Latest news with #InstagramReels
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
I'm Expedia's marketing chief. Here's how we're preparing for a future when people use AI to plan their vacations.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jochen Koedijk, Expedia Group's chief marketing officer. It's been edited for length and clarity. The way consumers are using the internet to make their decisions is fundamentally changing. I have two kids, 10 and seven years old, and I think it's very unlikely they will ever put a query into a search box, as I've grown up doing. The way people are using voice and having real conversations is going to be a long-term change in how people are using the internet. What we're seeing today is that a lot of the inspirational travel searches are evolving rapidly with things like Copilot, ChatGPT, and even Instagram Reels. There are a lot of moments where my wife sends me Reels, and she's like, "Where is this?" And I have no idea. So then, we were like, what if we can develop something where you send those Reels to Expedia, and then we will tell you: "It's this destination, or this hotel. Here are a couple of things to do. The best time to visit is between May and July, and here are a couple of booking options so you can get started." Right now, it's still early access, which means it's only with Reels, but we're looking at other forms of content as well. It's a very different journey versus going to and typing in "best hotels in Miami with pool, minus spa." We're also focusing on the visibility of our brands in agentic search engines. It's really evolving. We've launched with Operator for OpenAI, which I still see as a precursor to an agentic interface because you're looking at the cursor moving on your screen. Of course, true agentic, where it's going, will be more behind-the-scenes. But it's very important to be early so that we can experiment and iterate. Another example is being a launch partner for Copilot Plus, which is the way Microsoft is evolving. There's so much development between each of these LLM providers and depending on which week of the month, there's a new model here, and things completely change. There are a lot of AI experts popping up left, right, and center. It's important for us to make sure that we do a lot of our marketing in-house — the majority — and that we further evolve our in-house functions to be ready for the future. Google is a very important partner of ours. A lot of our traffic is still from Google. The way they're using Gemini with AI Overviews is already impacting our existing traffic in a big way. We look to understand which search queries are triggering AI overviews, and then we look at our traffic trends, and we triangulate. So we could, for example, see that certain keyword buckets trigger more overviews than last month, and that will have a certain impact on traffic and conversion. Traffic may go down, but conversions may go up because the traffic becomes more qualified. I do believe the funnel — as we call it as marketers — will start to collapse more and more over time. We want to make it a lot more seamless so that there is not that kind of disconnect between the inspiration and the action.
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
I spent a week editing all my Reels in Instagram's new app, was it worth it?
Ryan Haines / Android Authority I've never been a big Reels guy on Instagram. Sure, I'll spend far too long scrolling through them here and there, but I rarely try my hand at making one. After all, as a photographer for my local run club, it's easier to string together a slider of photos when I want to post something because I don't know the first thing about video editing. But then, Instagram came up with a solution. It launched an all-in-one Reels command center, combining tabs for inspiration, editing, and in-app video recording, along with a way to check the views and interactions for your Reels once they're posted. And, since I've always heard that Reels get more engagement than photos, I decided to try it out. Here's how my week with Instagram's Edits app went. Edits, Edits, and more Edits Ryan Haines / Android Authority Going into my Edits adventure, I decided I wanted to give every last aspect of the app its fair shake. That meant working my way across the tabs, starting with some inspiration, leaving some notes — Edits calls them Stickies — as I came up with ideas, and then ultimately working through a couple of Reels once I felt somewhat comfortable with the process. At first, that plan went brilliantly. Everything that Edits does in terms of exposing you to other Reels and giving you access to trending audio is excellent. It automatically draws in the content you've saved on Instagram, as well as a scrollable feed of the accounts that you follow and a tab marked Inspiration that's kind of like your For You page, just with a little less control. For me, the Following tab proved the most helpful, as it gave me Reels from accounts that I already care about, which made me more willing to copy their formatting and pinch their audio. I'm so glad Edits pulls all the reels I've already saved into one convenient — if chaotic — place. So, that's what I did. I scrolled through perhaps a few too many working minutes' worth of inspiration until I found something that spoke to me. As it turned out, it wasn't a format that caught my eye or ear. Instead, what drew me in was a two-minute clip from Kermit the Frog's recent commencement speech at the University of Maryland. In it, he talks about how life isn't a solo act but an ensemble piece surrounded by the people you care about. To me, it felt like he was referring to the run club that I'm a part of every Thursday, a group that's given me many of my closest friends. So, I took about the first minute of his speech and put it into a slideshow of my most recent running photos. Is it glamorous? No, not really, but it struck a sentimental chord, and that was good enough for me. I'll also readily admit that was the only Reel I worked through from start to finish during my week with Edits. Although I recorded a few clips here and there with the app's built-in capture tab, I had a tougher time with the video editing learning curve than I expected. The fact that Edits simply sticks you with a row of buttons for Audio, Text, Voice, Captions, Overlay, Sound FX, and more, and then expects you to know what to do is, well, overwhelming. I picked up on the fact that I'd have to split my audio clip to make it line up with the photos I'd chosen, but then I also quickly realized I'd have to cut the length of each photo individually to get a good match. It's almost like Edits is missing something very important… Oh, right, because it is. As I quickly learned, there's no way to access templates in Instagram's brand-new Edits app. They just don't exist. You can get inspiration and pull audio, but don't try inserting your clips into an existing format — it's too confusing. You know where you can create Reels from templates, though? Instagram itself. For all the sense it makes, Instagram might be a more beginner-friendly way to make Reels than the dedicated way to make Reels. I dunno, man. I'm still no Reels pro, but I'm getting better Ryan Haines / Android Authority Although I went into my week with Edits thinking I'd become a super-confident, Reel-making expert, I can now report that's not the case. I feel fine about the process, but there's no good way to cheat the learning curve, as it were. However, I also know that making Reels in Edits is only part of the attraction. Just as important is the rest of the data it gives you on what you post, as well as the inspiration that I found so helpful. I think Edits does a pretty solid job on the analytics front, too. It gives you insights into each Reel you post, breaking down everything from the skip rate to the like rate, as well as the average watch time, and then presents a larger view of your total Reels viewcount, the number of accounts you reach, and how many followers you've gained over the last 30 days. If you want to get a little nerdy or try to boost your Instagram presence, it's probably the most convenient way to do so. Instagram's Edits app is a great tool, but you can't cheat the learning curve. No matter how I feel about the analytics or the lack of easily editable templates, though, I have to say that I like the motivation behind Edits. If you already have the basics of video editing and want a quick, Instagram-molded way to chop up a Reel, it's excellent. To some people, the row of buttons and the filmstrip-like editing timeline will be second nature, and they already intimidate me less than they did just a few days ago. I'm still nowhere near the creativity or level of video inspiration of some of my colleagues here at Android Authority, but I do have a greater respect for the thought and care that goes into something as simple as a one-minute video that a 14-year-old is going to breeze right past on his very first iPhone.
Time Business News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Business News
How to Rapidly Grow Your Youtube Shorts Channel
In the fast-evolving world of YouTube, Shorts has become one of the most powerful tools for creators looking to explode their reach. Whether you're a beginner or already posting, you've probably realized that Shorts have the power to put your content in front of thousands (even millions!) of viewers in just hours. But with so many creators chasing viral success, how can you focus on targeted YouTube audience growth and not just random views? Let's break down two expert tips that will help you build a Shorts channel with real, lasting momentum. Master Trending & Evergreen Content The key to growing a Shorts channel isn't just about chasing viral hits — it's about knowing what to post and when . Start by paying attention to what's trending: check YouTube's trending page, see what creators in your niche are doing, and monitor TikTok or Instagram Reels trends that often cross over. Jumping on hot trends early can give your Shorts a massive push in visibility. But here's the expert twist: balance trending content with evergreen videos. Evergreen content refers to topics that stay relevant over time — tutorials, tips, or answers to common questions in your niche. For example, if you run a fitness Shorts channel, a trending video might be a viral workout challenge, while an evergreen one could be a quick tip on perfect squat form. Combining both types means you get the short-term spike from trends and the long-term, steady growth from evergreen content. This dual strategy helps you capture not just random clicks but real targeted YouTube audience growth — check out how professional growth services like this one can help fine-tune your targeting even further. Optimize for Engagement & Retention The YouTube Shorts algorithm thrives on viewer engagement and retention. This means your goal is to make people stop, watch, and stick around until the end — or even better, rewatch! The first 1-2 seconds of your Short are everything . If you don't hook the viewer right away, they'll swipe away. Here's what works: Add on-screen captions to grab attention (especially since many people watch on mute) Use a bold, surprising opening shot Keep your pacing tight — no unnecessary pauses End with a punch or twist that makes people go 'wait, what?' Retention doesn't just help with a single video; it signals to YouTube that your channel is producing content worth promoting. And the more your content is surfaced to people interested in your niche, the more you build targeted YouTube audience growth (again, services like JayNike specialize in helping creators connect to the right audience). TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Red Envelope Mystery reaches a Boiling Point: Countdown ticks down
The Red Envelope saga took another unexpected turn last night in Bangalore, as a digital billboard briefly flickered and displayed a QR code, before returning to its usual iPhone ad. What seemed like a technical glitch quickly turned into a major clue when an onlooker, a commuter waiting in traffic, captured the moment on his phone. Upon scanning the code, he was led to the mysterious website A post shared by 𝔸ℕ𝕌𝕂ℝ𝕀𝕋𝕀 𝕊ℍ𝔸ℝ𝕄𝔸 ✨ (@ The website features a countdown timer ticking down to 12:00 pm tomorrow, adding to the growing suspense. The site's glowing red envelope and cryptic message, 'This envelope delivers destinies,' has fueled more questions than answers. Visitors are prompted to answer a series of questions but are given little direction, leaving many speculating about what might be revealed when the timer hits zero. This new development adds to a string of strange incidents that have captivated the public. In recent days, passengers have reported seeing a woman in a red satin dress distributing red envelopes to business travellers in airport lounges. Each time, the contents of the envelopes appeared to vanish, adding an eerie layer to the mystery. Along with the vanishing QR codes, these occurrences have prompted growing interest and speculation. The Red Envelope Instagram page, now with over 250k followers, continues to spread, with posts gaining millions of views on Instagram Reels and Twitter (X). Wild theories abound, with some claiming a link to secret societies, others suggesting it's related to shifts in global finance. As the countdown nears its final moments, questions continue to swirl. Is the Red Envelope a secret network for elite investors, a covert message, or simply an elaborate stunt? With only hours left, the nation waits eagerly for the 12:00 pm revelation - a climax that promises to uncover what the mystery has been building towards.
Engadget
5 days ago
- Engadget
PopSockets finally launches a vertical grip stand
Vertical videos have been a part of most people's every day lives for years now. TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and more are all in portrait mode, as is a typical video call off a smartphone. But it's only now that PopSockets has caught up, releasing the Kick-Out Grip and Stand that can balance a phone vertically. The new model is part of PopSockets' MagSafe line but, as the name suggests, includes a kick stand that folds out of the traditional socket. All a person needs to do is flatten the grip and then pop out the top bit. It will fold down and serve as a light stand for the phone to rest on. PopSockets has launched the Kick-Out Grip and Stand in Black, Latte, Dusk and Putty, along with two Aluminum Radial options, French Navy and Silver. It retails for $40 and should work with any MagSafe compatible case, swappable PopTop or PopMount currently sold. However, it also comes with an adapter ring so it should work with almost any case. The new Kick-Out Grip and Stand feels like a small update but, if you're anything like me, it will stop water bottles, cups and other rogue phone props from constantly fall down. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
