Facebook is drawing publishers and viewers away from YouTube by sharing exclusive network-optimized video content from major providers like Popsugar, BuzzFeed and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Facebook serves 4 billion videos a day, up from 1 billion in September.
Instagram now accepts emoji hashtags just as it would text hashtags. Given millennial social conversations can take place almost exclusively through emojis, this was inevitable, but now users will be able to follow hashtags such as #[plane emoji], and #[American flag emoji], among others. The app also added three brand-new filters.
Promoting pins just got easier with new programs that make Pinterest advertising more accessible for brands. “Pinterest is considered a Google rival because of how close its users are to making purchasing decisions” and the network contributes to more referral traffic than reddit and Twitter combined. With 50 million active users, the discovery platform is a niche but powerful site.
Going beyond fashion and beauty, Refinery 29 has expanded its women’s lifestyle coverage to also feature hard news. The media company said Wednesday, “it is collaborating with a variety of production companies to expand in documentary, scripted series and health, food and wellness tutorials.” The refreshing new editorial edge aims to extend audience reach and further solidify the digital lifestyle company as a trusted source for its key demographic, the millennial woman.