Instagram is Coming for Twitter?

1. Instagram Preps Twitter-Like Alternative

Instagram is testing a text-based app enabling users to create Twitter-like posts on a timeline. Users will be able to sign in with their Instagram username and password and have their followers, handle, bio, and verification to be transferred over from the main app. Set to release as early as June, early reports state that the new app will have its own feed with text posts of up to 500 characters consisting of links, photos, and videos.

2. LinkedIn Job Post Verification 

Following LinkedIn’s launch of various verification features last month, the company is now bringing verification to job posts. Job posts will now include information that has been verified as authentic by the job poster, LinkedIn, or one of its partners to help users “feel confident in your search and give recruiters the opportunity to build trust with potential candidates.”

3. Search for Twitter Lists

Twitter users can discover new lists to follow via a search bar on the Lists tab on the platform’s desktop site. The latest feature makes searching for new lists a lot easier, as users could previously only create their own lists or view the lists that other people follow from their profiles.

4. Search Result Ads on Instagram 

Ads will now be served through Instagram search, showing up in the feed that users scroll through when tapping into a post from the results. Ads shown will be related to the user’s search—differentiating organic results from paid results through a “sponsored” label. 

5. YouTube Stories

Say goodbye to YouTube Stories. The video platform is removing the ability to post new Stories beginning on June 26th, and existing posts will expire after seven days. First introduced in 2017, YouTube Stories failed to pick up steam since its original announcement. In the absence of stories, YouTube is encouraging creators to post content through other features on the platform such as Community Posts and Shorts. 

Moe*-ment of the Week

TikTok Swings for the Fences

TikTok has extended its partnership with the New York Yankees and YES Network to bring both on and off-platform content for fans to experience. The social media platform and the Yankees will collaborate on exclusive content including interviews, behind-the-scenes clips, player moments, and more to bring unique experiences for fans. What began in 2020, the partnership has helped accumulate over 1.1 million followers for the Yankees, the most followed MLB team on TikTok.