Social Media Highlights: Key Updates for July 2024
Welcome to our monthly roundup, where we highlight the latest and greatest updates in the world of social media. This July, we've seen the introduction of new tools and features that are making waves across various platforms.
Instagram Reels giving TikTok a run for it’s money
Instagram Reels is increasingly encroaching on TikTok's territory, with recent studies highlighting a notable shift in user engagement. A survey by Morgan Stanley reveals that the percentage of Reels users who do not open TikTok at all has risen to 26%, a significant increase from 20% in September 2023. This trend underscores Reels' growing appeal and its ability to captivate users, contributing to reduced activity on TikTok. The study indicates that enhanced engagement on Reels is effectively chipping away at TikTok's user base, suggesting a competitive edge for Instagram in the short-form video landscape.
TikTok has a new FREE tool
You can now sort an account's TikTok videos by 'Popularity' on desktop for FREE, offering an incredibly useful tool for conducting competitor research. This feature allows users to identify a brand or creator’s top-performing videos effortlessly. The 'Popularity' sorting option appears to rank posts based on a combination of engagements and views, making it easier than ever to analyse and understand what content resonates most with audiences. Whether you're a marketer, content creator, or just curious, this new sorting feature provides valuable insights into successful TikTok strategies.
Threads turns 1
July marks Thread's first birthday, the platform now has more than 175M monthly active users! To mark the occasion, Meta shared insights into how users are engaging with Threads. According to Meta, the majority of users prefer text-based content, with 63% of all Threads posts being text-only. However, images still play a significant role, as one in four posts includes at least one image.
Since its launch, Threads has rolled out many of the features users requested, including a web app, trending topics, and an edit button. While the platform aims to align some of its features with X, it is deliberately avoiding political discussions. Meta has stated that Threads will not amplify news content, leaving X as the primary platform for discussing live events.
X (aka Twitter)
X has introduced its new Ads Academy platform, designed to assist marketers in crafting more effective ad campaigns. This innovative platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools and resources, guiding users through the process of creating, managing, and optimising their advertisements. By leveraging the latest insights and best practices, Ads Academy aims to empower marketers to enhance their strategies and achieve better results. With features tailored to both beginners and experienced professionals.
As we wrap up this month's roundup of social media news, it's clear that the digital landscape is constantly evolving. To keep informed about the latest trends, tools, and features that are shaping the way we connect online, keep an eye on our blog.
