Platform updates, work we're watching and more.

Updates Ahead: A look into platform updates & news

Instagram hashtags won't get your content more views.

The head of Instagram announced that hashtags are used to CATEGORIZE your content. "There are 5 signals Instagram uses to determine if content is high-value: likes, comments, saves, tapping through to your profile — and most importantly — TIME SPENT. Instagram wants people to stay on the app, so if your content is achieving that, it'll get boosted"Basically if people are engaging with your content (it's good) Instagram will suggest it to more people. Spend less time on finding your hashtags and more time creating the best possible content for your followers.

Twitter's working on an edit button.

And they claim it has nothing to do with Elon Musk, announcing this week that 'yes it's for real' and they'd begin testing in the 'coming months'. Twitter's head of consumer products, Jay Sullivan, put out this thread. Saying most notably: Without things like time limits, controls, and transparency about what has been edited, Edit could be misused to alter the record of the public conversation. Protecting the integrity of that public conversation is our top priority when we approach this work.

Instagram's testing a new full-screen main feed.

The new interface would do away with the top stories bar, presenting everything in an immersive, full-screen, swipeable UI, so basically like Tiktok. You can see a sample of it here. Users can now view feed posts, stories and reels all in one swipeable place. As for that tricky algorithm "the update would also enable algorithmic improvements based on your response to each specific post".This means each individual post is showcased front and center instead of the current view where you may see multiple posts at a time.

Virtual Influencers, ever heard of 'em?

Digitally created and AI-controlled characters are popping up online. Accounts like @lilmiquela, @noonoouri, and @shundu.gram are amassing huge followings and brands are using these characters to promote all kinds of things. A survey of one thousand Americans showed 58% of people followed at least one virtual influencer, with that number reaching 75% in the 18–24-year-old crowd. Brands that may not have been able to find that 'perfect' influencer IRL can not look to develop one in the digital space.

What brands did on April Fools Day

• Hyper X grass keyboard
• 711's tiny gulp
• National Weather Service switches to kelvin
• Traeger Grill's weed pellets
• Omaha Steak's new deodorant: Meat Sweats
• Hellmann's + Butterfinger collab
• Lawyer fights Duolingo Owl
• Alexa can do smells now

In The Moment: Trends Taking Over Our FYP

• Gen Z's 'amazing' email signatures
• The Savannah Bananas
• Jack Harlow's First Class (Glamorous sample)
• Secret's safe with me
• TWITTER: "we're canceling over ___ take"
• Will Smith slap variations
• Julia Fox's book: a masterpiece
• Aye Bay Bay dance challenge (@yvngflickk + @jubi2fye)
• Patsy Cline's Crazy (older but still being used)
• Tom's Diner (older but still being used)
• POV: ____ goes to your funeral