Digital Ad Spends Decline 2% YTD Amid Inflation

Inflation has been hitting virtually every single industry quite hard. For a time, digital ad spends seemed like they were immune to the effects of inflation, and they managed to grow as a proportion of total ad buys to 59% with all things having been considered and taken into account. In spite of the fact that this is the case, inflation has finally hit the digital ad market as well, with the market recording a 2% decrease in ad buys year to date.

This data comes from a recent analysis conducted by the Standard Media Index, and it revealed that the overall ad industry is in dire straits. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that the 2% decline seen in digital ads is still better than the 6.9% decrease across the entire ad market, and that seems to suggest that digital ads are overperforming when compared to other forms of marketing.

This seems to suggest that digital ads are doing better than might have been the case otherwise, although this segment is still appearing to run out of steam. The worst hit form of digital ads is that of digital video, which registered a staggering 9% decline in the same period.

Paying attention to these trends is important because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up determining the direction in which the industry might be headed. However, it should also be mentioned that 2022 was a unique year in that it had the Winter Olympics, which necessitated an increased number of ad buys among media agencies.

All in all, the turmoil that is being caused by rampant inflation doesn’t look like it will be abating anytime soon. It will be interesting to see if 2023 indicates any further declines. If that were to occur, the future of the industry could look very different than what it does right now, and many major companies relying on ad revenue will need to look for other sources lest the inflow of ad buys dries up even further.

H/T: Mediapost

Read next: SEOs Say Bing Chat is Better Than Google Bard
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

TikTok Takes the World by Storm Among Grown-Ups

TikTok, the famous social media app, has rapidly gained fame among grown-ups worldwide, according to a recent analysis by DataReportal. It analyzes the estimated number of TikTok consumers aged 18 and above in different parts of the world and identifies the locations where this app is the most widespread among adults.

As per the analysis, the US tops the list with approximately 114 million consumers, aged eighteen plus. This list was further followed by regions, such as Indonesia, Brazil, & Mexico, with a total of 110, 82, and 58 million documented consumers respectively.

Other countries where this app is popular among grown-ups include Russia (55 million consumers), the Philippines (43 million consumers), and Thailand (40 million customers). The report also highlights the impact created by this platform on various countries.

According to it, the greatest influence of this app was on Southeast Asia regions, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, & Philippines. Approximately, this platform impacted over 200 million individuals in these areas.

The popularity of TikTok among grown-ups can be attributed to several factors. For one, its algorithm provides personalized recommendations based on the customer's viewing history, making it easier for users to find content that aligns with their interests. Additionally, the short-form video format has proven to be a hit with adults who prefer to consume content in bite-sized portions.

Moreover, the prime focus on user-generated information has made it a platform for creativity and self-expression, with members from all walks of life showcasing their talents and sharing their experiences. This has created a sense of community on the platform, with users engaging with each other's content and participating in challenges and trends.

The COVID-19 outburst has also contributed to TikTok's popularity among grown-ups, as many turned to the platform for entertainment and distraction during lockdowns and social distancing measures. With the pandemic still ongoing in many countries, its popularity is likely to continue among adults in the foreseeable future.

In addition, two major giants, India & China are out of this race as they are not consuming this application to a greater extent. The Chinese are using a local version of this app, which is only designed for them, whereas, due to ban regulations, the consumption of this platform is prohibited in India.

To sum up, TikTok's rise in popularity has not been without controversy. The platform has faced scrutiny over issues such as data privacy and security, censorship, and the spread of misinformation. In response, the organization has taken measures to address these concerns, such as establishing a content moderation system and partnering with third-party fact-checkers to enhance their application towards perfection.

Read next: China Predicted to Have 1.6 Billion 5G Connections by 2023
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Twitter Could Give Free Blue Badge Verification To 500 Advertisers And Leading Media Outlets

Twitter is ramping up its efforts to ensure users on the app are verified as the company says it’s one of the major means through which it can keep a check on bots on the app.

Just last week, we saw Elon Musk announce more exclusive features for Twitter Blue Subscribers. The tech billionaire was also seen speaking about how he would be excluding non-paying members from taking part in polls.

And today, we’re hearing the company impose a striking $1000 verification fee for companies using the app. But it’s not that bad because the top 500 advertisers would be attaining it for free. The same would be the case for those companies who are deemed to be a part of the 10,000 most followed firms out there today that attained verification in the past.

The news was confirmed through an internal document that was published by the New York Times today. Therefore, all such accounts that do end up buying verification would now be going through reviews to make sure they were not taking part in any form of impersonation behavior.

The charge in pricing for various firms may actually cause a huge impact on the tech billionaire’s marketing plans. Remember, verification badges are integral tools for firms as they help to establish legitimacy and great credibility on the app. In the same way, they’re serving as indicators of accounts being authentic and assist in developing trust with audience members too.

So if the platform does end up charging this fee for verification, it might make things all the more difficult for those brands that are startups or working on smaller scales to get the badge. And in the end, it would really cause a downfall in their followers who wouldn’t want to engage with them further, assuming they’re unreliable.

But seeing Twitter make these big exceptions for leading advertisers means it can create playing fields that just aren’t even. So many smaller companies would suffer and be overshadowed by the bigger ones.

Twitter made it very clear in December of last year how it would remove its old standards of verification and say hello to newer subscription plans that were paid called Twitter Blue. These old badges are going to be removed on April 1 and the latest update on this front is how many top media outlets claim they’re not interested in joining Musk’s bandwagon.

To help prevent them from feeling left out, Musk has planned to offer them free Blue Verification as mentioned in a new report today.

It’s all thanks to CNN reporter Oliver Darcy who posted through his account on Twitter that the app was going to give leading media firms the verification for free. It’s interesting how these changes are coming when Darcy pointed out that the NYT was a part of those who did not wish to pay any additional monthly fee for the Blue Badge on the app.

Read next: Twitter Will Soon Allow Users To Add Notes To Visuals Attached To Tweets As It Introduces New Pricing Plan For APIs
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Google Reorganizes Its Assistant Team To Direct More Focus On Its AI Chatbot Bard

Google is in no mood of taking a back seat in the AI race as other competitors including OpenAI and Microsoft continue with their winning streaks.

The leading search engine giant is now rethinking its planning and strategies including a complete reshuffle of its entire virtual assistant division that is dubbed Assistant.

The goal is to put more emphasis on its AI-powered chatbot called Bard which may not have gotten the praise and fame that its makers had hoped for. Bard is Google’s answer to innovative AI chat technology.

The news comes after a recent memo was sent out to employees on Wednesday that came with the title, ‘Changes to Assistant and Bard Teams’. Here is where the VP for the company’s Business Unit was seen highlighting some major shuffles to the company which delineated how strongly it planned to focus on Bard.

The memo also sheds light on some changes regarding people leaving the firm for personal reasons and how such shakeups would pave the way to more innovation and different strategies related to Bard.

Those being boarded on as replacements include veterans at Google with 16-year experience including Peeyush Ranjan who overlooked the firm’s commerce department including its payments.

Google says that the teams working at Bard are all the more hopeful that this product has what it takes to stand against other competitors and by working further on its systems and providing better execution, it can create the right kind of impact for users.

• Also read: SEOs Say Bing Chat is Better Than Google Bard

Remember, Google Assistant is the name given to AI-powered VR software apps which possess language processing capabilities that are quite near to that of iPhone maker Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa.

It’s commonly seen on mobile phones as well as other tech devices of home including the Pixel phone and Nest Speakers. Similarly, you can find it in smart display screens, televisions, watches, and vehicles as well.

This new leadership continues to bring about change and it suggests that the organization is making huge plans on combining Bard’s technology into a wide array of other smart products in the near future.

Just last week, we saw Android maker ChatGPT mention to its competitor Bard how this entire ordeal was a trial and they were conducting tests in places like the US and the UK. This was right after we saw a report by CNBC mention how the firm was pulling out members across several divisions so it could put greater focus on Bard after being called Code Red.

Read next: FTC Receives Complaint Against OpenAI’s ChatGPT For Violating Rules Against Deception And Unfairness
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

FTC Receives Complaint Against OpenAI’s ChatGPT For Violating Rules Against Deception And Unfairness

A non-profit organization has launched a complaint against OpenAI’s ChatGPT with the FTC.

CAIDP which is known for advocating its non-profit behavior mentioned in a recent statement how the AI-powered tool was breaking rules left and right that had been set up by the FTC. These rules had to do with unfair treatment and deception.

They called out the makers of the firm for engaging in such behavior and felt it was the right time that the world took notice before it got too late.

This news is breaking because this is the first time that we’re hearing some organizations come forward and make such huge claims against the leading AI firm that has been revolutionizing the tech industry for a while now.

Moreover, the news arrives at a time when we saw big names from the tech industry join hands and offer signatories for an open letter that was directed at top AI labs. The letter called for a temporary pause regarding the training of AI systems that were more powerful than GPT-4 technology.

This complaint was directed toward the Commission to begin an investigation into the matter and see how the latest generation of GPT-4 technology violates the FTC Act. Furthermore, the section explained how there was more guidance on offer about how AI should be run in the country so that it’s a useful endeavor and not one that ends up wreaking havoc and stealing credit from those who have worked hard over the years.

The complaint did not hold back in terms of revealing what it really felt about the matter. And that includes some harsh words to describe how the technology continues to deceive, manipulate, and carry out biased actions on a whole new level. It was also deemed to be a huge hazard to public safety and well-being as well as users’ privacy too.

Quoting OpenAI itself, CAIDP pointed out how the tool can worsen the already annoying trend of misinformation that so many tech giants are failing to control. So the last thing that the world needs right now is a proliferation in this regard.

OpenAI warns that the public is in danger through the hands of AI systems as they can reinforce whole ideologies and truths with untruths while cementing them.

The complaint similarly was seen ripping into ChatGPT’s makers for not carrying out necessary safety checks that are designed to protect the public.

Read next: Study shows, the majority of TikTok users do not appear to find the ads to be an issue
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Study shows, the majority of TikTok users do not appear to find the ads to be an issue

TikTok is the tech giant created by Zhang Yiming, and it has grown to be a vital primary workplace for many content producers all over the world. The fact that this platform offers a number of ways to generate money, including advertising, has made it one of the most well-known social networking applications and attracted a lot of attention from content creators.

If you're looking to drive visitors directly to your account, advertisements might be highly beneficial. Users are not the only ones who benefit from this advertising option; several firms looking to expand their reach also gain from it in a variety of ways.

Nonetheless, some people still appear to find these advertisements annoying. To learn more about it, Statista recently polled 3,663 TikTok users out of a total of 9,992 individuals. It took place in January through December of 2022.

For those who may not be aware, the CEO of this social networking app was overblown with accusations in a congressional hearing on March 23, 2023. U.S. lawmakers alleged that TikTok is linked to the CCP, even though it doesn’t gather any less data than those U.S. based companies. This might be interpreted as the beginning of a Cold War.

To find out how many people are interested in these adverts and how many are bothered by them, the respondents in the poll were given a variety of alternatives. The research revealed that the vast majority of consumers do not mind advertisements, in contrast to TikTokers from the United States who are dissatisfied with this.

According to the study's findings, 38% of users and 34% in total said they are not easily upset by these ads unless they receive free content in exchange. Yet, as indicated by the percentages of 15% and 12%, respectively, many consumers selected the statement that they frequently struggle to distinguish content from advertising.

Moreover, a large number of consumers (28% of users and 18% overall) actually made purchases from the things they saw in TikTok commercials from various celebrities and influencers. And finally, the last option where 18% and 13% of those surveyed never mind when businesses utilize their personal information for advertising purposes.

Read next: TikTok Has Forced Its Competitors To Adopt A Less Lucrative Business Model
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Consumer Spending on Mobile Games Drops 5% Despite Record Breaking Downloads

The mobile gaming industry seemed unstoppable after ten years of nonstop growth, but in spite of the fact that this is the case, the coronavirus pandemic threw a wrench into the works. This created inflation as well as widespread economic turmoil that made growth far more difficult than might have been the case otherwise. Furthermore, user targeting became harder than ever before, which decreased the value of mobile gaming companies around the world.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that mobile gaming downloads just reached an all time high of 89.7 billion. However, despite the record breaking number of downloads, consumer spending on mobile gaming apps decreased by 5% year over year. This seems to suggest that consumers aren’t spending as much money as they used to on mobile games, even though they are downloading them with a higher level of frequency.

One thing to mention here is that the pre-pandemic highs still pale in comparison to 2022’s totals. Back in 2019, consumer spending on mobile games hovered at around $86 billion. On the other hand, gaming apps earned approximately $109.5 billion in 2022.

While this is still roughly half a billion dollars lower than the numbers seen in 2021, it is still a massive $23 billion increase from 2019 with all things having been considered and taken into account. Additionally, a number of individual games such as Genshin Impact are setting new milestones in terms of earnings. Genshin Impact’s lifetime in-app purchases crossed $3 billion in the second quarter of 2022.

Gamers are clearly willing to spend billions on the games of their choice. What’s more, much of the growth in downloads was driven by hyper casual games which are not known for in-app spending from consumers because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up driving away users.

It will be interesting to see if this minor dip continues through to the next year. Even if that occurs, the gaming app industry seems fairly secure in its prospects.

Read next: New Research Says Consumers Are Downbeat About The Economy With 91% Reducing Their Spending
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Here Are the Top Trending Google Keywords for 2023

Marketers need to be aware of all sorts of things because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up allowing them to implement more effective marketing campaigns. Search trends on Google can be instrumental in making marketing campaigns obtain a wider reach than might have been the case otherwise, which is why advertising companies often put a lot of effort into learning as much as they can about them.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that SimilarWeb recently did a deep dive and ascertained which keywords were trending most heavily in 2023 so far. Interestingly, the keyword that topped the charts wasn’t even in English!

Instead, it was the Chinese word for “three body”, and that is all thanks to the upcoming adaptation of the iconic Chinese sci-fi trilogy called the Three Body problem. This keyword was used nearly 320,000 times in January of 2023, which is a whopping 21,000% increase month over month.

Coming in second was the name of US politician Kevin McCarthy who had a really rough time getting elected as the leader of the House of Representatives. His name was searched for over 6.2 million times, which is up 3,459% from the 492,000 times it was used around a month ago. Much of the traffic surrounding Kevin McCarthy went to CNN, with the American news agency receiving a huge boost in hits thanks to their coverage of the political goings on.

Moving on, entertainment related keywords continued to dominate the list of most searched queries. Apart from The Three Body Problem, the HBO series The Last of Us saw a huge uptick in searches as well. Based on the popular videogame, the TV series received well over 25 million searches in January.

Much of this traffic went to Wikipedia, since this is a useful source of information that can tell searchers all they need to know. The fourth entry on this list, which is yet again mass media related, also directed a lot of traffic to the online encyclopedia.

The keyword coming in fourth place was “m3gan”, which is the name of a sci-fi TV show that is currently taking the world by storm. This just goes to show how big of an impact mass media can have with all things having been considered and taken into account. M3gan has been used as a keyword approximately 10.6 million times in January of 2023 alone. That is up 1,160% from search volume seen in December of 2022.

The rise of ChatGPT should have put it in first place, but in spite of the fact that this is the case the AI chatbot only ended up reaching 5th place. That might be due to a lack of widespread awareness, although that still resulted in “chat gpt login” becoming the 5th most widely used keyword in January 2023.

All in all, these search trends can tell marketers a lot about how they should strategize. Using these keywords and targeting them in ad campaigns can help marketers to reach the widest possible audience and potentially bring some traffic to their own sites as well.

Read next: What Are the Most Frequently Searched Terms on Google?
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

New Data Proves Number Of Kids Using TikTok And Snapchat Is Increasing

TikTok and Snapchat are growing in popularity and new regularity data prove how both these leading apps showed an alarming rise in younger audiences.

The statistics were compared by top media regulator Ofcom who showed significant differences in figures when surveying the UK population.

Nearly 50% of the users were between the ages of 3 and 17 and they made use of the app TikTok and Snapchat vigorously when compared to other leading social media platforms.

The figures collected were a part of the regulator’s yearly survey that involved both kids and their parents’ attitudes when using the web.

Moreover, we saw the study notice a small rise in both platforms’ popularity in 2022. And today, TikTok proved that 53% of kids are using the app while the figure is slightly less at 46% for kids. Both these platforms witnessed a rise from the previous years.

Both firms continue to face increased amounts of pressure regarding user safety in the past few months. The issue is alarming as so many governments around the globe are banning the app from devices owned by authorities. There is a great level of anxiety linked to the relationship it holds with China.

On the other hand, Snap was criticized for failing to remove underage users from its app.

This annual report by Ofcom also surveyed the online attitude of kids and parents regarding other leading apps such as YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp. But it was proven how the figures remained steady when compared with stats from the previous years,

Moreover, it was also interesting to note how there was a decline in popularity when looking at Meta’s Facebook app which went down from 40% to just 34% in a year’s time.

Kids of all ages were observed to watch the content of a dramatic theme in various mediums like television shows and even movies, the report continued to mention. Similarly, the regulator explained how there was a proportion of both 3 and 4-year-olds utilizing Snapchat and that had gone up to 17% in the year 2022. This is again up by 12% when compared to the previous year.

A representative from TikTok explained how the government’s bans were linked to a lot of fundamental misunderstandings regarding how the app functions and what safety protocols it has in place.

Moreover, one representative from Snap delineated how criticism regarding its records of younger audiences loving the app was misrepresenting the app’s efforts. It meant that the company has been working long and hard to block and remove countless attempts of young UK-based users to make accounts on Snapchat each month.

The situation is alarming because new studies have gone on to speak about how both of these apps and so many others are influencing the minds of youngsters in a negative manner.

Therefore, such platforms are advised to introduce policies that would help curb the exponential growth in viewership of such underage audiences.

Read next: Global App Market Displays Signs Of Resiliency Despite Economic Headwinds, New Research Proves
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Instagram Allows Users To Make Dedicated Collections With Friends And Enables Sharing Of Stories In Highlights

Instagram is introducing some exciting new changes for its users and here’s what you can expect from the leading social media app soon.

The company says it's rolling out a new endeavor where users can allow dedicated ‘Collections’ while collaborating with those they consider as friends on the app.

This Collections feature is not entirely new. We saw it get launched at the start of 2017 and it’s a great way to highlight posts on the platform. Moreover, it’s also ideal when you want to store content that you adore in a more organized and neat manner.

A post was sent out by the company on Twitter where they shed light on how users can make use of collaborative collections to link with one another over a series of common interests.

The collection gets saved in the group chats and you can now communicate one on one through DMs. In this manner, users get the chance to store an array of posts and share those with each other. With time, users get the option to include more posts and similarly, they can remove any posts that they don’t like from the collection when they want to.

The app hopes to make this feature a more customizable ordeal by allowing users to add labels to the collection along the way too. Instagram says every time a user shares such collections with another, recipients get the chance to include more posts for that collection. This can be taken from their respective feed, DMs, Reels, or the Explore tab.

Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri went public with the news recently and shared more updates on this endeavor through his Updates Channel. For now, the feature is not getting expanding to all at this moment in time. But as revealed by TechCrunch recently, it should be out in no time.

Mosseri elaborated further on the endeavor by claiming the feature is availed by new options that give rise to collaborative collections arising when you save items from your newsfeed or from a DM. Once it’s shared with your respective friend, you can begin to include Reels content or others seen across Instagram’s features to that collection.

Last month, Instagram went public with its Channels project that gives creators greater chances to showcase content to bigger audiences with ease. Those gaining access to capabilities can share different kinds of content like videos, polls, and others with followers.

If you don’t want to, creators can also restrict the audience so only subscribers witness the content, provided they have an Instagram subscription. For now, the service is getting rolled out on mobile phones.

In other pieces of news, Instagram says it’s making way for added convenience for users by enabling Story Shares on Highlights directly.

This means when shared, the story enters the account holder’s Highlights section and will only be visible over there.

This development was spotted by social media expert Alessandro Paluzzi, and his discovery means the platform is working on making the feature live soon.

Read next: Instagram to Allow Group Post Sharing in Meta's Latest Test
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

iPhone 13 Conquers China With 37% of Sales

Apple’s growth rate over these past few years has been nothing short of spectacular, with the trillion dollar tech juggernaut making massive inroads into China among many other emerging markets. It turns out that the latest iteration of Apple’s flagship phone, namely the iPhone 13, was the best selling smartphone in Mainland China with all things having been considered and taken into account.

Overall, the iPhone 13 comprised 37% of Apple’s total sales in China, and 6.6% of the total number of smartphone sold in China. Coming in second is yet another Apple product, namely the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which comprised 2.2% of all smartphones that were purchased in the Chinese mainland, followed by the iPhone 13 pro with 1.9%.

All in all, just under 10% of all of the smartphones that Chinese consumers bought in 2022 were made by Apple, allowing the American company to utterly dominate the top 10 list. In spite of the fact that this is the case, the next 7 companies in this list are all Chinese in origin.

The Honor X30 came in 4th with a 1.8% share, followed by the Oppo A56 5G with 1.7%. Honor entered the again with its Play 30 Plus in sixth place with a 1.6% share which was almost equaled by the Y33s 5G made by Vivo. The Honor 60 received a 1.5% share, the VivoY76s came in 9th place with 1.4%, followed by the Honor Play 20 with just under 1.4%.

Honor’s 6.3% overall share of Chinese smartphone sales is impressive, but it still falls well short of Apple. This seems to indicate that Apple is starting to maintain a firm grip on the Chinese market, since barely any Chinese company is able to compete with it in terms of pure sales.

This is interesting because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up indicating a shift in Chinese purchasing habits. Flagship phones are becoming more prominent, and Apple as always been a major player in that arena. This just goes to show that Apple still has what it takes to dominate the global premium smartphone industry.

H/T: CPR
Read next: Here Are The Most Commonly Googled Health Topics By Americans Today
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Consumer Spending on Mobile Games is 29% Higher Than Pre-Pandemic Statistics

The global pandemic wreaked havoc with a number of economic sectors and industries, but in spite of the fact that this is the case some sectors such as mobile apps and games managed to grow a fair bit. Widespread lockdowns gave gaming apps a boost because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up helping people pass the time.

Many assumed that this growth rate would be a brief boost that would even out and potentially even get negated once the pandemic was over. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that consumer spending on gaming apps is still as much as 29% higher than what it was prior the pandemic!

Based on a report compiled by DataAI, gamers are downloading upwards of 1.2 billion titles on a weekly basis with all things having been considered and taken into account. They are also spending approximately $1.63 billion each and every week, which is a massive increase from the approximately $1.2 billion that was spent weekly in the first quarter of 2020.

One thing to note here is that these numbers are far short of the highs that were seen during the heyday of the pandemic. However, it is still much higher than pre-pandemic levels, which seems to suggest that gaming apps still have a lot of life left in them and that the pandemic highs are not going to go away anytime soon.

A major difference can be seen with respect to iOS apps when compared to Android apps. The Play Store received 29.1 billion downloads in the first quarter of 2023, up 1% year over year. Meanwhile, downloads from the App Store sat at around just 9.1 billion.

• Also read: Global App Market Displays Signs Of Resiliency Despite Economic Headwinds, New Research Proves

That’s a 12% increase from the same quarter last year, but it’s still well short of the quantity of downloads that the Play Store tends to obtain. However, it should also be mentioned that iOS apps, both gaming and otherwise, outstrip Play Store apps in terms of consumer spending. Consumer spending on Play Store apps increased by 4% year over year to reach $12.3 billion.

That’s an impressive number, but consumer spending on iOS apps increased by 6%, which widened the gap between the two and allowed App Store apps to net developers $21.8 billion in the first quarter of 2023 alone.

This seems to indicate that iOS apps earn more, even though they have a lower quantity of downloads overall. With South Korea becoming an ever greater source of consumer spending, all eyes will be on East Asia to drive the industry forward.

Read next: Global Consumer Spending Grows Thanks to Entertainment Apps
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Instagram to Allow Group Post Sharing in Meta's Latest Test

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is reportedly testing a unique segment on Instagram that allows users to share content within private groups. The update, called "Group Post Sharing," was recently highlighted by Pururaj Dutta, on Twitter.

According to him, it allows users to share content with specific communities of people, rather than their entire followers' index. This would enable consumers to share more personal content with a selected group of friends or family, rather than broadcasting it to everyone who follows them.

The attribute is currently in the testing phase and is not yet available to all Instagram users. It is unclear when or if the feature will be rolled out to the general audience globally.

While Instagram already allows consumers to share posts through direct texts, the capability to communicate posts within private communities could be a game-changer for users who prefer to keep their content more private.

The move is part of Meta's ongoing actions to prioritize privacy and user control. Further, according to Mark Zuckerberg, the company is focusing more on privacy and working on several new features that may grant customers more control over their data and online experiences.

The new feature also aligns with Instagram's recent push to emphasize community and connection. The social media platform has been testing multiple unique features in the past months, including a "Close Friends" segment that allows members to share posts with a select group of followers and a "Favorites" feature that lets users curate a list of their favorite accounts.

While the Group Post Sharing update is still in the testing phase, it could have a significant impact on how users interact with the platform. By giving users more control over who sees their content, Instagram may be able to increase user engagement and loyalty.

However, it could also raise concerns about privacy and the potential for private groups to be used for malicious purposes. Instagram will need to carefully balance the benefits of the new feature with the potential risks.

To sum up, the new feature by Instagram is a promising development for Instagram users who value privacy and control over their online experiences. If it is successful in testing, it could be a valuable addition to the platform and a step forward for user-centric social media.

This new feature is just one example of Meta's recent efforts to provide consumers with more control over their social media experiences. With this option, they can enjoy a more targeted and personalized approach to content sharing with the people they choose to connect with on Instagram.

Read next: Global App Market Displays Signs Of Resiliency Despite Economic Headwinds, New Research Proves
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

ChatGPT And Other AI Projects Can Significantly Disrupt Job Markets, New Research Proves

The greatness of AI technology cannot be denied and the tech world continues to be revolutionized by the endeavor.

We’ve seen leading tools and software programs like ChatGPT make it big and hold great significance in making a difference in people’s lives. But with that does come the fear of taking over people’s manual jobs.

New research is shedding light on how the threat of causing significant disruption in the American job market is plenty. But if you think this technology is going to get you fired anytime soon, well, that may not be the case exactly.

The research by Goldman Sachs proves in a new report that around the world, generative AI is doing a great job at exposing nearly 300 million full-time opportunities and converting them into automated means through such endeavors.

The investment bank says that nearly two-thirds of American occupations are getting exposed to a certain degree of this kind of automation and among the jobs exposed, a lot of them have an important share where their workload could well be replaced by AI models.

Similarly, this research reports how one-fourth of the current jobs may well be automated by AI models across the US. And those sectors that appear to be the most at risk include the domains of administrative support, engineering, architecture, and even physical sciences.

But those who deal with the manual and outdoor labor industry would obviously be seeing the least impact.

Thankfully, the research admits that today’s rise in programs like ChatGPT won’t replace most of us. And instead, we will just see it adding AI technology to boost productivity in the workforce.

The impact of AI on labor is major but most jobs are only exposed to such automated endeavors to help complement them and not replace them, the report further explained.

Similarly, we saw the research highlight how the current stats prove that just 7% of American employment would be completely substituted through AI technology linked to that profession. And it would entail it behaving as a complement to this type of work too. Meanwhile, just 30% of the remainder 30% would stay unaffected.

Even when workers don’t lose jobs to such AI initiatives, we see this anticipating how most workers would find better and newer occupations come forward thanks to more people adopting AI technology.

The goal here is to boost productivity across so many sectors. Furthermore, the researchers feel AI models may actually help the world’s economy and boost the total GDP of the country by 7%.

It’s quite interesting how this report is arriving at a time when we saw ChatGPT’s makers, OpenAI carries out its own respective study. It found how so many generative AI programs would disrupt 19% of the overall job industry across America.

So many careers including writing, computer programming, and even language translations are up for grabs of being affected the most and having the greatest impact felt.

But keeping that aside, we need to remember that this research failed to account for a few other factors including the errors that such models make and how the probability is high in that regard.

Read next: Sam Altman Doubles Down on AI Fears Despite Criticism
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Google Is Enhancing Its Search Features So Users Can Better Judge Online Data And Sources

Google is on a mission to better its search features so users can gauge information online with ease and explore various viewpoints.

The search engine giant says it’s so important in today’s day and age to get the right type of data that is correct and can be relied upon. After all, there’s nothing worse than information that’s daunting as the internet keeps on growing and continues to evolve with time.

As a part of the response to such challenges, the tech giant has opted to take on the task to give users a new array of tools to better cope with this ordeal.

Remember, the tech giant has made it very clear that such updates are getting published soon and the list was outlined today for all to see.

It included the likes of introducing ‘about this author’ and an expansion of ‘about this result’. Similarly, it hopes to attain easier access to its ‘about this result’ feature while adding some distinct perspectives to its Top Story endeavor. Lastly, it hopes to incorporate advisories linked to information gaps too.

The news arises at a time when we’re just days away from Global Fact-Checking day which takes place on April 2. Moreover, the significance here is related to giving out the best information literacy and most reliable sources.

For starters, the feature called About this Author is designed to give more background data about the authors providing the information online. Users can simply press on the three-dot icon and get access to details on their experience and other types of content they’ve produced elsewhere on the web.

For now, the feature did not mention how exactly Google attains the details of the author but it’s quite interesting when you come to think of it. But what we do know is that the feature is going to be up for grabs on the search results page in the English language for all soon.

Next, Google is opted to expand it's About This Result offering globally. The feature is going to be up for grabs in various languages. So wherever the search engine is accessible is users, you’ll find a language of that kind.

To avail, users can simply click on the three dots that are featured near the search snippets to attain more data about the information’s source and how Google’s system can deem it to be useful for users.

The goal here is to provide more ways to make users decide which web pages they can visit and which results in they could trust.

Thirdly, we’ve got Google’s New Perspective offering to provide a glimpse of diverse views. The search engine giant says the feature that is dubbed Offering is designed to appear right underneath Top Stories and set out insights from different media personalities including experts, journalists, and some very relevant personalities regarding different search topics.

The offering is designed to set out different types of viewpoints on media topics including current affairs while complementing today’s very authoritative form of reporting that you see in the Top Story feature.

We are expected to see this rollout soon in America for both mobile phones and desktop users.

Next, we’re seeing the tech giant launching it's About This Page that makes data so much more accessible for all. Now, all you need to do is type URLs into the search bar and include data from Google’s About this Page. It’s going to pop up at the top of the Search Results.

The rollout will be global and will appear in English.

Last but not least, Google will put content advisories whenever there is an evolving topic. These would get expansions to different languages to combat information gaps.

Read next: US Federal Judge Says Google Should Be Sanctioned For Not Preserving Chat Messages Between Employees
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

TikTok Goes On The Offensive To Explain How It Has Helped American Businesses As Threat Of US Ban Looms

TikTok is trying to do whatever it can to ward off the threat of a potential ban of the app in the country.

The latest we know so far is how the platform’s CEO was given the chance to testify in front of the Senate and justify why TikTok should still continue with its operations in the country.

But despite its efforts, we’re not quite sure if that is ever going to be enough to convince US lawmakers that a ban is not needed, considering the fact a lot of them have already made up their minds.

It seems like the company has entered the offensive and is still very optimistic about it.

So many key partners are being dealt with in a similar way by the company. They’re holding meetings to give the assurance that despite the gloomy situation, things will work out for the better.

A lot of emphasis is similarly being put on making others realize that TikTok has really come far in terms of providing assistance to the American population. The app says turning Americans’ hobbies into something of a business really shows how keen it is to make them earn revenue and achieve brand growth during financial crunch situations.

But the concern of having potential links with the Chinese is one that is of the most concern. It’s hard to dispel the assumptions of the American government that data is and was shared with the officials in that nation, without taking the consent of users.

Clearly, desperate times call for desperate moves, and in the past week, the app has really doubled its range of stories regarding the benefits it has had on the American economy, and losing it could affect the country big time.

Furthermore, the app’s CEO recently published two more videos through the platform’s main channel. He called the app’s users to come forward and assist in persuading the local reps in the country and lobbying them toward making a decision that would help save this app.

And by the looks of his desperate calls, we feel that this might be a hint of how close the US is toward banning the platform. The goal seems to sway people in the right direction and we’re not too hopeful that this is the way to do it.

Whatever the case may be, only time can tell if the ban is coming or not. And until then, we’re just going to have to sit and watch in silence while the company scrambles in utter chaos and desperation.

Meanwhile, internal reports from Digiday did reveal how the company is similarly carrying out meetings with important advertising partners to show them more information and concerns about the platform.

It appears to be a part of the five-page long document that talks about TikTok providing key information regarding the platform and how it currently works under the management of both the US and Singapore.

Read next: Does America’s TikTok Ban Spell the End of the Open Internet?
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Global App Market Displays Signs Of Resiliency Despite Economic Headwinds, New Research Proves

The global mobile app market is booming as per recent statistics proven by new research.

It’s quite clear that consumers are in no mood of joking around in terms of various apps being launched. The news comes as Q1 for 2023 comes near to a close and that’s where this study highlighted some key trends that viewers may have missed.

As per the study, today’s global app market continues to display some huge signs of resilient behavior. And when you consider how unpredictable the current economic situation is at this moment in time, the industry deserves all the more credit.

Mobile users are predicted to spend more funds across various app stores during this first quarter of 2023. It’s very different from what you might see in other quarters with record figures going as far as $33 billion.

But the past has proven to us how trends are not always positive as seen in the previous Market Pulse Report for their third quarter of 2022.

There was a huge decline YoY during this time. And we can safely conclude that this might stand for a correction in Q1 of this year. Moreover, it’s interesting how it's getting shared through two mobile formats, both iOS and Google Play. The former saw a 4% year-on-year growth while the latter witnessed a great 6% growth.

After that, you saw iOS produce $21.7 billion while Google Play grossed nearly $12 billion.

When you compare that to Apple users, they’re really spending so much more money than Android users. Moreover, iOS was seen accounting for 65% of the total app store outlays with this figure getting higher in non-gaming applications.

iOS represents a staggering 71% share. So as you can tell, this sector is really getting support from the huge demand for subscriptions on the app with the sudden emergency of popular apps that make use of them including Calm.

As far as which categories were seen making it bigger than usual, the answer is Gaming, Entertainment, and Social had people spending the most on them. Moreover, both Editors and Video Players including House and Home as well as Health and Fitness had big QoQ growth of between 20 to 21%.

When compared region-wise, it’s countries like the US, South Korea, and Japan that had consumers spending the greatest number of resources.

This rise in consumer spending for this quarter comes with slow and steady growth in terms of downloads. As a whole, consumers are downloading 38 billion apps in this quarter of 2023 and that’s second to what we saw in Q3 of 2022.

Furthermore, the study revealed how the biggest rise took place on the likes of iOS which saw installs rise 12% YoY to nearly 9 billion.

As expected, the applications which led the market in terms of spending included those that are deemed to be the most popular among users today. And no surprise here to guess that ByteDance’s TikTok cemented its lead. Similarly, the Chinese parent firm’s CapCut even made it big too as people spent the most on both these platforms.

H/T: DataAI

Read next: Global Consumer Spending Grows Thanks to Entertainment Apps
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Global Consumer Spending Grows Thanks to Entertainment Apps

Consumer spending has seen a lot of lows recently, and that is thanks in no small part to the global pandemic. In spite of the fact that this is the case, the years after the pandemic have seen an uptick in consumer spending. While developed countries are still struggling to keep the pace, developing nations and emerging markets have ensured that the growth rate is higher than might have been the case otherwise.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that global downloads saw huge boost due to the pandemic. While the rate of downloads has slowed, it still sits at a far higher number than what was seen prior to the emergence of Covid-19. Africa is looking to be a major player, with its relatively young population set to make the continent a massive market in the next few years or so, as per ST data.

However, one concerning statistic involves a drop in consumer spending on Android apps. In-app purchases and other forms of consumer spends have gone down by 7% year over year. That is largely due to Apple’s anti tracking policies along with inflationary pressures that are hitting consumers in the wallet with all things having been considered and taken into account.

Despite so many headwinds, consumer spending prospects are continuing to look up. Entertainment apps are coming to the fore, with apps like TikTok and YouTube driving a lot of growth in this sector. That suggests that entertainment apps will be an even bigger focus in the coming years, and considering how important Africa is about to become, it stands to reason that the continent will be responsible for a lot of the decisions that are made down the line.

Much of the digital ad spend is going towards TikTok, and that has led to record breaking numbers for the Chinese social media platform. Brand spending is decreasing, but the prospects for 2023 are looking up as brands hope to increase spends after inflationary pressures begin to subside. That will leave TikTok well poised to take over the industry over the next decade.

Read next: Only One Out of Five Consumers Who Installs Financial Platforms, Join Up in The Starting Seven Days
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

AI-powered Language Models Could Disrupt Job Markets, Study Reveals

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning has brought forth a new era of technological creation, converting various aspects of human life. However, a new study suggests that AI-powered language models such as GPTs (Generative Pre-trained Transformers) could have far-reaching importance for the labor market, potentially disrupting industries and rendering many jobs obsolete.

According to the analysis, approximately 19% of employees in the USA can do 50% of their work with the help of such technologies. Further, it also highlights that these models hold the potential to automate a broad range of tasks that are currently performed by humans, including data entry, customer service, and blockchain. This could lead to significant job losses and unemployment in several sectors, particularly in developing countries where labor-intensive jobs are prevalent.

GPTs are deep learning models that use vast amounts of data to generate human-like language responses. They have already been employed in various fields, including natural language processing, chatbots, and predictive text. They have also been used in language translation services and content generation for marketing and advertising purposes.

However, the study suggests that the widespread use of Artificial Intelligence models could lead to unintended consequences. As companies increasingly adopt AI-powered language models, they may replace human workers with them due to their speed, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. This could have significant economic impacts, particularly in countries where jobs are already scarce.

The news also suggests that the displacement of jobs by GPTs could exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities. The most vulnerable populations, including women, people of color, and low-skilled workers, are likely to be the hardest hit by the automation of jobs. This could lead to a widening income gap and further entrench poverty and social exclusion.

Furthermore, the rise of AI-powered tech is also expected to boost the demand for highly skilled workers in fields such as data science, computer engineering, and artificial intelligence. This means that workers who lack the necessary skills and education to work in these fields may struggle to find employment in the future, further widening the skills gap and exacerbating inequalities.

However, some experts argue that the rise of AI and machine learning could also create new opportunities for workers. As certain jobs become automated, new jobs may emerge that require a different set of skills, such as data analysis and programming. This could lead to the development of new industries and the creation of new job opportunities.

Read next: 7 Types of Artificial Intelligence (AI) You May Not Know About
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Scammers Are Offering Fake Shein Gift Cards to Instagram Users

Social media is full of scams, and the most recent scam of all has to do with a popular clothing brand by the name of Shein. Researchers at Avast have found that users from Australia, the UK, Spain, Poland and France along with many other countries have been targeted by scammers with all things having been considered and taken into account.

The initiation of this scam involves a comment being left on a user’s Instagram post. The scammers state that the user is one of a few lucky individuals that are eligible to receive a gift card from Shein in 2023, and that makes victims more susceptible than might have been the case otherwise.

The comment offering the gift card contains a link, and with all of that having been said and now out of the way it is important to note that this link is very dangerous to click on. If you were to go to the link, you will be asked to fill out a survey. Comments from other supposed winners are also shown because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up making the scam seem more legitimate.

Interestingly, there are no right or wrong answers here. Regardless of which answers you end up picking, you will be offered the gift card once all is said and done. Users are then asked to pay a small postage fee so that they can receive the gift card, and that is where the scam starts to become apparent. The amount is neglible, with just £2 to £5 being requested, and the currency changes based on the user’s country of origin.

Of course, the whole point of this scam is to get thousands of users to give a few dollars each. The scammers won’t have to provide anything in return, and the amount is so small that many users might just forget about it or avoid dealing with it.

Users need to be educated about these scams. Shein will definitely want to take a look at this, since it can wreak havoc with their brand image.

Read next: These are the most used social media messaging apps globally
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

AR/VR Headsets May Heat Up Until 2027 despite This Year's Slower Growth

Since its launch in 2016, augmented and virtual reality headset sales have risen rapidly.

According to analysts at IDC, the market for augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) headsets will grow less rapidly in 2023 than anticipated. The company forecasts 10.1 million headset shipments globally this year, up 14% from 2022. Nonetheless, the estimated 32.6% cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) for 2023–2027 indicates that demand may rise in the next few years.

The epidemic has significantly influenced the education sector, where remote learning is now standard practice. Students who want to learn new information and interact with classmates in an immersive fashion are more interested in AR/VR technology.

Gamers also use AR/VR headsets for gaming as they search for more immersive experiences beyond conventional controller-based gaming systems. VR headsets give consumers a more lifelike gaming experience thanks to increased graphics and sound quality.

Furthermore, businesses are also starting to explore how AR/VR technology can be used for training purposes or even as tools for remote collaboration between teams in different locations worldwide. It could open up opportunities for headset makers who can provide solutions tailored towards such use cases.

Overall, while the current economic conditions are suppressing demand for AR/VR headsets, there is potential for growth in the coming years if manufacturers can create products that meet customer needs both from a price point and features perspective.

As we head into 2024, virtual and augmented reality technology improvements are expected to continue despite the challenging economic environment. While several consumer-facing firms, like Xiaomi, Oppo, and TCL, intend to increase awareness of augmented reality over the next 12 to 18 months, Sony's debut of their PSVR2 system will be a significant step forward for VR adoption.

However, because of the difficult market conditions, standalone VR headsets might see certain growth limitations. The demand for standalone VR headsets increased during the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 as individuals looked for ways to pass the time at home. It created an unfriendly climate for comparable growth rates in 2022; instead, IDC forecasts that tethered VR and AR headsets will be more successful due to sluggish sales numbers this year.

Furthermore, the development of 5G technology has enabled wireless VR capabilities. The new tech will reduce latency and provide more immersive VR headsets experiences. It could be a powerful catalyst for the wider adoption of virtual reality headsets in 2022, as it makes them easier to use and sets them apart from their tethered counterparts.

The year 2022 is shaping up to be crucial for virtual reality and augmented reality applications, with many industry insiders seeing a boom in usage mostly because of the developments in 5G technology. To capitalize on this technology, businesses will probably release new VR and AR goods, while existing hardware producers will focus more on enhancing the headgear experience.

Read next: According To The Recent Survey U.S. Ad Market Struggles for Eighth Month in a Row
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

6 reasons why blockchain companies need PR services

As with any business hoping to achieve success, blockchain companies need PR services to stand out from the competition and position their brand.

And these aren’t the only reasons to use blockchain PR strategies. Other important aspects impact this need in Latin America, as we’ll see in this text. But first, let’s look at what blockchain is, and how it has impacted the Latin American market.

What is Blockchain?

The clue is in the name. Blockchain unites the words “block” + “chain”. Virtual currency transactions are recorded in batches, known as blocks, and stored in the blockchain.

Each block has a unique mathematical code, called a hash, which serves as its fingerprint. The blocks are linked together in chronological order, forming a chain of blocks that creates an unbreakable and trustworthy record.

With advanced authentication and security features, combined with easy integration in a number of scenarios, blockchain technology offers great potential as a reliable alternative.

Blockchain in Latin America

Cryptocurrency adoption is growing rapidly in Latin America. Brazil has taken the lead in the region and is ranked 5th globally.

The country received close to $150 billion in cryptocurrencies last year, ahead of other Latin American countries like Argentina (ranked 13th), Colombia (15th), Ecuador (18th) and Mexico (28th) in the Chainalysis global cryptocurrency rankings.

Trust in blockchain technology varies by country and demographics, but generally speaking, it is growing in the region as more people become aware of its potential benefits and use cases.

Latin America stands out due to its embrace of blockchain technology. One possible reason for this is a lack of trust in traditional financial institutions.

Argentina

In Argentina, approximately 1.3 million people already use cryptocurrencies, and the country ranked 10th in the 2021 Global Cryptocurrency Adoption Index by Chainalysis.

Brazil

In Brazil, cryptocurrency adoption has skyrocketed, increasing from 2 million people to 10 million in 2022. It is estimated that 4.9% of the Brazilian population owns cryptocurrencies, and the country is quickly joining the Web3 revolution with a growing interest in NFTs.

Colombia

Colombia currently has 60 cryptocurrency ATMs in operation, the most of any Latin American country according to CoinATMRadar. In addition, the 2020 Statista Global Consumer Survey found that over 15% of Colombians have used or owned cryptocurrencies.

Cryptocurrency regulation is becoming more favorable in the country, with the government taking steps to reduce the regulatory gray area.

El Salvador

El Salvador became the most supportive blockchain ecosystem in Latin America in 2021, with the creation of a Bitcoin Law making it the first country to accept cryptocurrency as legal tender.

The country has 52 Bitcoin reforms currently under review, solidifying its regulatory leadership in the Latin American blockchain ecosystem.

Panama

Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Paraguay are among the other countries exploring friendly regulations for Web3 builders. In Panama, regulations are expected to pass later this year, while Brazil is discussing a bill for cryptocurrency operations in Congress and offering tax incentives for the mining industry with the use of renewable energy and carbon offsetting.

Costa Rica & Paraguay

Costa Rica lets employees receive wages in cryptocurrencies, and companies receive payments in them, while Paraguay is moving towards regulating the industry with legislation for virtual asset providers, cryptocurrency mining and tokens.

Venezuela

Venezuela has its own cryptocurrency, Petro, and has a dedicated governmental department for regulating cryptocurrencies in the country, Sunacrip. In Venezuela, users need a license to mine or trade crypto.

6 reasons why blockchain companies need PR services

Last but not least, here are some of the many reasons why a blockchain business should seek to hire PR services. PR can:

Differentiate

Help companies stand out from their competitors by highlighting their unique value proposition and market positioning, in order to gain prominence and trust among target audiences in this new market, which still arouses great distrust among Latin American consumers.

Increase visibility

Increase the visibility of blockchain companies by amplifying their message to a wider audience, via media outlets and other communication channels.
Build credibility

Build credibility by providing a third-party endorsement of their products, services, and values.

Manage reputations

Manage a company's reputation by controlling the spread of negative information and promoting positive stories.

Educate

Educate the public about the benefits and uses of blockchain technology, which is still a relatively new concept for many people.

Build relationships

Build relationships with key stakeholders, including investors, customers, and partners, by promoting the company's message and achievements.

Final Thoughts

Every company looking to stand out and stay competitive in the market needs the assistance of a PR agency. PR agencies can define specific strategies for any business, aimed at the audience they want to reach, and help position blockchain companies as leaders in this space while increasing their competitiveness.

In Latin America in particular, blockchain companies need PR services due to the region's rapidly growing market for blockchain-based solutions and its growing need for transparency and trust in financial transactions.
by Web Desk via Digital Information World