Observed Signal · Jun 19, 2024 · Technical Release · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Instagram Notes Now Replaces Profile Pictures with Videos
Instagram Notes now supports recording videos that can temporarily replace the profile picture, expanding dynamic content within the Notes feature. The update follows late-May changes that added three Notes features aimed at boosting creator engagement and interaction on the platform. With this video capability, creators can capture in-context footage (including the surrounding environment) and set it as their profile image for a limited time, potentially increasing account dynamism and viewer engagement. Meta notes that Reels now account for about half of the time spent in the app, underscoring the value of video content for Notes. The article also describes an Easter Egg: sharing birthday wishes via Notes with a Mention can trigger a confetti burst in the app. The tips come from social-media expert Lia Haberman on Threads, highlighting creator-focused updates to Instagram's Notes ecosystem.
Technical Release from Major Platform (Instagram / Meta)
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Instagram Notes now allows recording videos to temporarily replace the profile picture.
- Video Notes feature was introduced as part of Notes updates launched in late May.
- Reels now accounts for around 50% of time spent in the Instagram app.
- An Easter Egg in Notes can trigger a confetti burst when birthday wishes are shared with a Mention.
- Update was reported by Lia Haberman on Threads.
Connected Companies & Entities
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Related Market Signals & Shifts
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Google launches unified agentic AI for Gemini
At a Google Cloud event on Thursday, Google announced it is bringing agentic AI to its Gemini assistant, launching a unified agent that can autonomously plan and execute tasks on behalf of users. Aimed initially at businesses, the agent can connect to internal systems and external tools, use custom skills, and even choose from third-party models like Anthropic's Claude. It will have its own Workspace account with an email address, and will write its own audit trail. Early testers include On, Shopify, and PayPal. Gemini has over 1 billion monthly active users, and nearly 90% of Fortune 100 companies use Gemini Enterprise.
AWNY, Jupiter Fest Spotlight Agentic Ads and Open Web
Advertising Week New York and the inaugural Jupiter Festival Miami highlighted the industry's shift toward agentic advertising and anxieties about the open web's future. Major announcements included TikTok's off-platform ad expansion and a new AI shopping agent, Meta's AI campaign assistant testing, and OpenAI's visual ads introduction. Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery closed, forming Skydance. Key themes were the threat of AI to publisher traffic, the rise of AI visibility tools, the early stage of agentic media buying, unsolved cross-platform measurement, and the booming sports and retail media sectors. Deals included PubX's acquisition of Compliant and a $5 million Series A, and OpenAI's reported $30 billion round talks with BlackRock and UAE investors.
ICANN Receives 1,615 New Top-Level Domain Applications
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has accepted applications for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) for the first time since 2012. A total of 1,615 applications were submitted by 481 applicants, with a strong focus on AI-related domains. Ten companies, including Meta and OpenAI, applied for .agent, seven for .agi, and six for .asi. Meta filed 21 applications, including .instagram and .threads, while OpenAI filed 15, including .chatgpt and .codex. German entities like Adidas, Biontech, and Allianz also applied for brand-specific domains. The application fee can be up to $227,000 per domain. The article also highlights the financial success of country-code TLDs like .ai, which earned Anguilla about €59 million by November 2025.
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