#MidweekMinute 5/8/19: F8 wasn't the end of it...

Facebook has announced some loud & clear guidelines for how it’s shifting its algorithm with regard to video content - they’re preferring content that viewers return to repeatedly and deliberately, videos that keep viewers engaged for at least one minute and are at least three minutes long, and original content.

Facebook Messenger debuts a new Desktop app and some new features including co-watching (like Watch Parties), “Close Friend” designation, emoji status options, and a scheduling tool for appointment-based businesses like beauty and healthcare providers - and is planning to create interconnectivity between Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Facebook’s enterprise-level tool, Workplace, has also experienced their first redesign in years, focusing on chat, News Feed, and groups, while also delivering notifications about the company.

We’ve known for years that Facebook was developing its own cryptocurrency, but that story is moving forward as they seek investors. The latest rumors state that the currency is intended to be stable (not prone to the fluctuations of currencies such as Bitcoin) and that it may even seek to replace credit cards by undermining their processing fee structure.

Instagram is Working on a New 'Join Chat' Sticker which would enable Stories viewers to join a private chat group, direct from a Story.

Twitter is now allowing GIFs to be added to retweets. (See reaction below.)

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

MORE INFO ON ALL STORIES:

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#MidweekMinute 5/1/19

Obviously, Facebook’s F8 conference - and the resultant announcements, and IMMEDIATE updates - is the big story this week. I’m even having a special livestream Thursday night with a few experts to go through some of the changes; join us live!

Facebook has announced they’re downplaying the newsfeed in favor of groups and events, making Messenger and direct communications with “close friends” a bigger priority, and upgrading the Dating features that they’ve apparently already had for a year in certain countries (did you even know? I didn’t; I recall announcing that it was coming, but didn’t know it had already happened!).

Facebook has also officially blocked surveys that mine for personal information (which is what got them in all of that privacy hot water to begin with).

Instagram has announced upcoming updates to their Camera feature, the immediate rollout of the Donate button for Stories that I mentioned last week, upgrading its Creator functions for more creative story options, and allowing influencers to sell things directly (more of an affiliate situation than a shop).

Twitter has announced several new live video content partnerships with content creators including Viacom, LiveNation, and the NFL. Not a fan of the new Twitter redesign? It’s all good; you can change it back. Twitter is also creating new tools for users to report misleading election-related posts, starting with India and the European Union - which, IMHO, is хорошая идея.

Meanwhile, LinkedIn is testing a “Services” feature for freelancers, which would help connect them directly to potential clients.

more info on all stories

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#MidweekMinute 5/2/18: A twist of F8

Facebook’s Hate Speech-reporting function, still in testing, was set live by accident, for every single post (don’t worry, they’re not going to be quite THAT sensitive in the future); Messenger Bot development is back up and running, and both translation & AR functions are being rolled into the platform; Facebook is also adding dating functionality later this year, and bringing 3D photos and a creepy new photo-environment-mimicking VR Memories feature to the feed; VR Oculus Go headset hopes to bring VR mainstream; virtual home assistant "smart speaker" (think Google Home/Alexa) may launch abroad before the U.S.

Instagram has officially launched group video chats, third-party app integrations with GoPro & Spotify (with more to come), and a new Camera Effects platform which will allow development of custom AR filters, stickers, and other items to customize stories. Rumor has it they're also testing story reactions, slow-mo video, muting of specific users, and a calendar to more easily navigate back posts. The Explore section will now more customized to your interests and more easily navigable by topic. AI will police online bullying by targeting language typically used to harrass users.

Twitter will continue its progression into a news source by promoting news higher in feeds and lumping together tweets around the same news stories.

Snapchat has officially launched their new water-resistant Specs, which feature LED lighting and the new Snappable AR game. Snapchat continues to expand their advertising accessibility by brings Story Ads to the self-service ads platform and taking a leaf from YouTube's book by testing non-skippable 6-second ads. And, of course, they're rolling back elements of the controversial app redesign by moving some features around.

Pinterest expands their usefulness to ALL by filtering beauty pins by skin tone and adding features to help the visually impaired navigate the service.

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First episode of Social

I debuted my Facebook Live series, Social, today! Thanks again to special guest Lisa Larson-Kelley.

Social – my new Facebook Live series!

I’m so excited to announce my new Facebook Live series, social! In each episode I will discuss the week’s biggest social media developments with my guest, who will usually be a fellow professional in social media and/or digital marketing. My first guest will be Lisa Larson-Kelley of Kelley Green Consulting and Learn from Lisa. She’s fresh back from Facebook’s F8 Developer Conference and ready to discuss Facebook Spaces! I’ll also be discussing Snapchat’s new World Lenses, a foray into augmented reality that just so happened to launch the exact day of Facebook’s announcement. Tune in on Friday, April 21 at 1 pm EST!