With the Digital Marketing, Social Media, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) industries continuously advancing, staying informed and understanding trends is critical to staying ahead of your competition. Our monthly news roundup offers a comprehensive overview of the latest trends, strategies, and industry happenings that impact your business.
Take a 3-minute break to catch up on the highlights of April’s most significant events.
1. Twitter Says Advertisers Must Pay for Verification
Twitter recently announced that advertisers must pay for verification before being allowed to run ads on the platform. To obtain a blue tick, brands and businesses will have to pay a monthly fee of $8 to Twitter. However, businesses that already spend $1,000 or more per month on ads will be exempt from this rule and will soon receive gold checkmarks automatically. Some speculate that this move by Twitter is an attempt to increase their subscription revenue, possibly influenced by Elon Musk.
Source – Social Media Today
2. Twitter Freely Restores Blue Checks for Accounts With Over a Million Followers
When Twitter introduced the compulsory $8 charge for verification, numerous celebrities and notable users declined to pay. They argued that they were the ones who added value to the platform, not the other way around. This was an unexpected outcome for Twitter, prompting them to make an exemption. Consequently, most accounts with over a million followers had their blue tick reinstated, even if they had not paid the fee and, in some instances, had not possessed it before.
Source – Social Media Today
3. Snap is Testing AI Ad Placements
Snapchat has started experimenting with sponsored links in chats with “My AI” that would suggest relevant brands to users based on their conversation. For example, if a user inquires about a dining option, My AI may suggest a sponsored link to a nearby restaurant or a food delivery app. Similarly, if a user discusses a video game, they may receive a link to a comparable game from a local retailer.
Source – TechCrunch
4. Google Bard Adds Coding Capabilities
After numerous user requests for such features, Google’s AI chatbot, Bard, is getting updated with programming and software development capabilities. It can now assist with code generation, debugging, and explanation. Bard will support over 20 programming languages, including C++, Go, Java, Javascript, Python, and Typescript. It has also been enhanced to assist with writing functions for Google Sheets.
Source – Search Engine Journal
5. Reddit Announces Paid Access To Its Public API
Following in the footsteps of Twitter, Reddit has announced that commercial access and use of its API will become a paid service starting on June 19, 2023.
Source – Search Engine Journal
6. YouTube is Rolling Out a New Feature Called Product Drops
The current process for content creators to showcase a product during a live stream involves uploading product details beforehand. However, this can result in a lack of interest and excitement from the audience since they already know what to expect. To combat this issue, YouTube has introduced “Scheduled Product Drops,” which allow creators to schedule a time for the product to appear.
This method creates a sense of mystery and hype, as the audience will only see a tagged mystery product on the product shelf and list. By withholding full details, creators can entice more viewers to attend their live streams and increase engagement.
Source – Social Media Today
7. Instagram Now Allows Multiple Links in Users’ Bio
In April, Instagram fulfilled one of its most sought-after feature requests by allowing users to add up to five (5) links in their IG bio, a significant improvement from the previous limit of one link. This update is particularly beneficial for businesses and SMEs seeking to boost traffic to their websites, e-commerce stores, and other online platforms, all without incurring any costs.
Sources – Search Engine Land, Social Media Today
Want to learn more?
Our roundup aims to equip you with useful insights and fresh ideas to effectively manoeuvre the dynamic digital realm. Keep an eye out for upcoming updates and continue to explore and experiment with your digital marketing endeavors.
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P.S. Don’t forget to be productive and stay positive!
