Instagram Adds Unlockable Reels – New Era of VIP Content Begins

Amid ongoing concerns about alleged “shadowbans” and limiting certain posts and content, X has provided some new tips on how to ensure that you’re entering hashtags and @symbols correctly in your posts, in order to avoid common mistakes.Which suggests that X itself isn’t looking to limit certain posts or topics, though given the various algorithmic weights at play, it’s impossible for anyone outside of the company to definitively say one way or another.Which is always going to be problematic among a more conspiracy-susceptible crowd.As per X:“Some users have reported difficulties using hashtags in posts, and unexpected behavior in replies and mentions.”In order to avoid potential issues, X advises that users should:Ensure you don’t include a symbol after a username (e.g. if you enter “@XSupport.123″, your message will be sent to @XSupport , not @XSupport123)Don’t include any text or symbols before the @ symbol (if you enter ”.@XSupport” or ”?@XSupport”, it will be treated as a normal post and will appear on the timeline of all the poster’s followers)Ensure your posts are not privateIn terms of hashtags, X advises that you can’t include any symbols or punctuation marks between or after the characters in the hashtag (e.g. if you type ”#Awesome! Fun!”, the post will be categorized with the hashtag ”#Awesome”. The hashtag will be cut off where you insert punctuation marks or symbols)Don’t include letters before the # symbol (e.g. posts with“123#fun” or “word#fun” will not show up in search results for the hashtag ”#fun”Hashtags with just numbers won’t work (e.g. if you type #1 or #123 , the hashtag won’t be hyperlinked and won’t be searchable for that keyword. However, if you include letters after the numbers in your hashtag, like #123Go , it will still work as a hashtag)These are all fairly basic reminders, with X looking to ensure that users are aware of the actual functionality of each element. Because presumably, these are still common mistakes that trip some users up. And when they can’t see their replies in-stream, or they’re not getting through as they think they should, some people are always going to assume that they’re being limited, when they’re really not.X also notes that technical limits can restrict visibility:“If you don’t see your reply below a post, it may be because we’ve reached a technical capacity limit. If a post has many replies, X won’t show all of them. However, if your reply appears on your timeline, the post author will most likely be able to see your reply in the Notifications tab.”So, basically, X is saying that there could be a range of simple issues that impact visibility, so rather than assuming that you’ve been limited, and tweeting that out to everybody, maybe check these things first.  Though, of course, X has also exacerbated this problem, by fueling past conspiracy theories about the same.For years, X owner Elon Musk claimed that Twitter was shadowbanning certain users, and restricting the reach of certain discussion points, in favor of left-leaning views.But it wasn’t. There’s no evidence to suggest that Twitter was doing anything untoward in his respect, and while it did take action to limit certain comments, like COVID vaccine criticisms at one stage, it did so based on advice from official sources, amidst an unprecedented global lockdown.In retrospect, some will highlight this as an example of censorship. But in the vast majority of cases, Twitter actually resisted calls for restrictions, from various governments and government agencies.Still, the fact that Musk himself has promoted the spectre of censorship has now raised criticism on X itself, with its user base further strengthened in their belief that external forces are at play, and are trying to limit certain discussion points, one way or another.Because that’s what Musk and Co. have told them is happening, so really, X has made this a bigger problem, leading to more finger pointing for every perceived infraction.At the same time, there’s also been accusations that X’s Community Notes system has been infiltrated by organized groups, who band together to delete notes that they don’t agree with ideologically.Speculation on that front has lingered for some time, which is an even bigger concern given that Meta is also shifting to a similar moderation model, while last week, Musk also felt compelled to provide another explainer on how X indirectly restricts the reach of link posts.So there’s clearly a level of unease within the X community around possible manipulation/shadowbans/restrictions.There’s also been speculation that those who cross Elon in one way or another end up having their reach in the app, and subsequent engagement-based earnings, killed off as a result.Though much of that seems rooted in the fact that they once benefited from Elon re-posting or engaging with their content, which they lose if he decides to stop doing so.Overall, then, these issues seem less insidious than conspiracies may suggest. But if you throw fuel onto that fire, you can’t complain when you also feel the heat.📢 If you're interested in Facebook-related solutions, don't hesitate to connect with us!🔹 Telegram🔹Facebook💬 We're always ready to assist you!

After it was spotted in testing last month, Instagram has now launched its first official use of lockable Reels, which enable creators to share Reels that can only be viewed by those who have a code.As you can see in this example sequence, with lockable Reels, creators will be able to hide their content behind a lock code, with a prompt for users to “Enter secret code” to view the content.As noted, Instagram tested this out on its Design profile early last month, and now, the Weeknd has activated the first official usage of the feature, with the musician launching a clip from his film “Hurry Up Tomorrow” that’s hidden behind a lock code.Here’s how it looks on desktop:As explained by IG: “The new hidden reels feature lets you unlock exclusive content with a password. Instagram is testing this new feature as a way to let creators build excitement and buzz around exclusive content, and to help people connect over shared interests and entertaining content in a new, IYKYK, way.”So it’s not broadly available as yet, but if/when it does get an official release, it’ll provide a new way to drive engagement within specific segments of your audience, like, say, superfans who’ve obtained a code through an exclusive mailing list.Businesses accounts, meanwhile, could use it to offer discounts to previous customers (as opposed to all of your followers), or provide region-specific updates, in conjunction with your off-platform client contact lists. There’s a range of ways that brand or creator profiles could use this, while regular users could also share more targeted, intimate content for only certain followers or friends.It’s an interesting consideration either way, though again, it’s only in testing with selected creators at this stage.If you want to check out the clip from The Weeknd’s profile, the code is “ICANTSING”.📢 If you're interested in Facebook-related solutions, don't hesitate to connect with us!🔹 Telegram🔹Facebook💬 We're always ready to assist you!

As it continues to work on a deal to keep the app in the U.S., TikTok’s links with the Chinese government are also causing impacts elsewhere, with the platform facing a huge new fine in Europe due to violations of the GDPR.As announced by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), TikTok has been fined €530 million ($US341 million) for infringements of GDPR regulations relating to the transfer of European user data to China, while it will also be required to revise its processes within the next 6 months.As noted, the fine is a result of an investigation into the TikTok’s transfers of user data to China, which is not an authorised region under the GDPR regulations, in regards to data safety.As explained by the DPC: “Under the GDPR where an organization intends to transfer personal data outside the EU/ EEA to a third country, and where no Adequacy Decision exists between the EU and that third country, such transfers can only occur if other applicable provisions of the GDPR are met, such as Standard Contractual Clauses. These provisions place the responsibility on the organization to verify, guarantee and demonstrate that the law and practices of that country guarantees a level of protection essentially equivalent to that guaranteed within EU.”Because Chinese regulations don’t align with these requirements, TikTok will now have to pay a hefty fine, and reassess its systems in line with GDPR requirements.Though TikTok says that it’s already done so.In response to the announcement, TikTok says that the finding fails to take into account the additional measures it’s now implemented to address the DPC’s concerns:“The decision primarily focuses on a select period from years ago, before the 2023 implementation of Project Clover, our €12 billion data security initiative. The DPC itself recorded in its report what TikTok has consistently said: it has never received a request for European user data from the Chinese authorities, and has never provided European user data to them.”TikTok says that Project Clover, for which it’s created several new EU data centers (in Norway and Ireland), and implemented processes to ensure that no EU user data is sent to China, addresses all of the DPC’s complaints, and as such, it should not be subjected to this fine.“The facts are that Project Clover has some of the most stringent data protections anywhere in the industry, including unprecedented independent oversight by NCC Group, a leading European cybersecurity firm. The decision fails to fully consider these considerable data security measures.”TikTok further notes that it now has 175 million users across Europe, and more than 6,000 employees in the region, while it’s also helped small businesses contribute €4.8 billion to GDP, and over 51,000 jobs.“This decision has implications not just for TikTok, but for any company in Europe operating globally. We disagree with this decision and intend to appeal it in full.”Yeah, I’m not sure that this approach, which is similar to what TikTok has undertaken in the U.S., is going to resonate with EU officials.The argument that TikTok is already implementing measures to address such is relevant, but TikTok has continually tried to put political pressure on regional regulators, by essentially blackmailing them with veiled threats based on the impact that the company has on the local economy.U.S. senators were unmoved by these observations, and I expect EU overseers will view such the same way, as it’s a pretty blatant effort to pressure them into easing back on the platform due to its broader economic benefits.It’s essentially a bullying tactic, which side-steps the actual regulatory ruling itself. And again, TikTok should challenge the ruling by laying out the efforts that it’s made with Project Clover, but it should probably also consider leaving out the impact statement.I doubt that’s going to change the ruling either, but it may ensure that TikTok avoids further penalties in the region.Either way, it’s another headache for the app, which now needs to factor in the loss of $341 million, on top of a possible full ban in the U.S., due to the escalating U.S./China trade war.📢 If you're interested in Facebook-related solutions, don't hesitate to connect with us!🔹 Telegram🔹Facebook💬 We're always ready to assist you!