Instagram Continues To Add New Features | Digital Scoop 029


 

As Instagram continues to grow, so does it’s increase in new tools and features. Instagram has rolled out a couple of official new additions, while other new tools coming soon.

First, Instagram has confirmed the launch of GIFs in Direct, including a new ‘Random’ GIF button, which could add an interesting element to your private chats. Usage of Instagram DMs has been rising, reflecting the broader trend towards private messaging, so it makes sense for the platform to give the option more focus, and more communication options to consider.

All of their marketing mentions this feature being in Direct, not DMs. This could be happening because of Instagram’s plan to launch it’s standalone messaging app, Direct.

The second officially announced feature from Instagram is video tagging, enabling you to make specific users aware of your posted video.

In addition to these confirmed features, several others have been highlighted.

Instagram’s also sorting out hashtag cramming. They are reportedly testing out separating hashtags from captions. The separation of hashtags from captions could be the solution to the annoying crop of hashtags some people include… cluttering their post. A separate button called “Add Hashtags” will appear on the New Post screen, which will allow users to use hashtags without including them in the caption. Thank the social gods!

Another one of Instagram’s in-development features include Quiz Stickers for Stories, which would enable users to share an interactive quiz question with their audience, and add multiple answer options. You would then be able to make one of the answers the correct one, which would be highlighted to the user when selected.

Instagram also continues to move forward with its test of limiting access to your Instagram Stories by location/region restriction. In that capacity could also be extended to individual posts, giving you more control over where your Instagram content can be seen. The option would be particularly beneficial for global brands with a multinational presence.

It’s smart for Instagram to maintain the momentum, and keep a hold on user interest while releasing all of these small features keeping users engaging on the app, which in turn, puts more pressure on competitors to try to keep up.

Will these new features change the way your brand will use Instagram? Comment below and let me know!

 

YouTube Launches New Fundraising Tools for Nonprofits | Digital Scoop 028

YouTube is launching YouTube Giving, will enable creators to raise awareness, and money, for their chosen organizations via the video platform with a new set of fundraising tools which will include Fundraisers, Community fundraisers, Campaign Matching, and Super Chat for Good.

The Fundraisers feature will allow YouTube creators and qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits to create and embed a fundraising campaign next to their videos and live streams. Fans are able to donate to campaigns directly on YouTube via a “Donate” button, making it easier than ever for creators and fans to raise funds for causes they care about on the platform. Creators set their campaigns up and YouTube will take care of the logistics and payment processing.

The Community Fundraisers allows multiple creators to co-host the same fundraiser. The feature is designed so that a Community Fundraiser will appear on participating creators’ videos at the same time and reflect the collective amount of money their communities are raising together.

The Campaign Matching feature, which is not yet available, will allow creators who organize Fundraisers and Community Fundraisers to receive matching pledges to help amplify their efforts.

And finally, the Super Chat for Good feature will enable creators to raise funds for nonprofits via the YouTube live-streaming Super Chat payment system. The option is in limited testing, with YouTube covering all transaction fees in the initial period – meaning that 100% of the donations go to the relevant organizations.

YouTube currently has 1.8 billion monthly active users. There is an amazing potential your cause and fundraiser can reach with the new features.

Online fundraising is a popular activity today across sites like GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and Indiegogo. Facebook also entered the market in mid-2016 when it rolled out the ability for its users to raise funds for nonprofits they support.

The company this year has been expanding the types of things creators can do with their videos, in the face of increased competition from Facebook Watch and Amazon’s Twitch. If you’re a non-profit organization, it’s worth looking into these new tests, and keeping an eye on the platforms updates and evolutions.

Instagram Working On Standalone Shopping App & More | Digital Scoop 027


Facebook is planning a major new move into e-commerce with Instagram working on a new standalone app dedicated to shopping. Over the past few years, Instagram has been rolling out various shopping-related features (like tagging products in the post).

Earlier this year, Instagram rolled out its shopping tools to eight more countries, allowing more merchants to display their products’ prices on their posts. It makes sense that the next step/evolution would be its own shopping app. A couple of months later, it gave some companies the ability to add electronic payments that would allow their followers to book appointments. And this June, it started allowing some brands to test and sell products in Stories.

The app (which could be called IG Shopping) will let users browse collections of goods from merchants that they follow and purchase them directly within the app. No one is quite sure when it will launch. It’s still in development, and it could possibly even be squashed before it is released.

Shopping would not be the first Instagram feature to be spun out into a standalone app. In June it introduced IGTV, a YouTube competitor that puts vertically shot videos into their own app.

Instagram has also been testing Direct, a new messaging app, since last December. Facebook is looking to duplicate the success of their Messenger app with Direct, eventually offering brands more advertising opportunities.

More than 25 million businesses already have Instagram accounts. According to Sheryl Sanberg, four in five Instagram users follow at least one business. Creating a standalone app would allow the company to provide a dedicated place for the increase in activity on Instagram while also expanding opportunities for revenue.

Do you think you will shop on Instagram? Comment below and let me know!