Social Platform Updates: 2022 Recap
2022 was a landmark year for social media platforms. BeReal's spontaneity and dual camera format took the world by storm. Facebook and Instagram leaned into Reels. TikTok launched ad revenue sharing and a Friends tab. Elon Musk acquired Twitter. And YouTube doubled down on Shorts.
Each month, I publish a summary of the latest feature releases and major updates from social platforms. Here's a look back at what made headlines in 2022:
Amazon 📦
✦ Announced Amp, a live audio app for users to create radio shows.
✦ Launched its Inspire app with a TikTok-like feed of shoppable content.
Clubhouse 👋
✦ Added a text-based reply option for users who don't want to participate in a voice discussion.
✦ Added a protected profile setting to limit profile visibility to certain followers.
✦ Rolled out a private groups feature called “Houses.”
Discord 💬
✦ Expanded premium memberships and added an analytics dashboard with membership revenue.
✦ Released server subscriptions in the U.S.
Facebook 👍
✦ Launched its short-form video format, Reels.
✦ Announced polls, quizzes, and scheduling tools for Reels.
✦ Expanded the max length of Reels from 60s to 90s.
✦ Extended its 0% cut of creator earnings through 2024.
✦ Launched a virtual goods store for FB, IG, and Messenger.
✦ Deprecated its live shopping features and standalone FB Gaming app.
✦ Added cross-posting for Instagram Reels on Facebook.
✦ Tested a live-streaming platform called Super (think Twitch meets Cameo), which will shut down on Feb 15, 2023.
✦ Unveiled a “Top fans” option to share exclusive content with top subscribers.
✦ Announced plans to retire its newsletter feature Bulletin in early 2023.
✦ Forced to sell GIPHY by the UK's anti-competition watchdog CMA.
Instagram 📷
✦ Launched creator subscriptions for fans to financially support their favorite creators.
✦ Expanded its 'Remix' feature from Reels to all IG video formats.
✦ Deprecated the Instagram TV video format and accompanying IGTV app.
✦ Introduced chronological feeds and "favorites" feeds for all users.
✦ Pulled its Boomerang and Hyperlapse from app stores.
✦ Rolled out new tags to help BIPOC and other underrepresented creators receive credit for their work.
✦ Enabled creators to assign a moderator during IG Live streams.
✦ Tested full-screen video home feeds a la TikTok.
✦ Added support for NFTs.
✦ Enhanced parental controls to allow parents to set off-limit hours.
✦ Announced new IG Subscriptions features, including exclusive feed posts + Reels, subscriber chats, and an exclusive tab on a creator’s profile.
✦ Launched the ability to buy products and track orders in DMs.
✦ Added a searchable map.
✦ Released an IG creator marketplace to select brands on an invite-only basis.
✦ Launched a dual camera feature and "Candid Challenges" a la BeReal.
✦ Scaled back its shopping features and ended its creator affiliate program.
✦ Added a post scheduling feature.
✦ Unveiled an in-app media kit called Creator Portfolio.
✦ Added virtual gifting to Reels.
✦ Debuted IG Achievements (a la Snapchat).
✦ Rolled out Notes (ephemeral text posts) worldwide. Notes are limited to 60 characters, only viewable by friends, and vanish after 24 hrs.
LinkedIn 🤝
✦ Debuted its own podcast network.
✦ Released an audio events feature for LinkedIn creators.
✦ Added support for links at the top of creator profiles.
✦ Unveiled a new Discover tab to find people and content outside their network.
✦ Enabled clickable links within images and videos.
✦ Added a carousel format and design templates.
✦ Introduced pinned comments.
✦ Added a new Document ads format focused on lead generation.
✦ Launched auto captions for videos (English only for now).
✦ Released in-app post scheduling.
✦ Unveiled new creator mode analytics, including follower growth over time, audience demo breakdowns, and top posts performance.
OnlyFans 🔒
✦ Added support for NFT profile pictures.
✦ Partnered with Teespring to allow creators to sell personalized merch.
Pinterest 📌
✦ Introduced a personalized shopping page called "Your Shop."
✦ Enabled users to export videos to share on other social platforms.
✦ Launched a new live-streaming app for creators called Pinterest TV Studio.
✦ Acquired AI shopping platform THE YES.
✦ Released its collage-making app Shuffles publicly.
✦ Ended its creator rewards program.
Reddit 👽
✦ Revamped its mobile app and added a Discover tab.
✦ Launched a marketplace for NFT profile pics.
✦ Added support for GIFs in comments via GIPHY.
✦ Enabled users to mute subreddits on Android and iOS.
✦ Added support for images in subreddit comments.
Snapchat 👻
✦ Introduced a creator revenue share for ads in Stories.
✦ Finally made it possible to change your username.
✦ Released a new buddy system to share real-time location data with friends.
✦ Partnered with Ticketmaster to match users with live events in their area.
✦ Launched Director Mode, which includes editing tools like green screen and dual camera recording.
✦ Partnered with Cameo to connect brands with creators to produce video ads.
✦ Launched a Dynamic Ads Service to personalize ads to each user.
✦ Added replies to Spotlight videos.
✦ Unveiled a $3.99 subscription called Snapchat Plus that offers exclusive content and early access to new features.
✦ Testing mid-roll ads in Stories.
✦ Halted future development of its flying camera, Pixy.
✦ Introduced new Snapchat+ features, such as priority Story replies, custom notification sounds for friends, Bitmoji backgrounds, and new homescreen app icons.
✦ Added a dual camera feature a la BeReal.
✦ Rolled out Lock Screen Widgets for one-tap messaging.
✦ Released Chat Shortcuts to pin unread Snaps and missed calls to the top of the Chat window.
✦ Unveiled Question Stickers for audience polls in Stories.
✦ Partnered with Amazon for AR shopping.
✦ Announced a lenses monetization program for AR creators.
Substack ✍️
✦ Enabled select writers to upload or record videos.
✦ Released a recommendations feature to help writers promote one another's content.
✦ Announced audio features, e.g. voice overs for posts and support for multiple audio files.
✦ Working on a text-to-speech tool to read articles.
✦ Added bestseller badges to indicate a newsletter's paid subscriber volume.
TikTok ♪
✦ Added Stories to its 'For You' page.
✦ Expanded its max video length to 10 minutes.
✦ Launched a music distribution platform called SoundOn for artists to earn royalties when their songs are used in TikTok videos.
✦ Partnered with GIPHY on a new video creation tool called TikTok Library.
✦ Launched TikTok Pulse, enabling brands to run ads against top content in the For You feed. Creators with 100K+ followers are eligible for monetization with a 50/50 revenue split.
✦ Replaced the Discover tab with Friends.
✦ Announced a paid subscriptions feature for creators that are 18+ and have 1K+ followers.
✦ Rolled out TikTok Insights, an interactive audience insights platform.
✦ Launched personalized avatars a la Bitmoji and Memoji.
✦ Added content filters and maturity ratings to improve app safety.
✦ Released auto-generated closed captions.
✦ Partnered with Ticketmaster for in-app ticket purchases.
✦ Announced an in-app Elections Center with local voting information.
✦ Rolled out a text-to-image AI generator.
✦ Tested a Nearby feature to surface local content to users.
✦ Launched a BeReal copycat called TikTok Now, which is available as a standalone app outside the U.S.
✦ Added a dislike button to comments.
✦ Partnered with TalkShopLive to expand its live shopping platform TikTok Shop in USA & CA.
✦ Added support for carousels (Photo Mode).
✦ Partnered with Linktree to help creators showcase up to 6 videos in a new Profile Kit tool.
✦ Added Creator Marketplace recommendations to suggest relevant creators.
✦ Added showtimes & theater information under movie trailers.
✦ Introduced new editing tools, e.g. stacking, trimming, & splitting videos, sounds, & sound effects.
✦ Increased the minimum age for live streaming to 18.
✦ Announced adult-only livestreams, though nudity & sexually explicit content are still prohibited.
✦ Added a games tab on the homepage.
✦ Tested a horizontal fullscreen mode a la YouTube.
Tumblr 📝
✦ Launched a tipping feature to help bloggers receive money from their supporters.
✦ Reversed its nudity ban, though the platform still prohibits sexually explicit content.
✦ Released a live-streaming feature called Tumblr Live for iOs and Android.
Twitch 🎮
✦ Enabled users to track and appeal account bans.
✦ Unveiled a native fundraising tool called Twitch Charity.
✦ Removed its exclusivity requirement for streamers, albeit with certain restrictions to discourage simulcasting on YouTube and Facebook Live.
✦ Created a Cues feature to give streamers real-time audience insights, suggestions, and reminders.
✦ Revised monetization terms for popular streamers, from a flat 70% revenue share to 70% on the first $100K and then a reduced 50% split.
✦ Rolled out its co-streaming Guest Star feature globally.
✦ Announced Shield Mode, which allows streamers to turn on custom safety settings.
Twitter 🐦
✦ Launched NFT profile pictures for Twitter Blue subscribers.
✦ Introduced new labels to help users identify "good bots."
✦ Launched "Safety Mode" to allow users to block harmful accounts.
✦ Rolled out its "Professional Account" setting to all users.
✦ Made DMs searchable.
✦ Introduced a Creator Dashboard to help creators manage their earnings.
✦ Announced a pilot with Stripe to pay select users in crypto.
✦ Introduced a crisis misinformation policy to hide misleading tweets from high-profile accounts.
✦ Launched Twitter Create with resources for creators.
✦ Added special tweets for online merchants to tease product launches.
✦ Partnered with Shopify to enable shopping features on Twitter profiles.
✦ Testing a CoTweets feature that allows users to co-author a tweet with another account.
✦ Rolled out Twitter Circles (private groups of up to 150 people) to all users.
✦ Announced fullscreen vertical videos and a scrollable feed a la TikTok.
✦ Incorporated a video carousel into its Explore tab.
✦ Enabled users to mix media (photo, video, & gifs) in a single Tweet.
✦ Reportedly working on a Vine reboot.
✦ Shut down its Revue newsletter feature.
✦ Started working on monetized paywalled videos and a paid DMs feature, a la OnlyFans.
✦ Overhauled its verification process, with blue checkmarks for people, gold for companies, and grey for governments.
✦ Raised the price of Twitter Blue from $2.99 to $4.99, then $7.99, and finally $7 paid via web or $11 paid via iOS app.
✦ Rolled out Community Notes (fka Birdwatch) worldwide, allowing users to add context to Tweets to combat misinformation.
✦ Disbanded its trust and safety council.
✦ Initially banned users from linking out to other social platforms but later reversed course.
✦ Added real-time pricing graphs to $cashtags for major stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.
✦ Rolled out Tweet view counts on iOS and Android (web coming soon).
YouTube 🎥
✦ Previewed new creator tools like NFTs and live shopping features.
✦ Released a remix feature for Shorts.
✦ Added desktop and tablet support for viewing Shorts.
✦ Expanded access to Super Thanks to all monetizing creators.
✦ Added a Live Redirect feature to point livestream viewers to another broadcast a la Twitch raids.
✦ Released a Green Screen tool to let creators use a 60-second clip from an existing YouTube video in a new Short.
✦ Launched a Most Replayed feature to highlight popular video segments and a Single Loop feature to put a video on endless repeat.
✦ Rolled out ads on Shorts.
✦ Released a corrections feature so creators can issue corrections via info cards on the top right corner of a video.
✦ Partnered with Shopify to allow merchants to integrate their online stores with YT Shopping.
✦ Added a new shopping destination called Mall to the Explore tab.
✦ Expanded Shorts Drafts on iOS and rolled out a new Cut feature.
✦ Added watermarks to downloaded Shorts.
✦ Announced direct ad monetization for Shorts coming in Feb 2023. Creators with 10M+ Shorts views in the last 90 days will receive a 45% revenue share.
✦ Unveiled a voiceover feature for Shorts.
✦ Introduced handles to identify creators.
✦ Rolled out audio ads globally.
✦ Added pinch to zoom on mobile.
✦ Launched precise seeking to pinpoint a specific section of a video.
✦ Redesigned channel pages to break out Videos, Shorts, & Live into different tabs.
✦ Announced a co-streaming feature called Go Live Together.
✦ Released a Q&A feature for livestreams.
✦ Expanded Shorts from 15s to 60s maximum.
✦ Rolled out shopping features in Shorts and started experimenting with an affiliate program.
✦ Announced updates to its Advertiser Friendly Guidelines, including a new demonetization trigger: "enabling dishonest behavior" aimed at reducing harmful pranks and cheating in video games.
✦ Released custom emotes a la Twitch.
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