Social Media Shakeup: August 2024 Updates You Need to Know
The social media landscape constantly changes, and August 2024 was no exception. Meta, TikTok, and LinkedIn rolled out significant changes and updates that businesses and users should know about. Let’s dive in and see what’s new.
Meta
- Reels Enhancements: Meta continues to prioritize Reels across both Facebook and Instagram. In August, they introduced new editing tools, including adding sound effects and music directly within the Reels editor. They also expanded their music library and made it easier to find trending audio clips.
- Ad Targeting Refinements: With an increasing focus on privacy, Meta has made adjustments to ad targeting. Advertisers now have less granular options for targeting based on user interests and behaviors. This means a greater emphasis on broader targeting and creativity that resonates with a wider audience.
- Group Updates: Facebook Groups received some love this month. Admins now have more control over group recommendations and can easily promote their group to relevant users.
TikTok
- Longer Videos: TikTok, known for its short-form videos, has gradually increased the maximum video length. In August, they expanded the limit to 10 minutes, giving creators more room for storytelling and in-depth content.
- “Trendy Beat” Feature: TikTok launched a new tool called “Trendy Beat,” which allows users to create videos using sounds from TikTok’s Commercial Music Library. This opens up new opportunities for brands and creators to collaborate and potentially monetize their content.
- Safety Features: TikTok continues to prioritize user safety By introducing additional parental controls and making it easier for users to report inappropriate content.
- “Focused Inbox” Rollout: LinkedIn introduced a new “Focused Inbox” feature, similar to Gmail’s Priority Inbox. It uses AI to prioritize messages from your most important connections, helping users stay on top of their professional network.
- “Career Explorer” Expansion: The “Career Explorer” tool, which helps users find new career paths, is now available in more countries.
- Newsletter Enhancements: LinkedIn has made it easier for users to create and manage newsletters on the platform. They’ve added new analytics tools and made it simpler to promote newsletters to followers.
Key Takeaways for Marketers and Businesses:
- Video is king: Video content continues to dominate across all platforms. Businesses should prioritize creating engaging video content, particularly short-form videos for Reels and TikTok.
- Adapting to privacy changes: Meta’s ad targeting updates highlight the need for marketers to focus on creating compelling content and building organic reach.
- Embrace new features: Take advantage of new platform features as they become available. This will keep your content fresh and help you reach a wider audience.
Social media is ever-evolving, and staying ahead of the curve is essential for success. By understanding the latest updates and changes, businesses can adapt their strategies and continue to connect effectively with their target audiences. Contact us to learn more about social media marketing. We can help by managing your social media strategy, paid social media advertising, and social media community management services.
