That Mark Zuckerberg is not sitting still, of course, we have known for a long time. During COVID-19, social media is being used more than ever before, and handy as they are, Facebook and Instagram are of course responding to this with their new features. We list the three newest features from Facebook and Instagram. It is not yet known when the features will be live in the Netherlands and Belgium. We do know that the features will be rolled out in the coming weeks, so expect to be able to start using these developments very soon.

1. Paying for access to Facebook Live Events

We think one of the most interesting developments is the ability to charge a fee to access a Facebook Live Event. With this, Facebook facilitates – as in some webinars – the ability to host a real conference, lecture or event with ticket access as you would normally do “offline.

What we find interesting about this development is that it ensures that the target group you want to reach with your ads and/or organic posts no longer needs to be redirected to a separate website or webinar platform. This not only brings with it even more opportunities for targeting in terms of advertising, but is mainly threshold lowering for potential visitors.

2. Meeting together in Messenger Rooms

Of course, after the growing popularity of Zoom and other meeting platforms, the media giant can’t be left behind. Facebook is introducing Messenger Rooms: an easy way to host a virtual meeting/event for your community. Best of all? Even if someone doesn’t have Facebook, they can participate in the Messenger Room. Unlike Zoom, Messenger Room will have no time limit and up to 50 people can participate in a group.

In addition, it is also possible to link a Messenger Room to a Facebook Event.

The possibilities with this are endless, think about teaching a sports class, course, subject-specific conference and more!

3. Instagram’s Sticker ‘Challenge’

This is a feature that is already online. So you can get started right away with the Instagram Sticker Challenge…. but how does it actually work?

Challenges are especially popular in this day and age to connect people and combat boredom. Sometimes there is a noble purpose attached to them. In any case, the new feature is intended to make it easier to find all Challenges under one sticker.

1. Open your Story camera

2. Include the Challenge in your story

3. Click on the Challenge sticker

4. Type in the name of the Challenge you participated in

5. If you want to nominate someone after this (nice), type in the name of the person you want to nominate and tag him/her.

What do you think of these new developments? We are curious!