Social news
Has Facebook been hacked or is there a glitch?
Facebook users have been reporting issues with their service this morning as their homepage has not been showing regular posts.
Reports of issues began to appear around 6:30am. According to Downdoctor, 20% of users have reported issues with the app, 73% the feed and 7% the website in general.
Numerous Twitter users are reporting the same problem: the homepage is not showing posts from friends, but instead seemingly random posts on celebrity pages.
Comment: With much of Facebook broken right now, my money is on a glitch.
New features
Target shoppers on TikTok with three new ad formats
TikTok has launched Shopping Ads, a three-in-one solution for advertisers looking to boost product sales.
Whilst it's not necessary, it's recommended to have a TikTok Shop set up before you use Shopping Ads.
Video Shopping Ads combines video and product card overlays into different variations. Product cards redirect to an in-app landing page with more information, letting shoppers head to your website for check out.
Catalogue Listing Ads pull product images from your catalogue and promote them in shoppable placements which users discover through branded For You Page content.
And LIVE Shopping Ads direct shoppers from the For You Page to your live shopping event.
Shopping Ads are currently in gradual testing with partners Shopify, WooCommerce, Smartly.io and Productsup.
TikTok bio links now work on desktop
It’s now possible to access a clickable link in user profiles while using TikTok on desktop. Previous to this, it seems users could only follow links when using the TikTok app.
Currently, profile bio links are available to business accounts, verified users and TikTokers with over 1,000 followers.
Tools
What is BeReal?
Imagine Snapchat with no filters and the rawness of Twitter rolled into one. Now, add a two-minute time limit to the single post allowed per day and you've got BeReal.
How it works: Users have two minutes to upload a front-facing and back-facing photo after receiving a notification prompting them to post, and photos posted after the window are marked “late,” which other users can see.
Why it’s growing: Its signature two-minute time limit is similar to the formats other popular apps have used. A creative constraint works well - think Twitter’s 280 characters, and BeReal’s two-minute countdown timer has inspired similar ingenuity. Its popularity among college students and young adults is likely a result of Gen Z’s interest in authenticity on social media. Though brands can’t have a formal presence on the app through advertisements, posting behind-the-scenes snapshots from meetings, shoots, or everyday office life can help customers view the brand in a different light. It's authentic.
Summary: BeReal joins a growing trend of authenticity on social media. Other apps, like Poparazzi, eliminate the ability to take selfies entirely.
Social Mind: Social and AI Insights
Welcome to Wednesday's issue 🙌
Today I'm prepping for an Advanced Social Media Workshop I'm running tomorrow and for some training in London next month plus I'll be creating content for clients.
Have a productive day!
JP
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