This Week on Social - Your IG Grid is Changing, YT Shorts and Long-form in One Feed, The New Besties on the Block!

Each week, the marketing team at The Goat Agency pull together the latest news from the social space in a weekly social media news round-up. ??????

? Happy 100th edition of our 'This Week on Social' Newsletter! Thank you to everyone who has read, subscribed, liked, shared and commented - you're our favourites! ?

This week YouTube are testing one feed for YT Shorts and long-form video, Instagram wants to get rid of your square grid, TikTok DM's are getting an upgrade, and so much more...

Don't Miss This Week's Headlines!

(1/5) YT Shorts and Long-form in One Feed ??

YouTube is experimenting with blending Shorts and long-form videos into a single feed.

The goal? To help viewers discover a variety of content types in one scroll. But will this mix of vertical and horizontal videos be a seamless experience? Only time (and testing) will tell.

Shorts are a major hit, pulling in a whopping 70 billion views daily. YouTube’s hoping to use this popularity to boost exposure for longer videos. It’s a strategic move to maximize viewership across the board, but it could also lead to some confusing moments for users if the transition between formats isn’t smooth.

(2/5) TikTok's DM's Are Getting an Upgrade ?

TikTok is stepping up its direct messaging game with a couple of new features that could change how you and your followers connect.

Stickers: TikTok is rolling out stickers in DMs, including user-generated sticker sets and video stickers made from TikTok clips. Not only can you get creative with your own sticker sets, but you’ll also be able to track how often others are using them—hello, new trend alert!

Group Chats: You can now create group chats with up to 32 participants. Whether you’re brainstorming your next viral moment or just chatting with friends, this new feature makes it easier to keep the conversation going, all without leaving the app.

The group chat option is limited to mutual followers, and there are safety features in place, especially for younger users. But don’t expect to start a chat if you’re 13-15 years old—TikTok’s keeping it age-appropriate.

(3/5) Why Does My Instagram Grid Look Different? ??

Instagram is testing a new vertical grid display that ditches the classic square thumbnails for a more elongated format.

Vertical is the new square! Instagram’s new grid aligns with video content, especially Reels, by switching to a vertical display. No more cropping your photos into squares—this new layout is all about giving your content the full-frame treatment.

Instagram Chief Adam Mosseri confirmed the test, noting that the platform is evolving from its square photo roots to better suit today’s content, which is mostly vertical. It's a move that makes sense but might require some of us to rethink our carefully curated grids.

(4/5) The New Besties on the Block ????

Coca-Cola and Oreo just became the ultimate BFFs, and they're bringing us all along for the ride. In a crossover that’s about to make your taste buds tingle, Coca-Cola and Oreo have teamed up to create limited-edition goodies that are as iconic as the brands themselves.

Introducing the Oreo Coca-Cola Sandwich Cookie and Coca-Cola Oreo Zero Sugar drink. Half classic Oreo, half Coca-Cola-flavored, with popping candy fizz, meanwhile, the Zero Sugar drink blends that signature Coke taste with a hint of Oreo cookie flavor.

These brands know what they're doing by making this collaboration last for a limited amount of time. These treats are hitting grocery and convenience stores starting in September. Plus, a frozen version of the Coca-Cola Oreo will be available at McDonald’s and 7-Eleven in select markets. Act fast—once they're gone, they’re gone!

(5/5) 9 Popular Male Creators on Social in 2024 ??

The positive male role models landscape has encountered a shift over the last 10 or 20 years.

Where millennial males might’ve had posters of David Beckham or Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man on their bedroom walls, today’s young men tend to connect with their role models on social media.?

However, some of those popular with young males today have come under fire for their pursuits of toxic masculinity, misogynistic or simplistic views on women, and extreme ideals of what a ‘man’ should be. We want to look at some of the positive sides of male content creation.?

Who are the unsung heroes, the lesser known creators and influencers that seek to positively impact their young male followers? Let’s find out.?

Read our list of Positive Male Influencers: 9 Popular Male Creators on Social in 2024

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And that’s all for this week, but don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for real-time announcements of all our new blog content!