May 1: The latest social media news

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💠Meta (AI)

• Meta will soon add a “Reasoning” feature for Meta AI. (source)

• Meta will soon add a new “Discover AIs” tab to the Meta AI apps. (source)

• Meta is working on two new voice settings for Meta AI, “Focus on my voice” and “Welcome message”. (source)

• Meta is working on a “Private Processing” security feature for the AI tools used by its WhatsApp users. (source)

• Meta AI is now available on mobile Android and iOS:
  — Apple App Store.

  — Google Play Store.

💙 Facebook

• Facebook is testing a “Downvote” button in the “Comments” section. (source)

• Facebook added a new feature for creators in Professional Dashboard, “Auto-invite followers”. (source)

• Facebook added a shortcut for Instagram Edits in the app’s main menu. (source)

💙 Facebook Messenger

• Facebook Messenger added a “Categories” feature for Facebook Marketplace messages. (source)

💖 Instagram

• Instagram added 8 new effects for texts placed on Reels. (source)

• Instagram added 14 new animations for texts placed on Reels. (source)

• Instagram is now showing the “Made with Edits” badge under the username. (source)

💚 WhatsApp

• WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow you to react to messages and media (images and videos) using stickers. (source)

• WhatsApp will soon allow you to create a group chat without needing to add members. (source)

• WhatsApp will soon allow you to quickly record voice messages with a single tap. (source)

• WhatsApp will soon bring voice and video calling capabilities to the desktop (web) version of the platform. (source)

• WhatsApp is testing on Android a new “Layouts” feature for status updates. (source)

🧵Threads

• Threads is now showing “deactivated accounts” in the “Followers” tab. (source)

• Threads now allows users to manage notifications for custom feeds. (source)

• Threads added five new features to its desktop experience (source):
  — A new web domain: threads.net now redirects to threads.com.
  — A new, single-column view.
  — A “Custom feeds” button.
  — A pop-up composer that follows you as you scroll your feeds.
  — A new screenshot feature for posts, “Copy as image”.

💃🏻 TikTok

• TikTok now allows more users to upload videos up to 60 minutes in length on mobile. (source)

• TikTok added a new advertising goal for brands and content creators, “Other messaging apps”. (source)

🦜 X (Twitter)

• X is working on a "Not interested" button for posts. (source)

• X will soon use Persona for ID verification. (source)

💠xAI

• xAI added a file management feature on Grok AI’s iOS app. (source)

• xAI added on iOS a “Autoplay suggestions” feature for Grok AI—Voice Mode. (source)

💼 LinkedIn

• LinkedIn now allows users to add secondary names for ID Verification. (source)

🔎 Google

• Google is testing a “Track deals from this search” feature that will notify you when there is a deal for the product(s) you are searching for on Google Search. (source)

• Google is testing a new "Sponsored" label for organic commercial queries shown in Google Search. (source)

• Google is testing a "Shipping, Returns & Payment” section in retail knowledge panels. (source)

• Google Ads has rolled out a “Tree” table view for ads reports. (source)

• Google added AI-generated overviews in the "Behind the Music" section. (source)

• Google added to its Google AdSense Policy Center three new issue filters, “Policy”, “Regulatory” and “Advertiser preference”. (source)

🎥 YouTube

• YouTube is testing with select YouTube Premium users in the US an “AI Overviews”-like feature for video discovery. (source)

• YouTube is testing “blurred thumbnails” for “mature content”. (source)

• YouTube is rolling out the ability to add and edit stylized captions for YouTube Shorts. (source)

• YouTube added on YouTube Studio (desktop) two new filters for playlists, “Description” and “Visibility”. (source)

📌Pinterest

• Pinterest added a new “AI-generated” label for content created with generative AI platforms. (source)

💛Snapchat

• Snapchat launched a new affiliate program for content creators. (source)

🎼Spotify

• Spotify is working on a “Browse add-ons”. feature. (source)

• Spotify is working on a “Fandom collectibles”. feature. (source)

📊 Quick Insights

• LinkedIn | AI & The Global Economy. (source)

• LinkedIn | Video requirements and specifications. (source)

• Meta | A Guide to Reels Ads. (source)

• Meta | Advanced best practices for Click-to-Message Ads. (source)

• Pinterest | 2025 Wedding Trends Report. (source)

• TikTok | 2025 Fashion Playbook for Brands. (source)

• YouTube | The Rise of Virtual Creators on YouTube. (source)

• YouTube | Transition from Long-form content to YouTube Shorts. (source)

🗓️ Upcoming social media holidays

• 4 May – Star Wars Day.

• 4 May – National Lemonade Day.

• 4 May – World Laughter Day.

• 4 May – International Firefighters Day.

• 5 May – May Day.

• 5 May – Cinco de Mayo.

• 6 May – No Diet Day.

• 6 May – National Nurses Day.

• 6 May – World Asthma Day.

• 8 May – National Receptionist Day.

💡 7 content ideas

1. Share a work/life balance tip to your followers.

2. Talk about your brand's first major achievement — whether it was the first award, first sponsorship, or first major recognition as an innovator.

3. Promote your company’s affiliate program.

4. Highlight what makes your product or service unique from competitors.

5. Write a social media post to share a fun fact or trivia related to the industry or history of your company.

6. Start an online discussion with an industry leader [tag them in your post].

7. Showcase the office mood via a inspirational song or playlist.

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Read our previous social media editions: April 17 and April 24.

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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.about.fb.com/

https://www.businessinsider.com/

https://www.engineering.fb.com/

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/@testingcatalog/

https://www.threads.net/@theahmedghanem/

https://www.threads.net/@wabetainfo/

https://www.threads.net/@wearesocial/

https://www.threads.net/@zachbussey/

https://www.youtube.com/@creatorinsider

https://x.com/aaronp613/