Spring has finally come and has brought along some cool new updates for Facebook and Instagram.
Facebook
Domain Verification
Facebook’s domain verification allows owners to claim their website domain in Business Manager and ensures that only verified website owners control editing privileges of their links. The domain verification is another step put in place to verify the integrity of the content on Facebook and prevent the spreading of fake news and misinformation.
Bottomline
What does domain verification mean for you and your business? Should you do it? Facebook is letting it up to the discretion of its users but they do say domain verification is the best way to handle ownership if:
You have a larger number of Pages that are difficult to maintain manually via Open Graph markup tags
You have adopted or have the ability to adopt Business Manager to manage your assets
You have the ability to upload HTML files to the web root directory or the ability to edit DNS TXT records
You can edit Link Page Posts that link to content you own—ownership will eventually serve as a means to determine who has access to link editing
Steps on how to verify your Facebook domain.
Verifying your business Page on Facebook and getting the little, blue check mark can carry some prestige, validity, and value. However; it’s a challenge to get the blue checkmark with many requirements to meet. There’s also a grey check mark that can be an important step in verifying your page.
Bottomline
Getting the grey verification badge can help users find your page easier. It also adds to your credibility and trust on Facebook. To be eligible for the grey verification badge, you have to be admin and have a profile and cover photo. Then to verify your page you’ll need a publicly listed phone number. Here are steps to verify your page with the grey badge.
This is an existing feature but one you may not be using and could be. Facebook allows Facebook Pages to post video content to different pages as original posts, not shares. On both pages wanting to crosspost videos, they go into settings and request to add the other page under the crossposting tab. Once both pages have accepted they have the ability to cross-post videos manually or automatically depending on the agreement.
Bottomline
For businesses, this can be helpful in reaching a larger audience. It’s also an efficiency tool. If you partner with another site for a video then you’re getting exposed to your followers and the other pages followers.
Crossposting videos can also be helpful for multiple pages that you manage. If you’d like to have a live video or post a video to two pages you manage then you can use crossposting for a quick and easy way to accomplish this.
Instagram
Updated Explore Tab
Instagram’s explore tab is getting a new look. You’ll have more control over what you see in the Explore Tab by going beyond following hashtags and seeing what Instagram thinks you’ll like. Users will be able to follow specific topic channels and browse by interests.
Bottomline
The new Instagram Explore page will make it easier for Instagram users to find and interact with your business on Instagram.
Mute Accounts? What do you mean by that? Well, now Instagram has added the ability for users to be able to mute an accounts posts, story, or posts and story. You can mute an account by tapping the “…” in the top corner of a post. Muted accounts are different from blocked accounts, users can still see posts on the muted profile page and get a notification on tags, but you don’t have to see their posts all the time. Muted accounts will also not be notified that they have been muted and users can unmute the account at any time.
Bottomline
This is part of Instagram’s effort to block cyberbullying, but it ultimately gives the user greater control over Instagram’s algorithmic feed.
On Instagram Stories you will soon be able to share your favorite song, album, or playlist from Spotify. In Spotify, you can tap the “share” button and the song will appear as a sticker in your stories. You can continue to edit your story like normal and when you post it, your followers can tap the sticker and listen to the song on Spotify.
Bottomline
This deep link integration with Spotify has the possibility to see stories shared from other apps for news, media, photo editing, and even e-commerce. The possibility to share a deep link to the app in your stories could bring a better experience than the “swipe up” feature since it takes you directly to the app.
AR camera effects are coming to Instagram. “Creators, influencers, and brands will be able to create their own custom Instagram filters using Facebook’s AR studio.” You will only be able to use these custom filters if you follow that account on Instagram or if one of your friends is using the filter in their Story. This means it was basically designed to go viral!
Bottomline
Since the custom AR filters will only be available on the creators Instagram account, this creates a huge growth opportunity for creators, influencers, and brands. It is an incredible tool to grow your audience and followers.
That’s a wrap this week on important updates for you in the social media marketing space! Any thoughts on these changes and updates to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter? Let me know!
Want to get alerted to these updates via email in your inbox? Sign-up for my email list (2 emails a week) and I’ll also give you my free guide to Facebook Live success!
The post Social Media & Facebook Updates Through May 24 appeared first on Mike Gingerich.
Read more: mikegingerich.com
