Social Media Updates: Latest News, Trends & Changes

September 2026 Meta (AI) updates

• Meta has launched a new feature on Meta AI’s mobile apps, “Voice Mode.” (source)
• Meta now allows Facebook Messenger users to share files with Meta AI. (source)

September 2026 Facebook updates

• Facebook will soon introduce the Liquid Glass design language on the iOS app. (source)
• Facebook is testing a new “AI-powered auto-replies” feature for Marketplace messages. (source)
• Facebook has added a new “Insights” section for broadcast channels. (source)
• Facebook is introducing a new login method on Android and desktop web called “One-tap sign-on.” (source)

September 2026 Facebook Messenger updates

• Facebook is testing an option that lets you control whether your messages can be sent to Meta AI within a chat, “Allow message sharing.” (source)

September 2026 Instagram updates

• Instagram is testing a new “Music Highlights” feature on iOS. (source)
• Instagram is testing a new way to jump to the next post after reaching the end of the comments on a post through a new “Next post” button. (source)
• Instagram is testing new animations and haptic feedback for action buttons on iOS. (source)
• Instagram has added a new “Custom lists” feature on Instagram Instants apps. (source)
• Instagram has added a new “WhatsApp Calls on Instagram” feature, allowing you to choose which Instagram profiles can call you on WhatsApp using the number linked to your Accounts Center. (source)
• Instagram is now encouraging users to keep posting Reels consistently and make it part of their regular routine. (source)
• Instagram has updated its AI profile labels, replacing the “AI Creator” tag with a clearer “AI-generated profile” label for accounts featuring AI-generated people. (source)

September 2026 Instagram Edits updates

• Instagram is testing a new “Vibes” section in Music Search, categorizing tracks by mood to make it easier to find the right music for your editing project. (source)
• Instagram is testing a new “Carousel Editor” feature on Instagram Edits for iOS. (source)
• Instagram has added a new “Quality recommendations” splash screen on Instagram Edits for iOS. (source)

September 2026 Threads updates

• Threads is working on a new “Gems” feature for popular posts. (source)
• Threads introduced an upgraded interface for the “Insights” section on iOS. (source)

September 2026 WhatsApp updates

• WhatsApp is working on a “Smart list” feature for mentions and replies on iOS. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new feature for AI-generated content — images and videos only — posted in broadcast channels, “AI Label.” (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a safety warning for unofficial web clients. (source)
• WhatsApp Business is testing a way to request payments through third-party services available in your country through a new “Payment request” feature. (source)
• WhatsApp is introducing the Liquid Glass design for the message menu. (source)

September 2026 TikTok updates

• TikTok is rolling out the new “Repost Notes” feature globally. (source)

September 2026 X (Twitter) updates

• X is testing a new design for quoting a post that’s already a quote / that already has a quote. (source)
• X has released its “Under the hood” feature to all users. (source)

September 2026 Google updates

• Google is testing a new “What customers love” section for sponsored results on Google Search, featuring AI-generated insights based on store-rating reviews. (source)
• Google is expanding the “Book” button through Reserve with Google partner integration to Google Ads Search and Performance Max campaigns. (source)
• Google is now providing a more accurate and comprehensive view of your products’ performance within the Merchant Center’s “Popular products” reports. (source)
• Google is now showing under the status of the ads a new label that says “Under Re-Review.” (source)
• Google has added a new section to the “How asset groups work” help documentation in Google Ads for pre-fill asset groups with generated assets. (source)
• Google has added a new “Category” filter in Google Trends. (source)
• Google AdSense will change the way it counts impressions for display ads starting on February 17, 2027: Beginning on February 17, 2027, we will move to the Begin-to-Render methodology. This means an impression will only be counted once the ad has successfully loaded and has started to render on the user’s device. (source)

September 2026 Google AI updates 

• Google is now asking searchers to sign in within the Google AI Mode response. (source)
• Google is now pushing searchers into AI Mode from the “AI Overview” without having to click the “Show more” button. (source)
• Google is now showing shopping ads in a carousel format and a single ad unit inline within AI Mode results. (source)
• Google has added the Gemini 3.8 Flash AI model in Google Search and Google AI Mode. (source)

September 2026 YouTube updates

• YouTube now allows US creators to tag Amazon products in their videos and earn commissions from related sales activity. (source)
• YouTube now lets users connect their phones to their TVs to watch and engage with YouTube across both devices at the same time. (source)

September 2026 Hinge updates

• Hinge is working on a new feature called “Orbit Connections.” (source)
• Hinge is working on a new “Saves” feature. (source)

September 2026 Kick updates

• Kick has added a new “Stream Schedules” feature for content creators. (source)

September 2026 Reddit updates

• Reddit has introduced a new “15-second engaged video views” goal for advertisers. (source)

September 2026 Snapchat updates

• Snapchat is expanding Unified Attribution to all advertisers, giving marketers a more comprehensive view of campaign performance by measuring conversions across both Snapchat and third-party platforms. (source)

September 2026 Spotify updates

• Spotify is working on a widget for its AI-powered feature “Talk to Spotify.” (source)

September 2026 Substack updates

• Substack is working on a “Text wrapping” feature. (source)

September 2026 Twitch updates

• Twitch is testing a new “Thank you message” feature for subscriptions. (source)
• Twitch now allows creators in the Twitch DJ Program to capture and share Clips. (source)
• Twitch has added a new feature for Twitch Clips, “Edit captions.” (source)
• Twitch has added a new chat moderation feature, “Hold hyperlinks for review.” (source)

Keep Up with the Latest Social Media News

Are you ready to adjust your strategy based on the new feature updates and trends?

Social media never stands still, and neither should your strategy. These updates offer new ways to connect with your audience and improve your content.

By understanding and incorporating these changes, you can stay ahead of the curve. Experiment with the new features and ad tools to adapt your approach, and keep your social media game strong.

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