This week Google has just launched a new video creation app called Google Vids that is set to change the game for content editing, and YouTube has introduced brand new ways for businesses to advertise via YouTube Shorts! We have lots to cover this week, so make sure you don’t miss out on a thing!

What’s new with Meta?

Meta is updating its terms of service to clarify its stance on platform misuse and data scraping. It’s also merging its community standards for easier access. These changes aim to provide a more transparent user experience.

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What’s new with Instagram

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has clarified that the platform does not deliberately downrank posts marked as sponsored content. While some users may believe that Instagram benefits from reduced reach for sponsored posts, Mosseri emphasizes the importance of accurate labels for compliance with local laws. He also suggests that the perceived decrease in reach might be due to lower user engagement with sponsored content, rather than algorithmic manipulation.

👀 Tests spotted on Instagram this week:

• Instagram is testing out on a new “Goal” feature to help you stay motivated by setting personal goals for your Reels or Posts!

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What’s new with TikTok?

New “Share to TikTok” Feature

TikTok has launched a new feature called “Share to TikTok” that allows users to share music, podcasts, and audiobooks from Apple Music and Spotify directly to TikTok. Users can share content to their TikTok Feed or send it via direct message. The shared content will include a link back to the original source on the streaming service, promoting further discovery and engagement. This feature is part of TikTok’s ongoing partnership with music streaming services, following the launch of “Add to Music App.”

What’s new with Google?

Google Vids Set to Transform Video Content

Google’s new app, Google Vids, powered by Gemini AI, is set to revolutionize video content creation for businesses. It simplifies the entire process, from storyboarding to editing, making high-quality videos accessible to teams without specialized skills.

Key features

• AI-powered assistance: Generates storyboards, scripts, and suggested scenes.
• Customizable templates: Offers a variety of professional templates for different use cases.
• In-app recording studio: Allows users to capture videos, record screens, and add voiceovers.
• Seamless collaboration: Enables real-time feedback and editing within Google Workspace.

Our take: We already have video-editing software that we know and love but we are interested to see if Google Video is the game-changer it claims to be!

Google Launches New Shorts Ad Options

Google has introduced several new ad options for YouTube Shorts including new sticker ads and animated image ads, and has also given businesses more customisation and control over their ads.

• New Ad Formats:
  • Sticker Ads: Single-image ads that expand into a product carousel when tapped.
  • Animated Image Ads: Multiple product images that pop up on the screen.
• Format Buying Controls: Brands can now target specific ad formats and placements, including Shorts-only campaigns.
• Creator Partnerships Tab: A centralized platform to manage influencer and affiliate marketing efforts on Shorts.
• Expanded Shorts Audience Building: Includes Shorts view durations for more targeted audience insights.
• Third-Party Sales Lift Measurement: Provides more accurate measurement of ad performance on Shorts.

Recommendations for Businesses: These new features aim to help businesses leverage the growing popularity of YouTube Shorts to reach their target audience and drive conversions, so if you have already been using YouTube for your advertising, this would definitely be worth testing out!

What’s new with Pinterest?

Pinterest’s Gift Discovery Features for the Holidays

Pinterest has introduced several new features to enhance the holiday shopping experience with personalized wishlists, celebrity gift guides and more!

• Personalized Wishlists: Users can easily save items to their own wishlists for easy reference.
• Celebrity-Curated Gift Guides: A wider range of celebrity-curated gift guides, including from Paris Hilton, RuPaul, Emma Chamberlain, and TWICE, are available.
• Quick Save Feature: Users can quickly save items from celebrity gift guides directly to their wishlists.
• Personalized Holiday Finds: A new, machine-learning powered feature recommends personalized gift ideas based on user search history and interests.

These features aim to provide a more convenient and personalized shopping experience on Pinterest, making it easier to discover and save gift ideas.

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We can’t wait to start testing out Google Vids and see if it will outperform our beloved CapCut, and we will be sure to let you know! Feel free to sign up for our weekly updates here (plus so much more hot goss) so you never miss the best updates. AND don’t forget, if you do miss out you can always go back to last weeks blog posts here.

XOXO

Oh My Digital Team