Get ready for some AI-generated fun thanks to Instagram’s latest feature. The new part, which was newly announced on Thread by Ahmad Al-Dahle, Metas+’s Generative AI Lead, is proud to showcase Instagram’s latest feature, which allows users to remove their backgrounds in their stories and have it replaced with anything they desire, thanks to the use of Generative AI.
The short video demonstration, shown on threads, showcases how the new feature is used. When the user is about to post a story and lands in the edit section of the process, they can see a new option just beside the text insert feature of Instagram. The button which has the image of a person and a background with a + sign, is where the magic happens.
Once pressed, the app will open into another section where it will automatically clear out the background of the said image used, and below there is a text box. Just above the text box are small recommendations or suggestions of prompts that the users can use to alleviate their story photos.
The prompt written down can be anything the user desires to be, “Be surrounded by Puppies” or “ Laying by the beach” anything the user can creatively think of to place in the background of your photo to make it pop and look more interesting. Of course, Instagram thought of everything as this feature can’t be used to trick people either as an automatic sticker and the feature will be placed on the post saying that the AI background feature was used and a sticker that allows other users to “Try it.”
Currently, this feature is only available to US Instagram users, and Instagram has not said anything when this feature will go out globally.
Meta’s latest social network and the bane of Elon Musk’s X is gearing up to become the company’s next billion user app. In the recent earnings call, Mark Zuckerberg revealed that Threads now has “just under” 100 million monthly active users. This number is very significant considering the app has yet to be released in the European Union.
In the same call, Zuckerberg made Meta’s ambition for Threads very clear and that is to transform Threads into a “billion-person public conversations app” with a positive atmosphere.
New Features in the Wake of Ambition
To achieve those lofty ambitions, the team over at Instagram and Threads have been working to fold in even more features into the app. Let’s be honest, they’ve been on a roll! The team is now bringing even more engaging features such as a native GIF picker and polls.
You will now be able to host polls on Threads natively. Creating polls is straightforward. Users can add up to four poll choices for a 24-hour duration. Unfortunately, there’s no option to adjust the poll duration just yet. While polls are accessible on Threads for Android and iOS, the web version is yet to support this feature.
Threads is also introducing an in-app GIF picker, powered by GIPHY. It’s available for both new posts and replies. Users can easily access a library of searchable GIFs by tapping the “GIF” button. This feature is available in the latest app updates for Android and iOS.
One drawback to note is that Threads, like Meta’s Messenger app and Instagram, still restricts Android keyboards, like Gboard, from inserting GIFs. When users attempt to insert a GIF using Gboard, they receive a message stating that Threads doesn’t support this functionality. While the app adds exciting features, this limitation might be frustrating for some.
Instagram’s answer to a rapidly degenerating Twitter (now known as “X”) – Threads – is taking the competition head-on by introducing new features. This includes editable posts. This is a feature that Twitter (X) has adopted only for its premium “verified” users but Threads is offering it without additional fees. Threads now offers all users the coveted “edit button” for free. However, there is one caveat – you can only edit a post within the first five minutes of it going live.
In addition to this, Threads is also introducing “voice threads,” a feature akin to “voice notes.” You can start or reply to a thread using your voice, making communication more dynamic and personal. This feature is readily accessible. Simply tap on the microphone icon, and the recorder appears. Tap or press and hold the record button to start recording. It even generates auto-captions, giving you a chance to make any necessary changes before finalizing your post.
While these features are exciting, there are some aspects to consider. Voice notes may not be available on the web app yet, although this might be rolled out soon. Additionally, when a post is edited, there’s no clear indication that changes were made or an edit history, potentially raising transparency concerns. It’s something Threads might need to address.
Meta‘s Threads app is continuing its evolution, this time with the introduction of a new keyword search feature. While initially released with basic features, Meta has been working to enhance Threads. This latest feature is set to improve the user experience significantly.
Until now, the search function on Threads was limited solely to finding other user accounts on the platform. However, this is about to change, with the introduction of keyword search functionality. The new feature is currently available only to Threads users in Australia and New Zealand.
Instagram CEO, Adam Mosseri, shared the news, stating, “This week we’re starting to launch search on Threads; starting with New Zealand and Australia” The plan is to fast follow the availability of the feature to other English-speaking countries, with efforts underway to introduce support for additional languages as soon as possible.
This enhancement marks another step forward in Threads’ ongoing development. Recently, the platform became accessible via web browsers worldwide, offering greater convenience to users. Previously, the top priority was the introduction of a chronological timeline. Now, users can look forward to the added convenience of keyword search.
Threads users will receive notifications to try out the new keyword search feature when it becomes available. The Threads app is readily accessible for iPhone users through the App Store and Android users via the Google Play Store, making these improvements easily accessible to a broad user base.
There’s no denying that businesses that fail to engage with their customers are doomed to stagnate and eventually die. As a matter of fact, Meta reports that over 1B people are regularly engaging with businesses on Meta platforms. This number isn’t industry specific either, it covers over 55% of every industry.
Source: Meta Malaysia
Meta continues to innovate on its platforms to allow businesses to leverage them to drive business objectives. Platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook continue to be some of the most valuable touchpoints for businesses as it brings a mix of familiarity and proximity to both sides. It also allows businesses to leverage these aspects to build a persona and personality to better relate to its target audience. Recognising these factors, Meta has continually been innovating to allow businesses to leverage its platforms and the latest in technologies that complement them.
Leveraging AI to Ensure Platform Safety and Innovate to Empower Businesses
The latest to join the suite of tools is Artificial Intelligence. That’s not to say that Meta hasn’t used AI before. In fact, Facebook integrated AI into its timeline back in 2006. However, with the surge in interest when it comes to Generative AI, it is quickly becoming more apparent that we are indeed in AI 2.0.
Source: Meta Malaysia
Using the new advances in AI technology, Meta has quickly adapted to address newer trends and incorporate these advances to drive better results with less data. This also comes in the wake of a growing number of regions and countries clamping down on data privacy and security. The incorporation of Machine Learning algorithms and newer AI 2.0 advancements have led to 82% of hate speech being removed through automated means on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Meta is also implementing new algorithms that are created to use less data to deliver comparable or better results for businesses. To date, these algorithms have delivered a 20% increase in conversions for businesses leveraging them. With these algorithm’s working in the background, it falls to businesses to leverage them to drive business outcomes.
Business Messaging & Continuing the Customer Journey on Meta Platforms
As AI continues to become a deeply integrated factor for business continuity, we have to know and use the tools – paid or otherwise – that will not only allow for better outcomes but also help create a better customer experience.
Source: Meta Malaysia
Meta’s Business Suite and Ads Manager are continually being updated with tools that integrate AI technology to drive better business outcomes. One such tool is Meta’s Creative+ option which appears when you post content to your page. This feature allows you to test up to 4 different creatives to determine which delivers the best results.
Using features like this, businesses are able to extend their reach while keeping costs down. It also allows businesses to leverage the familiarity of the platforms to drive customer loyalty through business messaging. This comes in addition to AI-assisted product discovery with more broadly, AI-determined audiences for better conversions. AI-assisted determination also can help leverage behavioural data to optimise touchpoints based on customer behaviour.
This data can also be used to create chatbots that allow businesses to interact with customers more effectively. These chatbots can be built to suit the unique needs of businesses while still allowing for the flexibility for humans to jump in at any time.
Understanding Trends and Leveraging Them
One of the most important things to pay attention to is the trends that are emerging and continually shifting. These trends play a significant role in determining the combination of tools that will fit business needs. More importantly, it will also help determine the best approach for success on Meta’s platforms.
Meta shared a study on McDonald’s Malaysia leveraged the fact that there is an increasing number of users spending more time-consuming video content on Facebook and Instagram to be the driving force behind their recruitment campaign. Using reels available on Facebook and Instagram, the company was able to communicate the experience of being an employee at a McDonald’s outlet. Of course, the reels produced naturally embellished the experience with some fictional elements to generate interest and convey the business’s policies. This cornerstone content allowed McDonald’s to communicate directly to their target audience – Gen Z.
This falls in line with Meta’s own data which shows that more than 50% of time spent on Facebook and Instagram is spent consuming video content. This includes long-form videos, reels and even stories. In fact, reels may be the best touch point with over 200 Billion plays per day.
Meta’s Just Getting Started with AI 2.0 and Businesses Need to Start Leveraging It Now
It’s only the tip of the iceberg of how AI 2.0 will be impacting our world when it comes to creating consumer journeys, continuing Business Messaging and even creating content. Meta has already announced AI efforts like LLaMA which will no doubt factor into new tools that will come to its platforms in the future.
This will also entail businesses needing to deal with scams head-on hand in hand with regulators and companies like Meta. Meta is already working on identity verifications which will be more widely available to users as the year progresses. However, the company has yet to announce the same verification measures for businesses but we have it on good authority that it will be coming soon.
It looks like the cry for a tablet and large screen-optimised Instagram may be coming to an end. Images have surfaced of the app getting different layouts tested with large-screen devices – in particular the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series. The tests come on the heels of Google applying pressure on developers to develop apps optimised for large-screen devices with penalties coming to the Google Play Store.
Two versions of the large-screen optimised Instagram app have surfaced. The first has a layout where the navigation buttons (i.e. the home, search, new post, reels, and profile buttons) are joined with the notifications and messages buttons on the right hand of the interface. The other looks like a blown-up version of the regular Instagram interface.
It seems like the testing is happening primarily on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series devices. The first reports surfaced days after the recent announcement of the Galaxy Z Fold5. This comes as no surprise as we already know that Samsung has been actively engaging with developers to optimise apps for large screens and the FlexScreen feature on their devices. However, it seems like layouts will not be exclusive to Samsung’s Foldables.
On the 5th of May 2023, the WHO announced that COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a global emergency. According to the release from United Nations, WHO has acknowledged that the COVID-19 is ‘here to stay’. They also acknowledged that the virus is still evolving and killing. Still, the world understands the virus plenty more now and the death toll has dwindled down to a handful these days.
Sure, you still hear cases of infection, but it was not like the beginning of 2020, where the pandemic took the world over and killed plenty. In the past 12 months as well, WHO has observed a downward trend the pandemic and infection rate thanks to the development of the vaccines, their improvements, and the rate at which they are being distributed. The immense pressure put on the medical industry and healthcare workers has now declined nearly to normal levels before the pandemic and so has life outside the hospital. That is why WHO has declared the global emergency that we know as the COVID-19 pandemic has now officially ended.
Considering COVID-19, the entire internet is swarmed with information for COVID-19. The overwhelming flood of information on COVID-19 was a mixed bag too, you get plenty of speculations from ‘experts’, and actual reports from various accredited sources on the virus spread, behaviour, and even development. Public panic is a real threat and issue in times like these and platforms like Meta and even Google had to step in to curb the threat. To do that, they had to establish a misinformation policy that pertains specifically to COVID-19. For Meta especially, they had to block information that does not come from verified accredited sources to ensure that the public information you receive regarding COVID-19 are correct.
Since the global emergency has been retracted, Meta is now considering rolling back and scale down the restrictions regarding information pertaining to COVID-19. As a matter of fact, they technically have rolled back their policy on COVID-19 information. They have convened with the Oversight Board and updated their policy in accordance to the guidelines that has been set by the board.
In light of WHO’s announcement to end the global state of emergency for COVID-19, Meta will be taking a more lenient approach to misinformation against COVID-19. That does not mean that they are completely removing the policy though. There will still be guidelines in place to protect the public from physical harm and risks, which also means that if Meta’s algorithm thinks that your Facebook posting will potentially cause panic, physical, or mental harm, it will still be taken down and blocked. They also say that they are only scaling down on their policy in regions that followed WHO’s guidelines in ending the state of emergency. There are still regions that are still in a state of emergency and Meta will still apply their misinformation policy for users in those regions. For updates on Meta’s latest efforts on their COVID-19 misinformation policies, you can head out to their blog.
Guess it’s time to get ticked. It seems like Zuckerberg is in agreement with Elon Musk. Using Instagram’s new broadcast feature, Meta’s CEO announced Meta Verified. The new “verified” program will cover all Meta-related services including Instagram and Facebook.
Meta Verified users will be identifiable with a blue tick that appears next to their name. However, that’s not all that users are paying for. Meta Verified will also allow paying users to have enhanced protection against impersonation with proactive account monitoring by the company. This, of course, is meant for people with large, growing audiences that have increasingly become lures for scams. Meta is also promising live, on-demand help and more ways to express yourself as a verified user.
However, the most jarring feature is the promised increased visibility and reach on their platforms. In the official announcement, Meta states that verified users will have “Increased visibility and reach with prominence in some areas of the platform– like search, comments and recommendations.”. This is concerning given that Meta has already dramatically capped organic reach to help push its ads platform. Does this guarantee mean that unverified users and brands will be further suppressed and forced to pay?
For now, the company assures users that their verified badges will remain as they build a more valuable subscription option. Meta Verified is rolling out in a testing phase in Australia and New Zealand for AUD 19.99 on the web, AUD 24.99 on iOS and Android; NZD 23.99 on the web, and NZD 29.99 on iOS and Android. Pricing from Zuckerberg shows that it will cost users USD$11.99 on the web and USD$14.99 on iOS and Android.
The world is quickly changing. In many ways, the landscape of social media and how we are online has changed drastically since social media became a mainstay. More of us are concerned with our data and how companies are handling it. We have become ever more critical of our own privacy when we are online. One of the largest social media companies we deal with on a regular basis has to be Meta. With over 3.7 billion people engaging with Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus and Facebook, it’s become even more imperative that users are aware of the steps to protect their privacy and data.
Privacy Cafe – Sit, Eat and Explore Privacy and Data Protection
To that end, Meta kicked off the week-long campaign with a unique “Privacy Cafe” where users of their many platforms could learn the many tools available to them to protect their privacy and data. The event which took place from 28th to 30 October at The Farm Craft in Bangsar South, saw the neighbourhood cage undergo a top to toe transformation into Meta’s Privacy Cafe. The cafe featured interactive quizzes and AR-enabled activities that not only educated the public about the tools but encouraged them to activate and take control of their online privacy.
The Privacy Cafe featured an immersive Instagram AR Filter developed in collaboration with Florian Sebatier and an interactive digital experience called “Your Home”. “Your Home” allowed users to become interior decorators and create a home experience that they were comfortable with. The furnishings in the “Your Home” experience were analogues for the many controls available on Facebook and worked to demystify the whole concept of online privacy and data protection.
Of course, to help convey the message, Meta also recruited the help of local social media stars like Ceddy Ang, Tan Yuki, Gajendrabalan Chandra, Adam Muzam, Ori Yuanwei, Amira Sachie and Jessica Chaw to help share and relate their experiences with privacy on Meta’s platforms.
Continuing the Conversation Online
In addition to the on-ground event, Meta Malaysia also had Facebook live sessions where they had open discussions with the public about their privacy tools and controls across Instagram, Facebook and Whatsapp. With the increasing awareness about privacy and data protection in Malaysia, Meta is looking to be one of the places where users can safely interact and be social online.
They’ve also put together a Privacy Fact Sheet with all their efforts including end-to-end encryption on all their platforms, Two-factor authentication and increased accountability for third party apps accessing accounts on their platforms.
While the onground activation is over, Meta is looking to continue the conversation online. They continue to make the “Your Home” and Instagram AR experiences accessible online for users to get to know the controls and safety measures that are available to them.
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, still is known for Facebook, has just posted their quarterly earnings report. For the first time since 2007, they have posted a decline in revenue, US$ 28.82 billion versus US$ 29.07 billion in the second quarter of 2021. That is a whopping 1% drop in revenue year-on-year. No, that is not a lot, to be fair. It is not that alarming either, if you ask us. What could be more alarming is that the drop in revenue comes with a larger drop in net income for Meta, about 36% loss compared to the same quarter last year (Q2 2021).
The drop in revenue could be due to many reasons. One of the reasons could be also because of the loss in user base and daily user counts thanks to the ongoing crisis over in Russia and Ukraine. The loss in revenue and profits could also be largely due to Apple’s new “opt out” policy that significantly changes how ads are being served on iOS devices.
While a decline in revenue and profits is bad news, it is not something we should really feel bad about. After all, Meta still rakes in profits in the billions. What could be bad news to us though is what Mark Zuckerberg is planning for Instagram to make it more profitable than before.
Instagram primarily does photos and images. It started its life to be a one-stop shop for sharing your photos with your friends and family with no fuss or frills. When Meta, or then Facebook gotten a hold of Instagram, they saw it as an opportunity to level the playing field with Snapchat and introduced Instagram Stories, a sub platform within Instagram to share photos with your followers available for the next 24 hours. A sort of “what’s on my mind”, or “what am I doing right now” kind of thing for the masses.
Recently, Instagram has started to favour more video contents. Understandably, the rise in short form video contents had an astronomical rise thanks to the likes of TikTok. Instagram tried to introduce more video features within their platform starting with Instagram TV, a long format video platform within Instagram to encourage content creators to post longer format videos on Instagram. Then there is Reels now, a short form video platform within Instagram that is supposed to encourage content creators to post more bite sized chunks of videos on their profile.
While more contents from our friends is great for us in the grand scheme of things, Instagram has also tweaked their algorithms alongside all the new features they have added. Your Instagram main feed is now loaded with posts from strangers and accounts you have never followed. They are recommendations based on the posts you have been responding to or interacted with. Nothing wrong with that, except you are seeing less of your friends and more strangers on your feed. It is starting to be more like TikTok, and people have mentioned that they hated it.
Unfortunately, their woes will fall on deaf ears. Meta’s CEO has mentioned that the company will be doubling the amount of ‘recommended’ contents to users by 2023. The same changes apply to Facebook as well. This also means that at least 30% of our feeds on Instagram and Facebook will be filled by contents from people we do not know or have never followed suggested by Meta’s recommendation algorithm.
If you want to only see feeds from people you are following, there is a way. All you need to do is to hit the ‘Instagram’ logo on the top right corner of your display or the app and select ‘following’ there. That way you are seeing feed only from people you are following. It is an extra step, but hey, it is better than seeing strangers on your feed all the time.
