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Meta has launched a variety of new engagement features on Instagram ahead of the holiday season. These include Notes, Group Profiles, Collaborative Collections, Candid Stories, and a Pass it On Prompt in Story Stickers. Lets take a look at what each of these is for.

 

Notes is a conversation-prompting feature that can be seen displayed above the DMs section. Meta describes Notes as “short posts of up to 60 characters” that you can share with your Followers or Close Friends in the app.

 


The format of Notes is similar to Stories, as they disappear after 24 hours. Moreover, people can reply to your Notes and the replies will land in your DMs. Meta decided to roll out this feature after learning that more users on Instagram have started to interact within Direct Messages instead of posts in the main feed, and enjoy “lightweight and easy” ways to make conversations. “Notes give people a casual and spontaneous way to express themselves and connect with each other,” says Meta.

 

Next is the new Group Profile feature that people can use to create shared profiles exclusively with selected people. The profiles can only be viewed by group members and won’t be shared with followers. The Collaborative Collections feature is similar to the post saving tool, except that it will be part of group chats only, where members can create their private collections of posts.

 

Meta Rolls Out Notes, Candid Stories, Group Profiles and More on Instagram



As part of its recent AR advancement, Snapchat has launched a new AR Lens that is meant to help users discover products of their preference during the holiday season. The lens features a voiceML technology that relies on audio prompts instead of typed text to engage with and facilitate users.

 

The Lens, called ‘New Balance,’ works by listening to audio prompts from a user who answers a series of questions to reach the product they are looking for. The Lens will then provide product recommendations that best match with the user’ answers.

Snapchat Rolls Out New AR, Voice-Powered Shopping Lens in US



Ahead of the holiday season, YouTube has grabbed the opportunity to engage its audience with online shopping. The company has launched a new feature called ‘From YouTube to You,’ that is aimed at facilitating people with in-app shopping via videos, livestreams, and Shorts featuring content creators that showcase various products and offerings to potential customers.

 

YouTube Launches In-App Showcasing of Products and Offerings for Upcoming Holiday Season



To help brands maximize reach to their audiences during the holiday shopping season, Instagram has introduced an updated overview of how to use Reels for promoting content and engaging with people. These include small, helpful tips and pointers, as well as detailed insights and notes.

 

Calling it the “future of video storytelling,” Instagram encourages brands to use Reels to engage with audiences using the creativity of storytelling, entertainment, and personal connection.


Starting off with pointers on where your content will and won’t be impacted by on-screen display overlays, Instagram suggests that you utilize the full screen format appropriately so as to provide a more immersive experience to your audience. The guide has highlighted areas on the screen termed as “safe zones,” where video content appears clearly.

 

Instagram Shares Useful Reels Insights for Brands to Maximize Reach During Holiday Shopping



Messenger and Messenger Kids are getting new updates for the holiday season, including new AR effects and Soundmojis with a Christmas theme.

 

One of the AR effects is created in partnership with beauty influencer Ashley Strong and works when you blink, which releases sparkles and shiny snowflakes from your eyes. A bunch of new word effects have been added to Messenger as well. For instance, when you type a holiday wish to send someone, like Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah, your screen will fill up with emojis related to the holiday.

 


New chat themes and word effects have also been introduced to both Messenger and Instagram DMs. Additionally, the new Soundmojis for Messenger chats include a loudspeaker icon, and emojis of presents and a Christmas tree.



 


Another interesting addition is that of the new funds transfer visuals when exchanging money in the app, which will likely encourage more funds exchange activities, hence promoting eCommerce.

 


Looking at Messenger Kids, there is a variety of new holiday themed options. These include an interactive messaging feature that lets kids “chat with Santa,” where the messages will be sent to the kids’ parents. This will not only help parents know what their children want as Christmas presents, but will also spark some excitement in the kids for the holidays. Other features include holiday games and themed AR effects.

 

The new Messenger updates can now be accessed in the latest versions of the apps.

Meta Brings New Holiday Themed Updates to Messenger and Messenger Kids

 


Facebook is developing new tools to help creators reach more people during the holiday break. The features include new livestream options, new ways of interacting with fans in the comments, and additional funding for rising creators, among other options.

 

Facebook Live is getting a new look for both desktop and mobile versions. The navigation menu has been simplified to make access to insights and tools easier. This will also enhance the composition process of livestream broadcasts.

 


A new option of Featured Links in livestreams will allow creators to share multiple third-party website links within their broadcasts. As a result, they will be able to drive more direct traffic from their streams, as well as produce more interest and value from their efforts, with livestream shopping lately on the rise.

 


In addition to this, Facebook Live will now let creators go live with up to three additional guests. Previously, Facebook had removed the option of going live with another user, but with the increasing interest in video connection over the past two years, the company has decided to bring the option of co-broadcasting back.

 

Facebook Introduces New Livestream Options and a Funding Program for Creators

Time to Get Smart About Buying Smartphones and Other Devices

This holiday season, many consumers will find it difficult to find and receive some of the electronic devices they’re looking for to give to family and friends. Unfortunately, the shipping industry has also fallen victim to the global effects of the COVID pandemic, and 50% of consumers are seeing that items they want are already out of stock.

Time to Get Smart About Buying Smartphones and Other Devices #Infographic

Christmas movies for Holiday

Struggling to find the right Christmas movie to watch with your family and friends over the weekend? Well, you need not worry because we have got you covered for the weekend. To save yourself some time and energy, click on the infographic below and add a whole bunch of movies to your bucket list right away.

Christmas movies for Holiday #infographic

 


With 2020 coming to an end, Snapchat has shared insights regarding its AR achievements in the past year and results of surveys that the company conducted among its userbase. Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, has all of the information and a more detailed breakdown of the data is available on Snapchat’s business site as well.

 

According to insights related to different attitudes of users in relation to the upcoming holidays and new year, 57% of the userbase reported feeling ready to embrace 2020 as soon as possible. Majority of the contribution comes from users from Brazil and the US.

 

As for the holiday plans, unfortunately the worsening situation of the pandemic is making it difficult for people to plan their holiday season. The UK is especially affected by these circumstances as it particularly got hit badly by the second coronavirus wave, causing the government to impose strict lockdowns and SOPs for Christmas.

 

Snapchat users in the US have reported limiting their holiday plans to social distancing, which means no at-home gatherings and virtual exchange of gifts.

Snapchat Reveals its 2020 AR Achievements and Userbase Survey Results

 


Zoom announced that it is removing the 40-minute time limit for its free accounts on all meetings around the world for the holiday season.

 

This means that all holidays, in addition to Christmas, that fall in late December or early January will be covered by this special offer by Zoom. "Whether coming together on the final day of Hanukkah, celebrating Christmas, ringing in the New Year, or marking the last days of Kwanzaa, those connecting with friends and family won't get cut short," said Zoom.

 

Zoom is Allowing Free Subscribers to Use Video Calling Without Time Limit During Holiday Season

Celebrate Thanksgiving Day with your friends and families safely

Thanksgiving is on its way, and considering the health hazards posed by the pandemic, likely; it will also bring major illnesses with itself. To help you walk through this sensitive time, we have pulled all the right measures into an infographic, from the simplest practice of shopping to the storage of Thanksgiving food after the occasion. As pandemic made it very clear that cleanliness is the first step to start your daily chores, it has become your civil responsibility to keep your friends and families safe.

Celebrate Thanksgiving Day with your friends and families safely #infographic

How are Americans planning their COVID-19 Christmas?

People in the USA are undoubtedly super excited about the X-mas a few days away, people have shopped a lot in the holiday quarter for their favorite festival of the year. Despite all the excitement and shopping, there are still restrictions to hold a large gathering. Unfortunately, all the plans that Americans had for this year couldn’t be accomplished. The country is still fighting the deadly pandemic and advised the people to stay in their homes as much as possible for the sake of their health and that of others.

How are Americans planning their COVID-19 Christmas? #infographic

Why are retailers reliant in the Holiday quarter?

Christmas is the most beloved festival in the USA, and this is the time when people go out of the way to celebrate it with their loved ones. According to conventional wisdom, the Holiday quarter is the most important one for all the retailers around the USA, and they are looking forward to it with very high hopes. Since people of America love celebrating Christmas more than we can imagine, even Covid-19 won’t be an excuse for them to not celebrate it this year.

Although there won’t be as larger gatherings as they used to be but in terms of shopping, National Retail Federation says that the nation is expected to spend around $755 to $767 billion in the months of November and December. Despite the pandemic, Americans will not stop distributing gifts on the holy festival. As per the studies, the average expenditure on gifts and other holiday stuff per consumer amounts to $998.

Why are retailers reliant in the Holiday quarter? #infographic

People are spending less on Christmas this year and here is why

The world is widely aware of the significance a Christmas day tends to bring every year. Unfortunately, this year, the statistics show a new picture as the numbers have taken a dramatic drop in the average expenditure rounded up by various data centers. The report says that this year is experiencing a whopping decrease of 15% in the expenditure of Christmas gifts, which ultimately leads to a major loss in the expenditure of gift cards, candies, toys, lip balm, and toothbrushes by most people.

People are spending less on Christmas this year and here is why #infographic

Christmas Gifts each US state wants this holiday season

With Christmas just around the corner, people in the USA are going crazy over the holiday shopping despite the Coronavirus. Christmas is celebrated in several parts of the world, but the Americans take the celebrations to an extraordinary level. Although people won't be able to gather at the festival like they used to because of the Covid-19 restrictions but will still exchange gifts, have virtual meetings, and arrange gatherings with all the necessary SOPs. The infographic helps us look at what the US's different states are looking forward to this holiday season.

Christmas gifts could be anything from clothes to a gift card, gadgets to home accessories; there are no limits. However, there is a demand every year from people in different states of America. This year, the majority of the people need the newly launched gaming console, PS5, as a Christmas gift. The infographic shows the gift trends all around the US and what the states are getting this year for the festival.

Christmas Gifts each US state wants this holiday season #infographic

How pandemic affected holiday shopping channels

Holidays are the best time for the Americans to shop; this is the time when every retailer, including international brands, put massively discounted offers in order to lure the consumers. People get crazy over the holiday discounts and get their hands on everything they had been wanting for a long time. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has struck the world hard, and its second wave started a few weeks ago that resulted in further lockdowns. Thanksgiving suffered the pandemic lockdowns hence people couldn’t go out for shopping and celebrate in a way that they used to.

How pandemic affected holiday shopping channels #infographic

 

Holiday Season Expenses Across the Globe


It's the holiday season, hence it makes all the more sense to discuss what it looks like across the globe. Since every country has its own economy and the financial status of every family within a country varies, expenses look different in certain regions as compared to others.


Moreover, not every holiday has the same reputation in every country or area. For instance, in Latin America, Black Friday's sales have increased by 29% from 2018 till now. Whereas on the other corner of the world in India, we can see how Amazon's festival is playing out. In fact, India's retail market is amongst the biggest in the world.


Holiday Season Expenses Across the Globe #Infographic

How to Gear Up Your E-commerce Business for the Holidays



The holiday season is approaching, and so it's time once again to reconsider how your business is going to work things out. Sales and discount deals are a must, but knowing marketing tips and tricks can help boost your business further. This is particularly true for e-commerce since due to the pandemic, people are now shopping via e-commerce more than ever.


How to Gear Up Your E-commerce Business for the Holidays #Infographic

 

Ecommerce business in holidays 2020

The spooky season is over, and we can now hear the Christmas jingles coming our way. The holiday season is upon us, and the ecommerce market is booming, so happens if we combine both of them? Good things obviously, because Christmas is a time where everyone loves to shop, whether going to a retail store or shopping online.


With the recent coronavirus pandemic, everything was shifted to online purchases, which gave a significant boost to the ecommerce industry. The demand for online stores and the demands are only increasing with time. Ecommerce store owners must liven themselves up to keep it up for holidays. Holidays are a season where most of the shopping occurs in the year. Whether you are buying something for yourself or buying a Christmas gift, you will turn to a store.

Ecommerce business in holidays 2020 #infographic

Understanding the True Spirit and Essence of Easter

 Whether you are a Christian or not by faith, you may have already heard about Easter. Even if you aren't aware of it in depth, it is one of the most important religious occasion around the world. Easter is of immense importance in Christianity. According to Christian belief, Easter marks the raising of Jesus Christ after he was crucified in the cross. The Easter eggs which you get to see in abundance at the time of Easter, are actually a symbol of this rebirth. Let's explore the meaning and origins of Easter in terms of the Biblical context itself.

 Various events regarding the roots of Easter can be found in the Holy Bible, the Holy Book in Christianity. There are two major sections of the Holy Bible: The Old Testament and the New Testament. The four gospels governing the life of Jesus Christ can be found in the New Testament portion of the Holy Bible. These four gospels are namely the gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John.

Understanding the True Spirit and Essence of Easter #Infographic

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