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Threads, Bitmoji reactions, emoji polls, and even improved audio calls are making Snapchat just a little more… chatty!

The new features were announced as a way to kick off the new year by making chatting on Snapchat “more fun and expressive.”

The features are now available on Android and iOS, including:

• Chat Reply - To start a thread, hold down on a message in any group Chat and tap Reply. Your message will appear below a quoted version of the message you’re replying to.

• Bitmoji Reactions - Similar to reactions on other apps, seven Bitmoji icons provide “a quick and easy way to react to any message.”

• Poll Stickers - Snapchat’s new visual Polls allow you to add “Emoji-powered Polls” to Snaps and Stories. As the posted, you can see how your friends voted to help ensure responses stay thoughtful and kind. This feature lives in the Stickers folder when creating a Snap.

• Improved Calling - Snapchat claims to have “reimagined our video and audio calling interface to make live conversations more fun.” This includes the ability to add Lenses and preview who has answered a group call before you join.

Why it Matters

While these upgrades are not likely to set the social media world on fire, they do point to some themes for both Snapchat and social media in general:

• The importance of private and semi-private spaces.

• The ongoing importance of Snapchat’s partnerships and acquisitions—especially the Bitmoji feature.

• The competition between social apps and text messaging/”chat” apps like WhatsApp.

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Here are a few more shareworthy items we’ve been reading this month…

Channel Updates & News:

• Twitter Experiments with a New 'Flocks' Option for More Enclosed Tweet Sharing (Social Media Today)

• Why the LinkedIn Lite app is being retired (LinkedIn blog)

• New Updates To The Pinterest Algorithm In 2022 (TechAndTechs)

• TikTok Adds Live-Stream Intros to Better Facilitate Engagement (Social Media Today)

• Introducing Privacy Center (Meta blog)

• Instagram Adds Profiles Feature to Highlight Upcoming Streams (Social Media Today)

• Pinterest Testing Idea Pin Highlights (Social Media Today)

• Facebook Removing Profile Videos (Social Media Today)

• Snap upgrades its AR Shopping features with real-time pricing, more product details (TechCrunch)

• Snap Extends Content Deals with Major Media Companies (Snap newsroom)

• Twitter expanding Mute and Block options (@TwitterSupport)

• Introducing "Share on Clubhouse" and Web Listening (Clubhouse blog)

Stories & Analysis

• TikTok tops Google as the most visited website on the internet (CBS News)

• Promise of the Metaverse: A reflection on 2021, a look ahead to 2022 (FB Tech blog)

• Tap Into 2022 Instagram Trends (IG Business blog)

• 6 Mobile Commerce Trends to Watch for in 2022 (Snap Business blog)

• Global Talent Trends 2022 Report (LinkedIn)

• A Banner Year for Gaming on Twitter in 2021 (Twitter blog)

• LinkedIn Continues to see 'Record Levels' of Engagement (Social Media Today)

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