Snapchat Catalogue Shopping Lens
Shopping online with social keeps getting easier. Snapchat is launching new shopping lenses that will enable shoppers to virtually try on different styles and compare them just by swiping.
The product details will be displayed on-screen and you can click to buy.
Although at first, this will be for big brands, there is a lens building that any business can use, you’ll still need some technical skill but it’s doable.
https://newsroom.snap.com/ar-shopping
https://ar.snap.com/lens-web-builder
LinkedIn employee verification
One of the most frustrating problems for businesses on LinkedIn is that anyone can link their profile to their company page, whether they are an employee or not.
LinkedIn has launched some new tools that don’t fix that problem (come on LinkedIn) but go some way to ensuring access is limited to unverified employees.
The ‘Employee verification’ process will mean that only people with a verified brand email address will be able to post jobs on behalf of the company or access the ‘My Company’ tab.
Does this go far enough?
Better accessibility on Instagram
Instagram has been working on its accessibility. In the past, it has taken screen reader users minutes to swipe from post to post, which must be ridiculously frustrating.
Screen readers are used by the visually impaired to navigate online content.
The new updates mean those who use screen readers can now swipe to the next post in seconds, just like non-screen-reader users.
This particular update is just for those who use screen readers, Instagram admits there is still work to be done.
https://about.instagram.com/blog/engineering/crafting-an-accessible-instagram-feed
AR furniture tool on Pinterest
It’s not just makeup and clothing brands that can benefit from AR (augmented reality) social lenses. Pinterest has introduced a furniture try on AR feature that will let you see what items will look like in your home before you buy. It’s currently only available for select US retailers but will be rolled out further.
We’ve seen something like this tool from IKEA before but the nice thing about Pinterest is that you’ll be able to browse different brands and stores to find exactly the right piece for your home.
I can see AR try on alongside live stream shopping becoming the future of e-commerce.
WhatsApp communities
WhatsApp groups, love them or loath them, have become a place where people who don’t necessarily know each other well, come together around specific topics or interests. Like groups of students or conference-goers.
WhatsApp is working on a new type of group called ‘Communities’ which is better designed for working with larger groups. Similar to Slack it is thought that users will join particular topics or projects within the overall group.
So many people use WhatsApp that this could be a better way to manage company and group communications. And it offers a viable alternative to Facebook Groups for online communities.
Are 90 second Reels on the way?
Short-form video is getting longer. It looks like Instagram could be extending the length of Reels to 90 seconds.
With any type of content, limitations spark creativity, that’s why we’ve seen so many brilliant TikTok and Reel videos. The longer videos will be great for talented creators who currently have to cut their videos into parts but as creators, we need to be careful not to make longer videos just because we can.
Long-form articles on Twitter
Part of the joy of Twitter has always been brevity. But with the popularity of threads could we be looking at a future where 280 characters become limitless characters? And would that destroy Twitter’s USP?
Reverse engineer Jane Manchun Wong has discovered that Twitter is working on articles. We don’t know what form these will take as yet but maybe like newsletters we’ll be able to feature them on our profile.
Articles could give businesses the chance to showcase their expertise, answer customer questions and show your audience what problems you solve for them. It could make Twitter a more powerful space to showcase your business.
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