Instagram wants you to start paying for the app

Today, Mackenzie and Ben discuss the rapidly changing landscape of social media, focusing on the potential ban of TikTok and the implications for users and platforms like Meta. They explore the future of decentralized social media, the role of blockchain technology, and the challenges of user control over algorithms. The conversation also touches on the reactions to the TikTok ban, the rise of alternative platforms, and the ongoing changes within Meta.00:00 The Evolving Landscape of Social Media08:05 The TikTok Ban and Its Implications21:59 Meta's Changes and the Future of Social Media26:26 The Future of Social Media28:17 X: The Everything App30:52 Innovations in Content Creation35:13 Instagram's New Features and Engagement Strategies40:04 The Reality of Going Viral46:41 Navigating Change in Social MediaTry out Iris, our AI social media manager today for FREE!Follow Ben on Instagram: @benleavitt_Follow Mackenzie on Instagram: @kenzieanntaylorAbout FlickFlick is a social media AI, Hashtag, Scheduling, and Analytics tool. It helps you brainstorm content and caption ideas, helps you find, manage, and analyze hashtags, schedules all of your social media, as well as provide you with the latest analytics for your social media accounts.Follow us on Instagram: @flick.socialFollow us on TikTok: @flick.socialStart your free 7-Day Trial with Flick: flick.socialBe sure to join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/flicksocialhub

This week, Mackenzie and Ben discuss the new Instagram feature—Trial Reels. They explain why they think Trial Reels are a great new addition to Instagram and how they would use it to build their accounts in 2025. They also discuss the possible side effects of a TikTok ban in the USA, Snapchat's incredible creator fund program, and so much more.Try out Iris, our AI social media manager today for FREE!Follow Ben on Instagram: @benleavitt_Follow Mackenzie on Instagram: @kenzieanntaylorAbout FlickFlick is a social media AI, Hashtag, Scheduling, and Analytics tool. It helps you brainstorm content and caption ideas, helps you find, manage, and analyze hashtags, schedules all of your social media, as well as provide you with the latest analytics for your social media accounts.Follow us on Instagram: @flick.socialFollow us on TikTok: @flick.socialStart your free 7-Day Trial with Flick: flick.socialBe sure to join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/flicksocialhub

This week, Mackenzie and Ben discuss the latest updates in social media, focusing on Facebook's redesign aimed at attracting Gen Z, the announcements from Meta Connect including AI innovations, and the implications of emerging technologies like VR and AR.00:00 Introduction and Catch-Up01:47 Facebook's Redesign and Targeting Gen Z07:28 Meta Connect Announcements and AI Innovations09:36 Ray-Ban Glasses and Meta's PR Strategy13:11 Emerging Technologies: VR and AR Innovations17:40 The Impact of Personalized Content on Society18:41 The Rise of Conference Celebrities21:12 The Addictive Nature of Social Media25:01 TikTok's Creator Search Insights30:32 TikTok Shop and Affiliate Marketing33:47 The Future of E-commerce and Community BuildingTry out Iris, our AI social media manager today for FREE!Follow Ben on Instagram: @benleavitt_Follow Mackenzie on Instagram: @kenzieanntaylorAbout FlickFlick is a social media AI, Hashtag, Scheduling, and Analytics tool. It helps you brainstorm content and caption ideas, helps you find, manage, and analyze hashtags, schedules all of your social media, as well as provide you with the latest analytics for your social media accounts.Follow us on Instagram: @flick.socialFollow us on TikTok: @flick.socialStart your free 7-Day Trial with Flick: flick.socialBe sure to join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/flicksocialhub

This week, Mackenzie and Ben delve into the latest developments in the social media landscape, and the importance of messaging across platforms! They discuss the future of advertising in messaging apps and emphasize the need for brands to adapt to changing user behaviors and the significance of direct communication with audiences!00:00 Navigating the Social Media Landscape02:50 TikTok's New Features and User Engagement06:05 The Messaging Wars: TikTok vs. Instagram09:02 Threads and the Rise of Alternative Platforms12:03 The Importance of Messaging in Marketing14:55 User-Generated Content and Brand Engagement17:56 Pinterest's Growing Influence in Marketing21:04 The Future of Advertising in Messaging AppsTry out Iris, our AI social media manager today for FREE!Follow Ben on Instagram: @benleavitt_Follow Mackenzie on Instagram: @kenzieanntaylorAbout FlickFlick is a social media AI, Hashtag, Scheduling, and Analytics tool. It helps you brainstorm content and caption ideas, helps you find, manage, and analyze hashtags, schedules all of your social media, as well as provide you with the latest analytics for your social media accounts.Follow us on Instagram: @flick.socialFollow us on TikTok: @flick.socialStart your free 7-Day Trial with Flick: flick.socialBe sure to join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/flicksocialhub

Today, Mackenzie and Ben discuss the importance of customer personas in marketing. They emphasize the need to understand who your ideal customer is and how to speak directly to them. Plus, take you through their FREE (yes, free!) customer persona worksheet step-by-step to help you create the perfect persona for your social media strategy. Download the free customer persona worksheet here.Follow Ben on Instagram: @benleavitt_Follow Mackenzie on Instagram: @kenzieanntaylorAbout FlickFlick is a social media AI, Hashtag, Scheduling, and Analytics tool. It helps you brainstorm content and caption ideas, helps you find, manage, and analyze hashtags, schedule all of your social media, and provide you with the latest analytics for your social media accounts.Follow us on Instagram: @flick.socialFollow us on TikTok: @flick.socialStart your free 7-Day Trial with Flick: flick.socialBe sure to join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/flicksocialhub

Today, Mackenzie and Ben discuss various topics, including the changes to Instagram's metrics, the evolving personas of tech CEOs, and the rise of AI in customer service. They also touch on the impact of social proof on user engagement and the challenges of navigating misinformation in the digital age. In this conversation, Ben and Mackenzie discuss various updates and features on Instagram. They talk about the importance of creating valuable content, the recent change in Instagram feed size, the testing of a new feature that prevents screenshotting DMs, and the live testing of a friend map.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Tech CEOs05:13 Instagram Updates Metrics12:57 The Rise of AI in Customer Service16:46 Navigating Misinformation18:52 Changes in Instagram Feed Size22:05 Live Testing of Friend Map25:05 Instagram as a Marketing Scheme30:20 The Nuances of Marketing on Social Media32:03 Clear Goals and Personalized AttentionTry out Iris, our AI social media manager today for FREE!Follow Ben on Instagram: @benleavitt_Follow Mackenzie on Instagram: @kenzieanntaylorAbout FlickFlick is a social media AI, Hashtag, Scheduling, and Analytics tool. It helps you brainstorm content and caption ideas, helps you find, manage, and analyze hashtags, schedules all of your social media, as well as provide you with the latest analytics for your social media accounts.Follow us on Instagram: @flick.socialFollow us on TikTok: @flick.socialStart your free 7-Day Trial with Flick: flick.socialBe sure to join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/flicksocialhub

In this episode, Mack and Ben discuss the latest social media news, including TikTok's new feature that allows users to find songs by singing or humming them, Instagram's feature that highlights the original creators of trends, and the ability to lock and hide DMs on Instagram. They also touch on the importance of targeting a specific audience and the potential drawbacks of going viral. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the use of personal data to train AI and the need for more knowledgeable individuals in politics. In this conversation, Ben and Mack discuss various features and updates on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. They talk about the frustrations of editing videos on mobile devices, the new notes feature on Instagram, the addition of super likes, and the partnership between TikTok and Eventbrite. They also touch on the challenges of ticket sales with Ticketmaster and the introduction of OpenAI's Search GPT. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of targeted messaging and the value of traditional marketing strategies in the digital age.Try out Iris, Flick's AI Social Media Assistant for FREE: https://www.flick.social/app/irisChapters00:00 Introduction and Overview03:00 Instagram's Focus on Original Creators05:26 Locking and Hiding DMs on Instagram08:11 Flick's Trend Notifications10:02 The Drawbacks of Going Viral15:07 Privacy Concerns on Instagram17:40 Protecting Personal Data on X20:56 More Audio Tracks on Instagram Reels24:02 The Rise of Super Likes on Instagram26:54 TikTok and Eventbrite Partnership29:03 The Challenges of Ticket Sales with Ticketmaster31:13 Introducing OpenAI's Search GPT36:30 The Importance of Targeted Messaging and Traditional MarketingFollow Ben on Instagram: @benleavitt_Follow Mackenzie on Instagram: @kenzieanntaylorAbout FlickFlick is a social media AI, Hashtag, Scheduling, and Analytics tool. It helps you brainstorm content and caption ideas, helps you find, manage, and analyze hashtags, schedule all of your social media, and provide you with the latest analytics for your social media accounts.Follow us on Instagram: @flick.socialFollow us on TikTok: @flick.socialStart your free 7-Day Trial with Flick: flick.socialBe sure to join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/flicksocialhub

Today, Mackenzie and Ben talk all about TikTok's latest app, Whee, and why in the world we need a new app. Plus, new Instagram and Threads updates are here, a new AI app from Snapchat has launched, and our favorite new AI tool is here and will help you do 75% of your social media content. Try out Iris, our AI social media manager today for FREE!Follow Ben on Instagram: @benleavitt_Follow Mackenzie on Instagram: @kenzieanntaylorAbout FlickFlick is a social media AI, Hashtag, Scheduling, and Analytics tool. It helps you brainstorm content and caption ideas, helps you find, manage, and analyze hashtags, schedules all of your social media, as well as provide you with the latest analytics for your social media accounts.Follow us on Instagram: @flick.socialFollow us on TikTok: @flick.socialStart your free 7-Day Trial with Flick: flick.socialBe sure to join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/flicksocialhub

This week, Mackenzie and Ben talk all about Meta's new verification program! They discuss the different packages offered, price points, and the impact on small creators and businesses. They also delve into the features and benefits of each package, as well as the potential implications for content reach and quality. Part 1: Introduction to Meta Verified and Its ImpactPart 2: Understanding the Meta Verified Packages and Price PointsPart 3: Features and Benefits of Meta Verified PackagesApply for The Reelies! The Reelies is the first Reels award show created to celebrate solopreneurs, small business owners, and content creators.Follow Ben on Instagram: @benleavitt_Follow Mackenzie on Instagram: @kenzieanntaylorAbout FlickFlick is a social media AI, Hashtag, Scheduling, and Analytics tool. It helps you brainstorm content and caption ideas, helps you find, manage, and analyze hashtags, schedules all of your social media, as well as provide you with the latest analytics for your social media accounts.Follow us on Instagram: @flick.socialFollow us on TikTok: @flick.socialStart your free 7-Day Trial with Flick: flick.socialBe sure to join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/flicksocialhub

This week, Mackenzie and Ben discuss the recent updates to the Instagram algorithm and how it prioritizes original content. They highlight the importance of creating unique content, the labeling of reposts, and the removal of aggregator accounts. They also discuss the higher reach for smaller creators and the shift towards a TikTok-like algorithm. The conversation emphasizes the need to focus on original content, follow community guidelines, and understand the importance of a good health score on Instagram. They also mention the upcoming Realies event, where creators can submit their Reels for a chance to win awards. Apply for The Reelies! The Reelies is the first Reels award show created to celebrate solopreneurs, small business owners, and content creators. 00:00 Introduction and Small Talk02:43 Instagram's Algorithm Update: Prioritizing Original Content06:12 The Shift towards a TikTok-like Algorithm10:25 Understanding the Health Score and Its Impact25:36 The Realies Event: Showcasing Reels and Winning AwardsFollow Ben on Instagram: @benleavitt_Follow Mackenzie on Instagram: @kenzieanntaylorAbout FlickFlick is a social media AI, Hashtag, Scheduling, and Analytics tool. It helps you brainstorm content and caption ideas, helps you find, manage, and analyze hashtags, schedules all of your social media, as well as provide you with the latest analytics for your social media accounts.Follow us on Instagram: @flick.socialFollow us on TikTok: @flick.socialStart your free 7-Day Trial with Flick: flick.socialBe sure to join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/flicksocialhub