The constantly evolving world of social media is ever-changing and marketers, business owners and even the daily Facebook user should be aware of the updates. Make sure you are subscribed to our blog to get the monthly news and updates on all things social media sent right to your inbox. This month, we focus on all of the updates happening to Instagram.
The ‘About This Account’ Feature
This new feature is designed to create more transparency on Instagram. The ‘About This Account’ feature will be available to all users via the drop-down menu on profiles. Any user can click to see what date the account was established, the country it is located, accounts with shared followers, changes to the account’s username and any ads that are being run by the account. Those involved in influencer marketing have shown mixed reactions to this feature. Some are happy to share the data and others feel it shows too much of their marketing strategy.
The ‘You’re All Caught Up’ Feature
Another Instagram update users are noticing is the “You’re All Caught Up” notification they get once they have viewed all of the posts in their feed. At Matter, we are wondering: will this cause a drop in engagement? Users in the past may have scrolled through their feeds multiple times and possibly engaged on the 2nd or 3rd time seeing a piece of content. With the new update, they may stop scrolling and only see content one time preventing that 2nd or 3rd time like. We will have to wait and see.
Have you switched to a Business Profile yet?
If your business or client’s Instagram account isn’t already switched over to a Business Profile, you should! You’ll get more insight about posts, your audience, and be able to run Instagram ads. Learn how here.
An Instagram Verification Form is Here
A May, 2018 Forbes article confirmed that it was impossible to request a verified badge to your Instagram profile. According to Instagram, “Only some public figures, celebrities and brands have verified badges. It’s not currently possible to request or purchase a verified badge.” BUT, a new update will soon bring a verification form to the app. According to NewsCred Insights, “That form will officially be made available to accounts that reach large audiences and comply with Instagram’s terms of service and community guidelines.”
IGTV
If you are an avid Instagram user, you have certainly noticed the addition of the colorful button next to your Direct Messages. Here lies one of the biggest platform additions of 2018, IGTV. While IGTV is still in it’s early stages, Forbes declared yesterday it is “positioned to change the way we consume TV.” Are you integrating vertical videos into your 2019 strategy yet?