The biggest updates in social media | May 2024
Struggling to keep up with the constant updates and developments in the world of social media? Fear not. We’re rounded up all the key headlines from the month of May so you can save time and stay in the loop.
Social media news
Meta
Meta unveils AI-powered ad tools
Live soon
Meta is in the process of rolling out a range of new ad tools including improved creator search for affiliate campaigns, multi-destination product ads for Reels, and the ability to include external links in Reminder Ads.
Meta implements AI disclosure requirements
Live soon
Meta is currently rolling out a new tag that users can activate when uploading AI-generated content to highlight the use of AI within the content. Additionally, Meta’s own AI detection tools will be able to automatically add “Made with AI” labels to content where Meta detects AI image indicators.
Meta adds enhanced AI creation tools for ads
Live soon
Meta is adding a range of AI creation tools for advertisers including enhanced text and image generation, creative expansion, text overlays, and a centralized collection of AI tools within Ads Manager.
Meta adds new elements to verification for business subscription package
Live soon
Meta’s business subscription package is expanding access to businesses in Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Peru, France, and Italy, while also adding new higher-priced tiers. There are a range of new elements available for higher-priced tiers including enhanced profiles (the ability to add multiple business links with visual elements), search optimization (for your business to appear higher in search results), featured account (to have your business shown in Meta Verified business display units), links in Reels, employee impersonation protection (verification badges for chosen employees), customized messaging chats (dedicated color palettes for customer chats), and account review (account reviews from a Meta expert to help you improve your content strategy).
Meta adds video to automated Catalog Ads
Live now
Previously known as “Dynamic ads,” Catalog ads can now be created with the use of video assets.
Instagram tests clear mode for Reels
Live soon
Instagram is experimenting with a new option to hide the description and UI buttons when viewing Reels on the platform.
Instagram adds four new interactive sticker options
Live now
Users will soon be able to respond to Stories with music, make use of Polaroid-style Stories that require users to shake their phone to view, and a new “Reveal” sticker which will become visible only when the viewer sends a DM to the creator. Additionally, Instagram’s Cutouts sticker which allows users to create stickers of elements from their images, will soon be available to all users.
Instagram to Threads cross-posting in testing
Live soon
Instagram has confirmed that it is running a global test for the ability to cross-post your Instagram content to Threads. If cross-posted, your Instagram caption will now become the content for your Threads post.
Threads adds view count to posts
Live now
Threads users are now able to see how many times their post has been viewed within the app.
Instagram’s Peek feature could encourage interaction
Live soon
A new option called “Peek” will enable users to share a quick unedited and unfiltered one-take image with friends that would display within their inbox.
Instagram tests Notes on feed posts and Reels
Live soon
Some users can now add Notes to feed posts and Reels that will be visible for three days before disappearing.
Instagram tests recent Stories highlights on profiles
Live soon
Instagram is testing a new “Lately” feature for Stories which automatically adds a new Story highlight to your profile showcasing your most recent activity on Stories.
Instagram introduces new Notes features
Live soon
Instagram is expanding its feature offering around Notes, enabling users to like each other’s Notes, mention handles in Notes, and add “Notes Prompts” for your friends to respond to with their own Notes.
Instagram makes trending memes interactive
Live soon
Instagram is working on adding a “Memes” option that would allow users to add popular memes elements and clips to their Reels.
X (Twitter)
X adds AI-generated news summaries for Premium subscribers
Live now
Powered by Grok, X has launched brand new news summaries which use X posts to generate summaries of the latest in breaking news within the app.
X to enable advertisers to create ad audiences with AI
Live soon
Advertisers on X will soon be able to create ad audiences for their X campaigns using conversational descriptions.
X says over 500K users contribute to Community Notes
X claims that its crowd-sourced, fact-checking, Community Notes feature now has over 500,000 contributors.
Grok AI chatbot now available to EU users
Live soon
Grok will soon be available within the UK and for EU users.
X add new elements to Communities
Live soon
X is working on introducing some new elements to X Communities, including analytics to give moderators more direction on how to grow, Community-specific Spaces chats, and moderator tools.
X developing Grok analysis button for fact-checking
Live soon
X is working on a new option that will allow Grok to fact-check any posts that you see within the app with AI.
X hiding post likes for all users
Live soon
X is set to begin hiding the “likes” section from your profile, meaning that users will be able to like content on the platform, without it being visible to others.
LinkedIn launches in-stream games
Live now
LinkedIn has officially launched its in-stream games, starting with three games: Pinpoint, Queens, and Crossclimb.
LinkedIn rolls out option to reply to specific DMs on mobile
Live soon
You can soon reply to specific messages within your DMs on mobile to make clear to which part of the conversation you are replying.
LinkedIn adds labels for AI-generated content
Live now
Any AI-generated images posted on LinkedIn will now include a C2PA tag that will provide more information about the image. Tags will be automatically added based on the code data embedded into the image.
TikTok
TikTok establishes new licensing agreement with Universal Music
TikTok and Universal Music Group have officially come to terms on a new multi-dimensional licensing agreement that will see music from Universal Music Group artists returning to the platform.
TikTok to label content created by external AI tools
Live soon
TikTok is working with the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity to establish a new process for identifying AI in content and tagging it as such in-stream.
TikTok is testing a collaboration feature for posts
Live soon
A new option will enable users to tag collaborators on TikTok posts, much like the post collaboration option available on Instagram.
TikTok tests 60-minute uploads
Live soon
TikTok video length has been steadily increasing over time, with the latest expansion in testing supporting TikTok clips that are 60 minutes long.
TikTok launches Fan Spotlight for music promotions
Live now
Fan Spotlight is a new feature that allows artists to showcase their favorite fan videos on their music tab.
TikTok launches new media buying certifications
Live now
TikTok users can now take an exam regarding system knowledge which will grant them a “Media Buying” qualification they can display.
TikTok launches new TikTok Change Makers Program
Live now
The TikTok Change Makers Program will highlight creators and nonprofits who create meaningful change in their communities through TikTok.
TikTok adds floating player on desktop
Live now
TikTok has added a new floating player option which enables you to keep watching TikTok videos on your desktop PC while viewing other tabs.
TikTok working on US version of algorithm
Live soon
TikTok is said to be working on a clone of its recommendation algorithm to create a version that operates independently of its Chinese parent platform for its US users.
TikTok tests DM streaks
Live soon
TikTok is testing for users to maintain DM streaks for conversations that have continued for three consecutive days.
TikTok launches management platform for creators
Live now
TikTok has launched TikTok Studio, an updated version of its Creator Center platform that allows creators to manage their TikTok presence on desktop, including video uploads, editing, performance analytics, and more.
Pinterest reveals insights into key summer trends
Live now
A new report from Pinterest gives valuable insight into the topics that will be trending on the platform this summer, including maximalist fashion and dopamine-boosting home decor. Read the report here.
Key Takeaways
- AI content labelling to become more commonplace and automated across LinkedIn, TikTok, and Meta.
- TikToks could become even longer, with 60-minute uploads being tested.
- Instagram continues to add more features for Notes, including likes, handle mentions, and more.
- Instagram is working on making it easier to add popular memes to your Reels content.
- Meta continues to expand its business verification package.