Weekly social roundup

Here we go again…

Happy Tuesday!

It’s been a busy week when it comes to whatever is happening with TikTok in America. There are so many rumors! So many truths! So many … confusing things. And I am going to attempt to do my best to keep you up-to-date!

Outside of that, there have been quite a few updates from Instagram, Threads, and Meta, which has released its new AI-powered glasses (I fear I might like them…).

Let’s get into it!

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The latest on TikTok

Will the US own TikTok’s algorithm? 👀

It’s been speculated, but now it’s being reported as true: the US will be given a copy of the TikTok algorithm that ByteDance (TikTok’s Parent Company) will license. 

Oracle, the owner of American TikTok, will be completely overseeing the app and all of America’s data. However, there are going to be seven directors on the TikTok board, and President Trump has hinted that Rupert Murdoch is considering investing. 

There have also been rumors flying around that Americans will need to download a brand new app (anyone remember the rumor of M2?) before the end of the year that will replace the TikTok app. Does that mean Americans would lose all their content? Will they not be able to see content from creators in other countries? Remains to be seen. 

Again, a lot of things are speculation, and there is still a lot that needs to be worked out in the deal, and I will keep you all informed as soon as it’s announced!

Extra, extra! Read all about it!

Top Meta news from the week

• Meta’s new AI smart glasses are here … and I kind of want them?! 

• Creators, if you hate ads in your videos, you can now disable ads.

• Broadcast channels now have insights for admins to understand what’s working and what’s not working inside their broadcast.

• You can now message yourself on Messenger, exactly like you can on WhatsApp and iMessage.

• New types of ads are coming to Instagram and are going to be a bit more annoying to experience on Reels.

• Instagram Notes will soon give users the option to use different fonts.

• Instagram Story drafts will be deleted after 7 days.

• You can officially filter comments on Instagram posts to view only those from those you follow.

• Edits has a whole list of new features to make short-form video creation so much easier.

• Threads has added new features to really make your posts stand out: Underline, circle, highlight, use arrows, or cross out words.

• Threads changed its DM options, where users can send messages to anyone on the app.

• Threads wants you to control your feed! Tag @threads.algo in a post, and you can take total control of what your feed looks like.

• The RemindMe feature on WhatsApp is officially live. You can now set custom timers on texts to remind yourself to reply.

• WhatsApp is about to get a whole lot more annoying! Users can now mention everyone in a group chat.

• About time! WhatsApp lets you select multiple messages to forward. 

Extra, extra! Read all about it!

Top TikTok news from the week

• TikTok is making it easier for users to understand what’s being searched for most on the app and to create content quickly based on search.

• A new shared feed has landed on TikTok. You can invite your friend to a shared feed, where you’ll get curated content based on both of your feeds.

• The “comment with an image” feature is rolling out to more users on TikTok.

• TikTok Fan Club (FKA: Subscription) has officially launched with some cool new features. This is another great way for creators to earn extra income.

• Not sure what the point of this is, but a new feature called PhotoSwap has been released in DMs, where you can only see your friend’s photo after you send one yourself.

• Spotify and TikTok have banded together to launch “Big on BookTok,” a new audiobook section inside Spotify.

Extra, extra! Read all about it!

Top X news from the week

• Premium users on X can now pay to boost their content into more feeds.

• Look at that! X is transitioning to a completely customizable AI algorithm.

Extra, extra! Read all about it!

Top YouTube news from the week

• YouTube is still the best when it comes to paying, as it has paid $100B to creators, artists, and media companies over the past 4 years.

• YouTube now allows up to five creators to co-publish a video.

• YouTube has announced new ways for creators to clip their podcasts into quick clips and Shorts with AI.

• YouTube announced SO many new features at its Made on YouTube event, including an AI-powered support bot, an inspiration tab, A/B title testing features, auto-dubbing, and so much more.

• YouTube claims the reason users’ views are down is because of ad blockers.

Extra, extra! Read all about it!

Top other social media news from the week

• Google will add posts from social media channels into its Discovery Feed.

• Pinterest has unveiled a new look for its boards.

• More businesses can get their LinkedIn page verified.

• LinkedIn’s newest AI tool generates practice questions that might be asked at your next job interview.

• It looks like age verification tools aren’t as accurate or unbiased as one would hope.

• Want to show up inside AI searches? Reddit is where most AI tools gather their data.

• New York is the next state that could enact age verification for social media.

• ICYMI: Snapchat users took over 1 trillion selfies last year. Were you one of them?

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A curated list of fun things to read

Is this the end of smartphones?

This is something that I have been thinking a lot about over the past 5 years: how we all will slowly start transitioning from using our phones to using VR glasses, and that transition is happening. 

Last week at Meta Connect, Mark Zuckerberg said:

How going from a phone to using glasses will make you more present is a mystery to me, but according to everyone who was at the keynote last week, it seems that Meta finally has something special with the new AI Smart Glasses. 

Will this finally be the turning point Meta needs to help people make the transition?

Possibly! The new glasses have a built-in camera, microphone, speakers, AI assistant, and more. Plus, you’ll be able to scroll through your favorite apps, read emails (gross), get directions, and even have live translations. 

I have always sworn I wouldn’t get them. I like to connect with the world! How dare I be obstructed by placing tech on my eyeballs (as if I don’t doomscroll each night before bed)!

But … I fear the marketing is slowly working on me. But I shall resist!!! As best as I can…

App of the week

Tezza App

I feel like every single week, I am finding a new app that I become obsessed with when it comes to making my photos for Instagram look so much … cooler. 

Tezza was recommended to me, and I’ll admit, I was dubious. Especially as it isn’t a free app (although there is a 7-day free trial!).

However, I hate saying it, it’s so good. 

Tezza has incredible filters and presets that you can adjust to your liking. Plus, it can even edit any videos you have to make all of your content have a similar aesthetic. 

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_

The best article I’ve read this week!! #socialmedianews #socialmediamarketing

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See you next week!

Mackenzie