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Friday Social: AR Ads, Twitter Suspensions, and AMA…

  • Social Media

Our #FridaySocial is a weekly round-up of the key social media news stories from the previous seven days.  Let us know your thoughts in the comments or via Twitter – @Umpf

Facebook AR Ads

Facebook is introducing a new ad format using augmented reality to show off the items on sale. The ads appear in the News Feed as 1usual, with a ‘Tap to Try It On’ button. Facebook then uses the device’s camera to filter the item on to the user’s face or surroundings.

Michael Kors is the first brand to use the format, showcasing its luxury sunglasses, with Sephora hot on its heels. Given the current popularity of online shopping and consumers’ willingness to purchase without physical sight, we’d imagine this next step will be pretty popular.

 

Twitter Account Suspensions

Twitter has reportedly suspended millions of accounts this summer in an attempt to combat ‘fake news’.

Data obtained by the Washington Post has revealed that the move affected more than 70 million accounts across May and June 2018.

Following the release of the figures, Twitter’s shares fell by more than 8% – likely due to the loss of 20% of the platform’s user base.

Twitter Exploits Explore

Twitter is introducing a new ad placement – front and centre of the Explore tab, with a ‘Promoted Trend Spotlight’ ad.

The feature bumps the ‘real’ trending news down the list and dominates the headline with an image background. Disney is the first to use the format, to promote its upcoming Christopher Robin film.

A Twitter spokesperson told TechCrunch: “We are continuing to explore new ways to enhance our takeover offerings and give brands more high-impact opportunities to drive conversation and brand awareness on our platform”.

It’s (not) coming home

After last week’s celebration of the best optimistic #ItsComingHome tweets, we’re writing this week with a much more dour tone. So were users of the #ItsComingHome hashtag, when William Hill appeared to ‘buy’ the hashtag, adding its own Hashflag as an ad.

Twitter users were quick to point out that the apparent ad broke all kinds of rules – especially that under 18s could view the gambling-related emoji.

The ASA told Campaign it hadn’t had any complaints about the ad, but would ‘talk to the parties involved’.

Ask Instagram Anything?

You might’ve noticed a new feature within Instagram Stories this week – the ‘ask’ feature.

Mashable has a key point to make – these are not anonymous… which could be worth bearing in mind.

Bloggers and influencers are already firming on the bandwagon, putting the Q&A feature to good use.

Just remember…