This week in social media news, Twitter is asking users to share their feedback on a new verification policy it plans to relaunch in early 2021, Snapchat debuts a vertically scrollable feed called Spotlight and Twitter slows the launch of its new Stories-like feature Fleets over back-end issues.
Twitter Looks To Revive Account Verification Process With User Feedback
Twitter is calling on users to share feedback on an updated verification policy it’s testing, which it’s looking to relaunch early next year.
Why it matters: Three years ago, Twitter paused its public verification program due to user complaints that the process was “arbitrary and confusing.” A year later, it set the verification process aside to prioritize content moderation ahead of the election. Up until now, Twitter has been mum about who can become verified and when and why an account might be unverified.
The details: In early 2021, Twitter will launch an updated version of its verification process and a new public application process. Per the proposed policy, a blue verified badge indicates that an account of public interest is authentic. To receive a blue badge, an account must be notable and active, according to Twitter.
To start, Twitter has identified six types of accounts that would be eligible for a blue badgem including: government, companies, brands and non-profits, news, entertainment, sports and activists, organizations and other influential individuals.
Grounds to revoke the badge include an inactive or incomplete profile, as well as changing your account name and being demoted from a position you initially were verified for.
Twitter says the policy draft is just a starting point and will expand the categories and criteria for verification significantly over the next year. Users can take this survey to share their feedback on the policy draft.
Snapchat Adds Vertically Scrollable Feed Called Spotlight
Snapchat has launched a dedicated section in its app called Spotlight where users can browse short, entertaining videos in a vertically scrollable feed similar to TikTok, reports TechCrunch.
Why it matters: Spotlight comes on the heels of Snapchat’s music feature, “Sounds,” which lets users select music from a curated catalog and add it to their videos—a feature popularized by TikTok.
The details: As per TechCrunch, Snapchat’s Spotlight section will feature the community’s creative content that Snap will rank according to an algorithm akin to the one that TikTok’s “For You” feed utilizes, which considers factors such as watch time and the number of shares, as well as whether a user quickly skipped past the video.
To be featured in Spotlight, videos must adhere to the new section’s guidelines, which among other things require videos to be vertical and up to 60 seconds in length. The videos should also make use of the app’s creative tools, including captions, sounds, Lenses and GIFs.
Twitter Slows Launch Of Fleets Over Back-End Problems
Just a week after launching its Stories-like feature, Fleets, Twitter says it’s delaying the roll out in order to fix some performance and stability problems.
Why it matters: According to Social Media Today, many users have reported a delayed experience with Fleets as they and brands have flocked to the new feature.
The details: As per Twitter’s Support team:
“We’re slowing down the rollout of Fleets to fix some performance and stability problems. If you don’t have the feature yet, you may not get it for a few more days. We love that so many people are using Fleets and want to ensure we’re providing the best experience for everyone.”
