December 2025 social media news

December 2025 social media updates

December 2025 Meta (Ads) updates

• Meta added a new ad objective for lead generation campaigns, “Chat on WhatsApp.” (source)

December 2025 Meta (AI) updates

• Meta added a new, AI-powered feature for broadcast channels created on Facebook, “Prompt.” (source)
• Meta now allows its Facebook Messenger users based in the EU to create chat themes with Meta AI. (source)
• Meta added a new, AI-powered feature for its Facebook users, “Restyle your profile picture.” (source)

December 2025 Meta (Misc) updates

• Meta is notifying certain page admins and users that their ability to share link posts will soon be limited each month. (source)
• Meta added a new feature for Meta Verified subscribers, “Search Optimization.” (source)

December 2025 Facebook updates

• Facebook now allows creators and businesses to compare posts directly from the Professional Dashboard. (source)
• Facebook announced new feed formatting and algorithm refinement updates with the purpose of making it more relevant in the shifting social media landscape as follows (source)
  • A new Ul for the post composer.
  • A simpler and more immersive layout for the “For you” feed.
  • An immersive grid layout in the “Search” section for all content types.
  • An algorithm refinement tool.
  • Friend recommendations based on shared interests.
• Facebook launched a YouTube account for content creators. (source)

December 2025 Facebook Messenger updates

• Facebook Messenger added two new shortcuts in the main app menu, “Facebook Reels” and “Facebook Events.” (source)
• Facebook Messenger added a new “Language detection” feature on iOS. (source)
• Facebook Messenger now allows businesses to receive calls. (source)

December 2025 Instagram updates

• Instagram added a new “Expiring Soon” carousel in the “FY” feed. (source)
• Instagram added a new “Games” feature for Instagram DMs. (source)
• Instagram added new features for celebrating the new year (source):
  • A new glitter effect over stylized text font for NYE posts.
  • Limited edition effects and emojis linked to keywords in Notes and Story comments that change the background color and add special highlights.
  • ⁠⁠Limited edition “End of Year” design for its “Add Yours” sticker effect.
  • ⁠⁠⁠New AI Restyle presets, including festive, celebratory, and reflective Restyle presets.

• Instagram is once again working on a co-posting Stories feature. (source)
• Instagram is testing a new “Early Access” feature for reels. (source)
• Instagram is now counting Threads replies. (source)
• Instagram now allows users to reshare public stories. (source)
• Instagram now allows users based in the United States access the “Your Algorithm” manual control option. (source)
• Instagram now displays comments and replies from both Facebook and Threads on cross-posted content. (source)
• Instagram also added a “Stranger Things” text effect for stories and reels. (source)

December 2025 Instagram Edits updates

• Instagram added a new “Storyboard” feature for Instagram Edits users. (source)
• Instagram added new features for Instagram Edits users to celebrate the new year (source):
  • Title Effects.
  • New Year’s Fonts.
  • A “word highlighting” feature.
  • New text + caption presets that combine fonts, colors, animations and effects
  • 150 new sound effects.
• Instagram added for Instagram Edits users a range of AI-powered effects that can be applied to specific people or objects (source):
  • Tag: Add labels to an outfit, product, or person.
  • Scribble, Outline, or Dither: Outline a person for emphasis.
  • Blur or Pixel: Easily blur faces or reveal an object.
  • Sparkle: Add subtle emphasis.
• Instagram could add a “Stabilize video” feature for Instagram Edits. (source)

December 2025 WhatsApp updates

• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow channel admins create and show a profile. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that makes forwarding and group creation options more prominent. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that will allow you to send media files straight from the chat share sheet. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that lets channel admins reach out to their contacts with follow requests. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that allows users to celebrate 2026 with a special Lottie sticker. (source)
• WhatsApp is widely rolling out a feature that allows users to display a custom tag in their group chats. (source)
• WhatsApp announced new features for its users as follows (source):
  • Calls Tab
    • Missed call messages.
    • Reactions in voice chats.
    • Group call speaker spotlight.
  • Chats Tab
    • Meta AI image creation improvements.
    • Animate images with Meta AI.
    • New media tab on desktop.
    • Cleaner link previews.
  • Updates Tab
    • New stickers on Status: A new “Questions” sticker and the ability to add music lyrics. — Questions on Channels.

• WhatsApp is working on a feature that gives message bubbles a softer design for a more modern chat look. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that will allow you to apply strict security settings to your accounts. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that will allow you to save drafts for your status updates. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that integrates AI-powered Imagine capabilities into status updates. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that makes forwarding and group creation options more prominent. (source)
• WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that will allow you to leave voice and video messages for missed calls. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that introduces recent history sharing to new members who join a group chat. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that shows a confetti animation for emoji reactions for this holiday season. (source)
• WhatsApp added support for live photos on iOS. (source)
• WhatsApp is widely rolling out a feature that allows users to leave voice and video messages for missed calls. (source)

December 2025 Threads updates

• Threads could soon launch its “Trending topics” feature in the EU as well. (source)
• Threads is testing a new design for the buttons displayed in the share sheet. (source)
• Threads is testing a new “Community Champion” badge for Threads Communities. (source)
• Threads updated the watermark placed on screenshots with the platform’s name. (source)
• Threads is widely rolling out a new badge for posts with content marked as spoiler, “Spoiler effect.” (source)
• Threads is developing a new search feature. (source)
• Threads is working on a new, AI-powered “Interaction summary” feature that will give you a quick overview of your past interactions with a specific user. (source)
• Threads is testing a new algorithm-tweaking feature called “Dear algo.” (source)
• Threads added a new “Quote” button in the post composer. (source)

December 2025 TikTok + CapCut updates

• CapCut now allows users to edit photos with Google Nano Banana Pro. (source)
• TikTok is rolling out new accessibility features for users with neurological, cognitive and visual sensitivities (source):
  • The ability to disable HDR video playback.
  • The ability to reduce motion in video clips.
• TikTok added a new AI-powered feature for its Creator Insights platform, “AI Canvas.” (source)
• TikTok now allows users to link fundraisers directly within the app. (source)
• TikTok now lets users enable or disable visual search on their content. (source)
• TikTok now lets you enable or disable the AI dubbing feature on your videos. (source)
• CapCut launched its CapCut AI Lab in the EU as well. (source)
• TikTok now allows users to repost live videos. (source)
• TikTok now allows its EU users to rewrite the title and description of a photo post with AI. (source)
• TikTok updated the side panel with three new shortcuts: “Live”, “Subscriptions” and “Series.” (source)
• TikTok added a new “Generate avatar” feature for TikTok Thoughts. (source)
• TikTok added a new “More” button on profiles. (source)
• TikTok is rolling out a “Nearby” feed in the UK, France, Germany and Italy. (source)

December 2025 X (Twitter) updates

• X is working on a “Safety Number Verification” feature for X Chat. (source)
• X is working on a “Connect” tab to the navigation bar for users who follow fewer than 100 people. (source)
• X is preparing to launch a new “Rare Handles” feature within its X Handles Market. (source)
• X launched a standalone app for its private messaging feature X Chat. (source)
• X is testing the ability to generate videos / animate photos with Grok AI straight from the post composer. (source)
• X officially replaced X DMs with X Chat as the main private messaging feature. (source)
• X is now using AI to sort your “Following” feed content. (source)

December 2025 xAI updates

• xAI added two new video editing features on Grok Al’s iOS app, “Extend” and “Upscale.” (source)
• xAI now allows users to generate images via voice messages as well. (source)

December 2025 LinkedIn updates

• LinkedIn added a new ad placement option for advertisers, “Reserve Ads.” (source)
• LinkedIn now allows developers to add LinkedIn trust signals, like verified identity or workplace, to their apps. (source)

December 2025 Google updates

• Google is removing the Q&A feature within Google Maps, but searchers can use the new AI-powered “Ask” button on a Google Business Profile. (source)
• Google is rolling out the “Read more” links at the end of some of the search results listings. (source)
• Google is now sending email notifications for when Google Business Profiles has removed the restrictions on your reviews and ratings. (source)
• Google is now showing ads in AI Overviews with the exact match type. (source)
• Google is now showing full detailed property sale listings within the Google Search results. (source)
• Google is updating the Google Maps share buttons by removing the options to share on X and adding the options to share on Reddit and Facebook. (source)
• Google is testing for ads shown on Google Search an animation where an image asset slides into the sponsored results listing. (source)
• Google Ads Advisor and Google Analytics Advisor now cites third-party, external sources. (source)
• Google added social channels within the Google Search Console “Insights” report. (source)
• Google added “Weekly views” and “Monthly views” insights in Search Console for performance reports. (source)
• Google is testing a new widget at the top of the Google Discover feed, “Top Searches.” (source)
• Google disallows all promotion of online gambling-promoting content for horse racing targeting the United States. (source)
• Google has enabled custom annotations for current and future dates in Google Search Console. (source)
• Google added a new ad targeting solution for YouTube, “Partner Match.” (source)

December 2025 Google AI updates

• Google announced that Google Gemini can now respond to your local questions with local results in a rich, more visual format. (source)
• Google added a new “AI-powered article overviews” feature in Google News. (source)
• Google is testing two new features for Google Al Mode, “Citation cards” and “Search Live (Gemini Live – voice search as you talk).” (source)
• Google is testing direct event displays in the AI Overviews results. (source)
• Google is testing inline, hover-style links for citations in the AI Mode results. (source)
• Google is now blending Google AI Mode into AI Overviews results. (source)

December 2025 YouTube updates

• YouTube is testing still image carousels within the YouTube Shorts feed. (source)
• YouTube is testing AI-generated chatbots of famous and/or inspirational content creators. (source)
• YouTube now allows users to create or to edit images with Google’s Nano Banana artificial intelligence model. (source)
• YouTube added a custom version of Google’s latest Veo 3 Fast model to YouTube Create’s Android app. (source)
• YouTube added a new “Seller” breakdown filter for YouTube Studio Analytics. (source)
• YouTube added a new engagement option for YouTube Shorts Ads, “Comments.” (source)
• YouTube added a new “Generate Video” feature for YouTube Create. (source)
• YouTube is expanding access to its AI-powered “Expressive Captions” option to all devices. (source)

December 2025 Discord updates

• Discord added a new “Wishlist” tab on profiles. (source)

December 2025 Snapchat updates

• Snapchat launched its own image and video editing app, Snapchat Quick Cut. (source)
• Snapchat is now using Apple’s “Age Range” qualifiers to detect underage users. (source)
• Snapchat announced a new integration with website building platform Wix. (source)
• Snapchat launched a new festive AR activation within its in-app, “Snapchat Winter Village.” (source)

December 2025 Spotify updates

• Spotify is widely rolling out the ability to import songs and playlists from other streaming platforms. (source)

December 2025 Reddit updates

• Reddit launched an in-stream verification indicator for the profiles of a select group of public figures and trusted partners. (source).

December 2025 Bluesky updates

• Bluesky now allows users to find their friends by importing their phone contacts. (source)
• Bluesky launched its age verification system in the EU as well. (source)

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