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        Koji, a &ldquo;link-in-bio&rdquo; tool and social media app provider, has launched Pop Up Shop, a free-to-use photo-based storefront app.&nbsp;
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      <p>
        The platform allows creators to upload and tag items for sale in images to allow audiences to click on the tag, view product details, and purchase items directly from the Pop Up Shop app in the creator&rsquo;s link-in-bio.
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  <p>
    <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/creator-economy-platform-koji-announces-pop-up-shop-app-301502628.html">
      Press release
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  </p>
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Creator Economy

Koji announces photo-based storefront app Pop Up Shop

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 <p>Snapchat has collaborated with companies Billion Dollar Boy, Influencer, and The Goat Agency to create a service called Snap Star Collab Studio. This service will allow businesses to capitalize on the influence of creators on Snapchat.</p>
 <p>These new agency partnerships, alongside existing creator agency Whalar, will help facilitate connections between creators and brands for campaigns on Snapchat. The emphasis will be on Sponsored Stories, Snap Ads, and creator-first campaigns. The goal of this initiative is to boost authenticity and user engagement, while fostering brand loyalty.</p>
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Snapchat partners with Billion Dollar Boy and Influencer to leverage creator influence

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

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 <p>Google plans to close its audio streaming platform, Google Podcasts, in June 2024. Users are recommended to transition their podcast subscriptions to YouTube Music or download an OPML file of their subscriptions for other platforms.</p>
 <p>YouTube Music, a music streaming platform developed for supporting audio-centric content like podcasts, has features such as an audio-visual podcast experience, advanced podcast recommendation algorithms, and an immersive listening platform.</p>
 <p>By integrating podcasts into YouTube, Google aims to utilize the platform's powerful algorithms to provide curated content based on user preferences. The tech company also believes that introducing video can enhance the podcast experience, offering users a combination of audio and visual enjoyment.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Google's decision to shut down Google Podcasts and promote <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/16624"> YouTube as the primary platform in the podcasting landscape </a> is part of its broader strategy to consolidate its services and strengthen YouTube's position as a one-stop destination for multimedia content. In addition to streamlining Google's offerings, the move leverages YouTube's massive user base and existing infrastructure. It also aligns with Google's strategy to compete more effectively in the podcasting space by leveraging YouTube's existing strengths in video content and recommendation algorithms to attract and retain users.</p>

Google announces closure of Google Podcasts app, suggests transition to YouTube

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 <p>Instagram is introducing major changes to its ranking system, aiming to prioritize content from small and original creators without additional costs. This is part of a drive to redistribute the platform's reach.</p>
 <p>Changes in the system include updating the ranking to increase the distribution of smaller creators' content and encouraging original content over reposts in recommendations. Additionally, reposted content will bear a label linking back to its original creator. The platform will also remove content aggregators from recommendations. Initially trialing content with a small audience, the revised algorithm will gradually extend its reach, gauging results based on engagement and performance.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Instagram's decision to revamp its ranking system to highlight content from smaller, original creators reflects a strategic shift toward encouraging a more diverse and inclusive content ecosystem. By prioritizing such content, Instagram aims to address <a href="https:<br>
//about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/equity-updates-what-weve-been-up-to-and-what-comes-next"> concerns raised by creators about disparities in reach and algorithmic biases </a> that favor larger accounts and reposted content. The move aligns with Instagram's broader strategy to increase user engagement and satisfaction by promoting authenticity and diversity on its platform.</p>

Instagram updates ranking system to boost smaller creators and original content

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 <p>Meta is trialling a bonus program for creators on Threads, its text-only social media app. This exclusive program offers creators a chance to monetise their content if it achieves a certain number of views. Threads is targeted specifically to encourage user interaction and content creation. To comply with the program, creators' posts must be viewed at least 2,500 times according to Meta's guidelines. The initiative may also be widened to include Meta's Instagram users who have amassed a large following, to enhance user interaction and activity on Threads.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Meta's pilot of an invitation-only bonus program for creators on Threads represents a strategic move to incentivize creators through bonuses. It seeks to attract high-quality content and encourage creators to remain active on Threads. The initiative aligns with Meta's broader product strategy to expand its presence in the Creator Economy space and strengthen its platforms as hubs for content creation and community interaction.</p>

Meta tests bonus program for creators on Threads platform

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 <p>NFT marketplace, Magic Eden, has introduced a new platform called Magic Eden's Runes Platform. This platform enables users to trade their assets for Bitcoin (BTC) and buy Runes and Ordinals using their Magic Eden wallets.</p>
 <p>The main features of Magic Eden's Runes Platform include the ability to exchange assets for BTC, purchase Runes and Ordinals, and use the swap view to specify the amount of BTC to be spent on buying Runes. The platform also supports Ethereum, Polygon, BTC, and Solana in the Magic Eden wallet.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Magic Eden's Runes Platform represents a strategic move by Magic Eden to expand its presence in the NFT market and strengthen its position in the BTC ecosystem. By allowing users to exchange assets for BTC and purchase Runes and Ordinals using their Magic Eden wallets, the platform not only improves the accessibility of BTC-based NFTs, but also demonstrates its focus on innovation and growth within the industry.</p>

Magic Eden launches BTC Runes platform ahead of schedule

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 <p>Last month, SoundCloud implemented several updates including an interactive feature that allows users to engage with tracks uploaded on the platform. They also provided a new tool specifically designed for artists, plus a more efficient upload process for its users.</p>
 <p>The notable additions consist of a "like" option for comments, emojis to express reactions, filters for sorting comments, and an enhanced song upload tool for the artist's convenience. To promote higher levels of fan engagement, listeners are motivated to follow the individual whose link they have clicked on.</p>
 <p>SoundCloud believes that these enhancements will better the commenting experience, increase interaction with users, and ease the track uploading procedure for artists. The company also introduced a new search feature based on genres which will aid users in discovering and navigating through its extensive library of 375 million songs.</p>
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SoundCloud introduces new interaction features and uploading tools for users

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 <p>YouTube has launched new shopping functionalities permitting creators to curate and showcase collections of products on their videos for monetization purposes.</p>
 <p>The fresh features encompass Shopping Collections that enables creators to accumulate products from favoured brands for viewers to peruse. These collections can be themed, for instance, a daily makeup assortment or a set of outfit choices, and are presented in the creator's product listing, store tab, and video explanation. Another novelty is an affiliate hub that provides creators an avenue to the most recent partners, competitive commission rates, and promotional codes. Furthermore, creators can appeal for samples from high-profile brands via the hub. Additionally, YouTube is incorporating Fourthwall, a website construction tool helping creators to efficiently administer their content.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> YouTube's latest Shopping feature expansion, which builds on last year's <a href="https:<br>
//techcrunch.com/2023/10/18/youtubes-latest-features-aim-to-help-creators-make-more-money-from-shoppable-videos/"> bulk tagging capabilities, </a> represents a strategic move to empower creators further and increase monetization opportunities. By allowing all Shopping creators to quickly tag products across their entire video library based on descriptions, YouTube is streamlining the process of monetizing older content. This not only incentivizes creators to continue producing high-quality content but also reinforces YouTube's commitment to fostering a robust creator ecosystem.</p>

YouTube launches new shopping features to boost creator monetization and engagement

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 <p>Instagram has launched a Notify Sticker feature for creators to boost their engagement with followers. This feature alerts followers whenever a new post comes up.</p>
 <p>The Notify sticker primarily lets followers set reminders to view upcoming content from an account they follow. It offers creators another avenue to connect with their followers, especially those who show keen interest, by permitting them to receive alerts for specific content types. The sticker also attempts to counter the platform's algorithm that occasionally hampers the full visibility of a creator's posts among their followers.</p>
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Instagram introduces new Notify Sticker to aid creators' audience engagement

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 <p>Illuvium, a gaming platform using NFTs, secured USD 12 million in a Series A funding round. King River Capital, Arrington Capital, Spartan Capital, and Animoca Capital led the consortium of capital firms. This brings total funding for Illuvium to USD 60 million.</p>
 <p>The funds raised will be used for the launch of Illuvium's introductory series of interconnected games, set to release in Q2 2024. These games will offer players the feature to use shared NFTs across different games, aiming to deliver a unique gaming experience.</p>
 <p>Illuvium's objective is to revolutionize the gaming industry by creating a universe where the same NFT can be used in different game titles. This approach will enhance continuity and immersion for the players. With over a million registered users, Illuvium is said to have a one-of-a-kind revenue-sharing model. It offers investors who stake the platform's native token, $ILV, 100% of the in-game revenue.</p> 
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Illuvium raises USD 12 million in Series A funding for continued platform development

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 <p>Spotify is conducting an experiment in the UK, testing a feature that offers access to online courses from BBC Maestro, Skillshare, Thinkific, and PlayVirtuoso.</p>
 <p>The online courses on Spotify cover Music creation, creative pursuits, business learning, and healthy living in video format, accessible via Spotify's mobile and desktop apps. Users can make the video content audio-only and can access additional resources like PDFs. While access to these courses is free, a payment is needed to access the entire course content.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Spotify is diversifying its content offering beyond music, podcasts, and audiobooks with its latest experiment, offering online courses in the UK. The move aligns with Spotify's strategy to increase user engagement and retention by providing a one-stop shop for different forms of entertainment and knowledge. By leveraging its existing user data and listening habits, Spotify can offer targeted educational content, potentially attracting and retaining users interested in self-improvement and learning. In addition, this experiment could pave the way for future subscription tiers, such as the speculated <a href="https:<br>
//www.theverge.com/2023/9/21/23884577/spotify-supremium-lossless-audio-tier-code"> "Supremium," </a> that offer additional features, such as access to online courses, as incentives for users to upgrade their subscriptions.</p>

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