It’s been a busy month for social media this Summer with many new developments rolling out across different platforms. Here’s our round up of the latest news for you:
Facebook’s new features:
Facebook have rolled out several new features this month as it continues to develop the user experience and enhance what its audience can do online. This month we have seen the arrival of the “Buy it” button – a button that links in to Facebook adverts and allows viewers to buy the product then and there. This foray into e-commerce signals what is to come on the site, and has been a welcome arrival for business pages.
Facebook have also introduced the ‘Save’ feature which allows users to save videos they want to watch for later. They have also rolled out a ‘related videos’ feature similar to YouTube, which suggests other pieces of content users may like based on what they are watching.These new features highlight the growing importance of video as content on social media sites, but also show which users watch video on Facebook and forms the basis for targeting when video ads roll out on Facebook.
Pinterest introduces Promoted Pins:
Pinterest have been testing promoted pins with big brands for some time now, but there is a wait list for smaller businesses to get on for when the full service rolls out. Promoted Pins are being used by Pinterest to fund new features on the site. Pinterest rolled out its Guided Search function to desktop users in June and in mid-July developed its search functions to operate on a deeper level. This means that users can now follow specific interests that they have and not just other people and boards. This allows them to reach more content on specific subjects from more users, opening up the site.
LinkedIn Pulse:
There are been several changes to LinkedIn’s format over the last few months in an effort to make the site more user friendly and encourage engagement from users. LinkedIn Pulse consolidates news items in your home page feed and allows users to explore news content easily and find the content they need. LinkedIn Pulse has also rolled out as an app.
What do you think? Let us know in the comment box below.
By Harriet Thacker
Harriet is a marketing expert, social media enthusiast and Shake Social’s champion blogger. Struggling to maintain your own blog? We can help!
Kate Tyler is the founder of Shake Social and our long time social media expert. A regular speaker at events, Kate offers consultancy and training on a range of digital marketing topics, in particular safeguarding and using social media in an educational setting.