To succeed on any social media app, you've got to know what's new. These platforms are constantly tweaking their algorithms, and guess what? They usually code them to favour and reward people who jump on the features they're pushing.

I get it - keeping up with all these changes can feel like a full-time job. That's why I’ve done all the heavy lifting for you.

In this newsletter, you're getting a super simple breakdown of the latest changes to each major app. 

No fluff, no filler - just the updates you need to know to stay ahead of the game.👇

YouTube

• AI Comment Summaries: The platform has expanded its AI-powered comment summaries to more languages, making it easier to locate topical discussions on videos.

• Expanded Access to Courses: YouTube has increased access to its courses feature, providing a new monetisation path for creators.

• Q&A Shorts Series: A new series has been launched to answer common creator questions.

• Copyright Policies: YouTube has outlined policies on the use of copyrighted audio and visuals in longer Shorts. Shorts exceeding 60 seconds with copyrighted material will be blocked, but creators can remove claimed content to restore playability.

• YouTube reveals its AI & Creators report: The future of tech and creativity

YouTube Shorts

YouTube has announced a major update to its Shorts feature, which will be implemented starting October 15, 2024:

• Extended Video Length: YouTube Shorts will now support videos up to 3 minutes long, tripling the current 60-second limit.

• Aspect Ratio: This change applies to square or taller videos in aspect ratio.

• Creator Flexibility: This update was a feature creators requested, offering more flexibility in telling their stories.

Instagram

• Signature Sound: The platform has launched a unique audio signature to distinguish its content, similar to TikTok's approach.

• Stories Comments: A new feature has been added to encourage interaction and connection within Stories.

• Text and Sticker Options: Instagram has expanded style options for users to customise their content.

• Custom Collage Creation: The app is working on a feature that would use images from your camera roll to create custom collages.

• Music Sharing via Spotify: Instagram is exploring a new process to share what you're listening to on Spotify.

Instagram’s New Education Hub

Instagram has launched a new feature called "best practices", an in-app educational hub for creators.

This hub is located in the professional dashboard and aims to provide creators with essential information to improve their content and grow their audience.

The best practices hub covers five key areas:

• Creation: This category offers insights on posting frequency, capturing audience attention, and optimal reel lengths, and explains features like trending audio and hashtags.

• Engagement: Creators can find advice on connecting with their audience and understanding engagement metrics.

• Reach: This section educates users about Instagram's algorithms and the relationship between reels and follower growth.

• Monetisation: It explains various methods for earning money on the platform.

• Guidelines: This category helps users navigate Community Guidelines and policies that maintain a positive, safe, and inclusive environment on Instagram.

A unique aspect of this hub is its personalised approach. 

Each category includes tailored tips to give creators a sense of how their account is performing in that specific area. Additionally, the hub features educational reels from successful creators, providing real-world examples and inspiration.

Instagram states, "We want to make sure creators have the resources they need to succeed on Instagram".

Threads

Threads, Meta's version of Twitter/X, has seen several updates:

• Extended Edit Window: Users now have a 15-minute window to edit their posts.

• New Domain: Threads has acquired the domain threads.com.

• Custom Feeds: Threads has added custom feed options, similar to Twitter.

• Media Tab on Profiles: A new tab for easier access to media content has been added to user profiles.

• Multiple Media Uploads: Users can now add up to 20 photos and videos per post, expanding visual storytelling capabilities.

X (formerly Twitter)

• Block Feature Update: Public posts will soon be visible to blocked accounts, though these accounts won't be able to engage.

• TV App: X is rolling out a new TV app for streaming platforms like Amazon Fire and Google TV.

• Video Conference Calls: X is close to launching video conferencing capabilities as part of Elon Musk's "everything app" vision.

• Analytics for Verified Organisations: New analytics tools have been provided for verified organisation accounts.

TikTok

• Delete and Re-Edit: Users can now remove a video while retaining their edits for reposting.

• Search Ads: TikTok has introduced search ads, targeting high-intent audiences who prefer video for product research.

• AI Voiceover: Users can now create their own AI voiceover voice for content creation.

LinkedIn

• Top Voices Badges Discontinued: LinkedIn has removed its short-lived Top Voices badges feature.

• AI Training with User Data: The platform is now using user data to train AI, making it important for users to understand how to opt out for privacy reasons.

• In-Feed Videos: LinkedIn has launched a new feature to drive video engagement in the app.

That's it - you're now up to date on the latest social media changes!

Now, before you go off to create your next viral hit, can I ask you for a favour? It'll take you 20 seconds, tops.

Think of that mate of yours. You know the one - always posting, grinding hard, but maybe not seeing the results they deserve.

Send them this link: Viral Academy Newsletter

Tell them, "You need to get on this. You're getting a mini-masterclass in content creation - in your pocket (all for free)"

Why am I asking this? Simple. If you're finding these newsletters valuable (and I hope you are), why not do something nice for a friend? Help them level up their content game, absolutely free.

I want to help as many people as possible with these newsletters so I’ll keep making them for you and I would really appreciate it if you shared with even just one friend.

Until next time, 

Jeremy

P.S. The top 6 Instagram questions I get asked (answered!)

Don't forget to use the tips from my past 20 newsletters to keep improving. (Missed an issue? Catch up here).

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