In the ever-expanding landscape of social media, Instagram has risen to become one of the most influential and engaging platforms. With its visually driven content, broad user base, and diverse range of features, Instagram offers a wealth of opportunities for individuals and businesses alike. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the strategies and tactics you need to succeed on Instagram.

1. Optimize Your Profile

Your Instagram profile is your digital calling card. Ensure it’s complete and attractive. Use a high-quality profile picture, write a compelling bio, and include a link to your website or landing page. A well-optimized profile is the first step to attracting and retaining followers.

2. Craft Eye-Catching Content

Visual appeal is paramount on Instagram. Create high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Use a mix of photos and videos, experiment with different filters, and maintain a consistent visual style to establish your brand’s identity.

3. Leverage Hashtags Wisely

Hashtags can significantly increase your content’s discoverability. Research relevant hashtags in your niche and incorporate them into your posts. Don’t overdo it; a mix of popular and niche-specific hashtags is more effective.

4. Engage Actively

Engagement is key to Instagram success. Respond to comments, acknowledge your followers, and actively participate in conversations. Encourage user-generated content and foster a sense of community around your brand.

5. Stories and Reels

Instagram Stories and Reels are powerful tools for engagement. Use them to share behind-the-scenes glimpses, promotions, and interactive content. Their ephemeral nature can create a sense of urgency and excitement.

6. Collaborate with Influencers

Partnering with influencers can amplify your reach. Identify influencers whose audience aligns with your target demographic and collaborate on sponsored content or promotions. Influencers can lend credibility and authenticity to your brand.

7. Analyze and Adapt

Regularly analyze your Instagram Insights to understand what content performs best. Track metrics like reach, engagement, and follower growth. Use these insights to refine your content strategy and adapt to changing trends.

8. Run Instagram Ads

Instagram offers robust advertising options. Whether you want to promote posts, stories, or run carousel ads, paid promotion can help you target specific demographics and expand your reach.

9. Consistency is Key

Maintain a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience engaged. Consistency helps you stay relevant and top of mind among your followers.

10. Stay Updated

Instagram continually introduces new features and updates. Stay informed about these changes and adapt your strategy to take advantage of the latest tools and trends.

In conclusion, Instagram offers a dynamic platform for personal branding and business promotion. By optimizing your profile, crafting compelling content, leveraging hashtags, engaging with your audience, exploring Stories and Reels, collaborating with influencers, analyzing performance, running ads, maintaining consistency, and staying updated, you can harness the full potential of Instagram and build a strong online presence.

Remember that success on Instagram often takes time and effort, but the rewards in terms of brand visibility, engagement, and growth can be substantial. So, get creative, be authentic, and start your Instagram journey today!

In the ever-evolving world of social media marketing, TikTok has emerged as a powerhouse platform for reaching a vast and engaged audience. With its short-form video content and rapidly growing user base, TikTok offers a unique opportunity for brand promotion. In this article, we’ll explore the strategies and tactics you can use to effectively promote your brand on TikTok.

1. Create Engaging Content

The heart of TikTok promotion lies in creating engaging and entertaining content. TikTok users are drawn to videos that are fun, relatable, and shareable. Consider the interests and preferences of your target audience and craft content that resonates with them. Experiment with trending challenges, creative storytelling, and music to captivate your viewers.

2. Leverage Hashtags

Hashtags are a powerful tool on TikTok. They help your content reach a wider audience and become discoverable. Research popular and relevant hashtags in your niche, and incorporate them into your video captions. Additionally, consider creating a unique branded hashtag for your campaigns to encourage user-generated content.

3. Collaborate with Influencers

Partnering with TikTok influencers can amplify your brand’s reach. Identify influencers whose followers align with your target audience, and collaborate on sponsored content. Influencers can lend authenticity to your brand and help you connect with a broader and more engaged audience.

4. Post Consistently

Consistency is key on TikTok. Regularly post fresh content to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more. A consistent posting schedule can also help you stay relevant and build a loyal following over time.

5. Engage with Your Audience

Interact with your followers by responding to comments, engaging in duets, and acknowledging user-generated content related to your brand. Building a sense of community and rapport with your audience can foster brand loyalty and encourage further promotion through word-of-mouth.

6. Run TikTok Ads

TikTok offers a range of advertising options to promote your brand. From in-feed ads to branded hashtag challenges, these paid strategies can help you target specific demographics and expand your reach. Consider allocating a portion of your marketing budget to TikTok ads for maximum exposure.

7. Analyze and Adjust

Regularly monitor the performance of your TikTok content using the platform’s analytics tools. Track metrics like views, likes, shares, and comments to gauge the effectiveness of your campaigns. Use these insights to refine your content strategy and adapt to changing trends.

In conclusion, TikTok promotion can be a game-changer for your brand’s digital marketing efforts. By creating engaging content, leveraging hashtags, collaborating with influencers, maintaining consistency, engaging with your audience, running ads, and analyzing performance, you can unlock the full potential of TikTok as a promotional platform. Embrace the creativity and viral potential of TikTok to connect with a vast and enthusiastic audience.

In today’s digital age, establishing a robust online presence is key to the success of any business. Social media platforms have emerged as powerful tools for brand promotion, with Instagram leading the charge. With over one billion monthly active users, Instagram offers a massive audience waiting to be tapped into. This article will guide you through the essentials of Instagram promotion, helping you leverage this dynamic platform to elevate your brand’s visibility.

1. Create a Business Profile

First things first, ensure that you have a dedicated business account on Instagram. This unlocks valuable features such as Instagram Insights, which provides essential data on your audience and post performance. A business profile also allows you to add contact information, making it easier for potential customers to get in touch.

2. Craft Compelling Content

The heart of Instagram promotion lies in the content you create. High-quality, visually appealing images and videos are essential. Consistency is key; maintain a cohesive theme that aligns with your brand identity. Engage your audience with authentic storytelling, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and user-generated content.

3. Leverage Hashtags Strategically

Hashtags are Instagram’s search engine. Research and employ relevant and trending hashtags in your posts to increase discoverability. However, don’t overdo it. A mix of popular and niche-specific hashtags works best. Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but aim for quality over quantity.

4. Collaborate and Engage

Engagement is a two-way street on Instagram. Actively engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages promptly. Collaborate with influencers in your niche to expand your reach. Influencer partnerships can expose your brand to their followers, generating interest and trust.

5. Instagram Stories and Reels

Stories and Reels are fantastic tools to keep your audience engaged. They appear at the top of users’ feeds and provide a more relaxed, authentic platform for content. Use Stories for time-sensitive updates, polls, and interactive features. Reels allow you to create short, attention-grabbing videos that can go viral.

6. Invest in Instagram Ads

Instagram offers a variety of advertising options, including photo ads, video ads, carousel ads, and more. These paid promotions enable you to target specific demographics, interests, and behaviors, ensuring your content reaches the right audience. Use Instagram Ads strategically to maximize your ROI.

7. Analyze and Adjust

Regularly review Instagram Insights to track your performance. Analyze metrics like engagement, reach, and follower growth. Use this data to refine your content strategy. Experiment with different post times, content formats, and hashtags to see what resonates best with your audience.

8. Run Contests and Giveaways

Engage your audience with contests and giveaways. Encourage users to participate by liking, commenting, or sharing your posts. This not only boosts your visibility but also increases your follower count and engagement.

In conclusion, Instagram promotion is a dynamic and potent tool for elevating your brand’s visibility. By creating engaging content, optimizing your profile, and leveraging Instagram’s features strategically, you can reach a broader audience, foster meaningful connections, and ultimately, grow your business. Stay committed to your Instagram strategy, adapt to changing trends, and watch your brand flourish in the digital realm.

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, Social Media Marketing (SMM) has emerged as a formidable force for businesses to connect with their target audience, boost brand visibility, and drive conversions. However, with the ever-evolving algorithms and increasing competition, mastering SMM promotion is essential to stand out. In this article, we’ll delve into effective strategies for SMM promotion that can elevate your online presence.

1. Know Your Audience

The foundation of successful SMM promotion lies in understanding your audience. Start by creating detailed buyer personas to pinpoint demographics, interests, and pain points. Tailor your content to resonate with these personas, making it more engaging and relevant.

2. Choose the Right Platforms

Not all social media platforms are created equal. Each has its own unique audience and content style. For instance, Instagram thrives on visual content, while LinkedIn caters to professionals. Invest your resources in platforms that align with your target audience and business goals to maximize your impact.

3. Consistent Branding

Maintaining a consistent brand image across all social media channels is vital. Use the same profile picture, cover photo, and brand colors. Your messaging should also reflect your brand’s voice and values consistently.

4. Content is King

High-quality content remains at the heart of SMM promotion. Craft compelling, informative, and visually appealing content that resonates with your audience. Mix it up with videos, images, infographics, and blog posts to keep your feed engaging.

5. Implement a Content Calendar

A content calendar helps maintain consistency in posting and ensures a well-rounded content mix. Plan your content in advance, considering holidays, trends, and important industry events. This strategy helps keep your audience engaged and informed.

6. Leverage Hashtags

Hashtags are a powerful tool to increase your content’s discoverability. Research relevant and trending hashtags within your niche and incorporate them strategically into your posts. Avoid overusing hashtags, as it can appear spammy.

7. Engage with Your Audience

Social media is a two-way street. Respond to comments, messages, and mentions promptly. Foster genuine connections with your audience to build trust and loyalty. User-generated content and customer testimonials can be potent social proof.

8. Analyze and Optimize

Regularly monitor the performance of your SMM efforts using analytics tools. Track key metrics such as reach, engagement, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Use these insights to refine your strategy, focusing on what works best for your audience.

9. Paid Advertising

Paid advertising on social media platforms can significantly amplify your SMM promotion. Platforms like Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads offer precise targeting options. Allocate a portion of your budget to run well-structured paid campaigns.

10. Collaborate with Influencers

Influencer marketing can be a game-changer. Partner with influencers in your niche who share your values and have a genuine connection with their audience. Their endorsement can introduce your brand to a wider and more engaged audience.

Conclusion

SMM promotion is a dynamic and ever-evolving field. To succeed, stay informed about the latest trends, platform updates, and algorithm changes. While the competition is fierce, with the right strategies, dedication, and consistency, you can master the art of SMM promotion and achieve remarkable results for your brand.

In the end, remember that SMM is not just about gaining followers but about creating meaningful connections and driving real business growth. Invest your time and resources wisely, and watch your social media presence soar.

By implementing these strategies and staying adaptable in the ever-changing world of social media, you can maximize the impact of your SMM promotion efforts and achieve your business objectives.

By Emily Hutchinson

Khloe Kardashian unveiled a dramatic new look this week as she revealed a new hair transformation. The stunning Keeping up with the Kardashians star took to social media on May 22 to give her 111.6 million followers a look at her hair as she showed off darker, shorter locks — but it wasn’t only her new ‘do that had some fans confused.

As reported by Cosmopolitan, the comments section was full of messages from fans who didn’t even recognize the mom of 2-year-old True Thompson as she struck a few sultry poses for the camera.

The upload in question, which can still be seen via Khloe’s Instagram account, was actually made up of three photos that showed Khloe with her brunette locks textured and down, sitting just below her shoulders. Her skin seriously glowed as she flashed her impressive tan in a white bustier top that plunged low at the chest with underwired cups and a corset-style fastening down her tummy.

She accessorized with a necklace featuring a delicate butterfly pendant and a pair of stud diamond earrings. Khloe stunned with long lashes and a nude lip.

In the first snap, Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner’s sister flashed a smile for the camera as she looked directly into the lens while she posed in front of a plain white background.

In the second photo, she tilted her head to the left and pouted her full lips.

In the third and final photo, Khloe — who’s been locked down with the father of her daughter, Tristan Thompson, amid the ongoing pandemic — tilted her head upwards slightly and had her lips apart.

In the caption, Khloe joked that her location was “under b***hes skiiiinnnnn.”

The upload has attracted more than 4 million likes in only 14 hours as well as over 56,000 comments, many of which were from fans sharing their confusion over Khloe’s new look.

Plenty of fans questioned the snaps, as they claimed the new photos didn’t even look like the reality star.

“I don’t understand. Who is this?” one person asked in the comments section.

“You look beautiful but I didn’t recognize you. Please stop changing your appearance…” another Instagram user told Khloe.

“Girl, who is this?” a third comment read.

Khloe’s confusing new snaps came shortly after the star opened up about her changing appearance earlier this month, notably her post-baby weight loss after she welcomed True into the world back in April 2018.

As The Inquisitr reported earlier this month, Khloe confirmed that she now weighs 150 pounds as she opened up about how she dropped 60 pounds after she become a mom. The reality star credited a healthy diet and exercise for helping her to lose the baby weight.

Katy Hall

Even a year ago, it would have been hard to imagine a world where watching celebrities cook at home was our new obsession. Yet, such are the times in which we find ourselves, writes Katy Hall.

Yet, such are the unprecedented times in which we find ourselves, where actors, comedians, musicians and reality television stars are the new commanders-in-chief of the home kitchen thanks to Instagram.

Oscar-nominated actor Florence Pugh sharing her preferred pizza toppings not for you? That’s okay, Jennifer Lawrence is discussing roast chicken cavity stuffings with Amy Schumer. For those with more of a sweet tooth, James McAvoy is all about the biscuits, cookies and cakes. Oh, and in case you missed it, Stanley Tucci is now the world’s official authority on cocktails.

Without doubt, though, the runaway celebrity home cook of our confinement has been former Victoria’s Secret angel Gigi Hadid, and her pasta alla vodka recipe – which can impressively be made in ten minutes and only requires pantry staples.

Within hours of sharing the recipe via her Instagram Stories, ‘Gigi’s vodka pasta’ went viral and has since seen tens of millions of home cooks replicating the dish. It’s not too soon to assume that a cookbook from the 25-year-old is almost certainly now in the making.

In some ways, it feels counterintuitive to turn to the most glamorous people in the world for comfort food recommendations during our time of crisis, but there’s something to be said for taking tips from the average home cook – famous or not – as opposed to professionally trained chefs who often have decades of experience, technique and Michelin stars under their apron. Yes, they may be shacked up in mansions and have top-of-the-line equipment, but there’s still an approachability and togetherness to the experience.

For home cook Jessica Nguyen, who was made redundant as a result of coronavirus in March, the move to Instagram cooking paved the way for an unexpected career change.

“If I’m being very honest, I used cooking as a way to focus my energy on something and get out of bed while I was still trying to find a job,” Nguyen, who previously spent a decade working in the beauty industry, says. “But now this is the job!”

Nguyen first began sharing recipes sporadically a little over a year ago, using cooking as a way to “help decompress and switch off” after a long day at work and on weekends.

Now, she shares recipes via Instagram (@jessica_nguyen_), writes a weekly newsletter, and collaborates with brands around the world to create dining content. In just over a month her following has risen from 4,500 people to over 28,000.

“If you had told me that I would have lost my job and then become some kind of cooking influencer I would have laughed in your face,” she says. “But I’m just pleasantly surprised. And it’s created a really nice community and it’s something really wholesome – especially on a platform like Instagram where that’s not always the case.”

Nguyen, who describes her tutorials as “choose your own adventure cooking” says that while we will likely rush to return to restaurants and once again have “that dining experience most of us can’t replicate at home”, the revived, and in some cases new-found, love of home cooking is here to stay long-term.

“People have to eat to survive,” she says, “and if you’re going to eat you may as well commit to cooking something delicious.”

Not even the most famous of celebrities with the strictest of diets could argue with that. @katyhallway

https://www.perthnow.com.au/opinion/rendezview/coronavirus-has-turned-gigi-hadid-and-stanley-tucci-into-instagram-celebrity-chefs-ng-259af6e27f4574a6fb9a6fddb25a31fb

By Carlos Christian

The buying function will even finally combine with stay streams

Nearly 1,000,000 companies within the UK and around the globe can now arrange a single on-line retailer to promote merchandise, with no payment, on Facebook and Instagram.

The preliminary stage of the Facebook Shops rollout has been introduced ahead and prolonged due to Covid-19.

The stores will seem on enterprise pages, Instagram profiles and via focused adverts.

The firm has already used a no-fees method in its Facebook Marketplace for private classifieds.

“It’s bigger than usual just because we want to make sure we’re moving quickly to get these tools in the hands of as many businesses wherever they are, big or small, to help them survive during this time,” Facebook’s Layla Amjadi stated.

And product supervisor George Lee stated it had been within the pipeline for no less than half a yr.

“Obviously, given the current situation, we have accelerated a lot of our efforts,” he stated.

“We’re in a unique position to be able to contribute to the survival of a bunch of these businesses.”

The buying function will even finally seem on WhatsApp and the corporate’s different messaging apps and combine with stay streams.

For the typical Facebook consumer, “this will be a really seamless experience,” Ms Amjadi stated.

“You can go much deeper now without having to leave the app.”

Facebook Shops may pose a problem to eBay, Etsy and solely on-line marketplaces that cost charges

Once a purchaser decides they need to spend cash, they are going to often be directed to the corporate’s web site to finish the transaction.

And if issues come up or a purchaser desires to ask questions, they’ll accomplish that via Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or Instagram Direct messages, a few of that are already utilized by corporations for that objective.

The rollout is a part of a wider vary of adjustments deliberate for buying throughout Facebook’s merchandise, together with:

• a loyalty scheme that may hyperlink issues reminiscent of factors from native espresso outlets to Facebook
• a Shop button, the place merchandise and manufacturers can be showcased, on Instagram’s predominant navigation bar

Anthony Ha, a senior author at know-how information website TechCrunch, stated the pandemic lockdown might have labored in Facebook’s favour.

“After all, if your favourite store has changed their hours, or switched to online delivery or kerb-side pickup, they’ve almost certainly posted about it on Facebook or Instagram,” he stated.

“So it is smart for Facebook to make the acquisition course of as straightforward as attainable from these profiles.

“From a enterprise perspective, the plain objective is to drive extra promoting.

“But it is also value remembering that the pandemic’s financial fallout will probably kill off many small enterprise – together with those that publish and promote on Facebook.

“So the company has a stake in helping those businesses survive in any way it can.”

by PAMELA AVILA 

Hannah Brown is under fire for recording herself saying the N-word. 

On Saturday night, Bachelor Nation’s sweetheart went on Instagram Live at one point, she seemed to be trying to remember the lyrics to DaBaby‘s “Rockstar.” She begins singing a few lines aloud and seemingly hesitates when she gets to the line that includes the N-word but says it anyway. 

After that, Brown seems to go on about her business as if she didn’t just repeat a racial slur on Instagram Live to her 2.8 million followers. 

While the Instagram Live video has since expired or been taken down from her account, Instagram accounts like @bachelorteaspill and Reddit users have since captured clips of Brown. 

According to @bachelorteaspill’s clips, after a moment she seemingly notices comments on her Instagram Live calling her out for using the racial slur and that’s when she begins to address it. 

“I did? I’m so sorry… No, I was singing… I’m so sorry… I don’t think… Maybe I did, maybe it was Patrick [Brown’s brother]. Um, anyway,” Brown says in the video, while simultaneously laughing. 

“I really don’t think I said that word, I don’t think I said that word, but now I’m like, oh god,” Brown said, as she continued to address the issue. “I’d never use that word. I’ve never called anybody that.” 

“We don’t say that word….So, you know what, I’m going to stay here, and y’all can think I said whatever I did or think I’m something I’m not, but I’m not that…Look, people are going to want to think whatever they want to think of me, get mad at me, whatever. And even if I did accidentally say it, I’m very sorry, I was singing a song and not even thinking.”

While Brown addressed the comments during the Instaram Live, it wasn’t enough for Bachelor Nation fans on social media. Fans also pointed out that instead of holding herself accountable for saying the N-word, Brown and the friend she was with chose to throw other people’s names in an effort to put the blame on someone else. 

“so just watched that “apology” and the friend next to her rly threw out another friend’s name and the name of Hannah’s brother. like girl wth you were the ONLY visible and audible person in that video,” one Twitter user wrote. “honestly sounds like her entire friend circle are comfortable w the n word.”

Another user wrote, “I was a big fan of Bachelorette/DWTS Winner Hannah Brown, until she decided to drop a hard N word in a rap song and then smirk and laugh through an “apology”. HB, you’re done in my book! Now considered irrelevant. @hannahbrown.”

“I’m disappointed in @hannahbrown for singing the n word – even in a song. As a woman of color & a Christian, I’ve done my best work to not stereotype white, southern, religious women who do pageants as racist as I’ve experienced them. Come on Hannah B,” wrote another Twitter user. 

Former Bachelor star Bekah Martinez also took to speak out Brown using the N-word. 

“how are people still gonna defend CELEBS with access to SOOO much [privilege], knowledge, and education saying the N-word…even if it’s “just the lyrics to a song”…especially when that person had the wherewithal to skip over the F-word lyric first,” Martinez wrote in a lengthy message posted to her Instagram Stories. “we’ve GOT to hold people accountable to do better otherwise we’re continuing to prioritize the feelings of white people (and someone we “stan”) over ending our country’s loooong history of casual racism and flippant anti-blackness.”

Martinez went on, “and no. you can’t say the N-word just because black people say it. black people reclaimed that use of a word that was used for centuries to oppress and dehumanize them. it’s a word that holds so much historical weight that the black community is still healing from, and parts of the white community are STILL weaponizing for dehumanization, particularly in the south.” 

“So no, it’s not cool to just sing it along the lyrics of a song,” she added. “especially not ON YOUR PLATFORM WITH MILLIONS OF FOLLOWERS?!! smh. it’s 2020. at least make a legitimate apology and acknowledge your behavior.” 

On Sunday afternoon, Brown took to Instagram to further apologize and address her saying the N-word.

“I owe you all a major apology,” she wrote. “There is no major excuse and I will not justify what I said. I have read your messages and seen the hurt I have caused. I own it all. I am terribly sorry and know that whether in public or private, this language is unacceptable. I promise to do better.” 

https://www.eonline.com/news/1152905/hannah-brown-is-facing-backlash-after-posting-a-video-of-herself-saying-the-n-word

By PRNewswire

Fast-casual chicken favorite creates experiential dine-in audio for home-bound fans

Zaxby’s, the fast-casual restaurant known for its chicken fingers, wings and signature sauces, has uploaded a custom collection of ambient restaurant sounds to SoundCloud, the world’s largest open audio platform. The idea behind the playlist, which features five tracks dedicated to popular restaurant dayparts, is to bring Zaxby’s particular dine-in experience to brand fans with sounds unique to Zaxby’s. The soundtrack can be played at home or in the car to accompany drive-thru and pick-up meals.

“In the midst of shelter-at-home mandates and social-distancing recommendations, many of our customers are missing the familiarity of Zaxby’s authentic dining experience,” said Zaxby’s CMO Joel Bulger. “We want brand fans to be able to close their eyes and imagine they’re in our restaurants with their families and friends.”

The Zaxby’s SoundCloud playlist features music dedicated to four popular dayparts (lunch, dinner, late night and Sunday) complete with appropriate ambient noise and dialogue. The fifth track is purely ambient sounds, allowing listeners to create their own dialogue. Loyal fans of Zaxby’s will recognize familiar sounds like orders being called out, the fizz of a Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine (which includes beloved pellet ice pouring out), sauce packs being opened and more.

Zaxby’s recently launched a new menu option specifically designed to meet the needs of families sheltering at home. Zax Family Packs include 20 Chicken Fingerz or 30 boneless wings with shareable sides to feed four people at a value price point of $24.99, available at participating locations while supplies last. Delivery prices and fees may vary.

An alternative to fast food, Zaxby’s serves fresh, prepared-at-order, hand-breaded Chicken Fingerz and wings made in a variety of nine sauces. The menu also features four Zalads and eight sandwiches along with complementary Shareables including Fried White Cheddar Bites, Tater Chips, Spicy Fried Mushrooms, and, for a limited time, Fried Pickles.

Zaxby’s has over 900 locations in 17 states, which will likely reopen in waves, pursuant to state and federal guidance, so the playlist will be the next best thing for many customers for several more weeks.

By Jessica Mason

The internet is very often a terrible place. Sure there are cat videos, and goat videos, weird videos, and more cat videos, but there are many horrible people saying and doing horrible things. If you know your way around the net, you can avoid much of this grossness. But for some people, that’s not an option, and it’s their job to moderate the very worst of the net. And now, some of them are getting compensated for the very real trauma and PTSD that job brought one.

In a massive victory for moderators, Facebook has settled a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of current and former moderators who were tasked with removing the most graphic and disturbing posts on the platform for their job. Facebook has agreed to pay $52 million to the moderators in compensation for mental health issues developed on the job.

The settlement covers over 11,250 moderators, who were contracted from a variety of outside firms after the 2016 election. (The fact that these were subcontractors and not even Facebook employees is a whole OTHER issue). In the face of criticism for how Facebook handled their content, these moderators were brought in from across the country and given the unenviable job of removing offensive content from the site.

According to The Verge, which ran a big story that brought many of the Facebook contractor moderation issues to light, moderators for one of the firms, Cognizant, were paid as little as $28,800 annually to view images of rape, murder, suicide, and more. This was, to say the least, a terrible job and a dangerous environment for moderators who were expected to view this content daily with no regard for their mental health, and were subject to difficult working conditions.

So in September of 2018, Selena Scola led the first class action against Facebook, alleging that having to sift through content which included “broadcasts of child sexual abuse, rape, torture, bestiality, beheadings, suicide, and murder” caused PTSD in Scola so severe she could be triggered by a computer mouse. And she wasn’t the only one who had to do this.

Now, Facebook has agreed to compensate all members of the class with a minimum of $1,000, but moderators who can show a mental health diagnosis related to the unsafe environment which Facebook allowed can receive more. Anyone with mental health diagnoses can receive up to $6,000 and those who submit evidence of other injuries and costs could get up to $50,000.

This settlement is important, not just because it compensates the people who were traumatized by this work, but because it acknowledges that moderation and exposure to this kind of content is traumatic. Even today, it’s too easy for people to say something like “it’s just the internet, it’s not real,” but viewing and moderating an endless stream of horrors and hate is a very real danger to mental health and is not a job that anyone would have to do without proper counseling and safety measures in place.

What the Facebook moderators had to see, and likely what they still have to see is sickening, but not surprising given, well, everything about the internet. It’s a mirror of all of the world, including the very worst parts of it. And people who look into that horrible pit need to be protected and compensated for it.