Social Media News: The 5 Biggest Stories of the Week

We get it! You're busy scheduling content and engaging with your followers, so it can be difficult to make time to sit down and read about the latest Facebook algorithm update or how brands are leveraging TikTok. But, hey, it's also important to carve out time to learn about new ways to improve your social media strategy. So, put down your phone (we know: it's a big ask!) and indulge in reading about recent social media updates.

Top Social Media and PR News Stories This Week

If you work in social media marketing, these are the stories you need to read this week!

• Add a Video as an Article Header on LinkedIn

• TikTok Introduces Countdown Bidding for Livestreams

• WhatsApp is Implementing AI Overviews for Chats

• YouTube Expands its AI Search Results

• More AI Tools for Recruiters on LinkedIn

Add a Video as an Article Header on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is rolling out the ability for users to use videos as header images for articles. It could be an interesting way to make articles more engaging and attract more readers. These will play in the main feed and as thumbnails when sent via email.

TikTok Introduces Countdown Bidding for Livestreams

This could be interesting. TikTok is introducing a “Countdown Bid” feature for seller livestreams. Items that are tagged as “auction-only” will be available only via a live auction during a specified time frame. It might be a useful way to increase product interest and drive sales. 

WhatsApp is Implementing AI Overviews for Chats

Group chats on WhatsApp will soon be seeing AI-powered overviews summarizing key points of their messages. Which could be useful, especially for chats that are very busy, with a lot of contributors. Message Summaries are visible only to individuals, and not to all participants in the chat.

YouTube Expands its AI Search Results

YouTube is adding their own version of AI-powered search results on the platform. Currently limited to travel and shopping related queries, the feature would highlight a carousel of clips from related videos based on your search.

More AI Tools for Recruiters on LinkedIn

LinkedIn has a new AI-powered search tool for recruiters using the platform, designed simplify the candidate discovery process. From LinkedIn: “Advanced AI-Assisted Search offers a more intelligent, intuitive, and dynamic way to discover talent by enabling recruiters to use their own words to search, going beyond standard keywords and filters.”

Update from June 23

• New AI Ad Functionality on TikTok

• More Community Insights on Reddit

• More Opportunities for Creators to Connect With Brands on YouTube

• Meta Adds More AI Ad Tools

• Snapchat Acquires Saturn

New AI Ad Functionality on TikTok

TikTok has made some updates enhancing their AI Ad functionality for the brand creation platform, Symphony. New features include text-to-video, image-to-animation, and AI avatars for showcasing your products. 

More Community Insights on Reddit

Reddit is introducing a “Community Intelligence” platform, providing deeper insights to help brands make more impactful marketing decisions on the app. Now brands will be able to get additional context around trending cultural moments, map purchase journeys through Reddit discussions, find additional relevant conversations through related keywords and much more. 

More Opportunities for Creators to Connect With Brands on YouTube

This is an interesting one. YouTube is launching a new way for brands to find creators to work with. From YouTube: “Open call gives creators of all sizes the opportunity to pursue new relationships with brands. And brands can lean on the relevance and trust of YouTube creators to get more from their social strategy on YouTube.”

Meta Adds More AI Ad Tools

Meta is adding more AI tools for advertisers to take advantage of. These include converting multiple images into a video, AI bots to answer customer questions, custom branding, and AI-detected video highlights that viewers can skip to. These will all serve to make your content more engaging and relevant to users. 

Snapchat Acquires Saturn

Snapchat has acquired school scheduling app, Saturn. Saturn is calendar-based and largely used by high-school aged students as a way to stay on task and share events. It also has a social aspect and the connection with Snapchat will further facilitate ways for students to connect and communicate.

Update from June 16

• More Monetization Opportunities for Educational Content on YouTube

• New Profile Customization and Sharing Features Coming to Instagram

• Snapchat Adds New Creator Tools and Analytics

• Updates to Comments on Reddit

• Bloomberg Report Reveals Increase in Brands Using Influencers

More Monetization Opportunities for Educational Content on YouTube

YouTube is offering a new monetization opportunity for creators of educational content.“Player for Education” is an embedded video player for schools or teachers, and now when these education partners use creator content, creators can get rewarded. It’s an interesting model that could lead to more content being created specifically with the classroom in mind. 

New Profile Customization and Sharing Features Coming to Instagram

Instagram is introducing some new customizations and features for your feed and Notes. These include the ability to customize the order of your grid photos and videos, which has been in testing for a while and is now pushing live. Users will also now be able to share music to their Notes directly from Spotify. Instagram is also adding a number of new ways that specifically music creators can test new material and welcome their audiences into the creative process. 

Snapchat Adds New Creator Tools and Analytics

Snapchat users will soon have access to some additional analytics to track the performance of their content and more tools to boost engagement. A number of new metrics are now available, including Returning Viewers, Viewers by Traffic Source, and Top Content. Snap is also introducing the ability to compile a highlight reel from Memories so users can share that content in a repackaged way.

Updates to Comments on Reddit

Going forward, Reddit users will be able to turn comments into posts, which could be a way to further conversations in the platform, and help insightful comments from getting buried in the thread. (Communities will have the option to turn this feature off if they wish). The platform is also offering more comments analytics, providing useful insight into what resonates and what doesn't. These metrics include: Upvote Ratio, Replies, and Shares. 

Bloomberg Report Reveals Increase in Brands Using Influencers

A recent report from Bloomberg says that the number of brands using influencer marketing has increased steadily over the past 5 years, driven largely by big-name brands. From Bloomberg: “Globally, brands increased investment in influencer partnerships by 49% in 2024 and content creators topped social media marketing budgets, taking up a quarter of the total annual spending on average, according to Deloitte research.”

Update from June 10

• Pinterest Algorithm Updates

• Updated Performance Stats for Instagram Creators

• Google Tests AI Influencers

• More Video Ad Options on LinkedIn

• New Lens App from Snapchat

Pinterest Algorithm Updates

Pinterest has announced a new update to their timeline. The update increases the number of inputs that Pinterest takes into account when serving search results and also seeks to better understand, predict, and cater to user preferences.  

Updated Performance Stats for Instagram Creators

Instagram creators will now be able to get more information about how their posts are performing. New weekly and monthly recaps give a helpful snapshot of performance, with tips on how to improve, while “Celebrations” is a new motivating look at newly achieved milestones from your content and profile.

Google Tests AI Influencers

Google is currently experimenting with AI versions of famous influencers, with input from the influencers themselves. Called “Portraits” the system is designed to provide conversational advice and responses to questions, based on the influencer’s knowledge and area of expertise.

More Video Ad Options on LinkedIn

LinkedIn users are getting some new ways to optimize their video ads. These include more CTV (Connected TV) capabilities, such as increased exposure through tags to ensure your videos are displayed correctly wherever they’re viewed, and “First Impression Ads” which brings your ad to viewers ahead of other ads.

New Lens App from Snapchat

Snapchat has launched a new stand-alone app, to encourage people to create their own AR lenses. From Snap: “Make your own Snapchat Lenses from your phone and in minutes. No code. No installs. Create AI effects, add your Bitmoji, design natural makeup looks, and more.”

Update from June 3

• YouTube Tests Gamification Element for Livestreams

• Use Google Lens to Search YouTube Shorts

• More Status Features on WhatsApp

• Additional Analytics to Help Your LinkedIn Content Strategy

YouTube Tests Gamification Element for Livestreams

YouTube is testing a new gamification feature for Livestreams, which would highlight an engagement leaderboard. The leaderboard will showcase top viewers who earn points by sharing stickers, gifts, and comments — thus encouraging more interaction from other viewers.

Use Google Lens to Search YouTube Shorts

Also happening over at YouTube, users can now use Google Lens to search products, scan for language to translate, landmarks and more within Shorts. It’s an interesting engagement and promotion opportunity for local businesses or brands wanting to get more out of Short video content.

More Status Features on WhatsApp

WhatsApp is introducing a few new features for Status, their version of stories. Updates include more music-sharing functionality, a new collage option for photos, and photo stickers. Although fairly basic, these updates indicate an important trend as WhatsApp continues to add more ways for people to connect and communicate within the app.

Additional Analytics to Help Your LinkedIn Content Strategy

LinkedIn is introducing some more ways to analyze post performance, making it easier to improve your content strategy. From LinkedIn: “Starting today, we’re rolling out new post analytics to help you efficiently connect your content to meaningful outcomes. You’ll now see when a post drives profile viewers and new followers (available to all members), and clicks to your Premium custom button (like your website or newsletter) if you’re a subscriber.”

Update from May 27

• More DM Features on Instagram

• AI-driven Optimization for TikTok Shop

• Soundcloud Integration on TikTok

• Bluesky Expands Verification Badge Rollout

More DM Features on Instagram

Instagram is continuing to build out features for direct messaging. The platform has extended the length of voice messages from 1 to 5 minutes, and users also now have the option to transcribe voice messages into text — useful for when you don’t have headphones handy.  

AI-driven Optimization for TikTok Shop

TikTok has added an AI assistant to help sellers optimize their TikTok Shops. From TikTok: “Designed as an intelligent, self-solving tool, it provides real-time guidance, tailored recommendations, and interactive support that enables sellers to complete time-sensitive tasks with ease.”

SoundCloud Integration on TikTok

TikTok has integrated with SoundCloud, giving users more options to discover and save new music. The integration allows TikTok users to seamlessly add tracks they like to their “liked” playlist on SoundCloud, facilitating an easier way to keep track of emerging artists and tracks.   

Bluesky Expands Verification Badge Rollout

Bluesky is expanding their rollout of verified badges to “notable users”. Notable in this case is defined by a few key parameters that demonstrate expertise in a particular field: via peer review, media coverage, or a presence on other credible reference platforms.

Update from May 19

• Insights From Reddit on the Power of Communities

• Add More Than One Link to Your Threads Profile

• More Accessibility Features Added to TikTok

• A Range of New Advertising Options on YouTube

Insights From Reddit on the Power of Communities

Reddit has produced a new report that could be very helpful for brands trying to get more out of their apps. The report, in partnership with Sensor Tower and Adjust, looks at how Reddit communities interact with each other and the ways they can influence purchase decisions.    

Add More Than One Link to Your Threads Profile

Threads has now pushed live a feature that will allow users to include multiple links in their profile. Going forward, Threads users can include up to five links in their bio, creating many more opportunities for brands and creators to promote other profiles or webpages.

More Accessibility Features Added to TikTok

In celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, TikTok announced some key updates to further promote accessibility in the app. These include: alt-text on photos, the option to increase color contrast, and the ability to see all text in bold (if you have this setting turned on). These features enhance inclusivity and make it easier for all users to enjoy the app to the fullest. 

A Range of New Advertising Options on YouTube

YouTube is adding some interesting new ad options for marketers, unveiled at their recent Brandcast event. Among these are AI-powered “target moments” that will indicate the most optimal moments to promote products in videos based on viewer attention, and “Cultural Moments” sponsorships that incorporate sponsored content around pivotal events (such as award shows).

Update from May 12

• AI-Driven Career Discovery on LinkedIn

• New Ad Features on Snapchat

• Threads Experiments With Spoiler Tags

• More Ways to Generate Leads from TikTok Lives

AI-Driven Career Discovery on LinkedIn

LinkedIn has added an interesting new feature to help job seekers find new opportunities. The new update allows users to describe the kind of role or career they’re looking for and receive AI-driven results catered to them. It’s a great option for those switching careers or young job-seekers new to the scene.

New Ad Features on Snapchat

Snapchat is continuing to expand the ad options for brands utilizing the platform. These include AI-powered bidding to further optimize how your ads perform, “Smart Budgets” for automatic spend allocation, and some more ways to send Sponsored Snaps including through their ads auction.

Threads Experiments With Spoiler Tags

Threads is looking to add the ability to show redacted text, making your feed more spoiler free. It makes for a more user-friendly scrolling experience, especially in instances of real-time events such as a television premiere. Threads is also showing some users the option to say if they are interested in certain posts, allowing them to further customize their algorithm.  

More Ways to Generate Leads from TikTok Lives

TikTok is introducing some new ways that creators can generate leads from TikTok lives. Going forward creators will have the ability to activate DMs, which creates a contact CTA during the Live. It could be a powerful new way to encourage audience expansion and interest in brands or products.

Update from April 29

• YouTube Celebrates 20 Years

• Ad Targeting Optimization Updates on LinkedIn

• New Snapchat Affiliate Program Launches

• Pinterest Tests Notifications to Discourage App Usage During School

YouTube Celebrates 20 Years

In celebration of their 20 year anniversary, YouTube is introducing a few new features that their users can enjoy. These include: creating a personalized radio station with help from AI, multi-view screens, and an expanded rollout of video responses to comments. 

Your LinkedIn Verified Status Can Now Be Displayed on Other Apps

Third party platforms may now display LinkedIn Verified information, helping creators and thought-leaders further demonstrate their authenticity. The update means that creators don’t have to re-verify and have an additional safeguard against fake profiles. 

New Snapchat Affiliate Program Launches

A new affiliate program has launched on Snapchat, enabling creators to earn commission “for each new advertiser you sign up on Snapchat ads.” (Snap) It could be an effective way for Snap to develop more ad business from brands previously not taking advantage of this channel. 

Pinterest Tests Notifications to Discourage App Usage During School

This is an interesting one. Pinterest is experimenting with ways to reduce screen-time for younger users, specifically during school hours. Currently some users, ages of 13-17, will see a prompt to close the app if it’s opened between the hours of 8AM and 3PM, Monday through Friday. Pinterest is also partnering with the International Society for Technology in Education for a pilot program working to promote healthier technology usage among teens.

Update from April 21

• Blended Reels Feature Launches on Instagram

• New Pinterest Badge for Marketers

• Community Notes in Testing on TikTok

• Tips for Facebook Marketers to Optimize DM Ads

Blended Reels Feature Launches on Instagram

This could be interesting. Instagram has officially launched their new “Blended Reels” feature, which will allow users to essentially create a curated DM feed of Reels recommended for and by specific friends. It is another step in Instagram’s concerted efforts to make the private-sharing world (which users today tend to prefer) more engaging.

New Pinterest Badge for Marketers 

Pinterest has introduced a new achievement badge for marketers to showcase their know-how of “Pinterest Performance Essentials”. From Pinterest: “To earn this badge, complete a series of ten performance-focused courses where you’ll learn how to maximize your lower-funnel campaign results, increase conversions and achieve success…” (Pinterest).  

Community Notes in Testing on TikTok

TikTok is officially testing their own Community Notes feature in an effort to crowdsource fact-checking and prevent the spread of misinformation. The new feature is called “Footnotes” and depends on user-submitted notes that add context to posts that may be misleading or unreliable. 

Tips for Facebook Marketers to Optimize DM Ads

Meta has released some key tips for optimizing direct marketing ads, which have seen growth in popularity among users. Tips include basic advice such as making links to your other profiles and website easy to find, as well as more advanced ways to optimize your campaigns such as synching your catalog from other partner sites.

Update from April 15

• LinkedIn Posting Tips from New Mini-site

• New Video Series for Marketers on Reddit 

• Sponsored AI-generated Snapchat Lenses 

• Add Multiple Links to Your Threads Profile

LinkedIn Posting Tips from New Mini-site

LinkedIn has introduced a new mini-site with posting tips for creators looking to maximize engagement, establish credibility, and improve your presence on the platform. The site provides comprehensive tips and examples for producing LinkedIn content, including sections specifically focused on video and interpreting LinkedIn analytics.

New Video Series for Marketers on Reddit 

Reddit has launched a new video series to help advertisers get better, high-converting results from their ad content. The series focuses on how to execute successful bottom-of-funnel campaigns on Reddit, from the planning stage through to launch, optimization, and reporting.

Sponsored AI-generated Snapchat Lenses 

Snapchat has launched a new way for brands to make use of the platform with Sponsored Lenses. Per Snap, the new ad format “generates personalized, AI-driven images that put Snapchatters at the center of unique brand moments” (Snapchat). It could be a great way for brands to diversify their campaigns and reach new audiences.

Add Multiple Links to Your Threads Profile

Threads is currently testing an option that would allow users to add more than one link to their Threads profile. It’s a small update, but could be significant especially for brands and content creators trying to promote multiple campaigns or sites, such as a blog.

Update from April 8

LinkedIn Ventures Further into Video

More Editing Features for YouTube Shorts

Add Alt Text to TikTok Still Image Posts

More DM Options for Brands on WhatsApp

LinkedIn Ventures Further into Video

LinkedIn is making moves to try and keep up with short-form video creation, with a new video response feature encouraging users to chime in on trending topics. The videos will have a topic tag, making it easy to see at-a-glance what they are referring to. App users will also start seeing a CTA button to “Add to this trend” which opens your camera app when clicked. 

More Editing Features for YouTube Shorts

YouTube is introducing some new editing features for Shorts. These include a refreshed UI that makes it easier to add music and other elements as well as rearrange clips. There is also a new option to automatically synch your video to a selected soundtrack.These plus a new AI sticker generator could go a long way toward making your Shorts more engaging!

Add Alt Text to TikTok Still-Image Posts

This is an interesting one. TikTok is introducing the ability to add alt text to still-image posts, which, while still not as popular as video, have seen steady usage in the app. Adding alt text will make these posts much more accessible, which could up your engagement and get your non-video content in front of a wider audience.

More DM Options for Brands on WhatsApp

WhatsApp is adding some more options for brands utilizing DM marketing in the app. Going forward, businesses will have the ability to send promotions to anyone who has interacted with their content in the past. Users are then able to opt out if desired, but may re-engage at any time. Meta is also limiting the number of messages brands can send.

Update from March 31

• React With a Video on X

• Campaign Manager Updates on LinkedIn

• Watch Instagram Reels at 2X Speed

• Reddit Expands Conversational Ads Features

• Changes to How Shorts Views are Measured on YouTube

React With a Video on X

X has introduced the ability for users to create video responses to updates. It presents a new way to engage on the platform, more aligned to how TikTok users interact with each other. When you react with a video, the post will display as an overlay making it more streamlined and easier to follow the conversation. 

Campaign Manager Updates on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is adding some updates to their Campaign Manager, making it easier for marketers to gather key insights for improving their campaigns. New features include a Media Planner, which provides projected performance results to help you plan future campaigns, as well as an easier way to duplicate ads across different accounts.

Watch Instagram Reels at 2X Speed

A small but highly requested update coming to Instagram. The app will now make it possible to view Reels in 2X speed, which is already a very popular feature on TikTok. By providing this functionality, Instagram users will be able to fast forward through longer Reels, allowing them to further customize their scrolling experience. 

Reddit Expands Conversation Ads Features

Some new options are now available for marketers on Reddit. The platform has enhanced its Conversational Ads, providing expanded placement options. From Reddit: “With placements now available deeper into the comments page, advertisers can expand their campaign reach, connecting with additional audiences at scale.”

Changes to How Shorts Views are Measured on YouTube

YouTube is making some changes to the way views are counted for Shorts videos. Going forward, YouTube has stated that any time a Short starts to play or replays, it will count as a view. It’s an interesting move as it could throw off any previous insights creators had gathered about their Shorts performance, but it is part of a concerted effort by YouTube to provide more clarity on Shorts engagement numbers.

Update from March 25

• Music Sharing on WhatsApp

• Updated Pinterest Feed

• New Features on Threads

• LinkedIn Integrates with Calendly

• Meta Expands Ad Options for Facebook & Instagram

Music Sharing on WhatsApp

WhatsApp is planning to integrate with Spotify for a more engaging song-sharing feature in their Status feature (similar to Stories). The new layout when you share a song will look very similar to Instagram, displaying album art and the artist's name. 

Updated Pinterest Feed

Pinterest is unveiling a new feed layout that provides more ways to interact and engage with Pins. The updated layout adds two types of modules: a carousel module and a landing page module. Carousels will show a group of Pins while the landing page type takes users to a specific page of similar Pins. 

New Features on Threads

Threads is adding more features! New updates include Topic Tags, which allows users to share their interests on their profile, near the bio. Clicking on a topic tag will show conversations associated with it. More control over who can see certain posts is also coming, along with further customization options for your feed. 

LinkedIn Integrates with Calendly

This is an interesting one. LinkedIn has added a Calendly integration, which Premium users can take advantage of for a much easier workflow for facilitating meetings and generating leads. The integration offers a new “Book an Appointment" CTA that can be added to a Premium profile. 

Meta Expands Ad Options for Facebook & Instagram

Meta is once again adding to their advertising options with an array of AI-focused updates. These include an expansion of the Advantage + Catalog ads to include influencer partner content, and AI-driven modeling for clothing items so purchasers can get a clearer picture of how pieces fit on different body types.

Update from March 18

• Some Updates Coming to Snapchat AR Glasses

• New Bluesky Features

• Reddit Adds the Ability to Block Ads 

• YouTube Report Highlights the Benefits of Shorts for Brands

Some Updates Are Coming to Snapchat AR Glasses

Snapchat has announced some exciting new features for the upcoming iteration of their AR Spectacles. The new lenses will include GPS capabilities, games, and community challenges to encourage engagement.

New Bluesky Features

Bluesky is introducing a few new features as it tries to maintain a strong position in the social media landscape. These include 3-minute videos, a separate folder for DMs you receive from people you’re not connected with, and the ability to mute certain accounts.

Reddit Adds the Ability to Block Ads 

Reddit users will now have the ability to block ads, further customizing their Reddit experience. The act of hiding an ad will also prevent future ads from that company from being shown. While this is a nice bonus, users should note that Reddit will be limiting the number of advertisers you can block.

YouTube Report Highlights the Benefits of Shorts for Brands 

In their continued effort to push Shorts production on the platform, YouTube has released a report, specifically geared towards brands, that highlights the benefits and potential of Shorts content. The report includes several compelling stats that YouTube hopes will encourage more brands to dip into Shorts on their channels.

Update from March 10

• Pinterest Will Start Implementing AI Labels

• Tips to Make TikTok Photo Post More Engaging

• New Posting Features on Reddit

• More AI Shopping Features Added to Google

Pinterest Will Start Implementing AI Labels

A long awaited update is coming to Pinterest. The platform has announced that they will start tagging AI-generated or AI-modified posts with a label, making it easier to identify these results in your feed. The tags do not currently apply to paid ads on Pinterest.

Tips to Make TikTok Photo Post More Engaging

TikTok has released some tips on using its photo feature for brands. Taking advantage of static photo carousels could be a great way to diversify your content and appeal to a wider audience. Descriptive captions, memes, tutorials, and roundups are some of the key insider tips offered.

New Posting Features on Reddit

Reddit is introducing some new tools to help facilitate a more straightforward posting process. Now, when adding a post to a subreddit that is not accepted due to community guidelines, users will see more detail as to why the post was in violation and offer suggestions for other subreddits to try. 

More AI Shopping Features Added to Google

Google is adding some new AI shopping features to make it easier for users to make purchase decisions. Updates include the ability to virtually try on makeup and clothing as well as a “find similar” feature to locate products from a text or image prompt. Both could be very useful additions to the customer discovery and purchase flow when it comes to online shopping.

Update from February 24

• AI-powered Ad Creation on X

• Text-Only Testimonial Option for Instagram Creators

• New Metrics for LinkedIn Newsletters

• New Features for Instagram DMs

• YouTube Introduces Promoted Shorts for Greater Reach

AI-powered Ad Creation on X

X is introducing an automated ad process to make it easier for marketers to scale and streamline their advertising campaigns on the platform, with the help of AI. Using the X AI tool “Grok”, you’ll be able to generate CTAs, imagery, and copy from just a URL. 

Text-Only Testimonial Option for Instagram Creators

This is an interesting one. Instagram is adding a new form of sponsored post in partnership ads, allowing creators to leave a text-only testimonial for certain products. These endorsements are short (under 125 characters) and quick, making them an easy addition to existing partnership agreements.

New Metrics for LinkedIn Newsletters

LinkedIn is adding a few new metrics to help users get a deeper understanding of how their Newsletters are performing. The new metrics show two important aspects of email engagement: Sends and Open Rate, so you can see if you are reaching subscribers effectively through email.  

New Features for Instagram DMs

Instagram continues to lean into features for DMs, which continue to show very strong engagement among users. The newest features include the ability to schedule messages, pinned messages, and an improved translation model for greater accuracy.

YouTube Introduces Promoted Shorts for Greater Reach

YouTube Shorts creators will soon have the ability to promote their videos for greater visibility and reach. It’s a small but useful update, especially as creators look to diversify their audiences. YouTube has been trying to keep Shorts production and viewership up to compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels, so this could go a long way towards increasing their popularity.

Update from February 18

• Instagram Tests Downvotes for Comments

• New AI Tools for YouTube Shorts

• “Most Loved” Tag in TikTok Shop

• WhatsApp Adds Customizing Features to Chats

Instagram Tests Downvotes for Comments

Instagram is currently testing a “downvote” feature to allow users to tag comments they deem negative or potentially harmful. The number of downvotes a comment receives is not public though Instagram chief, Adam Mosseri, notes that "...eventually, we may integrate this signal into comments ranking to move disliked comments lower down.” 

New AI Tools for YouTube Shorts

YouTube is integrating with Veo 2, a video generation model from Google DeepMind, expanding the AI possibilities for Shorts creators. The integration allows for realistic and high quality videos from text-prompts, and unique specifications for AI-generated video content such as lens type and cinematic effect.

“Most Loved” Tag in TikTok Shop

This could be useful. TikTok Shop is adding a “Most Loved” tag to indicate products that users have responded to favorably. It’s a useful indication that a product lived up to expectations quality wise, was delivered on time, and matched its description. 

WhatsApp Adds Customizing Features to Chats

WhatsApp users are getting some new chat themes that can be helpful for customizing the look and feel of their personal WhatsApp experience. The new features include options like creating your own wallpapers for backgrounds and changing the chat bubble colors. Currently these customizations only show to the user making them, however, so your chat buddies won’t see your wallpapers or color choices.

Update from February 10

• New Integrations for Google Campaign Manager 

• New Snapchat+ Features

• Repost to YouTube from TikTok

• Additional CTV Metrics on YouTube

New Integrations for Google Campaign Manager 

Google Campaign Manager has integrated with Adobe and Typeface to facilitate more streamlined creation. From Google “Now, you’ll be able to automatically send creative assets directly from Adobe to Campaign Manager 360.” Through the Typeface integration teams can now get custom AI-generated content to include in their campaigns.

New Snapchat+ Features

Snapchat has announced some new features for their Snapchat+ users. These include: AI-generated stickers, more style options for Bitmojis, and more customizable Snap communication options like self-destructing Snaps and non-replayable Snaps.

Repost to YouTube from TikTok

YouTube has partnered with Repurpose.io to facilitate easier cross-posting of short-form video content between various platforms. It provides a great way to push your content out to more audiences, and could be particularly useful for current TikTokers who may be trying to build up their followings on other channels. 

More YouTube Users Can Now Access the Communities Feature

YouTube has expanded access to their Communities feature to more users. Communities is a valuable feature that allows your followers to participate in discussion boards, interacting with each other in a forum other than video comment sections.

Update from February 4

• Snapchat+ Introduces Platinum Subscription

• New Threads Features

• Instagram Expands the “Views” Metric

• Rearrange Your Instagram Grid in Testing

Snapchat+ Introduces Platinum Subscription

Snapchat+ has added a new Platinum subscription to its three existing levels (Monthly, Annual, and Friends & Family), bringing the total of subscription options to four. Platinum is an ad-free option, allowing you to use Snap with no sponsored posts cluttering up your feed or Stories.  

New Threads Features

Threads has added a few new features for users to take advantage of. Firstly, it introduced a “Media” tab on user profiles, which allows people to scroll through videos and photos that you’ve shared. Secondly, a “Markup” feature has been added that allows users to highlight certain parts of a post that they find interesting or pertinent when sharing. 

Instagram Expands the “Views” Metric

This is an interesting one. Instagram has introduced some additional “Views” metrics that creators can use to get more context on the content their audience responds to. These include: View Rate and Views Over Time, each providing in-depth activity numbers to aid your content creation strategy. 

Rearrange Your Instagram Grid in Testing 

Instagram has begun initial testing of its new feature allowing users to rearrange and customize their Instagram profile grid. This could be an important option for some brands and content creators going forward, as Instagram also recently announced that the grid would be transitioning from square images to rectangular.

Update from January 28

• New Mini-site From Pinterest Highlights Ad Features

• YouTube Tests New Features

• Changes to LinkedIn “Top Voice” Badges

• Ads on Threads

• New Video Tab on Bluesky User Profiles

New Mini-site From Pinterest Highlights Ad Features

Pinterest has launched a new mini-site for advertisers that details some key stats and best practices for marketers. Many social marketers are wondering where to put their focus when it comes to paid social, so Pinterest is trying their best to attract new ad business! 

YouTube Tests New Features

Some premium users on YouTube will have seen a few new experimental features in testing on the platform. Current tests include: audio enhancements for better quality, AI-driven radio stations in YouTube music, and picture-in-picture for Shorts on mobile.

Changes to LinkedIn “Top Voice” Badges

This is an interesting one. LinkedIn has announced some changes to who receives their “Top Voice” badge. Going forward, badges will be assessed every 6 months basis, to ensure only active users who fulfill certain criteria remain verified as “Top Voices”. Criteria includes: high quality and original content contributions, consistent posting, and topical insights.

Ads on Threads

In a not-so-surprising move, Threads is currently testing in-feed ads. Similarly to many social media sites, Threads ads have a “sponsored” label and appear as images in your regular feed. For marketers, it provides an opportunity to get your existing Instagram or Facebook ads in front of new eyes, which could prove useful.

New Video Tab on Bluesky User Profiles

Bluesky users will start noticing a new video tab showing up on their individual profiles. The platform already added a Video feed on the home page, so this is a natural extension of that. Now it will be easier to view video-specific content on a users profile, providing a more streamlined experience.

Update from January 28

• Instagram Profile Format Update

• New “Edits” App From Instagram

• Pinterest Releases Color Trends for 2025

• More AI Tools for Job Seekers on LinkedIn

Instagram Profile Format Update

Instagram has announced some changes to profile formatting. Thumbnails will now appear as vertical rectangles as opposed to the original square grid layout. This update could cause a headache for some users and brands, but Instagram says it’s also working on ways to make editing your grid easier. 

New “Edits” App From Instagram

Instagram has launched their own video editing app called “Edits”, a clear bid to try and compete with popular ByteDance-owned editing app, CapCut. The app offers many features including: edit up to 10 minute videos, the ability to share drafts, and an inspiration tab with trending audio and styles.

Pinterest Releases Color Trends for 2025

This could be an interesting one for brands! Pinterest has just released their color trends report for 2025. Called the “Pinterest Palette" this year's top 5 colors include: cherry red, butter yellow, aura indigo (essentially lilac), dill green, and alpine oat. Use these to inform your marketing in the coming year!

More AI Tools for Job Seekers on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is introducing a new AI-driven “job-match tool” to help users strengthen their prospects. From LinkedIn: “For job seekers, this unlocks the ability to target the right job opportunities by knowing where you stand…”. They are also introducing a recruitment AI designed to help small businesses with their hiring needs.

Update from January 14

• TikTok Updates Their Editing Platform

• 3 Minute Shorts Available to All YouTube Users

• Additional Features on WhatsApp

• Google Introduces More AI Features For Retailers

TikTok Updates Their Editing Platform

TikTok has made some updates to their in-app editing, providing a more user-friendly dashboard from which to manage your videos. Avatars, voiceover translations, and auto-captions are now all available from one place. The new Video Editor now also includes templates based on well-performing videos to help you create more engaging content. 

3 Minute Shorts Available to All YouTube Users

YouTube has announced that now any video of 3 minutes or less will count as a Short, and be included in the Shorts feed. This is great news for creators who are looking to increase their Shorts presence and expand their audience.

Additional Features on WhatsApp

WhatsApp is adding some new features to make your messages more engaging. These include new filters and overlays and easier ways to create stickers from selfies. They’re also introducing a quicker react functionality that allows you to choose from your most-used reactions.

Google Introduces More AI Features for Retailers

Google is implementing some new AI features specifically for retailers. These include making it easier to use AI agents for communicating with customers in more personalized ways and offering product recommendations. Additionally they are announcing new AI partners, such as Shopify, to help retailers integrate AI functionality.

Update from January 6

• Threads Tests New Features

• Bluesky Reaches 25M+ Users

• Infographic: What Features Are Users Actually Interested in Paying for?

Threads Tests New Features

Threads is experimenting with a few new features for users to enjoy as we kick off 2025. The first is a cover photo for your profile. Not groundbreaking by any means, but a standard feature on most social platforms. The second is a custom display name, which would allow users to differentiate from their Instagram handle. 

Bluesky Reaches 25M+ Users

X competitor Bluesky has achieved a new milestone in time for the new year. The platform has now exceeded 25M users. Bluesky has been rapidly adding features, such as trending topics, as they seek to maintain a strong foothold in the expanding social landscape.

Infographic: What Features Are Users Actually Interested in Paying for?

This could be useful information for marketers planning campaigns this year. A new infographic outlines the kinds of apps and app features users don’t mind paying for. Perhaps unsurprisingly, entertainment (such as streaming services) shows up first. It’s followed by dating apps, where a premium subscription can dramatically help improve results.