July Social Media Digest 2021
Discover key social media updates, including Facebook Group tools, Instagram translation and security features, Twitter reply controls, TikTok creator and recruitment tools, and new Clubhouse features.
Though the summer is inevitably approaching its end, July was pretty rich in new SM features, worth taking a closer look. Are you ready for that?
Facebook adds new features for Group Admins
The main new feature is “Group expert”, which helps people, loving to share their expertise, to stand out. From now on, Group Admins are given an option to assign new badges to those people, ask them questions, and involve them in group discussions. Some Facebook Group Admins will even be given a chance to search outside the Group in order to find relevant experts and involve them in discussions.
One more useful feature was launched last month for Page Managers, who got the ‘automatic invites’ option in order to send invitations to their most dedicated page followers.
More Details: Facebook Adds New Tools for Groups Including Expert Badges and Automatic
Instagram provides Language Translation within Stories
Instagram improves accessibility with the option of translating Story overlays into another language on the screen. IG Stories Translation Banner in the upper-left corner supports over 90 languages for now, but only text without an audio conversion. This feature might significantly help brands reach new markets with their promotions being instantly translated.
More Details: Instagram Rolls Out Language Translation Options Within Instagram Stories
Instagram launches new Security Checkup Alerts
For the sake of keeping users’ accounts safe, Instagram provided new Security Checkups, which guide users through several security steps, like checking login activity, etc. The platform is also going to allow using a WhatsApp phone number for two-factor authentication. Instagram also reminds users that it never sends direct messages, so most probably it’s a scam.
More Details: Instagram Adds New Safety Check Up Tool Amid Rising Reports of Suspicious a
Instagram allows saving Stories as drafts
In July, all Instagram users were given an option to save their stories as drafts within the application when leaving during the creation process. When leaving without finishing, the notification will let you know that it will be there for a week for you, no longer. This minor feature will come in handy for Social Media managers, allowing them to create more comprehensive content and post it at the optimal time.
More Details: Instagram Stories Drafts Are Now Available to All Users
Twitter updates Reply Controls
Twitter has changed its Reply Control options. Twitter allowed restricting who could reply to tweets to everyone, people you follow, or people you mention during creation. Now, after some consideration, you can change the settings any time instead of deleting your tweet forever. Though Twitter is social media, you’ve got the right to decide who’s commenting.
More Details: Twitter Updates Reply Controls to Enable Changes in Who Can Reply After You
Twitter provides new Physical Security Keys
Last month, Twitter allowed using physical security keys as the only form of authentication. Plugging the keys into a USB or connecting via Bluetooth uses FIDO and WebAuthn standards and offers the strongest protection. The extra layer of protection can distinguish trustworthy websites from malicious ones, even when the security key is used on the latter.
More Details: Twitter Adds Another Way to Protect Accounts from Unauthorized Users
TikTok launches “Shootouts” Option
Have you got enough TikTok coins, provided by the platform last year? The platform is striving to provide better and more lucrative options for its creators. In July, TikTok offered users a personalized video message from star hosts that would go to them. This creator must accept or decline your Shootout within three days and deliver the finalized video within a week. For now, this option is pretty expensive, but the price is variable. In this way, you can request a birthday wish or a pep talk, etc.
More Details: TikTok Adds New Shootouts Option to Enable Users to Pay for Personalized
TikTok connects recruiters and job seekers
Quite probably, TikTok is your chance to find a good job. The platform initiated its Resume program in the US to help connect users with open vacancies. The ones looking for a job will simply have to make a video that showcases their skills and upload it to the platform. #TikTokResumes tag is a must. A link to your video can be provided on a special website, where you can apply to job openings.
More Details: TikTok Launches Resumes to Help Connect Candidates with Job Opportunities
Clubhouse teams up with TED
In the middle of last month, Clubhouse teamed up with TED to share some exclusive ideas from leaders and experts. Clubhouse announced other rooms the following week. Such cooperation might give a significant boost to the platform. Besides that, Clubhouse is now available for everybody on iOS and Android.
More Details: Clubhouse Establishes Exclusive Deal with Ted to Expand Its Content Pool
Clubhouse launches “Back channel” messaging platform
The platform has rolled out an exchange-messages option beyond live rooms. Back channel allows chatting with one person as well as group chat, and an inbox for requests. A new messaging system provides more ways for the hosts to interact with their audience and for the users to chat with hosts and other users beyond rooms. That was actually a necessary step, for users had long been using third-party messengers for this purpose.
More Details: Clubhouse Launches Back channel Messaging Platform to Extend in Room Convey
Well, that is all for now. Though you’ll get another news feed session in August if you follow our monthly Digest from VAfromEurope.
