Thank you so much for joining our Q4 product launch event, Breaking Ground!
We hope you gained insights into our latest releases, designed to make your social strategies easier, faster and more impactful.
Catch up on everything discussed here!
Find answers to some of the webinar product release questions below:
Q from Cassandra @alberta.conservation: Any target for allowing batch editing for posts? Meaning if we have multiple platforms selected, can we go in individually to make minor changes like links and tags?
A: With the "Easily Curate Posts per Social Network" feature, when you're creating a post with multiple platforms, you'll be able to edit the post for each platform. Once the post is scheduled, you'll see a unique post on the calendar for each platform.
Q from Sarah @sarah.frankel: Will AI-generated alt-text be usable for IG posts? I notice that's the only platform that can't do it now.
A: As of now, Instagram doesn't support alt text for posts published via API. We're excited to add support for this in Sprout—including for our AI-generated alt text—when it becomes available.
Q from Devon @dashbrid: As a public agency user we are getting ready to meet new federal digital accessibility rules, including requirements for social media. Is there any movement to better integrate basic accessibility tools for Instagram in a manner more consistent with Facebook and X? It's currently clunky and requires several extra steps. Thank you.
A: Currently, Instagram doesn't support alt text for posts or uploading SRT files alongside your video published via the API. We're excited to add support for this in Sprout as soon as it becomes available.
Q from Lydia: When will we be able to schedule IG Reels into Sprout with music?
A: Adding music from Instagram's sound library to Reels isn't supported in their API right now. But this feedback is helpful for us to give Instagram as partners.
Q from Juliana: When will we be able to schedule TikTok carousels?
A: Scheduling TikTok carousels is on our radar but we don't have a confirmed release date yet. Please keep providing feedback on this feature.
Q from Melissa: Will alt-text be available for Instagram?
A: As of now, Instagram doesn't support alt-text for posts published via the API. We're excited to add support for this in Sprout—including for our AI-generated alt-text—when it becomes available.
Q from Robert @Robert DeRoeck City of Denver: Is "brand voice" simply Professional vs Friendly, or are there more ways to fine-tune tone?
A: Our initial approach to brand voice uses your previous posts for inspiration for phrasing and tone. We're likely to offer additional ways to fine-tune your brand voice in the future, for example by allowing you to add brand guidelines.
Q from Brittany: Will there be an update in the future to allow multiple users to use the same Sprout Social account at the same time for practical corporate use?
A: At this time, Sprout Social doesn't support multiple users sharing the same account. We recommend creating individual accounts with role-based permissions to ensure clear accountability, enhanced security and optimized collaboration.
Q from Monse: When will I be able to add carousels on IG and FB that include photos and video in the same post?
A: Uploading carousels with both video and images isn't currently possible in Sprout, but we recognize it's frustrating to need to go directly to IG or FB to make these posts. This feature is on our radar for next year, but we don't have a confirmed launch date yet.
Q from Melea: Will users be able to use the Slack integration even if there's only one user on the account? I'd like my team to be notified of mentions via a Slack channel even though there's only one user on the account.
A: Yes, as long as the user in Sprout has the permissions necessary to configure the Slack integration, those Sprout notifications will be delivered to the selected Slack channel and will be visible to all those in the channel. More here - https://support.sproutsocial.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045765651-Slack-Integration
Q from Becca @becca.armentrout: Are there any plans to allow external users to sort posts that need their approval by soonest post date?
A: The ability to sort external approver posts by post date isn't planned right now, but this is great feedback we can look at taking on to make the approval process more efficient.
Q from Nash: Why is tagging users for LinkedIn so temperamental? On certain LinkedIn Accounts I can't tag more than 1 person on a LinkedIn post which leads me to schedule directly on LinkedIn.
A: There are currently quite a few limitations on which LinkedIn members are searchable via LinkedIn's API -- including whether the member follows your page, if they are missing first and last name on their profile, they have additional names that are not public, or they are not using an English / US character set. This is great feedback for us to bring back to LinkedIn as partners to reinforce the need for better search.
Q from @Frank Wisswell and Gabrielle: Will Bluesky be added?
A: We know Bluesky is having a moment. We're paying close attention to the market and our customers' requests, so please keep the feedback coming.
Q from Paige @paige.geary: Is a TikTok DM integration in the future? TikTok mentions/tags?
A: We continue to work with our network partners at TikTok to explore the capabilities of their APIs and provide feedback on what features - like DMs - would have an impact for our customers. We're excited to continue to bring TikTok functionality into our Sprout products.
Q from Sarah @sarah.felton: Is there an ETA on when we'll be able to post videos to GBP posts?
A: Are you speaking of Google My Business? We don't have a planned release date for video posting for Google My Business profiles. Please let us know if you were speaking of something different.
Q from Angela: Can we schedule X threads at this time, or potential for it in the near future?
A: We don't currently have a planned release for X threads in Sprout, but we do support up to 25K character posts for X Premium accounts.
Q from Adrian: Can you include 'Tag performance' in the 'Custom Report' section?
A: Yes, this is available in My Reports today. Under "Add Widgets", the Tag section has a widget called "Tag Performance". That'll have the data you are looking for.
Q from Emma @emma.peneguy: Is ability to add posts including both video and static images on facebook/instagram in the works?
A: Uploading carousels with both video and images isn't currently possible in Sprout, but we recognize it's frustrating to need to go directly to IG or FB to make these posts. This feature is on our radar for next year, but we don't have a confirmed launch date yet.
Q from Daniel: Will Sprout be adding the ability to schedule a first comment for FB and LinkedIn in order for us to put links there and not the body of the main post?
A: First comment for Linkedin and Facebook isn't currently planned in Sprout but we'll take this feedback into consideration as we plan our roadmap.
Stay tuned for more answers coming soon!
Here’s another round of responses from our team:
Q from @gibbsd: Do you have any recommendations for new Directors of Comms who are not used to analyzing social media reports (previously had someone else on their team designated to solely analytics)?
A: Similar to the tips we shared in Breaking Ground, you want to make sure the report is 1) easy to read and 2) has annotations/a story of the performance take-away you want the Director of Comms to have. The more you can customize and break down reports into laymans terms, the easier it will be for this person to get more used to social media analysis. Additionally, setting up time to give them Social Media KPIs 101 could be a helpful foundation to set yourself up in the future!
Q from @olivia.streaman: Will Sprout integrate with Indeed for a wider capability of reputation management?
A: We don't currently have plans for this, but we always welcome customer feedback! Please share that in the Ideas forum or with your Sprout rep so they can document the demand!
Q from Juan: Which languages does the "Generate by AI" tool support for creating post?
A: Right now, the Generate Posts by AI Assist tool creates post suggestions in English. That being said, if you are using the custom topic flow, you can add a to the topic field instructions such as "return results in Spanish" to get posts in dozens of languages. We are actively working on a translation feature which will allow Generate Posts by AI Assist to support multilingual for all output.
Q from @bruce.floyd: Any plans to add conversational AI for leveraging advanced analytics? Ex: Hey Sprout AI: What were the top 4 posts in the past 2 years based on engagement per post on Facebook?
A: This is something on our radar, but please continue to share use cases and examples of what you'd want this to look like! You can share more example in our Ideas forum and I'll share it with our product team.
Q from @crystal.robertson : Is there a way to add a thread/reply to a tweet/post on X?
A: You can filter for messages specifically on X in the Smart Inbox. To reply, click the reply "arrow" in the bottom right-hand corner of the message. If you're unable to find your X accounts, you can troubleshoot using the Help Center! This article might help: https://support.sproutsocial.com/hc/en-us/articles/31718768284941-Troubleshooting-Smart-Inbox-message-replies. Currently you aren't able to schedule a reply in Sprout, there’s an open “Idea” which you can give an upvote to be notified when updates are shared here.
Q from @emme.taliani: Do you have any data to show how accurate this will be? (AI translations)
A: We are still finalizing the model testing here so no data to share yet, but we have a high degree of confidence that large language models are very good at understanding context and translating. (Emme, let me know if you were speaking of a different part of the tool. TY!)
Q from @alberta.conservation: How many of these are going to be available to those of us who aren't paying for the top tier?
A: Generate subtitles will be available on all plans. Generate Posts will be available on the Professional AND Advanced plans.
Q from Laurie: How does AI subtitles differ from the YouTube transcript generator?
A: We know that a lot of people use and love Youtubes transcript generator! The idea in Sprout is similar, we'll take a video and use AI to automatically create a subtitle file (SRT) for users to use and edit. The key differences are:
- This will be right inside of Sprout - so if you are posting within Sprout including to non-Youtube networks, you do not need to interrupt your workflow to load the video into Youtube and grab the transcript. We'll meet you where you are with the click of a button
- We've added to this flow to allow for translation in the same subtitle editor. Users can create an AI-Generated subtitle file with the click of a button, view and refine the subtitles and then with 1 more click translate the subtitle file to additional language(s). This way, the subtitles will dynamically match the viewers language settings and be available in their preferred language.
Q from Clare: What is the estimated release timing for the new AI features?
A: All of the AI features spotlighted in Breaking Ground are planned for late 2024 or early 2025
Q from Nash: Can I edit tags after posting?
A: Yes, you can edit tags after posting. You can navigate to the published post on the calendar or in the Post Performance report and swap out the tags you want to apply instead.
Q from Thomas: Analyse inbox, yes please! When do we get this?
A: We’re so excited to be testing out this beta release with a small subset of customers! Our beta group was selected based on usage, but those who have it will see an “analyze” button to the left of the search bar when they’re in the Smart Inbox. As we mentioned during Breaking Ground, this is largely an experimental beta, so it’s subject to shift and there’s no set date that we plan to roll this out. Talk to your Sprout rep for more details if you have more specific questions!
Q from Lydia: How much is the Social Listening feature on Sprout?
A: Pricing is dependent on your specific needs. I recommend following this link to start a free trial or request a demo to learn more.
Q from Catherine: Is there an expense for Brand Health Listening?
A: Yes, Listening is an add-on. Pricing is dependent on your specific needs. You can follow this link to start a free trial or request a demo and learn more.
Q from Catherine: Are annotations AI-generated?
A: Annotations are not AI-generated in Sprout, but you definitely could use AI to write a summary or overview then copy that into Sprout.
Q from Toy: Will you be able to use the AI assist without premium?
A: AI Assist is embedded across Sprout's entire platform! Even if you don't have premium add-ons, you'll still be able to access some AI Assisst functionality. For example, Generate by AI Assist in Publishing helps you generate alt text for images.
Q from Adrian: Can you include 'Tag performance' in the 'Custom Report' section?
A: We'd recommend you add Tag performance widgets to My Reports! The 'Custom Report' section will be sunsetted soon since My Reports is the newer, better version. My Reports has many Tag performance widgets available.
Q from Kyra, @madalyn.chapman, and @nichola.carroll: When will IG collabs that we receive and accept, be included in the Reporting?
A: Please submit product feedback around this! Your product insight is helpful for how we prioritize our roadmap. You can submit product feedback by posting it in our Ideas forum here.
Q from Toy: Is there a way to see engagement rate based on impressions per post and not be aggregated by daily performance?
A: You can set your whatever time period you would like so if you would like to see your engagement rate by impressions for a week, you just would have to select that time period.
Q from @kollin.leisinger: Do you mean Q4 for Customize Posts or Q1 2025?
A: We expect "Customize Posts per Social Network" to go live in Q1 of next year.
