Giraffe is back with another monthly social media news update; we hope you’ve all had a great month and enjoyed some fleeting spring sunshine! It’s been another busy month for social media platforms, Goole introducing blue ticks, Meta creating a Twitter competitor and perhaps the most important of all, Instagram bringing GIFs to Instagram comments! Read on for more.
Google: Gmail Launches Blue Checkmarks for Verified Brands
Whilst Twitter reels in controversy over its blue checkmark fiasco, intent on undermining its own integrity. Google has entered the game! Gmail is implementing its own blue checkmark system; Gmail users will start to see blue ticks appearing next to approved brand profiles within their inboxes.
As per Google:
“In 2021, we introduced Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) in Gmail, a feature that requires senders to use strong authentication and verify their brand logo in order to display a brand logo as an avatar in emails. Building upon that feature, users will now see a checkmark icon for senders that have adopted BIMI. This will help users identify messages from legitimate senders versus impersonators.”
So in short, businesses who have adopted Google’s brand verification process, will now get a blue checkmark on Gmail, adding assurances for recipients that brands are who they claim.
This is a fantastic step on Google’s part, with the rise in phishing and spam emails that we all have to endure on a daily basis, the timing seems to be great considering the controversy surrounding Twitter, coincidence? Or clever marketing!
For brands, it’ll be worth implementing this, if possible, to separate yourself from email spammers and scammers. These new checkmarks are available to all Google Workspace customers, personal Google Accounts, and also legacy G Suit Basic & Business customers.
This is worth exploring for brands wanting to build more trust via email communications, whether it be product campaigns, newsletters, or discounts.
These new checkmarks are already rolling out and you can learn more or apply for a checkmark here.
It could be worth exploring. The new checkmarks will be rolling out to Gmail inboxes from today. You can learn more about the checkmarks, and how to apply, here.
Instagram Adding GIFs in Comments
In other social media news, love them or hate them GIFs are making their way to an Instagram comment section near you!
In a Broadcast Channels chat, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri announced that you can now post GIFs in Instagram comments. As you can see from the example shared by Matt Navarra, you can now search and share via GIPHY GIGs in a comment stream, offering another way to express yourself in the comments section.
It feels like a feature that should have been added years ago, finally, we have it and even Mosseri noted that it’s a bit of a ‘finally feature’.
GIFs were introduced the ability to reply to stories with GIFs as early as 2020, so it’s very unusual this has taken so long to implement across other areas of the platform.
Previously Instagram has tried to keep its comments as clutter free and text-based as possible, so it seems the company has had a change of heart in this regard.
Now, you’ll likely see twitching images of reaction GIFs whenever you scroll down. That could facilitate new creative capacity and provide more ways to engage with fans.
It’s not a major update, especially given that GIFs are available in comment sections in most other apps. But it’s nice to now have the option on Instagram.
GIFs in Instagram comments are available in the latest version of the app now.
Twitter Competitor App from Meta Set For Imminent Launch In June
Other social media news sees Meta moving close to launch with Instagram’s text-based app. Select creators are being briefed on how the tentatively titled ‘Barcelona’ will function.
As can be seen through the link shared by ICMI’s Lia Haberman, the new app will share many similarities to Twitter, whilst being more akin to a chat-based feed.
This is a deliberate differentiation as over the last few years more conversations on IG have moved to Dms, with main feeds more focused on content discovery. This has clearly been the thought process behind the new app’s design, acting more like a giant group chat, anyone can join, just like Twitter, with a clear injection of Instagram’s design language.
In terms of specifics, users will be able to post text updates of up to 500 characters, and able to reply to posts in-stream, you’ll also be able to like, reply and re-post, like re-tweeting in the app. You‘ll also be able to add links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in length.
As per Meta:
“Users on apps [like Mastodon] will be able to search for, follow and interact with your profile and your content if you’re public, or if you’re private and approve them as followers. This allows you to reach new audiences with no added work. In addition, creators may be eligible to be recommended to people who don’t yet follow them.”
So, yes viewed as a Twitter competitor, but this also sees Meta continuing to follow evolving user trends. As noted, Meta has reportedly been briefing creators on the app, while Matt Navarra also notes that various celebrities and high-profile sports stars are also being offered early access to the platform, ahead of a public release.
That wraps things up from Giraffe this month, we will see you all next month for another update.
Until then head over to our blogs section which is full of rich info and ideas from our social media experts here at Giraffe to help improve your social media strategy.
