TikTok launches its new photo sharing app to compete with Instagram

Welcome to the Social Buddy newsletter, where we share the news from the world of social media, insights and tools for creators, and the latest social media marketing trends. Check out the biggest headlines from this week in social media: 

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TikTok released a new photo sharing app to compete with Instagram.

TikTok company ByteDance launched their new platform, Whee, and it looks a whole lot like Instagram. It has a simple interface for sharing photos and messaging, although its focus is on sharing with only your real friends rather than a more public facing profile like Instagram. The soft launch of the app is available in a handful of countries, but not in US markets yet. Read more.

Is Instagram’s “Made with AI” tag mislabeling photographers’ work?

Some posts on Instagram are being incorrectly tagged as “Made with AI” to the dismay of some photographers and content creators. Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri explained that “It's just the metadata on the image,” and that using some photoshop may be read as technically AI editing. Social platforms have a complex road ahead when it comes to deciphering AI vs real content. Read more.

Snapchat joins the AI wave with new advanced augmented reality features. 

Snapchat has introduced a suite of AI tools powered by GenAI that will allow creators and everyday users to create custom augmented reality lenses, as well as “Bitmoji Backgrounds, Chat Wallpapers, Dreams, and AI Pets”. Users can start using some of the tools in the next few months, and creators can expect the custom lens features by the end of this year. Read more.

Pinterest is gaining popularity among brands marketing to Gen Z. 

Gen Z is saving more pins than any other demographic on Pinterest, and brands are taking notice. The platform is also drawing more brands for its organic growth opportunities, and new features like collages and shoppable carousels are making it a profitable and low-cost social media marketing option for brands targeting younger buyers. Read more.

Instagram is testing out “Creator Insights” to help creators connect with brands. 

The Creator Insights is only visible by brands, but allows creators to display performance data from the last 30 days, including total followers, accounts reached, and accounts engaged. Creators can choose whether or not to share the information, and its rollout is limited for now, but this new feature could help creators and influencers facilitate more brand partnerships. Read more.

TikTok expands on its Taylor Swift in-app experiences.

Swifties can now enjoy more interactive features on TikTok in celebration of the Eras tour. The new features include options to create and collect digital friendship bracelets, and complete album-themed tasks with opportunities to win themed profile frames. Fans can also watch video highlights from the tour and explore playlists tied to the in-app experience. Read more.

Also in the news: 

• Threads launches its long-awaited API for developers

• YouTube introduced a new process for AI takedown requests

• Instacart now has shoppable ads on YouTube for select brand partners

• Reddit traffic is up 39%, suggesting that Google’s users may prefer experience over expertise

• Instagram now offers live broadcasts limited to close friends only

• X revenue has taken a hit after Elon Musk’s strategy lost advertisers

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See you next week,

Social Buddy