2022 continues with more changes in the media, while e-commerce continues to grow!
This March Meta caused a media blackout, but offered e-commerce trade tips to retailers. While Instagram followed in the footsteps of Tiktok, creating a more personalised feed and going full screen. Let’s dive in!
1. Instagram follows in the footsteps of Tiktok, testing a new fullscreen Main Feed.
With Tiktok still taking the world by storm, it appears Instagram is looking to evolve and enjoy a piece of the addictive pie that is the Tiktok fullscreen feed. The social media platform is now testing a new, fully-integrated home feed that would present everything including feed posts, stories and reels in an immersive, full-screen, swipeable format. Given that users spend more time with reels and stories on Instagram, it makes sense to turn to a more video-friendly format. Not only is this more engaging and intuitive but the update enables algorithmic improvements based on a viewer’s response to each individual post. This is where Tiktok gained its advantage with the curated “for you” page and it seems Instagram will soon follow in their footsteps.
2. Huge growth in mobile shopping shows no signs of slowing down.
According to Klarna’s 2021 Mobile Shopping Report more than six in ten Australians (61%), higher than the global average (59%), are making more purchases on their mobile devices than they were two years ago. Even when shopping in-person, shoppers increasingly use their phones to research products, find the best deals or compare prices. As Klarna’s head of partner success, Mat Hosking said, “The lines between online and offline shopping experiences are not just blurring, they’re disappearing.” This means, for retailers, offering a seamless multi-channel experience is more important than ever and will continue to be.
3. Instagram introduces a “favourites” feature.
As of late March Instagram introduced a new favourites feature allowing users to prioritise ‘favourite’ accounts that will show higher in their home feeds thanks to the Instagram algorithm. This is in response to Tiktok’s hyper-personalised feed that remains the most favoured platform among Gen Z. The new feature also enables users to toggle between their ‘following’ lists and their ‘favourite’ lists, giving them more control over what they wish to see. While ads won’t be included in the initial launch, an Instagram spokesperson said they will be introduced shortly and overall Instagram doesn’t believe there will be any major impact for advertisers.
4. Millennials can rejoice as 90s design springs back into style!
With bold, loud colours, references to pop culture and endless tie-dye, the 90s had a range to draw design inspiration from. According to Dribble’s Decades of Design, this makes the 90s the ultimate starting point for your next graphic design ideas. From the global minimalist movement, mixed with musical influences and novelty fonts, the 90s had it all, and hipsters and influencers alike are adopting these styles again now. The great thing about the 90s is, no matter which style of 90s you emulate, anyone (even Gen Z!) will be able to understand where you’re coming from. So don’t be scared to throw on your favourite wardrobe prints and take a deep dive into that crazy colourful world again!
5. Independent publishers go dark in a media funding protest.
This month more than 30 independent publishers went dark for 24 hours in response to the outcome of Facebook’s Australian News Fund. Under the News Media Bargaining Code, digital platforms like Facebook (aka Meta) had to enter into negotiations with local media companies. But only negotiating deals with large media networks left independent news outlets “at a significant competitive disadvantage, and their futures at real risk,” Broadsheet founder and publisher, Nick Shelton said. “Facebook and Google can pick the winners and losers in Australian media, which is something the Australian public should be very worried about.” The 24 hour freeze created by D.O.A (Decade of Action) was intended “to fight for the future of Australian news media”, as the publishers want Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to make deals that are “transparent and fair” in paying for independent journalism. Meta told publishers last year that it had stopped negotiating licensing deals, and encouraged publishers to apply to the funding program, which Shelton had since called “a farce”.
6. Meta’s guide to evolving consumer relationships.
As we shifted from the real world to the e-commerce world due to the pandemic and increasing data privacy restrictions changed the mechanics of the brand to consumer relationship, retailers have faced growing challenges. Companies need to shift to a more personalised, customer-centric strategy, and now Meta has released a report to help you do that. Focused on collecting and making the most of first party data Meta shares tips to boost consumer loyalty and generate more qualified leads in 2022. Click to learn more.