We Reach Social’s Monday Mashup #790
This week, TikTok is opening up a world of fun with voice comments, Twitter 2.0 hits a bump in the courts, YouTube saves our CTV remote woes and more.
Meanwhile, remember that amazing time your favourite brand replied to you on TikTok? Well, we might have some tough news for you… Read on for more social media news.
TikTok adds voice comments & polls
Image credit: TikTok
TikTok has given the comment section a makeover with voice comments, polls, photo carousels (up to nine images), and Live Photos. You can record 60-second audio notes directly under videos, while creators can launch polls in comment threads.
Court rules Operation Bluebird can’t use “Twitter”
Image credit: Bryce Durbin / TechCrunch
A federal judge issued a split ruling blocking startup Operation Bluebird from using the name “Twitter” for a competing app. However, the court ruled that X has likely abandoned its trademark rights to the word “tweet” and the legacy blue bird logo so they can keep using those.
YouTube turns phones into Smart TV remotes
Image credit: YouTube
We all know the nightmare of trying to use a keyboard on the TV. YouTube has come to save us with a new CTV feature that turns its mobile app into a remote control. Users can type comments, scroll descriptions, search for videos, and queue Shorts all from their phone.
YouTube tightens branded content
YouTube is testing a new tool for its Shopping Affiliate program that swaps out creator-tagged products for local retailer alternatives that will provide faster shipping (and hopefully for creators, higher conversions). Posts will still show the exact same creator-tagged affiliate product, but will just be sourced from a different local retailer. YouTube has also updated its sponsored content rules, renaming “Paid Product Placement” to “Branded Content” and is rolling out automated detection tools to catch undisclosed sponsorships.
🔥Trending this week 🔥
👻 Cats and their owners all over Instagram are being mesmerised by the ‘flying ghost’ trend.
🙋♀️ Are brand’s socials really just 21-year-old girls in the comments?
💿 It’s fair to say that Alex Warren has (very successfully) committed to the bit in promoting his new album on TikTok. (There’s BTS too…)
👱♀️ Earle Meets World drops on Netflix today and fans are excited
🪥 Dyson has launched a super camera toothbrush that’s dividing the internet.
✈️ This POV of a pilot going in for landing is making social feel more appreciative for those who fly us around the world.
🎮 A clip of GTA’s Lucia has become a new meme.
🎸 New dump format just dropped.
In other news
⏱️ Meta’s introducing a 2 hour daily limit across Instagram and Facebook for under 18s.
🪄 Snapchat launches Harry Potter activations.
✍️ Threads is testing synced podcast transcripts