October 2025 social media news

October 2025 social media updates

October 2025 Meta (Ads) updates

• Meta expanded its ad certification partnerships with Integral Ad Science, DoubleVerify, and Scope3 to Threads placements. (source)
• Meta announced three recent changes to engaged-view attribution (source):
  • Engaged views for video are now counted after 5 seconds.
  • Engaged-views is also available when maximizing value now.
  • 1-day engaged-vides for image ads are no longer available.
• Meta is replacing the ‘Post Engagement’ conversion type for engagement campaigns with a new ‘Maximize Interactions’ performance goal. (source)
• Meta used New York Advertising Week to reinforce its vision on AI as the foundation of its advertising ecosystem with a new wave of features and tools (source):
  • Content Creators
    • Two new APIs, Facebook Creator Discovery and Instagram Creator Marketplace.
    • A new “AI-recommended Collabs” feature.
  • Meta Ads Manager
    • A new “Business AI” tool that acts as a sales concierge / sales agent.
    • A new, in-app “Virtual try-on” feature for fashion brands.
    • A new “AI Sticker CTA” sticker for Facebook Reels.
    • Three new features for Meta Advantage+ campaigns, “AI Dubbing”, “AI-generated music” and “Persona-based image generation.”
  • Meta AI
    • Meta AI business assistant.
• Meta will soon begin using your interactions with Meta AI in order to improve its ad targeting systems. (source)
• Meta will phase out the “Automated Ads” feature next year in favor of its AI‑powered Advantage+ ad tools. (source)
• Meta added a new “CTA (Call-to-Action)” button for sales campaigns, “WhatsApp sign-up offer.” (source)

October 2025 Meta (AI) updates

• Meta added a new “Open app” button on Instagram for Meta AI. (source)
• Meta added support for two new languages within the “Translate with Meta AI” feature for Instagram Reels, Hindi and Portuguese. (source) The company is also working on two new features for Reels Translation, “Text and caption stickers” and “Translating reels with multiple speakers.”
• Meta added a new, AI-powered feature that can create content such as posts, Stories, or Reels to welcome new followers to your Page. (source)
• Meta now allows Facebook Messenger users to initiate a call with Meta AI. (source)
• Meta changed the default icon for Meta AI apps to “Dark Mode.” (source)
• Meta added a new feature on Facebook and Instagram, “Restyle.” (source)
• Meta Verified users will have their Meta AI usernames reserved for them on the platform. (source)

October 2025 Meta (VR) updates

• Meta now allows Meta Quest owners to launch PC VR games directly from the Horizon OS library. (source)

October 2025 Meta (Misc) updates

• Meta added new safety features for its Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp users as follows (source):
  • Facebook Messenger: Meta is testing more advanced scam detection features in chats, “AI scam reviews,” and a warning message for scammy messages.
  • WhatsApp: Meta now displays a warning message when you try to share your screen with someone who isn’t in your contacts during a video call.
• Meta now allows Meta Business Suite users to block contacts who message their WhatsApp number. (source)
• Meta added a new feature for Meta Verified subscribers, “Custom chat themes.” (source)
• Meta will remove the ability to select multiple business assets from Meta Business Suite. (source)

October 2025 Facebook updates

• Facebook added a new monetization feature for content creators, “Brand deals.” (source)
• Facebook added a new setting for Facebook Subscriptions, “Flash Sale.”(source)
• Facebook is testing a new “Title” feature for Facebook Reels. (source)
• Facebook now allows users to create a shorter version of a reel as well. (source)
• Facebook updated the profile / page creation process with a new look. (source)
• Facebook says that all videos you upload to Facebook are now reels. (source)
• Facebook added two new features for Facebook Reels, “Friend likes bubbles” and “AI-powered search recommendations.” (source)
• Facebook added two new fan engagement features for content creators, “Fan Challenges” and “Custom Top Fan Badges.” (source)
• Facebook a new filter for notifications, “Monetization.” (source)

October 2025 Instagram updates

• Instagram could soon show for posts shared as stories — carousels and reels — some KPIs (shares) as well. (source)
• Instagram is working on a “Liquid Glass”-style redesign of its tab bar. (source)
• Instagram is testing a new “Expiring soon” label for stories. (source)
• Instagram added six new app icons for teen accounts. (source)
• Instagram will soon allow you to add up to 45 seconds of audio in a story. (source)
• Instagram updated the “Add yours” sticker with a “Template” feature. (source)
• Instagram is working on a feature that will let you share a Reel or video to Stories starting from a specific moment. (source)
• Instagram now displays a map on each user’s Instagram DMs profile page. (source)
• Instagram now displays all content — posts, Reels and stories — with tagged locations on Instagram Maps. (source)
• Instagram is rolling out a fresh UI for the story composer. (source)
• Instagram added a new “Watch history” feature for Instagram Reels. (source)
• Instagram added a new “Hide replies” option in the each reply’s share sheet. (source)
• Instagram announced Instagram Rings, a new award designed to honor and celebrate content creators who are making an impact on the platform. (source)
• Instagram is testing a new “Your algorithm” control feature for Instagram Reels. (source)
• Instagram added a new “Draw” feature for Instagram DMs. (source)
• Instagram added new mute options: “Activity Bubbles on content”, “Notes on the map” and “Shots.” (source)
• Instagram launched its “Maps” feature in the European Union as well. (source)
• Instagram now allows users to remix Stories with their own takes through a new update for the “Add Yours” sticker. (source)
• Instagram is working on a “Highlights” sticker. (source)
• Instagram is testing with users based in India and South Korea a new UI that displays the app’s Reels page first. (source)

October 2025 Instagram Edits updates

• Instagram added new features for Instagram Edits users (source):
  • Halloween-themed text options and restyle presets.
  • More controls to the adjust tool and an option to add adjustment layers.
  • Two new features for voiceover recording, “Countdown” and “Retake.”
• Instagram is working on a new feature for Instagram Edits, “Widgets.” (source)
• Instagram added a shortcut for Instagram Edits under the “Creation” menu. (source)
• Instagram added new features for Instagram Edits users (source):
  • Over 250 new sound effects.
  • An option to download an “Insights” summary that’s easy to share with brand partners and others.
  • New text presets combining different styles, animations, and effects.
  • A custom font designed by JENNIE.
• Instagram will soon allow you to export your account and / or content insights through Instagram Edits. (source)
• Instagram added a new “Import Instagram drafts” feature for Instagram Edits. (source)

October 2025 WhatsApp updates

• WhatsApp is working on a feature that sets a limit for sending messages in new chats without replies. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that will allow you to mention all members in group chats. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that will allow you to filter media files (including stickers) through a revamped interface. (source)
• WhatsApp launched a new, AI-powered feature that allows users to generate status images. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a “Reaction” sticker for status updates. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that adds a sidebar to the iPad user interface. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that enables notifications for status updates from selected contacts. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that will allow you to manage animations for emojis, stickers and GIFs. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow you to reserve your username in advance of the upcoming release. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that will allow you to add an interactive question box to your status updates. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that brings new quick sharing options to status updates. (source)
• WhatsApp is rolling out Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language for the iOS 26 app. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a new feature for Meta AI, “Incognito Mode.” (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that enables one-tap chats from the status viewers list. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that will allow you to choose who can reshare your status updates. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that improves accessibility and interaction within the “Calls” tab. (source)
• WhatsApp announced new features for calls, chats, groups as follows (source):
  • Calls
    • Video call backgrounds with Meta AI.
  • Chats
    • A new feature for Android users, “Document scanning.”
    • Chat themes with Meta AI.
    • The ability share Live Photos (iOS) and Motion Photos (Android).
    • Two new sticker packs, “Fearless Bird” and “Vacation.”
  • Groups
    • The ability to find a group based on a person’s name in the chat.

October 2025 Threads updates

• Threads will soon bring all post audience types under a new “Reply options” menu. (source)
• Threads is working on the ability to customize group chat profile pics on iOS. (source)
• Threads is now showing a small preview of the post description in the reply UI on iOS. (source)
• Threads now allows users to reorder images and/or videos before sharing. (source)
• Threads is testing a new, simplified UI for Threads Search on iOS. (source)
• Threads added a new editing feature for longer text attachments, “Markup.” (source)
• Threads added a new feature Threads DMs, “Group Chats.” (source)
• Threads is testing a new way to quote previously liked or saved posts with a new “Quote” button added in the post composer. (source)
• Threads now allows users to copy a specific word from a post description. (source)
• Threads now allows users to hide replies from the “Activity” tab as well. (source)
• Threads is testing a new “Community” feature with users based in South Korea and the United States. (source)
• Threads added two new badges for posts shared as stories on Instagram. (source)
• Threads now automatically creates a custom feed from every tag added on your profile. (source)
• Threads is now hiding hashtags in cross-posts from Instagram. (source)

October 2025 TikTok updates

• TikTok is launching a new AI-powered feature that enables users to create personalized avatar stickers. (source)
• TikTok added a new accessibility feature for clips, “Press and hold (to pin or share).” (source)
• TikTok added a new “Halloween” font. (source)
• TikTok added a new “Portfolio” section in the TikTok Creators Marketplace. (source)
• TikTok added a new “Live Talent” feature for live music content creators. (source)
• TikTok added a new feature for TikTok Live, “Tiles.” (source)
• TikTok added three audience settings for TikTok Live under a new “Who can see your LIVE” section. (source)
• TikTok is now showing the number of searches per suggested query. (source)
• TikTok moved the “Promote” into the “More Tools” section. (source)
• TikTok is testing the ability to follow established accounts from the “Comments” section as well. (source)
• TikTok is rolling out to more users the ability to write a 160-characters description for their profiles. (source)
• TikTok added a new editing feature for clips, “Mask”. (source)
• TikTok added two new music apps for saving songs, Deezer and Anghami. (source)
• TikTok launched an advertising solution tailored to the travel industry called TikTok Travel Ads. (source)

October 2025 X (Twitter) updates

• X’s algorithm will soon be fully powered by xAI’s Grok. (source)
• X is testing an in-app browser that keeps engagement buttons and the original post visible when users click links. (source)
• X will soon add a new “About this account” feature. (source)
• X added a new feature on mobile, “Synced drafts.” (source)
• X will soon upgrade its “Passkeys” feature. (source)
• X is widely testing a new UI for the “Video” section. (source)
• X added a new feature for posts, “Sort likes.” (source)

October 2025 xAI updates

• xAI added on Grok AI’s mobile apps a new “Templates” feature in the “Imagine” section. (source)
• xAI added on Grok AI’s mobile apps Halloween outfits for Ani, Bad Rudi and Valentine. (source)
• xAI added on Grok AI’s iOS app a new “Relationship Streak” feature for one of the four companions, Ani. (source)

October 2025 LinkedIn updates

• LinkedIn added a new “Leaderboard” feature for LinkedIn Games. (source)
• LinkedIn added a new “Contributors” feature for job experiences. (source)
• LinkedIn is testing a new “Post prompts” feature on desktop (web). (source)
• LinkedIn added in-app notifications for events. (source)
• LinkedIn added in LinkedIn Campaign Manager two new ad automation features for small and medium businesses, “Auto-targeting” and “Draft with AI.” (source)
• LinkedIn is renaming key LinkedIn Campaign Manager terms to match broader ad industry norms. (source)

October 2025 Google updates

• Google will delete Google Ads accounts without any campaigns after 6 months. (source)
• Google is testing a new, clickable paperclip style icon for the search results. (source)
• Google now allows businesses to post company updates across multiple Google Business Profiles. (source)
• Google now supports sitelinks for local search ads in the Google Maps interface. (source)
• Google added a new price tracking data chart for each retailer within Google Search. (source)
• Google added a new campaign-level feature that allows brands to refine their ad messages for assets made exclusively with text customization, “Text guidelines.” (source)
• Google added a new “Sources” column in the Google Ads AI Max search term report. (source)
• Google added a new breakdown option in Google AdSense, “Confirmed Click status.” (source)
• Google is testing a new “Insights” feature for Google Business profiles. (source)
• Google is testing a new recommendation interface for Google Ads with three main columns: “Build a foundation”, “Drive performance” and “Expand and grow.” (source)
• Google is testing the removal of the call button from organic listings while keeping it active for paid placements. (source)
• Google launched the “Try On” feature for shoes as well. (source)
• Google moved the “Auto-Apply Recommendations” setting just above the regular recommendations section. (source)
• Google now groups multiple ads under one larger “Sponsored” label. (source)
• Google is now showing a “Campaign Type” selection option in the Google Ads Channel Performance report attributes section. (source)
• Google added a new help page for Google Discover called “Discover feed source overviews.” (source)
• Google added Google NotebookLM to the list of Google crawlers. (source)
• Google is testing a light gray effect for the title links in the Google Search results. (source)
• Google now allows brands with a Google Merchant Center account to use their own brand or company name in the short title of their products. (source)
• Google now labels some of the reviews shown in the product reviews section as “Incentivized.” (source)
• Google rolled out a new, more compact menu bar to Google Merchant Center Next. (source)
• Google added a new promotion option to Google Merchant Center, “Google Wallet.” (source)
• Google is testing a blue progress bar under the Shopping Ads carousel in the search results. (source)
• Google added a new report for Google AdSense, “Traffic source breakdown.” (source)
• Google added for Google Ads new channel reporting enhancements and new segmentation features for Performance Max (PMax) campaigns. (source)
• Google added on Google Search a new “Emoji search box.” (source)
• Google is sunsetting the session-related metrics for Google AdSense. (source)

October 2025 Google AI updates

• Google is testing in Google AI Mode the ability to highlight portions of the response and then to ask a follow-up question on what you highlighted. (source)
• Google is testing using different colored map pins in the map embed within Google AI Mode. (source)
• Google is testing an “AI Mode” history button within the local panel in Google Search. (source)
• Google is testing another variation of the AI-generated product summaries in Google AI Mode, “What to know.” (source)
• Google will soon show ads in Google AI Mode. (source)
• Google now delivers Google AI Mode search suggestions based on each user’s Google Search activity. (source)
• Google is testing a new carousel to promote AI Mode, “Ask AI Mode anything.” (source)
• Google launched Google AI Mode in the European Union as well. (source)
• Google is testing a new feature for AI Overviews results, “Sticky citations.” (source)
• Google is rolling out a new AI chat feature within Google Shopping, “Ask Stores.” (source)

October 2025 YouTube updates

• YouTube added a new, AI-powered feature for livestreams, “Smart Q&A Sticker.” (source).
• YouTube shared additional information about its “Second Chance” program, a pilot initiative that allows certain creators who were previously banned to return to the platform under specific conditions. (source)
• YouTube added four new, Halloween-themed live gifts for vertical livestreams: “Gamer Ghost,” “Mage,” “Pumpkin Puppy,” and “Witch Cat.” (source)
• YouTube is testing a new UI for the Shorts Editor on Android. (source)
• YouTube now allows more content creators to reply to comments with voice messages. (source)
• YouTube now gives more content creators the opportunity to offer both free learning programs on their channels. (source)
• YouTube added a new shopping feature for brands and content creators, “Tag Grouped Products.” (source)
• YouTube added new visual updates on desktop and mobile (source):
  • A cleaner and more immersive video player across mobile, web and TV devices.
  • Comment threading for easier conversations.
  • Custom likes on select content.
  • Improvements to “Seek” feature.
  • Seamless transitions on mobile.
• YouTube added a new audience setting for live streams, “Public to Member-Only Live Streams.” (source)
• YouTube’s also expanding access to its Media Kit option to more content creators. (source)
• YouTube now allows users to remove the additional “Subscribe” button shown on every video. (source)
• YouTube added a new, AI-powered editing feature for Shorts creators, “Extend with AI.” (source)
• YouTube added a new feature for content creators based in the United States, “Live Goals” for livestreams. (source)
• YouTube added generative AI transformation and drawing features to its YouTube Effects Maker platform. (source)
• YouTube added two new improvements to its “Auto-dubbing” feature, “Expressive speech” and “Lip sync.” (source)
• YouTube renamed the “Community” tab available in YouTube Studio to “Community Moderation” with “Content Controls” and “User Management” as subsections. (source)

October 2025 Pinterest updates

• Pinterest added a new “GenAI interests” filter to its recommendation settings. (source)
• Pinterest added three new courses to Pinterest Academy (source):
  • Driving Performance on Pinterest.
  • Building Effective Creative on Pinterest.
  • Measurement System of Truth.

October 2025 Discord updates

• Discord is testing a new “Frequent Friends” section for Discord DMs. (source)

October 2025 Reddit updates

• Reddit expanded its AI-powered search experience to five new languages: French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. (source)

October 2025 Bluesky updates

• Bluesky added a new feature for users located in the state of Ohio (US), “Age verification.” (source)

October 2025 Snapchat updates

• Snapchat added a new “HD Mode” setting on iOS. (source)
• Snapchat is giving users a new option to expand their storage capacity for their Snap Memories with two storage plans. (source)
• Snapchat now allows WooCommerce users to include purchase links within their Snapchat promotions. (source)

October 2025 Telegram updates

• Telegram is testing an “Inline send button” on iOS. (source)

October 2025 Snapchat (AR) Updates

• Snapchat announced new AR features and enhancements at this year’s Snapchat Lens Fest (source):
  • Snapchat Lens Creator
    • Snapchat is expanding Lens Creator Rewards with Lens+ Payouts monetization program.
  • Snapchat Lens Games
    • Bitmoji Suite.
    • Camera Controller.
    • Character Controller.
    • Games Chat Drawer.
    • Gesture-based Input Systems
  • Snapchat Lens Studio
    • AI Clips.
    • Blocks.
    • Enhanced FaceGen.
    • New Face Effects Editor.
    • Realistic StyleGen.
    • Selfie Attachments.

October 2025 Spotify updates

• Spotify now allows users with a Spotify Premium Family plan to give young listeners under 13 or market equivalent their own space to explore music through a new “Managed Accounts” feature. (source) This is available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

• Spotify now allows users to search for and follow their favorite venues on the platform. (source)

October 2025 Substack updates

• Substack is testing with established content creators a new “Drip Campaigns” feature. (source)

October 2025 Twitch updates

• Twitch will soon test a new, AI-powered “Auto Clips” feature for livestreams. (source)
• Twitch launched a native in-stream live shopping feature powered by Amazon Ads. (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.

If you find it challenging to keep up with constant changes, get new updates directly to your inbox by subscribing to Shareable TL;DR. It’s SocialBee’s specialized newsletter, designed to bring the latest social media news straight to your inbox every other week.