November Social Media Digest 2021
November delivered a wide range of important social media updates despite the holiday season approaching. Facebook announced the shutdown of its facial recognition system and introduced new monetization tools for creators, while Instagram brought back post preview cards on Twitter and expanded Reels features with text‑to‑speech and voice effects. Twitter rolled out profile search, allowed non‑users to listen to Spaces, added topic tags, and introduced Spaces recordings. Together, these updates highlight platforms’ growing focus on privacy, creator monetization, content discovery, and audio engagement.
We are approaching the Christmas holidays, and the rush for gifts has started. Nevertheless, November turned out to be quite fruitful for some SM Platforms, and some are lagging behind. So, here is the list of the hottest news of last month.
Facebook users will no longer be able to use Facial Recognition
Facebook’s Face Recognition program does not comply with the company’s decision to limit its use. Thus, the platform shuts this program down and destroys all the files relating to facial recognition. Privacy advocates have long been debating the question of its legality. Due to rising costs and other legal challenges, Facebook has come to the conclusion that this facial recognition system is not worth billions in fines. However, the system had some benefits too for visually impaired users, for example. As of now, Meta is looking to use this technology in developing AR glasses, though closing its original version.
More Details: SocialMediaToday
Facebook creators get new monetization tools
Facebook is pushing Apple out of fan subscriptions to pay creators more, because Apple charges a 30% fee on each transaction. The SM giant will redirect subscribers outside the platform for signing up. The new promotional link directs subscribers to the website to buy a subscription using Facebook Pay instead of Apple Pay. Thereby, the creators will get an opportunity to get 100% of their money.
Some approved creators can participate in a year-end bonus program, earning up to $20 per subscriber. In addition, Creator Studio gets new tools as well, allowing creators to get an estimate of potential earnings and download subscribers’ emails.
More Details: SocialMediaToday
Instagram brings Post Preview Cards back
The preview cards are available again once an Instagram link is shared on Twitter. This feature was removed back in 2012, which actually turned a cross-posting process into a pain. At the beginning of this year, tweets started appearing on Instagram Stories. Though it is not a full-screen image, it is still something.
More Details: SocialMediaToday
Instagram rolls out new features for Reels
Instagram is still after TikTok and striving to win the youth back. Last month, the app provided the new text to Speech’ feature in Reels. A creator will get two voice options to read out the text overlays added to Reels. This option is available for enabling by tapping a speech bubble at the bottom of the composer. Besides that, your voice can get a second life too with new ‘Voice effects’ available.
Believe it or not, but TikTok contracted Disney and announced their partnership the following day. This means that TikTok users will get an option of opting for Disney characters’ voices instead of an automatic female voice.
More Details: SocialMediaToday
Twitter enables an on-profile search option
It has been tested for some time. But, from the beginning of November and on users can see a search icon or a magnifying glass enabling a keyword search within the timeline of a specific user. By clicking it, you will have to either enter keywords manually or use Twitter’s advanced search to find the previous tweets.
More Details: SocialMediaToday
Twitter provides more options for non-users
This platform also rolled out a couple of useful updates last month. Twitter is looking to expand its Spaces audience even beyond the platform, meaning that non-users are given an option to tune in. Once a host shares an invitation link to a Spaces chat with contacts who don’t have a Twitter account, they can still listen to it, though they are not allowed to act as guests or react to the discussion.
After short testing, Twitter also launched topic tags for Spaces to enable the relevant Spaces to get wider exposure across the audience. A host can now opt for three tags while creating or scheduling a Spaces chat that can potentially attract new users interested in those particular topics. And last but not least, Twitter started rolling out a recording option for Spaces. Some users can now record, share, and replay their Spaces chats.
Besides that, Clubhouse also launched a replay option in November. Enabling this option allows users to replay the entire audio, and a host can use it as they wish.
More Details: SocialMediaToday
Well, this is all for this year. We’ll see you next year with our December SM Digest. Be sure not to miss it by subscribing to VAfromEurope’s weekly newsletter.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
