used in TikTok videos.

? Partnered with GIPHY on a new video creation tool called TikTok Library.

? Launched TikTok Pulse, enabling brands to run ads against top content in the For You feed. Creators with 100K+ followers are eligible for monetization with a 50/50 revenue split.

? Replaced the Discover tab with Friends.

? Announced a paid subscriptions feature for creators that are 18+ and have 1K+ followers.

? Rolled out TikTok Insights, an interactive audience insights platform.

? Launched personalized avatars a la Bitmoji and Memoji.

? Added content filters and maturity ratings to improve app safety.

? Released auto-generated closed captions.

? Partnered with Ticketmaster for in-app ticket purchases.

? Announced an in-app Elections Center with local voting information.

? Rolled out a text-to-image AI generator.

? Tested a Nearby feature to surface local content to users.

? Launched a BeReal. copycat called TikTok Now, which is available as a standalone app outside the U.S.

? Added a dislike button to comments.

? Partnered with talkshoplive? to expand its live shopping platform TikTok Shop in USA & CA.

? Added support for carousels (Photo Mode).

? Partnered with Linktree to help creators showcase up to 6 videos in a new Profile Kit tool.

? Added Creator Marketplace recommendations to suggest relevant creators.

? Added showtimes & theater information under movie trailers.

? Introduced new editing tools, e.g. stacking, trimming, & splitting videos, sounds, & sound effects.

? Increased the minimum age for live streaming to 18.

? Announced adult-only livestreams, though nudity & sexually explicit content are still prohibited.

? Added a games tab on the homepage.

? Tested a horizontal fullscreen mode a la YouTube .

Tumblr ??

? Launched a tipping feature to help bloggers receive money from their supporters.

? Reversed its nudity ban, though the platform still prohibits sexually explicit content.

? Released a live-streaming feature called Tumblr Live for iOs and Android.

Twitch ??

? Enabled users to track and appeal account bans.

? Unveiled a native fundraising tool called Twitch Charity.

? Removed its exclusivity requirement for streamers, albeit with certain restrictions to discourage simulcasting on YouTube and Facebook Live.

? Created a Cues feature to give streamers real-time audience insights, suggestions, and reminders.

? Revised monetization terms for popular streamers, from a flat 70% revenue share to 70% on the first $100K and then a reduced 50% split.

? Rolled out its co-streaming Guest Star feature globally.

? Announced Shield Mode, which allows streamers to turn on custom safety settings.

Twitter ??

? Launched NFT profile pictures for Twitter Blue subscribers.

? Introduced new labels to help users identify "good bots."

? Launched "Safety Mode" to allow users to block harmful accounts.

? Rolled out its "Professional Account" setting to all users.

? Made DMs searchable.

? Introduced a Creator Dashboard to help creators manage their earnings.

? Announced a pilot with Stripe to pay select users in crypto.

? Introduced a crisis misinformation policy to hide misleading tweets from high-profile accounts.

? Launched Twitter Create with resources for creators.

? Added special tweets for online merchants to tease product launches.

? Partnered with Shopify to enable shopping features on Twitter profiles.

? Testing a CoTweets feature that allows users to co-author a tweet with another account.

? Rolled out Twitter Circles (private groups of up to 150 people) to all users.

? Announced fullscreen vertical videos and a scrollable feed a la TikTok .

? Incorporated a video carousel into its Explore tab.

? Enabled users to mix media (photo, video, & gifs) in a single Tweet.

? Reportedly working on a Vine reboot.

? Shut down its Revue newsletter feature.

? Started working on monetized paywalled videos and a paid DMs feature, a la OnlyFans .

? Overhauled its verification process, with blue checkmarks for people, gold for companies, and grey for governments.

? Raised the price of Twitter Blue from $2.99 to $4.99, then $7.99, and finally $7 paid via web or $11 paid via iOS app.

? Rolled out Community Notes (fka Birdwatch) worldwide, allowing users to add context to Tweets to combat misinformation.

? Disbanded its trust and safety council.

? Initially banned users from linking out to other social platforms but later reversed course.

? Added real-time pricing graphs to $cashtags for major stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.

? Rolled out Tweet view counts on iOS and Android (web coming soon).

YouTube ??

? Previewed new creator tools like NFTs and live shopping features.

? Released a remix feature for Shorts.

? Added desktop and tablet support for viewing Shorts.

? Expanded access to Super Thanks to all monetizing creators.

? Added a Live Redirect feature to point livestream viewers to another broadcast a la Twitch raids.

? Released a Green Screen tool to let creators use a 60-second clip from an existing YouTube video in a new Short.

? Launched a Most Replayed feature to highlight popular video segments and a Single Loop feature to put a video on endless repeat.

? Rolled out ads on Shorts.

? Released a corrections feature so creators can issue corrections via info cards on the top right corner of a video.

? Partnered with Shopify to allow merchants to integrate their online stores with YT Shopping.

? Added a new shopping destination called Mall to the Explore tab.

? Expanded Shorts Drafts on iOS and rolled out a new Cut feature.

? Added watermarks to downloaded Shorts.

? Announced direct ad monetization for Shorts coming in Feb 2023. Creators with 10M+ Shorts views in the last 90 days will receive a 45% revenue share.

? Unveiled a voiceover feature for Shorts.

? Introduced handles to identify creators.

? Rolled out audio ads globally.

? Added pinch to zoom on mobile.

? Launched precise seeking to pinpoint a specific section of a video.

? Redesigned channel pages to break out Videos, Shorts, & Live into different tabs.

? Announced a co-streaming feature called Go Live Together.

? Released a Q&A feature for livestreams.

? Expanded Shorts from 15s to 60s maximum.

? Rolled out shopping features in Shorts and started experimenting with an affiliate program.

? Announced updates to its Advertiser Friendly Guidelines, including a new demonetization trigger: "enabling dishonest behavior" aimed at reducing harmful pranks and cheating in video games.

? Released custom emotes a la Twitch .

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