Welcome back to another ICYMI, covering the latest social media news and industry updates.
Whether you’re a seasoned social media pro or just trying to keep up, this post is your one-stop shop for the key updates you need to know about this month…
Instagram Updates
- Instagram shared a preview of their new video editing app called Edits, scheduled to launch in March in selected regions. Instagram is looking to add creator collaboration elements and AI features to the app, as well as giving us insights into what’s trending.
- Adam Mosseri was asked if longer videos get penalised on Instagram as people watch a shorter percentage of them. He confirmed that they don’t get penalised and that the number of seconds viewed is also a factor they consider.
- Instagram is reportedly considering a standalone app for Reels.
- Instagram is testing two new feeds for suggested content: “because you follow” and “Instagram suggested”.
- Instagram is testing comment dislikes to combat negative interactions. They won’t show a dislike count nor will they show that you disliked a comment. Eventually, dislikes will affect the order of comments.
- Instagram tests AI-Based Tasks via DMs.
- Mosseri also confirms that saving a post as a draft does NOT affect distribution.
- Instagram is testing out a pause button for Reels.
- Instagram adds a Cut Silences feature in the Reels Editor.
- Instagram is testing new features in its Edits app first.
- Meta’s AI Systems will scan DMs when prompted.
Threads Updates
- Threads add Custom Feed Sharing helping you organise your interests.
- Meta release a guide to using Threads.
- Threads drives 73.6% more engagement than X [Buffer].
- Threads is adding the ability to limit post replies to your followers only.
- Threads working on adding interests to your profile [via alex193a].
TikTok Updates
- Unofficial TikTok downloads surge in the US.
- TikTok is now back on the app stores.
- TikTok allows creators to decide to be featured in “Creators Spotlight”.
- TikTok begins laying off members of Trust and Safety Team.
YouTube Updates
- YouTube partners with Repurpose.io to enable reposting Shorts from TikTok.
- YouTube expands text-to-speech feature for Shorts.
- YouTube adds AI Audio Replacement options.
- YouTube celebrate a billion monthly podcast listeners.
- YouTube will show fewer ads in ‘interruptive’ slots.
LinkedIn Updates
- LinkedIn aim to make video more prominent and discoverable.
- LinkedIn adds “email sends” and “email open rates” to newsletter analytics.
- LinkedIn rolls out Comment Impression Counts allowing users to see how many times their comments have been viewed.
- LinkedIn tests alternate feed for updates from only your connections.
Other Updates
- Facebook will now delete live videos after 30 days, users can download or transfer videos to save them.
- Bluesky hits 30 million users.
- Bluesky adds reply controls (like on X and Threads) and profile search.
- The latest on the WordPress fight over trademarks and open source.
- Touch Grass is now a real thing – oh yes, somebody made an app to end phone addition where you have to touch grass to unblock your apps!
- Digiday shares an interesting article about what it takes to get paid by YouTube, TikTok and other social platforms.
- BuzzFeed are seemingly launching their own social platform.
- Google confirms that there was a review count issue earlier this month.
Conclusion
We’ll be back next month with another update on all the latest features and trends.
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