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Meta’s AI Training Controversy and Instagram’s New Ad Format: What You Need to Know

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Meta’s AI Training Controversy and Instagram’s New Ad Format: What You Need to Know

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, two recent developments have sparked significant conversation: Meta’s controversial use of user data for AI training and Instagram’s testing of new video ads designed to halt endless scrolling.

Meta’s AI Training Practices

Meta (formerly Facebook) has recently come under scrutiny for its approach to using user data from Facebook and Instagram to train its AI models. The company has clarified that it collects both public and private posts, including photos and captions, for this purpose. While Meta claims that this practice is essential for improving AI capabilities, it has raised privacy concerns among users (Beebom) (DeCrypt).

Users outside Europe have limited options to opt out of this data collection. Meta has made it clear that opting out is not straightforward and, in many cases, not possible. The process to request exemption from AI training involves filling out a form and providing detailed information on how this data processing impacts the user. However, Meta does not guarantee that it will honor these requests (Intego).

In contrast, European users have slightly more leverage due to stricter data privacy laws like GDPR, which allows them to object to the use of their data. Even then, the opt-out process is cumbersome and not widely publicized (Intego).

Instagram’s New Video Ad Format

Meanwhile, Instagram is experimenting with a new ad format that introduces video ads designed to stop users from scrolling further. These “persistent” video ads appear in the feed and do not allow users to scroll past them until the ad has finished playing. This format aims to capture users’ attention more effectively than traditional ads, which can be easily bypassed (DeCrypt).

This move is part of a broader strategy by Instagram to enhance ad engagement and provide advertisers with more impactful ways to reach their audience. However, it also has the potential to frustrate users who may find these unskippable ads intrusive.

Implications for Users and Advertisers

Both of these developments highlight the ongoing tension between user experience and monetization efforts on social media platforms. For users, these changes might feel like an invasion of privacy and an interruption to their social media browsing. For advertisers, however, they represent new opportunities to engage with audiences more effectively.

As Meta continues to leverage user data for AI advancements, it’s crucial for users to stay informed about how their data is being used and to explore any available options to protect their privacy. Similarly, with Instagram’s new ad format, users should prepare for a potentially more ad-intensive experience.

For those concerned about privacy, it’s advisable to regularly review and adjust privacy settings on social media accounts and to stay updated on policy changes by these platforms. For advertisers, understanding these new formats and user sentiment can help in crafting more effective and less intrusive ad campaigns.

Stay tuned to updates from Meta and Instagram as these practices and formats evolve, shaping the future of social media interaction and advertising.

For further details, you can visit the original articles on Social Media Today:

The AI Revolution: Shaping Your Social Media Feeds and Redefining Engagement

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As we scroll through our feeds, we’re not just navigating through posts from friends and pages we follow; we’re traversing a landscape meticulously curated by algorithms, increasingly powered by artificial intelligence (AI). This AI influence is not just a side note; it’s reshaping how content is served to us and, consequently, how we engage with it.

Recent insights from Social Media Today highlight a critical shift in the priorities of social media marketers. While engagement has long been the North Star guiding content strategies, there’s a growing recognition of the paramount importance of entertainment. In a digital ecosystem where attention is the ultimate currency, content that entertains holds the key to capturing and retaining audience interest.

Mark Zuckerberg’s revelation, as reported by Benzinga, that over 50% of the content on Instagram is now AI-recommended, underscores the pervasive role of AI in shaping our social media experiences. This statistic is not merely a reflection of technological prowess; it’s a testament to the profound impact AI algorithms have on what we see and consume.

So, how does this AI-driven curation affect us as users?

Firstly, it’s altering the content landscape itself. AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data to understand user preferences, behaviors, and interests. Armed with this knowledge, they tailor our feeds with precision, serving up content they predict we’ll find compelling. This means that the posts, videos, and stories we encounter are increasingly personalized, reflecting our individual tastes and habits.

Secondly, the focus is shifting from traditional engagement metrics like likes, comments, and shares to a more nuanced metric: time spent watching. As AI algorithms prioritize content that captures and retains attention, creators and marketers are compelled to produce content that isn’t just scroll-stopping but also keeps users glued to their screens.

This emphasis on captivating content is driving a wave of creativity and innovation across social media platforms. From engaging short-form videos to immersive AR experiences, creators are exploring new avenues to captivate audiences in a crowded digital landscape.

For social media marketers, this paradigm shift necessitates a recalibration of strategies. While engagement remains important, it’s now intertwined with the broader goal of entertaining audiences. This means crafting content that resonates emotionally, sparks curiosity, and fosters genuine connections with users.

Furthermore, it underscores the significance of understanding AI algorithms and leveraging them to amplify reach and impact. By deciphering the intricacies of these algorithms, marketers can optimize their content for maximum visibility and relevance, ensuring it stands out amidst the algorithmic noise.

The rise of AI in shaping social media feeds heralds a new era in digital communication. It’s not just about what we post; it’s about how effectively we capture and retain attention in an era of infinite distractions. By embracing the power of AI-driven curation and prioritizing entertainment, social media marketers can navigate this evolving landscape with confidence, forging deeper connections with audiences in the process.

Grab some popcorn and watch the meltdown … Twitter/X news and updates for October 2023

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Sometimes it’s fun to watch a dumpster fire. Sometimes it isn’t. But it’s always important to learn from it, especially how it may impact your small business’ marketing strategies. let’s see what ol’ Elon is up to this month at Twitter/X …

  1. Twitter/X Faces Trademark Infringement Lawsuit

Twitter/X finds itself entangled in a legal battle as it faces a trademark infringement lawsuit. This lawsuit centers on allegations of trademark infringement by a company called “X Social Media.” The case highlights the importance of protecting one’s intellectual property in the digital age.

For a detailed understanding of this legal dispute and its potential implications for Twitter/X, Read more about the trademark infringement lawsuit faced by Twitter/X

  1. The Removal of Engagement Counts and Buttons on Posts

In a surprising move, Twitter/X is considering removing all engagement counts and buttons on posts [^2^]. This potential change could significantly impact the way users interact with content on the platform, potentially shifting the focus from metrics to meaningful engagement.

For those interested in the evolving user experience on Twitter/X, Learn about Twitter/X’s consideration to remove engagement counts and buttons on posts

  1. Twitter/X’s Daily Active Users Drop Under Elon Musk

In the final story, Twitter/X’s daily active user numbers have reportedly dropped under the leadership of Elon Musk. This decline raises questions about the platform’s direction and its ability to retain and attract users.

To gain a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by Twitter/X under Elon Musk’s leadership, Discover the challenges Twitter/X faces as daily active users drop under Elon Musk

Twitter/X remains in the spotlight with these recent developments and challenges. From legal battles to potential changes in the user experience and shifts in user engagement metrics, the platform is navigating a dynamic landscape. Staying updated with these developments is essential for users, marketers, and investors.

Recent Changes and Developments with Facebook/Meta, October 2023

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Let’s do a little scrub-a-dub of the latest news surrounding Facebook/Meta that may be relevant to your small business social media strategies …

  1. Declining Referral Traffic on Facebook

Our first story, reported by Social Media Today, highlights the ongoing decline in referral traffic from Facebook. According to a recent report, the platform’s referral traffic has been steadily decreasing. This trend underscores the importance of diversifying your digital marketing efforts beyond Facebook.

As a website owner or digital marketer, it’s crucial to monitor these shifts in referral traffic and adapt your strategies accordingly. For more details on this story, Read more about the declining referral traffic on Facebook

  1. Meta’s New Strategies to Reignite Interest in Threads

In our second story, also reported by Social Media Today, we learn that Meta is actively exploring new options to reignite interest in threads. As online discussions and communities play an integral role in social media, Meta’s move to improve thread engagement is an important development.

The company’s focus on enhancing user interactions within threads may present new opportunities for businesses and content creators. If you’re interested in the future of online discussions, Explore Meta’s new options to reignite interest in threads.

  1. New Ad Options with Facebook Reels for the Holiday Season

The third and final story showcases Meta’s announcement of new ad options for Facebook Reels, just in time for the holiday season. As the holiday rush approaches, Meta is making strategic moves to leverage the popularity of short-form video content and create a lucrative advertising platform.

If you’re a business owner or marketer, this presents a golden opportunity to reach a wider audience during the holidays. To learn more about these new ad options, Discover Meta’s new ad options for Facebook Reels ahead of the holiday push

The world of Facebook and Meta continues to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities for digital marketers and businesses. It’s important to stay updated with these developments and adapt your strategies to make the most of the ever-changing landscape of social media.

For more information on these stories and other social media trends, make sure to follow Social Media Today for the latest updates.

What’s working on Instagram in April 2023

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Don’t call it a comeback, but … gasp … pictures may actually be returning from the dead on Instagram! Crazy right? The social media site that built its foundation on pretty pictures that soothed our souls and gave us the escape from our judgemental Facebook peers has finally realized that they’ve been screwing everything up and ruining why people liked them in the first place.

I get it … TikTok got all popular and stuff. So then Instgram panicked and decided that they had to copy all of the success of our Chinese overlords in order to hold the attention spans of busty influencers and 13 year olds everywhere, and they gave Reels a boost. OK … they gave Reels a BIG boost and basically threw everything else in the trashcan and assumed nobody wanted it anymore.

Well guess what? Reels are REALLY annoying to have to constantly create, especially if you’re a small business owner who has 647 other daily tasks and jobs to deal with. Now, instead of being able to produce some well-curated photographs that were on brand, you had to spend hours trying to come up with 60 second sizzle Reels all the time just to keep up with the stupid algorithms. And that ended up creating a large group of brands that started doing Reels because they HAD to, and not because they actually WANTED to, thus flooding the landscape with a whole lotta crappy Reels that nobody wanted to look at in the first place (or create).

Thankfully the team at Instagram finally came to their senses and admitted they had gone overboard on pushing Reels in the past year. Now I’m not going sit here and act like everything in world has been healed and crafting an Instagram page for your business that has solid reach and engagement is by any means “easy,” but at least we’re returning to a more competitive balance of content.

So what’s the big takeaway from all of this? I see two things …

1. Always always ALWAYS grab content in as many forms as possible. If you’re taking a picture, don’t just take that one picture and move on. Take a vertical picture. Take a horizontal picture. Take a quick vertical video. Take a quick horitonzal video. Take a LONGER video. Then save ALL of it. Never ever assume that whatever is “working” right now in social media is what will still be the standard in six months … or a year … or six hours from now for that matter. You’re spending the time to grab the content … take the extra minute to grab it in multiple forms.

2. Never ever EVER try to copy somebody else just because something seems to be “working” for them. This goes for a small business trying to copy another brand on social media just as much as it goes for the multi-billion dollar social media company themselves that tried to copy another one. They didn’t do it becuase they genuinely believed in the process, they did it because they were merely following something that looked like it was working for a competitor.

Personally, I don’t understand why all of these gigantic tech companies feel like they need to monopolize EVERY market. Why can’t they do one thing really well and serve their customers instead of feeling the need to be a retail outlet, streaming service, game hub, health care provider, social media network, and whatever the heck else they can try to control?

When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody.

Keep that in mind when working to grow your business. Do what’s genuine to you and what you do well. The rest will follow!