November 2023 Digital News Updates: Meta Tests Ad Free, TikTok Launches Biz Portal, and more

Facebook and Meta News Updates

Facebook Tests Ad-Free Experience in Europe – This is only a test, but it could roll out further. If many users are willing to pay, this could reduce the supply for ads (and increase the costs), reducing the effectiveness for advertisers. For now, this is just something to watch.
Meta Looking at Celebrity (and YOU) Chatbot Options – Last month, Meta announced celebrity chatbots. Now, users are seeing options to create their own. There will likely be massive growth in AI chatbots throughout the Meta platforms this year.

Instagram API Allows Product Tagging – This makes it easier to tag your products on your Insta posts via third-party publishing tools.

Threads is Working on an API – This will be a game-changer as you’ll be able to post via third-party apps. While they’ve said they are officially working on it, there is no launch date.
Threads Adds Polls and GIFS – Making the platform more interactive as they aim to boost interactivity and engagement on the platform.
Threads on Facebook and Instagram Mobile Feeds- Threads is also now on your Facebook and Instagram mobile feeds.

X Launches Premium Paid Plans – These plans give you no ads in For You or Following, boosted visibility, and access to more tools. As many are already leaving the platform, it will be interesting to see how many want to pay for these features ($16/month).
X Reports Rosy Quarterly Results, Other Sources Disagree – While the CEO of X reported strong numbers, third-party verification services show user numbers and traffic are down significantly over the last year. If you are thinking about this in your strategy, this is worth a read.
X Tests Charging Users $1 – The new test is supposedly to reduce bots. New users in New Zealand and the Phillippines will be charged $1 for a new account.

LinkedIn Expands CTA Button, Making it Even More Valuable – The button is now showing up under your profile in the feed, etc. Be sure you are using this strategically.
LinkedIn Influencers are on the Rise – As more businesses are courting influencers on LinkedIn, this could be an excellent opportunity for B2B marketers to increase their reach.
LinkedIn Updates Collaborative Articles – This is a great opportunity to stand out on the platform. Contributors also get a badge on their profile, increasing your visibility and prominence.

TikTok Publishes E-Commerce Starter Guide – With the launch of shops, this guide is great if you want to bring your store to the platform. TikTok is growing and has tremendous potential for commerce. Getting in early could be a great competitive advantage if you sell products.
TikTok Set to Surpass Facebook in Minutes by 2025 – This is just a prediction. Facebook still has more monthly active users; however, TikTokers spend a lot of time on the platform. Interstingly, ad revenue isn’t projected to keep pace, leaving potential white space for advertisers.

Adobe Launches Next Generation Image and Video AI – These tools are truly transformative and allow users to create visual assets with AI easily. As a key player with enterprises and agencies, it will be interesting to see these features used in mainstream creative.

Marketing Priorities for the Year Ahead – According to a survey, the top priorities are growing ROI, creative and media synchronization, and improving efficiency.