February 2026 social media news

February 2026 social media updates

February 2026 Meta (Ads) updates

• Meta added a shortcut for Manus AI in Meta Ads Manager (Audiences). (source)

February 2026 Meta (AI) updates

• Meta is testing a new “Override” mode for its AI models on Meta AI’s iOS app. (source)
• Meta is promoting Manus AI as a content strategy tool in the “Post insights” section of each Instagram post. (source)
• Meta is working on a new AI-powered chatbot for Instagram DMs, “Kai.” (source)
• Meta is working on a new AI-powered feature for Instagram, “Face swap.” (source)
• Meta is working on the ability to mention Meta AI in comments posted on Instagram. (source)
• Meta is developing a dedicated Meta AI tab for WhatsApp that will bring all AI-powered features together in one place. (source)
• Meta is promoting the AI-powered features available in its Meta AI apps on Facebook with a new carousel placed in the “For You” feed. (source)
• Meta added three new AI-powered features for profile pictures on Facebook (source):
  • Animate your profile picture.
  • Animated backgrounds for text posts.
  • Restyle your stories and memories.
• Meta is testing a standalone mobile app for its “Vibes” feed. (source)
• Meta added two new artificial intelligence models on Meta AI’s mobile apps, “Fast” and “Thinking.” (source)

February 2026 Meta Subscriptions updates

• Meta plans to test new subscriptions that will give Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users access to exclusive features. (source)
• Meta plans to test new subscriptions that will give Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users access to exclusive features. (source)
  • Early reports suggest the features listed below will be available on Facebook (source):
    • Access to Manus Al.
    • Preview stories anonymously.
    • Search for who viewed your stories.
  • Meta is also working on two new features for Instagram:
    • Story Extend. (source)
    • Story Rewatch. (source)
• Meta plans to test new subscriptions that will give Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users access to exclusive features. (source) 

February 2026 Facebook updates

• Facebook now allows Page admins to mention their top fans in posts. (source)
• Facebook is testing a new “More” button for the options available for comments. (source)
• Facebook is testing in the “Notifications” section a new “Marketplace” carousel with links to items available in Facebook Marketplace. (source)
• Facebook is testing a new app UI that moves the settings menu to the left side of the header. (source)

February 2026 Facebook Messenger updates

• Facebook Messenger has introduced a new “Notifications” tab that shows updates such as friends’ birthdays, login activity, notes, and friend suggestions. (source)
• Facebook Messenger now has a new “Early access to features” section in the main “Settings” menu on Android. (source)

February 2026 Instagram updates

• Instagram added a support assistant powered by Meta AI. (source)
• Instagram is working on a standalone app for Instagram Instants as well. (source)
• Instagram is working on a “Short Dramas” feature. (source)
• Instagram now shows when a post you cross-posted to Threads receives likes. (source)
• Instagram added the ability to download Instagram for iPad by scanning a QR code. (source)
• Instagram is working on a feature that will allow you to remove yourself from another user’s “Close Friends” list. (source)
• Instagram is working on the ability to reorder carousels after posting. (source)
• Instagram is testing a new way to display post dates by showing the exact posting date instead of a day count. (source)
• Instagram added a new KPI for Instagram Stories, “Reshares.” (source)
• Instagram now labels sponsored ads as “Ad.” (source)
• Instagram is working on a new app shortcut, “Manus AI.” (source)
• Instagram rebranded “Instagram Shots” as “Instants.” (source)
• Instagram now allows users to add a camera shortcut on the lockscreen. (source)

February 2026 Instagram Edits updates

• Instagram added a new audio import feature for Instagram Edits users, “Extract audio from video.” (source)
• Instagram added a new round of features for Instagram Edits. (source)
  • New Timeline Settings.
  • The ability to apply settings to other clips from the main track.
  • The ability to copy and paste fonts and clips from one project to another.

February 2026 WhatsApp updates

• WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to manage poll privacy and expiration settings. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will bring status updates to the top app bar. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow you to format messages as “spoilers.”(source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow you to secure your accounts with a password. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that lets users filter the media gallery in their chats. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new preview card for Threads posts that will display the app icon, post topic, a carousel preview, and the caption. (source)
• WhatsApp is rolling out the “Liquid Glass” design for the Business app on iOS. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that adds a “Settings” tab to the main app interface on Android. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that allows users to save photo and video drafts on iOS. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that redesigns the “Settings” page with a cover photo. (source)
• WhatsApp is introducing voice and video calling features on the web version of the platform. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow you to create custom lists for status updates. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a “Paid partnerships” feature for posts published in broadcast channels. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new “Music” sticker for broadcast channels. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that shows channel admins how many times a channel update has been forwarded. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a subscription plan that will allow users in the EU and the UK to avoid ads in the “Updates” tab. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow you to share status updates from your channels. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will enable reasoning capabilities for Meta AI on Android. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that displays recent chat searches on Android. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that will show the privacy settings applied to a status update on iOS. (source).
• WhatsApp is rolling out a new “Strict Account Settings” option that will limit how people can contact you. (source)

February 2026 Threads updates

• Threads is working on the ability to pin chats. (source)
• Threads has launched a new “Basketball” mini-game for Threads DMs. (source)
• Threads is rolling out the “Dear Algo” feature for users based in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (source)
• Threads is working on a feature that will let you create a link for people to request or message you by simply writing “DM me” or “Message me.” (source)
• Threads is working on two new effects for the “Mark as spoiler” feature, “Hearts” and “Stars.” (source)
• Threads is working on the ability to add stickers to posts. (source)
• Threads improved the post markup feature by making highlights linear instead of scattered. (source)

February 2026 LinkedIn updates

• LinkedIn has launched a new subscription option for small businesses, LinkedIn Premium All-in-One. (source)
• LinkedIn is rolling out a new “Vibe Coding” qualification for generative AI skills. (source)

February 2026 TikTok updates

• TikTok added five new features for TikTok Shop sellers (source):
  • Automated Affiliate Commission Receipts.
  • Automated Sample Approvals.
  • Creator Picks.
  • New Bulk Editing Tools.
  • LIVE Auto-Post.
• CapCut now allows creators to mark their templates as “paid partnerships.” (source)
• TikTok added a new “Effects” button for private messages (individual and group chats). (source)
• TikTok is rolling out a new “Local Feed” feature for users based in the United States. (source)
• TikTok is now showcasing bulletin boards created by users in audio pages. (source)
• TikTok added video and photo templates for Valentine’s Day in the “Create” tab. (source)
• TikTok now automatically adds to each post talking about a movie or TV Show a link to that movie or TV show. (source)

February 2026 X (Twitter) updates

• X is working on an animated launch screen for its iOS app. (source)
• X is working on a “Shuffle Choices” option for polls. (source)
• X is working on a feature called “Audio Articles.” (source)
• X has removed the “Dim” theme mode. (source)
• X is now placing a “Try Grok for free” button below each post that mentions “Grok”. (source)
• X has launched a more intuitive and immersive video viewing experience on iOS. (source)
• X is working on a new “Block Grok from modifying this photo in replies” feature for post replies. (source)
• X is testing collaborative community notes for English posts. (source)
• X added support for Apple Intelligence Writing Tools. (source)
• X added two new widgets on iOS, “Chat with Grok” and “Grok Voice Mode.” (source)
• X is working on a “Paid Promotion” label for posts. (source)
• X now allows users to add images in polls. (source)

February 2026 YouTube updates

• YouTube added a new “Grid” view for shorts on YouTube Studio’s mobile apps. (source)
• YouTube now allows Shorts creators to make more precise adjustments to a clip directly within the video composer screen. (source)
• YouTube added a setting that automatically enables captions when a user mutes a video on their mobile devices (smartphone or tablet), “Show when muted.” (source)
• YouTube added a new, AI-powered feature for YouTube Shorts, “Add motion.” (source)
• YouTube is expanding its auto-dubbing options to all content creators. (source)

February 2026 Bluesky updates

• Bluesky now allows users to save posts as drafts. (source).

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