media update’s Aisling McCarthy has a look at 10 of the most important social media articles from this year.

1. How effective is Facebook’s fight against fake news?

2018 has been a big year for Facebook. After numerous fake news reports, as well as the data breach scandal, Mark Zuckerberg's company has had to work hard. But the real question is: How much have they actually done?

Christine Gerber takes a look at what Facebook has been up to, and what it means for the media industry as a whole.

TOP QUOTE: “The distribution of misinformation, or fake news, can affect the credibility of media companies and businesses. It also prevents journalists from acquiring authentic and credible news sources and contributes to the spread of misinformation, which can hurt business reputation.”

2. How brands can protect their trade marks in the age of social media

There’s no denying that the age of social media has made copyright a little more complicated. With millions of people sharing things online every day, how do brands protect their intellectual property?

Adam Wakefield explores why social media has made business more complicated, and how brands can actively protect their rights online.

TOP QUOTE: “It is no longer realistic to merely carry out a trade mark search and apply for trade mark registration to protect a brand. Brand owners need to proactively build and maintain their own social media presence on sites.”

3. BLOG: The difference between social media influencers and ambassadors

Social media marketing is becoming increasingly popular, and so are influencers and brand ambassadors.

The media update team takes a look at these two terms and spells out the difference between them, so that you can ensure you pick the right one for your brand.

TOP QUOTE: “The great thing about both social media influencers and ambassadors is that they either have experience with the offering they’re promoting, or have some expertise in the industry that the brand plays in. This makes their opinions credible, meaning their followers are more likely to trust their recommendation.”

4. Answered: Three burning questions about AI and social media tracking

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become part of almost every industry in 2018, and social media is no exception.

Aisling McCarthy takes a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about AI and social media tracking and gives you the answers that you need.

TOP QUOTE: “The inclusion of AI-powered technology into social media tracking and reporting services allows them to offer a more holistic service. With so much data available, AI technologies ensure that these service providers can keep up with the masses of Big Data.”

5. 10 Steps to the perfect social media marketing strategy

If your brand isn’t on social media in 2018, does it even exist? With so many consumers taking to social sites for their news, reviews and even shopping, you need a solid strategy to ensure your brand performs at its best.

Unsure of how to put together a strategy for the social media age? Aisling McCarthy takes you through each of the steps.

TOP QUOTE: “Your strategy should evolve as you learn. Check up on it often, and above all else – don’t be afraid to try out new ideas.”

6. How to become an influencer – A 10-step guide for social media

With ad blockers on the rise, how do brands get their message across to consumers? With social media influencers!

Wondering how you can turn your social media accounts into influential marketing channels? Jenna Cook guides you through the 10 steps that will see you going from casual social poster to influencer extraordinaire!

TOP QUOTE: “The social media platform you are posting on will dictate the kind of content that you can produce. For example, Instagram is more image and video based, while LinkedIn is great for in-depth articles. The important thing is to be inspired and remain that way.”

7. 10 Social media terms you should add to your vocabulary

In a fast-paced, ever-changing world like social media, you need to know what you’re talking about.

media update takes you through a list of 10 social media terms you’ll need to know to get the most out of your social media strategy.

TOP QUOTE: “The world of social media practically has its own language. How can you ‘action’ these words if you don’t even know what they mean?”

8. How to do a social media audit in seven surprisingly simple steps

So you’ve put your social media strategy in place, but how do you know if it’s working? That’s where a social media audit comes in.

Jenna Cook explains seven simple steps to finding out the facts about your social media presence, and what to do if your strategy isn’t working out the way you’d hoped.

TOP QUOTE: “Consistency is key when building your brand reputation. Your consumers will remember the way in which your brand is showcased. This makes ensuring that you’re portraying the correct message on all of your social media platforms extremely important.”

9. Seven SPOOKtacular social media trends to look out for in 2019

With 2019 on the horizon, how can you ensure that your brand is prepared for whatever the new year has to throw at you?

No need to be afraid, Christine Gerber takes you through some of the social media trends that 2019 will have to offer.

TOP QUOTE: “The future can be terrifying, and with the year 2019 looming, it’s important for brands to start thinking about which social media trends to include in their strategies. Augmented reality, chatbots, live streaming, influencer marketing – they’re all coming for us … and there’s nowhere to run.”

10. The colossal guide to social media terms for 2019

Do you know your blogs from your vlogs? Can you tell the difference between clickbait and like-baiting? Don’t get FOMO –- read this article!

Jenna Cook gives you a comprehensive list of terms that will help you stay on top of your social media game in 2019.

TOP QUOTE: “2019 is fast approaching, and it won’t be without its fair share of new trends, new technology and new social media terms … [so] make sure you’re prepared for whatever it has to offer.”

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Social media has been a game-changer for most industries. Find out the Five ways social media has changed the PR industry.