📰 In the news
Threads vs. Bluesky
Threads crossed 275M monthly active users at the beginning of November, with Meta announcing that there were more than 35M signups this month.
Threads are "unlinking" from Instagram so that you'll no longer be prompted to follow the same accounts on Threads as you do on Instagram.
Threads are testing custom feeds of topics and people you want to follow around a given topic, and might be giving your the option to choose any feed (For You, following, or a custom one) as your default. They also seem to be working on what Bluesky call 'Starter Packs', which are curated lists of suggested users that help new users find people to follow.
They are also working on the ability to schedule posts [via @alex193a] and format text [via @alex193a], as well as making improvements to Search, expanding drafts on mobile and continue working on the Trending Now feature, which is available in the US.
And finally, Mosseri announced that they are rebalancing the Threads algorithm so you see more from people you follow. This is the natural progression of new platforms – initial high reach that makes it easy to build a new audience, and then reconfigure the algorithm to make the platform usable long-term.
Why all the updates? Many believe it's an attempt to compete with Bluesky. Mosseri admitted this is partially the reason, and Bluesky even called them out.
Interest in Bluesky has increased this month, as they surpass 20M users. Though that's nowhere near Threads (or X/Twitter), there's been a noticeable shift. People are flocking to Bluesky from X/Twitter, especially since the US election with many citing that it feels like OG Twitter. You can see the surge in the graph from SimilarWeb below.
Never heard of Bluesky before? It was started in 2019 by a team initially funded by Twitter's co-founder, Jack Dorsey, but now runs independently. It’s a decentralised platform, meaning it gives users more freedom and control over their data.
Similar to X/Twitter or Threads, you can share text-based updates that are up to 300 characters in length with attached images, videos and GIFs.
Unlike other platforms, usernames include the bsky.app domain (@xomisse.bsky.app) but you can change your username to include your custom domain (@xomisse.com) to add credibility to your account.
There is one issue with this however. When you change your handle to include your domain, your old handle (with bsky.app) becomes available again. The other problem they are currently working on is with verification with fake celebrity and other high-profile accounts popping up.
Do you need to join Bluesky? No, you don't. Especially if you'd rather not add another platform to your list. But if you are looking for an alternative to Twitter and see potential in connecting with a relevant audience, then give it a shot!
You can find me sharing more tips and random thoughts on Threads and Bluesky.
Other news + updates
- Instagram announced their annual "Creators of Tomorrow" list and Forbes' released their 2024 Top Creators list
- Instagram Highlights are moving to their own tab on your profile grid, next to the Reels tab, rather than below the profile bio area.
- Instagram is rolling out a "fresh start" option that allows users to reset content recommendations.
- Instagram have announced that from December 13th, you will no longer be able to follow hashtags and hashtags you do follow will no longer appear in your feed. IMO, this update further illustrates the shift to SEO on social, something I discussed in my 2024 Predictions.
- Instagram is now showing how many inactive accounts are among your followers, making it easier for you to remove them
- Instagram tests new placement of the DM button in the main UI.
- You can now add your personal Instagram profile to Buffer and schedule posts via reminder notifications.
- Mosseri says that Instagram doesn't downrank sponsored posts.
- Instagram stops 'rug pull' that disappears videos while you’re watching them.
- Instagram working on the ability to trial your Reels to non-followers first before fully publishing it.
- Instagram have changed the sizing of slides on Carousels.
- Instagram adds new DM filters to help you sort through messages.
- LinkedIn shares advice on posting do’s and don’ts.
- LinkedIn phases out its dedicated Live Audio events.
- TikTok is placing age restrictions on some beauty filters over mental health concerns.
- We should hear an update on the US TikTok ban on December 6th.
- TikTok adds easy music sharing from Apple Music and Spotify.
- YouTube enables Shorts Creators to request brand partnerships.
- YouTube launches Data Stories for first-day video metrics.
- YouTube shares how creators can improve viewing for CTV (connected TV).
- Facebook is removing the option to have public followers on your personal profile [via Mari Smith].
- Facebook is changing its primary metric to views, to align with the latest changes to Instagram Insights.
- Pinterest redesigned profiles on desktop.
- Linktree released its 2024 Creator Economy Report.
- An interesting read from Social Media Today on how social media platforms treat external links.
Web + SEO updates
- WordPress 6.7 has been released, you can read about it here.
- Google rolled out another core algorithm update this month. If you’re noticing major changes, this could be why. More on this soon!
- Connectively/HARO (Help a Reporter Out), a popular site for connecting to media outlets to gain backlinks, is being shut down on December 9th.
- Google cracks down on Parasite SEO content with a Site Reputation Abuse Policy update. Why? Large, authoritative websites have been "cashing in" on the strength of their domain by publishing third-party content that isn't relevant to their original topic focus. Because these sites are popular, this content (usually containing affiliate links) was ranking highly in the SERPs, causing smaller independent publishers and niche-specific sites to lose out.
- Google says not to rely to heavily or go overboard on using tools like Google Trends or People Also Ask for content ideas.
- Google Search Console drops the Page Experience report, which is really just a summary of the data on the Core Web Vitals and the HTTPS reports.
