Facebook recently held its annual developer conference (F8) in San Jose, California. The conference gives insights into the forthcoming year. Unveiling plans and updating us on their latest technological developments.
Privacy and Security
Unless you have been living under a rock, you will probably have heard that Facebook has gotten into some hot water recently and that hot water is all about ‘privacy and security’. Something that if you work closely with Facebook will be mentioned none stop for the foreseeable future and by all big digital companies for that matter.
With a large data breach in September (Cambridge Analytica scandal) [1] and a second issue of 1.5 million emails being uploaded without permission [2], privacy and security was understandably their primary focus for the F8 conference.
Messenger
The first platform up for discussion was Messenger. It started with a big announcement…
– Desktop Messenger
There will soon be a Messenger Desktop App, for both Mac and Windows. From previews, it looks very similar to Whatsapp, almost identical in fact.
– Easier To Connect With Close Friends
This is essentially a news feed specifically containing content from your closest friends. It also allows you to have the ability to share your content with those closest to you. A handy tool for prioritising your Facebook content.
– Lead Gen Ads In Messenger
Lead gen ads come to Messenger! A series of lead gen templates will be added to Messenger, allowing for a far more personalised lead gen ad. We suspect this will encourage potential leads to engage better than traditional news feed ads.
– Watch Your Favourite Videos Together
You can watch your favourite content, with your friends, at exactly the same time! So no more scrolling back through all your tags to keep up. You can just watch it in the moment. We will wait to see how this is adopted after beta testing is complete.
– 2x Faster
Fairly self explanatory, but still a serious increase in speed!
– 7x Smaller
Messenger will take up a lot less room on your mobile. Allowing for more space for your personal items, such as photos.
WhatsApp is going commercial…
– WhatsApp Product Catalogues For Businesses
This is a huge advancement for WhatsApp. We imagine this will run similarly to the product catalogues in Ads Manager. In essence, this will allow businesses a much greater opportunity to showcase their portfolio(s).
– Private Commerce – Purchase Through WhatsApp
Soon consumers will be able to actually make direct purchases via WhatsApp, with what is rumoured to be an in-app payment system. This could be another useful marketing channel for disruptors and SME’s.
– Your Locations Will Be Private
Moving forward, your locations will be completely hidden from everyone, including Facebook!
Next up Facebook…
– Completely New Look
Facebook is getting a new lick of paint. FB5 to be precise. With significant branding updates, the look and feel is going to be a big change compared to prior updates. Facebook has opted to put the white as its primary colour.
– Putting Groups First
Stating they want communities at the heart of Facebook. The group’s tab will be getting a massive update. Along with improved recommendations and features to support specific communities and generally making it easier to use. Cleansing of poor Facebook groups or those that are deemed to violate Facebook policies will be more likely to be shut down than ever before.
– Facebook Dating
Presumably designed to compete with the likes of Tinder and Bumble, Facebook is looking to play cupid with modern methods and make enrodes into the dating scene.
– Meet New Friends
Similar to the new dating feature, people who are looking to make new compadres will be able to do so via ‘Meet New Friends’.
– Camera
‘Create Mode’ is a brand new feature that allows users to more freely publish fresh content in new and intuitive ways. Such as, adding icons before you actually take a photo or video.
– Fundraising Stories
In a major move for charities and donations, people will be able to donate to their favourite causes straight from Instagram Stories. This will be starting out in the US and later rolled out across the board.
References
