Stay up to date with monthly social media updates across TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and more. Don’t miss changes that can impact your strategy.
If you’re a marketer, you already know social media doesn’t wait for anyone. Features launch overnight. Algorithms change without warning. And just when your content strategy feels solid, things shift again.
At Gain, we’re tracking the updates that matter most across Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Threads, Facebook, and other major social media platforms. And while not every change makes headlines, the right ones can impact your reach, shift your strategy, or give you a competitive edge before others even notice.
Here are the most important October 2026 social media updates and news that you should know about. By the way, we’ll be back next month with the November updates, so make sure to check in again 😊.
October 2026 Social Media Updates
Instagram: October Updates👇
Instagram Lets Users Add Tagged Posts to Their Profile Grids
Instagram now lets users add posts they are tagged in directly to their main profile grid.
Tagged users will see a new “Add to grid” option when viewing the post. Once added, the content will appear alongside their own posts with a tag icon in the upper-right corner of the thumbnail.
The update gives creators and brands another way to highlight collaborations, customer content, and posts published by partner accounts without uploading them again.
Instagram Introduces Clearer Labels for AI-generated Profiles
Instagram is also updating its AI profile labels to make it clearer when users are interacting with an account featuring an AI-generated character.
The platform is replacing its “AI creator” label with “AI-generated profile.” Labeled accounts will also display an explanation noting that their images may feature AI-generated characters.
Instagram will limit the reach of profiles featuring AI-generated people that do not use the label. The change should give users more transparency while making proper disclosure increasingly important for brands and creators experimenting with virtual influencers.
Threads: October Updates👇
Threads Adds New Tools for Promoting Podcasts
Threads has introduced new podcast discovery and promotion tools for listeners and creators.
Users can save podcast posts to revisit later, while creators can connect a podcast to their profile using its RSS feed. They can also turn on reminders to post whenever a new episode is released.
Creators can design interactive episode previews featuring video clips, transcriptions of clips under 30 seconds, or tagged guests. Clicking the preview takes users directly to the podcast, while built-in insights show how many people clicked or saved it.
Threads Revamps Its Insights Dashboard
Threads is rolling out a redesigned Insights dashboard to help creators better understand how their content is performing.
The updated experience is designed to make it easier to identify which posts are working, which are not, and the factors influencing their performance. Users can access the new dashboard through the Insights option on their profile.
TikTok: October Updates👇
TikTok Adds Voice Messages, Polls, and Carousels to Comments
TikTok has introduced several new comment features designed to give users more ways to respond to videos and interact with creators.
Voice Comments let users record audio replies lasting up to 60 seconds, while Comment Polls allow creators to add up to five voting options beneath their own videos and choose how long the poll remains open.
Users can also add up to nine images to a single comment or upload Live Photos with a brief burst of movement. Comment Polls and Live Photo Comments are available globally, while Voice Comments and Photo Carousel Comments are rolling out worldwide. Voice Comments are limited to users aged 18 and older.
YouTube: October Updates👇
YouTube Lets Creators Tag Amazon Products
Amazon has joined the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program, allowing eligible U.S. creators to tag products directly in videos, Shorts, and livestreams.
Creators must belong to the YouTube Partner Program, the YouTube Shopping affiliate program, and either Amazon Associates or the Amazon Influencer Program. YouTube can also automatically identify and tag eligible Amazon products in recent uploads when auto-tagging is enabled.
Creators can view their total daily earnings in YouTube Studio, with finalized commissions paid through AdSense. YouTube says an internal July 2026 experiment found that videos using Shopping tags received over 110% more product clicks than those relying only on description links.
YouTube Tests Multiple AI-generated Custom Feeds
YouTube is also expanding its custom feeds experiment to let users create and save multiple personalized feeds based on written prompts.
Users can describe what they want to watch, such as guided meditations under 10 minutes, and YouTube will generate a dedicated recommendation feed. They can create up to eight active feeds, switch between them from the top of the Home page, and edit their prompts at any time. Inactive prompts will expire after several weeks.
The test is rolling out on mobile and desktop to signed-in U.S. users with English-language settings and watch history enabled. On mobile, custom feeds replace the standard topic chips for users included in the experiment.
Pinterest: October Updates👇
Pinterest Introduces Visual Search Ads
Pinterest has unveiled Visual Search Ads, a new format that places sponsored products prominently in search results and Pin closeups.
Advertisers can bid for top placements and direct users to their websites as they search, compare products, and move closer to making a purchase. Pinterest says users conduct more than 80 billion searches each month, with most searches involving visuals and more than half showing commercial intent.
The format supports lower-funnel campaign goals and works with Pinterest Performance+. It will enter beta for eligible advertisers across all Pinterest ad markets, alongside new tools for prioritizing selected products, running self-service A/B tests, and promoting mobile apps.
📚 Related Read: 8 Best Pinterest Scheduling Tools in 2026
September 2026 Social Media Updates
Instagram: September Updates👇
Instagram Tests Bonuses for Reels and Photo Posts
Instagram is testing two new invitation-only bonus programs that reward eligible creators based on the performance of their content. One covers Reels, while the other focuses on carousels and single-image posts.
Invited creators can activate the relevant bonus through their professional dashboard, after which Instagram will count up to 150 eligible public posts shared during the bonus period. Earnings are calculated using Reel plays or photo and carousel views, although replays do not count.
Eligibility depends on location, account type, and recent view totals, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation.
Meta Launches New Tools and Subscription for Businesses
Meta has introduced several new business tools, including Meta Business Agent, which can answer customer questions around the clock, involve team members when needed, and help turn conversations into sales.
Businesses can also use Grid Reordering to drag and drop Instagram posts into their preferred profile layout. The feature is accessible through the Edit Profile screen or by long-pressing a post.
Meta One, meanwhile, bundles access to eligible Meta technologies into one subscription, with benefits including verification, profile protection, an enhanced link in bio, improved reach, and AI-powered growth tools.
TikTok: September Updates👇
TikTok Launches Creator-focused Newsletter
TikTok has launched The Creator Cut, a Substack newsletter featuring stories, advice, and practical insights from creators.
The newsletter will focus largely on TikTok Live, with creators sharing tips for connecting with audiences and improving livestream engagement. TikTok says more than 250 million creators went live globally in 2025, while over 150 million earned rewards.
Marketers and creators interested in livestreaming can use the newsletter to learn directly from people already succeeding with the format.
TikTok Adds Legacy Account Controls
TikTok has introduced legacy account settings, allowing users to decide what happens to their profile after they die.
Users can nominate someone to manage the account or request that TikTok delete it. Those choosing a legacy contact can also control which parts of the account that person can manage.
Previously, a family member or legal representative generally had to submit supporting documents to remove a deceased user’s account. The new settings give users more control over their content and personal information.
TikTok Live Adds AI-generated Creator Introductions
TikTok has added an AI-powered introduction tool to its Live composer.
Creators can use it to generate a short summary explaining who they are and what their livestream covers, then share it with viewers. This could help people joining midway through a broadcast quickly understand the topic and decide whether to keep watching.
Creators should still review the generated copy before using it, as it remains unclear how TikTok produces the summaries or how accurately they reflect each livestream.
TikTok Upgrades AI Video Generation for Advertisers
TikTok has integrated ByteDance’s Dreamina Seedance 2.5 model into its Symphony advertising tools, giving marketers more control over AI-generated video ads.
Advertisers can now create clips lasting up to 30 seconds, twice the previous limit, and upload as many as 50 images, video, and audio references. TikTok says the model also produces more realistic visuals while better preserving lighting, movement, and character consistency.
The upgrade is currently rolling out to select paid advertisers in selected markets.
LinkedIn: September Updates👇
LinkedIn Lets Users Report AI-generated Content
LinkedIn is testing a new option that lets users flag posts and comments they believe are low-quality or overly reliant on AI.
Reports will help LinkedIn improve its detection systems, while creators may privately see when members consider their posts inauthentic. The platform is also replacing its Enhance Your Post feature with a proofreading tool that corrects errors without changing the user’s voice.
The changes reflect LinkedIn’s push for more authentic professional conversations.
LinkedIn Prioritizes More Relevant Comments
LinkedIn has also updated its comment ranking system to show users replies that better match their interests and professional networks.
The platform will consider signals such as connections, professional interests, and previous engagement when deciding which comments to display. It will also surface more timely discussions in the main feed to encourage participation.
LinkedIn Adds AI-generated Clips and Chapters for Live Events
LinkedIn has launched Recommended Clips and Chapters, an AI-powered tool that helps marketers repurpose LinkedIn Live recordings.
After an event, the tool identifies notable announcements, insights, and quotes that can be turned into short video clips. It also divides the full recording into chapters, making longer events easier to browse. Marketers can refine both before publishing and use the clips in organic or paid campaigns.
The feature is now available globally in public beta.
X (Twitter): September Updates👇
X Updates Its Chat Composer
X is rolling out several improvements to X Chat, including a simplified interface designed to keep users focused on their messages.
The update also adds new gestures and haptic feedback for voice messages, smoother transitions between chat elements, and better draft saving. Attachments will now be saved alongside unfinished message text, so users can return without having to add them again.
Together, the changes should make X Chat feel smoother and more reliable as a messaging tool.
X Adds Text and Emoji Overlays to Videos
X now lets iOS users add text and emoji overlays to videos before uploading them.
The editing option provides a simple way to add context, captions, reactions, or visual commentary directly within the app. It follows X’s recent introduction of other video creation tools, including an updated editor and green-screen recording.
While similar features have long been available on TikTok and Instagram, the update gives creators more flexibility when preparing video content without relying on a separate editing app.
YouTube: September Updates👇
YouTube Changes How It Counts Public Views
Beginning August 24, YouTube will count a public view as soon as a video starts playing, from the first frame. The standard will apply globally across all video formats, matching the system already used for Shorts.
Creators may notice their public view totals rising faster. The previous metric will remain available as Engaged Views in Advanced Mode. The change will not affect earnings or eligibility for the YouTube Partner Program.
YouTube Announces Major Partner Program Changes
YouTube has announced several Partner Program changes taking effect February 1, 2027.
New creators seeking ad and Premium revenue sharing will need 8,000 qualified watch hours within 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views within 90 days. Existing YPP members will not be affected by the new entry requirements.
Shorts revenue sharing will also require 10 million qualified views over 90 days, while YouTube plans new bonuses and incentives for eligible channels below that threshold.
August 2026 Social Media Updates
Instagram: August Updates👇
Instagram Lets Creators Change Audio on Existing Posts
Instagram now lets creators change the in-app audio attached to a post or carousel after it has been published.
This means you can replace a track that no longer fits without deleting and reuploading the content. The post will keep all the likes, comments, and shares it has already earned, making it easier to refresh content without losing engagement.
Instagram Adds New Creative Tools to Edits
Instagram has introduced three new features to its Edits video creation app:
- Import custom fonts
- Automatically generate lyrics from selected music
- Search for video effects
These additions give creators more control over their video style while making it quicker to find effects and add synced lyrics. Custom font imports could be particularly useful for brands that want their social videos to remain consistent with their wider visual identity.
Instagram Expands AI Translations for Reels
Instagram has expanded its AI-powered Reels translations to include Japanese, Korean, French, German, and Italian.
The feature can translate a Reel’s audio and captions while adjusting the creator’s mouth movements to match the translated speech. Creators can review the result, turn off lip-syncing, or remove the translation before publishing.
TikTok: August Updates👇
TikTok Shop Improves Product Insights for UK Sellers
TikTok Shop has upgraded its Product Traffic Analysis tools for sellers in the UK, providing more detail about product performance and traffic sources.
Sellers can now compare product rankings by content format, track search and discovery appearances, and analyze traffic from livestreams, videos, and affiliate links. They can also compare conversion efficiency across different channels.
The improved analytics should help merchants identify which products and content formats are driving interest and sales.
TikTok Launches New AI Literacy Measures
TikTok has launched an AI literacy guide containing videos and explainers to help users recognize AI-generated content. An in-app learning hub will also appear when users search for AI-related terms.
The platform is improving its systems for detecting accounts that post AI-generated spam about sensitive topics, including politics, financial advice, and medical content.
TikTok says it has already labeled more than three billion AI-generated videos using Content Credentials, creator disclosures, and invisible watermarks. The changes reinforce the need for brands and creators to label AI content clearly.
X (Twitter): August Updates👇
X Adds Grok Guidance to Ads Manager
X is testing a Grok integration in Ads Manager, giving advertisers AI-powered campaign guidance.
Advertisers in the beta can ask Grok questions about their strategy, access creation tips, and generate ideas for ad creative. The integration builds on X’s redesigned ad platform and could eventually support greater automation across campaign creation, audience targeting, and delivery.
X Launches Mention Boosts for Brands
X has introduced Mention Boosts, allowing brands to promote organic posts that mention them.
Brands can set a budget and campaign duration, then add a call-to-action button and destination link. This turns customer reviews and recommendations into ads without requiring new creative.
The feature is available to Premium Business subscribers, with plans starting at $200 per month.
LinkedIn: August Updates👇
LinkedIn Adds New AI-Powered Ad Creation Tools
LinkedIn has introduced several Campaign Manager tools to help advertisers create and test more ad variations.
Brand Kit stores colors, fonts, logos, messaging, and tone of voice, while Draft with AI generates ad copy from a URL and campaign details. Advertisers can also personalize ads using professional attributes, create AI-generated copy variants, and let LinkedIn combine different images, videos, and text.
LinkedIn says advertisers running five or more ad variants see over 20% higher click-through rates than those running one.
Threads: August Updates👇
Threads Adds Parental Supervision Tools
Threads is introducing parental controls through Meta’s Family Center, starting in the U.S. before expanding globally by the end of 2026.
Parents and guardians can view their teen’s daily and weekly usage, set time limits, block access during selected hours, and adjust sleep mode. They can also manage who can tag their teen and whether users under 16 can weaken default privacy settings.
Existing teen protections include private accounts, content restrictions, muted nighttime notifications, and automatic replies between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Youtube: August Updates👇
YouTube Adds Seasons and Episodes to Playlists
YouTube Partner Program creators can now organize playlists into series with seasons and episodes across TV, mobile, and desktop.
The new structure makes it easier for viewers to browse episodic content and continue watching from where they stopped on any device. Users can also search “shows” on YouTube to discover more series.
YouTube Tests an Insights-first Studio Experience
YouTube is testing a redesigned Studio experience with a small group of creators on desktop.
The Analytics tab is being renamed Insights, with related metrics grouped into a simpler interface. Eligible Ask Studio users may also see AI-powered cards covering channel performance, content patterns, audience loyalty, and individual videos.
YouTube is also testing Research as a replacement for the Trends tab. As part of the change, saved keywords are being retired on desktop, although creators can temporarily download them as a CSV file.
July 2026 Social Media Updates
TikTok: July Updates👇
TikTok Bans AI-Generated Voices in Shopping Livestreams
TikTok has updated its Live rules to ban non-real-time verbal interactions in shopping livestreams, including AI-generated voices, audio recordings, and radio-style audio.
Instead, livestream hosts are expected to communicate with viewers in real time, either verbally or through sign language. Streams that rely on AI voices or pre-recorded scripts may now be considered non-compliant.
TikTok Adds New AI Creation Tools for Marketers
TikTok has announced new AI-powered tools for marketers inside Symphony Creative Studio, including Symphony Agent, which can help generate full video campaigns from text prompts, images, video examples, and trending content.
The tool analyzes what’s already performing on TikTok, suggests similar ad examples, and lets marketers create their own versions using AI. It can also:
- Generate campaign videos from scratch
- Create still image assets
- Translate and dub videos
- Build creator briefs
- Help brands find relevant creator content
For marketers, this could make TikTok campaign planning and production much faster. Even if you’re not ready to rely fully on AI-generated ads, Symphony Agent may be useful for trend research, creative inspiration, and scaling campaign ideas more efficiently.
Threads: July Updates👇
Threads Adds New Community Features After Reaching 500M Users
This is a big one! Threads has reached 500 million monthly active users and is celebrating by rolling out new tools for communities and feed control.
Communities are now moving out of beta, with several updates designed to make them easier to find and use:
- A new Communities Hub in the main menu
- Custom icons for each community
- Community Progress, showing when a topic is close to becoming a community
- Expanded Community Champion recognition
- Local communities, starting with native-language tags in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan
Threads is also introducing Your Algo, a private setting that lets users choose to see more or less of certain topics for one, three, or seven days.
LinkedIn: July Updates👇
LinkedIn Adds GIF Support in Comments
LinkedIn has added GIF support in comments, giving users a new way to reply to posts with moving animations directly inside the app.
The update adds a GIF option to the reply box, so users no longer need to convert GIFs into MP4 files to make them play in the feed. LinkedIn has also simplified its post UI by bringing action buttons and engagement counts into a single line.
It’s a small update, but it could make LinkedIn conversations feel a little more expressive and informal.
LinkedIn Adds Collaborative Posts
LinkedIn is testing collaborative posts, allowing creators, members, and company Pages to co-author posts in the feed.
The new Add Collaborators option will let users invite others to partner on a post, with all collaborators listed at the top. LinkedIn says the feature is designed for product launches, business announcements, brand partnerships, team milestones, and other moments where multiple people contributed.
For brands, this could be a useful way to tap into employee, executive, and creator networks, which often drive more reach than company Page posts alone. It also fits LinkedIn’s bigger push into creator partnerships and sponsored content.
Instagram: July Updates👇
Instagram Expands Your Algorithm to the Main Feed
Instagram is expanding its Your Algorithm feature to the main feed, giving users more control over the topics they see in the app.
The tool lets users review a list of interests Instagram has assigned based on their activity, then adjust what they want to see more or less of. Instagram first tested this for Reels, later brought it to Explore, and is now extending it to the main feed.
This update reinforces the importance of clear, topic-focused content. If users can fine-tune their feeds by interest, posts that strongly match a niche, audience, or recurring content theme may have a better chance of reaching the right people.
Instagram Expands Reels Post-View Ads to All Advertisers
Instagram is rolling out Reels post-view ads to all advertisers globally, giving brands a new placement option inside the Reels feed.
These ads appear after an eligible organic Reel longer than 60 seconds and include a short countdown before the promotion starts. Viewers can skip the ad and return to the Reel they were watching.
X (Twitter): July Updates👇
X Adds Video Reactions on iOS
X has introduced a new “React with video” reply option on iOS, letting users respond to posts with filmed video commentary.
The feature opens a recording window with the original post on screen, so users can add a selfie-style reaction or use a split-screen layout. It’s similar to the video response formats popularized by TikTok.
This could make replies on X more visual and personality-driven, especially for creators who already use commentary, reactions, or quick takes to engage with trending posts.
June 2026 Social Media Updates
Facebook: June Updates👇
Facebook Adds New Web Publishing Tools for Creators
Facebook has introduced new web publishing tools to help creators plan, schedule, and upload content more efficiently. The update includes a new calendar-style Content Planner in Creator Studio, giving users a clearer view of scheduled posts, posting gaps, and performance insights in one place.
Facebook is also improving bulk Reels uploads, making it easier to upload multiple Reels at once, add descriptions, and check for potential copyright issues during the publishing flow.
Facebook Adds Custom Subscriber Stickers
Facebook now lets creators offer custom sticker packs as an exclusive perk for subscribers. Eligible subscribers can use these stickers when commenting on posts or during Lives on the creator’s Page or professional profile.
Creators can upload their own stickers or create them with Meta AI, then manage the pack from the Professional Dashboard or Meta Business Suite.
For creators using Facebook Subscriptions, this adds a small but fun way to reward paying fans and make subscriber interactions feel more personal.
Instagram: June Updates👇
Instagram Tests Individual Captions for Carousel Slides
Instagram is testing a new option that lets users add a separate caption to each photo or video in a carousel post. Instead of relying on one caption for the entire carousel, creators could add more context to each slide.
For brands and creators, this could make carousels even more useful for storytelling, tutorials, product breakdowns, and educational content, especially since carousels already tend to drive strong engagement.
Instagram Updates Algorithm to Reward Original Creators
Instagram is updating its algorithm to give original photos and carousel posts more priority in recommendations. As part of the change, aggregator accounts that mostly repost other people’s content will no longer be recommended in Explore and other discovery surfaces.
Reposts may still work for followers, but fresh visuals, how-to posts, visual stories, and content with meaningful added value are more likely to earn broader reach.
Threads: June Updates👇
Threads Adds Meta AI Replies In-Stream
Meta is testing Meta AI inside Threads, letting users tag @meta.ai in public posts or replies to get text-based answers directly in-stream. The rollout is starting in select markets, including Argentina, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
For users, this makes AI assistance part of the Threads conversation flow. That said, people can mute the Meta AI profile or mark posts as not interested.
Threads Tests Playable Music Stickers
Threads is testing playable music stickers, allowing users to attach songs directly to posts. Viewers would see cover art and be able to tap a play button to hear a sample in-stream.
For creators and brands, this could add a new layer to music discovery, trend participation, and mood-setting posts, especially as Meta continues building more music-sharing tools across its apps.
LinkedIn: June Updates👇
LinkedIn Adds AI-Powered InMail for Hiring Pro
LinkedIn has added InMail with Hiring Pro, an AI-powered outreach feature for promoted jobs. It helps recruiters invite qualified candidates to apply by generating personalized InMail drafts based on the job post and the candidate’s profile.
Recruiters can send up to five InMails per promoted job to candidates sourced through Hiring Pro, with messages still editable before sending.
LinkedIn Expands Immersive Video Beyond the U.S.
LinkedIn is reopening its immersive video experience outside the U.S., starting with Australia, the U.K., and Canada. The feature includes the video tab and video carousel in-feed, both designed to surface more relevant video content.
LinkedIn says members are now spending more than twice as much time watching videos from these surfaces, plus 60% more time per video. For creators and brands, LinkedIn video may be worth another look.
TikTok: June Updates👇
TikTok Launches Counterfeit Goods Detection Program
TikTok has launched TikTok Real, a new initiative to detect and remove counterfeit products from TikTok Shop. The program uses insights from more than 300 intellectual property experts and includes new brand verification tools.
For sellers and shoppers, this should make TikTok Shop feel more trustworthy as the platform continues pushing in-app commerce.
TikTok Rolls Out Ad-free Subscription in the UK
TikTok is launching an ad-free subscription option for users in the U.K. The plan costs £3.99 per month and lets users browse without ads while switching off data tracking for targeted promotions.
For marketers, this is one more sign that privacy rules are reshaping how platforms balance ads, personalization, and user choice.
May 2026 Social Media Updates
Facebook: May Updates👇
Facebook Upgrades Groups Search with AI-Powered Semantic Retrieval
Facebook has rebuilt its Groups Search using a hybrid retrieval architecture that blends keyword matching with AI-powered semantic understanding. The system can now match a search like “Italian coffee drink” to posts about “cappuccino” — even without exact keyword overlap.
For community managers and brands active in Facebook Groups, this means your content is more likely to surface for relevant searches, even when users don’t use the exact words you did.
Instagram: May Updates👇
Instagram Expands API with New Metrics, Partnership Labels, and Engagement Tools
Instagram has rolled out several API updates that will surface in third-party scheduling and analytics tools soon:
- Partnership label at publish time — Add the “Paid partnership” disclosure when scheduling, no manual fix-up needed after posting
- New engagement metrics — Reposts, saves, shares, and aggregated views/likes/comments now available across Instagram and cross-posted Facebook content
- Collaborative media tracking — Performance data for collab posts now accessible via API
- Like/unlike via API — Third-party tools can now manage post and comment likes on behalf of users
The partnership label update is the most immediate win for anyone managing sponsored content workflows.
Instagram Improves Insights UI and Adds New Performance Metrics
Instagram has updated its Insights interface to make key performance data easier to access directly from the main page. New tabs now surface engagement activity and audience demographics upfront, without digging through menus.
The update also introduces share rate and skip rate percentage data for posts and Reels, plus views over time to help creators understand content longevity. Note that collab posts, trial reels, cross-posted, and boosted content aren’t included yet.
If you’re a social media manager always wondering what’s working on Insta and what’s not, well, now you don’t have to spend that much time hunting for data.
Instagram Adds AI Video Generation to Edits
Instagram has integrated AI video generation directly into its Edits app, allowing users to create video clips from a text prompt, photo, or existing video. Users tap the plus icon, select the AI option, describe the clip they want, and optionally add images from their camera roll to guide the output.
For content creators, it’s a faster path to video content. Whether that’s a net positive for feed quality is another question — more AI-generated content is coming either way, and it’s worth thinking about how your brand’s original content will stand out alongside it.
LinkedIn: May Updates👇
LinkedIn Adds Verified Member Filter for Comments
LinkedIn is testing a new comment sort option that lets users filter replies to show only verified members. The goal is to surface more authentic, human-led responses and reduce bot and spam noise in high-volume posts.
Verification is free on LinkedIn (unlike Meta or X), with over 100 million members already verified. If you’re active on the platform, getting verified is now a more visible advantage for having your comments seen.
X (Twitter): May Updates👇
X Officially Launches X Chat App
X has launched X Chat as a standalone iOS app, offering a dedicated home for DMs with no ads and end-to-end encryption. Security researchers have flagged potential vulnerabilities in its encryption approach, suggesting X itself could theoretically access messages.
For X users, it’s simply another way to access DMs. Longer term, the app may also factor into X’s push to secure regulatory approval for its X Money payments feature.
X Launches Custom Timelines for Topic-Based Feeds
X has introduced Custom Timelines, letting Premium users pin topic-based feeds to their home tab, choosing from 75 discussion topics curated and personalized by Grok AI. The feature replaces X’s Communities, which are being deprecated on May 6th due to low usage. Custom Timelines are available on iOS first, with Android coming soon.
TikTok: May Updates👇
TikTok Lets Creators Manage Their Post Keywords
TikTok now allows creators to suggest or block keywords automatically assigned to their videos, giving more control over how content is matched to searches and audiences. TikTok still reviews any suggested terms to prevent irrelevant tagging. It’s a small but useful update for creators who want to fine-tune their discoverability beyond what the algorithm decides on its own.
April 2026 Social Media Updates
Facebook: April Updates👇
Facebook Launches Creator Fast Track Program with Guaranteed Pay
Facebook has introduced a new Creator Fast Track program to help established creators grow faster on the platform. The program offers increased reach on eligible Reels and up to three months of guaranteed earnings.
Creators can earn $1,000/month with at least 100K followers on other platforms, or $3,000/month with over 1M followers. Facebook is also adding new monetization metrics like Qualified Views and Earnings Rate to help creators better understand and optimize their revenue.
Instagram: April Updates👇
Instagram Tests Links in Post Captions for Meta Verified Users
Instagram is testing the ability to add links directly in post captions—one of its most requested features. The test is currently limited to select Meta Verified creators, who can share up to 10 links per month.
This marks a shift from Instagram’s long-standing stance against caption links, likely aimed at increasing subscription appeal and creator monetization opportunities. Brands and publishers can’t access the feature directly, but may partner with creators to share links, potentially opening new avenues for sponsored content.
Instagram Adds One-Tap Pause for Reels
Instagram now allows users to pause Reels with a single tap on the screen. Previously, users had to press and hold or risk muting the video instead.
The update simplifies playback controls and aligns Instagram more closely with TikTok’s viewing experience. After pausing, users can still mute audio with an additional tap. While small, this change improves usability and makes it easier for viewers to engage with content, revisit details, or share moments without interrupting playback awkwardly.
Instagram Now Lets Users Reorder Carousel Posts
Instagram now allows users to rearrange the order of images and videos within a carousel after publishing. Using a simple drag-and-drop function, creators can update the sequence to better reflect their content or optimize performance.
TikTok: April Updates👇
TikTok Launches New Premium Ad Formats and Shopping Tools
TikTok has introduced new ad formats and expanded shopping features to boost retail and e-commerce performance. New formats include Prime Time, which delivers sequential video ads to the same user, and Logo Takeover, which places branded content at app launch for maximum visibility.
The platform is also continuing to expand TikTok Shop, enabling more seamless in-app purchasing and international selling.
X (Twitter): April Updates👇
X Expands AI Video Generation with Multiple Image Inputs
X has upgraded its Grok AI tool to support video generation using up to seven input images. Users can now create videos up to 30 seconds long by combining multiple visual references, improving consistency across characters and scenes.
The feature is currently available to Premium users and builds on Grok’s existing image generation capabilities. This update makes it easier to produce more complex AI-generated video content directly within the app, as X continues to invest in generative media tools.
LinkedIn: April Updates👇
LinkedIn Expands Tools for Creator Partnerships and Brand Sponsorships
LinkedIn has introduced new features to help brands collaborate with creators and boost campaign reach. This includes Premium Creator Sponsorships with Top Voices, allowing brands to partner with influential creators across posts, events, and content series.
The platform is also expanding its BrandLink ad options with broader publisher access, self-serve campaign setup, and improved creator payouts. These updates make it easier for brands to tap into creator-led content and strengthen B2B marketing efforts through trusted voices.
March 2026 Social Media Updates
Instagram: March Updates👇
Creators Can Now Reply to Messages Outside the Inbox Using AI
Instagram now allows users to reply to messages without navigating directly into the inbox. The change appears designed to reduce friction in conversations and make replying faster from different in-app surfaces.
Instagram Launches Reels-Focused App on Google TV
Instagram has launched a new TV app for Google TV users, bringing Reels to the big screen. The app supports multi-account login, on-screen comments, and phone-based sign-in approval. It’s currently available in the U.S.
Threads: March Updates👇
Threads Simplifies Sharing to Instagram Stories
Threads now makes it easier to share posts directly to Instagram Stories without leaving the app. Public posts can be instantly reformatted into a full-screen Stories template, streamlining cross-posting between the two platforms.
TikTok: March Updates👇
TikTok Shop Rolls Out New Seller Tools and Automations
Lots of updates across TikTok Shop this month! Here’s what’s changed:
- Automated sample approvals based on preset creator criteria
- Creator Picks tag to highlight high-performing affiliate partners
- Automated monthly affiliate commission receipts in Seller Center
- LIVE Auto-Post highlights to publish top moments automatically
- Bulk product editing and category template tools for faster listings
The updates focus heavily on automation, affiliate growth, and reducing manual admin work for sellers.
LinkedIn: March Updates👇
LinkedIn Launches Premium “All-in-One” Plan for Small Businesses
LinkedIn has introduced a new Premium All-in-One subscription built specifically for small businesses. The plan combines tools for selling, marketing, and hiring into a single dashboard, including prospect recommendations, InMail credits, post boosting, job promotion credits, and AI-powered writing assistance.
X (Twitter): March Updates👇
X Removes Dim Theme Mode
X has removed the Dim theme option from its display settings. Users now have fewer appearance modes to choose from within the app.
X Is Making Grok Available Across Every Stage of the Usage Process
X is working on integrating its Grok bot into every element of the app to combat the misuse of AI-generated content on the platform.
February 2026 Social Media Updates
Instagram: February Updates👇
Instagram Explores New Paid Subscription Features
Instagram is working on a new paid subscription that would introduce additional perks for users, including unlimited audience lists, visibility into followers who don’t follow you back, and the ability to view Stories without showing that you’ve watched them.
Previously spotted features such as Super Likes and searching within Story viewer lists may also be included, either as part of this subscription or bundled into Meta Verified.
Instagram Expands “Your Algo” Controls Globally
Instagram is rolling out Your Algo to all English-speaking users worldwide, allowing people to fine-tune their Reels feed by adding or removing topics based on their interests. For a limited time, users can also select their top three interests they want to see more of in 2026.
Instagram Tests Manus AI Shortcut in Settings
Instagram is working on adding a shortcut to Manus AI directly within the app’s settings page, making AI-powered tools more accessible from the main interface.
Instagram Rebrands Shots as Instants
Instagram has rebranded Shots as Instants and moved it to a new position in the bottom-right corner of the app.
A New Option to Leave Close Friends Lists
Instagram is working on a new feature that would allow users to remove themselves from another user’s Close Friends list.
Facebook: February Updates👇
Facebook Tests New App UI and Profile Redesign
Facebook is experimenting with a refreshed app interface that moves the settings menu to the left side of the header near the app logo. The test also includes redesigned profiles and Pages featuring a new post count display.
Facebook Introduces a New Pull-down Stories View
Facebook is testing a new way to browse Stories. Users can now pull down on the screen to reveal them, making Stories easier to access and harder to miss.
Threads: February Updates👇
Threads Is Working on Stickers for Posts
Threads is working on a new feature that would allow users to add stickers to their posts.
Threads Tests Live Chat for Communities
Threads is working on a Live Chat feature for Communities that lets admins set start and end times, control who can message, and customize the chat with a name and profile photo.
The Platform Adds an Animated Posting Progress Bar
Threads has added a new animated effect to the posting progress bar, giving users clearer visual feedback while their post is publishing.
TikTok: February Updates👇
TikTok Automatically Adds Movie and TV Show Links
TikTok now automatically adds a link to the relevant movie or TV show on posts that mention films or TV series.
TikTok Is Rolling Out a New Squircle Button Design
TikTok is rolling out a new design for app buttons, replacing the current style with rectangular buttons featuring rounded “squircle” corners.
X (Twitter): February Updates👇
X Tests “Paid Promotion” Label for Posts
X is working on a new Paid Promotion label that would require creators to flag posts that include paid partnerships.
X Introduces Standalone XChat Web App
XChat can now be installed as a standalone web app, making it easier for users to access and use the messaging feature directly from their browser.
Pinterest: February Updates👇
Pinterest Adds Media Planner to Ads Manager
Pinterest has introduced a new Media Planner tool within Ads Manager to help advertisers plan, model, and manage campaigns in one place. The feature provides audience insights, budget and performance estimates, and scenario planning, similar to Meta’s Ad Manager.
📖 Related Read: Looking for the best Pinterest scheduling tool? Explore the top 8 Pinterest schedulers for different needs and budgets.
January 2026 Social Media Updates
Instagram: January Updates👇
Instagram Tests “Liquid Glass” UI on iOS
Instagram is experimenting with a new design style called “Liquid Glass,” currently in testing for iOS users. The update gives the interface a glossy, semi-transparent look. The aesthetic changes may influence how users perceive content—something to watch for in creative planning.
Users Can Now Only Add Up to 5 Hashtags Per Post
Instagram has introduced a limit of five hashtags per post, shifting from its previous leniency. A tighter limit encourages more intentional hashtag strategy.
Instagram Adds Looping Carousels Feature
Carousels will now loop automatically, allowing users to continuously scroll through slides without restarting manually. This opens new creative options for storytelling and product showcases—loop-friendly design will matter more.
Threads: January Updates👇
New “Repost Only” Sharing Option for Images and Videos
Threads has added a “Repost only” button in the share sheet for images and videos. This allows users to disable original replies and limit engagement to reposts. The main benefit? It gives creators more control over how their content circulates—useful for brand-safe, shareable posts.
Podcast Preview Feature in Development
Threads is preparing to launch a podcast preview feature that lets users upload short snippets of episodes directly to the platform. This is a promising new format for thought leaders and media brands looking to drive podcast discovery natively.
📖 Related Read: Just getting started with Threads? This 7-step growth strategy will help you build momentum fast.
TikTok: January Updates👇
TikTok Thoughts Now Includes Customizable Avatars
TikTok has added “Avatars” to its TikTok Thoughts feature, allowing users to express themselves with a personalized visual identity.
TikTok Shop Now Offers Digital Gift Cards in the U.S.
U.S.-based users of TikTok Shop can now purchase digital gift cards directly through the app. There are also plans to add more personalization features, like attaching video messages and interactive unboxing experiences.
📖 Related Read: Want to grow on TikTok? Explore our top tips for building a winning TikTok growth strategy.
X (Twitter): January Updates👇
X Tests a “Seen” Tab for Watch History on iOS
X is experimenting with a new “Seen” tab that displays videos users have previously watched. It’s not yet clear how far back the history goes or whether it includes all post types, but the goal is to help users rediscover memorable content they can’t quite place.
X Launches Mobile Creator Studio Hub
X has added a new Creator Studio tab to its mobile app, offering quick access to monetization tools, analytics, subscription settings, payment info, and direct support. It also includes a new “Inspiration” tab that surfaces top-performing posts across the platform by day, week, or month.
“Ask Grok” Feature Now Available in DMs
X is testing an “Ask Grok” option inside private messages, bringing its AI assistant into user conversations.
Facebook: January Updates👇
Facebook Tests Redesigned Navigation Bar
Facebook is experimenting with a new layout for its main navigation bar, which could alter how users move through the app.
Avatars Coming to Facebook Profiles
Facebook is preparing to roll out avatar images directly on user profiles, bringing more visual personality to the platform. This signals a renewed push toward customizable digital identity.
LinkedIn: January Updates👇
New Ad Features: Reserved Ads, Personalization, and AI Variants
LinkedIn rolled out several new ad options:
- Reserved Ads give brands top-of-feed placement on specific days
- Personalized Ads auto-adapt copy using the viewer’s name, job title, or company
- AI Variants generate multiple ad versions from a single prompt for faster creative testing
LinkedIn Surpasses 100M Verified Members and Launches Verification API
LinkedIn now has over 100 million verified members. It also launched a self-serve API that lets platforms like Zoom display LinkedIn verification badges, helping users prove their identity beyond LinkedIn itself. Verifications are becoming trust signals across the web.
📖 Related Read: Looking to double down on LinkedIn? Check out the hottest LinkedIn trends to help you build a solid strategy—fast.
Put These Social Media Changes to Good Use
Yeah, there’s been a lot of updates lately. But as you know, social media never slows down. Staying on top of the latest social trends and platform changes isn’t optional — it’s how you stay ahead and keep your strategy sharp.
And if you’re juggling multiple accounts for your clients, the real struggle is keeping it all organized. New features, shifting formats, tighter deadlines… It’s a lot to handle. That’s where Gain comes in.
Gain helps busy teams and agencies manage more clients with way less effort. With dedicated workspaces for each client, automated content approval workflows, and built-in publishing tools, you can finally ditch the endless email chains and focus on what matters — creating great content for your clients.
Give Gain a try for free (no credit card needed).
