This Summer on Our Favorite Social Media Platforms

This summer, our favorite social media platforms went through quite a few changes! Our go-to apps decided to freshen things up—for you, whether you use them daily for your business or just to unwind after work.

But let’s be honest—the real reason behind these updates? To compete more closely with platforms like TikTok.

What’s new on Facebook

The latest Facebook update mainly affects business pages.

When we say “page,” we’re talking about your favorite local restaurant serving the best tartare in town or your go-to hairstylist. In short, business pages are the ones that have changed.

If you’re simply following pages—don’t worry. Nothing has changed for you, and you can keep reacting with your favorite GIFs.

But if you’re a business owner or a page manager, this update is for you.

Managing your Facebook page

Before, managing your Facebook page was simple—you just clicked on the “Page” tab to access and interact with your audience.

This summer, Facebook transformed business pages into something closer to profiles. Yes, your page now has its own identity.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• When interacting with your audience (commenting or posting), make sure you’re using the correct profile. If you see your personal photo, you’re posting as yourself—not your business.

• Your page now has its own feed, allowing you to see content from other businesses directly.

• Sharing content has become easier, reducing the risk of posting from the wrong account (finally!).

• However, if you manage multiple business pages, there’s a limitation—for now, you can manage up to 5 profiles.

What’s new on Instagram

This summer, Instagram rolled out a ton of updates—trying one direction, then another.

But don’t worry: you can still post pictures of your new kitten or share your beach vacation photos.

A new post format

At one point this summer, Instagram shifted from photos to a video-heavy experience—clearly inspired by TikTok—before bringing photos back toward the end of the season.

So, should you now post videos instead of photos?

The answer is no.

Photos are still relevant—but with a twist.

Instagram used to be known for its square format. That’s now changing. The new preferred format is 9:16 (vertical), allowing:

• Less cropping

• More creative flexibility

• A more immersive viewing experience

Exploring new places

One of the most exciting updates is the ability to explore locations.

Ever wondered what to do or where to go in a city? Now you can find out directly on Instagram.

Since July 19, 2022, Instagram has started competing with Google Maps by offering:

• Business hours

• Average pricing

• User-generated content from visitors

We love this feature—it makes it easier to discover new restaurants and experiences.

To use it, simply search for a location in the Instagram search bar, then explore the results. The goal is to build a community-driven map where users share their favorite spots.

The only downside? The map feature isn’t fully integrated yet—you still need to search manually to access it.

This feature is great for tourism and discovering hidden gems—whether in your own city or abroad. Think about it: when visiting Paris, what’s better than knowing the must-see spots for your romantic getaway?

What it means for businesses

This update is also a great opportunity for businesses.

You can leverage location exploration by:

• Posting high-quality content

• Tagging your business location

• Encouraging customers to share their experience

This helps attract both your community and new visitors.

Conclusion

Every platform evolves for a reason. The key is to identify the benefits and use them to your advantage.

Need help managing your social media? Trust Duo Énergie Graphique! Schedule a meeting with us to see how we can support your strategy.