11 Major Social Media Changes This Month [May 2015]
Do you struggle to keep up with all the social media changes that constantly occur?
You’re not alone. Even my head spins from all the action so I’ve taken some time to find the most relevant changes in the last month that you need to know about.
Facebook has changed their algorithm (again), LinkedIn now lets you search phone numbers and the new ability to schedule pins on Pinterest with Buffer are just a few of the important social media changes that I’ve covered here.
Here is a comprehensive list of the new changes in social media:
1. Facebook Changes News Feed Algorithm (Again)
In a continued effort to balance content from friends and pages, Facebook has modified its algorithm once again. This round of updates includes three major News Feed changes:
- People with little friends previously weren’t as likely to see multiple posts from the same source in a row. The latest update has relaxed this rule.
- Content posted directly by the friends you care about, such as photos, videos, status updates or links, will be higher up in News Feed. If you like to read news or interact with posts from pages you care about, you will still see that content in your News Feed.
- Stories about friends liking or commenting on a post will now appear lower down in the News Feed or not at all, so you are more likely to see the stuff you care about directly from friends and the pages you have liked
2. Schedule & Manage Pinterest Pins With Buffer
Pinterest lovers that use Buffer for other social media platforms will be very excited to know that you can now schedule and post to Pinterest with Buffer.
Using Buffer for Pinterest, you can:
- Pin from anywhere on the web, or upload your own image
- Create a variety of unique daily pinning schedules customized just for you
- Track and measure repins, likes, and comments
3. Search Phone Numbers On LinkedIn
LinkedIn now allows you to search with phone numbers to find LinkedIn profiles associated with them. I’ve also seen a few people searching area codes to prospect.
4. LinkedIn Shuts Down Its 3rd Party API
If you use tools like IFTTT, Oktopost, Hootsuite, Buffer or any other program that allows you to post in LinkedIn groups, this change will seriously affect you. LinkedIn has decided to shut down their 3rd party API, which means none of those apps will be able to post into groups on your behalf.
Here’s the official word from LinkedIn on their latest social media changes:
Starting on May 12, 2015, we will be limiting the open APIs to only support the following uses:
- Allowing members to represent their professional identity via their LinkedIn profile using our Profile API.
- Enabling members to post certifications directly to their LinkedIn profile with our Add to Profile tools.
- Enabling members to share professional content to their LinkedIn network from across the Web leveraging our Share API.
- Enabling companies to share professional content to LinkedIn with our Company API.
5. Periscope & Meerkat Shake The World
Periscope, a live streaming mobile app recently acquired by Twitter, hit an impressive 1 million users in its first 10 days. Meerkat is its only true competitor at the moment and the battle is on to see which will claim dominance in the mobile streaming space.
The potential here is enormous and for once, I’m actually excited about a new social network. I didn’t think there was room for anymore but I will admit, I was wrong!
6. Twitter Updates Trends To Tell Users Why a Topic Is Popular
We’ve all seen trending topics on Twitter by now but we don’t always know how & why they got there. This new update from Twitter aims to demystify the rhymes and reasons behind trending topics by attaching a description about it, including how many tweets have been sent and whether the trend is up or down. 
7. Twitter Implements New (Awesome) Quote Feature
You have probably already noticed the new option that appears when you click the Retweet button on Twitter: quote tweet. If you choose the quote tweet feature, you’ll show that person’s tweet along with the ability to add up to 116 characters of your own text to go along with it. It’s like having a tweet inside a tweet! http://www.valuewalk.com/2015/04/twitter-quote-tweet-more-text/
8. Anyone Can Direct Message You On Twitter Now
In a truly bizarre move, Twitter has now changed its system to allow DMs from anyone, without having to follow them first. Though this adds convenience for the times you want to send someone your email or reach out privately, it’s ripe for abuse by spammers. Learn more about Twitter’s new DM policy.
9. Facebook Adds Safety Check In Areas of Major Tragedy
If anyone from Facebook is reading this right now, please know that I’m standing up at my desk (alone) giving you a heartfelt applause. A dear friend of mine narrowly escaped death during the recent Nepal earthquake and my heart sang when I saw the new Facebook feature indicating they were okay. If you haven’t seen it for yourself yet, the feature allows anyone in the affected areas to mark themselves as safe and notify their friends list. Brilliant. 
10. Twitter Introduces “Highlights”
Twitter has launched a new app called “Highlights” that is likely to become a powerful tool for engaging and expanding your network in a relevant and meaningful way. Highlights looks at things like:
- Accounts and conversations that are popular among people you follow
- Tweets from people you’re closely tied to
- Topics and events that are trending in your area or within your network
- People that are popular or trending among people you follow
As an iPhone user, I’m sad that this new Twitter app will only be available for Android initially because it seems like it could be a helpful engagement tool.
Introducing Highlights. Get the best of Twitter every day, sent to your Android device: https://t.co/9ZUWgX9lcC pic.twitter.com/sYuu7YUO4D
— Twitter (@twitter) April 23, 2015
11. LinkedIn Doubles Down on Social Sharing With “Elevate”
Although it’s currently only available to select companies by invitation only, the new LinkedIn Elevate app is going to be a game changer for sales teams and larger organizations. Elevate gives your employees quick access to see what’s being shared by other people within your organization so they can easily share it with their network.
On average, a company’s employees have 10 times as many connections as a company has followers. This app will help your team leverage its best influencers and the combined social reach of your entire company.
What Social Media Changes Have You Noticed?
We would need at least 10 of these blogs a month to keep up with all of the social media changes that happen across each of the major networks. What are some recent changes you’ve noticed that weren’t mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
