This week the social media world has been all about the unexpected — including Facebook focusing on streaming for gamers, Snapchat (finally) borrowing features from Instagram, and Instagram’s big release of their new app ‘IGTV.’ It appears that social media providers are now focusing on growth and change and revealing some big surprises that are shocking the Internet! Speaking of shocking the Internet, let’s talk about our Pick of the Week! To recap this wild week, here are the top 5 social media news stories:
1. Facebook Takes on YouTube, Twitch, and Mixer with a Game Broadcast Channel
by @exfileme via @digitaltrends
Facebook is really stepping up their game… streaming? Facebook is challenging popular game broadcast channels such as YouTube, Twitch, and Mixer, as they are experimenting with a new hub for gamers to stream their gameplay live.
2. Snapchat Could Soon Get its Own Version of Instagram’s Boomerang
by @karissabe via @mashable
Instagram has borrowed many features from Snapchat in the past: stories, stickers, filters, etc., But now Snapchat is finally getting back at Instagram, and may be borrowing one of Instagram’s most popular features in the near future.
3. Facebook Messenger is Getting Those Annoying Autoplay Video Ads
by @cdelooper via @digitaltrends
Just when we thought Facebook Messenger would be silenced (after Facebook gave us the option to turn off those annoying ‘You are now connected on Messenger’ messages whenever we friended someone on the app), a new annoyance is about to roll in. Enjoy the silence in Messenger before it is too late…the autoplay video ads are coming!
4. Snapchat Announces New Additions to Snap Map, Including Weather Effects
by @adhutchinson via @socialmedia2day
In the midst of Instagram’s big announcements this week, Snapchat announced that you can now view your friends’ weather using their geolocation in Snap Maps. While it may not be as grand as Instagram’s new feature, it does bring a little more life to the app and we must admit that it looks pretty cute as well!
5. Instagram has Launched a New Long-form Video Content App called ‘IGTV’
by @adhutchinson via @socialmedia2day
In celebration of reaching ONE BILLION users this week, Instagram introduced ‘IGTV’, a center for creators to upload long-form videos. Anyone can now create a channel to upload videos up to 60 minutes in length. Hmm, sounds a lot like another social media site we all know…
MM’s Pick of the Week!
Eminem headlined the 2018 Firefly Music Festival in Dover, DE this past weekend. While the audience was there to see the #legendary rap star, the crowd’s eyes turned from Eminem to the other performer during Eminem’s song “Rap God” — his interpreter. Just watch the video and you will understand why:
https://twitter.com/mattwhitlockPM/status/1010005280506220544
The crowd was #SHOOK by this interpreter’s incredible talent to keep up with the fast-paced lyrics to “Rap God.” Her name is Holly Maniatty (@BirdVery), and this is not her first time signing and performing with rappers. She has taken the stage with Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, and even the Beastie Boys in the past.
Though she was not center stage, all eyes were focused on Maniatty as she gave it her all during “Rap God.” I mean, think about how much time and effort it must have taken to reach that speed and to perfect that performance and upstage the Real Slim Shady! The original video was filmed and uploaded by an audience member named Kate Starr Fillingame and immediately went viral and caused a lot of buzz on social media. Here are some reactions Twitter users had to the footage:
By the look of all these reactions, it is safe to say that everybody was in #AWE of this talented interpreter, including us!
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.
