Social media has changed a lot in the past few years, and it's only getting more prominent. With the year we've had, it's no wonder the focus has been on these platforms. We're all aware of the top social media platforms widely used, but there may be some you might not know about that are truly making waves. Let's dive into what they are!

What's New?
New in marketing this week: Pinterest is still relevant, Samsung comes for Apple and a daily brief on Google's Marketing Livestream and Microsoft's advertising.

Pinterest Now Facilitates More Than 5 Billion Searches per Month – Pinterest has shared some new insights into user search activity as part of an overview of how its search system works and how it has evolved to provide more accurate matches.

Samsung Mocks Apple in Its New Smartphone Announcement, But It Backfires – To promote the new Galaxy S21 Ultra, Samsung once again turned to a trustworthy old tactic: poking fun at Apple. But the marketing has elicited severe criticism.

The Greatest Hits from Google Marketing Livestream – New features are available in Google Ads for local businesses, travel, and more.
What's Working?
Social media platforms aren't just fun things we go on to pass the time; they have become a way of life for many people and businesses.

We use social media platforms to communicate and find people that have similar interests.

You can use it to connect through groups, networks, and locations directly.

If your business isn't familiar with the platform or has no interest in adapting it, you'll still want to be aware of your surroundings, so you can see what the playing field is like.
Benefits of Social Media Platforms
Everyone is on social media; well, not everyone, but a good chunk of the world!

Having the ability to adapt to various social media platforms allows you to build your brand; it can help you:

* Increase your brand awareness
* Humanize your brand
* Promote content
* Drive traffic to your website
* Uncover industry trends

These social platforms can also bring customer and audience engagement, allowing you to:

* Directly connect with your niche audience
* Open the dialogue for a two-way conversation
* Network with your target audience and industry professionals
* Provide a better customer service
* Partner with influencers
* Gain insights and analytics

With newer platforms, the algorithms are more generous, so it's better to jump on the bandwagon sooner rather than later.
Early Adoption of New Social Platforms
When you are a first adopter of any up-and-coming social platforms, you're going to benefit the most.

Early adoption on new platforms allows you to learn the tips and tricks sooner and position yourself in a place of leadership. It also allows you to connect with key influencers before everyone else does.

Staying relevant and ahead of the game is crucial in our ever-...