Happy Friday and welcome back to The Weekly Download! Here’s what made headlines this week:
Twitter explains its new verification process, Google’s ‘Year in Search 2020’, Facebook continues the fight against COVID-19 misinformation, the Pantone Color of the Year 2021, and Friday Fun.
Support Local Artists Offering Holiday Discounts
Shopping local is more important this year than ever, and there’s lots of options no matter who you’re buying for.
Looking for a last-minute gift for the fashion lover or creative soul in your life? dotidoodle and Station Lane Co. are two Spodek & Co. clients that are local to the Toronto area and are offering holiday discounts. Visit their websites today to learn more. Happy shopping!
Twitter Explains How to Apply for its New Verification Process
Just a few weeks ago, Twitter announced that it would be reinstating its process for user verification, and yesterday the company released more details about how it’s all going to work. The program was initially suspended three years ago following the verification of a white supremacist leader.
The company says that users can start applying for a coveted blue check starting January 20 by tapping “Request verification” in their account settings. Accounts that are “notable” and fall into the categories of government; companies, brands and organizations; news organizations and journalists; entertainment; sports and gaming; and activists, organizers, and other influential individuals may be eligible.
Also important – lots of deverifications are to be expected in the coming weeks as Twitter revokes verification for accounts that no longer fit the program’s criteria.
If you’re interested in verification, read more from Twitter here.
Google Recaps the Year That Was with ‘Year in Search 2020’
How do we sum up 2020? It’s near impossible, but Google tried.
Check out this clip from the company that went viral on IGTV earlier this week:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CIlHDnflU3d/
Facebook to Send Notifications to Those Sharing COVID-19 Misinformation
The fight against fake COVID-19 news continues on Facebook, and this time, the company is taking things a step further. This week Facebook announced it will deploy notifications directly to users to notify them when they have engaged with misinformation on the platform.
According to an article by FastCompany, the company will send notifications to anyone who has liked, commented, or shared a piece of COVID-19 misinformation that’s been taken down for violating the platform’s terms of service. It will then connect users with trustworthy sources in effort to correct the record.
Will it work? Experts aren’t so sure. The additional context could be helpful, but by the time the notification appears, the damaging effects of false information may already be felt.
Pantone Unveils its Color of the Year 2021
Pantone is gracing the world but not one but two colours to lead us into 2021:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIlsqbbA44A/
According to Pantone, the colours selected work together to “create an aspirational color pairing, conjoining deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the optimistic promise of a sunshine filled day.”
And we could all use a little more optimism in 2021, right?
Friday Fun
Get in The Festive Spirit with This Schitt’s Creek Supercut
It’s Schitt’s Creek with a Mariah Carey twist. Need we say more, bébé?
https://www.instagram.com/p/CItyT4OgA-K/?utm_source=ig_embed
