Instagram Revamps Reels Editing Interface, Doesn't Want to Lose to TikTok?

Dream - The competition among social media platforms, especially in sharing videos, is getting tougher. Instagram recently revamped its Reels interface, including new ways to edit videos and discover trending content.

This update is one of the ways Instagram is trying to compete with TikTok, which dominates the short video content sharing market.

The biggest change on Instagram is in the video editing process. Users can now combine videos, audio, stickers, and text overlays, all of which can be uploaded on the same screen.

According to The Verge, the shared stills by the company also show a timeline editing feature similar to TikTok's, which helps in arranging audio and video clips, making transitions smoother.

Now, Instagram users also have a new way to discover trending videos. 

The new Reels page will collect trending hashtags and songs on Instagram. Not only that, the number of videos using the audio can also be known.

Users can then save the audio for later use or apply it directly to their own videos.

The update also includes tools for content creators to analyze their content performance and interact with fans. 

As a new addition to the analytics dashboard, it will display the total time viewers spent watching Reels.

This includes replays, as well as average watch time of videos, and will notify content creators when new followers discover them through Reel videos.

Instagram and Facebook Testing Paid Blue Check, Here's How to Get It

Dream - The trend of subscription fees for blue checkmark account owners is starting to be implemented on social media platforms. After Elon Musk with his Twitter, the same step will also be taken by Meta users.

The company owned by young billionaire Mark Zuckerberg will implement 'Meta Verified' by giving a blue badge to users. At the same time, Meta blue checkmark holders will also get other benefits such as increased visibility, protection against identity theft, and priority customer support.

Quoting Theverge.com, the paid account test for Meta users on the Instagram and Facebook platforms will be implemented differently for the use of the website and mobile applications.

For meta verified on the website application, a fee of US$11.99 or around Rp181,000 per month will be charged. A higher rate of US$14.99, equivalent to Rp227,000, will be charged for mobile applications.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the "Meta Verified" account will provide users with a verified badge, increased visibility on the platform, prioritized customer support, and various other benefits that regular users do not have.

Countries Testing Meta Verified

In the initial stage, this paid blue checkmark feature will be launched in Australia and New Zealand this week. The same provisions will then be applied to users in other countries.

"This week we are starting to launch Meta Verified - a subscription service that allows you to verify your account with government ID, get a blue badge, get extra protection against accounts impersonating you, and get direct access to customer support," wrote Zuckerberg. 

He said that this new feature is to enhance authenticity and security across all of their services.

How to Get Paid Blue Checkmark on IG and Facebook

To register for Meta Verified, users need to meet several requirements. These include being at least 18 years old, submitting government ID that matches the name and photo on Facebook or Instagram. 

Meanwhile, this new offering sounds very similar to Elon Musk's $8 per month Twitter Blue version. 

However, Meta notes that it will not make any changes to accounts that have been verified using the company's previous requirements, including eligibility and authenticity.

Special Stickers for IG and Facebook Blue Checkmark Accounts

In addition, users who sign up for this service will receive exclusive stickers for Stories and Reels. Furthermore, users will also receive 100 free stars per month, or digital currency that can be used to tip content creators on Facebook.

Meta stated that businesses cannot apply for the Meta Verified badge and cannot change their profile name, username, date of birth, or profile picture without going through the verification process again.

"In the long run, we want to create a subscription offering that is beneficial for everyone, including content creators, businesses, and our community in general," Meta wrote in a blog post.

In addition, Meta is also expanding the meaning of the verified badge to further increase access to verification and make more people trust that the account is genuine.

When the service is launched in Australia and New Zealand this week, it will cost AUD 19.99 (IDR 209,000) on the web and AUD 24.99 (IDR 261,000) on mobile. Meanwhile, for users in New Zealand, they will be charged NZD 23.99 (IDR 227,000) on the web and NZD 29.99 (IDR 283,000) on mobile. 

The higher cost on iOS and Android is likely a way to offset the commission taken by Apple and Google for in-app purchases.