Facebook has confirmed that they are currently testing a new online dating app called “Sparked.” Instead of viewing profiles and swiping left or right, the app uses a new form of speed dating where users will cycle through four-minute-long video dates during an event. Then, if both users enjoy their time, they can set up a second video date that lasts ten minutes. After that, users will then have the chance to exchange contact information and stay in touch through iMessage, Instagram, or email. 

The app, Sparked, embodies the primary theme of kindness, research suggests, and it’s illustrated as “video dating with kind people.” Within the sign-up process, the app prompts users to share what makes them a “kind dater.” To participate, users must have a Facebook account, and the app appears to be free. 

 

While still in the early experimental stages, it is still unclear whether or not the app will be accessed through a website or a downloaded plugin and exactly how the process will work. With the consideration of the pandemic and the rise of limitations of in-person interactions- video dating has become a popular idea within the past few years to find love. 

 

Facebook seems to be trying to develop a new way for people to make connections and build relationships but is it getting too complicated? As one of the biggest social media platforms of our time, Facebook has evolved into a lifestyle. There is now a vast array of different moving parts and so many different facets it just seems to be all over the place. I mean, this would be their second dating feature amongst a variety of other things. 

 

When dating apps were first created, the idea was to speed up the process and skip the prolonged talking stages. Although this new app offers a different approach for people to find love in the wake of the pandemic, there doesn’t seem to be any consideration for time or ease. When it comes to simplification, Facebook might be missing the mark here. 

Is it just us, or does this remind anyone else of Omegle? You know, the website where you can video chat with strangers across the globe, which were primarily creepy older men unless you were lucky enough to run into a celeb (shout out to Wiz Khalifa). 

 

Anyways, we’ll have to wait and see what the Sparked app has to offer once it gets through the developing stages. Will it pave a new path for people to find real love through online dating or become just another uncomfortable platform to video chat with strangers? Is Facebook onto something here, or is adding yet another feature just doing the most? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 

 

Make sure to check out this week’s episode of The Label podcast to hear more of our thoughts. For more information on all things marketing, PR, and branding, get in touch with us at info@itscreativelabel.com! 

Apple’s IOS14 double-edged sword

Hey Labelers! We wanted to share the newest update of Apple’s IOS14 and how this update will impact huge social media corporations. In the past, Apple has committed to curbing phone addiction by encouraging limiting time on social media platforms. Now, they are taking it one step further. In the newest update, Apple will give you complete control over your privacy on social media by giving you the power to turn off the IDFA. You’re probably thinking, “What is the IDFA, and why should I care about it?”

Apple’s new update can completely change the way you get advertisements and how you choose to use social media. 

What are Apple’s past efforts in limiting phone usage?

At Apple’s 2018 global developer conference, they spoke out about their new mission to curb phone addiction. Now, what does this mean for social media giants? Of course, they were not only shocked but afraid of Apple’s sudden announcement. Social media platforms are not the typical firm. They don’t create products or content for us; they act as a background agent. We create the content. The longer we stay on these websites, the more money they can make. Through our attention, they take advantage of the IDFA, which is Apple’s Identifiers for Advertisers, a compilation of all your data information that developers create to feed you certain ads you would enjoy. However, Apple has proceeded to launch an activity report that tells you how much time you spend on an app, and if you want to set a time limit. Additionally, they also embedded new anti-tracking applications to hinder Facebook, Google, and other media platforms from tracking your private information even when you’re not on the website. 

What is Apple doing now?

With the new IOS14 update, Apple gives you full control over what social media conglomerates can see with your data. Any developer such as Facebook, Instagram, or Google who want to track your activity now has to request permission every time they want to access your information across applications. The IFDA allows for social media companies to compile information about you.

Developers essentially create a profile about your interests and online activity through the IDFA. However, in Apple’s IOS14, you can now turn off the IDFA to stop developers from tracking all your information across platforms. Additionally, if you leave it on, you’ll get a notification from apps asking you for permission to track your data.

How Does This Affect Facebook and Us As Users?

Because of these efforts, Facebook could potentially see a 50% drop in revenue from the Audience Network sector of their company. This new IOS update reminds users of how little privacy we have left once we join social networks. Apple’s efforts to curb phone addiction has also spearheaded the effort to protect our privacy. As content creators ourselves, this new update can also change how we create our marketing and advertising campaigns! Even though ads may be less personalized, it just means advertisements must move forward creatively and adjust to creating content that can appeal to a general audience.

Here at Creative Label, we are the company that can adapt quickly and produces content that is appealing to a broader audience. We understand how vital advertising is towards a successful business. Make sure to check out how we can create engaging and personalized content for you!

Lessons learned from The North Face

 

Hey labelers, if you think you were boycotting Facebook then you probably haven’t heard the news. We think it’s important for you to understand Data Privacy and its relation to the Boycott against Facebook because it turns out that you can’t escape it.

 

Since Facebook and Civil Rights organizers have created the movement for #StopHateForProfit in concern of Facebook’s hate, misinformation, and paid advertisements, advertisers are having a hard time quitting Facebook.

 

#StopHateForProfit 

 

Following the BLM Movement, there was an extreme plummet in companies advertising to support and elevate the awareness of black-owned businesses. This is where the #StopHateForProfit hashtag came about. The purpose of the #StopHateForProfit hashtag was to  encourage businesses to pause their advertising during the month of July. The hashtag took off and influenced many companies to boycott Facebook advertising for a month.

 

NorthFace’s Attempt to Boycott Facebook

North Face’s recent campaign in support of the #StopHateForProfit against Facebook brings insight on secrets within data privacy that most people don’t even know about. In June & July, North Face quit all ad spending on Facebook and released the public statement on Twitter. That however didn’t stop the internet from investigating. 

 

Shortly after, the writer for One Zero used a data logger tool when navigating North Face’s website. By doing so, he found that The North Face shares every interaction on their website with Facebook, therefore invalidating their entire campaign against them. Yikes!

 

How did this oversight happen, you ask? Data tracking. Data tracking when not using the social platform is called “Off-Facebook Activity”. In January, Facebook released this feature with new data privacy rules that include data being tracked regardless of whether a company is participating in ad spending with Facebook or not. Therefore, just because a company quit advertising with them, doesn’t mean your data isn’t still being shared because the online systems are inevitably linked; and therefore, benefiting Facebook. 

 

When interactions from any website are shared with Facebook, it is allowing the platform access to your search history and can therefore place better ads on your feed. Facebook benefits from this by collecting endless amounts of data that aren’t linked to a “click” from their site and using this information to enhance their marketing and advertising. Because NorthFace’s website data was still being tracked from Facebook, they couldn’t fully Boycott the social network and therefore falsify their initial statement of “We’re in. We’re out”. 

Can you fully boycott Facebook? How Can You Try?

 

This has been a raising question as more businesses decide to permanently leave Facebook advertising, totaling over 1,000 last week. We have done some of the research for you labelers and after a congressional meeting this past week, found some answers. Unfortunately, no it is not possible to fully boycott Facebook even if you stop participating in ad spending with the platform. This type of technical oversight is a rather prominent problem when trying to boycott Facebook where companies are still receiving data from them. Essentially, you may have hit pause on the machine but it’s still collecting data and there is no real stop button.

 

Unfortunately for smaller businesses that desperately rely on this form of advertising for the majority of their sales, boycotting Facebook isn’t necessarily an option for them. However, this doesn’t always mean that they are supporting Facebook’s actions, they may just be left with no choice. In order to make sure you are supporting the small businesses that stand with the #StopHateForProfit movement, it is important for everyone to do research on small businesses and the values they stand behind. 

 

If you want to Boycott Facebook, here’s how many are taking action.

Like we mentioned, doing so isn’t easy but if you feel compelled, here are some ways we are seeing people boycott Facebook. 

 

• Support — Don’t support online E-Commerce sites on Facebook unless they are local/small-owned.

 

• Engage — The less engagement on Facebook, the fewer ads you’re being tracked for.

 

• Ad Spending — Re-allocate funds for social media exposure elsewhere

 

• Reach out to Facebook — Instead, contact civil rights groups and fellow boycott companies and ask how you can get involved.

 

Facebook Launches Community Help Feature 

 

We’ve got a little “in case you missed it” post for you today on The Buzz! 

 

Facebook recently implemented a new “Community Help” feature where users can request and offer help in your community. 

The Community Help feature was created to focus on the impacts of COVID-19 and what communities, families, and individuals need during this time. In creating this feature, Facebook is encouraging the use of this platform for tasks such as volunteering to deliver groceries or donating to a local food pantry or fundraisers. The initial rollout is in the US, the UK, France, Australia, and Canada. Don’t see your country here? Don’t worry, Facebook is working to bring the feature to more countries in the coming weeks.

 

We as an agency, recognize the immense value that this feature offers the public in a time of uncertainty and doubt. We love that Facebook is devoting its resources to aiding this situation! 

 

We also see purpose and meaning for the Community Help feature that goes far beyond the current status of our world! It is a game-changing step toward fostering community #IRL through online gestures, and that is something to be excited about! 

 

Community Help has the potential to continue to help community members with other daily tasks including dog walking, babysitting, and business needs, even when we’re no longer facing a pandemic! This minimizes the use and need of other websites and apps like Care.com, BusyBees, etc. because now you can request or offer your services for free, with nothing but a Facebook account! There are no fees associated with your requests, offers, or account – it is totally free to ask for what you need. This is why Facebook stands out among other service sites, right now! 

 

We know that Facebook is also home to plenty of Groups and Pages for community members to post in, however, Community Help has the ability to connect you with people and organizations that may provide a bit wider of a net than the 10 homes on your block! 

 

Facebook is giving users the opportunity to grow their circle, to show up, and to get involved. USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE! Being present within your community is so important and beneficial, and Community Help emphasizes and encourages that. Push yourself, your brand and even your friends and family to get involved with your community–wherever safe of course–and form those connections. 

 

Connecting with your community has never been more important, and therefore the impact that Community Help could have is ENORMOUS! Pandemic or not, your community consists of the people you surround yourself with — you should be able to have an easy and open dialogue with them. We’re hoping that the future holds even more ways for communities to support each other both online and in-person. Facebook is at the forefront of support, right now! Join em’!

 

If you’re wondering how to get involved with your community or if you need some assistance yourself, the Community Help feature is for you! You can access Community Help in the COVID-19 Information Center on Facebook or by visiting facebook.com/covidsupport. 

 

Does this new Facebook feature sound like something you could start using? Let us know in the comments below! For more guidance on how to align your brand with your community, email us at info@itscreativelabel.com!