Sunday News : in this week you will read:

1. Instagram Reels gets more user-friendly with 4 new features
2. GA4 conversion counting update improves accuracy in tracking user behavior
3. Google’s April 2023 Reviews Update aims to improve the quality of reviews
4. New Google Search Console reports help merchants optimize product listings
5. WhatsApp introduces new security measures to protect users from hacks
6. TikTok’s new in-stream shopping feature aims to attract more brands and advertisers
7. Instagram adds new analytics for Reels, improves creation flow
8. Twitter Blue subscribers can now post tweets with up to 10,000 characters
9. Meta plans to expand Reels monetization program to more creators.

• 4 new Instagram Reels features
The new features are intended to enhance user experience, boost creator-audience engagement, and provide valuable insights for data-driven content creation.
Instagram has announced four new features for Reels, its short-form video feature. The new features include the ability to save drafts of Reels, add audio to Reels after they’ve been recorded, trim and delete clips within a Reel, and share longer Reels of up to 60 seconds in length. These updates aim to make Reels a more flexible and user-friendly feature, allowing creators to have more control over their content and providing more opportunities for creativity. The updates also reflect Instagram’s ongoing focus on video content and its efforts to compete with other video-focused social media platforms.

• GA4 Update: “Once Per Session” Conversion Counting Method
An update to GA4 brings greater flexibility in conversion counting, allowing you to choose between two different methods.
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) has updated its conversion tracking method to use “once-per-session” counting, rather than the previous “every” counting method. This means that only one conversion event will be counted per session, even if multiple conversions occur. The update aims to provide a more accurate representation of user behavior on a website, as well as improve the consistency and reliability of conversion tracking. However, it may also result in a decrease in the number of reported conversions for some websites. The update highlights the ongoing evolution of Google Analytics as it seeks to provide more useful and actionable insights for website owners and marketers.

• Google April 2023 Reviews Update Focuses Heavily On Experience
New documentation offers guidance on what Google’s April 2023 Reviews System Update is looking for
Google has released an update to its Reviews guidelines, providing more clarity on what constitutes spam and review manipulation. The update includes a new policy against incentivized reviews, as well as stricter guidelines on review gating and solicitation. Google has also introduced new tools for business owners to manage and report reviews that violate the guidelines. Additionally, the update includes changes to the review snippets that appear in search results, such as the ability to highlight key information like star ratings and business attributes. The update is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality and usefulness of reviews on its platform.

• Google Updates Search Console With New Merchant Reports
Google Search Console introduces new clicks and impressions reports for product snippets and merchant listings
Google has launched a new set of reports for merchants in Google Search Console, providing insights into how their product listings perform in Google Search results. The new reports include data on clicks, impressions, click-through rate, and average position for product listings, as well as information on search queries and devices. The reports are designed to help merchants optimize their product listings and improve their visibility and performance in Google Search. The launch of the new reports highlights Google’s ongoing efforts to support e-commerce businesses and provide more useful tools for merchants.

• WhatsApp Adds New Security Measures to Protect Users from Hacks
WhatsApp has added new security measures to protect users from hacks. The platform has introduced end-to-end encryption for cloud backups, which will prevent unauthorized access to users’ chat histories. WhatsApp has also added a new multi-device feature, allowing users to access their accounts from up to four linked devices. The feature will come with additional security measures, such as requiring users to use biometric authentication to link a new device. These updates are part of WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to improve user privacy and security on the platform.
• TikTok Launches New Push on In-Stream Shopping
TikTok has launched a new push on in-stream shopping, enabling selected brands to showcase their products within the app. The feature will allow users to purchase items they see in TikTok videos without leaving the app. TikTok is also testing a new “Shop” tab on select brands’ profiles, making it easier for users to browse and purchase their products. The move is part of TikTok’s broader e-commerce push and is aimed at making the app a more attractive platform for brands and advertisers. It also follows similar efforts by other social media platforms to integrate shopping into their apps.

• Instagram Adds New Analytics for Reels, Updates Reels Creation Flow
Instagram has added new analytics for Reels, which will allow creators to track key metrics such as plays, accounts reached, likes, and comments. The platform has also updated the Reels creation flow, making it easier for users to discover creative tools and add effects to their videos. The updates are aimed at improving the Reels experience for creators and increasing engagement on the platform. Instagram has been investing heavily in Reels in an effort to compete with TikTok and attract more users to the platform.

• Twitter Blue Subscribers Can Now Post 10k Character Tweets
Twitter Blue subscribers can now post tweets with up to 10,000 characters, more than the platform’s usual limit of 280 characters. The feature is only available to Twitter Blue subscribers in select countries, including the US, Canada, and Australia. In addition to longer tweets, Twitter Blue subscribers also have access to other exclusive features, such as the ability to undo tweets and access to dedicated customer support. The move is part of Twitter’s efforts to attract more subscribers to its premium service, Twitter Blue.

• Meta Plans to Expand its Reels Monetization Program to More Creators
Meta (formerly Facebook) plans to expand its Reels monetization program to more creators. The program allows creators to earn money from their short-form video content on the platform. Currently, the program is only available to a limited number of creators, but Meta plans to make it available to more in the coming months. The expansion of the program is part of Meta’s broader effort to attract more creators and increase engagement on its platforms. The move also comes as other social media platforms, such as TikTok, are ramping up their efforts to attract creators with monetization options.

• Snap Adds More Local Artists to its Commercial Music Options
Snapchat has added more local artists to its commercial music options, providing users with a wider selection of music to add to their snaps. This move follows similar efforts by other social media platforms to support independent musicians. The new additions will give local artists a chance to gain more exposure and expand their reach to a wider audience. Users can search for the added music options in the app’s Sounds feature. This move is expected to enhance user engagement on the platform.