WHAT'S TICKING ? Vol 2 (3)

Gear up for the week ahead with the Clockwork Weekly, your go-to source for staying informed on the latest social and digital happenings. Here's what we will be looking at in this week's newsletter:

1. Meta continues to innovate with new features in the Threads app.
2. Google introduces fresh functionalities to enhance its search capabilities.
3. YouTube unveils AI-powered Spotlight Moments.

META KEEPS THREADING FORWARD WITH NEW FEATURES?

Meta has been very busy evolving the Threads app with a variety of new features to attract a broader user base.

First, let’s look at what’s new:

• Threads introduced Instagram profile tags, enabling users to tag non-Threads accounts.
• The highly requested edit feature has been released, allowing users to edit posts within a 5-minute window. This addresses concerns about the potential misuse of editing capabilities.

What’s coming next?

• Threads will soon feature Trending Topics, simplifying users' access to the latest discussions. This move aims to align Threads more closely with the real-time news discussion experience of X.
• Additionally, Threads is rolling out audio messages called Voice Threads.
• Lastly, there's some speculation going around that Threads is developing an in-stream DM option, hinted at by newly discovered code in the app.

[Soure credit: Social Media Today]

GOOGLE INTRODUCES NEW FUNCTIONALITIES IN SEARCH

• Initially available to selected brands, more businesses can now boost their online presence by adding social media links to their Google Business profile.

• Google introduced a new Search Generative Experience (SGE), currently in testing through Search Labs. Users can now input image creation prompts directly into Search, receiving up to four generated images as results. The generative AI enhances initial queries with descriptive details, allowing users to edit and add more specifics to bring their vision to life.

• Lastly, a writing assistant feature is also in testing that lets users create queries and notes based on their search activity. For example, if you're exploring home improvement projects, the feature allows you to ask for assistance in drafting a note to a contractor. This digital assistant aims to streamline the process of organising information gathered from searches and can help in creating relevant queries and reports with less manual effort.

YOUTUBE LAUNCHES SPOTLIGHT MOMENTS POWERED BY AI?

YouTube introduced Spotlight Moments, a new ad option allowing advertisers to feature ads during major cultural events, like Halloween, Christmas, or the Oscars for example.

Leveraging AI-based video identification and sorting, Spotlight Moments will enable advertisers to maximise ad placement within content that’s related to key cultural moments. YouTube’s system will identify a selection of top-performing thematic uploads, and then pull them into a branded content hub, complete with the advertiser’s logo.

While it's a high-end ad option, YouTube reported that advertisers benefited significantly from increased reach and cost efficiency, as seen in testing with Video Reach Campaigns.

[Soure credit: Google]

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