May 2026 social media news

May 2026 Meta (Ads) updates

• Meta has updated the audience retention window for Purchase events from 180 days to 730 days. (source)

May 2026 Meta (AI) updates

• Meta is working on a Premium subscription for Meta AI. (source)
• Meta is testing a new “Ask Meta AI” integration on Threads. (source)
• Meta announced two new features for Meta AI: Live Camera view and Voice Mode. (source)
• Meta will add the ability to start “incognito” conversations with its Meta AI chatbot within WhatsApp. (source)
• Meta has added a new “For you” feed to Meta AI’s mobile apps that offers news based on existing prompts. (source)
• Meta has added a new AI assistant for WhatsApp Business developers. (source)
• Meta is working on a new AI agent that would be able to conduct tasks based on conversational guidance. (source)

May 2026 Meta (Misc) updates

• Meta is working on “No Ads” subscription plans for Threads and WhatsApp. (source)
• Meta is testing a new “Syncing Profile Pictures” feature that keeps profile pictures updated across profiles connected to the same Accounts Center. (source)
• Meta now allows parents and guardians to view the general topics their teens engage with through the existing supervision tools. (source)
• Meta added a new “Profile Suggestions” option that lets users control whether their profile is suggested to friends and followers of their other profiles. (source)
• Meta is renaming the “Engagement” metric to “Interactions” across its apps for consistency. The new metric excludes clicks, meaning creators and page managers may see lower numbers even if content performance hasn’t actually changed. Likes, comments, shares, and saves still count. Only click-based actions are being removed from the total. (source)

May 2026 Facebook updates

• Facebook now allows users to edit and reorder Story Highlights. (source)
• Facebook added a new copyright tool, “Erase music.” (source)
• Facebook added a shortcut to Instagram Edits in the main Reels composer. (source)
• Facebook is testing a new splash screen that encourages users to send friend requests to people they’re not connected with. (source)
• Facebook is now categorizing camera roll media types in the creation sheet. (source)
• Facebook now allows users to mention people in Stories cross-posted from Instagram. (source)

May 2026 Instagram updates

• Instagram could add the “Trial reels” feature on desktop (web) as well. (source)
• Instagram added a new feature for private conversations, “Events.” (source)
• Instagram is testing a new update that allows users to add a caption to each image or video within a carousel. (source)
• Instagram is widely testing out the “Reorder grid” feature for profile posts. (source)
• Instagram is making it easier to change post music during the creation process without needing to remove and reselect a new track with a new “Change audio” button. (source)
• Instagram has launched the standalone app for Instagram Instants globally:
  • Apple App Store
  • Google Play Store
• Instagram is testing a feature that lets users replace the text on another person’s Reel with their own custom text, “Swap.” (source)
• Instagram is rolling out message summaries powered by Meta AI to more users. (source)
• Instagram has added a new “Bug Bounty” feature related to SSL pinning bypass testing. (source)
• Instagram added a new account label, “AI Creator.” (source)

May 2026 Instagram Edits updates

• Instagram has added two new features for Instagram Edits users: Add video version and Template settings. (source)
• Instagram is testing a new beta feature in Instagram Edits that allows users to export videos up to 15 minutes in length, “Longer export duration.” (source)
• Instagram added four new features for Instagram Edits users as follows:
  • A new AI-powered feature, “Fuse.”
  • A new text template, “(Met) Gala.”
  • Caption Controls.
  • Reels lnsights comparison. (source)

May 2026 WhatsApp updates

• WhatsApp is working on a new widget that shows who shared status updates. (source)
• WhatsApp will add the “Liquid Glass” design for reactions and messages. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new feature for group chats on Android, “Send a greeting message.” (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new button in the app widget that lets users quickly start a new chat. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new set of chat themes on desktop (web). (source)
• WhatsApp is rolling out the WhatsApp Plus subscription for a limited number of iOS users. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a new system to view chat lists. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that lets users archive their status updates after they expire. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that shows when status updates are reshared many times. (source)
• WhatsApp is discontinuing the avatar feature on Android and iOS. (source)
• WhatsApp now allows its European Union users to generate images with Meta AI for status updates and in conversations. (source)

May 2026 Threads updates

• Threads is working on a new way to create tags on Android. (source)
• Threads is testing a new visual identity — slightly tilted logo and a new font — on Android. (source)
• Threads now allows users to add music to their posts. (source)
• Threads now lets users choose whether replies to ghost posts appear publicly on the post or privately in messages. (source)

May 2026 TikTok updates

• TikTok added a new AI-powered feature for clips, “AI transitions.” (source)
• TikTok now allows all content creators based in the United States to earn commissions by tagging relevant businesses in their posts through the TikTok GO travel affiliate program. (source)
• TikTok is rolling out a new “Friends” tab and a new name for the “Explore” tab, “Community”, for users based in the EU. (source)
• TikTok is rolling out an ad-free subscription offering for users based in the United Kingdom. (source)
• TikTok added a new “Campus Hub” feature for US college students. (source)

May 2026 X (Twitter) updates

• X is working on a new feature for videos uploaded on the platform, “Add Captions.” (source)
• X is working on a new “Quote” feature that will allow you to quickly add a saved or liked post to a new one. (source)
• X has added the “Custom timelines” feature to the list of X Premium benefits. (source)
• X rolled out a new “History” tab for all users on iOS. (source)
• X has launched the “Liquid Glass” design for the attachment menu on XChat. (source)
• X is working on a new design for profile pages on iOS. (source)

May 2026 LinkedIn updates

• LinkedIn now allows users with a Premium Business subscription to add a “Get advice from me” button to their profiles. (source)
• LinkedIn announced a new Ad Agency Certification program that will enable advertising advisors to showcase their expertise in LinkedIn ads based on demonstrated performance. (source)

May 2026 YouTube updates

• YouTube is testing a “Clear screen” feature for YouTube Shorts. (source)
• YouTube is testing a new “Practice Mode” feature for live streams. (source)
• YouTube announced several features for brands and content creators at this year’s YouTube Brandcast event:
  • 2-click TV checkout with Google Pay.
  • AI sponsorships.
  • Affiliate boost ads.
  • Creator content shelves.
  • Creator takeovers. (source)
• YouTube is testing a new bulk comment moderation feature for videos, making it easier for channel managers to find and respond to comments based on context rather than relying only on keyword filters. (source)
• YouTube added a new feature in YouTube Studio (desktop) that lets creators generate instrumental tracks to replace copyrighted audio in their videos. (source)

May 2026 Bluesky updates

• Bluesky added “video previews” for video links shared on WhatsApp as messages. (source)
• Bluesky now allows users to launch Germ’s end-to-end encrypted messaging directly from any Bluesky profile. (source)

May 2026 Kick updates

• Kick is testing a “For you” feed. (source)

May 2026 Snapchat updates

• Snapchat added a new Snapchat Lens+ subscription, Lens+ Payouts. (source)

May 2026 Telegram updates

• Telegram added ten features for its users:
  • Bot-to-Bot Communication
  • Chat Automation in Profiles
  • Custom AI Styles
  • Custom Limits for Polls
  • Expanded Emoji and Sticker Search
  • Guest Al Bots
  • Removing Reactions
  • Silent Scheduled Messages
  • Statistics for Polls
  • Streaming Text for Bots (source)

May 2026 Twitch updates

Twitch is rolling out monetization and engagement tools to eligible streamers worldwide. (source)

Keep Up with the Latest Social Media News

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