(July 8) 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 YouTube updates

• 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)