A Roundup of Recent Updates on Various Digital Platforms

by | Jul 7, 2023 | Tech News & Updates

The world of social media and e-commerce is constantly evolving, with new apps, tools, and threats emerging all the time. In recent news, Instagram’s new app, Threads, has already attracted millions of users, while YouTube has launched a new feature for creators to test their video thumbnails. However, e-commerce websites worldwide are also facing a new threat from hackers, who are stealing credit card information from consumers.

 

Meanwhile, Google is warning against using custom HTML tags in the head section of web pages, and TikTok is expanding access to its TikTok Shops program. Let’s have a look at all with more details.
 

INSTAGRAM’S THREADS APP DRAWS MILLIONS OF USERS IN FIRST HOURS, POSES THREAT TO TWITTER

Instagram’s parent company, Meta, has unveiled Threads, a new app that has attracted five million users in its first few hours. Threads is considered a potent rival to Twitter, which is owned by Elon Musk and has been struggling to maintain its user base. The app provides users with the ability to share text, links, and engage in conversations by replying to or reposting messages from other users. With its unique features, Threads has quickly become a significant threat to other social media platforms, including Twitter.

INSTAGRAM’S THREADS APP DRAWS MILLIONS OF USERS IN FIRST HOURS, POSES THREAT TO TWITTER

INSTAGRAM’S THREADS APP DRAWS MILLIONS OF USERS IN FIRST HOURS, POSES THREAT TO TWITTER

INSTAGRAM ENHANCES COLLABORATIVE POSTS FEATURE, ALLOWING UP TO 3 COLLABORATORS

Instagram has made an update to its Collaborative Posts feature, allowing users to add up to three collaborators to a single post or Reel. Initially, the feature only allowed users to share credit for a single post with one other account. With the new update, multiple partners can collaborate on a single post or Reel, with all contributors having access to organic insights, such as view counts and like counts. This enhancement to the Collaborative Posts feature will provide more opportunities for users to collaborate and create engaging content on the platform.

INSTAGRAM ENHANCES COLLABORATIVE POSTS FEATURE, ALLOWING UP TO 3 COLLABORATORS INSTAGRAM ENHANCES COLLABORATIVE POSTS FEATURE, ALLOWING UP TO 3 COLLABORATORS

E-COMMERCE WEBSITES WORLDWIDE AT RISK AS HACKERS DEPLOY MAGECART-STYLE SKIMMER

Hackers are targeting e-commerce websites worldwide with the use of the Magecart-style skimmer.
 
The attack is affecting popular platforms such as WooCommerce, WordPress, Shopify, Magento, and more. The hackers gain access through vulnerabilities such as corrupted themes or plugins and spread to other sites, stealing personal information from consumers, including credit card information. To minimize the risk of being attacked, website owners should ensure that their platform and all third-party plugins are updated to the latest version.
 
Taking proactive measures to maintain website security is crucial in protecting both the business and its customers from the threat of cyberattacks.
 

YOUTUBE LAUNCHES SPLIT-TESTING OF VIDEO THUMBNAILS TO IMPROVE ENGAGEMENT

YouTube has introduced a new feature that allows creators to split-test different video thumbnails to determine which one garners the most engagement. Creators can choose multiple thumbnails, which will be shown to different YouTube users.

YOUTUBE LAUNCHES SPLIT-TESTING OF VIDEO THUMBNAILS TO IMPROVE ENGAGEMENT YOUTUBE LAUNCHES SPLIT-TESTING OF VIDEO THUMBNAILS TO IMPROVE ENGAGEMENT

After some time, YouTube Studio will provide analytics, showing which thumbnail has the highest conversion rate. If one thumbnail clearly stands out, creators can make it the permanent thumbnail for the video. This new feature will enable creators to improve their engagement rates and learn how to capture viewer attention more effectively.

GOOGLE WARNS AGAINST USING CUSTOM HTML TAGS IN <HEAD> SECTION OF WEB PAGES

Google’s John Mueller has recently warned against using custom HTML tags in the <head> section of a web page, as it can disrupt Google’s rendering and potentially harm SEO. Mueller stated that custom elements in the <head> section may break page rendering in Google Search and prevent important meta tags, such as robots noindex, from being recognized during rendering.

 

This warning came after a discussion on Twitter about using custom tags in the <head> section of a web page. Mueller suggests using JSON-LD as a flexible alternative if some level of customization is required in the <head> section. Website owners should heed this advice to avoid negatively impacting their SEO and ensure their web pages render correctly in Google Search.

TIKTOK EXPANDS ACCESS TO TIKTOK SHOPS PROGRAM, OFFERING DIRECT SALES AND BRAND GROWTH

TikTok is making strides in the e-commerce arena with its new TikTok Shops program, which was recently tested with selected US retailers. The company is now expanding access to other marketers, allowing sellers of all kinds to drive brand growth and sales directly on TikTok. The program is user-friendly and convenient, with sellers able to sync their catalogue and orders with an app from TikTok’s Seller Center.

 
Furthermore, TikTok is offering no referral fees for the first 90 days, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to expand their online sales channels. With this expansion, TikTok is positioning itself as a viable player in the e-commerce space, offering new opportunities for businesses to engage with their audience and drive growth.

TIKTOK EXPANDS ACCESS TO TIKTOK SHOPS PROGRAM, OFFERING DIRECT SALES AND BRAND GROWTH

TIKTOK EXPANDS ACCESS TO TIKTOK SHOPS PROGRAM, OFFERING DIRECT SALES AND BRAND GROWTH

GOOGLE RECOMMENDS LAUNCHING NEW DOMAIN WEEKS BEFORE MIGRATING CONTENT TO REDUCE RISKS

Google’s John Mueller has advised website owners to launch a new domain weeks before migrating their site to it to “reduce some risk.” This recommendation applies to both internal and external site risks, such as those from Google’s side. The advice was given in response to a Twitter post by Jan Caerels, who asked whether launching a new domain before migrating and redirecting the entire site a few weeks later was a good idea.

 
Mueller responded, saying that it was a good idea because it allowed website owners to test the waters beforehand and avoid the need for a secret overnight move. This recommendation from Google underscores the importance of careful planning and testing when it comes to website migration to avoid potential risks and ensure a smooth transition.
 

Conclusion:

As social media and e-commerce continue to grow and evolve, it’s important for users and businesses alike to stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends. From new apps like Threads and TikTok Shops to new features like thumbnail split testing on YouTube, there are always new ways to engage with audiences and drive brand growth. However, it’s also important to be aware of security threats like the Magecart-style skimmer, which can compromise e-commerce websites and steal personal information. By staying informed and taking proactive measures to protect their platforms, businesses can continue to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of social media and e-commerce.