Digital Marketing Weekly: Issue 172

What Social Media Platforms Should You Be Using? [And Why?]

According to the SEJ, in 2021, 84% of the United States population used at least one social media platform. Moreover, 57.6% of the world's population are social media users. So what does this mean for businesses? That means there is a huge opportunity to attract and engage customers using social media. Of course, easier said than done, but this blog will count as your guide on which social media platforms your business should utilize and what the benefits of each platform are.

What Are Social Media Management Tools? [And How Can They Help]

Social media marketing is more essential today than it ever has been. The vast amount of users and platforms allow for an immense opportunity for businesses to connect with their audience in many different ways. However, social media is difficult to master and can be challenging for many businesses. Therefore, we recommend using the social media management tools below to assist in your social media marketing strategy.

Facebook is Redesigning its News Feed: What Marketers Need to Know

Back in July, Mark Zuckerberg announced a change to Facebook's news feed — it's been split in two! Facebook now has a Home tab and a Feeds tab. The Home tab includes content recommended to users based on their actions on the app. The Feeds tab shows content from people, pages, and groups the user is following.

Zuckerburg said the goal is to make it easier for Facebook users to see their favorite content and make new discoveries. It's also meant to keep Facebook competitive with TikTok. TikTok's For You page also shows recommended content from across its platform based on what algorithms think a user wants to see. The Following page only shows content from pages the user already follows.

But what does it mean for marketers who relied on Facebook's news feed to find and maintain an audience? Here's what marketers need to know about the new tabs.

Instagram Cancels Plans for TikTok-Like Full-Screen Video Fed: What Brands Can Learn

Gone almost as fast as it was introduced — Instagram’s full-screen video feed proposal has been retired.

Earlier this summer, Instagram revealed plans to test out a new full-screen mode for its feed and an updated navigation bar, hoping to make content on the platform more immersive than its signature, scrollable picture feed.

This decision was congruent with the company's stated goal of making its competition with TikTok a major priority, as the appeal of TikTok lies within its fullscreen randomized video feed, intuitive algorithm, and easy to navigate UX.