(August 8) The latest 2026 social media news

August 2026 ChatGPT Ads updates

• OpenAI is testing a new campaign type that will allow you to send ChatGPT users to a Business Agent conversation, “Agent.” (source)

August 2026 Meta (Ads) updates

• Meta now supports stablecoin payments for ad campaigns. (source)
• Meta will remove the “Messenger Stories” ad placement on August 27th. (source)

August 2026 Meta (AI) updates

• Meta has made its AI-powered developer assistant the primary support option for app developers. (source)

August 2026 Instagram updates

• Instagram is testing the ability to share stories as statuses on WhatsApp as well. (source)
• Instagram is testing a new “Saved” shortcut in the story composer for saved audios on iOS. (source)
• Instagram is rolling out a Bonuses program that lets eligible creators earn money from photo and carousel posts.
• Instagram has added a new UI for the post composer on mobile. (source)

August 2026 Instagram Edits updates

• Instagram is testing a new “Folders” feature for Instagram Edits. (source)

August 2026 WhatsApp updates

• WhatsApp is working on a new “AI label” feature for posts created in broadcast channels. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing chat themes with animations on Android. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new prompt to unmute channels on Android. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new “Manage storage” feature for broadcast channels on Android. (source)
• WhatsApp is rolling out a new “App updates” section on macOS. (source)
• WhatsApp announced new group chat functionality updates. (source)
  • Chats
    • Start a new group chat with people from an existing one.
  • Messages
    • Use @all to notify everyone about urgent messages.
  • Polls
    • Edit polls within 15 minutes.
    • Hide voter names.
    • Set an end time to lock voting

August 2026 Threads updates

• Threads is testing short URLs for posts. (source)
• Threads has added a new security feature, “Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).” (source)

August 2026 TikTok updates

• TikTok has added a new feature for Live Recordings, “Playlists.” (source)
• TikTok has added three new features to its “Drama” section. (source)
  • Categories
  • Trending
  • New

• TikTok is giving advertisers expanded capacity to use artificial intelligence to generate video ads with the help of ByteDance’s latest AI model, Dreamina Seedance 2.5. (source)

August 2026 X (Twitter) updates

• X is working on a “sort by” drop-down menu to the post feed on profiles for iOS. (source)
• X is testing a new grey bar for its in-app web browser that separates the user’s posts and the opened link. (source)
• X has improved the bookmarking experience by making it easier to organize saved content. Tapping the bookmark button now displays a tooltip with a seamless option to add bookmarks to folders. (source)

August 2026 Google updates

• Google is testing keyword-rich anchor text hyperlinks to the ad descriptions in the sponsored results within Google Search. (source)
• Google is testing within Google Ads a new text disclaimer feature that lets you set the text disclaimer to override descriptions pinned to position 1. (source)
• Google is testing a new Search Profiles feature that will allow you to switch your handle to any of your linked verified platforms within Google, “Handle Swapping.” (source)
• Google is testing a new carousel at the top of the Google home page on mobile for Google Discover titled “Read Later Queue.” (source)
• Google Search is testing a new verification step that asks some users to sign in, helping confirm they’re human rather than bots performing automated searches.. (source)
• Google is testing AI-generated descriptions on shopping and product ads. (source)
• Google is rolling out a new design for its insights section within Google Ads. (source)
• Google is now showing related searches based on your browsing in the “Sponsored results” section. (source)

August 2026 Bluesky updates

• Bluesky is working on a new feature, “Private, membership-based spaces.” (source)

August 2026 Hinge updates

• Hinge is working on two new features. (source)
  • Reply to specific messages while chatting.
  • Draw custom border maps (paid).

August 2026 Kick updates

• Kick has added three new features on mobile. (source)
  • Change avatar, handle, and bio
  • Check active chatters lists
  • Social linking

August 2026 Snapchat updates

• Snapchat is updating its Spotlight feed to promote human-made content only. (source)
• Snapchat now allows advertisers to connect third-party generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Google Gemini to Snapchat Ads Manager. (source)

August 2026 Twitch updates

• Twitch has added a new feature for mobile IRL streams, “Alerts.” (source)

August 2026 Spotify updates

• Spotify is working on a “Playlist history” feature. (source)
• Spotify will soon allow music fans to make covers and remixes of artists’ music using AI. (source)
• Spotify is rolling out the “Managed Accounts” feature for non-Premium users as well. (source)