Kick off the fall season with this week’s #MMSocialReport! This week in social media, Twitter introduced a new feature to keep users updated on local and world news and Instagram experimented with a new layout. In other news, YouTube expanded channel subscription services and Snapchat and Pinterest took new steps to improve their advertisement strategies. Read about all this and more in this week’s report!

1. YouTube opens up Twitch-style subscriptions to more creatorsby 

by @nickstatt via @Verge

Gamers rejoice! Like social video platform Twitch, the YouTube Gaming channel now allows creators to offer monthly subscription fees in exchange for exclusive perks. YouTube’s relatively new service, Sponsorships, which replaced paid monthly channels, will now be available to all creators through the YouTube Gaming mobile app.

2. New Twitter Feature Highlights The Stories People Are Tweeting

by @Kantrowitz via @BuzzFeed  

Wondering which news stories people in your network are tweeting about? Look no further than Twitter’s new Popular Articles feature. Stories that users in your network are engaging with most will appear on this feed. The feature is similar to Nuzzel, a smaller social media platform with a focus on news. Popular Articles is Twitter’s latest step in bringing world news right into your network.

3. Snapchat adds 14 ‘Creative Partners’ to help brands produce Snap Ads, post-swipe experiences

by @petersontee via @marketingland 

Ads on Snapchat are about to be more interactive and innovative than ever. The social media platform is tripling its number of ad-creation specialists or “official creative partners.” Capabilities of these partners include 360-degree videos, mobile coupons, and interactive games. These features are sure to make users think twice about swiping past ads.

4. Instagram’s Testing a New, 4-Wide Layout, Which Could Cause a Presentation Re-Think for Marketers

by @adhutchinson via @socialmedia2day 

Could Instagram actually be in the process of changing its layout? Some users have reported new, four-column-wide layouts appearing on their pages, leading to speculation that Instagram is testing an alternative grid layout. While this change may not significantly impact average users, it would be problematic for many brands and influencers, who have spent time and money crafting their pages.

5.  Pinterest opens self-serve version of Pin Collective branded-content program

by @petersontee via @marketingland  

Instead of outsourcing for advertisement, Pinterest is looking to its own platform for creative talent. A new self-serve interface will allow creatives to produce branded content for companies to use as advertisement on Pinterest. This strategy will not only benefit brands in need of unique content, but will help smaller advertisers connect to new clients.

Metter Media LLC is a Boston-based social media management company that implements community-based, localized social engagement strategies small businesses and corporations alike. Need help with your social media? Email Lauren today.