The year 2021 did not only transform us into a different person but also changed social media. Social media indeed became an integral part of our lives in a very short time. Until last year the majority of the social media platforms were used to stay in touch with our friends and family but soon it not only became a channel for brands and small businesses to connect with their audience and grow. Basically 2021 was surely a year of mind blowing social media trends, strategies and of course updates.
Let’s look at some of the biggest social media updates that happened this year:
- Instagram introduced link stickers: This feature came into being when Instagram retired the swipe up option and replaced it with link stickers. Meaning that it was only available to accounts having more than 10,000 followers. Later this year, Instagram removed the follower count restrictions and introduced it for everyone. This was a big hit for small businesses, emerging brands and YouTubers who because of this could direct their social media traffic to their respective websites, YouTube channels etc.
- Add your sticker to create public threads: This was one of the most exciting updates that we got from Instagram. This sticker allows creatore to post a story and add this sticker which will allow others to post on their story by including them in the continuation of the initial story.
- Collaboration option in the feed: This feature rolled out by Instagram helped creators to collaborate on posts and reels. A collaboration post or reel will appear in both the collaborators’ accounts having the exact views, likes and comments.
- Introducing Meta: Facebook’s parent company will now be called ‘Meta’.
- Customized Facebook Messenger: Facebook now allows its users to customize your messenger experience by incorporating themes.
- Upload photos and videos through desktop: Instagram now enables you to upload pictures and videos not only through your phone but desktop too.
- Convert words into text on stories and reels: With this feature on Instagram reels and stories, verbal speech gets converted into text. This makes it perfect for people who turn off the volume while watching stories or reels.
- Upload photos and videos through desktop: Instagram now enables you to upload pictures and videos not only through your phone but desktop too.
- Remix Reels: This feature of Instagram allows users to include or ‘remix’ other people’s content within their content.
- Recently deleted section: Instagram added a recently deleted feature which allows users to access their recently deleted posts and restore them!
- Measures to protect users of under 16 years of age: Users under 16 years of age will have profiles that auto-default to private. This also comes with features which protects them from unwanted contacts through DMs and comments.