Social Media Updates April 2024

In the fast-paced world of social media, platforms like TikTok and Instagram are continually evolving to meet the changing needs and preferences of their users. While there haven’t been any dramatic new updates, the two platforms are testing new features that could prove helpful for users down the line. So, here are the top updates that you need to know about social media in April 2024.

Potential TikTok Ban

First and foremost, we have to address the biggest news in social media lately: the potential TikTok ban. 

On March 13, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would require ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S. company. While we’re still waiting for the senate’s decision on this, if it goes through, it could have serious repercussions for the millions of small businesses and individual creators on the platform. 

The best way to prepare for this potential ban is by diversifying your social media strategy and growing your email list. 

Create Viral Content With TikTok Trends Digest

TikTok is making it easier for small businesses and creators to blow up. TikTok Trends Digest is a monthly roundup that summarizes thumb-stopping trends on their platform. It provides users with a transparent guide of what’s popular at the current moment.

Instagram Experimenting With Photo Integration On Their Apps

Instagram was originally a photo-sharing app but since the introduction of Reels, still photographs have taken a back seat. Now, it looks like they’re coming back but in a different way.

Instagram’s experimenting with two things:

• Carousels within their Reels: allowing users to post multiple photos and videos in a single Reels post (similar to TikTok’s photo carousel feature)
• Option to comment on specific frames within a carousel

It’s clear that the platform is continuously brainstorming new ways to keep users engaged and we’re excited to see which of these they actually launch!

Chat Monetization On TikTok

The platform has been testing out “Sub Space,” a subscriber-only chat designed to incentivize and reward paying subscribers for supporting creators. The platform has been pushing their “Live” feature and it’s clear that this experiment is another way of motivating creators to use that feature.

Instagram Tips For April 2024

• Stack trending sounds + trending effects for greater reach
• Use a voiceover to keep users engaged and on the platform for longer
• Change video scenes every 2-3 seconds
• Get more replays with a content loop or with a short clip with long text (caption or overlaid on video)

TikTok Tips For April 2024

• Increase watch times with long(er) form content
• Use keywords in your description that are actually relevant to your ICA
• Edit the content within the TikTok app for a more authentic feel
• Focus on quality over content: posting multiple times a day might get marked as spam

With social media’s continuous changes, it’s clear that staying on top of these developments is crucial for small business owners hoping to leverage social media for more awareness and commerce. We hope that these updates were helpful! Stay connected by subscribing to our newsletter to get these tips directly to your inbox!