The Week in Social: Instagram pods, Twitter growth, and Rick Rolling

100 best Instagram accounts

A Fiat-sponsored listicle from Rolling Stone, these 100 Instagram accounts contain the predictable and the sublime. The list manages to sensibly pander (Perry, Kardashian, West) while also including some true gems (TSA … yes, that TSA). While it makes for a flashy post, we’re most impressed by one simple thing that we had forgotten was possible: all the list items are on a single page.

Instagram podsploiting

The saying goes: If a system can be exploited, it will be exploited. Thus has fallen the Instagram Pod, private groups of 10-30 users intended to create small communities. Instead, users are joining pods with the agreement to engage and follow each other on a daily basis. As users join more and more pods, their engagement grows, and their likelihood of making the “featured” page grows. The false inflation of views and engagements is troublesome for brands seeking real influencers. In response, brands are requiring influencers to disclose if they’re part of an Instagram pod.

Facebook to support Live 4K 360

Facebook announced support for live 360 videos last April. This week, they up’d their commitment to 360 streaming by announcing support for 4K resolution. A short list of compatible cameras and software packages accompanied the announcement. Assuming you have the bandwidth and the gear needed, you can head over to Facebook’s 360 page to experience sample content.

Facebook acquires Source3

Facebook wants to lure big content creators to their platform. The issue that arises is that piracy and misuse of brand IP runs rampant on social media. Source3 is a tech firm with software designed to detect anything from a clip from a film, to a logo on a t-shirt. Facebook has acquired the company to add to their Rights Management suite. The tech will help brands identify when their IP is used in a third party video, and potentially shut-down or collect revenue from those third-party videos.

Twitter nets zero users

Twitter reports that daily active users grew by 12%, and they beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations. Despite that, the social giant netted 0 total user growth in Q2. Consequently, Twitter’s stock price dropped 6 percent last week. Twitter is engaged in a two-front struggle: provide valuable features for the existing audience, while attracting and engaging a new audience. The Q2 announcements indicate that the first battle is holding steady, while it remains to be seen if Twitter can add a sustainable user growth strategy.

Facebook Quarterly growth

Facebook also saw a decline in user growth in Q2. Despite that, their revenues topped out at $9.32B, over their estimate of $9.2B. Interestingly, 87% of Facebooks ad revenue came from mobile users. Mark Zuckerberg clearly has his eye on the mobile marketplace, announcing that Whats App has reached 1 billion users and his desire to see increased revenue from Whats App and Messenger alike.

Instagram API features

Instagram is notorious for its tight hold on what third-party apps can and cannot do. Facebook and Instagram have loosened their grip slightly this week by opening more capabilities in their API. Third party apps can now access the same graph data (reach & engagements on posts, profile, and stories) that Facebook offers. The new features also allow third parties to moderate content on channel. Look for your third-party apps to add these new features soon.

Network social listening

The Nielsen rating system for TV and Radio has been around since 1947. Unfortunately, it has simply not kept up with the times, and networks are looking elsewhere to gather data on programming. New York tech firm Canvs has been adopted by the likes of NBC and HBO, providing those networks with emotional ratings for their programming. Rather than focusing on platform or venue, Canvs focuses on the size and type of emotional reactions viewers are expressing on social.

Google SOS

Facebook’s Check In feature ranks as one of its most powerful community features. Google responded this week with Google SOS, which will appear at the top of Google Search results. If you’re searching for an incident or crisis, the results will include relevant maps and news stories. If Google detects that you’re close to a crisis area, you may receive alerts on your phone with instructions and authoritative information.

30 years ago, he made a promise

When you own the Rick-roll.

30 years ago today I said I was Never Gonna Give You Up. I am a man of my word – Rick x pic.twitter.com/VmbMQA6tQB
— Rick Astley (@rickastley) July 27, 2017