The biggest updates in social media | July 2024
It’s time for your monthly installment of social media news so you can keep up with the latest and greatest updates and improvements from your favorite social networks.
Social media news
Meta
Reels overlay ads expanded for more brands
Live soon
Reels overlay ads appear on screen with a large CTA prompt and can be single-image or carousel promotions. The new format is currently rolling out to new advertisers.
Meta adds a new way to incorporate offers into ads
Live now
A new element has been added to the ad setup process that will detect offers based on the URL you enter for your campaign. While the ability to include special offers within ads is nothing new, this new process means that Meta will be able to automatically detect offers and showcase them to the viewers it believes are most likely to respond to them.
Meta expands AI chatbot and adds new functionality
Live soon
Meta is expanding access to Meta AI to seven more regions while the new functionality includes the ability to prompt the bot in seven new languages, the option for users to create AI-generated images of themselves from within the chat stream, and new editing tools for generative AI images for further customizations in-stream.
Meta launches custom AI bot creation platform in US
Live now
Meta has launched their new AI Studio platform in the US which will enable anyone to create their own AI bots based on Meta’s character templates or their own descriptions. Once created, these bots will be able to interact with you, give advice, and play games with you. Additionally, Meta is launching a second type of AI character that creators can use to act as an extension of themselves by completing tasks such as replying to DMs.
Facebook tests “Clear Mode” for Reels viewing
Live soon
Facebook is testing a new option that would allow users to hide the description and UI buttons when viewing Reels on the platform, resulting in a cleaner viewing experience.
Further reading: 2024 guide to Instagram Reels
Facebook tests AI comment summaries
Live soon
AI is now being used on Facebook to generate summaries of comments on Facebook posts.
Sends are now a key focus on Instagram
Live soon
Instagram’s algorithm has shifted to highlight the most sharable content in the app due to higher engagement levels in DMs than on feed posts. In addition, Instagram has been rolling out a new send count, which shows the number of times a post has been shared via DMs alongside the likes and comments tally.
Instagram restricts the promotion of variable image size carousels
Live now
Last month, Instagram rolled out a new option that allows users to upload carousel posts with a variety of differently sized images. However, carousel posts that contain a full-screen aspect ratio cannot be boosted.
Instagram will enable you to add 20 audio tracks to Reels
Live now
It is now possible to include up to 20 tracks in a single Reel and have them overlapping or merging over the course of your clip.
Instagram experiments with super likes for Stories
Live soon
Instagram has been seen to be working on a “super like” option which will allow users to send one super like in response to an Instagram Story every 24 hours.
Notes gets expanded to Reels and feed posts
Live now
Notes has been expanded to Reels and feed posts allowing you to leave temporary notes (lasting three days) on Reels or feed posts on those that you mutually follow.
Instagram tests new Reels filter for posts with Notes
Live soon
Some users are now seeing a feed filter labeled “Notes” within the Reels tab which will show only Reels that have Notes included.
X (Twitter)
X rolls out new Grok AI features
Live now
Grok can now be used to generate profile analysis summaries which give an overview of how long a profile has been active, how many followers it has, and what it regularly posts about. Additionally, Grok can also be used to generate an explanation for specific words used in any post, giving context on terms or people.
X considers free trials for Premium
Live soon
Recent code string changes referring to a “free trial” period suggest that X may be considering allowing users to test out Premium features, such as Grok and other elements, before subscribing.
Further reading: What is X Premium and is it worth the price?
X continues to secure money transmitter licenses in US
Live soon
X has secured a money transmitter license in the district of Columbia, bringing X one step closer to its X payments vision, which will allow users to make in-stream payments and money transfers.
X previews haptic design updates
Live soon
X is soon to switch to a more haptic-focused UI where users will need to swipe left to like and post in-stream, and right to reply. There may also be a “tap to expand” option to read longer posts, as well as the ability to long-press to watch videos in double-speed.
X tests comment downvotes
Live soon
A new downvote button is in production which will allow users to dislike or downvote post replies, not actual posts.
X continues to test post reply sorting
Live soon
X is looking to add new options that will enable users to sort post replies in-stream with the option to highlight the most personally relevant engagements as a priority.
X tests auto advance mode for video viewing
Live soon
X is testing a new “Auto Advance” option, meaning that the next video in-stream will automatically play at the end of each clip.
X launches trend genius ads
Live now
Using advanced AI systems, Trend Genius ads can detect trending discussion topics and automatically turn the most appropriate ads on or off depending on conversation velocity and relevance around the subject matter.
X to allow users to request a community note
Live now
A new option will allow users to request a community note on any posts that they believe are questionable and should be checked by community note contributors.
X testing option to block links in post replies
Live soon
X is testing a new way to block people from adding links to post replies.
X is staffing its new Safety Center in Texas
Live now
X is looking for employees to staff its new Trust and Safety facility which will ideally boost human moderation and improve efforts in addressing rule-breaking content.
LinkedIn rolls out sponsored newsletters
Live soon
Newsletters created by a company page can now be boosted to attract more sign-ups.
Further reading: How to create and promote a LinkedIn newsletter
Accelerate campaigns soon to be available to all brands
Live soon
Accelerate campaigns scan the URL listed in your campaign set-up, along with your company’s LinkedIn presence, to build a recommended overview of your optimal LinkedIn campaign using AI. Originally launched in limited testing last October, Accelerate campaigns will soon be available to all brands.
TikTok
TikTok is developing a new AI chatbot called Genie
Live soon
TikTok has intentions to develop an AI chatbot named “Genie” that will simulate conversations, facilitate interaction and communication between humans and AI, and produce human-like speech and text.
TikTok allows users to download clips without watermarks
Live now
TikTok is now allowing users to either save their video with a watermark, or post to save without watermark. The update essentially means that users can download their TikToks without a watermark, but only if they upload the content to TikTok first.
TikTok announces Eventbrite integration
Live now
A new partnership with Eventbrite will allow creators and fans to promote Eventbrite links in-stream.
TikTok partners with DistroKid
Live now
DistroKid, a database for independent musicians, is partnering with TikTok by allowing DistroKid musicians to easily and quickly create a TikTok profile with artist-specific features by tapping a button within their DistroKid dashboard.
TikTok adds custom thumbnail option
Live now
You can now either choose a frame from your TikTok clip to use as the thumbnail image, or you can upload a custom image.
Key takeaways
- Facebook and X both experiment with stripped-back UI as Facebook tests “clear mode” for Reels viewing and X prepares to switch to a haptic-focused design.
- Chatbots are on the rise as TikTok looks to introduce a new bot named Genie, Grok expands its feature offerings (X), and Meta looks into custom AI chatbot creation.
- New engagement options are coming with X potentially introducing a new downvote/dislike option while Instagram is working on a super like option.
- Notes get expanded to Reels and feed posts on Instagram.