IG's New Feature, FL Bans Social Media, & More

Instagram’s New Video Format

As creators ask for more monetization options, Instagram says but what about a new video feature? 😏 *sigh*

If you’ve been having issues uploading Reels since updating Instagram, this is likely why. Seems like they’re still working out some kinks.

Meta’s newly rolled out video player combines Reels, Lives, and long-form videos into one, allowing you to expand videos into full-screen mode (just like long-form TikToks).

This update also includes (allegedly) better recommendations for the content that shows up on your feed. (AKA IG is finally catching up with TikTok’s scarily accurate FYP).

We’ll keep you posted on what this means from an algorithm perspective and whether it winds up impacting content performance/reach.

Florida’s New Social Media Ban

Last week, we shared a Quick Link to this, but we want to dive in a bit deeper to give you the TLDR about how this could impact you.

The TLDR: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will ban social media accounts for children under 14. The bill will require parental permission for 14 and 15-year-olds.

The detail that makes us go ???: The bill tells social media companies to delete any existing accounts for children under 14. Companies that fail to do so could be sued on behalf of the child…awarding the minor $10,000 in damages.

I’m sorry…what? So, the government is going to sue social media platforms and then give the child $10k of the awarded violation fee?

While this could push companies to delete profiles of those under 14, it doesn’t seem like there’s much incentive for children to remain off social media. And how are they planning to verify the child’s age?

While some think the bill is fair, others find it problematic for the government to decide whether a parent’s child is allowed on social media. What do you think?

YouTube Launches Members-Only Shorts

In more exciting news, YouTube just launched a Members Only option for Shorts. Creators will now have the option to place certain Shorts behind a paywall via YouTube Memberships.

According to TechCrunch, YouTube says creators can use this option to share special announcements, promote product drops and limited-time deals, show behind-the-scenes content, and host Q&As.

It’s too early to know whether this will actually become a major driver of revenue, but we’ll keep you posted if we find a unique case study. If you’ve already given it a try, hit Reply on this email and let us know what your experience has been.

Musician Boosts Revenue from $3k to $200k with SEO Hack

Massachusetts musician Matt Farley may have discovered the ultimate algorithmic cheat code. His music, which often incorporates humor on a wide range of topics, including celebrities, food, and even bodily functions, has gained over 20 million streams collectively. Earning Farley over $200,000 in 2023, a significant increase since he started in 2008 when his SEO project earned him just $3,000.

Farley’s hack? His business model relies on the sheer volume of his output and on SEO tactics to increase discoverability. While some may argue that his catalog of over 100,000 songs is pure content spam, one thing is certain, his dedication is that of a monetization genius.

Quick Links

❎ TikTok launches a $2.1m ad campaign to oppose the ban.

💰 How two of YouTube’s most successful creators are monetizing on Shorts.

🎀 JoJo Siwa’s risky rebrand shows the challenges of pivoting your content.

📈 The CEO of Patreon weighs in on why YouTubers are burning out and how to build a sustainable business online.

🖥️ Google may charge users for internet searches.

See ya next week,

Karat