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Navigating the Great Link Debate: Social Media Platforms and External Links in 2024

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Social media platforms have become essential tools for small businesses and content creators to connect with audiences and grow their brands. But there’s a catch: not all platforms treat external links equally. Some embrace them, while others seem to view them as uninvited guests. Let’s break down where the major platforms stand on external links and how businesses can craft their strategies to thrive within these guidelines.

The Link Wars: Platform by Platform

  1. X (formerly Twitter): A “Rival-Free Zone”
    Since Elon Musk’s acquisition, X has tightened its policies on external links, especially those leading to rival platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or Mastodon. Posts with such links are often deboosted, reducing their visibility. Even Linktree-style tools face restrictions, making it tougher for creators to cross-promote. Pro Tip: Instead of linking out, focus on engaging content that keeps the conversation within X. Try using multimedia posts, like polls or short videos, to share your story. When you must share a link, keep it subtle and test for engagement.
  1. Facebook and Instagram: Links, but with Limits
    Meta platforms allow external links, but they don’t come without a price. Posts with links often see lower organic reach, as the algorithm prioritizes content that keeps users on the platform.. How to Win: Leverage Stories and Reels for link stickers or use “link in bio” calls to action. In-feed posts should focus on engagement, with links reserved for comments or follow-up conversations.
  1. TikTok: Dancing in Its Own World
    TikTok prefers to keep users engaged on its platform. External links in captions or comments? Not a fan. TikTok even limits the clickable bio link to drive revenue through its ecosystem. Workaround: Use content to build intrigue. Spark curiosity with storytelling or hints that direct viewers to your bio link. Your TikTok profile is prime real estate—optimize it to make that single link work overtime.
  1. LinkedIn: The Most Link-Friendly Player
    Professional yet practical, LinkedIn is more open to external links, especially when they add value to the audience. However, native content such as PDFs or articles still tends to outperform link-heavy posts. Optimization Idea: Share links sparingly and consider uploading resources directly. For example, convert a blog post into a native article or PDF with actionable tips.

Why Do Platforms Dislike External Links?

Social media platforms thrive on user attention. When you link externally, users leave the platform—taking their engagement and ad-viewing potential with them. Platforms like X and TikTok tighten link policies to maximize retention, while LinkedIn focuses more on value-driven interactions.

How to Thrive Despite the Restrictions

The key to success in this “link-limiting” landscape lies in adaptability. Here’s how small businesses and creators can maximize their reach without falling foul of platform algorithms:

  1. Prioritize Native Content:
    Craft posts that deliver immediate value—infographics, videos, or mini-tutorials. This keeps your audience engaged and boosts your content’s algorithmic reach.
  2. Use Links Strategically:
    When platforms restrict links, work around them. Embed links in bio sections, Stories, or comments. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram allow creative placements that feel less intrusive.
  3. Build Curiosity:
    Instead of outright linking to a product or blog, tease it. Phrases like, “You’ll never believe the 3rd tip…” drive interest and engagement.
  4. Experiment with Content Types:
    Try using interactive content like polls, quizzes, or Q&A sessions. These not only boost engagement but also keep your audience on the platform longer.
  5. Leverage Analytics:
    Pay close attention to what works. Test different strategies—native posts, subtle link mentions, and bio redirects—and measure engagement.

Conclusion: Play by the Rules to Beat the Game

The evolving landscape of external links on social platforms can feel restrictive, but with a strategic approach, small businesses and creators can thrive. By focusing on native content, creative engagement strategies, and thoughtful use of links, you can navigate the algorithms’ quirks while growing your online presence.

Ready to revolutionize your social media strategy? Let’s connect and create a customized plan that works for your business. Whether it’s building a TikTok bio that pops or crafting LinkedIn PDFs that convert, our team is here to help! Reach out 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.

Can ChatGPT Write a Halfway Decent Article?

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I’ll admit it, I was drawing a blank this month on what topic to write about.  So after staring at a blank screen for a while and overworking my foggy brain I decided to ask the robots for help.  And by “robot” I mean ChatGPT.  And by “ChatGPT” I mean our future robot overlords that will eventually turn us all into plugged in humanoids like in the Matrix.  Buuuut … in the meantime we can at least use them to help brainstorm stuff!

Anyway … a topic suggested to me by the robot was “Creating Memorable Dining Experiences: The Key to Word-of-Mouth Marketing.”  I’ll spare you the robot-written article, and instead give you the bullet points of what was suggested …

  • Ambiance and Atmosphere
  • Stellar Service
  • Culinary Creativity
  • Engaging Experiences
  • Surprise and Delight
  • Consistency
  • Embrace Feedback

I liked this idea not just for the food world, but to show some of the things that create successful word-of-mouth marketing, which can truly be the most powerful and effective way to grow our businesses. Reading a great review online from somebody we don’t know is all well and good, but when somebody we TRUST vouches for a company or a service, we are much more likely to be sold on that business. 

And what we have here is actually a pretty great list showing us some of the most important factors of word-of-mouth marketing (and not just for a restaurant).  I mean sure, “culinary creativity” is a little industry specific, but it also plays to the larger concept of coming up with creative and unique ways that our business stands out from a competitor.  

Another common factor in a lot of these suggestions is how they relate to the customer’s overall EXPERIENCE and how we FEEL about a business.  For true business growth and evolution it’s not just about doing the bare minimum and filling an order or providing a service, it’s about having your customer feel like they were part of something special.  

Now to be fair, I’m not suggesting that every customer experience must feel like riding the Avatar ride at Disney (which is awesome by the way). I’ve never expected a life-altering experience from my lawn guy, but he also does a great job, checks in constantly, and always provides suggestions to make the lawn look as good as possible.  So guess what? He now has multiple new regular customers that have been referred to him by me.  Bang!

So dear human … take these wise robotic pieces of advice and use them to your advantage before they’ve been implanted via microchip directly from King ChatGPT, benevolent ruler of the universe and controller of our free will!