The biggest updates in social media | February 2025
The social media industry is constantly evolving, and it can be hard to keep up with all the changes. That’s why we’ve tracked some of the most exciting updates to the major social media apps. Check out our rundown of the key headlines from the month of February to stay in the know.
Social media news
Meta
Meta adds updates to Advantage+ AI ad targeting tools
Live now
Meta is testing a new Advantage+ campaign setup which will eliminate the need for marketers to choose between running a manual campaign or an Advantage+ one (with Advantage+ optimization to be available for all campaign elements). Advantage+ has also been expanded to lead campaigns, while a new “Opportunity Score” display in Ads Manager will give users a 0-100 scoring on how well their campaign is set up.
Meta shares insight into how Community Notes will work
Live soon
Meta has revealed that Community Notes across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads will function by allowing approved Community Notes contributors to add 500 characters to explain concerns regarding any content. They will also be required to include a reference link for context. Unlike on X, Community Notes will not extend to ads.
Meta AI launches in Africa and Middle East
Live now
Meta AI is expanding and has officially launched in the Middle East and North Africa with Arabic capabilities.
Facebook will now remove livestreams after 30 days
Live now
To reduce the costs in maintaining video data, Meta will now store livestream content for up to 30 days before removing it from the app.
Instagram prepares to launch new “Edits” app
Live soon
Instagram’s “Edits” app (its replacement for ByteDance’s CapCut should it be banned in the US alongside TikTok) will be coming to selected regions in the next month. At launch, Edits will be able to capture video for up to 10 minutes in the app, store drafts, edit via a playback timeline, provide inspiration for clips (including trending audio insights), record content in higher quality, and provide video analytics.
Instagram tests option to rearrange profile grid displays
Live soon
Instagram will soon allow you to edit your Instagram grid by rearranging the order of your posts.
Instagram adds WhatsApp connection Sticker for Stories
Live now
You can now add a WhatsApp Sticker for Instagram Stories which will let you direct users towards a private WhatsApp chat to converse with you directly.
Instagram tests comment downvoting
Live soon
Some users are seeing a new downvote button to the right of comments. Users can tap this button to indicate that they do not like a particular comment. The button is a private option to signal to Instagram that a comment was disliked so a downvote won’t be visible to other users.
Instagram adds new DM features
Live now
Instagram has added a lotof new DM features including the capability to translate DMs in-stream. Other new features include the ability to schedule DMs, pin messages in chats, share music via music sharing stickers, and create a QR code for every group chat to make inviting new members easier.
Instagram adds text-only testimonials to partnership ads
Live soon
A new element will allow brands to showcase a creator endorsement within a sponsored comment on a partnership post.
Instagram tests AI-based tasks via DMs
Live soon
Instagram has been experimenting with a new “Create Task” prompt within DMs that would allow you to initiate a simple task through Meta AI. This way, users can write a message via DMs to be turned into, and assigned as, a task for Meta AI to complete.
Instagram explores a separate app for Reels
Live soon
According to The Information, Instagram is in talks about a separate app for Reels content only.
X (Twitter)
X adds new elements to Grok, the AI chatbot
Live soon
X is looking to add customization elements into Grok to allow users to add qualifiers so Grok can personalize its interactions. For example, you will be able to tell Grok directly who you are, your preferred names, job, interests, etc. Additionally, X is looking to introduce file uploads allowing you to make more visual queries.
Grok adds “Voice Mode”
Live now
You can now ask questions aloud to Grok and have it respond in an AI-generated voice (available for top-paying X Premium customers only).
Grok 3 launches
Live now
Live for some users, Grok 3 is said to have more than 10 times the compute power of the previous Grok offering and is reportedly ahead of competitors in several key benchmarks including math, science, coding, and general reasoning.
X adds new AI elements to power ad performance
Live soon
Two new automated ad creation features have been announced:
- “Prefill with Grok” will generate ad promotions based on a URL entry. Grok will be able to generate ad copy, imagery, and a call to action.
- “Analyze Campaign with Grok” will allow you to get a clear breakdown on how your ads are performing.
X makes Communities posts more visible to nonmembers
Live now
Posts from X Communities will now be eligible to be displayed in other areas of the app with non-Community members able to comment on the content (although Community member comments will still be prioritized).
Further reading: How to use X Communities
LinkedIn adds updates to Video Presentation and Discovery
Live soon
LinkedIn is rolling out a range of video-themed updates including introducing its full-screen vertical video display to desktop, testing a larger video display in mobile, and offering a new mini-profile overview to showcase video uploads from creators. LinkedIn is also testing a more prominent follow option with the full-screen video player, while Discovery will begin to surface more videos in its search results . New video analytics will give users insight into average watch time, while new LinkedIn Learning courses will teach users how to get more from their video content.
LinkedIn launches improved CRM integration
Live now
LinkedIn has enhanced its Conversions API to enable easier data integration from your CRM allowing you to easily link your CRM data from a range of platforms.
LinkedIn adds new newsletter metrics
Live now
LinkedIn has added two new metrics to help users understand their newsletter performance including:
- “Email sends,” which shows the number of subscribers that have received an email for your article, and
- “Email open rate,” which shows the percentage of subscribers that opened said email.
Further reading: How to create and promote a LinkedIn newsletter
LinkedIn adds comment impressions
Live soon
Some users are currently able to see impression counts on comments left on LinkedIn content to evaluate the impact they’re making with their LinkedIn activity.
LinkedIn tests alternate feed for connections
Live soon
LinkedIn is experimenting with an alternate feed to display content from first-degree connections only.
TikTok
TikTok adds “Most-Loved” tag to popular shoppable items
Live now
TikTok will now add a “Most-Loved” tag to the most popular items in TikTok Shop based on data including star ratings, return rates, shipping times, and customer service feedback.
TikTok reinstated in US app stores
Live now
Following assurances from the US Attorney General that they will not receive penalties, both the Google Play and Apple App store in the US have reinstated the TikTok app for downloads.
TikTok launches revised desktop app
Live now
The TikTok desktop app is now more modular, recreating the full-screen mobile display. Not only has TikTok repositioned the navigation bar, but it also reduced distractions and refreshed the “For You” feed and explore tab to be more aligned with web viewing.
TikTok prepares for switch to new TikTok One platform
Live soon
TikTok One will provide a centralized home for TikTok’s creative tools, including analytics, campaign creation, Creator Marketplace, and TikTok’s discovery tool that connects creators and brands. From April 1st TikTok will redirect from their Creator Marketplace to TikTok One.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram is getting ready to launch their new “Edits” app.
- Instagram added new DM features including translation in-stream, pinned messages, music sharing stickers, and more.
- Grok 3 launched on X.
- LinkedIn is testing a separate feed for content from connections only.
- TikTok has launched a revised desktop app.