So, what’s been going on in the world of social media this week? Lots as always, but we’ve focused Periscope, Meerkat and Instagram.

Periscope

Lots of buzz this week around Twitter’s new Periscope app. Have you tried it yet? Basically, it enables live video streaming, with the idea of discovering the world through someone else’s eyes. Going live will instantly notify your followers who can join, comment and send you hearts in real time. The more hearts you get, the higher they flutter on the screen. Obviously it works seamlessly with Twitter, but it is currently only available on the App Store – sorry Android users!

It’s great for those businesses who host events, want to show their customers around a venue or need to link up the digital and real worlds. My recent talk for Small Business Saturday was streamed via Periscope, with people tuning in from all over the UK. It gets a big thumbs up from me!

Meerkat

I couldn’t mention Periscope without also mentioning Meerkat. What is it? Yep, you’ve guessed it, ANOTHER live streaming video app! Android friendly, it also allows users to host a live broadcast from their smartphones. It’s picked up over 300,000 active users in the last couple of weeks and is growing fast – leading to lots of Periscope v Meerkat debates in the social geek world. (Periscope gets my vote, for the record – more on why later). Meerkat allows users to stream live video directly from their smartphones to their Twitter followers. To use the app you must log in with your Twitter account. Once you start a stream, the app automatically sends out a link to the stream to your followers.

But here’s the catch – anyone with a Twitter account can watch your stream. There are no privacy controls for who sees the stream. Anyone watching can follow along and comment, which might be fine for businesses but is certainly problematic for individual users, especially those more vulnerable ones. Periscope, on the other hand, does have privacy controls and unlike Meerkat (where the livestream is dead once the user stops it) Periscope allows the livestreamed content to be replayed for 24 hours.

Instagram

Introducing Post Notifications: Get notified when your favourite accounts post a photo or video. Every wondered how you’ve missed so much on Instagram? Wonder no more! Their new Notifications feature means you can stay up to date with your favourite accounts in real time. Great for keeping up with your industry, key influencers, clients or friends. Bad if you’ve resolved to stop getting distracted by Instagram!

By Kate Tyler

Kate is a digital marketing expert, regular contributor to a range of publications and Managing Director of Shake Social.

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