A 'novel' experience for Facebook Messenger
Instagram tests Recommendations feature
Instagram is attempting to make content discovery easier by testing a new discovery process. The process highlights posts from accounts similar to those you follow and interact with in the main feed. This appears to compliment the ‘All Caught Up’ notification, which was rolled out last month.
Facebook tests “Things in common” label
In a bid to boost engagement and connections on its platform, Facebook is experimenting with a ‘Things in common’ label. This will “appear above selected comments from people you don’t know on posts you view”. The trial is currently very small, and US-only.
Getting Insta-verified is getting easier
Instagram is making it easier to apply for verification and also rolling out general security improvements. Accounts that have large audiences can now directly ask for verification through a form. Follow the process here.
Twitter wants you to stop following people
Twitter has also been looking at ways to improve engagement. As reported by various Twitter users, and confirmed by Twitter (to Slate), the company recently ran a small-scale trial of recommendations of who people should stop following in order to improve their Twitter experience. More here.