Instagram Launches Selfie Filters, Copying Another Big Snapchat Feature: What’s Hot in Social Media?
May 19, 2017
This week, Instagram launched new selfie filters in another big move to copy Snapchat’s major features. It previously cloned Snap’s slideshow-sharing format, creative tools, disappearing Direct messages and more. Meanwhile, Snapchat rolled out a trio of new ad products using their lenses and geofilters and Facebook is getting tougher on fake live videos.
More details on why this matters, and what else is happening in social media below.
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Instagram Launches Selfie Filters, Copying Last Big Snapchat Feature
Instagram Stories added a more subtle copycat of Snapchat’s beloved augmented reality selfie filters. The initial filters are being called “face filters” and work exactly like Snapchat. The filters are easier to use but are more error-prone.
Why does this matter?
The face filters were another major Snapchat Stories feature missing from Instagram. It has already previously cloned Snap’s slideshow-sharing format, creative tools, disappearing Direct messages and more.
Snapchat Rolls Out Trio of New Ad Products Using Lenses & Geofilters
Snapchat expanded its ad offerings in an effort to differ itself from rival Facebook. The lineup involves three products that take advantage of its popular lenses and geofilters. The new products will include World Lenses, Audience Lenses and Smart Geofilters.
Why does this matter?
The update to Snapchat’s ad products is the largest update to its Sponsored Creative Tools since the first branded Lens debuted in 2015. Today, 1 in 3 daily users play with Lenses every day on average. Snaps with Geofilters are viewed over 1 billion times a day on average.
Facebook Cracking Down on ‘Live’ Videos
Facebook is banning misleading uses of its Live video format. Videos that violate the Live API Facebook Platform Policy will have reduced visibility on news feeds. Publishers that repeatedly break the rule may have access to Facebook Live restricted.
Why does this matter?
Facebook quietly banned graphics-only Live videos that used likes or reactions to get people to vote from the News Feed. Facebook continues to take the next step toward protecting the intended purpose of the Live format.