Instagram brings Gifts monetization to Canada

Canada is one of the six countries to get Instagram's Gifts monetization feature for creators. It joins Australia, France, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Instagram started testing out Gifts last year. It allows fans offer their favourite creators direct monetary support via themed virtual gifts. The gifts bought in the app use the virtual currency Stars and cost anywhere from 10 Stars to several hundred Stars.

Creators will now also get to see which fans sent gifts. When creators tap on a new heart icon next to their supporters, the user will receive a notification that the creator saw and recognized their gifts.

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Instagram makes its Reels editor easier to use

Image: Meta

Instagram Reels isn't known for having an easy-to-use editing tool. So, the latest update from the Meta-owned company is welcome. The Reels feature gets a new editor available worldwide on iOS and Android. You can pull together video clips, audio, stickers, and text into a more streamlined interface. There are also more editing tools coming with the hope of chipping away at TikTok's dominance. 

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Instagram tests full-length Reels replays in Stories

Image: Meta

You might no longer have to leave Instagram Stories to watch the full-length of Reels. The social media platform is testing the ability to watch and share full-length Reel videos at up to one minute. This could be another way Instagram hopes to get more users to engage with the Reels on the platform. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri noted that more people are sharing content in Stories and DMs. And this is one way to keep users engaged in the app and help re-ignite its growth.

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Meta's paid verification program comes to the US

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Meta Verified, the company's paid verification program, goes live in the US. It costs USD 12 (around CAD 16) per month via the web or USD 15 (~CAD 20) on mobile to account for the in-app fees of both Apple and Google. Meta Verified brings features like a blue verification badge for both Facebook and Instagram, "proactive impersonation protection," and direct access to customer support. 

Meta is also giving stars each month (which you use to tip Facebook creators) and extra stickers for Stories and Reels. The US version of this feature won't gain increased visibility in some parts of the app yet. 

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