1: Facebook Q2 User Stats

Meta's Q2 2023 earnings results reveal impressive growth in both the number of users and the number of ad impressions on Facebook. Despite this positive trend, there has been a decline in ad prices. In June 2023, Facebook reported a staggering 2.06 billion daily active users, representing a 5% increase from the previous year. 

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Additionally, the platform reached a milestone of 3.03 billion monthly active users by the end of Q2, demonstrating a 3% year-over-year growth. Although ad impressions delivered across Meta's apps experienced a significant increase of 34% compared to Q2 2022, the average price per ad dropped by 16% during the same period.

2: Facebook Groups

Attention Group Admins: Facebook's latest move is causing concern among those who have dedicated their time and effort into building successful groups. Recently, a number of admins received notifications stating that unless they become more active in their groups, Meta will assign Admin status to someone else.

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Although this issue surfaced over a year ago, it has resurfaced, leaving admins worried about the future of their hard work. Facebook is specifically targeting "dormant" groups that have seen little to no recent activity. The platform values active engagement and views inactive groups as a waste of resources. In some instances, admins are given a mere 6-day notice before the switch occurs.

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To avoid this situation, Mari recommends that group admins take three steps: 1) Assign at least one backup admin who can take over if needed, 2) Archive any old, unused groups yourself versus letting Facebook remove you, and 3) Re-engage any inactive groups to show that there is still activity occurring. While the primary admin does not need to post daily, taking measures to keep groups vibrant will help avoid automated admin changes.

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3: Facebook and Instagram Algorithm

To align with the EU's Digital Services Act, Meta is providing Facebook and Instagram users in Europe with the ability to switch off customized feeds and search results driven by their personal interests and activity history. The EU's Digital Services Act aims to give users more control over their data and how it shapes the content they see. The regulations address growing concerns over how platforms leverage personal data to keep users engaged. Hyper-targeted feeds based on extensive profiling can manipulate what information and views people are exposed to online.

Without this individual user data, recommendation engines will rely more on generally popular content. TikTok, for example, has said it will emphasize locally trending videos.

The impact of the new mandated controls remains unclear but it's highly likely users may see more generic, less tailored content.

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While major changes may be slow to arrive in the US, Europe's proactive approach to regulating big tech could set an important precedent. For now, platforms like Facebook and TikTok will have to recalibrate their algorithms to put more control in users' hands per the new EU rules.

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4: Facebook Ads

Meta has introduced a search function for branded content campaigns within its Ads Library. This enables businesses to look up which creators rival brands may be collaborating with on sponsored social media posts.

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Gain insight and inspiration for influencer marketing strategies by observing competitor partnerships. Keep track of collaborations to gauge investment levels in sponsored content across the industry.

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As consumers become more conscious of traditional advertisements, influencer marketing offers a way to seamlessly integrate and endorse products. The Ads Library provides transparency into this widely-used form of authentic branded content on a large scale.

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For marketers looking for a competitive advantage, these searchable branded content insights present an opportunity to learn from and surpass rivals on Facebook and Instagram.

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It’s important to stay up to date on the changes Facebook makes that could potentially have an effect on your business. From stories, ads, messaging and groups, there are a variety of features businesses need to be aware of when marketing on this powerhouse platform. As time goes by and Facebook continues to add new updates and features, it’s essential for businesses to not only stay informed but also take advantage of them. Utilizing updates specific to businesses will make a larger impact as they focus more on structured data formats with analytics-driven marketing decisions. It’s important for businesses to understand that social media plays a major role in their success and addressing any Facebook changes is essential in ensuring lasting success.

So make sure to follow Chekkit on your favourite social media platform for insights into any new changes coming from Facebook and other social media platforms so you can gain a competitive edge!

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