July 17: The latest social media news
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💠Meta (AI)
Meta now allows its EU users to generate images with Meta AI, but only on desktop (web).(source)
💙 Facebook
Facebook will now focus on demoting “unoriginal” (repurposed) content with a new algorithm update. (source)
Facebook now allows users to add music to text posts as well. (source)
💙 Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger now allows users to mention friends in a note. (source)
💖 Instagram
Instagram added a new setting in the “Settings and privacy” menu, “Activity in Friends tab”. (source)
Instagram now lets you to write or edit your profile bio with Meta AI. (source)
Instagram now lets you to change the profile picture of your broadcast channel. (source)
📱Instagram Edits
Instagram added three new features for Instagram Edits users (source):
— A new music category, “Royalty-free music”.
— An updated “Keyframe” editing feature that now allows users to easily apply stickers, text and cutouts with precision.
— Another 10 new voice effects.
💚 WhatsApp
WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow you to ask a question in a status update. (source)
WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow you to react to voice and video calls with any emoji. (source)
WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows broadcast channels admins to share questions in their communities. (source)
WhatsApp is testing on Android a feature that shows how many people are typing a message in a group chat. (source)
🧵Threads
Threads testing a new option that will allow you to sign-up with your Facebook profile. (source)
💃🏻 TikTok
TikTok launched an app for TikTok Creator Search Insights. (source)
TikTok now allows users to access TikTok Creator Search Insights on desktop (web) as well. (source)
TikTok now lets you schedule posts directly within the app. (source)
TikTok added a new feature for TikTok DMs, “Games”. (source)
TikTok added a new feature for past TikTok Live videos, “Create a playlist for posted recordings”. (source)
🦜 X (Twitter)
X is testing on iOS a new “x.com” watermark for screenshots of X posts. (source)
X is testing “Threads”-like trending topics in the “For you” feed. (source)
X is promoting Grok AI through a new “Try Voice Mode” button placed in the upper right corner. (source)
💠xAI
xAI added on Grok AI’s iOS app a new “Companions” feature. (source)
🔎 Google
Google added two new comparison views to the Google Search Console performance reports, “Last 24 hours to previous period” and “Last 24 hours to week over week”. (source)
Google added a new metadata field for its Search Analytics API, “Incomplete data points”. (source)
Google Business appeal feature now displays the reason a company’s appeal was rejected. (source)
Google is now asking each business to provide a text (phone) or WhatsApp number in the initial setup of a Google Business Profile. (source)
Google is now automatically adding social media links to Google Business Profiles. (source)
Google AI
Google is now showing more than one video in the “AI Overviews” results. (source)
🎥 YouTube
YouTube will expand the “Test & compare” feature to video titles as well. (source)
YouTube launched the “Hype” creator support feature to India, Indonesia, Mexico and select EU countries. (source)
YouTube added five new, summer-themed stickers for livestreams: “Duckling”, “Island”, “Nap”, “Sand castle” and “Watermelon”. (source)
YouTube will remove the “Trending page” and “Trending Now” lists in favor of category-specific charts. (source)
🎬 YouTube Studio
YouTube added on YouTube Studio’s mobile apps a new “Content” section in the “Settings” menu. (source)
🦋Bluesky
Bluesky is rolling out a new “Age verification” feature in the UK. (source)
👾Discord
Discord launched its virtual currency Discord Orbs globally. (source)
💬Reddit
Reddit is rolling out a new “Age verification” feature in the UK. (source)
📊 Quick Insights
LinkedIn | B2B Thought Leadership Impact Report. (source)
LinkedIn | Art and Science of Video Storytelling. (source)
LinkedIn | LinkedIn Ad Options and Targeting Tools. (source)
Meta | 2025 Reels Ads Guide. (source)
X | 2025 Holiday Season (Winter). (source)
🗓️ Upcoming social media holidays
18 July – World Listening Day.
18 July – Nelson Mandela International Day.
20 July – International Chess Day.
21 July – National Junk Food Day.
24 July – Tell an Old Joke Day.
💡 7 content ideas
Share a new study related to your industry.
Talk about an inspirational documentary or film.
Describe the impact of using your product/service as a _ .
Post statistics and charts about your company’s growth in the first semester of this year.
Share a "Pick Your Favorite" post.
Share a “Do It Yourself”-like post about how your products can be used in different ways.
Share a common myth about your industry and debunk it with humor.
Read our previous social media editions: July 03 and July 10.
Showing special appreciation to all the sources listed in this newsletter. They all have great newsletters and social media feeds worth subscribing to.
https://www.help.instagram.com/
https://www.instagram.com/creators
https://www.techcrunch.com/
https://www.theverge.com/
https://www.seroundtable.com/
https://www.socialmediatoday.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniemaihodge/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bramvanderhallen
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kritig/
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lakshmansom
https://www.threads.net/@alex193a/
https://www.threads.net/@chris/
https://www.threads.net/@jonahmanzano/
https://www.threads.net/@jaskaransainiz/
https://www.threads.net/@liahaberman/
https://www.threads.net/@lindseygamble_/
https://www.threads.net/@mattnavarra/
https://www.threads.net/@theahmedghanem/
https://www.threads.net/@wabetainfo/
https://www.threads.net/@wearesocial/
https://www.youtube.com/@creatorinsider