It’s difficult to stay up to speed when the social media landscape is constantly shifting — we get it! That’s why each month you can count on us to share with you the biggest changes and headlines surrounding social media. Check out What’s New in Social Media: July 2020 Edition. Facebook Announces News Feed Algorithm Update to Put More Emphasis on Original, Quality News Content:  Facebook has announced a new News Feed algorithm update for news content, which will put more emphasis on original reporting, and boost content from news websites that provide information on their journalists, increasing transparency. Influencer Ads Excluded From Facebook's New Tool Allowing Users to 'Turn Off' Political Ads, Company Says: Facebook is rolling out the ability for users to "turn off" paid political advertisements so they're no longer visible on both Facebook and Instagram user feeds ahead of the 2020 general election. Branded content, including paid promotion via influencer channels, will not be included in the new tool unless an influencer decides to pay to promote it across the platform like a traditional online advertisement. Twitter Pushes More Ads into Feeds, Improves Responsiveness of Algorithm:  Users are likely seeing more ads in their Twitter feed as Twitter's testing new display methods, which is prompted by the platform's need to address slowing ad spend as a result of COVID-19. Twitter has also outlined a recent update to its algorithm process, which will enable it to show users more relevant trends based on behavior. Twitter Launches Audio Clips in Tweets on iOS:  Twitter is rolling out 140-second audio clips as a new tweet option with selected users on iOS. Introducing Instagram Reels: Instagram's Answer to TikTok? Instagram is rolling out a new feature that will give its users a way to record 15-second video clips set to music. The feature has been tested in Brazil and is now being rolled out in Germany and France. Once created, the videos can be added to Stories, sent directly to other users, or added to a new Reels tab on your profile. The platform is also launching a new section within its Explore page to help users discover the top-performing Reels content. Instagram Updates Eligibility Requirements for Instagram Shopping Ahead of Broader eCommerce Push:  Instagram has launched an updated listing of eligibility requirements for its shopping tools, which will enable it to open its eCommerce options up to more businesses and individual creators ahead of the broader roll out of its new Shops option. Here's what else is trending: How Social Platforms are Responding to the #BlackLivesMatter Protests Across the US: With Black Lives Matter protests being held in various cities across the US, in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, social media platforms have also been adding their support to the cause. TikTok Launches TikTok For Business for Marketers, Takes on Snapchat with new AR Ads: The company is officially introducing a new brand and platform called “TikTok For Business” that will serve as the home for all its current and future marketing solutions for brands. At launch, the site will include access to TikTok ad formats, including its marquee product, TopView, which is the ad that appears when you first launch the TikTok app. We want to hear from you! Take our survey to determine how we can help you make the most of your social media presence. Manage your Newsletter Subscriptions or Unsubscribe Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, 2201 Second Street, Suite 600, Fort Myers, FL 33901 To view this email in your browser click here.