January 2026 social media news

January 2026 social media updates

January 2026 Meta (Ads) updates

• Meta will roll out ads on Threads to all users globally starting next week. (source)
• Meta added an “Apply Website highlights” feature for ad campaigns. (source)
• Meta added a new “Conversion count” breakdown in Meta Ads Manager. (source)

January 2026 Meta (AI) updates

• Meta now allows Meta AI users to create voice models from their own voices. (source)
• Meta added five new languages to its Al-powered “Translate with Meta Al” feature for Instagram Reels: Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu. (source)
• Meta launched its “Restyle” feature for Instagram Stories in the EU as well. (source)

January 2026 Meta (Misc) updates

• Meta Business Suite now allows you to post stories directly to your Page by long-pressing on the media within the selection section. (source)

January 2026 Facebook updates

• Facebook is testing a new way to view stories by pulling down on the screen to reveal them. (source)
• Facebook added a new “Boost live video” feature for live videos on iOS. (source).
• Facebook is rolling out the “Community Notes” globally on mobile. (source)
• Facebook is rolling out the “Fan Challenge” feature globally for Facebook Pages. (source)
• Facebook now allows page admins to decline collaboration invites and block all future invites from the account, tagging them. (source)
• Facebook added a new “Instagram Edits” shortcut in the main app menu. (source)

January 2026 Instagram updates

• Instagram is testing an update to the profile display that changes your “Following” count to “Friends” instead. (source)
• Instagram now allows users to create video stories by combining images and videos as well. (source).
• Instagram added a prompt encouraging users to follow a creator’s broadcast channel to see more of their content. (source)
• Instagram is working on a feature that will allow users to share their profile links in bulk. (source)
• Instagram now limits the “Shared Access” feature to Meta Verified subscribers. (source)
• Instagram now limits the “Competitive insights” feature to Meta Verified subscribers. (source)
• Instagram is now organizing the accounts that you can access in the account-switching sheet into two groups, “Account Center” and “Other profiles.” (source)
• Instagram rolled out the “Your Algorithm” feature for Instagram Reels to all English-speaking users globally. (source)
• Instagram is working on “AI transitions” for Instagram Stories. (source)
• Instagram added a “10K followers” filter for Instagram DMs. (source)
• Instagram rolled out a new UI for the desktop login page. (source)

January 2026 Instagram Edits updates

• Instagram announced four new features for Instagram Edits users (source):
  • 25 new video effects.
  • A new “Multiple takes” feature for Storyboards.
  • A new “Weekly Ideas” feature in the “Ideas” section.
  • Link Accounts.
• Instagram added a new “Titles” feature for clips. (source)
• Instagram added a new “Link account” feature for Instagram Edits users. (source)

January 2026 WhatsApp updates

• WhatsApp will replace Tenor with Klipy as a GIF provider. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow parents to configure a secondary account with limited functionality. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on bringing voice and video calls for group chats on web. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that shows the privacy settings applied to a status update. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that allows users to share their chat history with new group members. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that allows a limited group of users to access the beta version. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will introduce cover photos for personal profiles. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow you to manage privacy settings for cover photos. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a new feature for chats, “Username keys.” (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will bring the username functionality to chats. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that suggests stickers as users type their messages. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that displays clearer link previews. (source)
• WhatsApp will bring the “Updates” tab to the web client as well. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on new disappearing message timer options for the web client. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will bring the username functionality to chats. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on primary controls to help parents manage secondary accounts. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow you to manage notifications for voice and video calls on the web. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that displays a contact info page for each group member. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that allows broadcast channel admins to invite their contacts in their communities. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that integrates AI-powered editing capabilities into status updates. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that allows users to share their chat history with new group members. (source)
• WhatsApp announced three new features for group chats (source):
  • Custom Member Tags.
  • Custom Text Stickers.
  • Event Reminders.

January 2026 Threads updates

• Threads is testing an updated experience for the in-app browser on iOS. (source)
• Threads updated the post link structure with the account’s username. (source)
• Threads has added a new animated effect to the posting progress bar. (source)
• Threads could soon allow you to create ghost posts from a post’s replies as well. (source)
• Threads now allows users to import their followers from X. (source)
• Threads now displays a message that encourages users to edit posts cross-posted from Instagram by adding a topic (source)
• Threads is working on a new feature for Threads Communities, “Live Chat.” (source)
• Threads is working on a new attachment option for posts called “Tangle.” (source)
• Threads is working on a “Basketball” game for Threads DMs. (source)

January 2026 TikTok updates

• CapCut added a new “Tasks” gamification feature. (source)
• TikTok announced three new AI-powered features for TikTok Shop (source):
  • Al Dubbing for videos.
  • AI Fashion Video Maker.
  • List with Al.

• TikTok announced two new advertising solutions for streaming service providers such as Netflix or HBO Max (source):
  • “New Title Launch” Ads.
  • “Streaming” Ads with two ad formats, Multi-Show Experience and Media Card.

• TikTok is testing a new accessibility feature for photo posts that showcases the “last read” words from the description. (source)
• TikTok now allows users to quickly save stickers posted as comments. (source)
• TikTok added a “Frequently watched” badge to content posted from accounts you engage often through likes, shares, and comments. (source)
• TikTok added a new option to the “Discard” button, “Sent to friends.” (source)
• TikTok now allows users to reduce their policy violation points by taking a quiz. (source)
• TikTok now allows users to restyle images generated with TikTok Tako. (source)
• TikTok launched a new calendar template that’s designed to help families coordinate and manage their weekly online and offline activities. (source)
• TikTok now labels when a user whose Bulletin Board you are viewing is currently live streaming. (source)
• TikTok is expanding its Marketing Partners Program with a new Channel Sales Partner Program. (source)
• TikTok added a new phrase in the “Copied link” message, “Share it with your friends!” (source)
• TikTok added a new, AI-powered feature for live streams, “Al Summaries.” (source)
• TikTok is phasing out its “Custom Identity” option for advertisers. (source)
• TikTok added a new “Collage” feature for photo posts. (source)
• TikTok added a new “Creator Search Insights” shortcut in the main app menu. (source)
• TikTok added a new platform for sports clubs and organizations, TikTok GamePlan. (source)
• TikTok renamed the “Series” feature to “(Mini) Drama.” (source)

January 2026 X (Twitter) updates

• X announced its own version of “starter packs” for new and existing users. (source)
• X launched a standalone web app for X Chat. (source)
• X added a new “Priority” notification tab on iOS. (source)
• X is working on a “Priority” notification tab. (source)
• X is working on three new widgets for the iOS app (source):
  • X Chat: It will show an unread message count.
  • Grok: Chat with Grok.
  • Grok Voice: Quick access to Grok Voice Mode.

• X now allows users to edit their profile pictures with Grok AI. (source)
• X now allows users with an X Premium tier to write articles as well. (source)
• X is now showing community notes posted by “experimental AI contributors.” (source)

January 2026 LinkedIn updates

• LinkedIn now allows users to search for jobs by “describing the job they want”. (source)
• LinkedIn now displays an AI-generated title when a non-logged-in user is viewing a post. (source)
• LinkedIn is expanding access to its AI-powered job search tools to Spanish, German, French, and Portuguese-speaking users. (source)

January 2026 Google updates

• Google now allows some advertisers to run A/B tests with different product titles and images in Google Shopping Ads. (source)
• Google is testing new attributes in the verification section of the Local Service Ads detail screen (source):
  • Has Business Insurance.
  • Number Of Recent Bookings.
  • Passed Background Check.
  • Passed License Check.

• Google added a new “Campaign total budgets” setting for Google Search Ads, Google Shopping Ads, and Performance Max campaigns. (source)
• Google has streamlined the selection capability of Manual CPC bidding for Google Ads during the campaign setup. (source)
  • The option can be found under the “Conversions” goal labeled as “Manually set bids.”

• Google is testing a new “A/B-test assets” feature for Performance Max campaigns. (source)
• Google is rolling out a new experimental feature in the Google Ads Lab, “Brand Linking.” (source).
• Google added support for promotions on subscription fees and abbreviations in Google Shopping. (source)
• Google will soon allow ads for prediction markets. (source)
• Google added two new filters for Google Ads’ “Search terms” report, “Search terms and landing pages from AI Max” and “Search terms and landing pages from Dynamic Search Ads.” (source)
• Google added a new help page for businesses for the “Get more reviews” feature. (source)
• Google removed the “Visit website” button from the first screen of the Google Maps hotel results. (source)
• Google Search is showing a carousel in the merchant/retailer panel that shows the merchant’s delivery, return, and payment options. (source)

January 2026 Google AI updates

• Google does not have any plans to bring ads to Google Gemini. (source)
• Google added light colored fonts for product pricing and inventory in Google AI Mode. (source)
• Google added a new ad format for Google AI Mode, “Direct Offers.” (source).
• Google is testing a “Send” button for Google Al Mode in the search query box. (source)
• Google is testing an option to read aloud the AI Overviews results by clicking on a speaker icon at the top of each AI Overview. (source)
• Google is swapping out the “Gemini” button at the top right of the Google Chrome browser with a “Browse with AI” button. (source)

January 2026 YouTube updates

• YouTube added a new main entry point for the channel page, “Your Videos.” (source)

• YouTube is also updating the video settings screen with a new “Show more” drop-down menu for video settings. (source)
• YouTube is rolling out a new update for the “Promote” feature that allows content creators to show their clips to viewers based on interests. (source)
• YouTube also added a new AI-powered option that will allow you to create a short video clip from still images. (source)
• YouTube rolled out a new parental control feature for Shorts as part of an updated sign-up / sign-in experience, “Shorts Feed Limit.” (source)
• YouTube is now showing carousel posts (photos only) in the “Shorts” feed. (source)

January 2026 Reddit updates

• Reddit added a “Recent searches” section for Reddit Answers on iOS. (source)
• Reddit launched its own version of AI-powered ad campaigns, Reddit Max Campaigns. (source)

January 2026 Spotify updates

• Spotify is working on a feature that will allow you to seamlessly jump between audiobooks and physical books (when you’ll be listening/reading the same book), “Page Match.” (source)
• Spotify added two new features for its users: “Listening activity” (Spotify DMs) and “Request to jam.” (source)

January 2026 Telegram updates

• Telegram added its first AI-powered feature, “Al Summaries.” (source)

January 2026 Bluesky updates

• Bluesky added two new features for its users (source):
  • A temporary “Live” label to show your followers when you’re live on streaming platforms like Twitch.
  • Cashtags.

January 2026 Clubhouse updates

• Clubhouse added a new Clubhouse Pro tier for its users. (source).

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