Tumblr updates terms of service to prohibit impersonation, promote attribution, etc.

Tumblr has updated its terms of service for the first time in two years and released a draft of it on Github before they post it on the site. At the heart of the update, Tumblr wanted to provide guidelines or rules for how users should use the blogging site. The Yahoo!-owned company is reminding users to attribute sources properly when reposting and stop impersonating companies, people, etc. Those who repeatedly violate the new rules can have their accounts suspended or blocked completely.

Source: The Next Web

Tumblr finally adds @Mention alerts to platform

Long after other social network sites have utilized the @-sign to call attention to a person, Tumblr decides it’s time to let you know if someone mentions you on their blog. The Yahoo-owned service initially let you autocomplete friends’ Tumblr names with the @-sign but now they’re letting you know if you have been mentioned by a friend. You will now receive an alert on your Dashboard when you are mentioned. However, the feature is being rolled out slowly so if it doesn’t show up yet, you have to wait a bit more. Besides, what’s a few more days of waiting at this point?

Source: Read Write

Tumblr introduces sponsored trending blogs for mobile

Tumblr has brought sponsored trending blogs to its Android and iOS apps to help with monetization efforts of the company. The blogs can be seen when you are in the “Explore” tab of the app, which now has sponsored blogs from Delta, Calvin Klein, Fox, and Son Pictures. Companies will later be allowed to pay to have their blogs appear among trending results.

You’ll identify sponsored blogs when you see a dollar-sign symbol right next to the “Follow” button.  The full rollout of this ad unit will start in January 2014.

Source: The Verge

Tumblr for iOS 7 gets redesign

Tumblr redesigns its iOS app to conform to iOS 7 look. The Dashboard and post compose screen both get a new look. There is also a new post style chooser and fast reblog feature. Tumblr also added an autocomplete feature for writing tags.