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The top social media news you need to know 👀
The TikTok deal has been signed and Instagram has gotten a facelift
Mackenzie Taylor
September 30, 2025
Weekly social roundup
Lots and nothing at all
Happy Tuesday!
Well, a TikTok deal has officially been signed, Instagram has a whole lot of users, and new features have been released to celebrate.
It’s not a long intro, I do apologize, but it’s a stacked week, so let’s get into it!
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Mark Zuckerberg is frothing at the mouth
Instagram is the #2 app in the world
Instagram is officially the #2 app in the world with 3 billion monthly active users. Yes, THREE BILLION.
And now all three of Meta’s apps are the biggest apps in the world. Zuck must be really pleased with himself.
To announce that it is the #2 app, Instagram is making some major updates, and there will be a lot of users (yes, me) who aren’t too happy about it.
According to Mosseri, Head of Instagram:
Messaging, reels, and recommendations have driven most of our recent growth. So, over the next few months, we’re going to better organize the app around those features.
What does he mean by that?
Well, from what you can see on my very own Instagram profile, Reels has its own new tab at the bottom of the feed, alongside the brand new spot for DMs.
To create a post, you will click the + button, which has moved to where DMs have always been.
It will be a confusing few months when this gets transitioned to everyone’s feeds, as we’re all used to DMs being at the top of the screen. Does this new UX make it easier for users? Maybe? But there is something to be said about keeping buttons where they’ve always been because of sense memory.
But … it’ll just be a new thing for us to get used to.
Yay.
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
Top Meta news from the week
Instagram is testing the ability to schedule Stories natively in the app.
Meta has launched “Vibes,” a custom feed of AI-generated video clips. Why people want this is a mystery to me.
Meta knows that they have to figure out how to protect the teens online … and it has added new protections across all its platforms. Will it help? Eh, probably not.
Meta has added pop-up stores across the US to show off the new Meta Smart Glasses. And I’m starting to want them more and more. But you won’t get me, Meta!!!
You can pin comments on Facebook, but only if they link to another Facebook post. 🙃
Instagram got a major overhaul with its latest update, and now your DMs have moved, along with a brand new Reels tab.
Meta wants to connect all its platforms, and they have now added an option to put your WhatsApp on your profile.
Huge news! You can add your brand colors to Edits that you can then save for later.
You can officially mute channels on WhatsApp, even when people are @everyone (huge feature for me!).
Instagram is experimenting with controlling your own algorithm, much like you can do on Threads currently.
Threads has stolen a feature from X, where you can search specific keywords on a user’s profile.
Threads is adding new ways for people to engage, like “sharing your take on trending topics.”
Elon Musk won’t like this. Threads is about to exceed X in active users.
If you’re in the UK, you can choose not to have ads on Facebook and Instagram. But you’ll need to pay up.
Threads is inviting creators to join something called “Communities,” a place where they can connect with people who love similar topics. Yes, almost like a forum but on Threads.
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
Top TikTok news from the week
ICYMI last week, TikTok has introduced a new analytics tool to help creators understand keyword trends, popular videos, and so much more.
Hate how HDR videos look on TikTok? Same! You can now adjust the way it looks inside your TikTok settings.
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
Top YouTube news from the week
YouTube and Delta have officially partnered, and YouTube creators will now have their videos on the seatback screens.
YouTube allows viewers to hide the end-of-screen pop-ups now.
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
Top other social media news from the week
You can use Snapchat stickers outside the app, like on iMessage.
Yikes. LinkedIn videos aren’t performing well inside the app.
LinkedIn has added a Career Hub to help users learn more skills to boost their job opportunities.
53% of US adults get news from social media channels, and that’s definitely not surprising.
Elon Musk has accused OpenAI of stealing secrets in its most recent lawsuit against the company.
Snapchat is going to be charging you more to store your Memories.
Spotify will now be labeling when music on its platform has been created with AI.
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What’s the latest?
What we know about American TikTok
Last week, President Trump officially signed the order that outlined all the terms for TikTok in the USA.
US investors will own up to 65-70% of the US version of the app, while ByteDance and other Chinese investors will own less than 20%.
The US investors we know of so far are Oracle, with rumors of Rupert Murdoch, the CEO of Dell computers, Michael Dell, and the Abu Dhabi royal family.
Again, we’re still waiting to hear exactly what the deal outlined: Will people have to download a brand new app? Will US TikTok borrow the algorithm or create its own? How much will the US TikTok change compared to what it is now?
We still have quite a way to go when it comes to the US TikTok launch, and I, for one, am waiting on pins and needles.
A curated list of fun things to read
My favorite read of the week 📚
What a gorgeous article asking the question that is always on my mind: “Why are we all so afraid that people are mad at us?”
Maybe you’re not. But when I’ve asked people around me recently, it’s as if we’re all afraid and running on low-level anxiety because of social media.
Don’t get me wrong. I love social media. I love the interconnectedness I have with people online. I love that I have made so many friends because of the Internet, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok (yes, some of my best friends I have made in these online communities!), but with the fear of being misinterpreted in a 10-second clip online, we are all. so. worried.
And why does it feel that way? Could it be, perhaps, that we’re all so quick to point our fingers and shout into the online void (aka the comment section) about why people are horrible and wrong because of a video that we saw of them?
I think of the Coldplay couple. I think of West Elm Caleb. I think of all the people we have seen for a very fleeting moment online and are immediately doing everything in our power to cancel them.
Is that good for us? Does that make us feel better? Or are we so nervous to step a foot out of line or even look silly and stupid in real life because of the chance we might be interpreted in the background of someone else’s video?
So maybe the next time we are about to shout and cast judgment, we should decide not to do that and step away from the keyboard.
Food for thought.
Trend of the week
Trend you need to jump on now
It’s here, there, and everywhere! The skinny Instagram videos are taking over everyone’s feeds at the moment and doing what they were set out to do:
Stop the scroll and interrupt your feed.
Did it work on you?
If you’re looking to create one for yourself and hop on the trend, here is how to do just that:
Go into Canva (or wherever you create Reels!)
Create a video size of 5120x1080px
I would recommend adding text or something to make it look like a proper banner
Export and upload to Instagram as a Reel!
It's super easy to do and such a quick win to get engagement and/or make people stop scrolling ... for a little bit.
There are rumors that Instagram is experimenting with this format, as the new Ray-Ban Smart Glasses will be in a different aspect ratio. Or, possibly, it will be a brand new ad style that will launch.
Only time will tell.
App of the week
Veed
Yes, I talk about Veed a lot because it’s just that good. I’m sorry! I like what I like, and Veed is the perfect tool when it comes to short-form content creation IMHO!
Recently, Veed introduced a few new AI features that help make content creation simple, easy, and perfect for those who need to make short-form content fast (but still make it engaging!).
As someone who is working with a few clients, it’s so helpful for me to quickly add in my clips and have Veed help me structure the content, and give me suggestions on how to make it as engaging as possible.
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And that’s all, folks!
Want even more of me (I won’t blame you if you say no), you can follow me on TikTok!
@talksocialtome_ Who knows, might delete. #instagramreels #socialmedianews
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See you next week!
Mackenzie
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