SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMERCE
Twitter's Blue Check Mark Loses Impact
If it’s not Elon Musk’s idea of an April Fool’s prank, we’re about to witness the end of the blue check mark as a status symbol. As of Saturday, April 1, 2023 anyone on Twitter who wants can pony up $8-$12/ mo for a subscription. Celebs aren’t happy. Star Trek actor William Shatner tweeted, “I’ve been here for 15 years giving my (clock emoji) & witty thoughts all for bupkis. Now you’re telling me that I have to pay for something you gave me for free?” Elon Musk replied by saying he just wants to be fair and treat everyone equally.
Twitter Prohibits Links to Social Media Competitors
Twitter announced a ban on lnks to competing social media sites stating, “We recognize that many of our users are active on other social media platforms. However, we will no longer allow free promotion of certain social media platforms on Twitter.” This means no links to Facebook Marketplace.
New Social Media Channels: Lemon8 & Threads
Two new social media channels, both from two existing social media titans, have just launched. More channels mean more work for digital marketers, but also more opportunity to reach niche audiences. Tik Tok parent Bytedance has launched Lemon8, which is being described as a cross between TikTok and Instagram. Meta has launched Threads, which is being touted as a major rival to Twitter. If history repeats itself, early adopters of new social channels often win big. Claim your handles now!
Will Dorsey's Bluesky Overshadow Twitter?
Since it’s launch, Twitter hasn’t had a direct competitor. No other app has worked quite the same way. Well, that’s about to change. Twitter now has a Doppelganger named Bluesky Social, co-founded by Jack Dorsey. Yes, the same guy who co-founded Twitter. Bluesky is launching the same way Clubhouse did. Users have to be invited to the platform. Those interested in receiving an invite can submit their email for the waiting list on Bluesky’s home page.
Tik Tok Dominates Social Commerce
June 2024 – Last year, Insider Intelligence released, Retail Trends to Watch for 2023. In it, they report that Tik Tok is testing a Shop feature with select merchants in the U.S., demonstrating a strong shift towards commerce. They say that, while other companies are ditching social commerce and ramping up advertising, “Tik Tok’s share of users who are social buyers will surpass Facebook in 2024.” This increase will be driven by Gen Z consumers who, resoundingly, favor this platform, evidenced by the recent trending #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt push that reached over 30 billion viewers.
More on the Shakedown on Google and Meta Ads
The US government is still pursuing various avenues to hold Google and Meta accountable for anti-trust violations pertaining to the way they conduct their Ads businesses. Back in 2020, the Justice Dept sued Google for setting up a, “…series of exclusionary agreements that collectively lock up the primary avenues through which users access search engines, and thus the internet…” Now, the US Senate is attempting to limit Ad monopolies with the AMERICAS Act.