Great news for businesses on Instagram this week, with Instagram expanding new boosting options for organic posts and Instagram users have officially surpassed Facebook’s! Make sure you don’t miss out on any updates or tips from this week’s digital rundown and let’s dive right in!

What’s new with Meta?

👀 Tests Spotted on Meta this week:

• Meta is testing a new ad option called “Flexible Media” that gives its system more control over which ads to display to different users. This is part of Meta’s broader strategy to automate ad campaigns, using AI to optimize ad performance. While this may seem like giving up control, it could potentially lead to better results by reaching a more receptive audience.

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What’s new with Instagram?

New Boosting Options on Instagram

Instagram has expanded its post boosting options, allowing users to boost a wider range of posts, including those with GIFs, stickers, and copyrighted music (with some restrictions). This update enables Instagram users to maximize the reach of their best-performing organic posts by promoting them to a larger audience.

Key features:

• GIFs and Stickers: Previously, posts with GIFs and stickers were often ineligible for boosting. Now, most of these posts can be promoted.
• Copyrighted Music: While music restrictions still apply, you can now replace the original song with a boost-eligible one to make your post eligible.
• Considerations: Determine the daily budget for your boosted post, specify the desired audience for your ad and set the length of your boosting campaign to get started!

Our take: If there’s a post that you really love that has been getting great engagement already and you want to give it a little extra momentum, we don’t see the harm in trying out boosting and you might actually see really great results.

📔 Other noteworthy updates from Instagram this week:

• Instagram users have officially surpassed Facebook in monthly active users in the EU, according to Meta’s recent Digital Services Act report. This shift is likely due to stricter data privacy regulations in Europe and Facebook’s perceived outdatedness. While Facebook remains popular, Instagram’s appeal to younger audiences is growing.

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What’s new with Pinterest?

Pinterest Reaches Record Highs

Pinterest has reported a strong Q3 performance, with a 15 million increase in monthly active users, reaching a new record high of 537 million. This significant growth is driven by the platform’s focus on shopping and AI-powered features. However, the company’s growth in key markets like the US and EU remains relatively stagnant. Despite this, Pinterest’s revenue grew 18% year-over-year, reaching $898 million. The platform’s increased investment in R&D, particularly in AI-powered tools, aims to enhance the user experience and drive further growth.

Key features:

• Record-High User Base: Pinterest added 15 million new monthly active users (MAUs) in Q3, bringing the total to 537 million. This significant growth positions Pinterest as a major player in the social media landscape.
• Revenue Growth: The company’s revenue surged 18% year-over-year to $898 million, driven by increased advertising revenue.
• AI-Powered Innovations: Pinterest is heavily investing in AI to enhance user experience and advertising effectiveness. The platform’s AI-powered tools, such as “Body Type Filters” and improved ad creation, are driving user engagement and advertiser satisfaction.

Recommendations for Businesses: If you have been curious about using Pinterest to promote your business, we recommend leveraging Pinterest by creating visually appealing content, optimizing product Pins, running targeted ads, and engaging with their audience.

What’s new with TikTok?

TikTok has released a new guide to help marketers capitalize on the post-Christmas shopping period, known as “Q5.” The guide provides insights into consumer behaviour during this time, including increased interest in self-care and online shopping. TikTok recommends creating effective campaigns by focusing on relevant trends, using in-app tools, and tailoring offers to the specific needs of Q5 shoppers. By understanding and leveraging these opportunities, businesses can maximize their sales and brand exposure during this often-overlooked period.

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What’s new with LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is leaning into the short-form video trend by introducing a full-screen, vertical video feed. To maximize engagement on this platform, LinkedIn recommends keeping videos between 15 seconds and 2 minutes, providing a relevant description to improve discoverability and encouraging sharing and comments to boost visibility. While LinkedIn is seeing significant growth in video viewership, it remains to be seen if the platform can sustain a TikTok-like feed with the right content.

📔 Other noteworthy updates or tests:

• Australia is set to enact a new law restricting social media usage for individuals under 16. The government aims to protect young people from harmful content and online behaviours. While the specific details of the legislation are still being finalized, the primary focus is on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube. However, enforcing these restrictions and identifying all relevant platforms pose significant challenges. The potential for teens to circumvent the rules through alternative platforms and private messaging apps raises questions about the effectiveness of this approach.

We can’t believe Instagram users have finally surpassed Facebook’s and with the new boosting options and see how they improve our posts’ reach and performance! 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