The latest updates to social media platforms include:

Facebook:

• Considers new topic exclusions for ads, with categories such as “Crime & Tragedy”
• Considers new prompts encouraging users to allow data tracking for a better and improved experience as a response to IDFA
• Significantly boosts Reels exposure by allowing users to share their videos to Facebook Watch and leverage their audience base
• Is currently developing a new feature to clone Clubhouse’s audio-only social rooms
• Rolls out site to help advertisers affected by Apple’s IDFA with information about monetizing apps using FB’s proprietary services

Instagram:

• Introduces ‘Professional Dashboard,’ a new in-app insight hub to get insights and tools for business accounts
• Tests vertical feed for Stories which will allow users to swipe up and down to browse Stories, just like TikTok
• Adds an option to restore deleted posts for a short time before they are permanently deleted
• Toughens penalties for abusive behavior by temporarily banning users from sending DMs if they are found breaking speech rules

Twitter:

• Acquires newsletter platform Revue for writers to integrate their newsletter reach and monetization capabilities with Twitter
• Launches Birdwatch, a crowdsourced misinformation management platform
• Sunsets its Ad Transparency Center; whereby ads data after November 2019 won’t be accessible to users moving forward
• Continues testing subscription options to create alternative revenue sources
• Revamps ad objectives to optimize App Install and enhances click tracking
• Tests voice notes on DMs in Brazil, India, and Japan
• Continues expanding Spaces with new and more prominent display markers

Snapchat:

• Releases ‘Friend Check Up’ in a push towards safety, allowing users to delete people who are not their real friends

TikTok:  

• Adds Q&A mode for audiences to ask anything and for creators to directly reply with videos or in a livestream
• Introduces new video warning labels which will appear next to videos with unsubstantiated content
• Rolls out new ‘Recipe’ button for food content alongside new monetization features
• Closes another music partnership deal for creators to be able to use licensed content from Universal Music Group
• Introduces ‘Seller University,’ a new e-commerce learning portal

LinkedIn:

• Releases new recommendations for advertisers to get the best marketing tips in the new ‘Return to Growth’ digital magazine
• To launch ‘Marketplaces,’ a new platform for freelancers to advertise their services
• To work on a framework for increasing the incentives to users who create unique content
• To become more involved with pandemic recovery including moves like free job listings for healthcare institutions and free ads for NGOs

YouTube:

• Tests video-sharing feature ‘Clips’ for fans to share the favorite parts of their videos as independent clips
• Refreshes YouTube in its attempt to become an all-encompassing destination for sports enthusiasts

Google:

• Considers limiting apps data tracking for Android users in a similar fashion to Apple’s privacy changes
• Rolls out extra information & contextual data panels in Search results

Shopify:

• Enhances payment integration with Facebook allowing users to buy products using Shopify’s ‘Shop Pay’ directly on Facebook and Instagram