A few new impressive Pinterest and Instagram features are coming and these changes reinforce the importance of creating original content within specific high-interest categories. Additionally, the new features are a reminder that a well-built website is a requirement to get good value from social media activity.

The new “Make it,” “Read it,” “Visit” Pinterest Buttons

You will now see three new kinds of buttons when you open (or tap) a Rich Pin to see it close up on Pinterest. You’ll see “Make it” (for recipes) and “Read it” (for articles) buttons. Or “visit” for all other type Rich Pins.

What are Rich Pins?

Right now, there are 6 types of Rich Pins on Pinterest:

• app
• movie,
• recipe
• article
• product and
• place.

Rich Pins include extra information right on the image display itself. This information is automatically extracted from your website, but it requires that:

1. you publish original content on your website
2. the proper code is installed and validation is done on your website. The process to do so is below.

To get started, you’ll need to:

1. Turn on the Rich Pins capability on your website
2. test out your Rich Pins and
3. apply to get them on Pinterest, using the Rich Pin Validator.

You should ask your website developer to help get you going!

Profile Pictures on All Your (Owned) Pins

Your profile picture (logo or other image you set) will start showing on all your pins made from your website. This way, when tapping your logo Pinners can view your profile

Two things are necessary to enable this feature (once it rolls out in the next couple of weeks):

1. You need to confirm your website
2. You’ll need to pin content from YOUR confirmed site

“Buy Now” Coming to Instagram and Pinterest

Your customers will be able to buy your products straight from Pinterest or Instagram, but only if you use Shopify or Demandware for your shopping cart. And we have to agree, those are two of the leading solutions for ecommerce in the age of social commerce.

If your business uses Shopify, log in to your account and simply add the Pinterest channel. It’s that easy, with a few clicks you can have the blue “buy now” button enabled.

If you use Demandware you’ll have to wait a few more weeks. Just contact your Demandware customer success manager to learn more.

For Instagram the “buy now” feature will only be available in ads.

Shopify also announced on June 10 that they’re beta testing a “buy” call to action button for Facebook.

Instagram Launches Instagram for Apple Watch

With the new instagram for Apple Watch, content marketers are being challenged to produce images that “pop” on a small display. And images that will be welcomed on users’ wrists. There’s a new level of intimacy there. So next time you’re developing Instagram content, start thinking:

• How will my content show and what impression will it leave on the Apple Watch screen
• Will my content be enhancing one’s eye-to-wrist experience or will it be disruptive?

You Can Now Use Emojis in Your Instagram Hashtags

If you’re wondering why anyone would hashtag an emoji here are a few reasons:

• Instagram is visual, emojis are visual. Thus, visual communication is the name of the game.
• You can now discover more content. Use the hashtag as a quick link to see what everyone is smiling about or high-fiving about.
• Some hashtags have meme value, says Lightbug Jamie Rutter. Like the prayer emoji, girl with the raised hand, or the famous poop emoji. So you’ll probably find unique and funny posts with these emoji hashtags.