Pollinger’s Productivity : Dec 2024
| Instagram Adds New Direct Messaging Features Instagram enhanced its Direct Messaging by introducing live location sharing for up to 60 minutes and the ability to assign customisable nicknames to group chats. Insights: These features aim to improve user interaction and coordination, and which will be particularly beneficial for businesses managing teams or running events. |
| Instagram Is Testing Unskippable Ads Instagram is testing ads called Ad Breaks that you have to watch for 5 seconds before your feed refreshes. If introduced, users in the EU will be able to pay 5.99 EUROS per month to disable them. Insights: These might work well for businesses but there’ll be a backlash from users as I’m sure this feature will go down like a lead balloon! |
| Reset The Algorithm on Instagram Instagram is introducing a “Recommendations Reset” feature, allowing users to refresh their content suggestions across Explore, Reels, and Feed. This tool enables a fresh start, with the algorithm recalibrating based on new interactions. After resetting, Instagram will personalise recommendations anew, reflecting your current engagements. The “Recommendations Reset” is expected to roll out globally soon, enhancing user’s control of content on the platform. Insights: This is a novel idea and a great feature that offers users greater control over their Instagram experience. Particularly useful for users who are disengaged with their current feeds or those whose interests have recently changed. The new feature should help content to remain relevant as a user’s interests evolve. |
| Surge In TikTok Live Shopping TikTok’s live shopping feature, TikTok Shop, has experienced remarkable growth in the UK, with over 200,000 active businesses, double the number from 12 months ago, using the platform to engage consumers in real-time. The UK has seen a 64% increase in daily live shopping sessions over the past year, with daily sales rising by 93% during the same period. TikTok anticipates this Christmas to be its most significant retail period yet, driven by a projected 58% year-on-year increase in advertising revenue from retail and e-commerce clients. Insights: The rapid adoption of TikTok Shop underscores a shift towards interactive, real-time shopping experiences. Businesses, especially in the beauty sector, are capitalising on live sessions to boost sales and foster direct consumer engagement. As the holiday season approaches, integrating live shopping into marketing strategies will be important for brands aiming to increase visibility and drive revenue. |
| UK Parliament Explores AI Integration The UK Parliament is evaluating the adoption of AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot to assist MPs with tasks such as tracking attendance, drafting legal texts, and improving overall legislative efficiency. This move is part of a broader effort to modernise parliamentary operations and reduce administrative burdens. Insights: The use of AI to streamline administrative and procedural tasks could free up MPs to focus on policy-making and constituency work. Tools like ChatGPT, with natural language processing capabilities, are well-suited to draft and summarise complex legal documents. If successful, this pilot could serve as a model for other government bodies globally. It signals growing confidence in AI’s role in supporting – not replacing – critical human decision-making processes in governance. |
| Practical Pointer How to get ChatGPT to write like you using Custom Instructions in ChatGPT? You can personalise your ChatGPT experience by providing specific guidance on how the AI should respond using Custom Instructions. These instructions help tailor interactions to match your preferences, whether you’re using ChatGPT for professional work, personal advice, or learning. So you can use ChatGPT to create social media posts and other content written in your own unique style. Custom Instructions are a powerful feature that makes ChatGPT more adaptable to your unique requirements. How to Set Up Custom Instructions in ChatGPT Setting up Custom Instructions is simple and can significantly enhance your interaction experience. Follow these steps: Step 1: Access the Settings Log in to ChatGPT: Visit https://chat.com (ChatGPT have just bought this domain name) and log in to your account. Open Settings: On desktop, click on your profile picture or name in the bottom-left corner of the screen, then select Settings. On mobile, tap the menu icon (☰), and then tap Settings. Step 2: Enable Custom Instructions In the Settings menu, look for the Customise ChatGPT option. You’ll see 2 boxes in which you can add your Custom instructions. Top box – What would you like ChatGPT to know about you to provide better responses? Here, you can provide background information or specific details about yourself, your work, or the purpose of your interactions. For example: “I provide social media and AI training.” “I create content for myself and clients.” Bottom box – How would you like ChatGPT to respond? Here, specify your preferences for tone, structure, or formatting. For example: “Please use short paragraphs and avoid US English and technical jargon.” “I want engaging, creative responses in a casual tone.” Enter your preferences in these fields and save them. Step 4: Test and Adjust Start a conversation to see how the custom instructions affect ChatGPT’s responses. If needed, revisit the Custom Instructions settings to refine your inputs. Tips for Using Custom Instructions Be Clear and Specific: The more detailed your instructions, the better ChatGPT can align with your needs. Experiment and Refine: Test different setups to see what works best for your purposes. Update Regularly: Adjust your instructions as your needs evolve. Use for Multiple Contexts: If you use ChatGPT for different tasks (eg social media and personal projects), you can modify instructions as needed. |
| Stay Safe On Social Media An astonishing 60% of social media users have experienced at least one form of account hacking. In this blog post below, Jonathan Pollinger explains how to keep safe and secure on social media : https://mklink.co.uk/social-media/how-to-stay-safe-and-secure-on-social-media/ |
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