A Tale of Social Media Surges as Bluesky Rides High as X Charges

Even the mightiest challengers can fail in the ever-changing landscape of social media, and when they do, it's the nimble contenders that take the moment. Bluesky, the ambitious competitor to X (previously known as Twitter), suddenly found the spotlight courtesy of none other than the mysterious Elon Musk.

Consider this: September 18, 2023, will go down in digital history as a watershed moment. Elon Musk, the X empire's tech titan, stands in front of a live-streamed audience to announce a paradigm shift in the Twitterverse. To combat the "vast armies of bots" that had penetrated his domain, Musk said that X users would now have to pay a small monthly charge to access the site.

The reaction was fast, and the X fans were not pleased. They rushed to Twitter alternatives, with Bluesky being their preferred haven. Following Musk's membership declaration, Bluesky saw a striking ascent in new sign-ups, adding up to an outshining 53,585 newcomers toward the finish of Tuesday, September 19. This flood represented a critical 5% of Bluesky's general client base, which floats around 1.13 million records.

The analytics firm Similarweb corroborated these findings with a report that sheds light on Bluesky's meteoric rise. On the day Musk made his announcement, the Android app alone had half a million daily active users. The number of daily active users on Android increased by 20.6%, but an estimate for iOS users is still elusive.

Bluesky's web app received over 775,000 daily visitors, a 30% increase from the previous day. On September 19, the network passed the 1 million daily visitor mark, surpassing its previous high of 811,000 users on July 1, 2023. Another X-related dispute had erupted at the time when temporary rate limits were imposed on the number of tweets users could view.

Bluesky clearly thrives in the aftermath of X's setbacks, but not all Twitter alternatives do. When X experiences turbulence, competitors such as Instagram Threads and Mastodon do not appear to benefit in the same way. On September 18, Meta's new Twitter clone had 8.3 million daily active users, the same as the previous day. However, it is still far behind its peak usage, which occurred immediately after its inception.

What's noteworthy is Bluesky's unwillingness to seize these possibilities to grow its user base. Despite having just passed the one million user mark, Bluesky remains an invite-only site. One can only wonder how much more significant the increase in usage would have been had Bluesky opened its doors to all interested parties.

Not to mention that Elon Musk recently boasted about X's massive user base, which now stands at a mind-boggling 550 million monthly active users. With its 1 million users, Bluesky looks to be a tiny blip on the radar. As per data.ai, X has 135 million worldwide month-to-month dynamic users, while Mastodon uninhibitedly uncovered its month-to-month dynamic client figures, which currently stand at 1.7 million.

Regardless of being the biggest of the microblogging organizations, X seems, by all accounts, to be worried about its market position as the result of its rebranding. While trying to support its Application Store rankings, the business recently added "previously Twitter" to its Application Store portrayal. This change supplanted the past expression, "Blaze your glory," which did close to nothing to work on its standings.

The tides can change in an instant in the ever-changing realm of social media. Bluesky stands as a testament to the adage that it's not necessarily the size that matters but how you navigate the digital currents as X navigates the treacherous waters of rebranding. In a world where IT titans can falter, nimble competitors have their turn in the spotlight.

Read next: New Survey Says AI Implementation Sees A Surge In Investments With Positive Responses From Employees
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

New Study Reveals How to Break into The Top Ten on Google’s SERP

Getting listed on Google is a prime concern for website owners because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up allowing them to get far more eyes on their content in the long run. However, the process of reaching the SERP is in and of itself relatively challenging. Furthermore, cracking into the top ten on the very first page of the SERP is a different matter entirely, and many website owners struggle to figure it out.

A new study released by Semrush sought to demystify the techniques and tactics that can be used to rank as highly as possible on Google’s SERP. In order to gather the data, the researchers contributing to this study analyzed over 28,000 web domains that covered a wide range of areas and niches. Out of all of these websites, just 7.65% managed to stay in the top ten for the entire duration of the 13 month long study.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that the vast majority of the top 100 sites that stayed in their positions for all 13 months had at least one backlink leading to them. 92.3% of these websites used backlinks to great effect, which just goes to show that this is a fundamental aspect of managing your SEO that can lead to amazing results if used in an appropriate manner.

Now, breaking into the top ten is no mean feat, but staying there for any extended period of time can be excessively challenging with all things having been considered and taken into account. For one thing, just 19% of all websites were able to stay within the top ten past six months. After this period elapsed, most websites began to fall off the radar due to one reason or another. This might indicate that a consistent and proactive approach is usually required to keep things running smoothly.

To expand on the benefits of backlinks a bit further, 55.1% of domains that were unable to enter the top ten at any point during this study did not have any backlinks. As a result, establishing a few backlinks should be the first step that you should take in order to start moving in a positive enough direction.

Another thing that might be useful in pushing ever upwards in search engine results page rankings is ascertaining which keyword length you should strive to aim for. Based on the findings presented within this study, sites that entered the top ten had keywords that were between 3.2 and 3.5 words long on average. This suggests that overly long keywords are not the right way to go, especially now that Google is prioritizing quality over quantity each and every time.

However, that’s not to say that the content itself can’t be long form. While a relatively short keyword is enough to do the trick, top ranking content was about 3.5 times longer than the bottom ranking content. As a result, website owners should ideally try to create comprehensive articles that are packed with information and only use keywords when they are absolutely necessary. A qualitative approach is essential here in order to make headway.

It might be tempting to go for the long haul and try to stay in the top ten for as long as possible, but the data suggests that it might be too difficult. Just 5% of all sites can stay on the first page for an entire year, and the intense competition in this space could create considerable hurdles on numerous fronts.

Top ten ranking sites stand to gain a lot, since they can draw 4,000 organic visitors every month just from Google search. With 44.9% of sites reaching the top ten at some point or another, not to mention how critical backlinks were to this accomplishment, it might be a good idea to start focusing on them rather than the old school keyword stuffing approach.

Getting referrals from other domains can also be a big boost, as would keeping keyword size to the right level. A research heavy approach can come in clutch here, since there are far too many moving parts to figure things out as they proceed.

Read next: Title Tags With Keywords Have 85% Chance of Top 5 Spot on Google’s SERP
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

New Survey Says AI Implementation Sees A Surge In Investments With Positive Responses From Employees

A new survey rolled out by ABBY is speaking about the widespread implementation of AI technology and that continues to see a rise in terms of investments by top IT firms and associated executives.

The survey displayed how the increase was greater in regions like the US, France, the UK, and even Germany.

Moreover, the study took into consideration the budget as well as the returns on investments linked to AI implementation, and that saw some very positive replies being produced. Common examples worth mentioning included happiness from workers, innovation, as well as the value of the work carried out.

Clients would certainly have something to celebrate as more than 50% of leaders who took part in this study spoke about the benefits that the world of AI has brought forward for them. And that includes projects and offerings of better quality, alongside quicker delivery of goods to clients.

Meanwhile, more than one-third of them also spoke about how there was better customer service providence as well, where close to one-third of them had positive results in such a circumstance.

Such results of this survey are really going a long way in terms of unveiling the bigger and brighter future related to AI technology.

More investments are being taken advantage of in the AI domain including intelligent automation with middle to large-scale firms at the top of the list in terms of bigger budgets.

The report showed how 57% of executives did hope to gain at least two times the returns on the funds invested in this domain. And we saw how automation through AI produced such returns for nearly 47% of those participating in this study.

Most of these incredible results are linked to the advantages that arise with intelligent automation. And 52% of those surveyed added that better efficiency was the highest achievement for implementation, followed by better productivity.

It’s all a very interesting topic and one where those surveyed spoke about the biggest limitation or barrier being linked to the tendency to resort back to old-age methods of getting things done right. Moreover, 31% did speak of this reason and they didn’t understand why people were just so reluctant to go back to old ways when they could benefit greatly from newer and better technology.

Whatever the case may be, the future seems super bright with the adoption of AI technology as close to 90% of firms are making the most of it. And among those, 37% are already making plans to use it for the next 3 to 5 years without fail.

Remember, small-scale firms tend to keep client experience at the top of their list of priorities, alongside processes where sales are generated through automated means. This appears to be the right business model strategy adopted for this year to generate more revenue across the board.

It would also assist in lowering liabilities including the likes of rent as well as subscriptions for software systems.

But the process is a long one and certainly not easy to implement. This is reflected in the fact that small-scale firms are likely to only plan out business strategies involving AI for the next one to two years.

As a whole, this new study put one important thing in the spotlight and that’s linked to how firms of all scales witnessed close to an 80% rise. Most of it has to do with necessary automation and therefore AI.

For this reason, the world of AI continues to strike out as a highly competitive practice for today’s modern-day businesses.

Read next: What Countries Are Winning in the Race for AI Domination?
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Google is Removing Rich Results to Simplify the SERP

One of the main trends that could be seen in Google’s SERP over the past few years or so was the addition of numerous rich results. These refer to things like How To sections, FAQs, related queries and the like, and Google was attempting to use them to make its SERP more informative than might have been the case otherwise. In spite of the fact that this is the case, it turns out that Google is doing a bit of a U-turn in this regard.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that these rich results have slowly started to disappear from the SERP. Such a trend is notable because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up indicating that Google is trying to clean the SERP up after years of trying to add more and more features to it that hardly any users asked for.

How To and FAQ sections might soon become a thing of the past. Some are saying that this is part of Google’s wider plan to start offering AI powered answers instead, although Gary Illyes suggested that this isn’t necessarily what is going on with all things having been considered and taken into account.

According to the statements made by this top ranking Google Exec, the company isn’t trying to pave the way for more AI oriented features in the future. Rather, they are trying to return to the simplicity of the older results page, and that will surely allow users to have a much more seamless experience without nearly as many distractions.

Google has frequently been criticized for trying to prevent users from clicking away from its page. This seems like a positive step in the right direction since it will allow more traffic to be diverted to the sites themselves. Furthermore, it will probably force SEO professionals to readjust their tactics and adapt to the new normal without relying on rich results to get the hits that they need to make their sites profitable.

Read next: Google's Search Shenanigans: AI Content vs. the Real Deal
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Pinterest Optimized: A look into its new personalised and recommendations tools

Creativity has driven humanity from bleak, mere nothingness to extraordinary inventions, discoveries and artistic self-creations to express the highest level of human emotion. However, seeking the flow state of being creative takes time and requires several years of dedication to perfect the craft of making something meaningful. But technological advancements have made life easy for us, both in the materialistic and creative sense.

Pinterest is one of the most interactive platforms that allows people to share images, ideas, information, recipes, DIY home decor and styles. The most considerable thing about Pinterest is that it is a platform to exchange ideas and gives people a creative push whenever they feel stuck on the creative path.

Recently, Pinterest has made its platform more interactive by initiating more recommendations and personalised tools. The tech engineers use AI to enhance their opportunity levels and overall user engagement.

This week, Pinterest gave an overview covering all the details spread over 158 presentation slides of its futuristic plan and how it will develop itself, along with principles that will be applied. The Pinterest meeting was held this week to celebrate the 2023 Investor Day.

The core principle that Pinterest will build itself upon will be a merge of 3 main core domains as the company will integrate search, social media and commerce to create a more visually discoverable platform.

Pinterest is now using a save and search helping tool to optimise its recommendation system further, massively increasing user activity and eventually bringing more investment opportunities.

Another massive change in the new approach is the cookie-less future, allowing brands to associate with fewer third-party data. Due to the cookie-less feature, the platform is now more focused on retail advertisement as it will generate more revenue.

According to the official statement by the Pinterest team, the utilisation of AI-driven optimisation will support the ads delivery funnel. Since 2022, the platform has increased its model size by 100x, fostering more interactive, engaging and relevant ads to the user.

The video content that Pinterest offers is also optimised, with 170% more video uploads each year. Furthermore, mobile deep linking that allows brands to redirect users to their websites has caused a 235% increase in conversion rates.

The user base of Pinterest is broadly spread over all demographical areas, with 45 million active monthly users globally. 79% of the 45 million users are international. The representative audience for the platform is 67% and 42% Gen Z. There are 2.4 times more saves by Gen Z than any other generation.

Read next: Instagram Will Exceed Facebook’s Ad Spend By 2024 Despite Apple’s App Tracking Measures
by Ahmed Naeem via Digital Information World

Instagram Will Exceed Facebook’s Ad Spend By 2024 Despite Apple’s App Tracking Measures

The introduction of Apple’s app tracking transparency protocol threatened to disrupt the delicate balance of the digital ad ecosystem. Many considered Facebook and Instagram’s business models to be obsolete because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up depriving them of data. However, Instagram has managed to recovery fairly quickly from the sudden change. Research suggests that it might even surpass Facebook as early as 2024 in terms of total ad spend.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that Instagram’s ad spend is slated to reach a whopping $70.9 billion in 2024 if the current trend persists. Back in 2017, this number sat at just around $3.4 billion, indicating a massive explosion that has taken Instagram to never before seen levels of revenue. Between 2017 and 2021, ad spend increased from $3.4 billion to $48.3 billion.

Growth slowed between the years of 2021 and 2022 with ad spends going from $48.3 billion to $51.1 billion, when ATT rocked the industry in no small measure. In spite of the fact that this is the case, Instagram got some of its momentum back by posting a $10 billion increase in ad spends this year. With the risk of operating in a brand new landscape more or less averted, Instagram is set to break all records in 2024 with all things having been considered and taken into account.

The growth rate this year for Instagram sits at around 19.7%, with the fourth quarter showing a growth rate of 25.8% year over year. The predictions for next year suggest that brands will spend 16% more on Instagram in 2024, far higher than might have been the case otherwise. While this is not quite as impressive of a growth rate as the one for 2023, it still shows that platforms like Instagram are able to navigate the new normal. The fact that Instagram is surpassing Facebook might be a sign of the paradigm shifts that are about to occur in the social media industry this decade.

Read next: These Are Top 10 Social Media Platform by Traffic and Time Spent
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Addressing Workplace Discrimination as TikTok Under Scrutiny for Alleged Racism and Retaliation

TikTok, the social media powerhouse known for its dynamic and varied user base, is embroiled in a cloud of controversy as two former Black employees come out with claims of racial discrimination and retaliation. Nnete Matima and Jol Carter, both former workers of TikTok's parent firm ByteDance, submitted a formal complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to have their accusations investigated. Their stories shed light on the industry's continued struggles with diversity and inclusion.

TikTok: A Platform Rooted in Black Culture

Nnete Matima was initially intrigued by TikTok due to its strong ties to Black culture and the incredible ingenuity of Black creators who helped shape the platform. TikTok officially declared its support for the Black community in the aftermath of George Floyd's sad murder in 2020, which resonated with Matima's principles. Her experience at ByteDance, however, took a worrying turn when she claims to have encountered a poisonous and discriminatory work atmosphere.

Matima's experience is not isolated. Joël Carter, another former ByteDance employee, shares a similar narrative. Despite TikTok's acknowledgement of the significance of Black creators and its commitment to promoting diversity, both Matima and Carter contend that their experiences within the company were far from inclusive.

Allegations of Discrimination and Retaliation

Matima believes her manager called her a "black snake" behind her back, creating excessive expectations compared to her white classmates. She claims that the maltreatment increased when she expressed her concerns through the proper channels. On the other hand, Carter dealt with issues of salary inequity and workplace exclusion. He claims he was underpaid in comparison to his coworkers and that his concerns resulted in retaliation in the form of reduced responsibilities.

The formal complaint filed with the EEOC outlines a pattern of behavior by TikTok. It alleges that the company denied the discrimination suffered by Matima and Carter, failed to address the issues, conducted superficial investigations, stripped them of work responsibilities, and ultimately terminated their employment in retaliation for their complaints.

TikTok's Response

TikTok issued a statement in response to the charges, stressing its commitment to addressing employee concerns and preserving a workplace free of discrimination, harassment, and retribution. The corporation highlights its long history of fostering diversity and inclusion.

The Impact on Mental Health

Carter's TikTok experience had a negative impact on his mental health, resulting in depression symptoms. He highlighted overpowering feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, emphasizing the severe effect employment discrimination has on an individual's well-being.

The Path Forward

Matima and Carter have chosen to go public with their experiences, motivated by a sense of moral obligation to shed light on the issues they faced. They hope that by sharing their stories, they can inspire others who may be enduring similar challenges to speak out and demand change.

The charges against TikTok serve as a sharp reminder that discrimination and bigotry remain even in sectors focused on innovation and advancement. As the tech industry wrestles with the burden of creating inclusive workplaces, incidences like these highlight the significance of confronting racial discrimination head-on.

While TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon with over 150 million American users, it must also grapple with the internal challenges of fostering a truly inclusive and equitable workplace. The EEOC investigation will shed further light on the allegations made by Matima and Carter, and its outcome may have far-reaching implications for how tech companies address workplace discrimination in the future.

In a constantly changing digital ecosystem where diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but fundamental ideals, the IT industry must continue to confront and correct discrimination. Matima and Carter's experiences serve as a poignant reminder that the journey toward fairness and inclusivity is far from complete, requiring concerted work, accountability, and a commitment to change at all levels of an organization.

Read next: These Are Top 10 Social Media Platform by Monthly Traffic and Time Spent
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World