Umpf / Blog / Friday Social: Facebook Self-Destructs, Topshop’s InstaCatwalk and Brands on the Babywagon

Friday Social: Facebook Self-Destructs, Topshop’s InstaCatwalk and Brands on the Babywagon

  • Social Media

Our #FridaySocial is a weekly round-up of the key social media news stories from the previous seven days. Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter – @Umpf / @Allllliiiii

1. Facebook Self-Destructs

Facebook is testing a new tool that will allow users to choose a time for their social posts to self-destruct – disappear – from the site.

The feature is reportedly only available on select accounts using iOS in the US.

A Facebook spokesperson told The Next Web: “We’re running a small pilot of a feature on Facebook for iOS that lets people schedule deletion of their posts in advance.”

2. Twitter Shopping

Twitter has begun officially testing its ‘Buy’ button. The site announced this week that the tool is being tested to allow users to purchase from select merchants directly through the social media platform with first guinea pigs including socially sh*t-hot Burberry… and Megadeth.

Twitter is partnering with online payment systems Stripe to offer the service, which Head of Commerce Nathan Hubbard told Mashable the site has “been working on it since day one that I’ve been here”. Have you purchased anything through Twitter yet?

In other Twitter news, the site has announced another few features in addition to its algorithm-update bombshell this month – we can expect to see an improved search as well as group direct messaging in 2015.

3. Tweet to Eat

Celebrating its Do Us A Flavour campaign, Walkers has unveiled its new Tweet to Eat vending machines – asking users to send a tweet to receive one of six finalist flavours at three bus stops in London.

The vending machines feature a virtual Gary Lineker, who gives participants a free bag of crisps if they tweet @Walkers_busstop with a special code.

4. Topshop’s Virtual Catwalk

Topshop will be celebrating its London Fashion Week shows with its ‘most social fashion show yet’.

The brand has drafted in five influential Instagrammers, who will be sharing their view of the new collection on Topshop’s social channels, broadcast in its flagship Oxford Circus store and a pop-up in Kings Cross. Fans can also contribute to the imagery by hashtagging pictures #TopshopWindow for their chance to be included in the displays.

Topshop will be debuting its Unique collection exclusively on Facebook, and for the first time ever the styles will be available to buy immediately as they hit the runway.

5. Coral IDs at the Follow

Twitter has opened its age-gating to bookmakers, and Coral is the first to implement the technology.

Previously reserved for alcohol brands, users attempting to follow Coral will now be prompted to enter their date of birth before being allowed access and the feature works across desktop, Android and iOS.

6. And finally…

Married woman of childbearing age is pregnant with second child. Brands tweeted about it, including Nissan – its ad appeared within seven minutes of the announcement being made.

Twitter blogged about the best (and worst) brand reactions, and you can find them here.