Tag: social media

  • Bluesky Introduces Video Tab as User Growth Surges

    Bluesky Introduces Video Tab as User Growth Surges

    As the movement away from X continues, the number of Bluesky users has recently surpassed 25 million. More users means there’s a growing need for features that are already present on other social media platforms. The app now has a special video tab that gathers all the media a user has shared. The news was shared by Bluesky’s official account, along with some other useful updates.

    New Features and Updates

    Bluesky began allowing video uploads in September 2024. Earlier this month, a short outage of TikTok in the U.S. led the network to implement a vertical video feed. The addition of the video tab shows that the platform is changing and aims to promote more engaging posts.

    Whenever a social media platform rolls out new features, users often seize the chance to ask for even more functionalities. Bluesky is still in its early days, having only opened public sign-ups in February 2024. Users frequently request an edit function for posts, a feature that X offers only to premium subscribers. While there’s no timeline for when editing might be available, Bluesky has improved the process for blocking users who send hurtful direct messages. The latest 1.97 update also brings enhanced translation options.

    The Vision Behind Bluesky

    Bluesky was created by Jack Dorsey, the ex-CEO of Twitter, back in 2019. It’s no surprise that the layout feels similar to what users of X are used to. However, Bluesky’s open-source AT protocol lets users customize their feeds with smart filters. Although text and images are still the primary focus of the platform, videos are rapidly becoming an important part of the recommended content.

    X currently faces financial difficulties, and with Elon Musk’s increasing political involvement, it’s losing even more revenue. Bluesky does have stiff competition, like Meta’s Threads, but its prospects appear brighter than ever before.

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  • Threads Emerges as a Prominent Player in Social Media Space with a Whopping User Base of 130 Million

    Threads Emerges as a Prominent Player in Social Media Space with a Whopping User Base of 130 Million

    Threads, Instagram‘s latest venture, has quickly become a crowd favorite, with Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, announcing it has attracted over 130 million monthly users. This impressive growth comes amid the evolving social media landscape following Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, now called X. Threads is holding its own in a competitive field that includes Bluesky, Mastodon, and others, showcasing its potential to be a key player.

    Can Threads Hit the Billion-User Mark?

    Zuckerberg shared that Threads is on a solid growth path, even surpassing the buzz it generated at its launch. This momentum hints at Threads’ potential to hit the billion-user mark, a target Zuckerberg previously mentioned, and this clearly shows confidence in its future.

    Meta’s Expanding Reach

    Meta’s family of apps continues to expand its reach, with billions of people logging in daily across platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Threads, in particular, has seen a significant boost in downloads, ranking it among the top apps worldwide in December. This spike in interest can be traced back to Meta’s efforts to integrate Threads more closely with its existing network, encouraging a resurgence in its popularity.

    A Resurgence in Popularity

    Despite a dip in interest after its initial launch, Threads has bounced back, thanks in part to strategic promotions that have reintroduced the app to a wider audience. Estimates now place its total user base at around 160 million, a figure that speaks to its growing appeal. On the financial front, Meta reported strong earnings, surpassing analyst expectations and announcing its first-ever cash dividend, signaling a period of financial health and optimism for the company.

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  • Meta Enforces Tighter Safety Rules for Teens on Instagram/Facebook

    Meta Enforces Tighter Safety Rules for Teens on Instagram/Facebook

    Meta Platforms Enhances Safety Measures for Teenagers on Instagram and Facebook

    Meta Platforms is introducing enhanced safety measures on Instagram and Facebook to safeguard teenagers, implementing novel features that shield young individuals from unsolicited correspondence. This proactive step underscores Meta’s attentiveness to issues surrounding the digital well-being of adolescents.

    Context

    Previously, Meta encountered accusations of being cognizant of teenagers being exposed to detrimental material. Nevertheless, subsequent dialogues with regulators prioritizing children’s safety on social media led Meta to enforce limitations on specific content accessible to teenage users.

    The gravity of this situation intensified when a former Meta employee testified before the U.S. Senate, unveiling Meta’s awareness of negative encounters, including harassment, that youths endured on its platforms but failed to take decisive action. This disclosure captured broad attention, placing Meta in a position that demanded prompt addressing of the concern.

    Fresh Additions and Adjustments

    Instagram

    • Messaging settings will now automatically permit receipt of messages solely from people whom teenagers follow.
    • Any alterations to app settings will necessitate parental authorization.

    Messenger

    • Individuals under 16 years of age (or under 18 in specific regions) will solely receive messages from Facebook friends or contacts in their network.
    • Adult users above 19 years old will be unable to message teenagers unless reciprocal following exists.

    Importance

    Meta Platforms’ dedication to confronting the safety predicaments faced by teenagers on Instagram and Facebook is commendable. By rolling out these innovative features and controls, Meta aims to furnish a more secure online milieu for young users. Nonetheless, continual surveillance and adjustments are imperative to ascertain the efficacy of these measures in shielding teenagers from unsolicited messages and objectionable content.

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  • Users Gain Independence to Delete Their Threads Account

    Users Gain Independence to Delete Their Threads Account

    Meta has announced two welcome changes to its social media platform, Threads by Instagram. Previously, users were unable to delete their Threads accounts without also deleting their Instagram accounts. However, with the new update, users now have the ability to delete their Threads account independently. This change allows for more control over their Instagram and Threads accounts. The feature can be accessed from the Settings menu in the Delete or Deactivate Profile section. Users can then choose their preferred option, and their Instagram account will not be affected.

    Another significant change is the privacy concern regarding the content shared by Threads users. Previously, the content was visible to users on Facebook and Instagram, which raised privacy issues. However, with the latest update, a new option has been added under Settings > Privacy. This option allows users to 'opt out of being featured outside Threads', providing them with more control over their privacy.

    Both of these changes are rolling out to all users, and it is recommended that users update their Threads app to the latest version to access these new features. These updates address some of the major drawbacks that users had experienced with the Threads platform, and it is expected to improve the overall user experience.

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