A new era of social connection has been set into motion by Meta – and here’s what you need to know.
Today’s social and technological landscapes have been buzzing with the so-called “metaverse” ever since Facebook’s major rebranding to Meta during the Connect 2021 conference last October. With the company’s bold move, the “metaverse” recently became a part of mainstream conversation. While this shift is big, the potential it holds for shaping the realm of social media is even bigger. We’ve seen many changes come and go – some we welcomed with excitement and bade goodbye to with reluctance; Now, we can’t help but think, “What will Meta bring this 2022?”
Here’s the rundown of the Meta updates we know so far:
- Privacy Center
Over the years, Meta has incorporated a lot of privacy and security controls into its apps and technologies. With the Privacy Center, users can explore various controls and learn more about Meta’s approach to privacy and data collection. Currently, the Privacy Center is only available to certain U.S.-based Facebook desktop users, but in the coming months, it will soon be rolled out to more people and apps. Users under the initial launch can find it under the Setting and Privacy section on Facebook’s desktop version.
(Source: Meta)
Security, Sharing, Collection, Use, and Ads are the five modules in the new Privacy Center,
Meta will continue to update these features across its apps in order to help people understand their approach to privacy and security.
- Global Launch of Facebook Reels
With the rising popularity of short video content all over social media, Meta launched Facebook Reels last February 22, 2022, in 150 countries across the globe. This TikTok-esque feature allows users to create short engaging videos with effects, music, filters, and so much more. Much like Instagram reels, users can record up to 1-minute clips, upload videos from their camera roll, or even turn a story into a reel.
(Source: Meta)
3. Overlay Ads on Facebook Reels
To make it easier for creators to profit from Facebook Reels, Meta is introducing overlay ad experiments, starting with banner and sticker ads. Overlay ads are visibly shown above the reels material, allowing viewers to watch the ad without disrupting them from watching the content.
(Source: Meta)
Creators in the United States, Canada, or Mexico who take part in the in-stream ad program are eligible to monetize their publicly uploaded reels with ads. By mid-March, creators in virtually every country where in-stream ads are accessible will be able to participate in these runs. Facebook Reels may be found in Feed, Groups, and Watch.
4. New Tools for Facebook Group Admins
More tools for Facebook group admins have been introduced to help them better manage disinformation, keep members safe, and effectively grow their groups. Now, Facebook Group admins can instantly decline incoming posts that have been flagged as having misleading posts by third-party fact-checkers. Moreover, the “mute” function has been updated to “suspend” so group admins can temporarily suspend members from posting, commenting, and interacting with the group.
(Source: Meta)
Additionally, Facebook group admins may also now automatically accept or reject member requests based on pre-determined criteria set by the admins. The “Admin” Home page is also being updated to make it simpler for group admins to swiftly assess items that require attention. On mobile, there’s a new insights summary to assist group admins to analyze their groups’ engagement.
To make it easier for admins to grow their groups and find people to join their communities, they may now send invites through email. QR codes have also been added which can be downloaded and shared offline. Once the QR code is scanned, they will be led to the group’s “About” page, where they may request to join. The new features are now available to all users worldwide.
5. New Upgrades on Messenger
New updates are introduced for Facebook users in the United States. Split payments, disappearing messages, and improved voice message recording options are now available on iOS and Android phones.
(Source: Meta)
Users may split a bill evenly and set the amount for each individual by using the (+) button in a group conversation and selecting the payments tap. People may use the app to save their payment information, send, and divide money across various groups.
(Source: Meta)
Another additional feature that users will be able to explore allows them to pause, preview, delete or continue recording voice messages before sending them away using the new voice message recording controls function. The time restriction for voice messages has also been raised from one minute to thirty minutes.
(Source: Meta)
Previously, vanish mode was accessible in the form of secret messages, but not in the non-encrypted version of Facebook Messenger. But now, it will allow text messages, GIFs, photos, stickers, voice messages, videos, and reactions to vanish once they have been viewed. Users may activate the new version by opening an existing chat and swiping up, or by swiping up again to return to the traditional chat interface.
6. 3D avatars on Instagram
As part of Meta’s concept to step into the metaverse, Instagram’s Stories and Direct Messages are introducing new 3D avatars (DMs). Users in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be able to appear as their virtual selves in stickers, feed posts, and profile photos.
The facial forms of the avatars may now be changed to make them more expressive and realistic. To be more inclusive of people with impairments, they will also offer different implants, hearing aids, and wheelchairs.
(Source: Meta)
With the newest upgrade, the same avatar can be used across all Meta platforms, including VR. Modifications made to a user’s avatar on Instagram will be automatically synced on other Meta platforms such as Facebook and Messenger (and vice versa). With this, Meta has given its users an opportunity to freely represent themselves in the digital world – however they desire.
With all these in motion, we could only expect big things to happen in the Metaverse this 2022. Buckle up, folks!
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