Social Media: Instagram “Likes” are Disappearing

Social media likes may soon indefinitely be a thing of the past, at least on Instagram. It seemed like 2019 was full of updates for all social media platforms. From Facebook to Twitter banning political ads to Instagram’s various updates, social media is constantly changing and evolving.

One noticeable social media change happening to users of all kinds is the disappearance of “likes.” It was first announced that Canadian users would experience their likes disappearing back in April 2019. In July 2019, the same changes applied to users in Brazil, Ireland, Italy, Japan and New Zealand. Facebook began testing hidden likes on its platform for some Australian users in the Fall.

“The new feature hides users’ public like counts on videos and photos in the Feed, on the web, and within profiles.” Instagram announced that it wants followers to “focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get.”

“As you scroll through your feed, there are no like counts,” explained Mark Zuckerberg at F8. “You can see who liked a photo or video, you can tap through to see [the list], and if you have the time you can add them all up yourself.”

Instagram is one of the most popular social media apps with more than 1 billion monthly users and about 500 million daily users on Instagram Stories. There is no opt-in or opt-out to hiding Instagram likes and only time will tell if this feature will altogether be removed for everyone on the popular platform.

Zuckerberg said as much during his keynote, stating: “We want people to be less interested in how many likes a post gets, and focus more on connecting with other people.”

Here is what it looks like when the likes count is gone:

Photo: CNN

What does this mean for users and businesses altogether? The challenge is to continue to create engaging content and engage with your followers. Download selfie signs and a social media calendar of fun holidays for free here. This will help you stand above your competitors and help create new content for your social media platforms.

4 Instagram Updates You May have Missed this Month

Social media is constantly changing. New platforms emerge, new algorithms throw away what once worked and new updates change the way we can create engaging content. With all these changes happening in real-time, you may have missed these four essential updates for Instagram.

There are more than 1 billion monthly active users of Instagram worldwide and that number is only growing as more people are using to share and interact with the businesses and brands they love. 90% of brands use social media to increase brand awareness and reach a potential audience through a strategic approach and curated unique content.

1. Eliminating the “Following" Tab

The ‘Following’ tab is being removed from Instagram. The ‘Following’ tab was a feature on the popular app within the ‘Activity’ tab, which would let users see how people they’re following were engaging on Instagram. All activity from people you’re following could be found in that ‘Following’ tab. “The ‘Following’ tab listed which posts and comments were recently liked by people you’re following.”

2. Dark Mode for Instagram

What is ‘dark mode’? Dark mode makes your screen, apps and whole appearance choose a dark system. According to Apple, “In iOS 13.0 and later, people can choose to adopt a dark system-wide appearance called Dark Mode. In Dark Mode, the system uses a darker color palette for all screens, views, menus, and controls, and it uses more vibrancy to make foreground content stand out against the darker backgrounds.” 

Anyone on iOS 13 or Android 10 is able to choose ‘dark mode’ on your phone and Instagram. 

3. New App: Threads

Instagram released its newest standalone messaging app called ‘Threads.’ Similar to Facebook Messenger. According to Instagram's announcement, “a new camera-first messaging app that helps you stay connected to your close friends.”

In ‘Threads,” you can only message your close friends from a list made by you on Instagram. You are able to share videos, messages, photos and Instagram Stories from your ‘Close Friends’ list.

Instagram announced, “for your smaller circle of friends, we saw the need to stay connected throughout the day, so you can communicate what you’re doing and how you’re feeling through photos and videos. That’s why we built Threads, a new way to message with close friends in a dedicated, private space.”

Threads: Instagram

4. Product Launch Stickers

500 million people use Instagram stories daily. As social media introduce more features within their platforms, there will be more ways for businesses to connect with their followers. Instagram specifically, is testing reminder notifications for product launches. 

“Today we’re testing a new way to set reminders about upcoming product launches so people can buy your products the moment they’re available, right on Instagram. From checkout to shopping from creators, this is part of our ongoing investment to make it easier for people to shop.”

Instagram

These reminders will help connect even further with your followers and reach potential customers. Four big updates to one social media platform are huge! Capitalize on online marketing and social media services for your business. Social programs are very much like any other specialized task or responsibility in your business. There is a steep learning curve that requires full-time attention and a continual focus on changing technology. That person has to be accountable for the message and its results. 

Solutions by Design offers affordable social media marketing for a fraction of the cost of what most companies offer. Call us so we can personally assess your needs and build a strategic social media program for you. 

4 Instagram Tips for Orthodontists

To stand above the crowded noise of social media, you must have excellent content! Canned posts, status updates with no images, posting at random times are a big red flag that will get your content pushed behind, lost where few people will see it. Instagram now has more than 1 billion users. With more than 1 billion users on the popular social media platform, your target audience is most likely on the photo-sharing app. With filters, selfies and sponsored posts, you have to ask yourself, “is your orthodontic practice on Instagram?” If you are on Instagram, great! But are you utilizing the platform efficiently? 

Here are 4 Instagram tips to help you stand above your competitors in 2019!

1. Real Photos! 

As a practice, you are interacting with your patients every day and providing a wonderful service people prioritize and spend money on. If you are not capturing photos with your patients before, during and after treatment, then you are missing out on a big marketing opportunity. You should prioritize and take the time to take photos with your patients because it would create content for your website, social media, search engines and for people to see the amazing work you do. 

2. User-Generated Content (UGC)

User-generated content is content that your patients share on their social media accounts. By simply posting their smile (and if they are satisfied a great review) they expand into their network and community. You benefit from this by getting a solid reference from your patient and of course content that you can repost and share on social media. Be sure to encourage UGC by telling your patients to tag you in their social media posts. 

3. Instagram Stories 

Launched in 2016, Instagram Stories quickly became a staple component on Instagram. If you are not using Instagram Stories, then you are missing out on an important marketing opportunity on Instagram. Instagram Stories are another great way to showcase information and reach a new network of an audience who may not be following you. You can do this by using hashtags and tag locations on the Stories. It is also a great way to showcase fun, behind the scenes of your business. 

4. Story Highlights

Story highlights was a feature launched in 2017! You now are utilizing Instagram Stories, fantastic! Now curate your stories and save them on your profile. This allows your stories to be saved and archived on your profile. A great way to utilize this as a practice is to put patient reviews, a smile gallery and an "About Us" - this way users searching for an orthodontist, will not miss all the information from you. 

Solutions By Design can help you make professional and intelligent decisions that will be advantageous in setting the fate of your overall digital marketing efforts. Never miss a fun holiday, by downloading our yearly calendar of fun holidays here. 

Introducing Instagram Stories

Many of our clients have asked about or considered starting a Snapchat account, but after realizing that it really requires a full-time staff member to maintain an active successful account, they opt out. Well, we have some good news for those of you wanting to add to your social media presence, but not ready for the responsibilities of Snapchat. Earlier this month, Instagram announced its latest feature: Instagram Stories.

Instagram Stories allows users to upload impromptu or behind-the-scenes pictures and videos to their followers that last for 24 hours. After the 24 hour period, the upload will disappear without changing anything on your Instagram profile. The process of uploading your Instagram Stories is almost identical to that of Snapchat, but if you’re unfamiliar with the process don’t worry, we have you covered!

Check out the steps of adding a story to your Instagram account and take advantage of this feature for your business.

Step 1: Click the plus symbol on the top left corner of your Instagram feed. 

Step 2: Hit the circle camera button to take a picture or video. Hold it down for the video option.

Step 3: Be creative. Add a drawing to your upload by using the buttons on the top right corner.

Step 4: Swipe left or right to choose a filter. There are 7 options. 

Step 5: Hit the check mark on the bottom to add the picture or video to your Instagram Story.

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