🍊 YikYak is back, Twitter changes its look, and Instagram ditches the swipe-up
Welcome to Prosek's Digital Download: the best digital marketing newsletter in financial services
Hi everyone!
We’re back with the next edition of Prosek’s Digital Download! As mentioned in our last newsletter, you will now see a new edition of the Digital Download in your inbox every two weeks (you’re welcome!). We can’t wait to keep delivering to you what we hope is the best digital marketing newsletter in financial services.
In this week’s newsletter, we cover the revival of YikYak (more importantly, how it announced the comeback), Twitter’s makeover, and Instagram’s decision to ditch the swipe-up. As always, we’ve also included some interesting reads and real-life marketing inspiration to leave you feeling up-to-date in the digital world.
This newsletter is a joint effort from the Prosek Digital team—special thanks to Matthew Mazzella, Inès Montfajon and Madeline Monaco for helping with this edition.
I can’t leave you to read the latest digital news without sharing what I’ve been up to these past two weeks. I’ve been incessantly playing Billie Eilish’s new album Happier Than Ever while looking out my window pretending I’m in the music video. I’ve been reading about the best ways brands can utilize different TikTok features (hint: audio selection is important). As I slowly (and I mean very slowly) get back into the routine of commuting, I’ve been listening to The Morning Wire – the perfect way to digest the news during a 14-minute downtown 6 train ride.
Hope you enjoy!
Digital Updates
The swipe-up is retiring: Instagram announced that the company is planning on retiring the swipe-up feature starting August 30th. Instead of the swipe-up, users will be able to use link stickers in their stories.
Audio tab: Instagram added the capacity to search for audio within the search tab in the app. This will make it easier to tap into trends based on music clips.
Topic tags and recordings: Twitter is currently testing an option that would enable Spaces hosts to add topic tags to their Space, helping to maximize reach. They also created an option to record Spaces.
Updated layout: If you think Twitter has looked different lately, you’re not going crazy. The platform implemented a branding refresh inclusive of a new text font and enhanced image display.
Video conferences: LinkedIn has rolled out a brand new feature that allows users to video chat. The feature only supports 1:1 calls and is aimed to enable quick business meetings or network chats.
YouTube
YouTube Shorts: YouTube is promoting YouTube Shorts, its short-form video offering with a global advertising campaign targeted at Gen Z users and creators.
Short-form video feed: Reddit is joining the short-form video club. The platform is implementing its own feed for short video clips.
TikTok
Partnerships with Vimeo and Canva: TikTok announced new partnerships with Vimeo and Canva to provide more ways for marketers to build better campaign creative in each respective app.
Horizon Workrooms: Many companies will be working from home longer than expected. Facebook is taking advantage of this by releasing Horizon rooms — a VR office meeting software that allows users to interact with their colleagues remotely in a simulated 3D conference room.
Voice and video calls encryption: Facebook has added end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls in messenger — the next step in its shift towards the full integration of its messaging services.
Ad targeting: Facebook is known for not providing a lot of insight on audience data tracking, but that may change soon. The platform announced that it will work with app hosts to update its systems to better align on what information it’s able to access about audience response to ads.
Good Reads
Remember YikYak? Well, it’s back and still anonymous: Did we just time travel to 2015? YikYak is once again available for use on iPhones and serves the same purpose of posting things anonymously.
Instagram Influencer Pricing: How to Determine Influencer Rates in 2021: The biggest question in influencer marketing: how much should we be spending in influencer fees and how do successful influencers decide what to charge for their work? This article answers those questions.
Twitter Hits Another Hiccup with Public Requests for Verification, Pauses Roll-Out of New Process: Twitter has once again hit pause on rolling out access to provide for verification, stating the need to make improvements to the application and review process.
Instagram reveals its Reels algorithm: Instagram revealed how its Instagram Reels feature determines what content to show a user, the signals of engagement or interest that can increase post reach, and what topics or content to avoid.
Spotify’s What’s New feed could generate repeat visits for brands: Spotify added a news feed that will help listeners sift through its library of content. Listeners will be able to get updates about their favorite podcasts and recording artists.
LinkedIn's Campaign Planning Improvement Guide: There is always room for improvement when it comes to planning a LinkedIn advertising campaign. This guide from LinkedIn tells you exactly how to improve.
TikTok's Ultimate Best Practices Guide: TikTok’s new guide outlines a range of TikTok specific clips on how to maximize your video engagement.
Brand collaborations aren’t finished yet: the importance of picking the right influencer: If you know me, you’ve definitely heard me preach about picking the right influencers for a campaign. Read more about getting your influencers right.
Why TikTok is attracting B2B marketers: Read why hashtags and microinfluencers can help B2B brands find their audience.
40 Twitter Stats for 2021: Twitter remains one of the most influential social media platforms in the world. Who is the most mentioned user on Twitter? Check out this infographic to find out.
TikTok Shares Advice on How Brands Can Establish a Presence on the Platform, and Generate Results: The creative nature of TikTok requires a dedicated marketing approach, meaning that you cannot re-purpose content from other platforms or campaigns. TikTok’s Global Head of Small Business Solutions explains how to make the most of TikTok for your brand.
Financial marketing inspiration
Experian partnered with lifestyle and finance-focused YouTube influencer Elena Taber to promote the company’s offerings to her Gen Z audience.
MEMX launched its X Sessions video series on LinkedIn and Twitter in which some of its members sit down with MEMX CEO to discuss trending topics within the industry.
During the Tokyo Olympics, EY highlighted some of its athletic employees (who also just so happen to be Olympians) in a series of LinkedIn posts.
Bridgewater Associates announced its new PTO policy on LinkedIn.
BlackRock utilized Twitter polls to create discussion amongst its users.
Schroders launched its new Investor Download podcast with a quote card featuring guests on Twitter.
KKR announced its latest recipients of their philanthropic giving with a video announcement on LinkedIn and two branded hashtags representing their respective programs, #KKRGrants and #KKRSmallBusinessBuilders.
Doug McMillion, CEO of Walmart, took to LinkedIn to congratulate the company’s associates on the company’s strong Q2 performance.