October hosted lots of big holidays, from International Coffee Day to Halloween. But, the real holiday season is about to start. Let’s hope we all are ready for it! Here’s a round-up post for you all. From another month full of updates, best campaigns, and the most happening news.
You know how tough it is to keep up with all the changes these social platforms are up to. Let’s see what all these platforms have got for us this time!
Social Media Roundup October 2019
1. Facebook
The New Check-Out on Facebook
Great news for performance marketing managers. Facebook Ads might be changing AGAIN. Just when you thought you might get it right; Facebook announces testing the “In-App Checkout Ad.” And what a perfect timing, when the holiday season is around the corner.
This new feature will keep the users within the app, even at the time of check-out. This new dynamic ad will show the user an added option of buying via ‘Checkout on Facebook.’
Launching Post Topics to More Groups
Most of the Facebook groups are growing massive. Which makes it challenging to find the posts of the topics you’re interested in. To address this issue better Facebook announced expanding the post tags. This feature was launched for both desktop and mobile apps.
Group admin and moderators can create, edit, and delete post topics. Each group can have a limit of 150 post topics. Group members have the option to post with or without post tags.
New Stories Templates for Businesses
A new feature for businesses was introduced by Facebook. ‘Story Templates.’
This will transform your image into an ad for Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger stories. These customizable templates will help you boost your holiday creative. To access new story templates, go to Facebook Ads Manager.
Create your image ad at ads level and choose ‘select a placement to customize.’
Removal of Gray Verification Badges and Organic Page Impressions
Facebook has decided to remove “Grey Verified Badges” on business pages. Page owners will start receiving the notification beginning from October 28. As quoted by Facebook:
In other news about organic page impressions, this tweet says it all.
Bad news, social media managers…
Facebook is changing how it calculates organic impressions meaning it will likely show a decline.
Changes rolling out between Oct 17 – 28 pic.twitter.com/3QHuUqbCDZ
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) October 17, 2019
It’s hard to say what impact these changes will have. But it will be worth tracking the performance to check what happens after the 28th of October.
Testing ‘Suggested Time’ for Scheduled Posts
NEW! Facebook has a new ‘Suggested’ time option for scheduling Page posts.
h/t @gifchaseh pic.twitter.com/7t3G5lJLdY
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) October 17, 2019
Funny how first Facebook killed organic posts reach, and now it’s offering tools to help pages post organically!
This new feature is offered when you schedule a post through Facebook’s publishing tool. And that’s what social media scheduling tools are offering. This new feature is currently available for Page admins only. Your page needs to have enough following to get this feature. Otherwise, it will show like this:
Launching ‘Facebook News’
📰 Introducing Facebook News – a dedicated news tab starting to roll out today in the US pic.twitter.com/Mrkx6CGWaq
— Facebook (@facebook) October 25, 2019
Back in April, the CEO announced his intent to create a new and dedicated ‘news tab’ within Facebook. Like the Facebook watch tab. He said that it will showcase content from ‘high quality and trusted sources.’
After months of testing and securing multi-dollar agreements with publishers, Facebook’s news tab is here.
Let’s just hope it doesn’t end like Trending news on Facebook.
2. Twitter
New DM Search Option for iOS Users
Soul searching? Hard. DM searching? Easy! Go ahead and try out the new DM search bar. We’re testing it out on iOS and web with your most recent DMs. pic.twitter.com/vwGlBjz4B5
— Twitter (@Twitter) August 14, 2019
On October 1st, Twitter rolled out this option for iOS users. You can now search your DMs by user name. The functionality is a little limited right now. You can’t search by the message content. But Twitter is working on it.
No More Political Advertising
While trying to maintain the balance between the issue of freedom of speech and censorship, Twitter made a radical decision last month.
We’ve made the decision to stop all political advertising on Twitter globally. We believe political message reach should be earned, not bought. Why? A few reasons…🧵
— jack 🌍🌏🌎 (@jack) October 30, 2019
Interestingly, this announcement met overwhelming support. And is also seen as a direct challenge to Facebook!
‘Lights Out’ Dark Mode on Android
Welcome to the dark side, Android users. You can now go lights out on Twitter. pic.twitter.com/RpvstZvdnr
— Twitter (@Twitter) October 22, 2019
After the users complaining that Dark Mode wasn’t dark enough, Twitter launched this feature initially for iOS users in March. Now, this feature is also available for Android users.
3. Instagram
Removing ‘Following’ Tab
You might have already noticed this in-app change. Instagram confirmed the removing of the ‘Following’ tab, which showed the recent activities of your connections.
Today we’re removing the ‘Following’ tab on Instagram, which was created to help people discover new posts and accounts their friends engage with. We’re always trying to stay focused and keep Instagram simple, and so we celebrate launches and ‘unshipping.’ https://t.co/3kqD2xqV7J
— Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) October 7, 2019
New ‘Emails from Instagram’ Security Confirmation
To improvise the anti-phishing element, Instagram has introduced a list of all emails Instagram has sent to you in the app.
Heads up: Today, we’re launching a new feature to help people identify phishing emails claiming to be from Instagram. This account security feature (accessed through Settings) allows anyone to check if an email claiming to be from Instagram is genuine. pic.twitter.com/3UE5kSypM6
— Instagram (@instagram) October 7, 2019
Dark Mode for Latest Versions of iOS and Android
The latest social media app to join the dark mode movement. The dark mode switch makes it easier on the eyes in low light conditions and has significant health benefits too. Instagram officially launched the new dark mode option for the latest version of iOS and Android.
4. LinkedIn
Updating Group Categories to ‘Listed’ and ‘Unlisted’
.@LinkedIn is changing the privacy settings for Groups
– Listed: Group can be found in search and visible on members’ profiles
– Unlisted: Not found in search and not visible on members’ profiles
More info: https://t.co/6KVRJVCcgb pic.twitter.com/GpY5KuOX0J
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) October 9, 2019
New Tools For Better Ad Campaigns
According to LinkedIn, this was the most requested update.
5. Pinterest
The New Pinterest Academy
Pinterest launched a new platform with educational courses for marketers, named as ‘Pinterest Academy.’
New ‘Dark Mode’ Option on iOS and Android
Joining hands with other social platforms, in launching the dark mode option, Pinterest also announced the news this month.
Best Halloween Campaigns From October 2019
Talking about October, how can we miss Halloween. The right time for brands to market their products and services. A survey conducted by the National Retail Federation showed that Halloween spending by brands is expected to reach up to $8.8 billion in 2019.
Apart from decorations, candies, and costumes, here are a few of the best Halloween campaigns from October 2019 for you.
1. Skittles
Here comes the best one from skittles.
#Sweepstakes Zombie Skittles have Rotten Zombie flavors lurking in every pack. Gather your friends, take the challenge and share with us using #Sweepstakes, #DareTheRainbow and tag @Skittles for your chance to win! https://t.co/oYg1VefAMY
No Purch. Nec.
50US/18+. Ends 10/31/19 pic.twitter.com/wv1nIlXTJC— Skittles (@Skittles) October 4, 2019
The introduced a “rotten zombie” flavor skittle for Halloween and challenged to guess which one it was.
Could Blood Red Berry be Rotten Zombie? #DareTheRainbow to find out! pic.twitter.com/PEHRtgsrg6
— Skittles (@Skittles) October 10, 2019
The campaign started way earlier than Halloween. They keep the audience engaged on social media by challenging them to guess the right one!
Will your Mummified Melon Skittles taste like rotten zombie? #DareTheRainbow pic.twitter.com/aKaMJjF9LW
— Skittles (@Skittles) October 24, 2019
2. Hershey’s
Are you someone who loves Halloween with all his chocolate heart? See what Hershey’s did for you! A whole new webpage for Halloween recipes.
3. Burger King
Burger King tried hard this time. But, let’s be honest the Burger King’s #ScaryClownNight ad was much better than this one.
the Ghost Whopper is the only burger approved by 11 out of 10 people. come try what the spirits already have. pic.twitter.com/RxYjCHqb6S
— Burger King (@BurgerKing) October 21, 2019
4. BMW USA
Another one by BMW.
5. Budweiser
Something thoughtful digital ad campaign from Budweiser. Reminding people to spend Halloween at bars. Not in bars!
Halloween is best spent at bars, not behind them. This Halloween, follow @BudweiserUSA and turn on tweet notifications for reminders to hydrate between Buds. #DrinkWiser pic.twitter.com/89iaJyYgfz
— Budweiser (@budweiserusa) October 31, 2019
Days Celebrated on Social Media in October
Every month there are days and weeks observe and celebrated on social media. Some are quite well-know like Halloween and Women’s Day. Others are a little more casual and easy-going like National Pizza Day. Brands on social media use these events and hashtags to get attention, spread awareness and increase sales. Here are some examples of social media days celebrated in October.
October 1st, International Coffee Day
Coffee is the most loved beverage globally. And to honor that, the International coffee day is celebrated on the 1st of every October since 2015. Some brands celebrated National coffee day on Sunday 29th September, while others on October 1st. To celebrate and honor the day, most beverage brands offer free coffee and other deals too. An excellent way to get eyeballs on social media. Who would mind a cup of their favorite coffee for free! A few examples of how to use #InternationalCoffeeDay to leverage your brand.
What complements coffee better than chocolate? GODIVA chocolate. 😎 In celebration of National Coffee Day, when you buy one bag of our signature blend ground coffee, get 50% off your second. Offer valid today at your local GODIVA Boutique. pic.twitter.com/6cJonfBP48
— GODIVA (@GODIVA) September 29, 2019
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Coffee Day isn’t just about giving free cups of coffee.
10th October – World Mental Health Day
Every year on October 10, with the objective of raising awareness regarding different mental health issues, World Mental Health Day is observed. Also, October is celebrated as a mental health month. This day and month provide an opportunity for all brands on social media to start talking about mental health issues and to break society’s taboos.
The pressure on young students in competitive societies is high, but social & emotional learning can counter its negative impacts.
On Wednesday’s #MentalHealthDay, see how education has the power to give #youth a life they have reason to value & cherish: https://t.co/XcSP9RnYWZ pic.twitter.com/CLThLXZOJF
— UNESCO (@UNESCO) October 9, 2019
Not only stakeholders and NGOs talked and spread awareness about mental but Facebook itself launched new filters and stickers for stories and messenger. According to Facebook, each time the “Let’s Talk” sticker is sent, it will donate $1 to a group of mental health organizations.
15th October – Global Handwashing Day
You can’t use social media as a sanitizer, but you can use this day as an opportunity to tell people and kids especially to use soap/sanitizer/handwash.
This #GlobalHandwashingDay, think about the way you wash your hands and ask if there’s a healthier, greener way to do it. https://t.co/5f7w1DgIxx
— TreeHugger.com (@TreeHugger) October 15, 2019
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Handwashing helps keep your family healthy. Help your child develop lifelong habits by teaching them the 5 easy steps to #handwashing—Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry. https://t.co/SO8z3QSpfe #GlobalHandwashingDay #KeepHandsClean pic.twitter.com/HbhtivZmPz
— CDC (@CDCgov) October 15, 2019
Handwashing saves lives. Today on #GlobalHandwashingDay we are spreading the word about the importance of proper handwashing and sanitation habits to keep children healthy and ready to learn! pic.twitter.com/rTKSh3nBjl
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) October 15, 2019
16th October – Boss’ Day
Time to think about the efforts our bosses put in to keep us going! Social media dedicates this one day where you stop thinking of them as the adversary with unrealistic expectations and take a moment to appreciate them. Whether it’s your manager, team lead, coach, teacher or HOD, this was the chance to say thanks!
#ContestAlert
Having a supervisor who has got your back lets an employee take necessary risks and grow in their professional life. Tell us what makes your boss different from others stand a chance to win an Amazon Voucher. #BossDay
T&C – https://t.co/z7xP2Qh9JQ pic.twitter.com/X6itTrYy5S— Max Group (@MaxGroup) October 17, 2019
He thinks it’s funny and/or sounds condescending when I call him boss, but happy #BossDay to @PAHarmReduction’s fearless and visionary leader, @Devin_Reaves! @sean_fogler, @AmeliaHoge, and I are grateful for you! #bossman pic.twitter.com/dgKpq3ojjM
— Jessica R. Hessler, MPH, MSW (@jessicahessler) October 16, 2019
October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Apart from October being the season of cozy jumpers, pumpkin latte, and scary movies, it’s also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One in every seven females in the UK is expected to develop breast cancer. By increasing awareness through social media, it is hoped that people become more attentive to the symptoms and can be treated in early stages. Here are a few examples of the best breast awareness campaigns we saw on social media in October 2019.
As part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign ZonesCorp recently organized an event in cooperation with Berlin International Hospital
Dr. Fatima Al-Braidi conducted a session on the importance of early detection of cancer and prevention methods, which included physical activity pic.twitter.com/WWZJGPlcLl— ZonesCorp – Abu Dhabi (@ZonesCorp) November 6, 2019
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There are many more social media days celebrated each day. A pro tip to manage each day and make a post about these days is to use a scheduling tool like Social Champ. Don’t miss your chance to stand out on social media. Plan your November ahead of time with Social Champ.
That’s all folk! We would love to hear your “moment of the month” from October. Also, let us know what digital campaign you liked the most in October.
Happy November. Let’s hope that we’re ready for the holiday season! 🙂
