Social Media HQ

27/01/2025

According to a new Pew Research survey, nearly one in five adults on social media say they get their news regularly from “news influencers.” And that figure is even higher for young millennials in the 18-to-29 age group, where 37% report getting their news from news influencers. This is an interesting development, primarily because it shows that people are looking for unique views and takes on the news, rather than a simple recap of what transpired over the past 24 hours....

Influencers have helped to transform nearly every sector of the economy, and the media is simply the next sector to fall under their sway.

23/01/2025

Social media is often viewed as a new innovation that helps musical recording artists connect with fans, build tighter communities, sell more music, and widen their overall reach. After all, early social media platforms such as MySpace and Tumblr helped to launch new musical acts and completely reinvent how music is distributed. But many music industry insiders are now acknowledging that social media platforms such as TikTok are creating an entirely new style of music that is bland and lacking any true originality....

When the internet first launched, it was music bloggers who determined what became popular and now its social media.

20/01/2025

With the future prospects of TikTok now very much in doubt, it’s perhaps no surprise that people are now looking for the next big social media platform to break into the mainstream. One name that consistently turns up again and again is Bluesky, which actually launched back in 2019, but is only now picking up momentum. The new X?...

The big idea behind Bluesky is decentralization. A social media platform where users have far more power than with today’s social media platforms.

16/01/2025

In an attempt to reach reporters, journalists, and other news content creators, publicity-seeking businesses are now turning to social media. No longer content just to send them pitches via email, companies are now trying to link up with them on social media. Once a connection is made on social media, the thinking goes, they will be much more willing to write a story about you or use you as a source for upcoming articles....

In an attempt to reach reporters, journalists, and other news content creators, publicity-seeking businesses are now turning to social media.

13/01/2025

In the lead-up to the recent U.S. presidential election, there was significant concern that fake news might be used to sway the outcome. In fact, some election observers were already calling social media one of the biggest threats to election security, and that was precisely because fake news is able to thrive on social media. Unfortunately, it’s getting harder and harder to spot fake news....

In the lead-up to the recent U.S. presidential election, there was significant concern that fake news might be used to sway the outcome. In fact, some election observers were already calling social media one of the biggest threats to election security, and that was precisely because fake news is abl...

09/01/2025

By now, you’ve probably heard countless stories of people who have become addicted to social media. The consequences can go far beyond just losing a few hours of the day or night to endless social media scrolling. The consequences can also include negative emotional, psychological, or even physical effects. So it’s perhaps no surprise that law firms are now willing to accept social media addiction cases on the behalf of clients....

06/01/2025

While large national brands have entire teams of social media-savvy marketing people, that’s usually not the case with smaller companies and startup brands. Often, it’s the founder of the company who ends up creating all the social media content at the outset, and that obviously diverts a lot of time, attention, and resources away from actually running the company. So who can these startup founders turn to if they need a little social media help?...

02/01/2025

The big Silicon Valley tech companies keep telling us about all the efforts they are taking to protect young social media users. They keep pointing to all the money, time, and resources they are using to improve their social media platforms in response to suggestions from parents, educators, and advocacy groups. So, why then are they also actively working to block new social media legislation?...

We need new social media laws now. While they may be imperfect in some regards, they are much better than having nothing at all.

30/12/2024

Just about everyone agrees that the algorithms used by the big social media companies in Silicon Valley are somehow broken. They were originally designed to personalize the content you see in your daily social media feed, sort of like having your own personal curator aware of your tastes, preferences, and interests. However, now they are being used for one purpose only: optimizing…...

Just about everyone agrees that the algorithms used by the big social media companies in Silicon Valley are somehow broken.

26/12/2024

Instead of getting advice from financial advisors and tax professionals, young members of Generation Z are instead turning to social media influencers for advice. Often, this involves exploring TikTok for quick snippets of advice and how-to’s. Needless to say, this could lead to some very serious problems. TikTok vs. the IRS Take, for example, the number of people who now rely on…...

Instead of getting advice from financial advisors and tax professionals, young members of Generation Z are instead turning to social media influencers for advice. Often, this involves exploring TikTok for quick snippets of advice and how-to’s. Needless to say, this could lead to some very serious ...

23/12/2024

Social media users, you have been warned: some of the AI tools and apps that you see being advertised on social media platforms such as Facebook are total scams. In a best-case scenario, the apps don’t work as touted, or aren’t actually powered by AI. In a worst-case scenario, the ads will take you to a fake website and persuade you to download dangerous malware....

You have been warned: some of the AI tools and apps that you see being advertised on social media platforms such as Facebook are total scams.

19/12/2024

If you spend enough time on social media, you’d probably be convinced that content creators - and, specifically, social media influencers - are bringing in the big bucks these days. They seem to be vacationing at hot travel destinations, splurging on luxury goods, and generally living a fabulous life. And you hear stories all the time about how popular social media celebrities…...

If you spend enough time on social media, you’d probably be convinced that content creators – and, specifically, social media influencers – are bringing in the big bucks these days. They seem to be vacationing at hot travel destinations, splurging on luxury goods, and generally living a fabulo...

16/12/2024

When it comes to all the misinformation and disinformation on social media these days, it’s fashionable to blame the “super-spreaders” or any of the various “conspiracy theory” influencers out there. But maybe, just maybe, we should be taking a closer look at malicious social media bots, who may ultimately be responsible for much of the misinformation and disinformation on the internet....

When it comes to all the misinformation and disinformation on social media these days, it’s fashionable to blame the “super-spreaders” or any of the various “conspiracy theory” influencers out there. But maybe, just maybe, we should be taking a closer look at malicious social media bots, w...

12/12/2024

One social media buzzword that has taken off in recent years is “shadowban.” As the name suggests, it refers to getting banned on social media, without the content creator actually knowing what’s happening, Instead, the content creator gets all kinds of telltale signs - such as the inability to gain new subscribers, a reduction in views for each new video being created, or content no longer appearing on the first page of search results....

If you are a content creator, you likely view shadowbanning as a form of censorship.

09/12/2024

What Impact Will a Second Trump Presidency Have on Social Media?

The return of Donald J. Trump to the White House is already causing some nervous hand-wringing on social media. What impact will he have on the most popular social media platforms? And will he upset the delicate balance of power that exists among the big Silicon Valley social media players? Those ar...

05/12/2024

It’s perhaps no surprise that both Democrats and Republicans are now relying on social media influencers to get out the vote and help tip elections in their favor. What is surprising, though, is the amount of “dark money” that is exchanging hands, By some accounts, political campaigns from both parties are pouring millions of dollars into the social media influencer game....

It’s perhaps no surprise that both Democrats and Republicans are now relying on social media influencers to get out the vote and help tip elections in their favor. What is surprising, though, is the amount of “dark money” that is exchanging hands, By some accounts, political campaigns from bot...

02/12/2024

By now, it has become a fairly accepted narrative that extensive social media usage can cause a range of dangerous mental, emotional, and psychological effects, especially in very young users. This is an argument that has been picked up by politicians and regulators as they argue for safer social media experiences for kids. And, as you might imagine, Mark Zuckerberg continues to make the case that the big social media platforms are not to blame for everything from…...

Extensive social media usage can cause a range of dangerous mental, emotional, and psychological effects, especially in very young users.

28/11/2024

If you are looking to regain focus, clarity, and balance in your life, then a social media detox could be just what you need. The duration and extent of a social media detox experience can vary greatly, but you should probably plan on setting aside at least a full week if you want to get the best results. For that one week, you will need to resist the urge to check your phone for updates, alerts, and messages....

If you are looking to regain focus, clarity, and balance in your life, then a social media detox could be just what you need.