Updates on Wordpress, Twitter and VR for Digital Marketing Strategy

Major online platforms continue to introduce changes on both the hardware and software fronts. Google recently announced that Daydream now allows you to view any site in VR. Meanwhile, Twitter has begun rolling out it’s expanded 280-character tweet limit. Wordpress and Instagram have also released updates in the last two weeks.

Virtual (Searching) Reality

Ever since virtual reality was released, websites have been slowly adopting its use in their strategies and content. Integration may now be coming quicker, however, based on a recent statement by a Google insider. In a Google+ post, Chromium Evangelsit Francois Beaufort announced that Google Daydream technology now allows users to view any website in virtual reality.

Currently, Chrome 61 (the latest update) allows you to view and navigate through any website of your choosing in a VR setting, including the ability to click on links and seamlessly switch between regular 2D pages and 3D ones that support WebVR. However, this is only compatible with the latest Daydream headset they have that will soon launch on October 19.

Wordpress Website Update

It’s time to update your Wordpress website. The content management platform’s latest version includes nine security fixes, which website owners will want to apply ASAP. The maintenance side of the update features six other software updates, but focussing on security, we see five cross-site scripting (XSS) flaws, two path or directory traversal issues, and one covering an open redirect.

At its core, WordPress has a tight security operation, but the hst of third-party plugins are a source of both added value and added risk. For instance, a plugin used by around 200,000 website was pulled after it was discovered to contain a spam-enabling backdoor. These security fixes affect all versions before and including v4.8.1 so it’s best to update your website now to not disrupt your current digital marketing strategy.

Tweeeet

The social media update you’ve (probably) been waiting for is finally on the horizon: you’ll soon be able  tweet longer. Twice as long, in fact. Select segments of Twitter users are now beta testing an expanded cap of 280 characters per tweet—a move that will hopefully address an arbitrary limitation that users have for some time been working around through screen caps and tweet storms.

While the 140 character limit is iconic, the social media platform realized that it restricted some languages more than others.  For example, 9% of all tweets written in English are 140 characters long, but in Japanese only 0.4% reach the old limit.

There’s no final date yet when will this roll out but opinions are already split over the release of this new feature.

BONUS: Instagram Polls: Love it or Hate it?

Instagram Stories introduced a new interactive poll sticker. Basically, it's now possible to poll web users for their opinions on any subject by adding a poll sticker to a photo or video. Once you share the poll, you can follow the results in real time, and voters can see which answer is in the lead. Like other Instagram Stories, polls disappear after 24 hours.

Be warned though, uploaders can see who votes for what. While users may not like the loss of anonymity, it is useful for marketers to track their answers. This adds further depth to ephemeral content strategies, which marketers expect to become a game-changer by 2018.

Stay updated with the latest digital marketing trends. From social media to website developments, we’re happy to help you with any concerns and confusion you might have due to these updates. Simply schedule a consultation with us: