Last week we spoke about some recent YouTube and Google changes, and it’s no surprise that Meta, which is the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is making changes as well.
Facebook Feeds and Favorites
If you’re on Facebook, you may have noticed a new button on the bottom of the app for Feeds.This tabs lets you easily see the most recent posts from your friends, pages you follow or groups you belong to. You can also create a Favorites list of the friends and pages you care about most in this new tab. The primary tab — the first thing you see when you open the app — is now labeled Home.
Have you tried the new Feeds tab in Facebook to see what your friends and pages you follow are up to?
Of course these new feeds will still include ads (it is how they make their money after all), but the Home tab is where Facebook wants you to discover new content and where you’ll see options for Reels and Stories. We’ve talked previously about how more of the content you see on the Meta platforms will be generated by AI algorithms and less from your friends and the pages you are following.
The Home tab in Facebook is where you can discover new content and see options for Reels and Stories.
Instagram’s Identity Crisis
Speaking of changes in what you see on the Meta platforms, Instagram seems to be going through an identity crisis as it shifts from a photo-sharing platform to shopping, and now focusing more on video. As part of this shift, they are planning to scale back on shopping features, in favor of more e-commerce through advertising.
Instagram seems to be having an identity crisis as it shifts to being more video focused and away from shopping which was recently prioritized.
The app has recently been criticized for being more video focused instead of just photos. Instagram isn’t going to abandon shopping altogether, it says it will test a simpler, less personalized version for shopping. This means if you relied heavily on Instagram shopping features, you may need to find another to promote your products. Though there is no word on when the changes will take effect and what exactly they’ll be, advertisers should start preparing as soon as possible. You’ve probably heard us say don’t build your entire strategy on the rented land of social media. This is another example why.
Instagram Story Ideas to Try
Although there are constant changes to Instagram, you can still use what’s trending with the algorithms to expand your audience. Just use it to promote the strategic content you also use on your website and other platforms. One way to keep your audience engaged and entertained today is through Instagram Stories.
Engagement still happens, are you using any of these Instagram Story ideas?
You can use photos or videos and add stickers, polls, and filters to make your content really pop. You can host a Q&A, run a contest, or conduct a quiz to get engagement. These stories show for just 24 hours, but you can make them a highlight on your profile. Stories are then archived so you can also repurpose them on other platforms and in the future.
Remember, your online presence is more valuable than ever. Creating content on a regular basis is a great way to tell your story online and give your customers a great experience! And don’t forget to repurpose what you create. Use your content across multiple channels and don’t build your entire strategy on rented land.
Links in this episode:
20+ Fun and Engaging Instagram Story Ideas for 2022
Instagram is cutting back on its shopping features
