How to create Instagram Reels?

Instagram Live stream extended for up to 4 hours long

October 28, 2020 by Arhama Altaf

Popular photo-sharing platform Instagram has announced to extend the maximum length of its live streaming four hours.

This extended time limit by will be available to all Instagram users around the world.

Explaining the reason behind extending time limits on live steams, the company said that change is meant to help those who’ve had to pivot to virtual events, like fitness instructors, teachers, musicians, artists, activists and among others.

Related to this change, Instagram will also update the ‘Live Now’ section in IGTV and at the end of live streams to help direct users to more live content.

Instagram also today pre-announced another feature which has yet to arrive.

It says that it will soon add an option that will allow creators to archive their live streams for up to 30 days.

How to get the ‘Swipe-Up’ feature on Instagram Stories?

October 19, 2020 by Arhama Altaf

The popular social media application Instagram has quite interesting features for its users in terms of businesses, traffic control and more.

Among the features, the ‘Swipe-Up’ feature in Instagram stories can be a game-changer when it comes to driving traffic to your website or blog.

However, it is only available to Instagram business accounts with over 10,000 followers or verified accounts.

The ‘Swipe-Up’ feature is perfect for businesses looking to share new content or products for their followers to easily have access to.

Below are few steps to know how to use the ‘Swipe-Up’ feature:

How to Add a ‘Swipe-Up’ Link to Your Instagram Story?

Go to your main Instagram feed, and tap the camera icon in the top left corner to create an Instagram Story.
Create your Instagram Story by taking a photo, Boomerang, or video. You can also swipe up to access your library of previously captured content.
Tap on the chain link icon and enter your URL. (Remember, you can only add links if you’re a verified user or an Instagram business account with over 10K followers).
Always add a call to action on your Instagram Story with links, so that your followers will know to swipe-up.

The ‘Swipe-Up’ feature has been an extremely popular tool for Instagram users.

Also, you may have also heard about Instagram’s new ‘Shoppable Stickers’ feature, which offers a new way for brands and businesses to tag products and monetize content.

Instagram inquired by EU over handling of children’s personal data

October 19, 2020 by Arhama Altaf

Globally popular photo and video sharing platform Instagram is being investigated by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) over its handling of children’s personal data.

The app’s owner Facebook might face a large fine if Instagram found to have broken privacy laws.

According to the complaints, Instagram made contact information on business accounts publicly visible to anyone accessing the app.

A number of US tech giants have their European headquarters in Ireland which came into force in 2018.

However, the DPC is the lead European Union regulator under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The DPC is responsible for protecting individuals’ right to online privacy, and has the power to issue large fines.

Furthermore, the Irish regulator currently investigating whether Facebook has a legal basis for processing children’s personal data.

Separately, it is also looking at whether Facebook has adhered with GDPR requirements in relation to Instagram’s profile and account settings.

It also inquires whether Facebook is adequately protecting the data protection rights of children as vulnerable persons.

Also, the minimum age for having an Instagram account is 13.

Instagram agrees curbs on paid influencers, says UK watchdog

October 17, 2020 by Arhama Altaf

Popular photo-sharing application Instagram has agreed measures to crack down on hidden advertising by so-called influencers.

Influencers with thousands of followers can earn large fees from companies to promotes a product on Instagram.

According to Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Facebook Ireland, which operates the photo-sharing app in Britain, has committed to a package of changes.

“This will make it much harder for people to post an advert on Instagram without labelling it as such,” the CMA said in a statement.

Facebook said the company was pleased to work with the CMA on its continued efforts to increase transparency on when people are paid to post content on Instagram.

“We are also proud to be launching a programme with MediaSmart to help educate young people about branded content and how to identify it,” Facebook added.

The CMA said it has been investigating concerns that too many influencers are posting content about businesses without making it clear they have been paid or received other incentives to do so.

Influencers will have to confirm and disclose if they have received any incentives to promote a product or service.

Instagram will also use technology to spot when users might not have disclosed clearly that a post is an advertisement, the CMA said.

Earlier, 16 celebrities pledged to clean up their act on social media after CMA action, the watchdog added.

Instagram to automatically hide target comments to reduce bullying

October 7, 2020 by Arhama Altaf

Instagram has announced that it will automatically hide negative comments in posts to reduce bullying and harassment.

This is one of several new steps that Instagram is taking to avoid target comments that users have reported as inappropriate.

The first new feature will automatically hide comments that could be seen as offensive by users, specifically those that are similar to comments that have been reported earlier.

Users on whose post the comments were made will be able to see the content of the hidden ones but those that are against community guidelines will be automatically removed.

IGTV & Reels: Instagram to roll out its shopping feature soon

October 7, 2020 by Arhama Altaf

Instagram has globally announced the Shopping service across IGTV. This feature will allow users to monetize their base on Instagram and also sell products to their followers directly.

Also, users can make longer IGTV videos to appeal to their viewers.

According to reports, IGTV users can either complete the purchase within the app through the in-app checkout or they could go to the seller’s website to make the purchase.

However, Facebook had earlier noted that it will not charge the seller’s fee through the end of 2020.

“Digital creators and brands help bring emerging culture to Instagram, and people come to Instagram to get inspired by them. By bringing shopping to IGTV and Reels, we’re making it easy to shop directly from videos. And in turn, helping sellers share their story, reach customers, and make a living,” said Instagram COO Justin Osofsky, in a statement.

How to create Instagram Reels?

July 9, 2020 by Arhama Altaf

Social media giant Facebook was testing Instagram Reels since a long time in few countries including Brazil, Germany, and France. The feature now arrives in India. This is the best time to bring Reels to the country as the government put a ban on TikTok and demand for short video platform has spiked.

Reels will be available for users in India soon. Currently, Instagram Reels feature is being tested in India, and on the basis of the response will be rolled out to each and every user in the days to come.

With TikTok banned in India, homegrown short video apps such as Roposo, Mitron, Chingari, Sharechat, and others are gaining wide popularity and millions of users every day.

Facebook will also use this golden opportunity to attract 200 million TikTok users to Reels.

Reels is not a separate app like others but it is just an extra feature inside the Instagram application. Through which millions of Instagram users in India will likely have the opportunity to try the feature.

How to Add a ‘Swipe-Up’ Link to Your Instagram Story?

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