New social media features and updates to know this week
Updates from Instagram, Snap, TikTok and more.
It’s quieter on the social media updates front this week, but there are still several beefy changes that are notable for social media managers and advertising pros.
Instagram in particular has several features either debuting or in testing which could have big impacts. And X is making a move that could make the comments section usable again.
Let’s get into it.
Among Instagram’s most exciting new features is the expansionsion of its carousel image limit from 10 to 20. While some are gloomily saying this new age of the uncurated “photo dump” could lead to the demise of the carousel altogether, it offers tons of new options for brand social media managers. Just choose your images wisely.
IG is also in the testing phase for several other features, including one that will look very familiar to Snapchat users. Instagram is experimenting with a map posting scheme similar to Snap Map, which allows users to post images and text on, well, a map that shows where those photos were taken. Unlike the Snapchat version, the Instagram feature requires users to select a smaller group of people to share their maps with, such as close friends or mutual followers.
In a privacy-oriented move, Instagram is tinkering with a feature that would allow users to bar people from taking screenshots of stories and other single-view media on the app.
Snap
Meanwhile, Snap has introduced what it calls “significant changes” to ad objectives. The newly streamlined objectives include:
- Awareness & Engagement
- Traffic
- Leads
- App Promotion
- Sales
Old objectives will be available during a slow phase-out period, eventually disappearing altogether in mid-September.
YouTube
This social media roundup wouldn’t be complete without an AI mention, so here’s your obligatory update: YouTube is deepening its integration with Google’s Gemini AI model via YouTube Studio, allowing creators to use Gemini from within the platform to help outline, name and even generate thumbnails for content. While this could help boost watch rates, be on the lookout for AI creating an overly homogenous look across creators. Stand out and don’t forget what makes your brand shine, even as you learn from the wisdom of machines.
X
X is now offering three different options for sorting responses to posts: most relevant replies (the default, whatever the algorithm deems “relevant”), most liked replies or most recent replies.
This is a helpful change, as some have noted reading comments on high-traffic X posts has become less useful as Premium subscribers who’ve paid for the privilege of appearing first get the most play, rather than those who are most interesting, witty or notable. This could revitalize the comment community on X.
Facebook is allowing some leniency for rulebreakers. Now, for those violating a rule for the first time (or the first time within a year), they’ll be eligible to take an online education course about the infraction they’ve committed. After completion, the warning will be removed from their accounts.
If they keep their records clean for a full year after the first incident, their slate will be wiped clean, and they can complete the course again on any subsequent violations. However, if they break the same rule again within 365 days, they’ll receive an unremovable warning.
TikTok
TikTok is making it easier than ever before to make purchases from within the app by partnering with Amazon. Now, users can link their accounts together so that when they see recommended products from Amazon, they can purchase them without leaving TikTok, all while using their existing Amazon credentials. It’s another way to reduce purchase friction and beef up the shopping experience that’s becoming an increasingly important part of the TikTok portfolio.
LinkedIn is expanding newsletter sponsorships beyond company newsletters and into user-generated editions. The sponsorships will be part of LinkedIn’s Thought Leader Ad program, and users will have to approve the ad before it runs. This is an intriguing addition for executive communicators. While it can be advantageous to have a newsletter from your company, the personal touch of having a newsletter from your CEO or an influencer can be powerful, too.
Allison Carter is editor-in-chief of PR Daily. Follow her on Twitter or LinkedIn.
