September 2025 social media news

September 2025 social media updates

September 2025 Meta Ads updates

• Meta added a new setting for ad campaigns, “Format display options.” (source)
• Meta added a new “Ad sequencing” feature for auction-type campaigns. (source)
• Meta removed the “Facebook video feeds” ad placement. (source)
• Meta announced several product updates that will help brands tap into the discussions happening on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads (source):
  • Instagram
    • Meta launched a new ad format for all advertisers, “Reels Trending Ads.”
  • Threads
    • Meta is testing three new ad formats for Threads: Carousel Ads, Advantage+ Catalog ads, and Advantage+ App ads.
    • Meta now allows brands without a Threads profile to use their Instagram or Facebook account for Threads ads.
  • Meta
    • Meta is adding a new feature for brand campaigns, “AI-Powered Value Rules.”
    • Meta is adding a new feature for ad campaigns, “Landing Page View Optimization.”
• Meta added a new “Restricted Words” setting for AI-generated texts in the Meta Advantage+ campaign setup. (source)

September 2025 Meta AI updates

• Meta now allows Facebook Messenger users based in the EU to edit images with Meta AI, but this feature is limited to smartphones with Android 15. (source)
• Meta now allows Instagram users to create a group chat with Meta AI. (source)
• Meta is rolling out the first AI-powered feature for Instagram Edits, “Restyle.” (source)
• Meta added on Instagram a new feature for Meta AI, “Tasks.” (source)
• Meta launched the “Discover” feed for Meta AI users in the EU as well. (source)

September 2025 Meta (VR) updates

• Meta now displays on Instagram a content tag for images and videos created with Oakley-Meta glasses. (source)
• Meta added a new feature for Meta Quest owners, “Hyperscape Capture.” (source)

September 2025 Meta (Misc) updates

• Meta is testing new features for its crowdsourced, fact-checking Meta Community Notes program as follows (source):
  • The ability to rate a note.
  • The ability to request a note.
  • Users will get notified when posts they’ve interacted with will receive a Community Note.
  • Meta now allows all users to join its Community Notes program.

September 2025 Facebook updates

• Facebook added a new “Notifications timing” feature for app notifications. (source)
• Facebook added two new features for Facebook Dating, “Meet Cute” and a “Dating assistant.” (source)
• Facebook added a new feature for Facebook Groups on iOS, “Topics.” (source)
• Facebook has added a new feature called “Insights” for broadcast channels created by Pages on iOS. (source)
• Facebook now celebrates your page’s anniversary. (source)
• Facebook relaunched the “Poke” feature. (source)
• Facebook now allows users to snooze automatic music suggestions for 30 days (Facebook Stories). (source)
• Facebook now allows businesses, content creators, and regular users to upload subtitles and/or audio tracks for video stories. (source)

September 2025 Facebook Messenger updates

• Facebook Messenger added a new “Mood” feature for Messenger Notes on iOS. (source)

September 2025 Instagram updates

• Instagram will soon allow you to fine-tune the “Reels” algorithm based on your content preferences. (source)
• Instagram is testing a new UI for the Reels composer. (source)
• Instagram is testing two new buttons for reels in the creation phase, “Save” and “Save drafts.” (source)
• Instagram added a 7-day expiration date for stories drafts. (source)
• Instagram added a new “Use on Edits” button on each audio page. (source)
• Instagram added a new “Automations” section to help manage lead detection in messages. (source)
• Instagram added a new banner for profiles, “WhatsApp.” (source)
• Instagram added support for dubbed reels in broadcast channels. (source)
• Instagram is working on the ability to add a link to a post. (source)
• Instagram is working on the ability to draw anywhere in chats. (source)
• Instagram is working on the ability to customize the app icon. (source)
• Instagram is working on a new feature for Instagram Notes, “Custom fonts.” (source)
• Instagram is working on a new feature called “Your Algorithm.” (source)
• Instagram added a new photo-sharing feature, “Shots,” on iOS (source)
• Instagram added animations for its vinyl music sticker on iOS. (source)
• Instagram now allows you to add your story to highlights directly from the story creation phase. (source)
• Instagram moved “Story Highlights” to the main profile grid. (source)
• Instagram is testing new filters for Instagram Stories on iOS 11: Fade, Grainy, Graphite, Gritty, Handheld, Hyper, Lo-res, Midnight, Simple, Soft Light, and Zoom Blur. (source)
• Instagram now allows users to pin their own comments to their posts. (source)
• Instagram now allows users to share their “Hidden Words” list. (source)
• Instagram added a new feature in the Professional Dashboard, “Message Response Tracker.” (source)
• Instagram launched a native app for iPadOS. (source)
• Instagram now allows users to report content shown in the “Suggested reels” section. (source)
• Instagram now allows users to better manage their private conversations with a new “Chat folders” feature for Instagram DMs. (source)
• Instagram will introduce a new notification ranking framework that will deliver more diverse, better curated, and less repetitive notifications. (source)

September 2025 Instagram Edits updates

• Instagram could add the ability to export videos for carousel posts as well (3:4 ratio). (source)
• Instagram added the option to customize colors for a project or save those colors for reuse. (source)
• Instagram added two new features for Instagram Edits users (source):
  • Keyframes for opacity.
  • The ability to save your favorite sound effects.
• Instagram now allows Instagram Edits users to convert clips from the main video track to an overlay and vice versa. (source)

September 2025 WhatsApp updates

• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow you to add a Facebook profile link to your WhatsApp profile. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow you to mute everyone mentions in group chats. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that will allow you to ask Meta AI questions about your messages. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new interface for the “Calls” section. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature that will allow you to easily create a new group or start a broadcast. (source)
• WhatsApp is rolling out a new, in-stream message translation option. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature for Android that will allow you to mention everyone in a group chat. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new interface on Android that lets you manage status privacy settings more easily. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new feature on iOS that will allow you to verify your Instagram account with Meta Accounts Center. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new feature on iOS that will allow you to create notification reminders for messages. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a feature on Android that lets channel admins create a quiz. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on a new type of audience for statuses, “Close Friends,” on Android. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing the ability to share live photos in a chat on iOS. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a new feature called “Add Member Tag” for broadcast channels and groups on iOS. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing a feature on iOS that expands the GIF keyboard layout from two to three columns. (source)
• WhatsApp is working on iOS on a new type of audience for status updates, “Close friends.” (source)
• WhatsApp is working on Android on a feature that will let you discover and connect with others by searching for their usernames. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing on Android a feature that will allow you to create a sticker and add it immediately to a collection. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing on iOS a feature that will allow you to personalize your status with disappearing settings. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing on iOS a feature that replaces the voice and video call buttons with a unified calling menu. (source)
• WhatsApp is testing on iOS a feature that will allow you to choose a chat theme on the business app. (source)
• WhatsApp added a new feature for video calls on Android and iOS, “AI-powered backgrounds.” (source)

September 2025 Threads updates

• Threads now allows users to search through their own posts as well. (source)
• Threads now allows Android users to tag accounts in a video post as well. (source)
• Threads is working on the ability to showcase your Spotify podcast on your profile. (source)
• Threads is working on a feature that will allow you to take control of your feed by tagging “@threads.algo” in a post. (source)
• Threads has added a new feature called “Message Requests” for Threads DMs on iOS. (source)
• Threads is working on a new setting for post replies, “Review and approve replies.” (source)
• Threads has added a few much-needed improvements for multi-part threads on mobile and web. (source)
  • A new label that shows a post’s position in the thread.
  • Followed by an indicator of the number of additional posts you’ve added, Threads will display on your profile the first two posts of a thread.
  • Replies received by a multi-part thread will be tied to the first, original post.
• Threads will convert the “meatball / •••” menu into a Threads logo when you take a screenshot or make a recording of Threads. (source)
• Threads added “AI-powered summaries” in Threads Search. (source)
• Threads added a new type of notification, “Followed from your post in the [Topic Tag] feed.” (source)
• Threads now allows users to send videos, GIFs, and stickers as private messages. (source)

September 2025 TikTok + CapCut updates

• TikTok added a new “POV (Point of View)” feature for videos. (source)
• TikTok added a new “Standard video playback” setting. (source)
• TikTok added a new feature for its TikTok Tako chatbot, “Choose tone.” (source)
• TikTok is testing a new “Hatch a Streak Pet” feature for TikTok DMs on iOS. (source)
• TikTok is testing a new “PhotoSwap” feature for TikTok DMs on iOS. (source)
• TikTok is testing a new “Shared collections” feature for profiles on iOS. (source)
• TikTok is testing a simpler way to save a song on music platforms with a new “Add to Music App” button on iOS. (source)
• TikTok added a new “Shared Feed” feature on iOS. (source)
• TikTok replaced TikTok Live Subscriptions with a new “Fan Club” feature. (source)
• TikTok rolled out its “Connect Now” feature in the EU as well. (source)
• TikTok rolled out an “Enhanced Inbox” for content creators on iOS. (source)
• TikTok rolled out a new design for TikTok Studio on iOS. (source)
• TikTok is testing a new “Timeline” view for reposted videos on iOS. (source)
• TikTok is testing a feature similar to Instagram’s Trial Reels called “Don’t Show on TikTok Profile” on iOS. (source)
• TikTok is now promoting bulletin boards created by brands or publishers in the “For You” feed. (source)
• TikTok rolled out a new Creator Level system for content creators. (source)
• TikTok added a new setting called “Remove Background Noise” for live videos on iOS. (source)
• TikTok added a new button in the long-press menu on iOS, “Offline watching.” (source)
• CapCut now allows users to share their clips directly on LinkedIn. (source)
• TikTok is testing a new, more simplified UI for TikTok Live on iOS. (source)
• TikTok added two new features for TikTok DMs, “Audio Messaging” and Audio / Video Attachments.” (source)

September 2025 X (Twitter) updates

• X will soon allow you to adjust your feed just by asking Grok. (source)
• X will soon add a new “Unread indicator” to your timelines. (source)
• X added on iOS a new feature for X Chat / X DMs, “Nicknames.” (source)

September 2025 xAI updates

• xAI added two new settings for the companion “Ani” in the “Outfits” section, “Hair” and “Stage (backgrounds).” (source)
• xAI added a new section, “Companions,” to Grok AI’s iOS app (source) 
• xAI added a new accessibility feature called “Text-to-Speech” for text-only conversations on Grok AI’s iOS app. (source)
• xAI added a new feature to Grok AI’s iOS app for AI-generated videos, “Speech.” (source)
• xAI added a specific AI model for Grok AI Companions, “Grok 3 Mini Companion.” (source)

September 2025 LinkedIn updates

• LinkedIn launched a new Company Intelligence API for marketers. (source)
• LinkedIn announced a new integration with Duolingo that will allow you to display your language skills in the app. (source)
• LinkedIn announced that all brands with a LinkedIn Premium Company Page plan are now eligible for a verification tick. (source)
• LinkedIn added a new AI-powered feature for job seekers, “Custom mock interviews.” (source)
• LinkedIn added two new key performance indicators for posts, “Saves” and “Sends (on LinkedIn).” (source)
• LinkedIn will soon launch a new “Leaderboard” feature for LinkedIn Games. (source)
• LinkedIn will expand its AI-Hiring Assistant globally by the end of this month. (source)

September 2025 Google updates

• Google is testing a button that takes you from Google Search short translations answers to the ability to translate a full conversation in another interface, “Translate a conversation.” (source)
• Google is testing a new name for the Shopping tab in Google Search, “AI Shopping.” (source)
• Google is testing a new sponsored ads section in the search results, “Featured Stores.” (source)
• Google is testing within Google Merchant Center a new feature for lifting an account suspension, “Video verification.” (source)
• Google rolled out AI Max for Search campaigns globally. (source)
• Google is replacing the review stars at the top of a hotel’s knowledge panel with the hotel’s website URL and phone number. (source)
• Google will switch to a monthly release cycle for the Google Ads API in 2026. (source)
• Google Ads will allow advertisers to place ads for “mature cosmetic procedures” starting on September 22. (source)
• Google is testing alternative titles for the “People also search for” section, “Related your search,” “Search for next,” and “Also search for.” (source)
• Google is testing three new filters for sponsored search results: “Fine-tune your search,” “Search specific products,” and “Specify your search.” (source)
• Google Ads is testing two new features for planned or last-minute promotions, “Campaign Total Budgets” and “Promotion Mode.” (source)
• Google added two new metrics within the Google Ads AI Max campaigns for improved tracking and reporting: “Expanded Matches” and “Expanded Landing Pages.” (source)
• Google is testing new direction buttons in the local pack within the Google Search results: “Map it,” “Map,” “Route,” “Go,” and “Get there.” (source)
• Google is now showing a new “Profiles” button in the Google Business Profiles NMX dashboard. (source)
• Google now allows advertisers to search Google Maps in order to set up location assets for their ad campaigns. (source)

September 2025 Google AI updates

• Google is testing AI-generated product summaries in the AI Mode results. (source)
• Google is testing a new, AI-powered feature for search results called “Darksteel.” (source)
• Google is testing a new feature for Google Search results, “AI-generated snippet summaries.” (source)
• Google may be starting to show “AI Overviews” results for a currency exchange. (source)
• Google is now showing the reviews available on Google Business Profile listings in the AI Overviews results. (source)
• Google is showing an AI Mode shortcut in the autocomplete search suggestions. (source)
• Google now allows users to compare listed products or services offered by local businesses with Google AI Mode. (source)
• Google is now generating AI Overviews results with knowledge panels. (source)

September 2025 YouTube updates

• YouTube added new search filters to help channel managers stay on top of engagement opportunities: “New replies to your response” for replies and “Newest” for independent comments. (source)
• YouTube now allows content creators to set up their preferred default view of comments on YouTube Studio mobile as well. (source)
• YouTube is rolling a new automated Shorts creation process for livestreams on mobile. (source)
• YouTube added a “Hide” button for end‑screen recommendations. (source)
• YouTube has announced new features for artists, brands, content creators, and regular users at the company’s “Made On YouTube” event:
• YouTube Creators (source)
  • Add a link: YouTube Shorts creators will be able to add a link to a brand’s site specifically for brand deals.
  • Swappable ad slots: Creators will soon be able to dynamically insert brand segments directly into swappable slots.
  • YouTube now has an AI-powered system that identifies the optimal moment a product is mentioned in a video and automatically tags it at that moment.
  • YouTube will soon test the ability to automatically identify and tag all eligible products mentioned in a creator’s video.
• YouTube Live (source)
  • AI-powered highlights: YouTube will find the most compelling moments from a livestream and will automatically create ready-to-share Shorts. 
  • A new “Practice Mode” allows you to test your setup (cameras, lights, etc.) before going live.
  • A new ad format, “Side-by-side ads.” 
  • A new feature that allows channel membership creators to easily transition from public to members-only livestreams.
  • The ability to play games during a live session with YouTube Playables.
  • The ability to broadcast in both horizontal and vertical formats simultaneously.
• YouTube Music (source)
  • Album pre-saves: This feature will allow YouTube Music fans to pre-save an upcoming album or a single.
  • Exclusive video drops: Artists will have the ability to share things like “thank you” videos, behind-the-scenes clips, and other just-for-fans content.
  • Exclusive merch drops: Artists will have the ability to give top viewers an opportunity to be first in line for their exclusive merch.
  • Release countdowns: This feature will allow YouTube Music fans to view a countdown for an album release on the album’s detail page, artist detail page, and album shelf.
• YouTube Podcasts (source)
  • AI-suggested clips: Video podcast creators in the US will be able to create short clips more easily with AI suggestions.
  • Turn audio into video: Creators will be able to generate a customizable video for their podcast.
• YouTube Shorts (source)
  • Edit with AI: This feature will allow you to transform raw camera roll footage into a compelling first draft.
  • Google Lyria 2: YouTube is introducing Google Lyria 2 to YouTube Shorts creators with the ability to generate songs from their speeches.
  • Google Veo 3 Fast: YouTube is introducing Google Veo 3 Fast to YouTube Shorts creators for free.
• YouTube Studio (source)
  • A new, AI-powered chatbot, “Ask Studio.” This conversational chat will provide quick insights and ideas to help you understand your analytics and community data, and get new inspiration.
  • A new A/B testing feature for video titles.
  • Auto dubbing with lip sync. Translated videos will now visually match the speaker’s lips with the newly dubbed language.
  • Collaborations: You can add up to five collaborators per video.
  • Inspiration Tab: YouTube is expanding this feature to all content creators worldwide.
  • Likeness detection: YouTube is expanding this feature in open beta to all YouTube Partner Program creators.
• YouTube added two new stickers for YouTube Shorts, “AI Stickers” and “Image.” (source)
• YouTube added a new feature for live videos, “Polls.” (source)
• YouTube added a new accessibility feature for videos posted by content creators and publishers, “Multi-language audio.” (source)
• YouTube is testing its own version of “Live goals” for vertical live streams, “Gift goals.” (source)
• YouTube added social sharing options for posts created in the “Community” tab. (source)
• YouTube added interactive gifts for vertical live streams via a new “Gift effects” feature. (source)
• YouTube is now flagging accounts that are part of a YouTube Premium Family plan, but not physically located in the same household as the account manager. (source)

September 2025 Bluesky updates

• Bluesky will be making product changes to clarify when content is likely to violate the platform’s community guidelines. (source)
• Bluesky added a new “Private bookmarks” feature on mobile. (source)
• Bluesky added three new features for its users (source):
  • Two new buttons for custom feeds, “Show more”/”Show less.”
  • A unified image/video button in the post composer.
  • The ability to add people directly to a starter pack in the “…” menu on their profile.

September 2025 Telegram updates

• Telegram added six features for its users (source):
  • Default Profile Tab.
  • Gift Themes.
  • Gift Value.
  • Music On Your Profile.
  • Stickers Mini App.
  • Upgrading Gifts for Other Users.

September 2025 Mastodon updates

• Mastodon will add a new feature this week for its users, “Quoted posts.” (source)

September 2025 Pinterest updates

• Pinterest added a new way for retailers to guide consumer actions stemming from their Pins via a “Find retailers” button. (source)

September 2025 Reddit updates

• Reddit now has in-app games. (source)
• Reddit launched for advertisers a new, optimized billing and delivery option that ensures their video ads are shown to users who are likely to watch to completion or for at least 6 seconds, “6-second Engaged Video Views.” (source)
• Reddit added two new key performance indicators for communities, “Weekly Visitors” and “Weekly Contributions.” (source)
• Reddit added three new features to the Reddit Pro dashboard for publishers as follows (source): 
  • AI-powered suggestions for sharing their articles (communities).
  • The ability to sync their RSS feeds to Reddit Pro and then use the dashboard to share articles.
  • Per article insights (impressions, views, upvotes, clicks, etc.)

September 2025 Snapchat updates

• Snapchat added view counts for filters on iOS. (source)
• Snapchat added two new features for Snapchat DMs, “Infinite Retention” and “Group Streaks.” (source)
• Snapchat now allows users to recreate images from the Snap camera or their camera roll using text prompts with a new AI-powered feature called “Imagine Lens.” (source)

September 2025 Snapchat (VR) updates

• Snapchat introduced Snap OS 2.0 for Snap Spectacles with an overhauled browsing experience and two new first-party apps, Gallery and Spotlight. (source)

September 2025 Spotify updates

• Spotify now directly integrates with desktop DJ software from rekordbox, Serato and djay. (source)
• Spotify now allows free users to search and instantly play any track. (source)
• Spotify now allows users to filter their library by specific activities, moods, or genres. (source)
• Spotify added a new feature for Spotify Premium Subscribers, “Loseless Listening.” (source)

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