Top Facebook Updates to Get Excited About (2024 Edition)

Marketers and brand owners, imagine always being a step ahead in the Facebook ads game. No more crawling the internet for bits and pieces of the latest Facebook updates or, worse, hearing from a friend who heard from a friend. This blog brings all the top Facebook updates straight to your fingertips… so you always stay in the know!

August 2024 Facebook updates

New Threads tools: Insights, drafts, and scheduling

Meta is stepping up its game for creators and businesses using Threads with exciting new updates about making your content strategy smoother and more data-driven. These latest features give you more control over your content and insights, helping you build stronger connections with your audience. Here’s the breakdown of the new additions:

#1 Get to know your audience with detailed insights

Ever wondered which Threads posts hit the mark with your Instagram followers? Now, you won’t have to guess. Threads is rolling out Audience Insights that give you a clear breakdown of how your content is performing. You’ll see key metrics like views, replies, reposts, and quotes and even track how your follower count is evolving. 

Plus, you’ll get a peek into your audience’s demographics—age, gender, location—so you can fine-tune your posts to keep them engaged. This update is huge for anyone serious about optimizing their Threads strategy, as you can finally tailor future content based on what works best with your audience.

#2 Stash your post ideas in Drafts

If you’ve ever had a killer idea for a post but weren’t ready to hit ‘publish,’ the new Drafts feature is about to become your best friend. You can save up to 100 drafts, allowing you to revisit and refine your ideas until they’re ready for prime time—no more losing track of those half-baked concepts. If you’ve got multiple post ideas, this feature helps you stay organized and keeps excellent content in the pipeline.

3# Plan your content like a pro with scheduling

Consistency is non-negotiable in social media, and Threads makes it easier to control your content publishing. You’ll soon be able to schedule your posts days (or even weeks) in advance, meaning you can map out your entire content calendar without the daily hassle. This update is perfect for businesses who want to maintain a steady presence without manually posting daily.

 July 2024 Facebook updates

Meta's new attribution feature: First conversion vs. All conversions

Meta has introduced an exciting update that takes conversion reporting to the next level. Meta’s new attribution—First Conversion vs. All Conversions—provides greater transparency in how your ads drive results.

They announced that advertisers now have the option to track conversions in two ways:

• First conversion: This metric records only the initial qualifying action after a user interacts with your ad, giving you a focused view of how your ads initiate customer journeys. It's especially helpful for identifying which ads drive initial customer acquisition.
• All conversions: This tracks every qualifying action taken after a user engages with your ad, offering a broader view of total ad impact. It’s best suited for campaigns that repeatedly keep users interacting with your brand. For example, if you’re running ads to encourage actions like multiple purchases, signing up for a series of events, or engaging with your content over time, this metric helps capture the full scope of that engagement.

With this update, you can now fine-tune your strategy to focus on either the first spark of interest or the long-term impact of repeated engagements.

SAM 2: Meta’s new AI for video segmentation

Meta has introduced the Segment Anything Model 2 (SAM 2), a groundbreaking AI tool for video segmentation. This new model is available to the public through Meta’s open science approach, allowing businesses to experiment and integrate SAM 2 into their workflows by visiting Meta’s AI research platform. This access lets companies explore how the technology can enhance video editing, content creation, and AR/VR experiences.

SAM 2 identifies and tracks objects across all video frames in real time. While the original SAM was notable for segmenting objects in images, SAM 2 advances this capability by following objects in motion, making video content manipulation more efficient and precise.

Why does this matter for businesses?

Whether you’re in marketing, media, or e-commerce, SAM 2 has huge potential to simplify video editing and enhance content creation. Imagine isolating a product in a video ad, adjusting its appearance, and adding effects without manual frame-by-frame editing—SAM 2 makes that possible. 

For brands and agencies producing social media or advertising content, this means faster turnaround times, less tedious work, and more precise editing for highly engaging video content.

SAM 2’s real-time tracking capabilities also open up exciting possibilities for businesses exploring AR/VR or mixed reality experiences. Retailers could create interactive virtual showrooms, while entertainment companies could offer immersive events where users can directly engage with objects and products within videos.

June 2024 Facebook updates

New AI tools and Meta Verified for businesses on WhatsApp

WhatsApp is stepping up its game for companies with some incredible new features announced at Conversations 2024. Meta is rolling out AI tools, Meta Verified badges, and expanded calling support to help businesses improve customer engagement and make their operations smoother. Here’s the breakdown:

AI tools for enhanced customer assistance

Businesses on WhatsApp can now tap into AI to improve customer service. The AI answers frequently asked questions, helps customers discover new products, and even reminds them about items left in their cart. On top of that, businesses can now create Facebook and Instagram ads directly through WhatsApp, streamlining their marketing efforts and reaching customers across platforms.

New calling feature for larger businesses

Need to talk to a live person? Larger businesses are testing a new feature that lets customers make one-tap calls directly through WhatsApp. This feature is an excellent option for handling more complex requests like travel bookings or bank inquiries. The feature will roll out to more businesses soon, offering additional direct, personalized support.

Meta Verified for businesses

Meta Verified also comes to the WhatsApp Business app in Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Colombia. Businesses with the Meta Verified badge can showcase their authenticity, receive enhanced support, and protect against impersonation. It also allows companies to operate on multiple devices, making customer service and collaboration much more efficient.

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June 2024 Facebook updates

Dynamic creative is out. Flexible ad format is in.

Meta has begun alerting users that dynamic creative is phasing out and that they should switch to the new flexible ad format instead 🔔

Meta's new flexible ad format uses predictive learning to tailor your ads on the fly, showing the most engaging version to each viewer. This innovative tool optimizes your content by deciding whether to display a single image, video, or carousel based on what works best for each audience and placement.

This new format simplifies your ad creation process by automating mundane tasks. There is no need for tedious guesswork or manually testing different formats—Meta takes care of that. With flexible ads, you can concentrate on crafting content, while Meta ensures it's shown most effectively across various placements.

How is it different from dynamic creative?

Although flexible ads and dynamic creatives combine different ad elements for the best results, flexible ads stand out with their real-time optimization. They automatically generate single image, video, or carousel ads within each ad, allowing for more precise adjustments and potentially superior performance.

Currently, flexible ad formats are available only for App Promotion and Sales campaign objectives. You need to use dynamic creative for all the others.

There's also no option to customize ad placement, and Meta has yet to specify ideal dimensions for images or videos. Square images are your best bet for fitting into carousels.

Why’s it a win for you?

Meta's flexible ad format is a step towards more AI-powered automation. This feature could reduce the number of ads you need within an ad set by adapting multiple creatives into one ad, simplifying ad management, and freeing you up to focus on more important things—like creative strategy.

Check out this recently published blog that provides instructions on creating your first flexible ad in Meta Ads Manager.

May 2024 Facebook updates

Upgraded generative AI features for ads

Meta is making waves with its latest Facebook update for advertisers, offering new generative AI features that simplify ad creation. Here's a closer look at these exciting changes.

What's changing?

Earlier this year, we shared that Meta rolled out AI tools enabling businesses to craft dynamic backgrounds, enhance images, and generate various ad text versions from their original content. These tools were aimed at optimizing ad performance by testing different creative elements.

Now, Meta has introduced more advanced AI generative features. These new tools allow advertisers to create full ad images with text overlays using their existing creative assets. The Advantage+ tools are designed to simplify the production of ad variations, ensuring the creative process adheres to your brand guidelines.

Meta is also enhancing its AI-driven text generation capabilities to include ad headlines along with primary text. This update responds to advertisers' requests for more diverse suggestions that better align with their brand values and product selling points. As Meta transitions to its more sophisticated Llama 3 large-language models, these features will only get better.

These new tools will roll out over the next few months, with a global launch anticipated by year’s end. 

How it works

The new generative AI tools utilize assets that advertisers already have. As illustrated by Meta below, you can take an existing photo of a coffee cup and have Meta generate variations, such as depicting the cup surrounded by coffee beans and leaves. This method ensures that the new images stay true to your brand’s aesthetic.

These features are part of Meta's broader initiative to address marketers' concerns about generative AI. By relying on assets provided by advertisers, Meta ensures that the creative outputs meet specific brand guidelines and preferences.

So, what’s in it for you?

• Faster creative production: Generative AI tools can accelerate the creation of ad variations, freeing you to focus on strategic tasks.
• Control and consistency: Using existing assets ensures new creative outputs align closely with brand guidelines.‍
• Better creative testing: Quickly generating and testing multiple ad variations can lead to better overall campaign performance.

Meta lowers the learning phase requirement for some campaigns

Meta's latest update significantly alters the learning phase requirements affecting Purchase-optimized, and Mobile App Install campaigns. This tweak is a breakthrough for advertisers striving for quicker and more efficient ad performance optimization.

What’s the learning phase?

The learning phase starts when you create a new ad set or make significant edits to an existing one. Facebook tests various creative elements, audience targeting, timing, and placement combinations to optimize your ads. This trial-and-error process often results in less stable performance and higher costs per action.

Once your ad set exits the learning phase and enters the active phase, you'll have a clearer picture of its long-term performance. You can then decide whether to scale your Facebook ads, continue running the ad set as is, or just pause it.

What’s changing?

Meta has slashed the required number of Facebook events to exit the learning phase from 50 to just 10 for Purchase-optimized and Mobile App Install campaigns. This modification promises faster stabilization of ad performance, facilitating quicker optimization and potentially enhancing campaign outcomes.

However, here's the fine print…

• Meta has yet to roll out this update across all accounts.
• This change does not extend to Mobile App Event campaigns.

Why the change?

Meta's decision to lower the event threshold aligns with its efforts to simplify the ad optimization process and provide advertisers with quicker feedback on their campaign performance. 

This update offers advertisers several benefits: faster ad optimization, as ad sets reach optimal performance levels more quickly; improved performance, with more stable and consistent results; and greater flexibility, allowing for shorter campaigns without prolonged learning phases.

Advertisers with smaller budgets, lower event volumes, or shorter campaign durations will especially welcome this change.

Advantage+ Shopping campaigns: Goodbye customer budget cap

Have you heard? Meta's recent updates bring a major change to Advantage+ Shopping campaigns, vital for digital marketers and business owners using Facebook ads. The change involves removing the 'Existing customer budget cap' feature and introducing a new way to manage audience-related budgets through ad sets.

What’s changing?

Previously, the 'budget cap' feature allowed advertisers to set a maximum budget percentage to spend on existing customers, defined by custom audiences in the ad account settings. Unfortunately, this feature is being phased out.

This feature was crucial because it enabled you to exclude warm audiences from your acquisition campaigns. Without it, Meta’s algorithm will prioritize conversions and revenue from your existing customers (warm audiences), which prevents expanding your audience base. Over time, this could lead to exhausting your existing customer base without gaining new ones.

With the removal of this feature, launching acquisition campaigns requires manual setup to ensure they only target cold audiences. You can no longer rely on Advantage+ Shopping campaigns for this purpose.

How does it affect advertisers?

Removing the 'Existing customer budget cap' feature may seem like a step back, but the new method provides a flexible and detailed way to manage your ad spend. Advertisers can maintain precise control over their ad costs and campaigns by using multiple ad sets to separate budgets for new and existing customers.

Now, before you panic! There are two ways you can adapt to these changes:

Your first option lets you spend zero budget on existing customers. At the ad set level, simply click on ‘Exclude these custom audiences’ under Audience controls to remove individuals you identify as existing customers.

The second option is to create a new campaign that splits your budget between new and existing customers. To do this, begin by setting up a campaign with two ad sets. Within the first ad set, set a maximum amount for spending on existing customers.

After that, duplicate the first ad set and proceed to the second ad set. Under Audience controls, you will be able to exclude individuals identified as existing customers. 

Check out this blog we recently published that provides comprehensive instructions on creating manual acquisition campaigns.

Don’t have time for manual setups?

Madgicx leverages AI-driven ad strategies to help you adapt to these changes and optimize your Meta campaigns more efficiently. With Madgicx’s Audience Launcher, you can effortlessly launch pure acquisition campaigns thanks to its built-in exclusions. 

When you launch an acquisition audience, it automatically excludes existing customers, referred to as 'Madgicx non-acquisition.' This includes individuals who have visited your website in the past 30 days and those who made a purchase within the last 180 days, as tracked by the Meta pixel.

Sound simple? With Madgicx, it is. Test it for yourself – give the 7-day free trial a go!

April 2024 Facebook updates

Facebook’s video player upgrade

Meta has upgraded Facebook's video player. When users tap on a video within the app, they'll enjoy a consistent fullscreen experience. The new feature is available first on iOS and Android in the US and Canada, with a global rollout planned for the near future.

With this update, users will no longer encounter varying video orientations – everything will be in a fullscreen format for a more immersive viewing experience.

In addition to the visual improvements, video recommendations have been enhanced based on users' interests. Whether they're into quick makeup tips or detailed DIY tutorials, Meta will suggest content tailored to them.

New controls have also been introduced, allowing users to watch Facebook videos in their preferred way. Even horizontal videos will now offer a fullscreen option for landscape viewing.

A convenient slider for skipping to specific parts of the video has been added for more straightforward navigation. Plus, intuitive playback controls enable users to rewind, pause, and fast-forward.

Beyond the video player, users can expect to see more relevant video recommendations in their Feed and Video Tab, catering to their interests. And with the growing popularity of Reels, they'll notice an increase in their presence on their feed.

February 2024 Facebook updates

Enhancing brand-creator partnerships on Instagram

Meta has initiated testing of the creator marketplace in the US, aiming to facilitate connections between brands and creators for collaborative opportunities. 

They’re taking it further by extending the creator marketplace to eight new markets. Over the next few weeks, creators and brands from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Brazil, and Chinese export brands will receive invitations to join Instagram’s creator marketplace. This move aims to expand collaboration opportunities globally.

Brands often face challenges in identifying suitable creators for partnership ads. To address this, Meta is introducing new machine-learning-driven recommendations. These recommendations leverage Instagram data to streamline discovering the perfect creators for campaign collaborations. 

In the coming months, eligible brands can access these recommendations via Instagram’s creator marketplace within Meta Business Suite.

Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Join Instagram’s creator marketplace: Brands can enroll through Meta Business Suite, while creators can sign up via their professional dashboard within the Instagram app. Creators can specify preferred brands and interests, highlighting their distinctive qualities through a personalized portfolio.

2. Find your match: Meta is experimenting with machine-learning-driven creator suggestions tailored to each brand and the capability to search for creators according to specific criteria. Brands also have the option to browse through creators who have expressed interest and evaluate their portfolios.

3. Connect & collaborate: Creators receive brand communications via a designated Partnership Messages folder, enabling direct interaction. Brands can initiate individual outreach or present project proposals to multiple creators. Creators can directly review opportunity specifics, such as rates, within the Instagram app.

4. Create & launch: Once an agreement is reached, brands and creators can dive into the fun part: crafting partnership ads with Meta Ads Manager or boosting their already excellent organic content!

Meta AI image labeling

You know how sometimes you can't tell if what you see on social media is real or AI? Well, Meta's here to clear things up. They're adding 'Imagined with AI' tags on images created using their Meta AI feature. They're also planning to label images created by other companies' AI. So, there’s no hiding from Meta's truth squad!

Meta is diligently building tools to detect invisible markers at scale. When operational, these tools will not only label images from various companies, including Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, Adobe, Midjourney, and Shutterstock but also provide readers with the assurance of accurate AI labeling. 

While progress is being made in labeling image content, labeling audio and video generated by AI still needs to be improved due to the need for standardized signals. 

For business owners and advertisers who'd rather not showcase AI labels and are searching for an alternative to AI-generated content, consider empowering yourself with Madgicx’s Creative Workflow. It's an all-in-one creative production solution that is also budget-friendly.

Here's how it works: First, browse Madgicx's Ad Library to get inspired and stay updated on the latest Meta ads trends. Save all the ones that catch your eye. 

Next, shoot over a quick design brief through Sparkle. We'll use that to pair you with the perfect designer who “gets” your vision. Your custom design will be in your inbox within 48 hours. Try it here for free.

January 2024 Facebook updates

Facebook's new 'Link History' and the future of targeted ads

The latest buzz in the digital streets revolves around Facebook's groundbreaking rollout of Link History. This feature, designed to archive users' browsing patterns, could be a game-changer for businesses and marketers looking to refine their targeted advertising strategies.

Why is this a welcomed change?

As the digital advertising industry grapples with the impending demise of cookies and the tightening grip of privacy regulations, the introduction of Facebook's Link History signifies an opportunity for advertisers to adapt and leverage a trusted third-party source for more targeted and compliant advertising strategies.

This dynamic tool, designed to catalog users' website visits, unlocks a wealth of user behavior data for Meta advertisers to tap into. It holds the promise to enhance Facebook ad targeting precision and effectiveness.

Users can opt-out, but Link History comes pre-enabled (🍻), granting Meta insights into users' website visits over the last 30 days. This opens a golden opportunity for marketers to leverage the data to create more personalized and targeted advertising, providing a potential workaround amid the escalating privacy concerns.

How Link History works:

Link History tracks users' website visits through the Facebook mobile browser for Android and iOS over the last 30 days. It specifically stores links the user has tapped on within Facebook's mobile browser, excluding those visited within Messenger chats.

Turning Link History on or off:

1. Click on any link inside the Facebook app to open Facebook's mobile browser

2. Tap the three little dots on the bottom right

3. Then select Go to settings

4. Toggle the switch beside "Allow Link History" to on or off

If a user turns it off, their link history is instantly cleared, making their visited links invisible. Meta commits to not saving or using the link history to enhance ads across its technologies when the feature is turned off.

When can we expect it?

The feature is gradually making its debut and might not be available in your location just yet. Although Meta hasn't shared a specific timeline for the global rollout of the Link History archive option, it's expected to expand its reach to mobile users worldwide. Importantly, this feature is exclusive to mobile devices and is not yet available on desktops.

December 2023 Facebook updates

Meta unveils powerful AI updates

Meta recently introduced revolutionary updates to its core AI features. Let's explore how AI can reshape digital interactions and foster business growth across the Meta family of apps.

Ignite creative collaboration with Meta AI's image features:

Meta AI continues to redefine social interactions with its innovative features. Among these, the widely used 'imagine' function, known for its text-to-image capabilities, has now evolved into 'reimagine' on Messenger and Instagram. This exciting addition transforms image creation into a collaborative and entertaining experience. 

In group chats, Meta AI generates the initial image as per your request, and the fun begins as users can press and hold down the picture to contribute their creative flair. Using a simple text prompt, Meta AI generates an entirely new image, allowing you to engage in a delightful exchange of visually amusing ideas. 

This not only enhances the social aspect of Meta AI but also provides an excellent avenue for businesses to create engaging and shareable organic content for free. 

That’s not all. . .

Building on the success of this launch, access is now expanding beyond chats. If you're in the US, head to imagine.meta.com, where you’ll be able to create free images on the web as well.

Immersive advertising experiences with Reels in Meta AI:

Reels, known for connecting users with dynamic content, are making their way into Meta AI chats.

This presents a golden opportunity for advertisers, allowing them to showcase products and services through immersive visual content. Whether users are seeking specific services or exploring new products, businesses now have the chance to have their Reels dynamically suggested to their audience, creating a more captivating and interactive experience.

For businesses, this means increased visibility to their target audience. It emphasizes the importance of investing in high-quality, authentic video content to stand out and avoid delivering lackluster visuals. 

Consider leveraging affordable creative production services like Sparkle to enhance your video quality. With a team of design professionals, Sparkle offers a 7-day Free Trial to test their services and elevate your brand's visual presence.

Enhancing brand expression and engagement on Facebook:

Meta AI's integration into Facebook opens up a plethora of possibilities for business owners. From crafting personalized greetings to refining Feed posts and creating compelling introductions for new Groups, there’s room for businesses to use Meta AI to enhance their brand expression and customer engagement.

November 2023 Facebook updates

More ways to create content on Instagram

Meta constantly innovates to provide creators and brand owners with the best tools to express their creativity and engage with their audience.

They have recently announced several enhancements to reels, feed photos, carousels, and stories, along with new insights to help creators understand their content performance better.

Here are the key updates 👇

1. More “memeable” content: Create more viral-worthy content by adding audio clips to your reels. This feature allows you to pull clips with audio from the Instagram clip hub and incorporate them into your Reel. Connect with fans by encouraging them to join the fun by crafting their remixes.

On top of that, they have introduced 10 new English text-to-speech voices for you to choose from, available in select countries. You can explore your creativity with 6 additional text fonts and styles, now accessible in hundreds of languages.

To add a personal touch to your Reels and stories, Meta is experimenting with a cool feature. You might soon be able to create your stickers using photos and videos from your phone or any Instagram posts that catch your eye.

This creative feature is powered by insights from their Segment Anything AI model. 

They’ve also just dropped brand-new photo filters. Now, you can curate the perfect vibe for your photos and carousels. You can do anything from subtle color tweaks to bold and expressive styles. 

These updates give you the freedom to experiment with different looks for your posts. Your new brand aesthetic could be just a filter away 😉

2. Even more insights: 

For all the dataheads, Meta's helping you understand better how your Reels are doing. They’ve added a new Reels metric called ‘Replays’ on Facebook and Instagram. Plus, they’ve tweaked the definition of Reels Plays to include Replays along with Initial Plays.

Ad-free subscription in Europe: Facebook & Instagram

Meta has just dropped a bombshell by introducing an ad-free paid subscription service in Europe. 

Since November 2023, users in the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland have been able to pay a monthly fee to enjoy Meta’s products (Facebook and Instagram) minus the ads.

Why is Meta taking this step? 

As we know, Meta's main revenue stream is advertising. However, the landscape is shifting, especially in the European Union, where privacy and data protection rights are gaining prominence. 

The European Court of Justice has already reprimanded Meta's data harvesting methods, prompting the need for a solution. Hence, the birth of the ad-free paid subscription.

One thing to note is that if users in Europe choose to use Facebook and Instagram without ads, their data will not be collected and used for advertising purposes.

How will this affect Meta advertisers?

It is too soon to say. It hinges on whether global regulators accept this compromise as meeting user requirements and the number of users opting for the ad-free subscription.

If accepted, the comprise is expected to enable Meta to continue targeted advertising. A rejection, on the other hand, will prompt Meta to explore alternative solutions.

What’s the likelihood of users opting out?

Well, let’s look at it this way: YouTube’s premium subscription, launched in 2015, gathered 80 million subscribers out of 2.8 billion users by 2022. That’s only 3% of their user base.

However, X (Twitter) and Snapchat saw an even lower subscription rate: 0.2% and less than 1%, respectively.

As Facebook and Instagram are more similar to X and Snapchat than YouTube, you might expect a similar (0.2%-1%) adoption rate among Meta’s users. While the future is uncertain, these stats indicate that the vast majority of users won’t be budging 😏

So, what's it going to cost users?

Meta currently offers this subscription at €9.99/month on the web and €12.99/month on iOS and Android, considering the fees imposed by Apple and Google. 

But here's the kicker – starting March 1, 2024, Meta plans to add an extra €6/month on the web and €8/month on iOS and Android for each additional account. It's time to weigh the cost of an ad-free experience against the annoyance of targeted ads.

October 2023 Facebook updates

Multiple accounts coming to WhatsApp

Business owners, you’re going to love this update. You know how you couldn’t have your personal and business WhatsApp accounts logged in simultaneously? That’s a thing of the past.

With this latest WhatsApp update, you can easily switch between accounts – such as your work and personal – without having to log out each time, carry two phones, or worse, worry about messaging from the wrong number 😩

To set up a second account, you need a second phone number and SIM card or a multi-SIM phone or eSIM. 

👉 Open your WhatsApp settings

👉 Tap on the arrow next to your name

👉 Then click on ’Add account’

New broadcast channels: Facebook and Messenger

Mark Zuckerberg recently shared that broadcast channels are coming to Facebook and Messenger, and they are expected to launch any week now. 

As we look into the broadcast channels on Facebook and Messenger, it's essential to note that Meta had initially introduced channels to Instagram and WhatsApp only.

Following its success, this powerful one-to-many messaging tool is finally expanding to Facebook and Messenger, too.

Why is this a score for marketers and brand owners?

• Increased engagement: People who manage Facebook Pages can start broadcast channels to engage more deeply with their followers. This can help followers feel even more connected to your brand.

• Amplified communication: This can be useful for businesses to share updates, voice notes, exclusive content, promotions, and more with their community.

• Wider reach: Since broadcast channels are designed for more public conversations, they can be found and joined by anyone on Facebook or Messenger. This can help businesses attract new potential customers.‍
• Instant feedback: Use polls for community input and the reaction feature to gauge audience sentiment, preferences, opinions, or satisfaction levels with your products or services.

• Increased insights: Businesses can also monitor the engagement on their broadcast channels, such as the number of views, likes, shares, etc., to understand what type of content resonates with their audience.

How it works:

If you manage a Page on Facebook in a market where broadcast channels are available, you can start a channel directly from your Page or inbox on both mobile and desktop.

Once the broadcast channel has been created and the first message is sent, followers of your Page will receive a notification to join the channel. 

Your channel is open for anyone on Facebook to discover, offering endless opportunities to expand your audience. As the channel's creator, you have exclusive messaging rights, but members can react to messages and participate in polls.

If you manage a Facebook Page in a market where broadcast channels are not available yet, join the waitlist to know when the feature is available to you.

Joining a broadcast channel:

You'll be notified upon receiving an invitation to join a Page's broadcast channel on Facebook or Messenger. You then have the option to review the content before joining.

To join:

✔️Click the desired channel in the notification.

✔️Click ‘Join channel.’

Your joined broadcast channels will be visible in the Messenger chats list. For easy access to all channels associated with a Page, visit the Page's profile and tap on ‘Channels.’

Updates to data display in Events Manager, Ads Manager, and Business Manager 

Meta has introduced gradual changes to simplify the way you check your event data in Meta Events Manager, Meta Ads Manager, and Meta Business Manager. These changes involve merging website, app, and offline events into a unified view called a dataset.

Previously, handling event data meant dealing with separate IDs for each integration. Now, thanks to datasets, you can effortlessly collect and arrange event data from different sources all in one location in Events Manager.

This simplifies event monitoring and settings management, eliminating the hassle of dealing with multiple IDs.

How datasets work:

When you create a dataset, it’s assigned a unique dataset ID. This ID can be used to set up integrations and view your events in the Events Manager. You can ensure continuity and a seamless transition by linking your existing pixel or app ID to the dataset ID.

Datasets offer a double advantage. Firstly, they simplify viewing customer activity tailored to your business needs, consolidating data from various sources like your website, app, and offline events under one dataset ID. 

Secondly, datasets make managing multiple API integrations less complex. Rather than requiring different API integrations for your website, mobile app, and offline data, creating a dataset and linking your app allows you to use the Conversions API to seamlessly connect all your data sources. This eliminates the need for multiple API integrations.

Meta Advantage: Using AI and automation to drive ROI 

In the last few months, you might have noticed Meta sharing more about boosting advertiser performance with AI through automated products like Advantage+ shopping campaigns. 

But did you know they have a whole suite of these automated ad products called Meta Advantage?

Meta Advantage is a suite of products using AI and machine learning to optimize campaign results, personalize ads, and make advertising more efficient. Let's explore the several Meta Advantage products to understand their key benefits and when to use them.

Advantage+ Shopping Campaigns

This is an end-to-end AI-powered ads product that simplifies and automates the creation of advertising campaigns. It’s used for direct-to-consumer advertisers within eCommerce and retail and other verticals like CPG, Technology, or Entertainment.

When sales are your primary objective, and you want to grow your customer base efficiently, this product is for you.

🔥 Recent tests show a 32% increase in return on ad spend for Advantage+ shopping campaigns. It’s worth noting, however, that these campaigns currently don’t exclude warm audiences. Excluding warm audiences from acquisition campaigns is generally recommended for sustained growth. 

We suggest not relying exclusively on these campaigns if your focus is on acquisition to ensure a more balanced advertising strategy.

Advantage+ App Campaigns

This is for maximizing the performance of your app install campaigns with less effort. They use machine learning to deliver higher-performing creative to more relevant audiences on more effective placements.

If you’re looking to scale app installs, target audiences likely to convert, and boost sales or in-app purchases, this automation tool is ideal.

🔥 Bolt, a European transport app, reduced its cost per app install by up to 23% with Advantage+ App Campaigns.

Advantage+ Creative 

This is an innovative tool designed to revolutionize your ad creative elements. Using the power of AI, Advantage+ Creative provides a range of features that enhance and optimize your ads. 

One of its key features is the ‘Standard Enhancements,’ which helps advertisers adjust brightness, aspect ratios, and text placement.

When you have limited creative resources and need quick, automatic improvements that resonate with your audience, this automation is a no-brainer.

🔥 Italian fashion retailer Miriade experimented with the standard enhancements feature bundled within Advantage+ Creative. They saw a remarkable 56% reduction in the cost per purchase compared to their regular campaigns.

Advantage+ Catalog Ads

Formerly known as Dynamic Ads, Advantage+ Catalog Ads showcase a variety of ad creatives for products and services. 

They save you from setting up 1,000 ad sets manually. Instead, they automatically deliver personalized catalog ads to people interested in your business.

Supercharge your campaign's performance by incorporating Advantage+ Catalog Ads into your Advantage+ Shopping Campaigns. This optimization is particularly beneficial for advertisers in eCommerce, retail, CPG, travel, automotive, and real estate who sell multiple products.

Advantage+ Audience

This tool is designed to enhance campaign performance and deliver ads to your target audience more effectively. By combining AI automation with your business's customer insights, this feature provides both performance and control for advertisers.

Instead of limiting ad delivery to specific audience selections, Advantage+ Audience uses these selections as suggestions to guide ad delivery. This allows the system to explore beyond set targeting parameters, finding people genuinely interested in your products or services.

Advantage+ Audience should be your go-to tool for leveraging the performance gains of targeting automation while maintaining manual control over certain aspects like placement or creatives.

For advertisers preferring Meta's original targeting products, there are three options to enhance ad results through smarter targeting:

1. Advantage detailed targeting: Ideal for prospecting, it uses interest, behavior, and demographic inputs to reach a broader audience when system analysis suggests improved performance.
2. Advantage custom audience: This tool retargets people in custom audience lists while reaching new potential customers likely to convert.
3. Advantage lookalike: Best for pure prospecting, it reaches people unfamiliar with your brand. 

These three targeting products are included in Advantage+ Audience, offering flexibility and improved campaign performance.

🔥 On average, businesses using Advantage+ audience saw a 28% decrease in average Cost per Click, Lead, or Landing Page View.

New generative AI features for advertisers

Meta recently unveiled a new suite of generative AI features tailored especially for advertisers and brand owners 🔥 

With these new Facebook updates, brands can craft dynamic backgrounds, enhance images, and produce various ad text versions derived from their original content. This exciting reveal comes on the heels of the recent Meta Connect event.

Not only did the event spotlight the debut of the Quest 3 mixed-reality headset, but it also introduced us to a range of innovative AI offerings, from unique stickers and advanced editing utilities to cutting-edge AI-driven smart glasses. 

Let’s break down these exciting new features…

1. Background generation: The first of the new Meta features allows advertisers to switch up their creative assets by generating multiple different backgrounds for the product images. Although similar to the consumer-centric ‘Backdrop’ tool, the ad toolkit backgrounds complement your initial product images, allowing you to tailor your creative assets for different audiences. 

Just note that this feature is available to advertisers who use the Advantage+ catalog to create sales ads.

2. Image expansion: Stepping up their game, this feature is all about giving advertisers an adaptability edge. Whether you're looking to fit the creative asset into the dimensions of a feed post or Reels, this tool doesn't just reshape—it transforms.

You can access this feature within Meta's ads manager.

3. Text variations: You can now feed in your ad text and watch as the AI whips up multiple text spin-offs, each tailored to spotlight the keywords and phrases you deem essential. Not feeling the AI’s take? You have the freedom to tweak or cherry-pick the versions that you prefer.

Meta goes a step further, testing the waters by serving different text combos to varied audiences, gauging which resonates the most. A heads up, though – while this approach hints at better ad outcomes, Meta refrains from breaking down performance by text variation. The focus remains on collective ad performance. Still, by testing multiple ad variations, advertisers increase their chances of hitting that sweet ad success spot, as Meta points out. 

Meta has shared that after an initial trial with a select group of advertisers earlier this year, the evidence suggests that these AI tools could potentially save them upwards of 5 hours weekly, amounting to a savings of a month annually. So, if you're not employing the power of AI in your marketing endeavors, it's high time to ask yourself: What am I waiting for? AI is not just a buzzword or a fad; we can use it to transform and elevate our creative production. It’s all about crafting smarter ads that resonate and convert, after all.

September 2023 Facebook updates

New AI experiences for users

Meta is raising the bar yet again, redefining how we connect, create, and interact online. With these Meta Facebook updates, not only are advertisers on Meta’s platforms primed for a richer, more immersive engagement with their audiences, but consumers also enjoy an enhanced experience with the brands. Here’s a glimpse into the exciting updates 👇

The rise of AI stickers

Stickers have become integral to our online conversations, allowing billions to express themselves in fun and innovative ways. To elevate this experience, Meta has launched AI stickers. Harnessing the power of their Llama 2 technology and the Emu ​​(Expressive Media Universe) image generation model, these stickers are not your regular emojis. 

Input a text prompt, and within moments, you'll have a variety of unique stickers tailored to your current mood. Set to roll out to select English users across platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and Facebook Stories, this feature is going to take our online banter to a whole new level!

Image editing with AI

Prepare to reimagine your photos with AI-driven editing tools. The 'Restyle' feature, powered by Emu technology, allows you to transform your images based on descriptive prompts. Want your photos to exude a nostalgic 90s Polaroid aesthetic? Simply type in your vision and watch it come to life quicker than a real Polaroid picture! Want to transform a photo into a watercolor wonder? It’s as easy as typing it in.

The Backdrop feature, another marvel from the Meta labs, alters your image backgrounds as per your desires. Imagine standing in a lush forest, feeling the serenity enveloping you, or being surrounded by a pack of cute puppies. The Backdrop feature whisks you away on an escape, all from the comfort of your phone. Your dream setting is just a prompt away!

Meta AI: Your AI digital assistant

Breaking new ground is Meta AI, a new assistant you can interact with like a human, available on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. Plus, it’s coming soon to Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Quest 3. Be it accessing real-time information or generating images based on text, Meta AI is redefining our digital interactions, allowing us to learn, plan, and connect. Group chats can evolve into collaborative decision-making hubs. 

So, how does this fit into your life? Let’s look at a scenario 👇

Imagine you're planning a surprise birthday party for a friend who's obsessed with the '80s. As you and your group discuss theme ideas in the chat, Meta AI proactively suggests classic '80s music playlists, popular movie posters from the era for decoration inspiration, and even fun retro games to consider. Looking for a unique digital invite? Just type "@MetaAI /imagine" followed by a request like "create an invite that looks like an '80s rock concert ticket." In seconds, you'll have the perfect digital invitation ready to send out to all the guests.

AI celebrity bots

Beyond just question-answer bots, Meta has introduced 28 distinctive AIs, each boasting a vibrant personality. And in a stroke of brilliance, some of these AIs are personified by cultural icons and influencers like Snoop Dogg, Kendall Jenner, and Tom Brady. Users in the U.S. can now message these iconic AIs on platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Meta promises more in the pipeline, including AIs backed by Bear Grylls, Chloe Kim, and many others. While these AIs might currently reference pre-2023 information, there are plans to continually update their knowledge base, making interactions timely and relevant.

What’s coming next for Meta?

Meta's ambition doesn't stop here. With the introduction of the AI studio, both coding enthusiasts and novices are invited to shape the future of AI. The platform will soon be open for third-party AI development, first on Messenger and eventually on WhatsApp.

Furthermore, businesses, whether starting up or established, can craft AIs mirroring their brands to enhance customer experiences. And creators aren't left out; they can develop AIs that extend their virtual presence across Meta’s platforms.

In the coming year, Meta's sandbox will offer enthusiasts a playground to experiment and design their AI entities. As the metaverse unfurls, this sandbox will serve as a bridge, connecting realism, embodiment, and interactivity in unimaginable ways.

Businesses get Meta's seal of authenticity

Buckle up, business owners! In the latest Facebook changes, there's been some buzzing in the Instagram and Facebook updates news. Meta's introduction of "Meta Verified" for creators and businesses represents a significant enhancement to the standard verification system they have had for years. 

Here's a breakdown of what's new:

• Subscription model: While the traditional blue tick was a one-off verification, Meta Verified operates on a subscription basis. This ensures ongoing checks and offers more than just a badge.

• Authentic business communication: WhatsApp is allowing businesses to undergo Meta verification. By showcasing their authenticity to Meta, businesses can attain a verified badge, fortifying their credibility. This not only increases customer trust but, from an advertiser's perspective, can significantly elevate brand perception.

• Toolkit access: Verified entities don't just get a badge; they now get a suite of tools and features. This includes proactive monitoring against impersonation, dedicated support, and additional discovery methods.

• Enhanced discoverability: One of the most significant benefits for businesses is enhanced visibility. Subscribers will feature prominently in search results and get recommendations, thus potentially driving more organic engagement.

• Multi-platform approach: Meta's intention to expand this feature to WhatsApp and provide unique tools (like a custom WhatsApp page) shows their commitment to integrating their various platforms under this new verification system.

• Security and authenticity: Meta ensures that businesses undergo a rigorous verification process, including multi-step verification and ongoing checks. This is likely to provide a higher level of confidence in the authenticity of verified accounts. If you’re still not convinced of the importance of the blue tick, here are a few benefits for your brand. Pull in closer… 

• Guarding the fort: You’ll have a proactive measure to safeguard you against brand impersonation. Who wants copycat accounts? Not only are they misleading, but they also dilute your brand's unique identity and trustworthiness.

• Instant support: Experiencing account hitches? Meta’s got your back. You’ll have first-class access to support and troubleshooting help.

In the coming weeks, businesses active on Instagram and Facebook in certain countries will be privileged to test the waters first. And that's not all! WhatsApp will soon join this blue tick brigade, too. This Meta Facebook update aims to provide an unmatched advantage to businesses, allowing them to be more visible and instill confidence in their customers. 

Okay, let’s talk 🫰

This blue tick starts at a modest $21.99/month for either Facebook or Instagram. For both platforms, $34.99/month is the inclusive tag.

WhatsApp's convenience revolution

WhatsApp is not just evolving; it's reinventing the wheel for user-business interactions. Let’s unpack these groundbreaking updates and their implications for the advertising world.

1. Seamless interactions with Flows:

‘Flows’ is a promising introduction to WhatsApp, facilitating activities such as choosing train seats, food orders, or scheduling appointments without leaving the chat interface. It’s the epitome of convenience! This feature allows businesses to design rich menus and customizable forms catering to diverse requirements.

This new feature also acts as a sales funnel, guiding users through steps or decisions. The seamless experience it offers can potentially reduce friction points, which often hinder conversions 💰

2. Easy payments, directly in chat: 

Gone are the days of navigating to external sites for payment. WhatsApp is simplifying the transaction process by embedding it within the chat. Initially rolled out in India, users can add items to their carts and proceed to payment, choosing from supported UPI apps, credit/debit cards, and more.

For advertisers, this could reduce cart abandonment and create a more cohesive customer purchase journey.

WhatsApp Channels: A new era of personalized updates

While WhatsApp Channels might not be a traditional advertising route, they offer businesses a more personal way to connect with and update customers.

Here's why they’re valuable:

• Direct communication: WhatsApp Channels provide advertisers with a direct line of communication with their followers. This benefits businesses looking to disseminate product updates, news, special offers, and more. Think of it as a friend shooting you a quick text to tell you about a deal you can’t afford to miss!

• Private environment: In a time when privacy is top of consumers' minds, the emphasis on privacy with WhatsApp Channels ensures they feel secure. They know their information is protected, and since they've proactively chosen to follow specific channels, it indicates a genuine interest and trust in the content being delivered.

• Engagement metrics: The introduction of reactions, even if anonymized, provides a measure of engagement. Advertisers can gauge how well their updates are received and create future content based on feedback.

• Forwarding feature: The ability to forward an Update with a link back to the channel can contribute to organic growth. When content is shared, it has the potential to attract new followers to your channel.

• Editing ability: Advertisers can edit their Updates for up to 30 days. This flexibility can be crucial for correcting errors or updating offers/promotions.

• Targeted audience: The Enhanced Directory feature filters channels based on the consumer’s country. Advertisers can use this to tailor their messaging to specific regional audiences.

• Future potential: WhatsApp Channels were initially launched in 10 countries. However, Meta mentions that they'll make it possible for "anyone to create a channel" over the coming months. This opens doors for all sizes of businesses, from local stores to multinational corporations, to leverage this feature for outreach.

So, are you ready to tap into the personal touch that WhatsApp Channels bring to the table?