📷 Image Credit: Social Media Today 👆By: Andrew Hutchinson TL;DR Twitter is changing yet again how users can get verified on their platform. Twitter has officially announced that they will reopen their public applications for profile verification. This is excellent news for those looking for that little blue checkmark right next to their username. Who doesn't want to seem uber-official? The application process has been on pause since 2017 due to controversy over who had ownership and rights to certification. In December 2020, Twitter set up new regulations for the procedure, making sure there were clear guidelines for those getting the verified tick mark. Those eligible are companies, brands, news, government, entertainment, sports, activists, organizers, non-profits, and other influential individuals. Think of your favorite celebrity, sports team, or clothing brand; they probably have that little blue check! Although this list seems somewhat lengthy, most people will likely qualify to be eligible for this platform endorsement. Twitter plans to extend the qualifications requirements in the future, expanding the opportunity to scientists, academics, religious leaders, and more. The platform is even considering giving unique labels to those in the humor and satire industry. Now that the process is more legitimized, users can have a better experience knowing with whom they are connecting and what the blue checkmark represents. Being verified is a significant accomplishment, and we're happy that Twitter has reopened the process so that more users have this opportunity. Who knows, maybe you'll qualify! Should Twitter keep the application process open to the public? We would like to hear what you think in the comments below. Sources:Social Media Today Written by: Naia Mader, Intern Edited by: Lisa Knight, COO & Mentor

📷 Image Credit: Forbes 👆By: William Arruda TL;DR Standing out on LinkedIn can be challenging but follow these tips, and you'll easily glow up your profile. We all know LinkedIn is the place to showcase your professional life. What does that mean for you? It's essential to put extra effort into maintaining your profile. Here are some easy enhancements to help you stand out in the crowd on LinkedIn. First, LinkedIn now allows your headline to be up to 220 words, double the limit previously. This is an excellent opportunity to say a little bit more about yourself. Second, you can customize your background image. Canva is a fantastic app for this allowing the creation of a customizable template for LinkedIn banners. Take advantage of this step because branding your background will help you stand out in the massive sea of LinkedIn users. Third, update your "About" section to be a combination of your experiences, values, accomplishments, and passions. Tell your story; it's essential to showcase your talents as credible and likable, but most importantly, just be you. We suggest you focus more on your first three lines because those lines are static on your page before someone clicks "see more." Fourth, make sure to fill up your "Featured" section, showing off all the great work you've accomplished. If you're not a graphic designer or copywriter, no problem, take a video of yourself talking about a great project you've worked on or give tips and tricks to what you do. Not only will you add value to others, but you'll also showcase your knowledge and personality. Now that you've updated your profile, it's time to engage with others more than you already do. Go ahead and congratulate your fellow connections on their success and achievements. Write that recommendation if you think someone did a great job you've worked with. Here's a great tidbit of information; if you've given enough suggestions, LinkedIn adds the brand tribute of "generous" to the words people use to describe you. Who doesn't want that on their profile? The bonus to giving recommendations is that people will usually reciprocate, which builds stronger connections for you and builds on that positivity. We hope these tips are helpful to you. If you have any other tips to share, we'd love to hear about them. Please leave us a comment below. Sources:Forbes Written by: Naia Mader, Intern Edited by: Lisa Knight, COO & Mentor

📷 Image Credit: Dazed 👆 TL;DR Have you heard about the app Snack? Yes? No? Well, we're going to tell you all about it. Meet "Snack," the newest video-led dating app developed to create more authentic connections between users. The app targets a Gen Z audience with more videos versus images, giving the user a realistic and closer look at a potential partner. How does it work? Users post videos to their feed and can direct message each other through the 'like' feature. With $3.5 million in funding, Snack's launch in February 2021 to date is showing great promise. Snack's idea of using videos is brilliant. Users broadcast a more honest, unfiltered, and detailed sneak peek of who they are. We all know it can be not easy to gauge whether you like someone by just a few photos and a short bio. That's why Snack offers the video option to look closely to see if lifestyle and passions are compatible. The app has been compared as a crossover between Tik Tok and Tinder. It allows you to share and stream your life in real-time, something we all love to do. As we all know, authenticity is more expressed through videos, and we recommend this dating method. Standard dating apps can sometimes be misleading; you want to avoid having an awkward coffee date with someone who presented themselves differently online. Snack's videos are a game-changer and help to prevent all the "catfishing" and fakeness that comes with online dating. For those looking for love, we recommend you join the Snack app. Do you like the video aspect? Leave us comments below with your thoughts. Sources:Dazed Written by: Naia Mader, Intern Edited by: Lisa Knight, COO & Mentor

📷 Image Credit: BBC News 👆By: Mark Savage TL;DR Olivia Rodrigo is taking over the Gen Z pop scene, sharing her relatable emotions in her music. If you've been on social media for the past couple of months, then you are probably well aware of Olivia Rodrigo's recent success. Considered 2021's breakout star, the 18-year-old rose to fame with her hit single "Driver's License," breaking all kinds of records, including Spotify's record for the most streams in a single day. She recently released her debut album "Sour," on May 21st, which is already receiving praise and inspiring many Gen Z teens going through similar experiences. The success of the album is proving she's no, 'one-hit-wonder! Given her past acting on the Disney Channel, her new work on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and the fact that she's been taking vocal lessons since she was a kindergartener, Rodrigo has grown up to be a natural-born performer. Her secret that's not so secret? Olivia does not shy away from her vulnerable emotions. In fact, she wholeheartedly embraces her emotions. She says writing down her sadness, anger, and insecurities helps to manage her love life. The bonus for her fans is that she helps them do the same with her music. This Gen Z phenom says her relatability is through her experience of heartache in her authentic delivery. And the connection listeners make with her music is why she leaped to fame. At the rate she is going, Olivia Rodrigo could very well be the next Taylor Swift! What do you think? Sources:BBC News Written by: Naia Mader, Intern Edited by: Lisa Knight, COO & Mentor

📷 Image Credit: Hong Kong Tatler 👆By: Danica Lo TL;DR Instagram is making an app for younger users, with safety for kids in mind. Facebook recently announced its plans to release an Instagram app for kids under the age of 13. When it comes to technology and kids, there are a lot of different opinions and movements occurring at once. Currently, there are measures in place to try and keep kids off of social media sites, as research has shown negative effects. However, current events with Covid have many parents with gen alpha and gen z young kids reliant on the likes of "iPad babysitter" videos, plus using Zoom for educational purposes, which means trends are shifting younger. Instagram knows that the age 13 and older policy in place is hard to enforce. So the Instagram team is working on an app for younger users with the hope that it will offer a safer space and community for gen alpha and gen z younger users. The team has reported that they are adding safety measures to protect younger users, but nothing compares to parent supervision keeping predators and inappropriate content at bay. Sources:Hong Kong Tatler Written by: Sofia Christensen, Intern Edited by: Lisa Knight, COO & Mentor