Another week has passed, and we're back with the latest scoop on social media news! Platforms are rolling out fresh updates (as always), so we’ve summarized everything you need to stay ahead.

What’s new on Instagram?

More New Fonts for Stories

It feels like we’re updating you about new fonts almost every week, but here we go again. Instagram is reportedly working on another batch of fonts for Stories. But hey, we’ll take whatever we can get to better match with our branding!

DM Upgrades: Scheduled Messages & Better Translations

Instagram has also rolled out a big update to DMs, adding features like scheduled messages, improved translations, and the ability to send music directly in chats. Now, you can better plan your responses in advance, and international conversations just got a whole lot easier.

Testing Comment Downvotes

Instagram is also experimenting with comment downvotes, a feature you might recognize from Reddit. Adam Mosseri later hopped on Threads to clarify that these are not meant to be dislike buttons but rather a tool to surface the most relevant comments.

What’s new on Threads?

Limiting Post Replies

Threads is testing the option to restrict replies to just your followers. This could be a great feature for brands wanting more control over conversations and a way to reduce spam and trolling in the comments.

What’s new on Facebook?

Livestreams Will Be Auto-Deleted After 30 Days

Big change incoming—Facebook will now automatically remove livestreams after 30 days. Make sure to download and repurpose your live content before it disappears!

What’s new on TikTok?

Expanding Live Shopping to More Countries

Rumor has it that TikTok plans to expand its live shopping feature to more countries. If you're in the B2C segment, we recommend keeping an eye on how e-commerce trends shift on the platform.

‘Most-Loved’ Tag for Shop Items

Speaking of TikTok Shop, they’re also rolling out a “Most-Loved” tag, highlighting popular products. This could boost product discoverability and credibility.

Highlighting Music Industry Impact

TikTok just released a new report showcasing its influence on the music industry. If you work in music or influencer marketing, this is definitely worth a read.

What’s new on YouTube?

Testing Voice Replies in Comments

YouTube is experimenting with voice replies in the comments section. This could open new engagement opportunities, making it easier for brands and creators to interact with audiences in a more dynamic and personal way.

What’s new on LinkedIn?

New Newsletter Metrics

LinkedIn is rolling out expanded analytics for newsletters, giving brands deeper insights into audience engagement. Use these insights to refine your newsletter content and improve performance.

Guide to Live Event Marketing

If you’re running events on LinkedIn, they’ve also just dropped a new guide on maximizing performance before, during, and after your event. Make sure to give it a read!

What’s new on Bluesky?

Reply Controls & Profile Search

Bluesky users can now control who replies to their posts and search through profile content more easily.

What’s new on X?

Grok Standalone App Now Available on iOS

Remember how we teased the Grok standalone app? It's now available on iOS!

Grok is X’s AI chatbot—think of it as ChatGPT, but with Elon’s twist. Now, you can access it without needing to go through X—just open the app and chat away!

Google Expands AI Image Generator

Google is rolling out its AI-powered image generator, Whisk, to more than 100 new countries, giving marketers new creative opportunities for visual content creation.

BuzzFeed Eyes a Social Media Platform

BuzzFeed is reportedly working on launching its own social media platform with a focus on fostering a more positive online space.

That’s a wrap on this week’s updates! Stay tuned for more social media news next week.

Social media never slows down, and neither do we. This week is packed with updates across platforms (as always), plus we’ve rolled out some new ZoomSphere features you won’t want to miss.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new:

What’s new on Instagram?

New Fonts for Instagram Stories (Again!)

ICYMI, Instagram was testing two new fonts for Stories last week, and now they’re officially rolling out. More ways to personalize your content? We’re here for it. Will brands actually use them? We’ll see.

Plus, they’re already working on adding new effects to bring fresh creative options to Stories! Out of the two, "Jagged" is definitely giving aesthetic, and we wouldn’t be shocked if it blows up.

Drag & Zoom for Post Previews

Small but useful—Instagram now lets you drag and zoom to adjust how your post looks before publishing. It’s a simple tweak, but for brands and creators aiming for that perfect feed aesthetic, this is a welcome change.

Testing a New Audio Search Page

Instagram is experimenting with a dedicated audio search page, which could mean easier discovery for trending sounds. If this rolls out widely, expect more brands to jump on viral audio trends for Reels.

What’s new on Facebook?

Reuse Reels Audio in New Reels

Facebook Reels just got a boost! Users can now repurpose Reels audio directly into new Reels. This makes content remixing way easier—great news for brands wanting to jump on audio trends without extra effort.

What’s new on Threads?

Markup Now Available

Threads just introduced Markup—press and hold on a caption to highlight parts of a post. While this feels like a small update, it could help brands emphasize key messaging in longer posts.

AI Labels for Realistic-Looking Generated Content

In the fight against AI-generated misinformation, Threads now labels posts with realistic AI-created content. This transparency move is great for credibility, especially as brands and creators explore AI-generated visuals.

What’s new on TikTok?

Full-Screen Livestreams

TikTok is testing a full-screen mode for livestreams, making it easier to pull viewers in and keep them engaged. If you're into live shopping or events, this could be a big win. More screen, more attention? Guess we’ll find out.

Expanding In-Stream Shopping to Latin America

TikTok is bringing in-stream shopping to Mexico and other Latin American countries. If it catches on, it could change how people shop on the app globally. Want to know more about TikTok livestream shopping? Check out our blog.

What’s new on YouTube?

Expanding Text-to-Speech for Shorts

Short-form video creators, rejoice! YouTube is rolling out more text-to-speech options for Shorts, making it easier to add voiceovers with just a few taps. Perfect for those who don’t want to record their own audio.

What’s new on ZoomSphere?

Facebook Reels Collabs Now Available

From now on, you can plan and schedule your Facebook Reels collaborations directly in ZoomSphere! This means you can easily add collaborators to your Reels, simplifying the process for brands and influencers. This feature has been available for Instagram Reels for a while, and now it's finally here for Facebook too!

Add an Audio Name to IG Reels

Another creative tool—ZoomSphere now allows you to add custom audio names to your Instagram Reels, making your content more discoverable. This feature helps improve searchability, making it easier for users to find trending sounds and boosting engagement for brands and creators alike.

New 3:4 Grid in Scheduler

The preview grid in ZoomSphere just got a refresh! Instagram recently announced their new 3:4 profile grids, so we're updating ours too to provide you with a realistic look at how your profile will appear once your posts go live.

We're back a week later with our latest social media scoop—and there's a lot you might have missed but definitely shouldn't!

From Threads launching another batch of new features to Instagram teasing its new Edits app, here's everything you need to know before heading into the weekend.

What's new on Instagram?

New Fonts for Instagram Stories

Instagram is currently testing two new fonts for Stories that will give brands and creators more options to align their content with their visual identity. We're not entirely sure if a font that looks like it was taken from the Burn Book cover will be useful for many brands, but hey, it's something.

Timed Polls for

Another feature that has been secretly in development is timed polls. These provide an opportunity for brands to increase audience interaction—because we already know that what doesn’t last forever grabs way more attention.

Profile Grid Editing

Now, this one’s a bit controversial. Would you want the option to rearrange your entire grid and completely switch up your profile aesthetic? To be fair, this could be a great feature for brands and creators who want to highlight key content or promos when the three Pins just aren’t enough. Plus, with the ability to add Highlights directly to the grid, it opens up even more ways to showcase what's important. But also… imagine the chaos.

Instagram Teases AI Elements from the Edits App

So, remember when we told you Instagram is working on its own editing app that’s supposed to drop this February? Well, they’ve just cranked up the hype by teasing a few features we can expect—including an AI photo-to-video tool that honestly sounds both impressive and like something we’ll probably use twice before forgetting it exists.

WhatsApp Connection Stickers

You can now add WhatsApp connection stickers to your Instagram Stories, making it easier for people to reach you on WhatsApp instantly.

Archiving Live Stories

Another new feature from Instagram—you can now archive Stories that are still active on your profile.

Meta’s AI Content Disclosure Updates

This one’s for both Instagram and Facebook—Meta just updated its AI content disclosure tags to bring more transparency to AI-generated posts. Does this mean the end of AI-generated grannies celebrating their 120th birthday with a cake they totally baked themselves? Probably not. At least now it should be a little clearer that they’re not real (and hopefully, fewer boomers will take the bait in the comments).

New 'Pals' Sticker

And lastly, something for fun—Instagram is also testing a new sticker called "Palls." It's basically like a modern virtual Tamagotchi, but without the I-have-to-feed-them stress. To be completely honest, even though it sounds cool and could bring a lot of community engagement, we think it will only be a trend for a few days.

What's new on Threads?

Custom Feeds

Threads is rolling out custom feeds, letting users personalize their content and share curated feeds with followers. Brands can jump on this to create topic-focused feeds, making it easier to engage audiences and get noticed.

Privacy Settings for Tagging

Last week, we talked about the new photo tagging option on Threads. Now, you can also manage who can tag you in posts with new privacy settings. So if bots keep spamming you, maybe it’s time for a quick settings check!

Follow All Mentioned Users

The new “Follow All” feature lets users instantly follow every account mentioned in a post. Perfect for networking and building brand communities—because who has time to tap follow one by one?

Meta’s Best Practices for Threads

Feeling a bit lost on Threads? Meta just dropped a guide to help you navigate the app like a pro. If you're still figuring things out, we definitely recommend checking it out!

What's new on YouTube?

A New Batch of Features

YouTube just rolled out some fresh updates to make content consumption even better. Say hello to Faster Speeds, Shorts Smart Downloads, Shorts Picture-in-Picture, and High-Quality Audio.

What's new on LinkedIn?

New Video Updates

LinkedIn is updating its video features to make it easier for people to find and interact with video posts. For brands, it’s a great chance to start sharing more videos and see what sticks.

B2B Marketing Guide

LinkedIn’s new guide is all about how measurement drives growth. It’s packed with tips from marketing pros on using machine learning, new analytics tools, and fresh data. If you’re into that, give it a read!

What's new on X?

Grok Standalone App Coming Soon

The standalone Grok app is launching this February! If you haven’t heard of it yet, think ChatGPT, but with Elon’s spin on it.

X Adds New Elements to Grok Chatbot

Speaking of Grok, X just rolled out a few updates, including file uploads and personalization. You can now tell Grok What would you like me to know about you? and tweak How would you like me to respond? to make it feel more like your AI.

Another week, another wave of social media updates shaking things up! Threads has been rolling out one feature after another, and Instagram (or, more specifically, Mosseri) shared a short series of Reels with practical tips, tricks, and insights. Let’s break everything down to get you in the loop with what happened in the past week!

Threads Introduces Ads

Well, well, well… Threads is entering its monetization era, and users aren’t happy about it. Meta has started testing ads on Threads in the U.S. and Japan, making a big step toward financial sustainability. In the end, this was only a matter of time.

The introduction also means that brands will soon have a new paid channel to test. As Threads is still in its early days, the ad costs might be lower compared to other Meta platforms. So, if your audience is on Threads, we highly recommend testing your ads there.

Image Tagging on Threads

Threads had a busy week, finally rolling out photo tagging, allowing users to tag others in their image posts. This long-awaited feature brings Threads closer to Instagram and makes engagement even easier.

So, if you’re sharing user-generated or employee-generated content, don’t forget to tag the creators! The same goes for influencers, partners, or any collabs with other accounts.

Threads Adds a “Media” Tab

Threads is making navigation easier by introducing a “Media” tab to display a user’s shared photos and videos. This is a great way to get your content more organized.

As a brand, remember to share not only text posts but also images and videos to fill out your media tab a little more.

Threads Is Working on Spoilers and Templates

And we’re not stopping with Threads just yet. Rumor has it they’re working on two more features:

• Spoilers: Users may soon be able to hide certain parts of their posts to avoid spoiling content for others. Reddit has had this feature for a while, and honestly, it’s perfect for entertainment brands and discussion threads!

• Templates: Threads is also testing pre-made post templates to make content creation easier, which could be great for brands wanting to keep a consistent look.

Mosseri Explains How Reels & Stories Ranking Works

Adam Mosseri shared a short series of Reels with insights into how Instagram Reels and Stories are ranked, giving us a clearer picture of what we should and shouldn’t be doing.

Understanding these insights can help you get significantly more views on your content, so definitely try it out!

Instagram Adds New View Insights for Creative Performance

Instagram has also introduced new video view insights, helping creators and brands better understand their video performance and optimize their content.

This is an excellent tool for marketers to analyze what works and what doesn’t. Use these insights to test different video formats, lengths, and hooks to improve engagement and retention rates. And don’t forget to also incorporate Mosseri’s recommendations mentioned above.

Bluesky Expands Video Features

Last week, Bluesky introduced video-only feeds. Now, they’ve taken another step by adding a dedicated video tab on profiles. This move signals their increasing focus on video content, proving that video is still the content king. With X adding their video tab last week, we’re excited to see if these apps that started more as static platforms will put a bigger spotlight on video content and try to get closer to TikTok or YouTube.

While Bluesky is still a niche platform, its push toward video signals an opportunity for early adopters. And remember, even if you don’t want to test the platform now, it’s always a great idea to claim your brand handle for the future.

TikTok Drops Its 2025 Social Media Calendar

Marketers, take notes! TikTok has released its 2025 marketing calendar for various countries (like the U.S., Spain, or Ireland & the U.K.), providing key dates and trends to help brands optimize their campaigns. If TikTok is part of your strategy (as it should be), this is a must-read.

TikTok Now Labels Fresh Content as “New”

Spotted: TikTok is rolling out a “New” label for recently posted content. This could help highlight fresh videos and improve the discoverability of your content.

Brands can take advantage of this feature by posting consistently and capitalizing on the “New” label to drive more views in the first hours after posting. So take it as a sign to post consistently from now on! ZoomSphere Scheduler is always here to help with it.

TikTok’s Future: Still in Limbo

And the drama continues. Another week down, and TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain, with ongoing discussions about a potential sale. The 75-day deadline in April is approaching fast, so we’re waiting to see what the future holds.

On a side note, Meta and Substack are allegedly targeting TikTok creators, offering thousands of dollars to lure them over to their platforms.

One thing is certain: brands, agencies, content creators, and everyone posting on TikTok should be closely monitoring this situation and diversifying their content across multiple platforms (like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts).

TikTok might be grabbing all the headlines lately, but it’s not the only app making moves. This past week has been stacked with updates, fresh features, and plenty for marketers to dig into. Whether you’re tweaking your Instagram strategy or waiting to see if TikTok survives the drama, here’s your cheat sheet:

Meta Enters the Chat with Edits (Watch Out, CapCut!)

Meta is making moves. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, hopped on Instagram to announce the launch of a video editing app called Edits. The app is currently available for pre-order in theApp Store and is set to launch around February. It will offer advanced video editing features, including a trending audio panel and the ability to share your projects with other content creators.

Clearly, this is Meta’s play to rival CapCut, the popular editing app owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. With TikTok’s future in the U.S. under scrutiny, Meta’s timing couldn’t be more strategic.

What this means for you: If you have access to the App Store, pre-order Edits now and test it out when it drops. Especially with CapCut’s future uncertain, it’s a smart move to explore alternatives—you can always switch to a different platform if needed.

Instagram Finally Updates the Grid

This is a change we’ve been expecting for a while—Instagram has officially ditched the iconic squares. Your profile grid will now display in a 3:4 format, though the preferred post ratios stay the same: 4:5 for static posts and 9:16 for Reels. Don’t worry—you can still adjust how each post appears using the settings. Plus, you can even add backgrounds to square posts to make them fit.

What this means for you: The square era is over. Stick to 4:5 and 9:16 ratios for your content and plan your profile’s look with the new 3:4 previews in mind.

Bluesky & X Hop on the Short Video Trend

Both platforms are doubling down on short-form content. Bluesky now lets you create video-only timelines curated with hashtags, while X (formerly Twitter) has introduced a trending video tab for U.S. users. Think TikTok but Elon’s version.

What this means for marketers: Short-form video is still king. With TikTok’s future uncertain, it’s worth testing both X and Bluesky. If your audience craves quick, snackable content, give these features a shot and see what sticks. Worst case? You learn what doesn’t work.

TikTok’s Rollercoaster: Ban Drama and a 75-Day Reprieve

TikTok faced a total U.S. shutdown over data privacy and national security concerns—for a few chaotic hours. The app briefly went offline before President Donald Trump issued an executive order granting a 75-day extension, giving ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, time to address U.S. concerns.

What this means for you: 75 days isn’t much time. If you haven’t already, start building a presence on other platforms like Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Diversifying your platform portfolio is a must for reaching new audiences (and you can always repurpose the content you already have).

Instagram Reels Go Long: 3-Minute Limit

Instagram is now letting U.S. creators post Reels up to three minutes long. This opens up opportunities for more detailed how-tos, behind-the-scenes content, or anything that needs a little more time to shine. But remember, attention spans are still short, so make every second count.

What this means for you: Use the extra time to tell a story or showcase your brand in more depth. Just keep it engaging—viewers will scroll past if it feels too slow.

Instagram Reels: See What Your Friends Like

Instagram has introduced a new feature that displays which Reels the accounts you follow have liked. Small profile icons with a heart symbol now appear on liked Reels, making engagement more visible.

What this means for you: Now more than ever, it’s important to be mindful of the content you’re liking—your activity is more public than ever. For brands, this is also an opportunity to keep your profile visible and build subtle connections.

Threads Brings Mobile Analytics for Everyone (Yay!)

Threads is rolling out mobile insights, giving users easy access to key performance metrics like reach, engagement, and follower growth. You can even see posts ranked by views and likes—all within the app.

What this means for you: If you’re posting on Threads, monitoring your performance just got easier. Use these insights to double down on what works and tweak what doesn’t.

Meta Adds WhatsApp Profiles to Accounts Center

Meta announced plans to integrate WhatsApp profiles into its Accounts Center, joining Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. This update will allow features like cross-posting and single sign-on for easier logins.

What this means for marketers: If WhatsApp plays a role in your strategy, this integration will let you re-share WhatsApp Status updates to Facebook or Instagram Stories seamlessly. It’s a small change but one that could streamline your cross-platform efforts.

TikTok is no stranger to headlines, but in 2025, it’s making news for all the wrong reasons. Talks of a U.S. ban on the wildly popular platform have escalated, leaving brands, marketers, and creators wondering if the app that brought us viral dances, duets, and "oddly satisfying" cleaning videos is about to disappear from American phones.

If you’re confused about what’s happening, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here’s a breakdown of the TikTok ban saga: what’s behind it, what it could mean for everyone involved, and what to do if your marketing strategy is tied to the app.

How Did We Get Here? A Quick Recap

TikTok’s troubles in the U.S. aren’t exactly new. For years, the app has been under scrutiny due to concerns about data privacy and its ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese company with alleged ties to the Chinese government. Critics argue that TikTok’s access to user data poses a national security threat, sparking debates about whether the app’s presence in the U.S. is sustainable.

The push for a ban gained momentum in 2020 when the Trump administration attempted to prohibit TikTok unless it sold its U.S. operations. While that effort fizzled out, the concerns never really disappeared. Fast-forward to today, and the Biden administration is facing renewed calls to address TikTok’s alleged risks. On January 19, a ban signed by President Biden is set to take effect.

Why Is TikTok Facing a Ban?

At the heart of the issue is data privacy. Critics argue that TikTok collects massive amounts of user information, from browsing habits to location data, which could theoretically be accessed by the Chinese government under its national security laws. With data from 170 million Americans at stake, lawmakers fear that it could be misused for espionage or propaganda.

Another concern is TikTok’s influence. The platform wields enormous power over public discourse, entertainment trends, and even political campaigns.

ByteDance could sell TikTok's U.S. operations to avoid the ban. However, the company has publicly resisted this option so far. Even if it chose to proceed, approval from the Chinese government would likely complicate a deal, making this potential solution far from straightforward.

What Happens If TikTok Gets Banned?

Let’s not sugarcoat it: a TikTok ban would be a seismic event for marketers, creators, and users alike. Here’s what’s at stake:

1. Marketers Will Need a Plan B

For brands, TikTok has been a goldmine. It’s the place to reach Gen Z and millennial audiences with short-form, highly engaging content. A ban would force marketers to pivot quickly, redirecting resources to platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or emerging apps like Clapper and Lemon8.

2. Creators Could Lose Their Audience

For TikTok creators, the app isn’t just a platform—it’s a livelihood. A ban would mean losing millions of followers overnight, along with the revenue streams tied to brand collaborations and in-app monetization. Many creators would have to rebuild their audiences on new platforms.

3. What Will Happen to the App?

If the ban takes effect, TikTok will be removed from the App Store and Google Play. Existing users will still have the app on their devices but won’t be able to receive updates, leaving it vulnerable to security risks and bugs. There’s also a possibility that TikTok could be forced to block U.S. users entirely. Companies or individuals who circumvent the ban to provide access to TikTok could face fines of $5,000 per user.

4. A New Era for Short-Form Content?

While TikTok has been the leader in short-form video, its departure could open doors for competitors to innovate. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram would likely absorb TikTok’s audience, leading to shifts in how short-form content is created and consumed.

How Are Americans and Brands Reacting?

The potential ban has sparked a variety of reactions. Some users have dubbed themselves "TikTok refugees" and begun downloading alternatives like RedNote (Xiaohongshu), a Chinese app that lacks polished English translations but has quickly become the most downloaded app in the U.S. Even brands are chiming in with their take on the situation. Duolingo, for example, playfully highlighted the trend by sharing a quote: "oh so NOW you’re learning mandarin," poking fun at the sudden rise in RedNote downloads among Americans.

Adding another twist to the story, rumors suggest that TikTok could be acquired by Elon Musk or YouTuber Mr. Beast to keep it afloat in the U.S.

What Should Marketers Do Now?

Whether or not the ban goes through, this is your wake-up call to future-proof your social media strategy. Here’s how:

1. Diversify Your Platforms

Don’t put all your eggs in TikTok’s basket. Start building a presence on other platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Experiment with different formats to see what resonates with your audience.

2. Build Owned Channels

Relying solely on social media platforms is risky. Use this time to grow your owned channels, like email newsletters, blogs, and websites. These are platforms you control, ensuring your audience doesn’t disappear if an app does.

3. Explore New Trends

Keep an eye on emerging platforms like Lemon8 or niche apps where your audience might migrate. Early adoption could give you a head start in capturing attention.

4. Engage Authentically

Short-form content thrives on authenticity. Regardless of the platform, focus on creating content that feels genuine, relatable, and tailored to your audience’s interests.

So, Is This the End of TikTok?

Not necessarily. TikTok is fighting back, launching PR campaigns, and emphasizing its commitment to user privacy. It’s also reportedly exploring options to address lawmakers’ concerns, such as increased transparency and local data storage.

However, the political landscape adds another layer of uncertainty. Former President Donald Trump, who initially pushed for a TikTok ban in 2020, is set to return to office on January 20. His stance on the issue could significantly impact TikTok’s fate.

Still, the threat of a ban is real, and the fallout could reshape the social media landscape. For now, all eyes are on Congress and the White House to see what happens next.

TikTok’s uncertain future might feel like the plot of a cliffhanger episode, but one thing’s clear: the social media world is changing fast, and marketers need to keep up. Whether TikTok stays or goes, the strategies you build now will determine how well you navigate the shifts ahead.