(July 24) The latest 2026 social media news

July 2026 Meta (xR) updates

• Discord is now available to download from the Meta Horizon App Store. (source)
• Meta added new posting options for Instagram Stories exclusively for its AI-powered smart glasses:
  • Two new story formats, “Multi-cam” and “Spin view.”
  • New editing tools for content captured — images and videos — through Meta AI glasses: Audio Cleanup, Expand and Speed. (source)

July 2026 Meta (AI) updates

• Meta has launched its own AI detection system based on the “Content Seal” watermark. (source) The new platform only works for images generated with Meta AI.
• Meta has rolled out three new metrics aimed at helping brands gain deeper insights into the effectiveness of their custom chatbot agents (source):
• • AI conversations.
  • Contact with intent to buy.
  • Containment rate.
• Meta has removed the option to use its latest AI tools to remix other people’s Instagram posts. (source)

July 2026 Facebook updates

• Facebook is testing a new Messenger sticker that allows Page admins to encourage users to start conversations and send replies directly through the Page’s Messenger inbox. (source)
• Facebook has added a new “Creator Activity” section to the Professional Dashboard for Pages, helping creators track their activity, understand their growth, and build consistent posting habits. (source)

July 2026 Instagram updates

• Instagram has added a new feature for Instagram Notes, “Comments.” (source)
• Instagram is now adding to all posts a “AI Info” label. (source)
• Instagram now allows users to change the music on any post. (source)
• Instagram has added a new profile banner, “Fill in the blank.” (source)
• Instagram has added five new languages for its AI-powered language translation option: Japanese, Korean, French, German, and Italian. (source)
• Instagram now allows users to cross-post stories with the “Add Yours” sticker to Facebook. (source)
• Instagram is testing two new options in the “Banners” section: “Business hours” and “Contact info.” (source)
• Instagram is rolling out a “Video recording” feature for Instagram Instants. (source)

July 2026 Instagram Edits updates

• Instagram has added three new features for Instagram Edits users (source):
  • Import Fonts
  • The ability to generate lyrics from selected music
  • Video Effects Search
• Instagram added four new updates for its Instagram Edits users (source):
  • Bilingual Captions available in English, Indonesian, Russian, Portuguese, Gujarati, Spanish, Hindi, Korean, Bengali, German, Italian, Thai, French, Japanese, Kannada.
  • Overlays support and the ability to lock specific clips for templates.
  • Summer-themed sound effects.

July 2026 WhatsApp updates

• WhatsApp is working on a new authentication method for users on Android, “Account password.” (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a new feature for users with a WhatsApp Plus subscription, “Custom emoji reactions.” (source)
• WhatsApp has announced a new feature, “Usernames.” (source)
• WhatsApp has expanded the Liquid Glass interface to the macOS app. (source)
• WhatsApp is rolling out four new features across mobile and desktop devices (source):
  • A refreshed CarPlay & Android Auto experience with easier hands-free messaging and calling.
  • Open, highlight, and annotate PDFs directly in chats on web and desktop.
  • Sign up directly on iPad.
  • Share songs from Apple Music or Spotify directly to your WhatsApp Status.
• WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will let channel admins pin a specific update at the top of the interface on iOS. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a first-party cloud backup provider on iOS. (source)
• WhatsApp is rolling out a new “Microphone mode” feature for audio and video calls on iOS. (source)
• WhatsApp Business for Android (beta) now supports a second account on the same device, allowing users to manage two business numbers without needing a second phone. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will let users link their devices with a passkey. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a “Side Chat” feature with Meta AI. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a “Search” feature for broadcast channels on iOS. (source)
• WhatsApp launched the “Liquid Glass” design for the iPad app as well. (source)
• WhatsApp for Business is testing support for connecting its AI agent with third-party apps. (source)
• WhatsApp now allows users to choose a username ahead of the feature’s official rollout. (source)

July 2026 Threads updates

• Threads is rolling out new parental supervision tools, giving parents and guardians more control over their teen’s experience on the app. (source) They can monitor time spent on Threads, set daily screen time limits, adjust sleep mode, and manage privacy settings for their teen’s account.
• Threads is testing a redesigned layout for the “Activity” tab. (source)
• Threads has added flair icons for community posts, giving members another way to personalize their content while making discussions easier to navigate and engage with. (source)
• Threads is rolling out a new “Private Likes” feature. (source) When this setting is on, your likes aren’t visible to anyone except you and the post author. When off, all your likes are visible to anyone who can see the post.
• Threads added three new features for Threads Communities:
  • All community champions can now create and host chats within their own communities.
  • Chat participants can now post messages from a live chat directly to their feed.
  • Live chats can now support up to three co-hosts. (source)

July 2026 TikTok updates

• TikTok has added a new “Voice typing” feature for photo posts on iOS. (source)
• TikTok now allows users to generate their own media kits within the app. (source)
• TikTok now allows users to create photo posts on desktop (web) as well. (source)
• TikTok is rolling out a new AI-powered feature for users based in the European Union, “Allow visual search.” (source)
• TikTok introduced a feature for TikTok Live that lets users upload original songs directly from the app, “Songs of Live.” (source) Users can add tracks from SoundOn, TikTok posts, or their device. TikTok will automatically select the best snippets and turn them into LIVE Gifts that viewers can discover and send during livestreams.
• TikTok added a new option called “See Ads Plan.” (source)
• TikTok now allows brands to promote their own microseries content through a new ad format, “Mini Dramas.” (source)

July 2026 LinkedIn updates

• LinkedIn added a new in-app game, “Wend.” (source)
• LinkedIn announced new AI-powered creative options within LinkedIn Campaign Manager:
  • An AI-powered ad copy generation feature.
  • A new campaign creation process, “Flexible.”
  • Brand Kit.
  • Brands can now generate multiple versions of an existing ad with other headlines and introductory text. (source)

• LinkedIn is testing “Suggested feeds.”(source)
• LinkedIn has renamed the “Easy Apply” feature to “LinkedIn Apply.” (source)
• LinkedIn is rolling out a new Premium Apply Assistant for job seekers. (source)

July 2026 X (Twitter) updates

• X is testing a new ad format, Lead Generation Ads. (source)
• X is now highlighting mutuals’ replies (people you follow who also follow you back) under posts shown in the “For you” feed. (source)
• X is now showing an image count on posts without captions. (source)
• X added a new video editing feature on iOS, “Custom thumbnails.” (source)
• X added a new “Collage” feature for photo uploads on iOS. (source)
• X has shared new updates for its Creator Revenue Sharing program (source):
  • Posting engagement bait such as “I’ll follow everyone who replies” three or more times will result in removal from the program.
  • Grok now automatically detects these posts.
  • A new detection model identifies duplicated content three times more effectively than before.
  • Adding watermarks, intros, or minor edits won’t bypass the system—monetized impressions will instead be credited to the original creator.
• X is working on a “Scheduled posts” feature on iOS. (source)
• X is testing a new profile UI with different CTA (Call to Action) buttons such as “Mention” or “Message” on iOS. (source)
• X has added smoother media handling, allowing images, videos, and profile pictures to open and close more fluidly. (source)
• X has added a new media docking feature that lets users keep watching videos while browsing other content on the platform. (source)
• X now allows brands to amplify organic customer call-outs and reviews through a new ad solution, “Mention Boost.” (source)
• X announced an updated livestreaming command center within its Creator Studio platform that will allow creators to schedule and run their live broadcasts in the app. (source)
• X is testing a new “video dock” button for smoother video & live stream minimization on iOS. (source)
• X now displays posts with four or more images as carousels on desktop (web). (source)

July 2026 Bluesky updates

• Bluesky has added a “Beta features” section under the “Settings” menu for early access to new features. (source)
• Bluesky has added advanced search filters on mobile. (source)
• Bluesky now allows users to share a link to any search. (source)

July 2026 YouTube updates

• YouTube is testing a streamlined, insights-first experience in YouTube Studio as follows (source):
  • The Analytics tab is being renamed to “Insights”.
  • A redesigned layout groups related metrics and charts, making performance easier to understand.
  • Navigation has been simplified with a new back button, while clicking any chart or metric opens a more detailed Advanced Mode.
  • The “Overview” page now has a cleaner date range selector, with full real-time data and custom date ranges still available in Advanced Mode.
  • Eligible creators can test four new AI-powered insight cards: Channel Summary, Content Patterns, Audience Loyalty, and Video Summary.
  • The “Trends” tab is evolving into Research, a new section designed to help creators discover ideas and plan future videos.
• YouTube now allows creators in the YouTube Partner Program to organize their playlists into series with seasons and/or episodes across TV, mobile, and desktop. (source)
  • Viewers can easily discover shows and pick up where they left off on any device.
  • You can also search “Shows” on YouTube to find your next favorite series.
• YouTube announced two new features for its Video Reach and Video View campaigns as follows (source):
  • “Attributed Branded Searches” is now available globally as a reporting metric in Google Ads.
  • Video View Campaigns that are opted into Shorts will now automatically include Shorts Ad Actions in budget optimization
• YouTube updated the playback UI for YouTube Shorts:
• • Has removed the “Thumbs up” and “Thumbs down” icons from the UI and replaced them with a new “Heart” icon.
  • Two new “Not interested” and “Don’t recommend this channel” options for content filtering.
  • A new “Clear Screen” option for uncluttered Shorts viewing. (source)
• YouTube also added new updates to the YouTube Studio UI:
• • A redesigned “Content” tab within YouTube Studio.
  • A new column for estimated revenue.
  • A new “Notices” column that will replace the current “Monetization” and “Restriction” columns and will include clear indicators of video status within the list. (source)
• YouTube is rolling out YouTube Playables in the European Union as well. (source)

July 2026 Pinterest updates

• Pinterest has introduced a new “Market View” element in Pinterest Ads Manager, providing advertisers with insights into how campaign performance compares across different regions. (source)

July 2026 Reddit updates

• Reddit is rolling out a new feature for advertisers within Reddit Ads Manager, “Split testing.” (source)

July 2026 Snapchat updates

• Snapchat is rolling out the ability to mention other users in Spotlight posts. (source)

July 2026 Substack updates

• Substack has added two new text editing features on desktop (web), “Text Color” and “Text Highlighter.” (source)