Social News Roundup | July 30, 2014

1. Facebook Is Forcing Users to Use Messenger App

Users will soon be required to use Facebook’s Messenger app in order to chat directly with their Facebook friends on mobile devices. Read more…

2. LinkedIn’s Mobile App Gets a New Profile Look

LinkedIn revamped its mobile app by displaying more relevant information on user’s profiles based on how much time users have to use the app. Read more…

3. Facebook Shuts Down Gifts Service

Facebook is retiring its Gifts service and refocusing their efforts on helping businesses and developers drive sales on the web, mobile and directly on Facebook. Read more…

4. Instagram Releases New Messaging App, Bolt, for iOS and Android

Instagram has unveiled Bolt – a “one-tap” messaging app for iOS and Android that allows users to send their friends a photo or video that disappears once it’s been read. For now, Bolt is only available in New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa. Read more…

5. eMarketer Poll: Email More Effective Than Social Media, SEO and Content Marketing

In a report by Gigaom, 56% of respondents said that email was their most effective digital strategy for customer retention. 37% of the respondents cited social media, and 32% rated content marketing as the most effective. Read more…

6. Vocalist Emeli Sande Asks Fans on Social Media for Help on Her Next Song

To find inspiration for her next song, Emeli Sande is turning to her fans on social media. Read more…

7. OK Cupid Admits to Manipulating Its Social Network for Social Experiments

OK Cupid admits to manipulating customer data to see how users of its dating service would react to one another. Read more…