Well, there is no denying the fact that Facebook is one of the most preferred tools for digital marketing and social media marketing. Perhaps it is the best example of how a simple social media application can upgrade itself to a social media mogul of the present time.
Whether it is about promoting your brand, promoting e-commerce activities, or connecting with your near and dear ones globally, you cannot really think of something better than Facebook. Amid the COVID19 outbreak, it is tough for a lot of people to stay in touch with their loved ones.
Here is where the importance of Facebook updates comes in. Facebook has recently updated its messaging platform (aka Messenger) and WhatsApp to help people stay in touch. Mark Zuckerberg announced that the Facebook team has been working relentlessly during the quarantine to finish the COVID19 projects successfully.
Why the sudden need for Facebook updates?
The pretty much obvious reason is to help us stay connected amid the COVID19 pandemic. With the updates, it will become easy for you to connect with more people than before. How? We shall share the details in the following section of the blog.
Apart from staying connected, Facebook updates will also help in improving digital marketing, social media marketing, and e-commerce aspects. Whether it is digital marketing, social media marketing, or e-commerce options, the more people you can connect with, the better it is.
Also, one more objective behind the updates is to spread genuine news about the COVID19 pandemic and limiting the spread of fake news. The “COVID19 information center” is a feature added by Facebook that will offer the correct information from health officials and doctors.
What are Facebook updates?
Let us share the details on Facebook Updates.
Update 1: Number of participants in the WhatsApp group call will double by next week
Previously, you could add 4 people in a WhatsApp group call. Now, the number of members will be doubled. You can add 8 people in a group call. Facebook is using an AI to enhance the user interface. The change in position will also alter the background of the speaker.
There were three types of video calling feature available before the updates.
- One of the most common forms of video calling was the “one-to-one” video calls.
- The next option was the “video rooms” that are created when a link is made and shared with other people so that they can join the call.
- The final option is the live video calling for a single person or for multiple people at the same time.
At present, the number of calls through WhatsApp has increased drastically. This is why the increase in the number of members in group calls will be beneficial for people. Zuckerberg also mentioned new Facebook applications coming up as updates.
Update 2: Messenger Rooms – The new video room application by Facebook
The Messenger Room is going to allow the users in creating room for any kind of event or activity. You can create a video call and then send the link to anyone even if they do not have a Facebook or Instagram account.
What are the benefits of the Messenger Room update?
This is a really effective update for digital marketing, social media marketing, and promotional ecommerce events. As stated by Mark Zuckerberg, “It is incredibly easy. You just send a link and that’s it”. At present, you can add 50 people in a video call of a Messenger Room.
Chances are the number of people will increase in the future. The best part is you won’t need to schedule ahead of time like the traditional video calls. Instead, you can just click on the “tray” that pops up at the top of your feed.
The “tray” will list the active number of people in the video conference calls. Click on it anytime and you can join in. This new application also comes with private rooms with different levels of openness within groups of your friends’ circle.
You will be able to access the Messenger Rooms in all Facebook applications that include Instagram, Facebook, Portal, and others. If someone doesn’t have Messenger installed, they can get into the Messenger Room from a browser through the link.
The Rooms have become active in most of the countries since Friday (24/04/2020). You can go live on Portal pages and groups.
Update 3: Instagram Live With feature available on computer screens
The new live video feature is also known as “Live With”. This feature was mostly used in the case of major events. Now, you can use this feature for personal online events as well. Here is where you can use Live With feature for social media marketing, digital marketing, and ecommerce.
Who can benefit from Live With feature?
You can connect with a larger audience through the Live With the feature now. This will be significantly beneficial for promoting ecommerce activities by small business owners. Facebook is looking for ways to help its users in hosting events through the live stream.
This is an effective way of social media marketing and digital marketing for emerging startups, especially media and entertainment. The best part is the social media giant is also looking for ways to make it possible for the creators to charge a fee for the viewers to have access to the event.
If the event hosting is accessible with a small amount of money, it will help the creators (media and entertainment) and small business owners in relying on their in-person e-commerce services. The Instagram Live With feature will be accessible in desktop screens too.
As stated by Zuckerberg, “On Instagram, you’re going to be able to engage with live videos, on a bigger screen.” The Live with the feature will also enable Virtual Dates on Facebook Dating and live videos on IGTV.
What is the end result?
The end goal is obviously to stay in touch by any means possible. Wherever we are, Facebook has made it easy to connect with the people we love. It also offers a plethora of opportunities in digital marketing, social media marketing, event hosting, media & news broadcasting, ecommerce, and entertainment.
We, at Skyram Technologies, believe that Facebook updates will have a beneficial impact on multiple small business eCommerce platforms, digital marketing, and social media marketing promotions. What do you think about the updates? Connect with us here and let us know. For more informative blogs, click here.
