Instagram Now Has More Users Than Facebook in the EU
Instagram now has 269.1 million monthly active users in the EU, versus 260.6 million for Facebook.
In Meta’s first EU user report, covering the period between April to September 2023, both platforms had the same user count, estimating at 259 million.
But now, Instagram has surpassed Meta’s original app, with Facebook seeing much slower growth, and even a slight decline in usage over the most recent measurement period (April to September this year).
Read more here.
Meta to Use AI to Uncover Children Lying About their Age on Instagram
Meta will use an “adult classifier” artificial intelligence tool to find users who have lied about their age and automatically switch them to a restricted account.
Meta’s AI will go through user profiles looking at their followers, content, and the content they engage with. Accounts will then be sorted into two categories—those over 18 and those under 18.
The younger group will be migrated to an Instagram teen account, which comes with various security and content restrictions aimed at keeping children safe from online harm.
People who are migrated to a teen account who are 16 or 17 will be able to change settings and restrictions on their own, while those deemed to be under 16 will need a parent or guardian to do it for them.
Read more here.
Snapchat Launches Snapchat+ Gift Cards in Retail Stores
Snapchat’s making another push on Snapchat+ subscriptions this holiday season, by partnering with Amazon, Walmart and Target to sell Snapchat+ gift cards in store and online in the US market.
Snapchat comment “With Snapchat+, Snapchatters can unlock so many fun ways to personalise their app with custom chat wallpapers, seasonal app icons, Bitmoji pets, and more!”
Snapchat+, which is now up to 12 million total members, has become a handy supplementary income stream for the app, as it continues to re-shape its revenue intake.
This could one to keep an eye out for opportunities if it comes to the UK market
TikTok Launches Updated ‘TikTok Academy’ Marketing Education Platform
TikTok continues its mission to upskill content creators and build on the growth of the platform with the announcement of an update to its TikTok Academy education platform. The range of new and refreshed courses are aimed to get more people creating and build a better understanding of the promotional options in the app.
TikTok first launched its TikTok Academy platform back in 2022, with a range of courses to help improve your TikTok fundamental skills.
The courses cover all aspects of TikTok marketing and include specific insight into TikTok’s “Creative Codes”, which it’s identified as six essential elements that you need to consider in your TikTok outreach approach.
Read more here.
Bluesky Reaches 13M Users
While Meta’s Threads has long been considered the most obvious successor to twitter, Bluesky is emerging as a potential challenger.
X’s coming changes to blocking have prompted many to consider Bluesky as an alternative. Bluesky gained 2 million users over the last week, which is said to be a result of the announced changes.
The former twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey, who moved over to team Bluesky, recently left after claiming that they are “literally repeating all of twitter’s mistakes”.
The key hurdle for Bluesky is funding, and ensuring that it remains a viable business, without the backing of Dorsey.
Could Bluesky be the future of digital interaction, potentially redefining how we connect and communicate online?
Read more here.