Explore all emails from Matt Navarra

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f23e04b1-1769-4355-918f-003ef2ececac/Geekout_240426.jpg?t=1777033237) Caption: -------------------- **Become a Geekout Sponsor** Geekout is read by 30K social media pros** ** Previous sponsors: VEED, Sprout Social, TikTok **Advertiser Info** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** Tap here 👇 **⚡️ Optimize Geekout ⚡️** (meta-layoffs-whatsapp-premium-social-media-news) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** What’s this? Instagram has launched a new app?! Say hello to _Instants_. Meta’s latest attempt at making “authentic sharing” happen (again). Because apparently what the world really needed… was another Snapchat/BeReal clone. - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/adf71cdd-ce34-4e54-ade4-920a8df72ccd/image.png?t=1777025961) Caption: - Instants is a standalone app on [iOS](https://apps.apple.com/il/app/instants-from-instagram/id6756442328) + [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instagram.moonshot) (currently testing in Spain and Italy) The app lets you can send unedited, one-tap photos to friends… that disappear after one view or within 24 hours. No filters. No camera roll uploads. No second chances. In other words: less “curated grid”, more “accidental double chin at 11:47pm”. - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4c3441ea-0f8e-436a-9373-b2bff9200786/image.png?t=1777026056) Caption: - Meta’s pitch is “Real life, real quick.” The reality is another swing at recapturing private, low-pressure sharing… as public feeds get increasingly polished, performative, and filled with AI slop. And if this all feels a bit… familiar, you’re not alone. The early reactions to Instants on my [Threads post](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXgipXNCvP6/more-details-about-instagrams-new-instants-app-users-must-shoot-in-app-with-no) is basically all: * “Didn’t we already have this?” * “Why is this a separate app?” * “So… Snapchat. Again.” What do you think…? Do you see yourself actually using Instants? Or is this just another app you download, try once… and forget exists by next week? __________ ##### A BIG thanks to WhatsApp 👊 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b6f613bc-3054-4acf-910b-3733b40dab35/image.png?t=1777025563) Follow image link: (https://www.arsenal.com/news/arsenal-launch-facebook-whatsapp-partnership) Caption: - A couple of weeks ago, **WhatsApp** announced a [global partnership with Arsenal F.C.](https://www.arsenal.com/news/arsenal-launch-facebook-whatsapp-partnership) As a lifelong Gunners fan, I dropped a cheeky line in Geekout when i mentioned the news a couple of weeks ago: - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3edd9832-da1f-4975-a6c2-a55c4f52ac3b/Screenshot_2026-04-24_at_10.56.46.png?t=1777024763) Follow image link: (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-muse-spark-ai-linkedin-browser-extensions) Caption: - I didn’t expect anyone at Meta to _actually_ spot it! Then this landed in my inbox last week. WTF 😮 👇 [pinch to zoom in] - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fa8017bd-06d1-4e66-802b-5b329e980e29/Screenshot_2026-04-24_at_11.00.35.png?t=1777024865) Caption: - Not only that—WhatsApp invited me for a private tour of the Emirates Stadium. Genuinely blew my mind. And with the title race going down to the wire—Arsenal level on points with Man City at the top of the table… …This Fulham match is going to be massive. Safe to say… I’m very excited to be going. Huge thanks to WhatsApp 🙌 __________ ##### ==2 cool things…== 🔥 [The BIG 2026 LinkedIn study:](https://metricool.com/linkedin-trends-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260424_matt-navarra_2026-li-study_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) What’s _actually_ working on LinkedIn right now… And what isn’t! — Insights from 673K posts, 63K accounts.* - ✨ [The smart tool I quietly use ](https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra)to stop brand collabs slipping through the cracks.* *Sponsored Message -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ TOP MARKETING TOOL #### The Real Reason Your Leads Aren’t Converting… It’s _Not_ Your Content! 😳 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/84081c25-8261-4473-837c-380029519e56/image.png?t=1776950966) Follow image link: (https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) Caption: - Let's be honest. If you run social, it’s a probably a disaster zone! 📩 **DMs** **stacking up** by the hour 📧** Brand enquiries** **buried** 3 pages deep 💬** Follow-ups you ****_swore_** you'd send yesterday By the time you finally reply? That client, collab, or customer has already moved on. Not because your content flopped. Because you were too slow. **HighLevel fixes that👇** * **⚡ Instant replies to new enquiries **→ so no one beats you to it (even when you’re offline) * 🔁** Automated follow-ups **→ so nothing gets forgotten or left hanging * 📲** All your DMs, emails, and leads in one place **→ so you don’t have to chase messages across 5 tabs * 📊** See which conversations turn into revenue **→ so you know what’s working (and what’s not) No more missed messages. No more “I’ll reply later” turning into lost revenue. No more leads slipping through the cracks. Just faster responses… and more deals actually closing. I’ve teamed up with **HighLevel** to hook Geekout readers up with an extended **30-day FREE trial** (usually only 14 days). 👉 [**Grab Your 30-Day Free Trial**](https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra)**… **It will save you time, stress, and money! 🔓 Unlock Highlevel (https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Instagram tests a new 'Instants' app for sharing disappearing photos: (https://www.androidpolice.com/instagram-launches-snapchat-like-android-app/) 2. **Meta to cut 10% of its workforce** as AI spending grows to $135B [[COST-CUTTING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crm1y89vek8o)] 3. **X makes it 1,900% more expensive** to post links via the API [[EXTORTING](https://www.theverge.com/tech/916178/x-link-post-api-expensive-techmeme)] 4. **Meta now tracks workers' mouse movements**, keystrokes to train AI [[HARVESTING](https://archive.is/19wCL)] 5. **WhatsApp is testing a Snapchat+ style **Premium paid plan [[MONETISING](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/20/whatsapp-is-testing-a-premium-subscription-put-it-is-mainly-cosmetic/)] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ FREE LINKEDIN STUDY #### 673K posts. 63K accounts — What’s _actually_ working on LinkedIn right now 👀 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/325fe994-dd2f-4ab5-b830-741d10a70e84/matt_navarra_newsletter_LinkedIn_study.jpg?t=1776949357) Follow image link: (https://metricool.com/linkedin-trends-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260424_matt-navarra_2026-li-study_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) Caption: - **Metricool’s** BIG 2026 LinkedIn Study just dropped…! Backed by data from **673,658 LinkedIn posts** across **63,108 accounts.**  And what’s driving results on LinkedIn __isn’t__ what most marketers expect. [Metricool’s 2026 LinkedIn Study](https://metricool.com/linkedin-trends-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260424_matt-navarra_2026-li-study_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) breaks down what’s _really_ driving performance. And where marketers should focus next. **Here’s a SNEAK PEEK of the Study’s Insights: **👀 * 📈** LinkedIn engagement is up 14% — **Driven by clicks and “invisible interactions,” not just likes * 💬 **Personal profiles lead conversations — **63% higher engagement and 238% more comments than company pages * **❓Asking questions boosts commenting… a lot! — **Posts that include a question get 77% more comments * 📣** Carousels are underused but overperforming — **Carousels get 17x more interactions vs. images, yet images are still posted 6x more than carousels * ⏱️ **Content on LinkedIn has a short lifespan** — 50% of Impressions happen in the first 48 hours The big takeaway? The metrics most marketers track __aren’t__ the ones driving results. * ✨ **Which performs best:** Company Page or Personal Profile? * ✨** Do links** _actually_ tank your reach? * ✨** When should you hit publish** to maximise post reach? Answers to ALL these questions, and more, are in this free report Backed by the latest LinkedIn data. Actually useful! 👉 **[Grab the BIG 2026 LinkedIn Study](https://metricool.com/linkedin-trends-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260424_matt-navarra_2026-li-study_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1)** 📊 Reveal LinkedIn Insights (https://metricool.com/linkedin-trends-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260424_matt-navarra_2026-li-study_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- #### **You’d have to really LOVE WhatsApp to buy the Premium version ** WhatsApp is testing a premium subscription, but it is mainly cosmetic: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/20/whatsapp-is-testing-a-premium-subscription-put-it-is-mainly-cosmetic/) Hot on the heels of the paid subscription for Instagram we saw [a few weeks ago](https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-plus-youtube-addiction-fruit-love-island), Meta is back at it - this time testing a premium version of WhatsApp. As with Instagram, this subscription is very much a consumer-focused offering. You’d have to be really enthusiastic about WhatsApp to want to pay for features like pinned chats, custom lists, and new chat themes, even if the pricing spotted so far falls around the pocket-money €2.49 mark. The move to try direct consumer monetisation of its most popular apps comes at a difficult time for Meta. After Reuters reported this week the company was planning to lay off 10% of the workforce (around 8,000 people!), it was forced to admit to employees that yes, it was true… but the layoffs won’t be happening just yet. In the meantime, employees get a few weeks of looming dread that they might lose their jobs, coupled with their computer activity being recorded to train AI… which might well eventually replace some of the people who aren’t laid off. The layoffs come, Meta has suggested, because of the amount of money the company is spending on AI. It needs to save cash elsewhere, and hey, people are expensive! AI is transforming software development, speeding up work massively and requiring smaller teams. Meta is no exception to this. But there are risks. Meta is a company that has always traded on bringing humans closer together. It’s also a company that has been ruthlessly guided by data and a thirst for profit. For the most part it has made the right trade-offs and corrected course when it needs to, letting it balance these two sides of its identity. But if Meta increasingly leans on AI, that balance could be harder to keep, with employees less connected to the product they’re responsible for, and the users they rely on. In this rapidly changing landscape, where shareholders, and the competition, demand ever increasing AI usage in building apps, Mark Zuckerberg will have to hope he can keep Meta a human enough company that users still love its apps enough to spend €2.99 a month on a few bells and whistles for WhatsApp. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2908ef89-116a-4f12-bcc1-3d4a4c48618b/image.png?t=1777026992) Follow image link: (https://about.fb.com/news/2026/04/meta-account/) Caption: Image: Meta * **Meta** is introducing a new [centralised Meta Account](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/04/meta-account/) to simplify access across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, replacing Accounts Centre * **Meta** is going to let parents [view](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/23/meta-will-now-allow-parents-to-see-the-topics-their-child-discussed-with-meta-ai/) the topics their teens are discussing with its AI assistant * **Meta** Quest now has a [DIRECTV app](https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/vr-games/directv-now-available-on-meta-quest), bringing live TV to VR for the first time * **Meta** faces a new lawsuit accusing it of [allowing scam ads](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-has-misled-users-about-scam-ads-on-facebook-and-instagram-lawsuit-says-193220235.html) on Facebook and Instagram * A **Meta** contractor in Kenya has laid off 1,000+ workers after it [lost its contract](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/17/kenyan-outsourcing-company-for-meta-sacks-workers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) following the recent scandal over staff watching smart glasses videos * **Messenger** is testing a [‘Moments’ feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXUQQxYjM_A?xmt=AQF0uoRcQ4GBW80YAtvSFag2rdkpMiRBmbaQfhXDMbDlprpl1Dwd-dxyZToa8CfXM4XCGks&slof=1) on Android **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/bab4972e-118a-49ac-8da4-5566341651b6/Screenshot_2026-04-24_at_11.50.26.png?t=1777027843) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXNG3gAikgP/instagram-adds-new-font-tools-color-control-and-project-recovery-to-edits-whats/) Caption: Image: Instagram * **Instagram Edits** has [introduced improved captions](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXNG3gAikgP/instagram-adds-new-font-tools-color-control-and-project-recovery-to-edits-whats/), enhanced effects customisation, and smarter memory tools * **Instagram** has updated [profile banners](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXZIFUeDUjc?xmt=AQF0T1gkon_MFWIl4R01E5ZVGTRAzR2AqiKCuY3m4RnlrORAuUQ13erpq0xVhK1ERJXV5YfN&slof=1) with a new design that makes them more visible, along with an option to add a new one directly from the profile * **Instagram** has again hinted at future [paid premium](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-previews-updates-for-its-edits-app/818024/) **Edits** tiers as rising AI costs push monetisation strategy (as first raised during my [interview](https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview) recently) * **Instagram** has added a new way to [start a Blend](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXZGwGmjTms?xmt=AQF0xnpVlbqsSJZeyiLuRq1Up16dV47vgyuUNuEsepO-UO4wvrv06WwWEO3Pt9GvsaQWZfxS&slof=1) or share a post directly from suggested posts within a shared message * Future **Instagram Edits** features in [development](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/04/one-year-of-edits-built-for-and-with-creators/) include bilingual captions, advanced editing tools, personalised quick setups, pinned tools, and [more complex templates](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-previews-updates-for-its-edits-app/818024/) * **Instagram**’s API now supports Paid Partnership labels and [additional metrics](https://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/2026/04/22/instagram-api-updates-for-partnerships-metrics-collaboratio) to show up in third-party apps, like reposts, saves, and shares * **Instagram** is testing an [Auto Translate](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXgUQXbjA_u?xmt=AQF041NYNeh5uJvQa1f1k42JRzvPv6KMtg94Le4s7uuJ47s0gQNSH3RPB9Jj8bUjgyoF3dg&slof=1) feature for Broadcast Channels * **Instagram** could add a built-in [voice-over feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXVIC7dDLF6?xmt=AQF0arek09S3465f8UPI6GIbBdOxB17IwChlXXLIRKm1j3zqVSCZVbnw6mmyNAXHOq1XtUo&slof=1) for stories, Adam Mosseri says **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c4dce7fa-f98a-472a-acbc-9cb441ccefbb/image.png?t=1777027902) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/22/threads-is-adding-live-chats-to-boost-real-time-engagement/) Caption: Image: Meta * **Threads** is ramping up efforts to kill of Elon Musk’s X by introducing ‘[live chats](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/22/threads-is-adding-live-chats-to-boost-real-time-engagement/),’ a new feature for real-time, event-focused conversations * **Threads** now lets you create a shareable [views count card](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXXm3Y_inC4?xmt=AQF0IlzYI1L0kZjoNIJPUfJhgF7_VP6OrhDctAiykgElW_jyhnV6SoVjJ0m5tJQ4p4wGEctq&slof=1)… … And **Threads** now lets you [show off your total post views](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXXnNN5ipew?xmt=AQF09AP_P0iYK2VUae6DKyXfgf_hiRTV4k2_-kVTKB-NNg) from the past 30 days—right on your profile * **Threads** now lets you more easily [quote-post](https://www.threads.com/@threads/post/DXZYifLAMb4?xmt=AQF0GQNBU7qM17fsRpFoyH1LS2DMU5DzbM2Lb92D6iAovLKfefT7_cw2FChtRnFocl7w5JwD&slof=1) one of your old posts to add more thoughts on the same topic * **WhatsApp** has added prepaid phone recharges in India as its [payments usage still lags](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/23/whatsapp-adds-prepaid-phone-recharges-in-india-as-its-payments-usage-still-lags/) * **WhatsApp** is working on making it easier for users to [stop receiving messages from businesses](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-16-1-whats-new/) * **WhatsApp** is rolling out a feature that lets users [quickly create and copy stickers from images](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-16-7-whats-new/) * **WhatsApp** is working on [notification bubbles](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DXfsUKeiMu3?xmt=AQF03fvuapx7IFr8VyclBvnjs7wfHjOoxo2Ixyk9uiz7RSomXZS4LtcD5x73Cj4MzZOVgRmS&slof=1) to improve how conversations appear on Android **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/db1e7db9-989a-461f-9b85-0f8fa3d6887f/image.png?t=1777028512) Follow image link: (https://x.com/nikitabier/status/2046776546858532993?s=61) Caption: Credit: @nikitabier on X * **Elon Musk** [ignored](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/world/europe/elon-musk-ignores-french-summons.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share) a summons for questioning by French authorities over alleged child abuse images, holocaust denial, and more on **X** ….and the **US DoJ** has [refused](https://www.wsj.com/business/justice-department-rebuffs-french-on-x-probe-musk-interview-2b8eb080?mod=rss_Technology) to help France, calling the probe “politically charged” * **X** rolled out a ‘[Snooze Topics](https://x.com/nikitabier/status/2046776546858532993?s=61)’, option letting you mute unwanted content in your For You feed …you can also [Snooze videos](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXarE5-DCUr?xmt=AQF0VHqwdDOn76riARwywLJysSG2gaPavNpy9USBSOpNup1KrqjZ5usWNhBixX_ZrzS4tKbx&slof=1) * **X** [pushed back](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXgWyLRDN3g?xmt=AQF0pa47pSsJe0k2X4Fb4VcDr_LnkSHi2jX9KCBn_P6EV8dfCjEw5WSnywVFD7vprfmRQU0&slof=1) the launch of the X Chat app again, this time to 27 April. Believe it when we see it? **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/84c753d9-5eb6-4746-b3e3-1e411d597ee5/image.png?t=1777028826) Follow image link: (https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/04/22/visa-creator-debit-card-tiktok-live-uk/) Caption: Credit: TikTok * **US lawmakers** have written an open letter to **TikTok US** CEO Adam Presser urging the platform to enforce [stricter age verification measures](https://www.theverge.com/tech/916645/us-lawmakers-call-on-tiktok-to-add-age-verification) * **TikTok** now lets you post content [exclusively](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DXZkLPKCdSp?xmt=AQF0Tp6QdavqYbNaapI7vOtT-OW35STFvxGGrm6kgwOn3laPy2lG3WKFv0vuSDVTF2cbzcES&slof=1) to your Friends circle * **TikTok**’s [child skincare boom](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/22/tiktok-child-skincare-influencers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) is facing regulatory scrutiny, but it’s in a legal grey area * **TikTok** UK and **Visa** have launched a ‘[Creator Card](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/04/22/visa-creator-debit-card-tiktok-live-uk/)’ for influencers to have quicker access to earnings from TikTok LIVE gifts, brand partnerships, and payouts. * **YouTube** expanded its [parental control tools](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-adds-enhanced-parental-controls-offers-tips-to-families/818020/) as screen time concerns surge, including time limits for Shorts * **YouTube** is now [muting](https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-is-muting-push-notifications-from-channels-you-dont-watch-205119228.html) push notifications from channels you haven’t watched in a month 🙌 * **YouTube** added [Voice Boost](https://www.threads.com/@neal_mohan/post/DXfcLbvkVoj?xmt=AQF0XNu7mMAqBlFnd2-4RW0e0JpU7nSp1E5Wep3jkSakCTm5JOtgrdYVsthI9UV8r31BY3lY&slof=1) for clearer dialogue in videos you watch, and ‘experience points’ to help channels identify active community members * **YouTube** confirmed that election ads are [exempt](https://searchengineland.com/youtube-discover-political-ad-rules-updated-474875) from placement rules, but they still must follow full Google Ads policies and pass verification * **YouTube** signed **SiriusXM** as exclusive US [audio ad partner](https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/youtube-siriusxm-audio-advertising-us-exclusive-1236727709/?utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv4), launching fall 2026. * **YouTube TV**’s [fully customisable multiview](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-tv-customizable-multiview-rollout-3660196/) has finally started rolling out **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fed5e085-579b-434f-972d-b0babc83930c/image.png?t=1777028976) Caption: Image: Snap * **SnapChat’s** Snap Map has a new [Place Loyalty](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-launches-loyalty-badges-for-snap-map-locations/818274/) feature, a bit like old-school Foursquare mayorships * **Mastodon** says its flagship server was [hit by a DDoS attack](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/20/mastodon-says-its-flagship-server-was-hit-by-a-ddos-attack/). This follows a similar attack on Bluesky last week * **Telegram** is being investigated in the UK over [child abuse content concerns](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-regulator-investigates-telegram-over-child-sexual-abuse-concerns-2026-04-21/) * **Telegram** will now keep inactive accounts alive for [two years](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXZIoz4jfF_?xmt=AQF0MUqkRWJ5GIT5YKtMYtD6AL5p1Y7KnIukivKKeeC5jZ4SLqG7BAozLZjWCb4Dz6HuxRQ&slof=1) instead of one * **Telegram** now lets you [customise](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXgTHBVjK7S?xmt=AQF0ufGfzIHwLmJsDrfCBJW2cO0SYpnKdqs60Sxx1GamXvoEXiQlUBH656iVUE1hY7ndibq3&slof=1) the app’s share sheet * **Bluesky** [upgraded its image quality](https://www.theverge.com/tech/917211/bluesky-posts-can-now-have-higher-quality-images) with increased file size limits and sharper resolution. * **Beehiiv**, which powers this newsletter, has rolled out [new creator tools](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/23/beehiiv-rolls-out-new-creator-tools-including-webinars-and-customizable-paywalls/), including webinars and customisable paywalls -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- **X** has introduced Grok AI-powered [Custom Timelines](https://x.com/nikitabier/status/2046736181002645520?s=61) Users can follow and pin feeds across 75 different topics. Grok AI powers the personalized feeds based on user interests and engagement. The feature replaces Communities, which will be discontinued on May 6 due to low usage. Custom Timelines will roll out first to X Premium subscribers on iOS, with Android coming soon. X introduces topic-based Custom Timelines: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-introduces-topic-based-custom-timelines/818273/) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **TikTok** is experimenting with an [AI “Remix” tool](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/tiktoks-ai-remix-setting-is-for-an-experimental-meme-maker-inspired-by-your-videos/) that transforms posts into shareable memes. But creators are worried because it has to be manually turned off on a post-by-post basis * **YouTube** is expanding its AI [deepfake detection tool](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-access-to-ai-likeness-detection-tools/818141/) widely to creators, celebrities, and Hollywood stars * **WhatsApp** is working on the ability generate private [summaries of your unread chats](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-testing-private-summaries-of-multiple-unread-chats/) * **Instagram** has added its AI-powered [search shortcut](https://www.threads.com/@lindseygamble_/post/DXUOjXCFtr5?xmt=AQF0Ki2jMhLgyhxXljXE7C2pUTMH7lXKzjVrVicpGkQLC9P-27txCiBzMHWFLFtaC41XlHE&slof=1) to the end of captions * **Meta** expanded its [AI business assistant](https://www.facebook.com/business/news/meta-ai-business-assistant-expands-globally-with-more-languages?wtsid=rdr_0kyRvmyyKkF1qf1tM&_rdr) globally * **Facebook** is using AI to [improve search results](https://engineering.fb.com/2026/04/21/ml-applications/modernizing-the-facebook-groups-search-to-unlock-the-power-of-community-knowledge/) in Groups * **LinkedIn**'s new Crosscheck feature lets premium subscribers [test competing AI models](https://www.engadget.com/ai/linkedins-crosscheck-feature-lets-premium-subscribers-test-ai-models-for-free-183949210.html) for free * **xAI **introduced new APIs, pricing updates, and tools to [expand use cases](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/the-latest-xai-updates-highlight-major-development-push/817901/) and revenue * **xAI**’s Grok now has a [Threads account](https://www.threads.com/@grok) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/af25fac9-cfca-420e-8477-a42bf352fda1/You_can__1_.jpg?t=1775164259) Caption: -------------------- I spoke to **The Times** about **UK Green Party leader Zack Polansk**i met with **NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s** social team to replicate his viral TikTok campaign success. Zack Polanski takes a leaf out of Zohran Mamdani’s book: (https://archive.is/1b91m) I explained how winning attention now requires [TikTok-first storytelling](https://archive.is/1b91m), not traditional political messaging… - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/0f7c624c-4529-42ef-901b-21fd79dd9f6a/The_Times_Social_Media_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra.jpg?t=1777022249) Follow image link: (https://archive.is/1b91m) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/62b46d83-427b-408f-a2db-cfb4cdeba9aa/Memes.jpg?t=1772123744) Caption: -------------------- **Tim Cook announced** this week he will be standing down as Apple CEO later in the year, to be replaced by John Ternus. Cue the memes… Tweet: (https://twitter.com/aaronp613/status/2046338786666459546?s=61) __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ba45097a-2972-4687-a067-ce82639d8ef6/Kolchak1.jpg?t=1776983602) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@kolchak/post/DXXg013Gnb5?xmt=AQF0STY7zSC64zKfCHiVZp79ZggGNxofcMA2GXvDFLngp0VBJkEWv_GYe-EmtTi7-kGUm-0N&slof=1) Caption: __________ Remember when Trump called Tim Cook “Tim Apple”? Tweet: (https://twitter.com/morningbrew/status/2046351340918448167?s=61) Want more Tim Cook memes…? Head to [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/tim-cook-memes-jokes-stepping-down-apple-ceo-2026-4). ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- **Over on Threads**, everyone was talking about paper planes. I first noticed after the platform’s official account published this. - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f734954-54d8-4187-b08b-a2bb4cc869a5/Plane.jpg?t=1777027432) Caption: - This was in response to other users sharing this little tidbit and it [taking off like crazy](https://www.threads.com/@michaelajadeco/post/DXPkkLHjJ7a?xmt=AQF042lui7uN6IfZBkpw8tKilEhoIkT7ALxyOM592MXfu-rvwKvKhnOjNJ3YaCIInlAQ2U77&slof=1) (or like a paper plane). - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a2f78517-3b5a-4385-ae34-9f67cc103b9b/threadster_0zfnbkuq-ezgif.com-optimize.gif?t=1777029569) Caption: - I have no idea whether this was a real thing or not, but a long press has only ever opened the share sheet for me. Either way, it turned into a meme for no apparent reason, helped by Threads’ own algorithm. Users’ feeds were filled with [paper planes chat](https://www.threads.com/@stalman/post/DXRSIvBEW67?xmt=AQF0oCwECBAA9ebxHSmWc3YrquWr_v8G7j2zbMun5Dy3iV4ULL47Yun4m7XRtmguMphJ7gw&slof=1) for about a day. Sometimes the dumbest things go viral and no-one can really figure out why 🤷‍♂️ __________ ##### **Tinder Swindlers** **A viral video this week claimed** to reveal how scammers bypass Tinder’s Face Check using one real image. 😬 Tinder says it is tightening checks with stricter photo consistency and review systems. Tinder responds to viral video about tricking facial scan: (https://mashable.com/article/tinder-responds-to-viral-video-about-tricking-face-check) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- **RIP unhinged brands?** What goes up must come down… **Duolingo** is scaling back its “unhinged” TikTok marketing after reach has declined. The brand is now shifting toward a more balanced, less shock-driven tone. Duolingo dials back its 'unhinged' marketing: (https://www.businessinsider.com/duolingo-resets-unhinged-marketing-tiktok-strategy-2026-4) __________ **More brand news and views:** * **Warner Bros.** says creator content [beats traditional ads](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXWdlFjiqcO?xmt=AQF0lsIdvFOb6mvydyeZL7q9Jo21ggVp_BZXjT8IdBngZX7czeii1cq2_sl0qn4PpkOtV-Hx&slof=1) 3:1 in performance * **Marketers say** brands [can’t control culture](https://www.adweek.com/social-marketing/brands-cant-guide-culture-creators-and-marketers-on-ditching-skin-deep-allyship/)—communities and creators do. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"This company has become obsessed with AI”“ — – **A Meta employee **[speaking to the BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crm1y89vek8o) as layoffs loom while the company goes big on AI and tracking workers’ computer usage __________ **Also quoted this week:** _“I know this is unwelcome news and confirming this puts everyone in an uneasy state, but we feel this is the best path forward, given the circumstances. We’re doing this as part of our continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments we’re making.”_ **- Meta’s Chief People Officer, Janelle Gale** [explains to employees](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-23/meta-tells-staff-it-will-cut-10-of-jobs-in-push-for-efficiency) why thousands of them are about to be laid off. Employment in Silicon Valley is a precarious thing these days as big tech chases AI supremacy. __________ _“It is absolutely galling for social media giants to say their platforms are not addictive. Parents, experts, whistleblowers, even users, are all aware of the dangers posed by social media. The platforms are the only ones still in denial, spouting claims which have zero credibility.”_ **- Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden **[reacts](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/21/social-media-executives-deny-addictive-children-roblox-tiktok-meta?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) after Meta, Roblox, and TikTok told her their platforms are not addictive. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/329d25b3-9e16-4946-b400-e5cc194f0db0/New_Platform_v2.jpg?t=1772124174) Caption: -------------------- **Bond** is a new social media platform that wants to **use AI to help you kick your doomscrolling habit.** Users upload “memories,” which train AI to suggest real-world activities and experiences. The app removes feeds and ads, focusing on private archives and discovery. Future plans include users licensing their data for AI training or commerce integrations. [TechCrunch takes a closer look](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/21/bond-social-media-platform-ai-memories-kick-doomscrolling-habit/)… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d48f7bc3-7b40-4ffe-89b1-0b7cbc487d8d/Bond.jpg?t=1776944380) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/21/bond-social-media-platform-ai-memories-kick-doomscrolling-habit/) Caption: __________ **Also this week:** * **SaySo **is a new short-form video app that aims to [restore users’ trust in news](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/17/sayso-is-a-new-short-form-video-app-that-aims-to-restore-users-trust-in-news/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4502d13e-4f26-44c8-97e3-dda5688321f0/science.jpg?t=1774012382) Caption: -------------------- **Frequent social media use** has been linked to weaker reading and vocabulary in teens in a new study. Regular social media use could affect child development: (https://www.futurity.org/social-media-child-development-3329452/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- **Hundreds of AI-generated pro-Trump influencers** are [flooding TikTok, Instagram, Facebook](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/business/media/artificial-intelligence-trump-social-media.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share) before the US midterm elections. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07b367d5-c633-4379-ab30-2a7a60fa1f47/Fake_trumpists.jpg?t=1777025416) Follow image link: (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/business/media/artificial-intelligence-trump-social-media.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share) Caption: __________ **More WTF this week:** * **X has been accused** of [throttling TBPN clips](https://www.semafor.com/newsletter/04/22/2026/ai-tokens-may-be-starting-to-rival-labor-costs-for-companies?utm_source=nowshare&utm_medium=technology&utm_campaign=flagshipnumbered4#f) after the tech podcast was acquired by xAI rival OpenAI * **A hacker avoided jail** after accessing US government data and [posting it on Instagram](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/04/man-with-ihackedthegovernment-instagram-account-tells-judge-i-made-a-mistake/) * **AI safety groups** are [recruiting influencers](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/04/18/ai-doom-influencers-safety/) to warn AI could threaten humanity -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772123969) Caption: -------------------- **Did Instagram make you think **there was something wrong with your eyes this week? A bug turned some users’ HDR photos black and white after they were uploaded, but it’s been fixed now and full colour is restored. Instagram says a bug turned your photos black and white: (https://www.engadget.com/apps/instagram-says-a-bug-turned-your-photos-black-and-white-061802389.html) __________ **More fails spotted:** * **YouTube is losing track** of where to start videos after you're done watching ads, thanks to [a bug with preroll ads](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-ad-skip-ahead-glitch-3659870/) * **X rushed out a fix **after its Android app [failed to open links and notifications](https://9to5google.com/2026/04/22/x-android-twitter-app-broken/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1ef3f4a8-d59a-4584-91fe-47394ddad18d/Zoom_logo.png?t=1776982505) Caption: **Zoom** is hiring a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-manager-32/) _[Remote, Worldwide]_ __________ **More social media jobs:** * **Greenpeace** needs a [Social Media Specialis](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-strategist/)t _[Hybrid, London, UK]_ * **E.ON** is recruiting a [Social Media Specialist](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-specialist-6/) _[Nottingham/Solihull, UK]_ * **Bitly** is looking for a [Social Media and Community Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-and-community-manager/) _[Remote, USA]_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fd24e465-005c-4d36-afd8-cef1268bf044/RIP.jpg?t=1772124179) Caption: -------------------- **X is killing off its Communities feature.** Apparently they were barely used… except by spammers. X is shutting down Communities because of low usage and lots of spam: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/23/x-is-shutting-down-communities-because-of-low-usage-and-lots-of-spam/) __________ **Also this week:** * **WhatsApp will no longer** let users [create new avatars](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXcDdzfDCxk?xmt=AQF0TolptJnpOqlmrrN2ZkrvqXyCwqdVvAW5GfCsbSIiZo-XkykuBVe3nonV1H17NtVyf5H1&slof=1), but your existing avatar stickers will still be available to use. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**$117 BILLION**“ — – **The value of the social ads market**, which has [surged 32%](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/search-ad-growth-slows-as-social-video-gain-faster/572179/), fuelled by creators and commerce integrations, as search ad growth slowed __________ **More social stats:** * **BIG AI BUCKS: **Meta has disclosed it paid Broadcom [$2.3 billion](https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/meta-paid-broadcom-2-3-billion-2025) in 2025 to design custom AI chips * **SO MANY EDITS: **Instagram Edits shipped [130+](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXchW9risdt?xmt=AQF0vLF1ohAxGqRRqa6h4mhZr4eNNN0VS_khaWK7EhHO_Q0R2nCXIsNcMUhwfPXEX04vKp_G&slof=1) new features in its first year 🤯 * **SPAM CENTRAL: **X’s Head of Product Nikita Bier says the soon-to-be-dead Communities feature drove under 0.4% of usage but [80% of spam reports](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXewdyuitD3?xmt=AQF0o7pintSFEkZhdKa9XWv_kbo8HrX0hhdBkbN8JfXhDlFIFc4noaINF9NNIBiGRfwpuYCV&slof=1) on the platform -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- [YouTube crushes rivals](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXbnlEFCl1Q?xmt=AQF0fyOAiTSHWMuSThyhS4eF5eOtwABhmkEUbLKY_26fR3XTJaQLsshx7nRGua7pGMjgpfXv&slof=1) as US kids’ top creator platform across every demographic. - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/79afdcdc-450e-4a14-961c-fb914fce8351/IMG_0131.jpeg?t=1777025836) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXbnlEFCl1Q?xmt=AQF0fyOAiTSHWMuSThyhS4eF5eOtwABhmkEUbLKY_26fR3XTJaQLsshx7nRGua7pGMjgpfXv&slof=1) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- Former MrBeast exec sues over ‘years’ of alleged harassment: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/916903/mrbeast-sexual-harassment-lawsuit) __________ **Also spotted this week…** * **Meta, TikTok, and Roblox executives** told UK MPs their platforms are not “addictive by nature.” [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/21/social-media-executives-deny-addictive-children-roblox-tiktok-meta?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] * **Mobile phones will be banned** in schools in England under new plans. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/20/mobile-phones-statutory-ban-schools-england-bill-amendment?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] * **Turkey has passed a law** to restrict social media access for under-15s. [[AP](https://apnews.com/article/turkey-social-media-children-restrictions-law-d88963a7446a12cf4963b73d455b5ef7)] * **Norway plans to ban** social media use by children under 16. [[Reuters $$$](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/norway-government-plans-social-media-ban-children-under-16-2026-04-24/)] * **TikTok US has gained** security infrastructure certification confirming its systems meet global information security standards. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktoks-us-joint-venture-gains-security-infrastructure-certification/817903/)] * **TikTok has selected Sienna Spiro **as the first British artist in its “Behind the Breakthrough” campaign. [[TikTok Newsroom](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktoks-goes-behind-the-breakthrough-with-sienna-spiro?lang=en)] * **TikTok partnered with Noah Kahan** for an intimate NYC fan event tied to his album The Great Divide. [[TikTok Newsroom](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/noah-kahan-great-divide-tiktok-fan-experience?lang=en)] **New features and tests:** * **Instagram is testing** a new splash screen for Reels shared with other users via a link. [[@oncescruadu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXZUFwVjPB-?xmt=AQF02Y7oma6SdRjw0H5HR0yF-GQBrcbqYGh4r_c8YPDuK7laYnK9PrWMGwx_ReCvusAMND2a&slof=1)] * **Instagram is widely rolling out **the ability to earn money through affiliate programmes with products tagged in Reels. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXZTng6DHUT?xmt=AQF0Ma92CMADMqdQr2f1rtXhldJulWvItq3JUfI5etMbmZtuV3QeXaZd7sdKc4mSTkypEGYV&slof=1)] * **TikTok has been spotted** sporting an updated share sheet. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXgWVgqjOqf?xmt=AQF08bjWcxn4npWUj6nF9SBBJC4Uf8AYFlxKRj6wfxWmE-ZZbM9xoIQCiQ7LBbvE0ua2Zw54&slof=1)] * **Google has expanded** its Demand Gen tools to drive faster YouTube ad conversions. [[Search Engine Land](https://searchengineland.com/google-expands-demand-gen-tools-to-drive-faster-youtube-conversions-475321)] ---------- ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- **Is that popular clip really viral**, or has been artificially shoved in your face until you like it? 'Clipping' is taking over social feeds — and that's changing our perception of what's actually popular: (https://www.businessinsider.com/clipping-social-media-tiktok-viral-band-geese-advertising-authentic-fake-2026-4) __________ **Also worth a read:** * **Bluesky set out to fix social media.** Now it’s [running into familiar problems](https://www.fastcompany.com/91528304/bluesky-set-out-to-fix-social-media-now-its-running-into-familiar-problems) * **War memes** are [turning conflict into content](https://www.wired.com/story/war-memes-turn-conflict-into-content/) * **Why more creators are holding IRL events** [to own their audience](https://digiday.com/media/vibes-over-metrics-why-more-creators-are-holding-irl-events-to-own-their-audience/) * **TikTok’s biggest star watched his $975 million** AI deal fizzle out. [What happened?](https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/tv/khaby-lame-rich-sparkle-ai-deal-what-happened/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- **It’s no surprise** that there’s a subreddit for bald people. After all, there’s a subreddit for everything. But if you feel the world’s a bit bleak these days, this is a great read to restore your faith in humanity… …And in bald people being nice to each other in a world that has never really made hairlessness cool. 🥚 Going bald? There’s a subreddit for that – and it’s weirdly wonderful: (https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/apr/22/reddit-bald-community?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- And on that warm fuzzy ending… It’s time to cut you loose. You have completed this week’s Geekout. I’m heading off to prepare for my teen daughter’s house party to celebrate her 16th birthday. She says she’s only invited “around 30” to the house party at my place. In teen maths that means… 60. Minimum. I’m locking down the house in preparation for the carnage it will likely escalate into. - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf4d005-8ee8-4070-99f8-78bead747d56/house_party.gif?t=1777030175) Caption: - Clouds of vape smoke. Drunk teens vomiting on my patio. Neighbours threatening to call the police if we don’t shut it down. Pray for me… Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-layoffs-whatsapp-premium-social-media-news

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f23e04b1-1769-4355-918f-003ef2ececac/Geekout_240426.jpg?t=1777033237) Caption: -------------------- **Become a Geekout Sponsor** Geekout is read by 30K social media pros** ** Previous sponsors: VEED, Sprout Social, TikTok **Advertiser Info** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** Tap here 👇 **⚡️ Optimize Geekout ⚡️** (meta-layoffs-whatsapp-premium-social-media-news) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** What’s this? Instagram has launched a new app?! Say hello to _Instants_. Meta’s latest attempt at making “authentic sharing” happen (again). Because apparently what the world really needed… was another Snapchat/BeReal clone. - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/adf71cdd-ce34-4e54-ade4-920a8df72ccd/image.png?t=1777025961) Caption: - Instants is a standalone app on [iOS](https://apps.apple.com/il/app/instants-from-instagram/id6756442328) + [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instagram.moonshot) (currently testing in Spain and Italy) The app lets you can send unedited, one-tap photos to friends… that disappear after one view or within 24 hours. No filters. No camera roll uploads. No second chances. In other words: less “curated grid”, more “accidental double chin at 11:47pm”. - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4c3441ea-0f8e-436a-9373-b2bff9200786/image.png?t=1777026056) Caption: - Meta’s pitch is “Real life, real quick.” The reality is another swing at recapturing private, low-pressure sharing… as public feeds get increasingly polished, performative, and filled with AI slop. And if this all feels a bit… familiar, you’re not alone. The early reactions to Instants on my [Threads post](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXgipXNCvP6/more-details-about-instagrams-new-instants-app-users-must-shoot-in-app-with-no) is basically all: * “Didn’t we already have this?” * “Why is this a separate app?” * “So… Snapchat. Again.” What do you think…? Do you see yourself actually using Instants? Or is this just another app you download, try once… and forget exists by next week? __________ ##### A BIG thanks to WhatsApp 👊 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b6f613bc-3054-4acf-910b-3733b40dab35/image.png?t=1777025563) Follow image link: (https://www.arsenal.com/news/arsenal-launch-facebook-whatsapp-partnership) Caption: - A couple of weeks ago, **WhatsApp** announced a [global partnership with Arsenal F.C.](https://www.arsenal.com/news/arsenal-launch-facebook-whatsapp-partnership) As a lifelong Gunners fan, I dropped a cheeky line in Geekout when i mentioned the news a couple of weeks ago: - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3edd9832-da1f-4975-a6c2-a55c4f52ac3b/Screenshot_2026-04-24_at_10.56.46.png?t=1777024763) Follow image link: (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-muse-spark-ai-linkedin-browser-extensions) Caption: - I didn’t expect anyone at Meta to _actually_ spot it! Then this landed in my inbox last week. WTF 😮 👇 [pinch to zoom in] - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fa8017bd-06d1-4e66-802b-5b329e980e29/Screenshot_2026-04-24_at_11.00.35.png?t=1777024865) Caption: - Not only that—WhatsApp invited me for a private tour of the Emirates Stadium. Genuinely blew my mind. And with the title race going down to the wire—Arsenal level on points with Man City at the top of the table… …This Fulham match is going to be massive. Safe to say… I’m very excited to be going. Huge thanks to WhatsApp 🙌 __________ ##### ==2 cool things…== 🔥 [The BIG 2026 LinkedIn study:](https://metricool.com/linkedin-trends-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260424_matt-navarra_2026-li-study_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) What’s _actually_ working on LinkedIn right now… And what isn’t! — Insights from 673K posts, 63K accounts.* - ✨ [The smart tool I quietly use ](https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra)to stop brand collabs slipping through the cracks.* *Sponsored Message -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ TOP MARKETING TOOL #### The Real Reason Your Leads Aren’t Converting… It’s _Not_ Your Content! 😳 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/84081c25-8261-4473-837c-380029519e56/image.png?t=1776950966) Follow image link: (https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) Caption: - Let's be honest. If you run social, it’s a probably a disaster zone! 📩 **DMs** **stacking up** by the hour 📧** Brand enquiries** **buried** 3 pages deep 💬** Follow-ups you ****_swore_** you'd send yesterday By the time you finally reply? That client, collab, or customer has already moved on. Not because your content flopped. Because you were too slow. **HighLevel fixes that👇** * **⚡ Instant replies to new enquiries **→ so no one beats you to it (even when you’re offline) * 🔁** Automated follow-ups **→ so nothing gets forgotten or left hanging * 📲** All your DMs, emails, and leads in one place **→ so you don’t have to chase messages across 5 tabs * 📊** See which conversations turn into revenue **→ so you know what’s working (and what’s not) No more missed messages. No more “I’ll reply later” turning into lost revenue. No more leads slipping through the cracks. Just faster responses… and more deals actually closing. I’ve teamed up with **HighLevel** to hook Geekout readers up with an extended **30-day FREE trial** (usually only 14 days). 👉 [**Grab Your 30-Day Free Trial**](https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra)**… **It will save you time, stress, and money! 🔓 Unlock Highlevel (https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Instagram tests a new 'Instants' app for sharing disappearing photos: (https://www.androidpolice.com/instagram-launches-snapchat-like-android-app/) 2. **Meta to cut 10% of its workforce** as AI spending grows to $135B [[COST-CUTTING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crm1y89vek8o)] 3. **X makes it 1,900% more expensive** to post links via the API [[EXTORTING](https://www.theverge.com/tech/916178/x-link-post-api-expensive-techmeme)] 4. **Meta now tracks workers' mouse movements**, keystrokes to train AI [[HARVESTING](https://archive.is/19wCL)] 5. **WhatsApp is testing a Snapchat+ style **Premium paid plan [[MONETISING](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/20/whatsapp-is-testing-a-premium-subscription-put-it-is-mainly-cosmetic/)] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ FREE LINKEDIN STUDY #### 673K posts. 63K accounts — What’s _actually_ working on LinkedIn right now 👀 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/325fe994-dd2f-4ab5-b830-741d10a70e84/matt_navarra_newsletter_LinkedIn_study.jpg?t=1776949357) Follow image link: (https://metricool.com/linkedin-trends-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260424_matt-navarra_2026-li-study_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) Caption: - **Metricool’s** BIG 2026 LinkedIn Study just dropped…! Backed by data from **673,658 LinkedIn posts** across **63,108 accounts.**  And what’s driving results on LinkedIn __isn’t__ what most marketers expect. [Metricool’s 2026 LinkedIn Study](https://metricool.com/linkedin-trends-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260424_matt-navarra_2026-li-study_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) breaks down what’s _really_ driving performance. And where marketers should focus next. **Here’s a SNEAK PEEK of the Study’s Insights: **👀 * 📈** LinkedIn engagement is up 14% — **Driven by clicks and “invisible interactions,” not just likes * 💬 **Personal profiles lead conversations — **63% higher engagement and 238% more comments than company pages * **❓Asking questions boosts commenting… a lot! — **Posts that include a question get 77% more comments * 📣** Carousels are underused but overperforming — **Carousels get 17x more interactions vs. images, yet images are still posted 6x more than carousels * ⏱️ **Content on LinkedIn has a short lifespan** — 50% of Impressions happen in the first 48 hours The big takeaway? The metrics most marketers track __aren’t__ the ones driving results. * ✨ **Which performs best:** Company Page or Personal Profile? * ✨** Do links** _actually_ tank your reach? * ✨** When should you hit publish** to maximise post reach? Answers to ALL these questions, and more, are in this free report Backed by the latest LinkedIn data. Actually useful! 👉 **[Grab the BIG 2026 LinkedIn Study](https://metricool.com/linkedin-trends-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260424_matt-navarra_2026-li-study_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1)** 📊 Reveal LinkedIn Insights (https://metricool.com/linkedin-trends-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260424_matt-navarra_2026-li-study_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- #### **You’d have to really LOVE WhatsApp to buy the Premium version ** WhatsApp is testing a premium subscription, but it is mainly cosmetic: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/20/whatsapp-is-testing-a-premium-subscription-put-it-is-mainly-cosmetic/) Hot on the heels of the paid subscription for Instagram we saw [a few weeks ago](https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-plus-youtube-addiction-fruit-love-island), Meta is back at it - this time testing a premium version of WhatsApp. As with Instagram, this subscription is very much a consumer-focused offering. You’d have to be really enthusiastic about WhatsApp to want to pay for features like pinned chats, custom lists, and new chat themes, even if the pricing spotted so far falls around the pocket-money €2.49 mark. The move to try direct consumer monetisation of its most popular apps comes at a difficult time for Meta. After Reuters reported this week the company was planning to lay off 10% of the workforce (around 8,000 people!), it was forced to admit to employees that yes, it was true… but the layoffs won’t be happening just yet. In the meantime, employees get a few weeks of looming dread that they might lose their jobs, coupled with their computer activity being recorded to train AI… which might well eventually replace some of the people who aren’t laid off. The layoffs come, Meta has suggested, because of the amount of money the company is spending on AI. It needs to save cash elsewhere, and hey, people are expensive! AI is transforming software development, speeding up work massively and requiring smaller teams. Meta is no exception to this. But there are risks. Meta is a company that has always traded on bringing humans closer together. It’s also a company that has been ruthlessly guided by data and a thirst for profit. For the most part it has made the right trade-offs and corrected course when it needs to, letting it balance these two sides of its identity. But if Meta increasingly leans on AI, that balance could be harder to keep, with employees less connected to the product they’re responsible for, and the users they rely on. In this rapidly changing landscape, where shareholders, and the competition, demand ever increasing AI usage in building apps, Mark Zuckerberg will have to hope he can keep Meta a human enough company that users still love its apps enough to spend €2.99 a month on a few bells and whistles for WhatsApp. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2908ef89-116a-4f12-bcc1-3d4a4c48618b/image.png?t=1777026992) Follow image link: (https://about.fb.com/news/2026/04/meta-account/) Caption: Image: Meta * **Meta** is introducing a new [centralised Meta Account](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/04/meta-account/) to simplify access across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, replacing Accounts Centre * **Meta** is going to let parents [view](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/23/meta-will-now-allow-parents-to-see-the-topics-their-child-discussed-with-meta-ai/) the topics their teens are discussing with its AI assistant * **Meta** Quest now has a [DIRECTV app](https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/vr-games/directv-now-available-on-meta-quest), bringing live TV to VR for the first time * **Meta** faces a new lawsuit accusing it of [allowing scam ads](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-has-misled-users-about-scam-ads-on-facebook-and-instagram-lawsuit-says-193220235.html) on Facebook and Instagram * A **Meta** contractor in Kenya has laid off 1,000+ workers after it [lost its contract](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/17/kenyan-outsourcing-company-for-meta-sacks-workers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) following the recent scandal over staff watching smart glasses videos * **Messenger** is testing a [‘Moments’ feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXUQQxYjM_A?xmt=AQF0uoRcQ4GBW80YAtvSFag2rdkpMiRBmbaQfhXDMbDlprpl1Dwd-dxyZToa8CfXM4XCGks&slof=1) on Android **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/bab4972e-118a-49ac-8da4-5566341651b6/Screenshot_2026-04-24_at_11.50.26.png?t=1777027843) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXNG3gAikgP/instagram-adds-new-font-tools-color-control-and-project-recovery-to-edits-whats/) Caption: Image: Instagram * **Instagram Edits** has [introduced improved captions](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXNG3gAikgP/instagram-adds-new-font-tools-color-control-and-project-recovery-to-edits-whats/), enhanced effects customisation, and smarter memory tools * **Instagram** has updated [profile banners](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXZIFUeDUjc?xmt=AQF0T1gkon_MFWIl4R01E5ZVGTRAzR2AqiKCuY3m4RnlrORAuUQ13erpq0xVhK1ERJXV5YfN&slof=1) with a new design that makes them more visible, along with an option to add a new one directly from the profile * **Instagram** has again hinted at future [paid premium](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-previews-updates-for-its-edits-app/818024/) **Edits** tiers as rising AI costs push monetisation strategy (as first raised during my [interview](https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview) recently) * **Instagram** has added a new way to [start a Blend](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXZGwGmjTms?xmt=AQF0xnpVlbqsSJZeyiLuRq1Up16dV47vgyuUNuEsepO-UO4wvrv06WwWEO3Pt9GvsaQWZfxS&slof=1) or share a post directly from suggested posts within a shared message * Future **Instagram Edits** features in [development](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/04/one-year-of-edits-built-for-and-with-creators/) include bilingual captions, advanced editing tools, personalised quick setups, pinned tools, and [more complex templates](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-previews-updates-for-its-edits-app/818024/) * **Instagram**’s API now supports Paid Partnership labels and [additional metrics](https://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/2026/04/22/instagram-api-updates-for-partnerships-metrics-collaboratio) to show up in third-party apps, like reposts, saves, and shares * **Instagram** is testing an [Auto Translate](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXgUQXbjA_u?xmt=AQF041NYNeh5uJvQa1f1k42JRzvPv6KMtg94Le4s7uuJ47s0gQNSH3RPB9Jj8bUjgyoF3dg&slof=1) feature for Broadcast Channels * **Instagram** could add a built-in [voice-over feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXVIC7dDLF6?xmt=AQF0arek09S3465f8UPI6GIbBdOxB17IwChlXXLIRKm1j3zqVSCZVbnw6mmyNAXHOq1XtUo&slof=1) for stories, Adam Mosseri says **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c4dce7fa-f98a-472a-acbc-9cb441ccefbb/image.png?t=1777027902) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/22/threads-is-adding-live-chats-to-boost-real-time-engagement/) Caption: Image: Meta * **Threads** is ramping up efforts to kill of Elon Musk’s X by introducing ‘[live chats](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/22/threads-is-adding-live-chats-to-boost-real-time-engagement/),’ a new feature for real-time, event-focused conversations * **Threads** now lets you create a shareable [views count card](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXXm3Y_inC4?xmt=AQF0IlzYI1L0kZjoNIJPUfJhgF7_VP6OrhDctAiykgElW_jyhnV6SoVjJ0m5tJQ4p4wGEctq&slof=1)… … And **Threads** now lets you [show off your total post views](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXXnNN5ipew?xmt=AQF09AP_P0iYK2VUae6DKyXfgf_hiRTV4k2_-kVTKB-NNg) from the past 30 days—right on your profile * **Threads** now lets you more easily [quote-post](https://www.threads.com/@threads/post/DXZYifLAMb4?xmt=AQF0GQNBU7qM17fsRpFoyH1LS2DMU5DzbM2Lb92D6iAovLKfefT7_cw2FChtRnFocl7w5JwD&slof=1) one of your old posts to add more thoughts on the same topic * **WhatsApp** has added prepaid phone recharges in India as its [payments usage still lags](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/23/whatsapp-adds-prepaid-phone-recharges-in-india-as-its-payments-usage-still-lags/) * **WhatsApp** is working on making it easier for users to [stop receiving messages from businesses](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-16-1-whats-new/) * **WhatsApp** is rolling out a feature that lets users [quickly create and copy stickers from images](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-16-7-whats-new/) * **WhatsApp** is working on [notification bubbles](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DXfsUKeiMu3?xmt=AQF03fvuapx7IFr8VyclBvnjs7wfHjOoxo2Ixyk9uiz7RSomXZS4LtcD5x73Cj4MzZOVgRmS&slof=1) to improve how conversations appear on Android **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/db1e7db9-989a-461f-9b85-0f8fa3d6887f/image.png?t=1777028512) Follow image link: (https://x.com/nikitabier/status/2046776546858532993?s=61) Caption: Credit: @nikitabier on X * **Elon Musk** [ignored](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/world/europe/elon-musk-ignores-french-summons.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share) a summons for questioning by French authorities over alleged child abuse images, holocaust denial, and more on **X** ….and the **US DoJ** has [refused](https://www.wsj.com/business/justice-department-rebuffs-french-on-x-probe-musk-interview-2b8eb080?mod=rss_Technology) to help France, calling the probe “politically charged” * **X** rolled out a ‘[Snooze Topics](https://x.com/nikitabier/status/2046776546858532993?s=61)’, option letting you mute unwanted content in your For You feed …you can also [Snooze videos](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXarE5-DCUr?xmt=AQF0VHqwdDOn76riARwywLJysSG2gaPavNpy9USBSOpNup1KrqjZ5usWNhBixX_ZrzS4tKbx&slof=1) * **X** [pushed back](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXgWyLRDN3g?xmt=AQF0pa47pSsJe0k2X4Fb4VcDr_LnkSHi2jX9KCBn_P6EV8dfCjEw5WSnywVFD7vprfmRQU0&slof=1) the launch of the X Chat app again, this time to 27 April. Believe it when we see it? **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/84c753d9-5eb6-4746-b3e3-1e411d597ee5/image.png?t=1777028826) Follow image link: (https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/04/22/visa-creator-debit-card-tiktok-live-uk/) Caption: Credit: TikTok * **US lawmakers** have written an open letter to **TikTok US** CEO Adam Presser urging the platform to enforce [stricter age verification measures](https://www.theverge.com/tech/916645/us-lawmakers-call-on-tiktok-to-add-age-verification) * **TikTok** now lets you post content [exclusively](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DXZkLPKCdSp?xmt=AQF0Tp6QdavqYbNaapI7vOtT-OW35STFvxGGrm6kgwOn3laPy2lG3WKFv0vuSDVTF2cbzcES&slof=1) to your Friends circle * **TikTok**’s [child skincare boom](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/22/tiktok-child-skincare-influencers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) is facing regulatory scrutiny, but it’s in a legal grey area * **TikTok** UK and **Visa** have launched a ‘[Creator Card](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/04/22/visa-creator-debit-card-tiktok-live-uk/)’ for influencers to have quicker access to earnings from TikTok LIVE gifts, brand partnerships, and payouts. * **YouTube** expanded its [parental control tools](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-adds-enhanced-parental-controls-offers-tips-to-families/818020/) as screen time concerns surge, including time limits for Shorts * **YouTube** is now [muting](https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-is-muting-push-notifications-from-channels-you-dont-watch-205119228.html) push notifications from channels you haven’t watched in a month 🙌 * **YouTube** added [Voice Boost](https://www.threads.com/@neal_mohan/post/DXfcLbvkVoj?xmt=AQF0XNu7mMAqBlFnd2-4RW0e0JpU7nSp1E5Wep3jkSakCTm5JOtgrdYVsthI9UV8r31BY3lY&slof=1) for clearer dialogue in videos you watch, and ‘experience points’ to help channels identify active community members * **YouTube** confirmed that election ads are [exempt](https://searchengineland.com/youtube-discover-political-ad-rules-updated-474875) from placement rules, but they still must follow full Google Ads policies and pass verification * **YouTube** signed **SiriusXM** as exclusive US [audio ad partner](https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/youtube-siriusxm-audio-advertising-us-exclusive-1236727709/?utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv4), launching fall 2026. * **YouTube TV**’s [fully customisable multiview](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-tv-customizable-multiview-rollout-3660196/) has finally started rolling out **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fed5e085-579b-434f-972d-b0babc83930c/image.png?t=1777028976) Caption: Image: Snap * **SnapChat’s** Snap Map has a new [Place Loyalty](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-launches-loyalty-badges-for-snap-map-locations/818274/) feature, a bit like old-school Foursquare mayorships * **Mastodon** says its flagship server was [hit by a DDoS attack](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/20/mastodon-says-its-flagship-server-was-hit-by-a-ddos-attack/). This follows a similar attack on Bluesky last week * **Telegram** is being investigated in the UK over [child abuse content concerns](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-regulator-investigates-telegram-over-child-sexual-abuse-concerns-2026-04-21/) * **Telegram** will now keep inactive accounts alive for [two years](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXZIoz4jfF_?xmt=AQF0MUqkRWJ5GIT5YKtMYtD6AL5p1Y7KnIukivKKeeC5jZ4SLqG7BAozLZjWCb4Dz6HuxRQ&slof=1) instead of one * **Telegram** now lets you [customise](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXgTHBVjK7S?xmt=AQF0ufGfzIHwLmJsDrfCBJW2cO0SYpnKdqs60Sxx1GamXvoEXiQlUBH656iVUE1hY7ndibq3&slof=1) the app’s share sheet * **Bluesky** [upgraded its image quality](https://www.theverge.com/tech/917211/bluesky-posts-can-now-have-higher-quality-images) with increased file size limits and sharper resolution. * **Beehiiv**, which powers this newsletter, has rolled out [new creator tools](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/23/beehiiv-rolls-out-new-creator-tools-including-webinars-and-customizable-paywalls/), including webinars and customisable paywalls -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- **X** has introduced Grok AI-powered [Custom Timelines](https://x.com/nikitabier/status/2046736181002645520?s=61) Users can follow and pin feeds across 75 different topics. Grok AI powers the personalized feeds based on user interests and engagement. The feature replaces Communities, which will be discontinued on May 6 due to low usage. Custom Timelines will roll out first to X Premium subscribers on iOS, with Android coming soon. X introduces topic-based Custom Timelines: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-introduces-topic-based-custom-timelines/818273/) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **TikTok** is experimenting with an [AI “Remix” tool](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/tiktoks-ai-remix-setting-is-for-an-experimental-meme-maker-inspired-by-your-videos/) that transforms posts into shareable memes. But creators are worried because it has to be manually turned off on a post-by-post basis * **YouTube** is expanding its AI [deepfake detection tool](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-access-to-ai-likeness-detection-tools/818141/) widely to creators, celebrities, and Hollywood stars * **WhatsApp** is working on the ability generate private [summaries of your unread chats](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-testing-private-summaries-of-multiple-unread-chats/) * **Instagram** has added its AI-powered [search shortcut](https://www.threads.com/@lindseygamble_/post/DXUOjXCFtr5?xmt=AQF0Ki2jMhLgyhxXljXE7C2pUTMH7lXKzjVrVicpGkQLC9P-27txCiBzMHWFLFtaC41XlHE&slof=1) to the end of captions * **Meta** expanded its [AI business assistant](https://www.facebook.com/business/news/meta-ai-business-assistant-expands-globally-with-more-languages?wtsid=rdr_0kyRvmyyKkF1qf1tM&_rdr) globally * **Facebook** is using AI to [improve search results](https://engineering.fb.com/2026/04/21/ml-applications/modernizing-the-facebook-groups-search-to-unlock-the-power-of-community-knowledge/) in Groups * **LinkedIn**'s new Crosscheck feature lets premium subscribers [test competing AI models](https://www.engadget.com/ai/linkedins-crosscheck-feature-lets-premium-subscribers-test-ai-models-for-free-183949210.html) for free * **xAI **introduced new APIs, pricing updates, and tools to [expand use cases](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/the-latest-xai-updates-highlight-major-development-push/817901/) and revenue * **xAI**’s Grok now has a [Threads account](https://www.threads.com/@grok) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/af25fac9-cfca-420e-8477-a42bf352fda1/You_can__1_.jpg?t=1775164259) Caption: -------------------- I spoke to **The Times** about **UK Green Party leader Zack Polansk**i met with **NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s** social team to replicate his viral TikTok campaign success. Zack Polanski takes a leaf out of Zohran Mamdani’s book: (https://archive.is/1b91m) I explained how winning attention now requires [TikTok-first storytelling](https://archive.is/1b91m), not traditional political messaging… - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/0f7c624c-4529-42ef-901b-21fd79dd9f6a/The_Times_Social_Media_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra.jpg?t=1777022249) Follow image link: (https://archive.is/1b91m) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/62b46d83-427b-408f-a2db-cfb4cdeba9aa/Memes.jpg?t=1772123744) Caption: -------------------- **Tim Cook announced** this week he will be standing down as Apple CEO later in the year, to be replaced by John Ternus. Cue the memes… Tweet: (https://twitter.com/aaronp613/status/2046338786666459546?s=61) __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ba45097a-2972-4687-a067-ce82639d8ef6/Kolchak1.jpg?t=1776983602) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@kolchak/post/DXXg013Gnb5?xmt=AQF0STY7zSC64zKfCHiVZp79ZggGNxofcMA2GXvDFLngp0VBJkEWv_GYe-EmtTi7-kGUm-0N&slof=1) Caption: __________ Remember when Trump called Tim Cook “Tim Apple”? Tweet: (https://twitter.com/morningbrew/status/2046351340918448167?s=61) Want more Tim Cook memes…? Head to [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/tim-cook-memes-jokes-stepping-down-apple-ceo-2026-4). ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- **Over on Threads**, everyone was talking about paper planes. I first noticed after the platform’s official account published this. - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f734954-54d8-4187-b08b-a2bb4cc869a5/Plane.jpg?t=1777027432) Caption: - This was in response to other users sharing this little tidbit and it [taking off like crazy](https://www.threads.com/@michaelajadeco/post/DXPkkLHjJ7a?xmt=AQF042lui7uN6IfZBkpw8tKilEhoIkT7ALxyOM592MXfu-rvwKvKhnOjNJ3YaCIInlAQ2U77&slof=1) (or like a paper plane). - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a2f78517-3b5a-4385-ae34-9f67cc103b9b/threadster_0zfnbkuq-ezgif.com-optimize.gif?t=1777029569) Caption: - I have no idea whether this was a real thing or not, but a long press has only ever opened the share sheet for me. Either way, it turned into a meme for no apparent reason, helped by Threads’ own algorithm. Users’ feeds were filled with [paper planes chat](https://www.threads.com/@stalman/post/DXRSIvBEW67?xmt=AQF0oCwECBAA9ebxHSmWc3YrquWr_v8G7j2zbMun5Dy3iV4ULL47Yun4m7XRtmguMphJ7gw&slof=1) for about a day. Sometimes the dumbest things go viral and no-one can really figure out why 🤷‍♂️ __________ ##### **Tinder Swindlers** **A viral video this week claimed** to reveal how scammers bypass Tinder’s Face Check using one real image. 😬 Tinder says it is tightening checks with stricter photo consistency and review systems. Tinder responds to viral video about tricking facial scan: (https://mashable.com/article/tinder-responds-to-viral-video-about-tricking-face-check) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- **RIP unhinged brands?** What goes up must come down… **Duolingo** is scaling back its “unhinged” TikTok marketing after reach has declined. The brand is now shifting toward a more balanced, less shock-driven tone. Duolingo dials back its 'unhinged' marketing: (https://www.businessinsider.com/duolingo-resets-unhinged-marketing-tiktok-strategy-2026-4) __________ **More brand news and views:** * **Warner Bros.** says creator content [beats traditional ads](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXWdlFjiqcO?xmt=AQF0lsIdvFOb6mvydyeZL7q9Jo21ggVp_BZXjT8IdBngZX7czeii1cq2_sl0qn4PpkOtV-Hx&slof=1) 3:1 in performance * **Marketers say** brands [can’t control culture](https://www.adweek.com/social-marketing/brands-cant-guide-culture-creators-and-marketers-on-ditching-skin-deep-allyship/)—communities and creators do. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"This company has become obsessed with AI”“ — – **A Meta employee **[speaking to the BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crm1y89vek8o) as layoffs loom while the company goes big on AI and tracking workers’ computer usage __________ **Also quoted this week:** _“I know this is unwelcome news and confirming this puts everyone in an uneasy state, but we feel this is the best path forward, given the circumstances. We’re doing this as part of our continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments we’re making.”_ **- Meta’s Chief People Officer, Janelle Gale** [explains to employees](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-23/meta-tells-staff-it-will-cut-10-of-jobs-in-push-for-efficiency) why thousands of them are about to be laid off. Employment in Silicon Valley is a precarious thing these days as big tech chases AI supremacy. __________ _“It is absolutely galling for social media giants to say their platforms are not addictive. Parents, experts, whistleblowers, even users, are all aware of the dangers posed by social media. The platforms are the only ones still in denial, spouting claims which have zero credibility.”_ **- Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden **[reacts](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/21/social-media-executives-deny-addictive-children-roblox-tiktok-meta?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) after Meta, Roblox, and TikTok told her their platforms are not addictive. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/329d25b3-9e16-4946-b400-e5cc194f0db0/New_Platform_v2.jpg?t=1772124174) Caption: -------------------- **Bond** is a new social media platform that wants to **use AI to help you kick your doomscrolling habit.** Users upload “memories,” which train AI to suggest real-world activities and experiences. The app removes feeds and ads, focusing on private archives and discovery. Future plans include users licensing their data for AI training or commerce integrations. [TechCrunch takes a closer look](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/21/bond-social-media-platform-ai-memories-kick-doomscrolling-habit/)… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d48f7bc3-7b40-4ffe-89b1-0b7cbc487d8d/Bond.jpg?t=1776944380) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/21/bond-social-media-platform-ai-memories-kick-doomscrolling-habit/) Caption: __________ **Also this week:** * **SaySo **is a new short-form video app that aims to [restore users’ trust in news](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/17/sayso-is-a-new-short-form-video-app-that-aims-to-restore-users-trust-in-news/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4502d13e-4f26-44c8-97e3-dda5688321f0/science.jpg?t=1774012382) Caption: -------------------- **Frequent social media use** has been linked to weaker reading and vocabulary in teens in a new study. Regular social media use could affect child development: (https://www.futurity.org/social-media-child-development-3329452/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- **Hundreds of AI-generated pro-Trump influencers** are [flooding TikTok, Instagram, Facebook](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/business/media/artificial-intelligence-trump-social-media.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share) before the US midterm elections. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07b367d5-c633-4379-ab30-2a7a60fa1f47/Fake_trumpists.jpg?t=1777025416) Follow image link: (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/business/media/artificial-intelligence-trump-social-media.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share) Caption: __________ **More WTF this week:** * **X has been accused** of [throttling TBPN clips](https://www.semafor.com/newsletter/04/22/2026/ai-tokens-may-be-starting-to-rival-labor-costs-for-companies?utm_source=nowshare&utm_medium=technology&utm_campaign=flagshipnumbered4#f) after the tech podcast was acquired by xAI rival OpenAI * **A hacker avoided jail** after accessing US government data and [posting it on Instagram](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/04/man-with-ihackedthegovernment-instagram-account-tells-judge-i-made-a-mistake/) * **AI safety groups** are [recruiting influencers](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/04/18/ai-doom-influencers-safety/) to warn AI could threaten humanity -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772123969) Caption: -------------------- **Did Instagram make you think **there was something wrong with your eyes this week? A bug turned some users’ HDR photos black and white after they were uploaded, but it’s been fixed now and full colour is restored. Instagram says a bug turned your photos black and white: (https://www.engadget.com/apps/instagram-says-a-bug-turned-your-photos-black-and-white-061802389.html) __________ **More fails spotted:** * **YouTube is losing track** of where to start videos after you're done watching ads, thanks to [a bug with preroll ads](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-ad-skip-ahead-glitch-3659870/) * **X rushed out a fix **after its Android app [failed to open links and notifications](https://9to5google.com/2026/04/22/x-android-twitter-app-broken/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1ef3f4a8-d59a-4584-91fe-47394ddad18d/Zoom_logo.png?t=1776982505) Caption: **Zoom** is hiring a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-manager-32/) _[Remote, Worldwide]_ __________ **More social media jobs:** * **Greenpeace** needs a [Social Media Specialis](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-strategist/)t _[Hybrid, London, UK]_ * **E.ON** is recruiting a [Social Media Specialist](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-specialist-6/) _[Nottingham/Solihull, UK]_ * **Bitly** is looking for a [Social Media and Community Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-and-community-manager/) _[Remote, USA]_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fd24e465-005c-4d36-afd8-cef1268bf044/RIP.jpg?t=1772124179) Caption: -------------------- **X is killing off its Communities feature.** Apparently they were barely used… except by spammers. X is shutting down Communities because of low usage and lots of spam: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/23/x-is-shutting-down-communities-because-of-low-usage-and-lots-of-spam/) __________ **Also this week:** * **WhatsApp will no longer** let users [create new avatars](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXcDdzfDCxk?xmt=AQF0TolptJnpOqlmrrN2ZkrvqXyCwqdVvAW5GfCsbSIiZo-XkykuBVe3nonV1H17NtVyf5H1&slof=1), but your existing avatar stickers will still be available to use. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**$117 BILLION**“ — – **The value of the social ads market**, which has [surged 32%](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/search-ad-growth-slows-as-social-video-gain-faster/572179/), fuelled by creators and commerce integrations, as search ad growth slowed __________ **More social stats:** * **BIG AI BUCKS: **Meta has disclosed it paid Broadcom [$2.3 billion](https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/meta-paid-broadcom-2-3-billion-2025) in 2025 to design custom AI chips * **SO MANY EDITS: **Instagram Edits shipped [130+](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXchW9risdt?xmt=AQF0vLF1ohAxGqRRqa6h4mhZr4eNNN0VS_khaWK7EhHO_Q0R2nCXIsNcMUhwfPXEX04vKp_G&slof=1) new features in its first year 🤯 * **SPAM CENTRAL: **X’s Head of Product Nikita Bier says the soon-to-be-dead Communities feature drove under 0.4% of usage but [80% of spam reports](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXewdyuitD3?xmt=AQF0o7pintSFEkZhdKa9XWv_kbo8HrX0hhdBkbN8JfXhDlFIFc4noaINF9NNIBiGRfwpuYCV&slof=1) on the platform -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- [YouTube crushes rivals](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXbnlEFCl1Q?xmt=AQF0fyOAiTSHWMuSThyhS4eF5eOtwABhmkEUbLKY_26fR3XTJaQLsshx7nRGua7pGMjgpfXv&slof=1) as US kids’ top creator platform across every demographic. - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/79afdcdc-450e-4a14-961c-fb914fce8351/IMG_0131.jpeg?t=1777025836) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXbnlEFCl1Q?xmt=AQF0fyOAiTSHWMuSThyhS4eF5eOtwABhmkEUbLKY_26fR3XTJaQLsshx7nRGua7pGMjgpfXv&slof=1) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- Former MrBeast exec sues over ‘years’ of alleged harassment: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/916903/mrbeast-sexual-harassment-lawsuit) __________ **Also spotted this week…** * **Meta, TikTok, and Roblox executives** told UK MPs their platforms are not “addictive by nature.” [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/21/social-media-executives-deny-addictive-children-roblox-tiktok-meta?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] * **Mobile phones will be banned** in schools in England under new plans. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/20/mobile-phones-statutory-ban-schools-england-bill-amendment?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] * **Turkey has passed a law** to restrict social media access for under-15s. [[AP](https://apnews.com/article/turkey-social-media-children-restrictions-law-d88963a7446a12cf4963b73d455b5ef7)] * **Norway plans to ban** social media use by children under 16. [[Reuters $$$](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/norway-government-plans-social-media-ban-children-under-16-2026-04-24/)] * **TikTok US has gained** security infrastructure certification confirming its systems meet global information security standards. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktoks-us-joint-venture-gains-security-infrastructure-certification/817903/)] * **TikTok has selected Sienna Spiro **as the first British artist in its “Behind the Breakthrough” campaign. [[TikTok Newsroom](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktoks-goes-behind-the-breakthrough-with-sienna-spiro?lang=en)] * **TikTok partnered with Noah Kahan** for an intimate NYC fan event tied to his album The Great Divide. [[TikTok Newsroom](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/noah-kahan-great-divide-tiktok-fan-experience?lang=en)] **New features and tests:** * **Instagram is testing** a new splash screen for Reels shared with other users via a link. [[@oncescruadu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXZUFwVjPB-?xmt=AQF02Y7oma6SdRjw0H5HR0yF-GQBrcbqYGh4r_c8YPDuK7laYnK9PrWMGwx_ReCvusAMND2a&slof=1)] * **Instagram is widely rolling out **the ability to earn money through affiliate programmes with products tagged in Reels. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXZTng6DHUT?xmt=AQF0Ma92CMADMqdQr2f1rtXhldJulWvItq3JUfI5etMbmZtuV3QeXaZd7sdKc4mSTkypEGYV&slof=1)] * **TikTok has been spotted** sporting an updated share sheet. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXgWVgqjOqf?xmt=AQF08bjWcxn4npWUj6nF9SBBJC4Uf8AYFlxKRj6wfxWmE-ZZbM9xoIQCiQ7LBbvE0ua2Zw54&slof=1)] * **Google has expanded** its Demand Gen tools to drive faster YouTube ad conversions. [[Search Engine Land](https://searchengineland.com/google-expands-demand-gen-tools-to-drive-faster-youtube-conversions-475321)] ---------- ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- **Is that popular clip really viral**, or has been artificially shoved in your face until you like it? 'Clipping' is taking over social feeds — and that's changing our perception of what's actually popular: (https://www.businessinsider.com/clipping-social-media-tiktok-viral-band-geese-advertising-authentic-fake-2026-4) __________ **Also worth a read:** * **Bluesky set out to fix social media.** Now it’s [running into familiar problems](https://www.fastcompany.com/91528304/bluesky-set-out-to-fix-social-media-now-its-running-into-familiar-problems) * **War memes** are [turning conflict into content](https://www.wired.com/story/war-memes-turn-conflict-into-content/) * **Why more creators are holding IRL events** [to own their audience](https://digiday.com/media/vibes-over-metrics-why-more-creators-are-holding-irl-events-to-own-their-audience/) * **TikTok’s biggest star watched his $975 million** AI deal fizzle out. [What happened?](https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/tv/khaby-lame-rich-sparkle-ai-deal-what-happened/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- **It’s no surprise** that there’s a subreddit for bald people. After all, there’s a subreddit for everything. But if you feel the world’s a bit bleak these days, this is a great read to restore your faith in humanity… …And in bald people being nice to each other in a world that has never really made hairlessness cool. 🥚 Going bald? There’s a subreddit for that – and it’s weirdly wonderful: (https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/apr/22/reddit-bald-community?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- And on that warm fuzzy ending… It’s time to cut you loose. You have completed this week’s Geekout. I’m heading off to prepare for my teen daughter’s house party to celebrate her 16th birthday. She says she’s only invited “around 30” to the house party at my place. In teen maths that means… 60. Minimum. I’m locking down the house in preparation for the carnage it will likely escalate into. - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf4d005-8ee8-4070-99f8-78bead747d56/house_party.gif?t=1777030175) Caption: - Clouds of vape smoke. Drunk teens vomiting on my patio. Neighbours threatening to call the police if we don’t shut it down. Pray for me… Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-layoffs-whatsapp-premium-social-media-news

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e1011761-5e22-4a37-8a00-d4d76b1b8b4c/Geekout_170426.jpg?t=1776429855) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Geekout is sent to 30K social media pros** ** 65%+ open rate / Up to 3.5% Ad CTR **Sponsor Geekout** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** Tap here 👇 **⚡️ Optimize Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/bieber-viral-coachella-zuckerberg-clone) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** I never thought I would be writing this. This week’s Geekout features a lot of Justin Bieber. I’m so sorry. 🤷‍♂️ The shaven-headed pop monkey generated a lot of headlines following his $10M Coachella ‘performance’. Some critics slammed his _‘YouTube Karaoke’_ set as _‘lazy’,_ low-energy, and uninspired… …But many others leapt to his defence describing it as genius and that those people mocking his nostalgic, meme-filled YouTube screen share were missing the point entirely. Keep scrolling for my take on the story splitting online opinion this week. **__________** ##### **Happy 1st Birthday Instagram Edits **🎂 - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/484b010b-946f-4def-9d80-469ab16ec844/image.png?t=1776421550) Caption: - Instagram’s Edits app is turning one! To celebrate, it’s hosting a virtual event that doubles as a birthday celebration — and I got a party invite 🥳 Creators [@rvxmendoza](https://www.instagram.com/rvxmendoza/) and [@funyaasi](https://www.instagram.com/funyaasi/?hl=en) will join Edits Product Lead, Matthew Simari, for live editing demos and a walkthrough of how videos go from idea to final post inside the app. The product team will be tease what’s next for Edits in 2026. Members of the [Geekout VIP community on WhatsApp](https://nas.com/geekout) want to gatecrash the party! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6ca79729-0245-44a7-8a72-bd40389fddeb/Screenshot_2026-04-17_at_11.38.44.png?t=1776422336) Follow image link: (https://geekout-celebration-join.lovable.app/) Caption: - One member, [Aditya Choudhary](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityavsc/), [set up a petition](https://geekout-celebration-join.lovable.app/) to pressure Instagram into sending out more invites (just for fun!) I sent it to my contacts at **Instagram HQ.** And to my surprise, they have buckled and promised more invites: 🤣👇 - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/493d5bf3-d940-4773-993c-79e83e2d0412/Screenshot_2026-04-17_at_11.40.03.png?t=1776422418) Caption: - ✨** **[**Join Geekout VIP Group Chat**](https://nas.com/geekout?discountCode=GEEKFREE) on WhatsApp for FREE + get an IG Edits party invite. Use discount code: [GEEKFREE](https://nas.com/geekout?discountCode=GEEKFREE) **__________** ##### 2 cool things… 👀 🚨 Steal these AI prompts created by the world’s top marketers — 20+ WILD prompts for social teams… [The 3rd one is genius!](https://brand24.com/20-marketing-ai-prompts/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter_ad_2)* - 🔥 The AI workshop __every__ social media team needs to attend… Trust me, it’s good! — 1,700+ people [requested an invite](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/webinars/how-to-scale-social-with-ai/?utm_source=influencer_marketing&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=wb-20260423-AI_in_social__2026_campaign&utm_content=matt_navarra_geekout&utm_term=)* ^*Sponsored Message^ -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ FREE AI PROMPTS #### 23 AI Prompts Top Marketers _Actually_ Use — Steal These! 👀 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/57061087-7f0e-4873-93cf-2e09a59616ad/1200x627_v3.png?t=1776359607) Follow image link: (https://brand24.com/20-marketing-ai-prompts/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter_ad_2) Caption: - Are your AI prompts producing generic output? You ask for insights… and get something that could fit any brand. 😬 So you tweak the prompt. Try again. Still generic. Because AI isn’t the problem. Your prompts are. Most prompts are written by AI, for AI. These aren’t. **Brand24** collected **20+ AI prompts** **from 21 top marketers** like _Andy Crestodina, Neal Schaffer,_ and _Sara Stella Lattanzio._ **Steal the AI prompts they use daily for…** * 📊** Market research** in minutes not weeks * 🧠** Competitor analysis** that actually makes sense * 💬** Social insights **you can use to shape your strategy * 📈 **Strategy & decision-making** that doesn’t hurt your head! **What’s inside…?** * **⚡️ 23 AI prompts **for deeper research, planning & reporting * **⏱️ Quick-start guide** to customise each prompt to suit your needs * **📋 List of top data sources** to use in prompts for better, on-brand outputs Built on real signals like conversations, sentiment, and trends. Get your job done faster. Steel the AI prompts used by top marketing pros **↪︎ Grab the **[**FREE AI Prompt Book**](https://brand24.com/20-marketing-ai-prompts/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter_ad_2)** for marketers!** 🔓 Unlock 20+ AI Prompts (https://brand24.com/20-marketing-ai-prompts/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter_ad_2) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Meta builds AI version of Mark Zuckerberg to interact with staff: (https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/f9066169-3ddd-4a29-9dbd-b63657b8b8aa) 2. **Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot is still making sexual deepfakes**, despite X’s promise to stop it [[PERSISTING](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/musks-ai-chatbot-grok-xai-making-sexual-deepfakes-imagine-rcna265855)] 3. **Europe moves toward a coordinated** EU-wide teen social media ban [[ESCALATING](https://www.luxtimes.lu/europeanunion/macron-calls-for-united-eu-front-on-youth-social-media-limits/146051765.html)] 4. **British MPs vote against a social media ban** for under-16s a second time [[BLOCKING](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/apr/15/mps-vote-against-social-media-ban-for-under-16s-a-second-time?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] 5. **EU threatens to force Meta** to restore WhatsApp access for rival AI chatbots [[REGULATING](https://archive.is/1smXx)] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ FREE AI WORKSHOP #### Most Social Teams Are Using AI Wrong — Is this _YOU_? 👇 🤔 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2a4d7622-0f3e-4ddc-8c66-3e08b64fbbc0/april_ai_workshop_webinar_2026_thumbnail__1_.png?t=1776360006) Follow image link: (https://sproutsocial.com/insights/webinars/how-to-scale-social-with-ai/?utm_source=influencer_marketing&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=wb-20260423-AI_in_social__2026_campaign&utm_content=matt_navarra_geekout&utm_term=) Caption: - AI isn’t replacing you. But it is exposing you. 😬 Be honest! Have you ever... * **Posted AI content that feels off**… but hoping no one notices?…or * **Avoided AI completely **because it all feels a bit 🤖 + soulless? An ALARMING number of us have! And that’s a problem. Right now, most social teams are either… * **Pumping out beige**, forgettable AI content…or * **Ignoring AI and falling behind** on optimising workflows Neither wins.... So let’s cut through the noise. I’m teaming up with **Sprout Social’s Curtis Midkiff** (Social Director) for an [unfiltered conversation + interactive workshop](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/webinars/how-to-scale-social-with-ai/?utm_source=influencer_marketing&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=wb-20260423-AI_in_social__2026_campaign&utm_content=matt_navarra_geekout&utm_term=) on how AI actually fits into high-performing social teams. **In the session, we'll explain:** * 🧠** Where** AI gives you an edge… and where it kills your content! * 💬 **Why** human-led content still outperforms AI * ✍ **How** to write AI prompts that save hours + unlock better insights * 📊 **How** to use AI to prove social's value… without making your boss glaze over! Then we're switching gears for an **interactive workshop:** Real prompts, examples and takeaways you can use instantly. No (AI) slop. No hype. Just what actually works. ⏰ **Thursday, April 23 | 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 5 PM UK** 👉 [Request Your Invite](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/webinars/how-to-scale-social-with-ai/?utm_source=influencer_marketing&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=wb-20260423-AI_in_social__2026_campaign&utm_content=matt_navarra_geekout&utm_term=)... Spaces limited. ✨ Save Your Spot ✨ (https://sproutsocial.com/insights/webinars/how-to-scale-social-with-ai/?utm_source=influencer_marketing&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=wb-20260423-AI_in_social__2026_campaign&utm_content=matt_navarra_geekout&utm_term=) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **THAT Justin Bieber show** Justin Bieber Coachella review: Why critics missed the point: (https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/music/justin-bieber-coachella-review-why-critics-missed-the-point-11817342) Viral moments are a big part of the modern big music show experience, whether whether they’re intentional guest appearances made to be excitedly shared, or an accidental global news story (the Coldplay kisscam 😳). Justin Bieber’s show at Coachella last weekend was made to go viral, but the way the singer achieved that has split fans and critics alike. In case you missed it, there was a big chunk of the show where he brought out a laptop, pulled up YouTube, and shared funny clips and hits from his years as a young heartthrob. The crowd was treated to clips of him falling off stage and walking into a door, and he sang along with music videos from the start of his career. This carousel gives you a good idea… Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DXBsCmUFgnW/?img_index=7&igsh=MXc0dGpxOTYzZXE3ag==) It was NOT the Eras tour or a Beyoncé show. This was more like being invited round to Bieber’s house for a few drinks and a chat. Given reports he was being paid $10 million for two shows across Coachella’s two weekends, fans might have expected more. But I reckon what Bieber did was art. Yes, it was designed to go viral. As [Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/justin-bieber-revives-deez-nuts-meme-during-viral-10m-coachella-set-3350655/) put it, _“the moment that spread fastest online came when Bieber pulled up the classic Deez Nuts Vine, the Double Rainbow video, and his own 2025 paparazzi clip, where he said, “It’s not clocking to you that I’m standing on business,” before reenacting the line live on stage.”_ But it was also stripped back, personal, and seemed to be authentically him. That’s an artist doing what he wants to do. He’s been a star for as long as some young adults have been alive - he’s earned it, even if his music isn’t to everyone’s taste. He didn’t need expensive choreography and light shows to earn his millions and get the world talking about him. Good on ya, Justin. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ecf02f61-18af-4592-b14f-18c3b28469cb/Screenshot_2026-04-17_at_11.59.55.png?t=1776423606) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-announces-date-for-2026-conversations-event/817512/) Caption: Meta’s ‘Conversations’ event takes place June 3 in London | Credit: Meta * **Meta** is hosting an [AI-focused ‘Conversations’ messaging event](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-announces-date-for-2026-conversations-event/817512/) in London on 3 June. (Meta has invited me to attend in person. Look out for BTS insights in Geekout in June) * **Meta** is [hiking Quest headset prices](https://www.theverge.com/tech/912921/meta-quest-3-3s-vr-price-hike-ram-memory-shortage) as RAM shortages slam hardware costs globally * **Meta**’s new Muse Spark AI is encouraging users to [share health data](https://www.wired.com/story/metas-new-ai-asked-for-my-raw-health-data-and-gave-me-terrible-advice/) like lab results. Experts warn this data isn’t protected and could be stored or used for training or ads * **Meta** has been warned by over 70 advocacy groups that facial recognition glasses will [arm sexual predators](https://www.wired.com/story/meta-ray-ban-oakley-smart-glasses-no-face-recognition-civil-society/) * **Meta** must face a lawsuit in Massachusetts alleging it designed [addictive features](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/10/meta-massachusetts-youth-social-media-addiction-lawsuit?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) targeting teens * **Aaron Sorkin** has revealed first footage of [The Social Reckoning](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/social-reckoning-trailer-mikey-madison-white-strong-sorkin-1236561957/), sequel to The Social Network with Jeremy Strong as **Mark Zuckerberg**… but we can’t see it yet. It’s out in October * **Meta** is [preventing](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-isnt-setting-its-oversight-board-free-just-yet-153000172.html) its Oversight Board from working with external AI firms despite interest * **Facebook **Pages have a new [calendar view](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXH8MPPjj6i?xmt=AQF0zRI4hRtTDoERpBauri42FCZ4pixYEWJXVCYCmygZsBVTJSOHEvpYG39RjUharWtg83Pd&slof=1) in the content dashboard, displaying both published and scheduled posts. It also adds a new “Voice Translations” section showing content with voice translation enabled * **Facebook** has been spotted allowing you to see other stories by [swiping down](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIIvd4DNIt?xmt=AQF0yAVcbh6kJQi7lRCnP7_G78gKooEOgo2RwCbYt2QwCDnnUgQsMHZDl5jl_-SZWfuX5Lw&slof=1) on a story you are viewing **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/11c951c7-f077-4a64-ac1d-7faa65bcc9b3/image.png?t=1776423711) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-expands-your-algorithm-tool-to-explore/817772/) Caption: Instagram’s ‘Your Algorithm’ feature extended to Explore tab | Credit: Meta * **Instagram** has extended the ‘[Your algorithm](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-expands-your-algorithm-tool-to-explore/817772/)’ feature to the Explore tab * **Instagram **is testing letting you [add images in comments](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXMf7v7iinK?xmt=AQF0IjxCpLsPyLjiX40fgO4HWp-KLwrLcScQhOCbxesSUaxrK9-wVMNStYMh4YJ9hi41cWI&slof=1) (wild this is only happening now!) * **Instagram **has started [limiting](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXET84SDDjQ?xmt=AQF0Gw1_bkD8JQajNYRgt-0_uzGpIV8JULfb4h52BazSQeW5GOPhzKE9AAticOVDp8kKsU8W&slof=1) the number of trial Reels users can post for up to 30 days * **Instagram** is working on the ability to [cross-post Story highlights](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXEUkS5jCfF?xmt=AQF0fJU50__Wf8aoTvoezUwae3gV4zLSU4tqvfRS0nw_Eq7bqav6wdA8WjdBIYZ4WXHRx-qQ&slof=1) to Facebook * **Instagram** is[ removing](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXL-4PrjPQF?xmt=AQF04AXDej_6T0lJHYV3QyNCw6qSa5LpM9ABWiofEAa_oMQao3RUe0-yy7EaitDQ8w_iHhKF&slof=1) the QR code and copy link options for profiles * **Instagram** is expanding access to [GIF Notes](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW_t06YDP96?xmt=AQF0nuKX8fJtviel2f59DWYS_SL4C8TBIhifmOYZ1453LTxnBE8BG9HBYiCPrDy7Ds5tI-0M&slof=1) * **Instagram** is now available as a native app on [Android-powered tablets](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXFV_LCDLdl?xmt=AQF0Q-3BUpjPaUpEZJ9uuVLmsJ72E6YnlOzOjV4Qf288KJHmJw8GJDZiPRnbX_Jytf_7VZo&slof=1) * **Instagram Edits** has added a new [‘Templates’ filter](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXFayG9DGdE?xmt=AQF0KKaA3WZmoE3cv0gX2-sT-uEXhD9fGAGWiREdyrKoFspXRKA0GhS-_N7z1Xc8zHJibHC5&slof=1) in the Ideas tab * **Instagram Edits** now has a [reach-first dashboard](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/samanthabensimonyehle_instagram-now-has-the-most-insightful-performance-activity-7450196574854373376-201K?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) marketers will love. It ranks your post metrics by what actually boosts reach * **Instagram Edits** has added new font tools, colour control and the ability [recover deleted projects](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXNG3gAikgP?xmt=AQF0eCM9O4njt2cjmz_2n85g3dWOEKZXdVBKfljii0q8EjqGp0mMTZxJmm1-fF_6TBa_Lz75&slof=1) for seven days **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d6ca52f3-7f7e-4deb-a9f8-836e3d6cf87b/image.png?t=1776423852) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/threads-updates-reply-format-and-web-ui/817775/) Caption: Threads indented replies coming soon | Credit: Meta * **Threads** is switching to [indented replies](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/threads-updates-reply-format-and-web-ui/817775/) to make it easier to follow conversations * **Threads** is finally bringing [DMs to the desktop](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-giving-threads-on-web-a-redesign-that-finally-adds-direct-messages-192903284.html) web version * **Threads** is set to launch a ‘[live chat](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXA3WqyDEnK?xmt=AQF0L7cuE1fMBxScyNKM1fWh734BWExP1Cs3CZrC60pn-HpvYM_BCf5LsNfIYT52gCj_4Q58&slof=1)’ feature (oooo!) * **Threads’** API now has expanded [third-party integrations](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-updates-threads-api-with-more-third-party-app-integrations/817502/) with content management tools like Hootsuite and Sprout Social * **Threads** is now using a [larger font](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW9Ekc5jAJY?xmt=AQF0bfGWqGQLXRGBg6bl8VfJ2rsB3HL4U4CeI35BUUV_4x5SLWbgBnJO41UJPYq-EdPRdaND&slof=1) for posts that contain just a single emoji * **Threads** now has a [Fullscreen button](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIQQGVDP_D?xmt=AQF0hBYpeA3NtuF5Q244qyA1-QmzwHTxmd-So0fQ1h-GvQTIkbJQK_qJuzJq3IGLtBvaPb4&slof=1) for horizontal videos * **Threads** added a fun, new [Like animation](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXCGXVPDLsN?xmt=AQF0BcCK-DJeC8PfzHbh-Wb4KebAdYPsMSavInVjAXLQE5F3MHSRuIFUwbl25PS16EUpNJY&slof=1) for posts about the Coachella music festival. **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9cbf00c0-9de2-4feb-873d-c491b1868d91/image.png?t=1776424158) Follow image link: (https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-15-11-whats-new/) Caption: WhatsApp testing new controls for disappearing messages | Credit: WABetaInfo * **WhatsApp** is developing an [“after reading” timer](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-15-11-whats-new/) so disappearing messages can be set to vanish at a specific time after being read * **European governments** are forcing officials off **WhatsApp **and Signal onto [state-built messaging apps](https://www.politico.eu/article/european-civil-servants-new-messaging-services/) * **WhatsApp** is developing [49 chat themes](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-web-is-testing-chat-themes-with-49-color-options/) to expand limited customisation on desktop * **WhatsApp** is testing [expanding status updates](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-14-9-whats-new/) to recent unsaved contacts * **WhatsApp** is developing a new feature to help Android users monitor the activity of their [linked devices](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-15-6-whats-new) **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3ed9f936-ba30-4dee-a03a-ea2d18e1d7f8/image.png?t=1776424663) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXMJXRJDI2d?xmt=AQF06u-E5nBzAVct168QfzV1dAW2kmSGm8CnoAmHR2XOAg) Caption: X’s standalone chat app X Chat launching 23 April | Credit: @oncescuradu * **X** is set to launch its [standalone messaging app](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXMJXRJDI2d?xmt=AQF06u-E5nBzAVct168QfzV1dAW2kmSGm8CnoAmHR2XOAg), XChat, for iOS next week * **X** is rolling out a new take on “[Cashtags](https://www.theblock.co/post/397470/x-rolls-out-cashtags)” that will show live stock and crypto data inside user timelines * **X** is overhauling creator payouts to [reward original content](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/12/x-says-its-reducing-payments-to-clickbait-accounts/) over reposts and aggregators to reign in clickbait accounts * **X **is recommending explicit content to users posing as 13-year-olds, [a study found](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/explicit-content-teens-elon-musk-x-online-safety-act-b2958070.html) * **X** Money could [threaten](https://www.theverge.com/policy/911702/elon-musk-x-money-senator-warren) consumers, national security, and financial system stability, according to Senator Elizabeth Warren * **X** has expanded the ‘[snooze topics](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXKc0Q7jPrk?xmt=AQF0_-Y8OLApqZv8mE6rVO9l-A74DAvJSNgTNSdgN3tC_Zm6h5AX_hE9HVdbDBzCA9b_Y5Y&slof=1)’ feature more widely * **X** added a new ‘[Shared media](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXHD3TVDGTr?xmt=AQF00CRHoxWnz1WPgulNrY3U4cN1MzziA1oFYwlUXyyFGR6lP2weAYORxMOeR89kXCN6MbFx&slof=1)’ feature for private conversations **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/db96d0de-dc72-4ce0-b468-3e6e642b4d34/image.png?t=1776424818) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/olivia-rodrigo-karaoke-april-2026?lang=en) Caption: TikTok’s Olivia Rodrigo ‘Drop Dead’ music hub | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** launched a global [karaoke campaign](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/olivia-rodrigo-karaoke-april-2026?lang=en) for Olivia Rodrigo’s new single ‘Drop Dead,’ and an in-app listening party for fans * **TikTok** just added an [AI meme generator](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHad2EChxr?xmt=AQF0L91imLsA-3kRq9N-xrV3JmTJ87txcZP6PAKDrPGT-pWBrCVWQr3Pxa9IT5MgpTcjgJtZ&slof=1) 💀 * **TikTok** is ramping up its original content strategy with a [scripted romantic drama](https://deadline.com/2026/04/tiktok-original-scripted-series-sam-morgan-romantic-drama-1236858572/) about a Silicon Valley love triangle * **TikTok** published its first transparency report on EU [hate speech removal](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-publishes-first-transparency-report-on-eu-hate-speech-removal/817269/). It says 96.3% of violating content is removed before users report it * **TikTok** is testing a new ‘With Media’ [comment filter](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXMI5FSjN0U?xmt=AQF0IwbLtzJP6otOh4_ReVHsn0q77e9r8eLB5rp03BG6P3hSnbfI3LrgqAAtpPcJSG3Zdj8l&slof=1) for post comments * **AMC** is launching ‘The Audacity’ premiere on **TikTok**, split into [21x 3-minute segments](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/amc-audacity-series-premiere-tiktok-1236713295/?utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv4) **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/53abfe02-a919-4ce3-adab-66f3e4f6a9ae/image.png?t=1776425010) Caption: YouTube’s now Shorts feed ‘0-minutes’ limit option | Credit: YouTube * **YouTube** now lets remove Shorts entirely from your feed with a new [0-minutes](https://www.engadget.com/apps/youtube-now-lets-you-hide-shorts-085538825.html) daily Shorts limit option * **YouTube** is testing showing creator posts [directly in the Shorts feed](https://9to5google.com/2026/04/15/youtube-tests-showing-creator-posts-in-your-shorts-feed/) to boost visibility * **YouTube** Premium is [rising](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/youtube-hikes-prices-youtube-premium-music-1236561098/) from $13.99 to $15.99 and family plans are now $26.99. YouTube Music climbs to $11.99, while Premium Lite is now $8.99 * **YouTube**’s mobile app finally lets you [share timestamped videos](https://www.theverge.com/streaming/913611/youtube-mobile-app-share-at-timestamp-clips) * **YouTube** introduced new livestream features like expanded virtual gifts and [ad-free viewing](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/4-new-engagement-options-for-youtube-creators/817377/) for viewers who donate to a streamer * **YouTube** and the NFL are in advanced talks over a [five-game broadcast package](https://frontofficesports.com/nfl-youtube-advanced-talks-5-game-package/) * **The UK government** plans to launch a central **YouTube** channel to [counter misinformation](https://news.sky.com/story/government-youtube-drive-to-fight-conspiracy-theorists-and-keyboard-warriors-13530907) and boost reach * **YouTube** confirmed those 90-second unskippable TV ads people saw last week [were just a bug](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtubes-90-second-long-unskipable-ads-arent-intended/). Thank god! * **The Eurovision Song Contest** will [stream for free in US](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/eurovision-song-contest-2026-youtube-us-free-stream-boycott-1236563550/) on **YouTube** * **YouTube** is partnering with C-SPAN to expand into [education and civic content](https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/americans-learn-us-history-science-innovation/) as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary. **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/17ca2f44-831b-44c3-9e83-21de6eb0d8c9/image.png?t=1776425217) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-expands-ai-powered-conversational-search/817631/) Caption: LinkedIn’s AI-powered conversational search feature | Credit: LinkedIn * **LinkedIn** is adding AI-powered [summaries](https://www.threads.com/@lindseygamble_/post/DXM7AO9CSAj?xmt=AQF0z5RMnGMa5oxKpuM1Wf6ZxVcCe_1ApyWPgJTjfu8JdgmVwQmLAjGrg0G-e7z2T5uLiHU&slof=1) to search results and expanding AI-powered [‘conversational’ search](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-expands-ai-powered-conversational-search/817631/) to all US users * **Reddit **rolled out [Reminder Ads](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-expands-reminder-ads-globally/817382/) globally, enabling brands to send push alerts before and during events * **Reddit** launched a new [HubSpot integration](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-launches-new-public-beta-integration-with-hubspot/817510/), enabling marketers to publish, schedule, and track campaigns directly * **Snap** has [cut 16% of staff](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/snap-stock-layoffs-16-percent-workforce.html), eliminating around 1,000 jobs and 300 open roles. The company says AI is replacing repetitive work and boosting efficiency * **Bluesky** suffered serious downtime on Thursday (16 April). The company blamed a [DDOS attack](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/16/its-not-just-you-bluesky-is-sorta-down/) (ooof!) * **Discord** has introduced new desktop [display settings](https://discord.com/blog/making-discord-on-desktop-look-just-right-display-settings-to-ease-the-eyes) to make chats easier on the eyes * **Roblox** is introducing Kids and Select accounts to [improve safety](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-13/roblox-adds-youth-accounts-as-push-for-social-media-bans-grows) for under-16 users …and **Roblox** has [defended](http://Roblox defends expanded age‑checks after parents raise concerns over errors https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj94y9r0p10o) its expanded age checks after parents warned kids are being misclassified as adults * **Apple **is reportedly testing four new [smart glasses designs](https://mashable.com/article/apple-testing-four-smart-glasses-designs) to take on **Meta’s Ray-Bans** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- Scary times for graphic designers… Canva is rolling out an AI assistant that can create whole designs for you based on text prompts. Canva's AI assistant can now call various tools to make designs for you: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/16/canvas-ai-assistant-can-now-call-various-tools-to-make-designs-for-you/) **__________** ##### Also spotted this week… * **TikTok** now lets you allow AI to [remix your content](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DXHH4vIlNOw?xmt=AQF0DUe7aaMCRJWguMl63bcWOXeJCD3yQ_pWuDWXyj2uJPKQJE1rQhEQLNfQpaUfxDtQCn_O&slof=1) * **ByteDance** has launched the Seedance 2.0 AI video model [globally](https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/bytedance-launches-seedance-2-0-globally-excluding-u-s), excluding the US * **Facebook **is bringing its opt-in feature that[ scans users’ camera rolls](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-wants-to-scan-users-camera-rolls-for-content/817777/) for content ideas to the UK * **Meta** rolled out AI-powered Pixel upgrades that [automatically capture product and business data](https://www.facebook.com/business/news/pixel-conversionsapi-updates) for ads * **Meta** is plugging its new Muse Spark AI into Ray-Ban smart glasses to [fix shaky computer vision](https://gizmodo.com/meta-is-upgrading-one-of-the-worst-parts-of-its-smart-glasses-2000744953) * **Meta**’s Manus AI app has added [music generation](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXETersjF76?xmt=AQF0w0flAkxTREkbkM7MOUJWPxF0LqStjMn0Mys98f0eu-3i8nlrGjkX7zDnarWtLWsgc3s&slof=1) * **LinkedIn **expanded AI-powered [conversational search](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-expands-ai-powered-conversational-search/817631/) from Premium only to all users globally * **LinkedIn** is quietly testing an [AI labour marketplace](https://www.businessinsider.com/linkedin-enters-ai-training-market-challenges-startups-2026-4) paying up to $150/hour for training chatbots * **LinkedIn** is testing an ‘[automatic captioning](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXEZ63SDAuB?xmt=AQF0NBn4wNTfunxOsikV-KSXx4LO0JzpU7fmrykSasLDrPwOex8EsjMvMOE_E4JHScgagHxg&slof=1)’ feature for videos that duplicates the post’s description in a light blue stripe. * **TikTok** has added new AI [video generation tools](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-adds-new-ai-video-generation-to-symphony-ad-tool-kit/817379/) to its Symphony ad toolkit * **Adobe** is launching Firefly AI Assistant to [automate complex creative workflows](https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/15/adobes-new-firefly-ai-assistant-will-handle-multi-step-tasks-across-creative-cloud-apps/) using prompts across Creative Cloud apps -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3b409ca5-a409-49b7-8d8f-febf7dbe19f4/lol.jpg?t=1772123732) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b5dbf7ba-dfa4-491f-8a2c-1aee9fead709/Rangel_17041.jpg?t=1776420513) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-strategists-who-have-been-moving-activity-7450196320969056257-SMIh/) Caption: **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a382c9dc-1dc3-464c-bb25-a01e7dd501c0/Rangel_17042.jpg?t=1776420531) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-managers-googling-how-to-say-activity-7449833928816852994-Kkz5/?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=copy_link) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/62b46d83-427b-408f-a2db-cfb4cdeba9aa/Memes.jpg?t=1772123744) Caption: -------------------- Honestly, I’m not turning into a Belieber…! 😬 Without wanting to go TOO overboard on the Bieber stuff, his Coachella set did inspire a lot of great memes… ….With people and brands [putting their own spin](https://www.complex.com/music/a/treyalston/justin-bieber-coachella-meme-2026) on his ‘YouTube karaoke’. Tweet: (https://twitter.com/chesscom/status/2043779584907255931?s=61) **__________** Tweet: (https://twitter.com/kfc_es/status/2043731289992208464?s=61) **__________** Tweet: (https://twitter.com/torvesta/status/2043475026586869886?s=61) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- Super Mario has entered his AI slop era**… **and it’s selling. 🍄 **TikTok Shop** is filling up with low-effort AI videos using familiar characters to sell products—often wrapped in fake, emotional storytelling that converts. Super Mario is now the face of TikTok Shop AI slop, and it's fooling millions: (https://www.polygon.com/super-mario-has-become-the-face-of-tiktok-shop-ai-slop/) **__________** **More viral news this week:** * **Indie band Geese** has been dragged into a [“psyop” drama](https://www.garbageday.email/p/the-wild-geese-chase) over shady viral marketing claims * **Gen Z service members** on #MilitaryTok are sharing [anxious, sarcastic reactions](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/04/military-tiktok-iran-war-trump-hegseth?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) to the Iran war. Their tone contrasts with the White House’s gamified “warrior culture” messaging * **Gen Z’s ‘Silent Scream’** is driving the internet (and millennials) [crazy](https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/gen-z-silent-scream-tiktok-slang-b2957678.html) * **TikTok’s latest viral trend** features users [eating clay flower pots](https://www.vice.com/en/article/tiktoks-weirdest-new-trend-involves-eating-flower-pots-heres-what-that-does-to-your-body/) (don’t try it yourself) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- Brands are reply-guying their way into relevance… From **TikTok** to **Instagram** and **X**, brands are hijacking viral comment threads to chase culture and cheap engagement But it’s a risky game, where forced tone, backlash, and brand dilution can hit fast. Why brands can't stop acting like reply guys and jumping into viral comment threads on social media: (https://www.modernretail.co/marketing/why-brands-cant-stop-acting-like-reply-guys-and-jumping-into-viral-comment-threads-on-social-media/) **__________** **More brand news and views:** * How **The Daily Show** is [outsmarting](https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/the-daily-show-outsmarting-social-media-algorithm/) the social media algorithm * **Walmart** is scaling [creator-led commerce](https://www.marketingdive.com/news/inside-walmarts-creator-driven-social-commerce-playbook/816113/) as social becomes a key shopping discovery channel for consumers * How **Dr Pepper** [doubled down on fandom](https://www.adweek.com/social-marketing/why-dr-pepper-became-its-own-biggest-fan-on-social/), making social media the core of its marketing strategy. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"The Meta brand is not something people want to put anywhere near their face”“ — – **Snap CEO Evan Spiegel **[disses Meta’s smart glasses](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXE9vjpkWgr?xmt=AQF0Pe6tvM5zpnanpmbBAqoLAPiUD4ckfjv9zBiwHmZ6ysHQLTn7qRGAvNtI5JBcW2Zc3lPH&slof=1) as he gears up to launch the next generation of Spectacles later this year **__________** **Also quoted this week:** _“Completely insane… untenable"_ **- Snap CEO Evan Spiegel** describes his [work schedule](https://www.businessinsider.com/snap-evan-spiegel-snapchat-kerr-work-life-balance-specs-family-2026-4) **__________** _“Stock up on several VPNs”_ **- Telegram CEO Pavel Durov** [advises](https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/telegram-ceo-urges-russians-to-stock-up-on-vpns-as-the-platform-gets-an-anti-censorship-boost) Russian users on how to keep access to the app as the Kremlin cracks down **__________** _“It’s not very often that the MPA takes on a 1.6 trillion-dollar company"_ **- Motion Picture Association CEO Charlie Rivkin** on [clashing with Meta](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHnlqhikzt?xmt=AQF0Juevukj_bCxKL3RrV3FFVstEjbii8Wjq0MV3fXWNUL9YtuFizx7WlPl_lJrr1RRT6R0S&slof=1) over Instagram’s use of the ‘PG13’ age rating **__________** _“The addictive scrolling mechanisms are really problematic…. They need to go" _ _“Things can’t go on like this, they must change because right now social media is putting our children at risk.” _ _“In a world in which children are protected, even if that means access is restricted, that is preferable to a world where harm is the price of participation.”_ **- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer** [isn’t a fan](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/social-media-platforms-need-stop-never-ending-scrolling-uks-starmer-says-2026-04-13/) of infinite-scroll feeds and is [demanding action](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/apr/16/keir-starmer-social-media-firms-no-10-meeting) from social media companies to protect teen users -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/863ad342-3950-4b01-a80d-44a973a4ba09/fav_reads.jpg?t=1772123813) Caption: -------------------- **Iran is dominating the social media propaganda battle** against the US with viral memes, AI videos, and satire. Gen Z creators are pushing content targeting US audiences during the ongoing conflict, to challenge the US government viewpoint. Given the war is unpopular with the public around much of the world, it’s arguably quite an easy game to play, but they’re good at it. Viral victory: Iran is beating the land of tech bros in the social media wars: (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/15/iran-beating-us-social-media-wars?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) **__________** **But also:** * **The first AI-era war** is a ["slopaganda" battle](https://www.axios.com/2026/04/14/ai-tools-propaganda-social-media) to control memes -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772124178) Caption: -------------------- **X’s aggressive bot purge** is wiping real users, including private “alt” p**n accounts. 😳 An AI-powered crackdown is sweeping up legit users alongside bots—exposing how blunt enforcement breaks trust, mislabels behaviour, and risks pushing core communities off-platform. X’s Big Bot Purge Wiped Out a Lot of People’s Secret P**n Feeds: (https://www.wired.com/story/x-bot-purge-wipes-out-secret-porn-feeds/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/67b5dbd2-fe26-4f24-8aeb-9460fd711fb1/Must_Watch.jpg?t=1772124172) Caption: -------------------- **Pinterest** has dropped a bold campaign [urging users to ditch social media](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterests-latest-ad-campaign-encourages-people-to-get-off-social-media/817640/). The campaign’s tagline: _“The best thing you can find online is a reason to go offline.”_ The company is doubling down on positioning Pinterest as a discovery tool, not an addictive social platform. The campaign subtly attacks rival social platforms while branding Pinterest as the “healthier” alternative. Youtube: Pinterest | How did they do it? (https://youtu.be/qr8bNBuptpU?si=BFwlgcAE_3LnkqFt) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- **AI-generated influencers** have been posing as real attendees at Coachella. Many avatars, like _‘Grannyspills’,_ fake interactions with celebrities, often without clear AI disclosure. The trend highlights growing concerns about authenticity, as fake influencers chase clout and brand deals. AI influencers are ‘everywhere’ at Coachella: (https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/911267/ai-influencers-coachella) **__________** **More WTF this week:** * **An American YouTuber was jailed** for [vile ‘rage bait’ stunts](https://www.thedailybeast.com/american-youtuber-jonny-somali-25-jailed-for-vile-statue-stunt-in-south-korea/) like kissing a “Statue of Peace,” honouring WWII sexual slavery victims * **Google, Microsoft, and Meta** are all tracking you [even when you opt out](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHizKlitct?xmt=AQF0B6COWOhIHZSIJTWrxVHt4KTGiuZCpkVye-p3UoYdImzflcZ8w0O8Z6gAr_cnZa0uXGXP&slof=1) * **Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses triggered controversy** at the Masters as fans used them to [bypass strict recording bans](https://www.androidpolice.com/ray-ban-meta-cause-a-stir-at-prestigious-sports-event-amid-calls-for-a-future-ban/) * **Telegram is still hosting** a sanctioned [$21 billion crypto scammer black market](https://www.wired.com/story/telegram-is-still-hosting-a-sanctioned-21-billion-crypto-scammer-black-market/) * **You’d think he’d stick to X**, but… Elon Musk [might have joined TikTok and Instagram](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/12/technology/elon-musk-tiktok.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share) * **The Meta AI app** is [telling your friend](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/10/psa-if-you-use-the-meta-ai-app-your-friends-will-find-out-and-it-will-be-embarrassing/)s on Instagram if you use it. Careful - you might look uncool * **Dr TikTok: **patients are [diagnosing chronic illnesses](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/12/tiktok-diagnose-cancer-chronic-illnesses-doctors?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) with anonymous commenters’ help -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4502d13e-4f26-44c8-97e3-dda5688321f0/science.jpg?t=1774012382) Caption: -------------------- **It’s well understood now** that social media amplifies extreme voices, fuelling populism and political polarisation globally. But this piece looks at data showing AI chatbots instead push users toward moderate, expert-aligned viewpoints, nudging both left and right users toward the center. Conspiracy beliefs thrive on social platforms but are rarely endorsed by AI… at least for now! Social media is populist and polarising; AI may be the opposite: (https://www.ft.com/content/3880176e-d3ac-4311-9052-fdfeaed56a0e) **__________** **Also this week:** * **A new study shows **35% of new websites since 2022 are AI-generated or AI-assisted. Researchers say [AI content is 107% more positive](https://www.wired.com/story/ai-slop-is-changing-the-internet-just-not-how-you-might-think/), driving an overly cheerful, “fake-happy” internet tone -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ebb5a3e5-d135-42bf-952a-cac3d0dd5b3e/USA_Today.jpg?t=1776423322) Caption: **USA Today** is looking for a [Social Media and Engagement Content Strategy Analyst](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-and-engagement-content-strategy-analyst/) _[Remote, USA]_ **__________** **More top social media jobs:** * **The UK Cabinet Office** needs a [Videographer & Social Media Content Creator](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/videographer-social-media-content-creator/) _[London, UK]_ * **Mozilla** is hiring a [Social Media & Content Strategist (Open-Source AI)](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-strategist-open-source-ai-2/) _[Remote, global]_ * **GoCardless** is recruiting a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-strategist-open-source-ai-2/) _[Leeds, UK]_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**673 MILLION**“ — – **Cristiano Ronaldo’s Instagram follower count**, as [celebrities dominate](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHC4xdijdX?xmt=AQF0BIDZwIcyFDsjlPLbwh6z_oRDqSUNlBFb8bXv3sQDPKKKxIEuy2pPiPfVAbPEer1Z-vbZ&slof=1) the 2026 most-followed accounts on the platform **__________** **More social stats **📊 * **NOT LAME: **TikTok’s top creators in 2026 are led by Khaby Lame with [160.7 million](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHCsiNinRs?xmt=AQF0IlY614A773NBCNNJJx4nieB1OTlw7RNskkbk2kjKq4EKQ4OL1_3tgQ7Eoxif4dvmLXY&slof=1) followers * **TWITCHY:** Twitch’s biggest streamers now pull huge audiences, with Kai Cenat leading at [20.21 million](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHCYAIigfq?xmt=AQF0H0irPIlMTZWxwMp7FKqLgNMqaN5LTqGXG8EiU1I7TjJepQr-MiI84edDOXH7TWDybCp6&slof=1) followers * **FAST FLAG: **TikTok says [88.7%](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-publishes-first-transparency-report-on-eu-hate-speech-removal/817269/) of flagged content in the EU is reviewed within 24 hours, with a median response time of 3.05 hours * **NOT WORKING: **New research shows [over 60%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXElCdcCvBR?xmt=AQF0FowdlR_1S-yJOZK070eQRW5gUSdNwHOFq7sZ3jSI_QKm0_TtvlwaqHFF-iHjcqqt-n4&slof=1) of Australian teens still access social media despite the ban * **BREAKING!:** “Breaking news” posts on X deliver [4x engagement](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXFBRJECpwd?xmt=AQF0b1SbtWIQQtJIe5hLnRTZIoTA-tSp2UEWce62BifbCiPEFJ3JYeUXz4WQT_3PQQa_4KQL&slof=1) for news publishers compared to those without that text * **SNEAKY:** In a study of ChatGPT, Reddit content was frequently retrieved but cited just [1.93%](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/chatgpt-often-retrieves-but-rarely-cites-reddit-pages-data-shows/572243/) of the time * **DOMINATION:** Social media platforms dominate digital advertising, with Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok capturing [over 90% of social ad revenue](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/meta-social-media-ad-revenue-70-percent-facebook-instagram-1236563625/). Meta dominates with a staggering 70% share of that market * **MOSTLY HARMLESS?: **[Most US teens](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXKCFeXiu8k?xmt=AQF0iJkRSX5IeDidcthRALFTPPjm-wTJcXl0TDJMYe7X7O-Bplhv2vQScqzPtNkmzjhsPl38&slof=1) say TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat aren't hurting (or helping) their mental health * **NEWSTOK: **[45%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXKAUwRiky8?xmt=AQF0TUv5GTl7SzGv0hBHavaupsllEXCmsdmyjNBdYafS8bopaQqKPn1BQINzpPBMQIkZ5Mz-&slof=1) of TikTok users use the app to get news, vs 26% for Snapchat -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- Social traffic kinda stinks for news publishers now, [in three charts](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHkc8wiosi?xmt=AQF0iMVYQ_7lE0TnpcB6gvCCd8ti_pf1_xQU0JNCo2QD5MKKY1MB6C-DG6TcFO3DW4C6J6if&slof=1). New data show **Twitter / X** referrals have **plunged 70% globally** since Elon Musk’s 2022 acquisition. **Facebook** referral traffic has also seen steep declines. And even when users click through, engagement time on news sites is falling. Here’s the most stark chart… 😳 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b4b57b2d-c8ed-4fc7-a927-95b9d222a80b/Traffic_drop.jpg?t=1776423993) Caption: **__________** **More charts **📈 * **AD IT UP: **How Meta fares against big tech rivals on [predicted ad revenues](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXE7IXyCj8t?xmt=AQF0smrD46uFajfwuhHnpavQyWSch7u0mQZIMPMOMzN77rtra9MMxbQH-PEyn2f1PmRNDKTE&slof=1) for 2026 * **GET THE MESSAGE: **Snapchat [dominates messaging](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXKAUwRiky8?xmt=AQF0lVOhxSp85dpPvx6KUemuWyqAAh1_DiWaHMBMrO9OyPb13zVfuChDDCvZn3SWanJtP536&slof=1) among US teens * **GIVE ME A REASON: **US teens use TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat for [entertainment and connection](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXKAUwRiky8?xmt=AQF0tXJVYvBpjW8u7AHyJdo5WVtD-HVtVLE3sUkBCTp9wdwO7wJyphxoHNux35s2VCasMUE6&slof=1), but TikTok stands out for product reviews -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- Things can't go on like this, Starmer tells social media bosses: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl11ynjyn1o?app-referrer=deep-link) ##### Also making headlines this week… 📰 * **How the UK government** plans to regulate social media for under-16s. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/16/uk-government-plans-regulate-social-media-under-16s?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] * **Meta is reorganising **Reality Labs to “adapt and execute faster.” [[The Information $$$](https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/exclusive-meta-reorganizes-reality-labs-execute-faster)] * **Meta signed a deal **with Broadcom to deploy over 1 gigawatt of custom AI chips, scaling to multiple gigawatts by 2027. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/14/meta-commits-to-one-gigawatt-of-custom-chips-with-broadcom-as-hock-tan-agrees-to-leave-board.html)] * **Meta increased action** against some posts using the word “antifa”. [[The Intercept](https://theintercept.com/2026/04/14/facebook-instagram-antifa-censor/)] * **Snap is partnering** with Qualcomm to power its new AI Spectacles launching this year. [[The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/tech/909608/snap-specs-qualcomm-snapdragon-ar-glasses)] * **Snap is pitching **'conversational commerce' as a TikTok alternative. [[AdWeek $$$](https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/snap-pitches-conversational-commerce-as-tiktok-alternative/)] * **The UK government is proposing** making tech execs criminally liable for failing to remove non-consensual intimate images from their platforms. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-looks-to-hold-tech-execs-personally-liable-for-intimate-image-abuse/)] * **The EU is preparing** to roll out its own age-verification system within weeks. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/online-age-checks-are-coming-europe-children-social-media/)] * **Europe should regulate** Big Tech instead of banning kids from social media, Estonia says. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-should-stand-up-to-big-tech-instead-of-imposing-social-media-bans-estonia-says/)] * **The Philippine government** has ordered Meta to curb “false and panic-inducing” content on Facebook or risk legal action. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-12/philippines-asks-facebook-to-curb-fake-news-warns-of-legal-move)] * **Adam Mosseri says** that too many** **Instagram content creators are not focusing “on the actual raw content, the message, the raw creative”, and instead prioritising production value. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW9qKtPDNYI?xmt=AQF0Vow1VhSZN0xKrxIk-DHneD1VWRpM5W6k2wWOOD2kFCuPbeo2aRTYLQISm7z5YHEsvlJx&slof=1)] * **BeReal is ramping up** creator outreach to revive growth after a 41% download drop in 2025. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/bereal-targets-us-creators-to-boost-app-engagement-2026-4)] * **Remember RedNote?** It’s chasing US expansion after its “TikTok refugee” moment faded. [[Rest of World](https://restofworld.org/2026/rednote-china-us-expansion-ecommerce-launch/)] * **Retirees are increasingly spending** large portions of their free time on social media due to a lack of daily structure. [[Digital Trends](https://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/social-media-is-robbing-your-time-even-in-the-ripe-retirement-phase/)] * **Twitch’s CEO says** the platform’s advantage is prioritising “community” and shared live experiences. [[Semafor](https://www.semafor.com/article/04/16/2026/twitch-ceo-dan-clancy-said-hes-not-worried-about-competition-from-youtube-and-tiktok)] * **Gary Neville’s Overlap** media company has acquired Mark Goldbridge’s YouTube empire in a seven-figure deal. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/14/gary-neville-the-overlap-mark-goldbridge-youtube-football?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] **New platform features and tests:** * **Facebook has been spotted** testing a new UI for the app’s main menu on iOS. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW_td7vDKHg?xmt=AQF0SImXUGOao00r9JKCBvYo7QXcL_nDFrIMZMwsn-rMEVlI_niJbjDhpfkR0us7AK_wkrT4&slof=1)] * **Messenger now has** a shortcut to Facebook Dating. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXL9H5uDBgl?xmt=AQF0_ruka2fLwfQgtF_1kaA_oyOjPb8DlhO-44yqGoe2oWsBmdQwLJ8XGQQkVQi8yGA8wuQP&slof=1)] * **Threads added **a new UI for the comment section available for horizontal videos. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIRTUSDN9P?xmt=AQF0hbBrbhLzPvT9onngdk52Vcy3LiQa7Z2C-kh8L90EIO56wM3YNKTEY1eCf0H97MXUX6qa&slof=1)] * **WhatsApp is testing** a new design for the toggle buttons. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIICC9DANa?xmt=AQF0yBJj_0vDJYCB0_zt4DgkXCi1qqyR_5WP5fGKmMzTlh83aqhTTp1xIwwjZpzoLwj1hL8&slof=1)] * **TikTok is now showing** ‘New following’ activity in a separate tab in the inbox. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIHw80jOr5?xmt=AQF0W9FTi7hPrdMZLAOuA8SvKARTbhrQvItwFva9l4k6jGYDbkv1blpDFi0vKFct8qqQB8gE&slof=1)] * **X now displays posts** with 2+ images and clips in a Carousel layout on iOS. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIP0eqjGeG?xmt=AQF0h6H-4nwLtXdnxaAfFW6xhp2XdejciplqbVwxSFKIfwE0N-DMSNyrx8p_iRSEjehdKOzM&slof=1)] * **X now has** a new design for profiles’ Video section on iOS. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIQ6XnjB4S?xmt=AQF0wSgX7VSvJ36Mfr8BgCqMqJKdoG8YzM609IdxOG2fDbeXFAFENaCvv5nfRfMIV97gSCE&slof=1)] * **X updated the design** of its Premium settings page on web, and added a new header showing when your account was verified. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXH7sT1DrIm?xmt=AQF0agiItmi_IolT3adljwMburw01tahWj8PFJylYZ6aM4QS57UoKf70bmOKN2iW0cr0vo3c&slof=1)] * **Snapchat started** showing when your Buddy Pass free invites will be refilled. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXFG6imjODB?xmt=AQF0lhZNGlv-PRTb1K-2sYOkhuyJJbl-mOhopTws51pXoIpYS887rmAVBg_9jgbacWK8PuM&slof=1)] * **Reddit’s iOS app** is adding Liquid Glass soon. [[9to5Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/16/reddits-ios-app-is-adding-liquid-glass-soon-heres-how-it-looks/)] * **Netflix is going full TikTok** with a new vertical video feed. [[Android Authority](https://www.androidauthority.com/netflix-mobile-app-vertical-video-3658431/)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- Influencers aren’t scaling themselves. They’re replacing themselves. 🤖 AI-generated “digital twins” of content creators and celebrities are popping up all over the place, and managing this revolution is a major priority for talent agencies like CAA. But will audiences truly respond to a digital facsimile of the star they think they know and love? Mega Influencers Are Replacing Themselves With AI Clones: (https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/influencers-ai-clones) **__________** **Also worth a read: **👀 * **How Bluesky earned its reputation** — and why [it could be the way of the future](https://www.semafor.com/article/04/10/2026/how-bluesky-earned-its-reputation-and-why-it-could-be-the-way-of-the-future) * **“Screens aren’t destroying young minds.** [I should know](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/04/12/social-media-ban-youth-mental-health/) * **Hollywood is casting influencers** to [win back Gen Z audiences abandoning traditional media](https://airmail.news/issues/2026-4-11/the-influencers-are-coming) * **How influencers fiercely strategize **[behind the scenes a Coachella](https://www.fastcompany.com/91525252/coachella-influencers-content-creators) * **YouTube, TikTok, and Meta are betting** [creator talent is portable](https://www.adweek.com/social-marketing/youtube-tiktok-and-meta-are-betting-creator-talent-is-portable/) * **Why Instagram’s shoppable Reels** may be [too little, too late](https://www.businessoffashion.com/briefings/marketing-pr/why-instagrams-shoppable-reels-may-be-too-little-too-late/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- Your next smartphone could literally tell you how to pose for social media 😱 **Huawei’s Pura 90 **offers AI-powered Posture Recommendations to help users look better in photos. The feature analyzes scenes and suggests poses via on-screen outlines and pose instructions. The aim is to boost your social media appeal by helping you become more photogenic, but I think I’ll stick to an awkward smile. Whatever happened to authenticity, eh? Your next smartphone could literally tell you how to pose for social media: (https://www.androidauthority.com/huawei-pura-90-ai-posture-recommendation-3657761/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- You have reached the end of this week’s Geekout. Chalk that up as an achievement, given how long it is! _________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/dc484a79-d57e-4aad-bc0c-5a29968708f3/battle_of_the_brands.jpg?t=1776428206) Caption: I’m looking forward to watching the final episode of Channel 4s **‘Battle of the Brands’ **- **Cadbury’s vs. McVities.** My nerdy face may pop-up one last time. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/947cdc49-cce7-4799-bf08-2d80a13bdb2c/Screenshot_2026-04-17_at_13.15.37.png?t=1776428155) Follow image link: (https://www.channel4.com/programmes/battle-of-the-brands) Caption: In last week’s episode, **Primark vs. John Lewis,** Channel 4 used several clips of me talking about Primark’s TikTok influencer strategy. You can [watch it on-demand here](https://www.channel4.com/programmes/battle-of-the-brands). — Right… I’m heading off to accept a **VERY surprising and exciting invitation** that just landed in my inbox from **Meta**! More details in next week’s Geekout. Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/bieber-viral-coachella-zuckerberg-clone

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e1011761-5e22-4a37-8a00-d4d76b1b8b4c/Geekout_170426.jpg?t=1776429855) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Geekout is sent to 30K social media pros** ** 65%+ open rate / Up to 3.5% Ad CTR **Sponsor Geekout** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** Tap here 👇 **⚡️ Optimize Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/bieber-viral-coachella-zuckerberg-clone) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** I never thought I would be writing this. This week’s Geekout features a lot of Justin Bieber. I’m so sorry. 🤷‍♂️ The shaven-headed pop monkey generated a lot of headlines following his $10M Coachella ‘performance’. Some critics slammed his _‘YouTube Karaoke’_ set as _‘lazy’,_ low-energy, and uninspired… …But many others leapt to his defence describing it as genius and that those people mocking his nostalgic, meme-filled YouTube screen share were missing the point entirely. Keep scrolling for my take on the story splitting online opinion this week. **__________** ##### **Happy 1st Birthday Instagram Edits **🎂 - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/484b010b-946f-4def-9d80-469ab16ec844/image.png?t=1776421550) Caption: - Instagram’s Edits app is turning one! To celebrate, it’s hosting a virtual event that doubles as a birthday celebration — and I got a party invite 🥳 Creators [@rvxmendoza](https://www.instagram.com/rvxmendoza/) and [@funyaasi](https://www.instagram.com/funyaasi/?hl=en) will join Edits Product Lead, Matthew Simari, for live editing demos and a walkthrough of how videos go from idea to final post inside the app. The product team will be tease what’s next for Edits in 2026. Members of the [Geekout VIP community on WhatsApp](https://nas.com/geekout) want to gatecrash the party! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6ca79729-0245-44a7-8a72-bd40389fddeb/Screenshot_2026-04-17_at_11.38.44.png?t=1776422336) Follow image link: (https://geekout-celebration-join.lovable.app/) Caption: - One member, [Aditya Choudhary](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityavsc/), [set up a petition](https://geekout-celebration-join.lovable.app/) to pressure Instagram into sending out more invites (just for fun!) I sent it to my contacts at **Instagram HQ.** And to my surprise, they have buckled and promised more invites: 🤣👇 - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/493d5bf3-d940-4773-993c-79e83e2d0412/Screenshot_2026-04-17_at_11.40.03.png?t=1776422418) Caption: - ✨** **[**Join Geekout VIP Group Chat**](https://nas.com/geekout?discountCode=GEEKFREE) on WhatsApp for FREE + get an IG Edits party invite. Use discount code: [GEEKFREE](https://nas.com/geekout?discountCode=GEEKFREE) **__________** ##### 2 cool things… 👀 🚨 Steal these AI prompts created by the world’s top marketers — 20+ WILD prompts for social teams… [The 3rd one is genius!](https://brand24.com/20-marketing-ai-prompts/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter_ad_2)* - 🔥 The AI workshop __every__ social media team needs to attend… Trust me, it’s good! — 1,700+ people [requested an invite](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/webinars/how-to-scale-social-with-ai/?utm_source=influencer_marketing&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=wb-20260423-AI_in_social__2026_campaign&utm_content=matt_navarra_geekout&utm_term=)* ^*Sponsored Message^ -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ FREE AI PROMPTS #### 23 AI Prompts Top Marketers _Actually_ Use — Steal These! 👀 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/57061087-7f0e-4873-93cf-2e09a59616ad/1200x627_v3.png?t=1776359607) Follow image link: (https://brand24.com/20-marketing-ai-prompts/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter_ad_2) Caption: - Are your AI prompts producing generic output? You ask for insights… and get something that could fit any brand. 😬 So you tweak the prompt. Try again. Still generic. Because AI isn’t the problem. Your prompts are. Most prompts are written by AI, for AI. These aren’t. **Brand24** collected **20+ AI prompts** **from 21 top marketers** like _Andy Crestodina, Neal Schaffer,_ and _Sara Stella Lattanzio._ **Steal the AI prompts they use daily for…** * 📊** Market research** in minutes not weeks * 🧠** Competitor analysis** that actually makes sense * 💬** Social insights **you can use to shape your strategy * 📈 **Strategy & decision-making** that doesn’t hurt your head! **What’s inside…?** * **⚡️ 23 AI prompts **for deeper research, planning & reporting * **⏱️ Quick-start guide** to customise each prompt to suit your needs * **📋 List of top data sources** to use in prompts for better, on-brand outputs Built on real signals like conversations, sentiment, and trends. Get your job done faster. Steel the AI prompts used by top marketing pros **↪︎ Grab the **[**FREE AI Prompt Book**](https://brand24.com/20-marketing-ai-prompts/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter_ad_2)** for marketers!** 🔓 Unlock 20+ AI Prompts (https://brand24.com/20-marketing-ai-prompts/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter_ad_2) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Meta builds AI version of Mark Zuckerberg to interact with staff: (https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/f9066169-3ddd-4a29-9dbd-b63657b8b8aa) 2. **Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot is still making sexual deepfakes**, despite X’s promise to stop it [[PERSISTING](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/musks-ai-chatbot-grok-xai-making-sexual-deepfakes-imagine-rcna265855)] 3. **Europe moves toward a coordinated** EU-wide teen social media ban [[ESCALATING](https://www.luxtimes.lu/europeanunion/macron-calls-for-united-eu-front-on-youth-social-media-limits/146051765.html)] 4. **British MPs vote against a social media ban** for under-16s a second time [[BLOCKING](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/apr/15/mps-vote-against-social-media-ban-for-under-16s-a-second-time?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] 5. **EU threatens to force Meta** to restore WhatsApp access for rival AI chatbots [[REGULATING](https://archive.is/1smXx)] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ FREE AI WORKSHOP #### Most Social Teams Are Using AI Wrong — Is this _YOU_? 👇 🤔 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2a4d7622-0f3e-4ddc-8c66-3e08b64fbbc0/april_ai_workshop_webinar_2026_thumbnail__1_.png?t=1776360006) Follow image link: (https://sproutsocial.com/insights/webinars/how-to-scale-social-with-ai/?utm_source=influencer_marketing&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=wb-20260423-AI_in_social__2026_campaign&utm_content=matt_navarra_geekout&utm_term=) Caption: - AI isn’t replacing you. But it is exposing you. 😬 Be honest! Have you ever... * **Posted AI content that feels off**… but hoping no one notices?…or * **Avoided AI completely **because it all feels a bit 🤖 + soulless? An ALARMING number of us have! And that’s a problem. Right now, most social teams are either… * **Pumping out beige**, forgettable AI content…or * **Ignoring AI and falling behind** on optimising workflows Neither wins.... So let’s cut through the noise. I’m teaming up with **Sprout Social’s Curtis Midkiff** (Social Director) for an [unfiltered conversation + interactive workshop](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/webinars/how-to-scale-social-with-ai/?utm_source=influencer_marketing&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=wb-20260423-AI_in_social__2026_campaign&utm_content=matt_navarra_geekout&utm_term=) on how AI actually fits into high-performing social teams. **In the session, we'll explain:** * 🧠** Where** AI gives you an edge… and where it kills your content! * 💬 **Why** human-led content still outperforms AI * ✍ **How** to write AI prompts that save hours + unlock better insights * 📊 **How** to use AI to prove social's value… without making your boss glaze over! Then we're switching gears for an **interactive workshop:** Real prompts, examples and takeaways you can use instantly. No (AI) slop. No hype. Just what actually works. ⏰ **Thursday, April 23 | 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 5 PM UK** 👉 [Request Your Invite](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/webinars/how-to-scale-social-with-ai/?utm_source=influencer_marketing&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=wb-20260423-AI_in_social__2026_campaign&utm_content=matt_navarra_geekout&utm_term=)... Spaces limited. ✨ Save Your Spot ✨ (https://sproutsocial.com/insights/webinars/how-to-scale-social-with-ai/?utm_source=influencer_marketing&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=wb-20260423-AI_in_social__2026_campaign&utm_content=matt_navarra_geekout&utm_term=) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **THAT Justin Bieber show** Justin Bieber Coachella review: Why critics missed the point: (https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/music/justin-bieber-coachella-review-why-critics-missed-the-point-11817342) Viral moments are a big part of the modern big music show experience, whether whether they’re intentional guest appearances made to be excitedly shared, or an accidental global news story (the Coldplay kisscam 😳). Justin Bieber’s show at Coachella last weekend was made to go viral, but the way the singer achieved that has split fans and critics alike. In case you missed it, there was a big chunk of the show where he brought out a laptop, pulled up YouTube, and shared funny clips and hits from his years as a young heartthrob. The crowd was treated to clips of him falling off stage and walking into a door, and he sang along with music videos from the start of his career. This carousel gives you a good idea… Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DXBsCmUFgnW/?img_index=7&igsh=MXc0dGpxOTYzZXE3ag==) It was NOT the Eras tour or a Beyoncé show. This was more like being invited round to Bieber’s house for a few drinks and a chat. Given reports he was being paid $10 million for two shows across Coachella’s two weekends, fans might have expected more. But I reckon what Bieber did was art. Yes, it was designed to go viral. As [Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/justin-bieber-revives-deez-nuts-meme-during-viral-10m-coachella-set-3350655/) put it, _“the moment that spread fastest online came when Bieber pulled up the classic Deez Nuts Vine, the Double Rainbow video, and his own 2025 paparazzi clip, where he said, “It’s not clocking to you that I’m standing on business,” before reenacting the line live on stage.”_ But it was also stripped back, personal, and seemed to be authentically him. That’s an artist doing what he wants to do. He’s been a star for as long as some young adults have been alive - he’s earned it, even if his music isn’t to everyone’s taste. He didn’t need expensive choreography and light shows to earn his millions and get the world talking about him. Good on ya, Justin. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ecf02f61-18af-4592-b14f-18c3b28469cb/Screenshot_2026-04-17_at_11.59.55.png?t=1776423606) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-announces-date-for-2026-conversations-event/817512/) Caption: Meta’s ‘Conversations’ event takes place June 3 in London | Credit: Meta * **Meta** is hosting an [AI-focused ‘Conversations’ messaging event](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-announces-date-for-2026-conversations-event/817512/) in London on 3 June. (Meta has invited me to attend in person. Look out for BTS insights in Geekout in June) * **Meta** is [hiking Quest headset prices](https://www.theverge.com/tech/912921/meta-quest-3-3s-vr-price-hike-ram-memory-shortage) as RAM shortages slam hardware costs globally * **Meta**’s new Muse Spark AI is encouraging users to [share health data](https://www.wired.com/story/metas-new-ai-asked-for-my-raw-health-data-and-gave-me-terrible-advice/) like lab results. Experts warn this data isn’t protected and could be stored or used for training or ads * **Meta** has been warned by over 70 advocacy groups that facial recognition glasses will [arm sexual predators](https://www.wired.com/story/meta-ray-ban-oakley-smart-glasses-no-face-recognition-civil-society/) * **Meta** must face a lawsuit in Massachusetts alleging it designed [addictive features](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/10/meta-massachusetts-youth-social-media-addiction-lawsuit?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) targeting teens * **Aaron Sorkin** has revealed first footage of [The Social Reckoning](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/social-reckoning-trailer-mikey-madison-white-strong-sorkin-1236561957/), sequel to The Social Network with Jeremy Strong as **Mark Zuckerberg**… but we can’t see it yet. It’s out in October * **Meta** is [preventing](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-isnt-setting-its-oversight-board-free-just-yet-153000172.html) its Oversight Board from working with external AI firms despite interest * **Facebook **Pages have a new [calendar view](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXH8MPPjj6i?xmt=AQF0zRI4hRtTDoERpBauri42FCZ4pixYEWJXVCYCmygZsBVTJSOHEvpYG39RjUharWtg83Pd&slof=1) in the content dashboard, displaying both published and scheduled posts. It also adds a new “Voice Translations” section showing content with voice translation enabled * **Facebook** has been spotted allowing you to see other stories by [swiping down](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIIvd4DNIt?xmt=AQF0yAVcbh6kJQi7lRCnP7_G78gKooEOgo2RwCbYt2QwCDnnUgQsMHZDl5jl_-SZWfuX5Lw&slof=1) on a story you are viewing **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/11c951c7-f077-4a64-ac1d-7faa65bcc9b3/image.png?t=1776423711) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-expands-your-algorithm-tool-to-explore/817772/) Caption: Instagram’s ‘Your Algorithm’ feature extended to Explore tab | Credit: Meta * **Instagram** has extended the ‘[Your algorithm](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-expands-your-algorithm-tool-to-explore/817772/)’ feature to the Explore tab * **Instagram **is testing letting you [add images in comments](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXMf7v7iinK?xmt=AQF0IjxCpLsPyLjiX40fgO4HWp-KLwrLcScQhOCbxesSUaxrK9-wVMNStYMh4YJ9hi41cWI&slof=1) (wild this is only happening now!) * **Instagram **has started [limiting](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXET84SDDjQ?xmt=AQF0Gw1_bkD8JQajNYRgt-0_uzGpIV8JULfb4h52BazSQeW5GOPhzKE9AAticOVDp8kKsU8W&slof=1) the number of trial Reels users can post for up to 30 days * **Instagram** is working on the ability to [cross-post Story highlights](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXEUkS5jCfF?xmt=AQF0fJU50__Wf8aoTvoezUwae3gV4zLSU4tqvfRS0nw_Eq7bqav6wdA8WjdBIYZ4WXHRx-qQ&slof=1) to Facebook * **Instagram** is[ removing](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXL-4PrjPQF?xmt=AQF04AXDej_6T0lJHYV3QyNCw6qSa5LpM9ABWiofEAa_oMQao3RUe0-yy7EaitDQ8w_iHhKF&slof=1) the QR code and copy link options for profiles * **Instagram** is expanding access to [GIF Notes](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW_t06YDP96?xmt=AQF0nuKX8fJtviel2f59DWYS_SL4C8TBIhifmOYZ1453LTxnBE8BG9HBYiCPrDy7Ds5tI-0M&slof=1) * **Instagram** is now available as a native app on [Android-powered tablets](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXFV_LCDLdl?xmt=AQF0Q-3BUpjPaUpEZJ9uuVLmsJ72E6YnlOzOjV4Qf288KJHmJw8GJDZiPRnbX_Jytf_7VZo&slof=1) * **Instagram Edits** has added a new [‘Templates’ filter](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXFayG9DGdE?xmt=AQF0KKaA3WZmoE3cv0gX2-sT-uEXhD9fGAGWiREdyrKoFspXRKA0GhS-_N7z1Xc8zHJibHC5&slof=1) in the Ideas tab * **Instagram Edits** now has a [reach-first dashboard](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/samanthabensimonyehle_instagram-now-has-the-most-insightful-performance-activity-7450196574854373376-201K?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) marketers will love. It ranks your post metrics by what actually boosts reach * **Instagram Edits** has added new font tools, colour control and the ability [recover deleted projects](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXNG3gAikgP?xmt=AQF0eCM9O4njt2cjmz_2n85g3dWOEKZXdVBKfljii0q8EjqGp0mMTZxJmm1-fF_6TBa_Lz75&slof=1) for seven days **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d6ca52f3-7f7e-4deb-a9f8-836e3d6cf87b/image.png?t=1776423852) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/threads-updates-reply-format-and-web-ui/817775/) Caption: Threads indented replies coming soon | Credit: Meta * **Threads** is switching to [indented replies](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/threads-updates-reply-format-and-web-ui/817775/) to make it easier to follow conversations * **Threads** is finally bringing [DMs to the desktop](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-giving-threads-on-web-a-redesign-that-finally-adds-direct-messages-192903284.html) web version * **Threads** is set to launch a ‘[live chat](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXA3WqyDEnK?xmt=AQF0L7cuE1fMBxScyNKM1fWh734BWExP1Cs3CZrC60pn-HpvYM_BCf5LsNfIYT52gCj_4Q58&slof=1)’ feature (oooo!) * **Threads’** API now has expanded [third-party integrations](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-updates-threads-api-with-more-third-party-app-integrations/817502/) with content management tools like Hootsuite and Sprout Social * **Threads** is now using a [larger font](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW9Ekc5jAJY?xmt=AQF0bfGWqGQLXRGBg6bl8VfJ2rsB3HL4U4CeI35BUUV_4x5SLWbgBnJO41UJPYq-EdPRdaND&slof=1) for posts that contain just a single emoji * **Threads** now has a [Fullscreen button](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIQQGVDP_D?xmt=AQF0hBYpeA3NtuF5Q244qyA1-QmzwHTxmd-So0fQ1h-GvQTIkbJQK_qJuzJq3IGLtBvaPb4&slof=1) for horizontal videos * **Threads** added a fun, new [Like animation](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXCGXVPDLsN?xmt=AQF0BcCK-DJeC8PfzHbh-Wb4KebAdYPsMSavInVjAXLQE5F3MHSRuIFUwbl25PS16EUpNJY&slof=1) for posts about the Coachella music festival. **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9cbf00c0-9de2-4feb-873d-c491b1868d91/image.png?t=1776424158) Follow image link: (https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-15-11-whats-new/) Caption: WhatsApp testing new controls for disappearing messages | Credit: WABetaInfo * **WhatsApp** is developing an [“after reading” timer](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-15-11-whats-new/) so disappearing messages can be set to vanish at a specific time after being read * **European governments** are forcing officials off **WhatsApp **and Signal onto [state-built messaging apps](https://www.politico.eu/article/european-civil-servants-new-messaging-services/) * **WhatsApp** is developing [49 chat themes](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-web-is-testing-chat-themes-with-49-color-options/) to expand limited customisation on desktop * **WhatsApp** is testing [expanding status updates](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-14-9-whats-new/) to recent unsaved contacts * **WhatsApp** is developing a new feature to help Android users monitor the activity of their [linked devices](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-15-6-whats-new) **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3ed9f936-ba30-4dee-a03a-ea2d18e1d7f8/image.png?t=1776424663) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXMJXRJDI2d?xmt=AQF06u-E5nBzAVct168QfzV1dAW2kmSGm8CnoAmHR2XOAg) Caption: X’s standalone chat app X Chat launching 23 April | Credit: @oncescuradu * **X** is set to launch its [standalone messaging app](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXMJXRJDI2d?xmt=AQF06u-E5nBzAVct168QfzV1dAW2kmSGm8CnoAmHR2XOAg), XChat, for iOS next week * **X** is rolling out a new take on “[Cashtags](https://www.theblock.co/post/397470/x-rolls-out-cashtags)” that will show live stock and crypto data inside user timelines * **X** is overhauling creator payouts to [reward original content](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/12/x-says-its-reducing-payments-to-clickbait-accounts/) over reposts and aggregators to reign in clickbait accounts * **X **is recommending explicit content to users posing as 13-year-olds, [a study found](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/explicit-content-teens-elon-musk-x-online-safety-act-b2958070.html) * **X** Money could [threaten](https://www.theverge.com/policy/911702/elon-musk-x-money-senator-warren) consumers, national security, and financial system stability, according to Senator Elizabeth Warren * **X** has expanded the ‘[snooze topics](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXKc0Q7jPrk?xmt=AQF0_-Y8OLApqZv8mE6rVO9l-A74DAvJSNgTNSdgN3tC_Zm6h5AX_hE9HVdbDBzCA9b_Y5Y&slof=1)’ feature more widely * **X** added a new ‘[Shared media](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXHD3TVDGTr?xmt=AQF00CRHoxWnz1WPgulNrY3U4cN1MzziA1oFYwlUXyyFGR6lP2weAYORxMOeR89kXCN6MbFx&slof=1)’ feature for private conversations **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/db96d0de-dc72-4ce0-b468-3e6e642b4d34/image.png?t=1776424818) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/olivia-rodrigo-karaoke-april-2026?lang=en) Caption: TikTok’s Olivia Rodrigo ‘Drop Dead’ music hub | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** launched a global [karaoke campaign](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/olivia-rodrigo-karaoke-april-2026?lang=en) for Olivia Rodrigo’s new single ‘Drop Dead,’ and an in-app listening party for fans * **TikTok** just added an [AI meme generator](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHad2EChxr?xmt=AQF0L91imLsA-3kRq9N-xrV3JmTJ87txcZP6PAKDrPGT-pWBrCVWQr3Pxa9IT5MgpTcjgJtZ&slof=1) 💀 * **TikTok** is ramping up its original content strategy with a [scripted romantic drama](https://deadline.com/2026/04/tiktok-original-scripted-series-sam-morgan-romantic-drama-1236858572/) about a Silicon Valley love triangle * **TikTok** published its first transparency report on EU [hate speech removal](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-publishes-first-transparency-report-on-eu-hate-speech-removal/817269/). It says 96.3% of violating content is removed before users report it * **TikTok** is testing a new ‘With Media’ [comment filter](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXMI5FSjN0U?xmt=AQF0IwbLtzJP6otOh4_ReVHsn0q77e9r8eLB5rp03BG6P3hSnbfI3LrgqAAtpPcJSG3Zdj8l&slof=1) for post comments * **AMC** is launching ‘The Audacity’ premiere on **TikTok**, split into [21x 3-minute segments](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/amc-audacity-series-premiere-tiktok-1236713295/?utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv4) **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/53abfe02-a919-4ce3-adab-66f3e4f6a9ae/image.png?t=1776425010) Caption: YouTube’s now Shorts feed ‘0-minutes’ limit option | Credit: YouTube * **YouTube** now lets remove Shorts entirely from your feed with a new [0-minutes](https://www.engadget.com/apps/youtube-now-lets-you-hide-shorts-085538825.html) daily Shorts limit option * **YouTube** is testing showing creator posts [directly in the Shorts feed](https://9to5google.com/2026/04/15/youtube-tests-showing-creator-posts-in-your-shorts-feed/) to boost visibility * **YouTube** Premium is [rising](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/youtube-hikes-prices-youtube-premium-music-1236561098/) from $13.99 to $15.99 and family plans are now $26.99. YouTube Music climbs to $11.99, while Premium Lite is now $8.99 * **YouTube**’s mobile app finally lets you [share timestamped videos](https://www.theverge.com/streaming/913611/youtube-mobile-app-share-at-timestamp-clips) * **YouTube** introduced new livestream features like expanded virtual gifts and [ad-free viewing](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/4-new-engagement-options-for-youtube-creators/817377/) for viewers who donate to a streamer * **YouTube** and the NFL are in advanced talks over a [five-game broadcast package](https://frontofficesports.com/nfl-youtube-advanced-talks-5-game-package/) * **The UK government** plans to launch a central **YouTube** channel to [counter misinformation](https://news.sky.com/story/government-youtube-drive-to-fight-conspiracy-theorists-and-keyboard-warriors-13530907) and boost reach * **YouTube** confirmed those 90-second unskippable TV ads people saw last week [were just a bug](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtubes-90-second-long-unskipable-ads-arent-intended/). Thank god! * **The Eurovision Song Contest** will [stream for free in US](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/eurovision-song-contest-2026-youtube-us-free-stream-boycott-1236563550/) on **YouTube** * **YouTube** is partnering with C-SPAN to expand into [education and civic content](https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/americans-learn-us-history-science-innovation/) as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary. **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/17ca2f44-831b-44c3-9e83-21de6eb0d8c9/image.png?t=1776425217) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-expands-ai-powered-conversational-search/817631/) Caption: LinkedIn’s AI-powered conversational search feature | Credit: LinkedIn * **LinkedIn** is adding AI-powered [summaries](https://www.threads.com/@lindseygamble_/post/DXM7AO9CSAj?xmt=AQF0z5RMnGMa5oxKpuM1Wf6ZxVcCe_1ApyWPgJTjfu8JdgmVwQmLAjGrg0G-e7z2T5uLiHU&slof=1) to search results and expanding AI-powered [‘conversational’ search](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-expands-ai-powered-conversational-search/817631/) to all US users * **Reddit **rolled out [Reminder Ads](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-expands-reminder-ads-globally/817382/) globally, enabling brands to send push alerts before and during events * **Reddit** launched a new [HubSpot integration](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-launches-new-public-beta-integration-with-hubspot/817510/), enabling marketers to publish, schedule, and track campaigns directly * **Snap** has [cut 16% of staff](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/snap-stock-layoffs-16-percent-workforce.html), eliminating around 1,000 jobs and 300 open roles. The company says AI is replacing repetitive work and boosting efficiency * **Bluesky** suffered serious downtime on Thursday (16 April). The company blamed a [DDOS attack](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/16/its-not-just-you-bluesky-is-sorta-down/) (ooof!) * **Discord** has introduced new desktop [display settings](https://discord.com/blog/making-discord-on-desktop-look-just-right-display-settings-to-ease-the-eyes) to make chats easier on the eyes * **Roblox** is introducing Kids and Select accounts to [improve safety](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-13/roblox-adds-youth-accounts-as-push-for-social-media-bans-grows) for under-16 users …and **Roblox** has [defended](http://Roblox defends expanded age‑checks after parents raise concerns over errors https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj94y9r0p10o) its expanded age checks after parents warned kids are being misclassified as adults * **Apple **is reportedly testing four new [smart glasses designs](https://mashable.com/article/apple-testing-four-smart-glasses-designs) to take on **Meta’s Ray-Bans** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- Scary times for graphic designers… Canva is rolling out an AI assistant that can create whole designs for you based on text prompts. Canva's AI assistant can now call various tools to make designs for you: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/16/canvas-ai-assistant-can-now-call-various-tools-to-make-designs-for-you/) **__________** ##### Also spotted this week… * **TikTok** now lets you allow AI to [remix your content](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DXHH4vIlNOw?xmt=AQF0DUe7aaMCRJWguMl63bcWOXeJCD3yQ_pWuDWXyj2uJPKQJE1rQhEQLNfQpaUfxDtQCn_O&slof=1) * **ByteDance** has launched the Seedance 2.0 AI video model [globally](https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/bytedance-launches-seedance-2-0-globally-excluding-u-s), excluding the US * **Facebook **is bringing its opt-in feature that[ scans users’ camera rolls](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-wants-to-scan-users-camera-rolls-for-content/817777/) for content ideas to the UK * **Meta** rolled out AI-powered Pixel upgrades that [automatically capture product and business data](https://www.facebook.com/business/news/pixel-conversionsapi-updates) for ads * **Meta** is plugging its new Muse Spark AI into Ray-Ban smart glasses to [fix shaky computer vision](https://gizmodo.com/meta-is-upgrading-one-of-the-worst-parts-of-its-smart-glasses-2000744953) * **Meta**’s Manus AI app has added [music generation](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXETersjF76?xmt=AQF0w0flAkxTREkbkM7MOUJWPxF0LqStjMn0Mys98f0eu-3i8nlrGjkX7zDnarWtLWsgc3s&slof=1) * **LinkedIn **expanded AI-powered [conversational search](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-expands-ai-powered-conversational-search/817631/) from Premium only to all users globally * **LinkedIn** is quietly testing an [AI labour marketplace](https://www.businessinsider.com/linkedin-enters-ai-training-market-challenges-startups-2026-4) paying up to $150/hour for training chatbots * **LinkedIn** is testing an ‘[automatic captioning](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXEZ63SDAuB?xmt=AQF0NBn4wNTfunxOsikV-KSXx4LO0JzpU7fmrykSasLDrPwOex8EsjMvMOE_E4JHScgagHxg&slof=1)’ feature for videos that duplicates the post’s description in a light blue stripe. * **TikTok** has added new AI [video generation tools](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-adds-new-ai-video-generation-to-symphony-ad-tool-kit/817379/) to its Symphony ad toolkit * **Adobe** is launching Firefly AI Assistant to [automate complex creative workflows](https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/15/adobes-new-firefly-ai-assistant-will-handle-multi-step-tasks-across-creative-cloud-apps/) using prompts across Creative Cloud apps -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3b409ca5-a409-49b7-8d8f-febf7dbe19f4/lol.jpg?t=1772123732) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b5dbf7ba-dfa4-491f-8a2c-1aee9fead709/Rangel_17041.jpg?t=1776420513) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-strategists-who-have-been-moving-activity-7450196320969056257-SMIh/) Caption: **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a382c9dc-1dc3-464c-bb25-a01e7dd501c0/Rangel_17042.jpg?t=1776420531) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-managers-googling-how-to-say-activity-7449833928816852994-Kkz5/?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=copy_link) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/62b46d83-427b-408f-a2db-cfb4cdeba9aa/Memes.jpg?t=1772123744) Caption: -------------------- Honestly, I’m not turning into a Belieber…! 😬 Without wanting to go TOO overboard on the Bieber stuff, his Coachella set did inspire a lot of great memes… ….With people and brands [putting their own spin](https://www.complex.com/music/a/treyalston/justin-bieber-coachella-meme-2026) on his ‘YouTube karaoke’. Tweet: (https://twitter.com/chesscom/status/2043779584907255931?s=61) **__________** Tweet: (https://twitter.com/kfc_es/status/2043731289992208464?s=61) **__________** Tweet: (https://twitter.com/torvesta/status/2043475026586869886?s=61) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- Super Mario has entered his AI slop era**… **and it’s selling. 🍄 **TikTok Shop** is filling up with low-effort AI videos using familiar characters to sell products—often wrapped in fake, emotional storytelling that converts. Super Mario is now the face of TikTok Shop AI slop, and it's fooling millions: (https://www.polygon.com/super-mario-has-become-the-face-of-tiktok-shop-ai-slop/) **__________** **More viral news this week:** * **Indie band Geese** has been dragged into a [“psyop” drama](https://www.garbageday.email/p/the-wild-geese-chase) over shady viral marketing claims * **Gen Z service members** on #MilitaryTok are sharing [anxious, sarcastic reactions](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/04/military-tiktok-iran-war-trump-hegseth?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) to the Iran war. Their tone contrasts with the White House’s gamified “warrior culture” messaging * **Gen Z’s ‘Silent Scream’** is driving the internet (and millennials) [crazy](https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/gen-z-silent-scream-tiktok-slang-b2957678.html) * **TikTok’s latest viral trend** features users [eating clay flower pots](https://www.vice.com/en/article/tiktoks-weirdest-new-trend-involves-eating-flower-pots-heres-what-that-does-to-your-body/) (don’t try it yourself) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- Brands are reply-guying their way into relevance… From **TikTok** to **Instagram** and **X**, brands are hijacking viral comment threads to chase culture and cheap engagement But it’s a risky game, where forced tone, backlash, and brand dilution can hit fast. Why brands can't stop acting like reply guys and jumping into viral comment threads on social media: (https://www.modernretail.co/marketing/why-brands-cant-stop-acting-like-reply-guys-and-jumping-into-viral-comment-threads-on-social-media/) **__________** **More brand news and views:** * How **The Daily Show** is [outsmarting](https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/the-daily-show-outsmarting-social-media-algorithm/) the social media algorithm * **Walmart** is scaling [creator-led commerce](https://www.marketingdive.com/news/inside-walmarts-creator-driven-social-commerce-playbook/816113/) as social becomes a key shopping discovery channel for consumers * How **Dr Pepper** [doubled down on fandom](https://www.adweek.com/social-marketing/why-dr-pepper-became-its-own-biggest-fan-on-social/), making social media the core of its marketing strategy. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"The Meta brand is not something people want to put anywhere near their face”“ — – **Snap CEO Evan Spiegel **[disses Meta’s smart glasses](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXE9vjpkWgr?xmt=AQF0Pe6tvM5zpnanpmbBAqoLAPiUD4ckfjv9zBiwHmZ6ysHQLTn7qRGAvNtI5JBcW2Zc3lPH&slof=1) as he gears up to launch the next generation of Spectacles later this year **__________** **Also quoted this week:** _“Completely insane… untenable"_ **- Snap CEO Evan Spiegel** describes his [work schedule](https://www.businessinsider.com/snap-evan-spiegel-snapchat-kerr-work-life-balance-specs-family-2026-4) **__________** _“Stock up on several VPNs”_ **- Telegram CEO Pavel Durov** [advises](https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/telegram-ceo-urges-russians-to-stock-up-on-vpns-as-the-platform-gets-an-anti-censorship-boost) Russian users on how to keep access to the app as the Kremlin cracks down **__________** _“It’s not very often that the MPA takes on a 1.6 trillion-dollar company"_ **- Motion Picture Association CEO Charlie Rivkin** on [clashing with Meta](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHnlqhikzt?xmt=AQF0Juevukj_bCxKL3RrV3FFVstEjbii8Wjq0MV3fXWNUL9YtuFizx7WlPl_lJrr1RRT6R0S&slof=1) over Instagram’s use of the ‘PG13’ age rating **__________** _“The addictive scrolling mechanisms are really problematic…. They need to go" _ _“Things can’t go on like this, they must change because right now social media is putting our children at risk.” _ _“In a world in which children are protected, even if that means access is restricted, that is preferable to a world where harm is the price of participation.”_ **- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer** [isn’t a fan](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/social-media-platforms-need-stop-never-ending-scrolling-uks-starmer-says-2026-04-13/) of infinite-scroll feeds and is [demanding action](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/apr/16/keir-starmer-social-media-firms-no-10-meeting) from social media companies to protect teen users -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/863ad342-3950-4b01-a80d-44a973a4ba09/fav_reads.jpg?t=1772123813) Caption: -------------------- **Iran is dominating the social media propaganda battle** against the US with viral memes, AI videos, and satire. Gen Z creators are pushing content targeting US audiences during the ongoing conflict, to challenge the US government viewpoint. Given the war is unpopular with the public around much of the world, it’s arguably quite an easy game to play, but they’re good at it. Viral victory: Iran is beating the land of tech bros in the social media wars: (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/15/iran-beating-us-social-media-wars?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) **__________** **But also:** * **The first AI-era war** is a ["slopaganda" battle](https://www.axios.com/2026/04/14/ai-tools-propaganda-social-media) to control memes -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772124178) Caption: -------------------- **X’s aggressive bot purge** is wiping real users, including private “alt” p**n accounts. 😳 An AI-powered crackdown is sweeping up legit users alongside bots—exposing how blunt enforcement breaks trust, mislabels behaviour, and risks pushing core communities off-platform. X’s Big Bot Purge Wiped Out a Lot of People’s Secret P**n Feeds: (https://www.wired.com/story/x-bot-purge-wipes-out-secret-porn-feeds/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/67b5dbd2-fe26-4f24-8aeb-9460fd711fb1/Must_Watch.jpg?t=1772124172) Caption: -------------------- **Pinterest** has dropped a bold campaign [urging users to ditch social media](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterests-latest-ad-campaign-encourages-people-to-get-off-social-media/817640/). The campaign’s tagline: _“The best thing you can find online is a reason to go offline.”_ The company is doubling down on positioning Pinterest as a discovery tool, not an addictive social platform. The campaign subtly attacks rival social platforms while branding Pinterest as the “healthier” alternative. Youtube: Pinterest | How did they do it? (https://youtu.be/qr8bNBuptpU?si=BFwlgcAE_3LnkqFt) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- **AI-generated influencers** have been posing as real attendees at Coachella. Many avatars, like _‘Grannyspills’,_ fake interactions with celebrities, often without clear AI disclosure. The trend highlights growing concerns about authenticity, as fake influencers chase clout and brand deals. AI influencers are ‘everywhere’ at Coachella: (https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/911267/ai-influencers-coachella) **__________** **More WTF this week:** * **An American YouTuber was jailed** for [vile ‘rage bait’ stunts](https://www.thedailybeast.com/american-youtuber-jonny-somali-25-jailed-for-vile-statue-stunt-in-south-korea/) like kissing a “Statue of Peace,” honouring WWII sexual slavery victims * **Google, Microsoft, and Meta** are all tracking you [even when you opt out](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHizKlitct?xmt=AQF0B6COWOhIHZSIJTWrxVHt4KTGiuZCpkVye-p3UoYdImzflcZ8w0O8Z6gAr_cnZa0uXGXP&slof=1) * **Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses triggered controversy** at the Masters as fans used them to [bypass strict recording bans](https://www.androidpolice.com/ray-ban-meta-cause-a-stir-at-prestigious-sports-event-amid-calls-for-a-future-ban/) * **Telegram is still hosting** a sanctioned [$21 billion crypto scammer black market](https://www.wired.com/story/telegram-is-still-hosting-a-sanctioned-21-billion-crypto-scammer-black-market/) * **You’d think he’d stick to X**, but… Elon Musk [might have joined TikTok and Instagram](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/12/technology/elon-musk-tiktok.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share) * **The Meta AI app** is [telling your friend](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/10/psa-if-you-use-the-meta-ai-app-your-friends-will-find-out-and-it-will-be-embarrassing/)s on Instagram if you use it. Careful - you might look uncool * **Dr TikTok: **patients are [diagnosing chronic illnesses](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/12/tiktok-diagnose-cancer-chronic-illnesses-doctors?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) with anonymous commenters’ help -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4502d13e-4f26-44c8-97e3-dda5688321f0/science.jpg?t=1774012382) Caption: -------------------- **It’s well understood now** that social media amplifies extreme voices, fuelling populism and political polarisation globally. But this piece looks at data showing AI chatbots instead push users toward moderate, expert-aligned viewpoints, nudging both left and right users toward the center. Conspiracy beliefs thrive on social platforms but are rarely endorsed by AI… at least for now! Social media is populist and polarising; AI may be the opposite: (https://www.ft.com/content/3880176e-d3ac-4311-9052-fdfeaed56a0e) **__________** **Also this week:** * **A new study shows **35% of new websites since 2022 are AI-generated or AI-assisted. Researchers say [AI content is 107% more positive](https://www.wired.com/story/ai-slop-is-changing-the-internet-just-not-how-you-might-think/), driving an overly cheerful, “fake-happy” internet tone -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ebb5a3e5-d135-42bf-952a-cac3d0dd5b3e/USA_Today.jpg?t=1776423322) Caption: **USA Today** is looking for a [Social Media and Engagement Content Strategy Analyst](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-and-engagement-content-strategy-analyst/) _[Remote, USA]_ **__________** **More top social media jobs:** * **The UK Cabinet Office** needs a [Videographer & Social Media Content Creator](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/videographer-social-media-content-creator/) _[London, UK]_ * **Mozilla** is hiring a [Social Media & Content Strategist (Open-Source AI)](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-strategist-open-source-ai-2/) _[Remote, global]_ * **GoCardless** is recruiting a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-strategist-open-source-ai-2/) _[Leeds, UK]_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**673 MILLION**“ — – **Cristiano Ronaldo’s Instagram follower count**, as [celebrities dominate](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHC4xdijdX?xmt=AQF0BIDZwIcyFDsjlPLbwh6z_oRDqSUNlBFb8bXv3sQDPKKKxIEuy2pPiPfVAbPEer1Z-vbZ&slof=1) the 2026 most-followed accounts on the platform **__________** **More social stats **📊 * **NOT LAME: **TikTok’s top creators in 2026 are led by Khaby Lame with [160.7 million](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHCsiNinRs?xmt=AQF0IlY614A773NBCNNJJx4nieB1OTlw7RNskkbk2kjKq4EKQ4OL1_3tgQ7Eoxif4dvmLXY&slof=1) followers * **TWITCHY:** Twitch’s biggest streamers now pull huge audiences, with Kai Cenat leading at [20.21 million](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHCYAIigfq?xmt=AQF0H0irPIlMTZWxwMp7FKqLgNMqaN5LTqGXG8EiU1I7TjJepQr-MiI84edDOXH7TWDybCp6&slof=1) followers * **FAST FLAG: **TikTok says [88.7%](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-publishes-first-transparency-report-on-eu-hate-speech-removal/817269/) of flagged content in the EU is reviewed within 24 hours, with a median response time of 3.05 hours * **NOT WORKING: **New research shows [over 60%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXElCdcCvBR?xmt=AQF0FowdlR_1S-yJOZK070eQRW5gUSdNwHOFq7sZ3jSI_QKm0_TtvlwaqHFF-iHjcqqt-n4&slof=1) of Australian teens still access social media despite the ban * **BREAKING!:** “Breaking news” posts on X deliver [4x engagement](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXFBRJECpwd?xmt=AQF0b1SbtWIQQtJIe5hLnRTZIoTA-tSp2UEWce62BifbCiPEFJ3JYeUXz4WQT_3PQQa_4KQL&slof=1) for news publishers compared to those without that text * **SNEAKY:** In a study of ChatGPT, Reddit content was frequently retrieved but cited just [1.93%](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/chatgpt-often-retrieves-but-rarely-cites-reddit-pages-data-shows/572243/) of the time * **DOMINATION:** Social media platforms dominate digital advertising, with Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok capturing [over 90% of social ad revenue](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/meta-social-media-ad-revenue-70-percent-facebook-instagram-1236563625/). Meta dominates with a staggering 70% share of that market * **MOSTLY HARMLESS?: **[Most US teens](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXKCFeXiu8k?xmt=AQF0iJkRSX5IeDidcthRALFTPPjm-wTJcXl0TDJMYe7X7O-Bplhv2vQScqzPtNkmzjhsPl38&slof=1) say TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat aren't hurting (or helping) their mental health * **NEWSTOK: **[45%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXKAUwRiky8?xmt=AQF0TUv5GTl7SzGv0hBHavaupsllEXCmsdmyjNBdYafS8bopaQqKPn1BQINzpPBMQIkZ5Mz-&slof=1) of TikTok users use the app to get news, vs 26% for Snapchat -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- Social traffic kinda stinks for news publishers now, [in three charts](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXHkc8wiosi?xmt=AQF0iMVYQ_7lE0TnpcB6gvCCd8ti_pf1_xQU0JNCo2QD5MKKY1MB6C-DG6TcFO3DW4C6J6if&slof=1). New data show **Twitter / X** referrals have **plunged 70% globally** since Elon Musk’s 2022 acquisition. **Facebook** referral traffic has also seen steep declines. And even when users click through, engagement time on news sites is falling. Here’s the most stark chart… 😳 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b4b57b2d-c8ed-4fc7-a927-95b9d222a80b/Traffic_drop.jpg?t=1776423993) Caption: **__________** **More charts **📈 * **AD IT UP: **How Meta fares against big tech rivals on [predicted ad revenues](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXE7IXyCj8t?xmt=AQF0smrD46uFajfwuhHnpavQyWSch7u0mQZIMPMOMzN77rtra9MMxbQH-PEyn2f1PmRNDKTE&slof=1) for 2026 * **GET THE MESSAGE: **Snapchat [dominates messaging](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXKAUwRiky8?xmt=AQF0lVOhxSp85dpPvx6KUemuWyqAAh1_DiWaHMBMrO9OyPb13zVfuChDDCvZn3SWanJtP536&slof=1) among US teens * **GIVE ME A REASON: **US teens use TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat for [entertainment and connection](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DXKAUwRiky8?xmt=AQF0tXJVYvBpjW8u7AHyJdo5WVtD-HVtVLE3sUkBCTp9wdwO7wJyphxoHNux35s2VCasMUE6&slof=1), but TikTok stands out for product reviews -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- Things can't go on like this, Starmer tells social media bosses: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl11ynjyn1o?app-referrer=deep-link) ##### Also making headlines this week… 📰 * **How the UK government** plans to regulate social media for under-16s. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/16/uk-government-plans-regulate-social-media-under-16s?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] * **Meta is reorganising **Reality Labs to “adapt and execute faster.” [[The Information $$$](https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/exclusive-meta-reorganizes-reality-labs-execute-faster)] * **Meta signed a deal **with Broadcom to deploy over 1 gigawatt of custom AI chips, scaling to multiple gigawatts by 2027. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/14/meta-commits-to-one-gigawatt-of-custom-chips-with-broadcom-as-hock-tan-agrees-to-leave-board.html)] * **Meta increased action** against some posts using the word “antifa”. [[The Intercept](https://theintercept.com/2026/04/14/facebook-instagram-antifa-censor/)] * **Snap is partnering** with Qualcomm to power its new AI Spectacles launching this year. [[The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/tech/909608/snap-specs-qualcomm-snapdragon-ar-glasses)] * **Snap is pitching **'conversational commerce' as a TikTok alternative. [[AdWeek $$$](https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/snap-pitches-conversational-commerce-as-tiktok-alternative/)] * **The UK government is proposing** making tech execs criminally liable for failing to remove non-consensual intimate images from their platforms. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-looks-to-hold-tech-execs-personally-liable-for-intimate-image-abuse/)] * **The EU is preparing** to roll out its own age-verification system within weeks. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/online-age-checks-are-coming-europe-children-social-media/)] * **Europe should regulate** Big Tech instead of banning kids from social media, Estonia says. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-should-stand-up-to-big-tech-instead-of-imposing-social-media-bans-estonia-says/)] * **The Philippine government** has ordered Meta to curb “false and panic-inducing” content on Facebook or risk legal action. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-12/philippines-asks-facebook-to-curb-fake-news-warns-of-legal-move)] * **Adam Mosseri says** that too many** **Instagram content creators are not focusing “on the actual raw content, the message, the raw creative”, and instead prioritising production value. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW9qKtPDNYI?xmt=AQF0Vow1VhSZN0xKrxIk-DHneD1VWRpM5W6k2wWOOD2kFCuPbeo2aRTYLQISm7z5YHEsvlJx&slof=1)] * **BeReal is ramping up** creator outreach to revive growth after a 41% download drop in 2025. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/bereal-targets-us-creators-to-boost-app-engagement-2026-4)] * **Remember RedNote?** It’s chasing US expansion after its “TikTok refugee” moment faded. [[Rest of World](https://restofworld.org/2026/rednote-china-us-expansion-ecommerce-launch/)] * **Retirees are increasingly spending** large portions of their free time on social media due to a lack of daily structure. [[Digital Trends](https://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/social-media-is-robbing-your-time-even-in-the-ripe-retirement-phase/)] * **Twitch’s CEO says** the platform’s advantage is prioritising “community” and shared live experiences. [[Semafor](https://www.semafor.com/article/04/16/2026/twitch-ceo-dan-clancy-said-hes-not-worried-about-competition-from-youtube-and-tiktok)] * **Gary Neville’s Overlap** media company has acquired Mark Goldbridge’s YouTube empire in a seven-figure deal. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/14/gary-neville-the-overlap-mark-goldbridge-youtube-football?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] **New platform features and tests:** * **Facebook has been spotted** testing a new UI for the app’s main menu on iOS. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW_td7vDKHg?xmt=AQF0SImXUGOao00r9JKCBvYo7QXcL_nDFrIMZMwsn-rMEVlI_niJbjDhpfkR0us7AK_wkrT4&slof=1)] * **Messenger now has** a shortcut to Facebook Dating. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXL9H5uDBgl?xmt=AQF0_ruka2fLwfQgtF_1kaA_oyOjPb8DlhO-44yqGoe2oWsBmdQwLJ8XGQQkVQi8yGA8wuQP&slof=1)] * **Threads added **a new UI for the comment section available for horizontal videos. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIRTUSDN9P?xmt=AQF0hbBrbhLzPvT9onngdk52Vcy3LiQa7Z2C-kh8L90EIO56wM3YNKTEY1eCf0H97MXUX6qa&slof=1)] * **WhatsApp is testing** a new design for the toggle buttons. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIICC9DANa?xmt=AQF0yBJj_0vDJYCB0_zt4DgkXCi1qqyR_5WP5fGKmMzTlh83aqhTTp1xIwwjZpzoLwj1hL8&slof=1)] * **TikTok is now showing** ‘New following’ activity in a separate tab in the inbox. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIHw80jOr5?xmt=AQF0W9FTi7hPrdMZLAOuA8SvKARTbhrQvItwFva9l4k6jGYDbkv1blpDFi0vKFct8qqQB8gE&slof=1)] * **X now displays posts** with 2+ images and clips in a Carousel layout on iOS. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIP0eqjGeG?xmt=AQF0h6H-4nwLtXdnxaAfFW6xhp2XdejciplqbVwxSFKIfwE0N-DMSNyrx8p_iRSEjehdKOzM&slof=1)] * **X now has** a new design for profiles’ Video section on iOS. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DXIQ6XnjB4S?xmt=AQF0wSgX7VSvJ36Mfr8BgCqMqJKdoG8YzM609IdxOG2fDbeXFAFENaCvv5nfRfMIV97gSCE&slof=1)] * **X updated the design** of its Premium settings page on web, and added a new header showing when your account was verified. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXH7sT1DrIm?xmt=AQF0agiItmi_IolT3adljwMburw01tahWj8PFJylYZ6aM4QS57UoKf70bmOKN2iW0cr0vo3c&slof=1)] * **Snapchat started** showing when your Buddy Pass free invites will be refilled. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DXFG6imjODB?xmt=AQF0lhZNGlv-PRTb1K-2sYOkhuyJJbl-mOhopTws51pXoIpYS887rmAVBg_9jgbacWK8PuM&slof=1)] * **Reddit’s iOS app** is adding Liquid Glass soon. [[9to5Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/16/reddits-ios-app-is-adding-liquid-glass-soon-heres-how-it-looks/)] * **Netflix is going full TikTok** with a new vertical video feed. [[Android Authority](https://www.androidauthority.com/netflix-mobile-app-vertical-video-3658431/)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- Influencers aren’t scaling themselves. They’re replacing themselves. 🤖 AI-generated “digital twins” of content creators and celebrities are popping up all over the place, and managing this revolution is a major priority for talent agencies like CAA. But will audiences truly respond to a digital facsimile of the star they think they know and love? Mega Influencers Are Replacing Themselves With AI Clones: (https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/influencers-ai-clones) **__________** **Also worth a read: **👀 * **How Bluesky earned its reputation** — and why [it could be the way of the future](https://www.semafor.com/article/04/10/2026/how-bluesky-earned-its-reputation-and-why-it-could-be-the-way-of-the-future) * **“Screens aren’t destroying young minds.** [I should know](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/04/12/social-media-ban-youth-mental-health/) * **Hollywood is casting influencers** to [win back Gen Z audiences abandoning traditional media](https://airmail.news/issues/2026-4-11/the-influencers-are-coming) * **How influencers fiercely strategize **[behind the scenes a Coachella](https://www.fastcompany.com/91525252/coachella-influencers-content-creators) * **YouTube, TikTok, and Meta are betting** [creator talent is portable](https://www.adweek.com/social-marketing/youtube-tiktok-and-meta-are-betting-creator-talent-is-portable/) * **Why Instagram’s shoppable Reels** may be [too little, too late](https://www.businessoffashion.com/briefings/marketing-pr/why-instagrams-shoppable-reels-may-be-too-little-too-late/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- Your next smartphone could literally tell you how to pose for social media 😱 **Huawei’s Pura 90 **offers AI-powered Posture Recommendations to help users look better in photos. The feature analyzes scenes and suggests poses via on-screen outlines and pose instructions. The aim is to boost your social media appeal by helping you become more photogenic, but I think I’ll stick to an awkward smile. Whatever happened to authenticity, eh? Your next smartphone could literally tell you how to pose for social media: (https://www.androidauthority.com/huawei-pura-90-ai-posture-recommendation-3657761/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- You have reached the end of this week’s Geekout. Chalk that up as an achievement, given how long it is! _________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/dc484a79-d57e-4aad-bc0c-5a29968708f3/battle_of_the_brands.jpg?t=1776428206) Caption: I’m looking forward to watching the final episode of Channel 4s **‘Battle of the Brands’ **- **Cadbury’s vs. McVities.** My nerdy face may pop-up one last time. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/947cdc49-cce7-4799-bf08-2d80a13bdb2c/Screenshot_2026-04-17_at_13.15.37.png?t=1776428155) Follow image link: (https://www.channel4.com/programmes/battle-of-the-brands) Caption: In last week’s episode, **Primark vs. John Lewis,** Channel 4 used several clips of me talking about Primark’s TikTok influencer strategy. You can [watch it on-demand here](https://www.channel4.com/programmes/battle-of-the-brands). — Right… I’m heading off to accept a **VERY surprising and exciting invitation** that just landed in my inbox from **Meta**! More details in next week’s Geekout. Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/bieber-viral-coachella-zuckerberg-clone

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/918cc0f2-85ee-47d6-8b4c-d7f236aadcf6/Geekout_100426.jpg?t=1775821534) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Reach 30K social pros for less than you think** ** Get up to 25% off Geekout Sponsorships in 2026 **Become a Sponsor** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **⚡️ Optimize Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-muse-spark-ai-linkedin-browser-extensions) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** Welcome to your download of everything new in social. We’ll dive straight in as there’s lots to talk about! Coming up in this week’s Geekout: * ✨** Meta launched its latest AI model **to compete with OpenAI and Google… But Meta has already admitted it’s not cutting edge - * 🔥** LinkedIn is getting heat** for ‘secretly’ scanning your browser extensions… But LinkedIn says the allegations are BS - * 😮** Iran is winning the social media propaganda war**… Some of its X posts roasting Trump are brutal! - * 🚫** Instagram is making its teen safety rules even stricter**… But is it too little, too late, following recent landmark trial losses? Plus over **30 new platforms features** spotted in the wild, including… **WhatsApp** rolling out usernames **Instagram** testing a dedicated Stories tab **X** bringing back voice notes in DMs Keep scrolling for all that, and more. 👇 __________ ##### ==**2 cool things… **==👀 🔥 The new AI tool social managers are quietly [about to obsess over](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-newsletter-archer) 👀 ⚡️ The [best newsletter reader](https://www.meco.app/get/bjsd) I’ve found. Most people don’t know it exists! And it’s free [ad] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ NEW SOCIAL AI TOOL #### Be honest… Your social strategy is mostly vibes, right? 😂 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d2ac66e6-bedb-4fed-9723-74866d117bac/V2_Archer_Geekout_Announcement.jpg?t=1775750772) Follow image link: (https://www.measure.studio/geekout-newsletter-archer) Caption: **….No shade!** — it’s what happens when: * Dashboards are a _mess_ * Data takes _hours_ to pull * And no one has time to _analyze_ everything So, sometimes, you guess. And hope! That’s exactly what [Archer from Measure Studio](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-newsletter-archer) fixes. This _isn't_ just copy-pasting into ChatGPT. Archer is your AI companion for fetching social media insights. And It’s built for how social teams _actually_ work. Here are a few wild things Archer can do: * 👀 Archer **actually** **sees your content** (not just metrics) * 🧠 Archer **knows what “good performance” looks like** for YOU * 📊 Archer **pulls in organic, paid + competitor data**, instantly * 🔍 Archer **scans and detects patterns** across thousands of posts * 🧾 Archer **turns insights into high-performance strategy** + ready-to-share decks No more spreadsheet spirals. No more second-guessing. Just clear answers, instantly: 👉 What’s working 👉 What’s not 👉 What to do next (and why) See what your data’s been trying to tell you… ↪︎ [Try Archer 100% FREE for 14 days](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-newsletter-archer) risk-free …If you love it, **get 20% off** your 1st year 🔓 Unlock Archer for Free (https://www.measure.studio/geekout-newsletter-archer) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Meta releases first AI model since Zuckerberg’s spending spree: (https://www.ft.com/content/0efb912a-8bac-4655-ad6c-7c27d4ebbf50?syn-25a6b1a6=1) 2. **LinkedIn hit with lawsuits **over alleged illegal browser extension tracking [[SPYING](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/04/linkedin-scanning-users-browser-extensions-sparks-controversy-and-two-lawsuits/)] 3. **Instagram is introducing **stricter teen safety rules [[RESTRICTING](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/04/instagram-expands-teen-accounts-inspired-by-13-content-ratings-2/)] 4. **FBI issues warning **against using CapCut and other Chinese apps [[ALARMING](https://mashable.com/article/fbi-warns-against-foreign-mobile-apps-in-psa)] 5. **Meta removes ads from lawyers **seeking users to sue its platforms [[BLOCKING](https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/meta-social-media-addiction-ads)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **Has Meta got its AI mojo back?** Meta's long-awaited AI model is finally here. But can it make money?: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/09/metas-long-awaited-ai-model-is-finally-here-but-can-it-make-money.html) Meta has been spending big on AI, but hasn’t had a flagship model to show for it for some time. After Llama 4 launched to an underwhelming reaction a year ago, Mark Zuckerberg called for a rethink, and this week we got the first output of that new approach, Muse Spark. While the model is certainly not world leading, it at least puts Meta back in the game. It also has the ability to search public content on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, which rivals obviously can’t access so comprehensively. Although Muse Spark is only available in the US at the moment, the launch caused the Meta AI app to [climb up](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/meta-ai-app-climbs-to-no-5-on-the-app-store-after-muse-spark-launch/) the App Store charts. Clearly it’s more of a draw than the AI slop that app is usually associated with. And Zuck is serious about going further. Meta has reportedly [reassigned engineers](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW8aTp7ilJ2?xmt=AQF0c5BBHaCqfN7uBbbF6B1aNNwgRcJC3JWsnRgnWuNxr4t5DECi2E6ykVYN3w119nVfaVgf&slof=1) into its Applied AI team to help accelerate model performance. While the model is only being used by Meta right now, the company plans to eventually offer paid API access to third parties. But with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI, Mistral, not to mention Chinese AI companies, all in competition, the question might be… should Meta open its new generation of models up for other people to build upon? Is that a race even worth running in? All of this big-money investment in AI will need to pay off for shareholders, but Meta doesn’t necessarily need to play the same game as its rivals. I’d suggest Meta might be better keeping Muse Spark and its sequels to itself. Use its own AI to give its own products a unique edge. Shove the models into AI smart glasses, have them power AI-driven advertising products, use them to help Meta staff be more productive. Keep the spoils for yourself, Zuck! That’s my opinion, anyway. A wonder if Muse Spark would agree? -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/104bbb62-a2c4-45da-b981-d21e88d960e0/gettyimages-1431051092-612x612.jpg?t=1775818940) [Metaverse technology concept with infinity sign on digital wallpaper background.] Caption: Getty Images * **Meta**’s Superintelligence Labs is quietly building a [hardware team](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-superintelligence-labs-taps-leader-for-hardware-role-2026-4), suggesting they’re exploring AI hardware beyond smart glasses * **A former Meta engineer** is [under police investigation](https://news.sky.com/story/facebook-worker-investigated-by-police-over-download-of-30-000-private-images-13528853) for allegedly accessing 30,000 private images * **Meta **has introduced a [Featured Profiles](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8th6AjGiy?xmt=AQF0Y9fN0a9PBAFXO6yP1WqgflDdmGd3MowdPHD2GmZ7sZVkRf3BH12lWzNiGvTu4NOOShhv&slof=1) feature for Meta Verified subscribers, offering the chance to be included in a list of ‘Recommended Meta Verified Profiles’; * **Meta** has launched [experimental apps](https://gizmodo.com/meta-hopes-a-hide-and-seek-app-will-convince-you-to-buy-its-smart-glasses-2000743397) for its Ray-Ban smart glasses, including games and plant recognition * **Meta-linked Scale AI **is reportedly using tens of thousands of gig workers to [train its AI with disturbing tasks](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/07/meta-scale-ai-social-media-technology?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) * **Meta staff **have been competing for “Token Legend” status on an [internal AI usage leaderboard](https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/meta-shutters-internal-ai-token-leaderboard?rc=tasqia). The leaderboard has been shut down after the data became public * **Meta** has added an option in Ads Manager to [block employees](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8pPggjEd9?xmt=AQF0myI5utsGZH8pjhMKcDpEhPyCkgPV21AAT4ybjoLB1JvRW0RB0GDIfKG_hF-fxzomwdxw&slof=1) from seeing your ads **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4a7c8232-b112-4c1c-aa5b-ffb7b074dd6c/image.png?t=1775822264) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-looks-to-grow-notes-engagement/816910/) Caption: Instagram testing ability to share Notes with all followers, not just mutuals | Credit: @hammod_oh * **Instagram** now lets you [share Notes](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-looks-to-grow-notes-engagement/816910/) with all your followers, even if they don’t follow you back * **Instagram** finally lets you [edit comments](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW6yj98CrDh?xmt=AQF0hHZ217m6_5zzaleIGfA_AGLKx-IYi_-FUAcQppo0Eq0NEZbniRS82jKH7Q-d_zNG2oqH&slof=1) (for 15 minutes after posting) * **Instagram** is working on a dedicated [tab for Stories](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW6MAsjilmG?xmt=AQF0FjPOUCopB5zHbZXROnF2xoiTYpsYRPrA_oI2tDZlSdUsVSgA9yNihOUyIlTxW7ffaXc&slof=1) with new Story discovery features * **Instagram** is rolling out the ability for creators to [tag linked products](https://www.fastcompany.com/91522171/instagrams-awkward-link-in-bio-workaround-might-be-on-its-way-out) directly in Reels posts, with no more ‘ink in bio’ * **Instagram** is testing new categories for the [Explore tab](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWtFdT4DIaP?xmt=AQF0p7RwFJfPh4Wgsqbo5bQuEFk50MDhhDMlG8TtEqdmlw), including a ‘For You’ section and others based on your interests, and the ability to add new interests * **Instagram** could add the ability to [schedule a story](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWy1DJiDHks?xmt=AQF0WMPcsUON_EJyx0uMifI4h5gNItbpKzCKJQfaY0WW9HO18bU35DAHJ1DF_CEbWMJRTkI&slof=1) or to save multiple stories to drafts * **Instagram** has been spotted [removing](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8qLoaDNW9?xmt=AQF0zHO5d80KMbePRwFHLoTC9oMlcZCRWFSMkDakvNsgGVgwnZAvLkgA_MvzdcYG8R3FtXY6&slof=1) the GIF story type from the Stories editor * **Instagram** launched a [fresh look for buttons](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW6VbNWDOt9?xmt=AQF052v3Er4gA0GZSgcDqHKSuiAkWOD2rH8ygi-mAhthnbrfPkFflboTxdElSNzb4gDQUVAR&slof=1) in the main Reels editor: more space between them, labels and a “squircle” shape **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4ccb7044-5daa-49b8-97e1-d35cd464e2a2/image.png?t=1775819064) Follow image link: (https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-the-username-feature-on-android-and-ios/) Caption: WhatsApp rolling out usernames feature to beta testers | Credit: WABetaInfo * **WhatsApp** finally started [rolling out usernames](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-the-username-feature-on-android-and-ios/) to a limited number of users, letting you to keep your phone number private when connecting with new people * **WhatsApp** is bringing Status updates to the [top of the Chats tab](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-is-testing-status-updates-in-the-chats-tab/), in an Instagram-like carousel * **WhatsApp** has [tweaked its logo](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW80xnijG6k?xmt=AQF0jX5gYP73y5__-Qn6ZIRsh1ocGk45aYjuaqjiSUDbspSBWXf52aoaVPstssod55fwVnTc&slof=1) slightly * **WhatsApp** officially launched its new [CarPlay app](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-announces-an-official-carplay-app-on-the-app-store/), letting you message, call, and view favourites on your dashboard * **WhatsApp** is testing a [noise cancellation](https://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/whatsapp-calls-are-about-to-get-a-lot-better-with-noise-cancellation/) feature for voice and video calls * **WhatsApp** is working on a feature that allows users to see [how many followers](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWz8fjSCAVT?xmt=AQF0otR65_KzkQDXmmHhNcR1sHziQMmHFY_zJpBliEXiV2A0QVnUqsIQHFILyNeAEkwT8erR&slof=1) are subscribed to a channel * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability to [add new members](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-a-feature-to-suggest-new-group-members/) to group chats from via the mention picker * **Threads** has expanded access to mobile [post scheduling](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8uwhSDGFp?xmt=AQF0w8g8AnQMbsjAZ--9HE6BSs9Q6U8QG_iu_u9TfK5Fz1YjX70G-8cajuSNDshWk5H2_wvU&slof=1) * **Threads** has tweaked the [posts editor](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8wwwNjNQl?xmt=AQF0ZOATnAerkAMXFBSd3h8kj7Pge-K-L5tNIviUzcYWzVKbr5Pv9fNfuuU2npt8z5sdSfSm&slof=1) so can easily discard a post and jump right into a fresh draft without having to close and reopen it * **Threads** on desktop has had a design refresh, making the fediverse [more visible](https://www.threads.com/@codybrom/post/DW4x-C3IJdz?xmt=AQF04Qg03Bi-a9wbMDvMkxk_vIk_HMDRz4rl-H57hB34G8Xa6Q4NoxSMdD0ukmdG9TcxoWXH&slof=1) **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3712217a-0a8a-4b34-b458-38255cd81d3d/image.png?t=1775819191) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/x-brings-back-voice-notes-to-x-chat/) Caption: X is reintroducing Voice Notes in X Chat app | Credit: X * **X** is reintroducing [voice notes](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/x-brings-back-voice-notes-to-x-chat/) in its standalone X Chat app after removing the feature years ago * **Elon Musk** is [pressuring](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/elon-musk-pressures-potential-spacex-investors-to-advertise-on-x/816660/) potential investors in the SpaceX IPO to use Grok and advertise on X * **X**’s algorithm appears to [penalise](https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/04/do-links-hurt-news-publishers-on-twitter-our-analysis-suggests-yes/) posts containing links, hurting publisher reach * **X** has eliminated thousands of accounts in [a new bot purge](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-conducting-bot-purge-removal/817160/) * **X** launched new [reply settings](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-expands-ai-translations-and-adds-in-stream-photo-editing/816911/) let Premium users to give ‘friends-of-friends’ the ability to comment on posts * **X** has given X Money a [new icon](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8tF3ADHiq?xmt=AQF0pCbOY6AouOlWC4QLDd6tsrQ3KEBbren1IQoceF73aKfGJRfBal95-7d3v28v_5tLg8U&slof=1) ahead of launch **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/29d75d8e-6510-4a3a-9103-017196253899/image.png?t=1775819274) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DW6MG6ViYMX?xmt=AQF0aEeQ3TYVNgP_ptH8MgiL3DMP35eevmr4VdDeRFx12S2IdvWL7M75QjjrBWSGn42ZhcAp&slof=1) Caption: TikTok lets you customise DM chat bubble styles | Credit: @jonahmanzano * **TikTok** now lets you customise your [chat bubble style](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DW6MG6ViYMX?xmt=AQF0aEeQ3TYVNgP_ptH8MgiL3DMP35eevmr4VdDeRFx12S2IdvWL7M75QjjrBWSGn42ZhcAp&slof=1) in DMs * **TikTok**’s comment icon now says “[Add 1st](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWy474viuRw?xmt=AQF0tcc7aT9U9ai3eG5RHzo8My0HUZkC-IOS0Bx41AJAv6Hv4p4NP8OT8d9gSCwiZ7TWNdo&slof=1)” when there are no comments on a video * **TikTok** deepened its [HubSpot integration](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-expands-hubspot-integration/816779/), adding ad management and CRM tools * **TikTok **launched an upgraded [Wix integration](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-launches-updated-integration-for-wix-users/817028/) to streamline ads and data syncing * **TikTok** has partnered with Issa Rae’s HOORAE to launch [exclusive micro-series content](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-bolsters-micro-series-content-with-first-of-its-kind-partnership-with-hoorae?lang=en) * **TikTok** and the International Chamber of Commerce have launched ‘Digital Commerce Labs’ to [accelerate small business growth](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-and-international-chamber-of-commerce-partner-on-global-initiative-to-empower-small-businesses-and-drive-economic-growth?lang=en) * **TikTok **is making the ‘Add to Apple Music’ and ‘Add to Spotify’ buttons [more prominent](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW3_E3lDJVl?xmt=AQF0pWHzrx4Hn6P-jDPz20xTvVF3ycqZq1wVWezwJzYHDlFE_HtiefGVVMTgNfe3bVHlpay0&slof=1) within posts **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7095c86c-7f61-4a51-9ad0-010a36948580/Screenshot_2026-04-10_at_12.12.11.png?t=1775819577) Follow image link: (https://9to5google.com/2026/04/09/youtube-says-it-does-not-have-90-second-unskippable-ads-despite-user-reports/) Caption: YouTube users report seeing 90-second unskippable ads | Credit: Dexerto * **YouTube** denies its running [90-second unskippable ads](https://9to5google.com/2026/04/09/youtube-says-it-does-not-have-90-second-unskippable-ads-despite-user-reports/) despite widespread user reports showing them 🤔 * **YouTube** creators have filed a lawsuit accusing Amazon of [scraping millions of videos](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/youtubers-sue-amazon-claim-ai-tool-was-trained-on-scraped-videos/) for AI training * **YouTube** is testing “[Auto Speed](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-premium-auto-speed-on-the-go-experiments-3655710/)” to automatically speed up videos without losing clarity, and a new “On-the-go” mode offers distraction-free controls for audio-style content * **YouTube** plans to add [interactive live chats](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/08/as-youtube-grows-on-tv-it-eyes-more-interactive-video-across-formats/), gifting, and Shorts viewing in its TV app * **YouTube** upgraded exportable [Creator Media Kits](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-media-kit-insights-and-adds-ai-tools/816908/) with income and “parent status” data * **YouTube** has a new ‘[Link History](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW3-mucjCPg?xmt=AQF04ScBaSsO8nQqdQ1CaeEIjpr2s7NIZsi3i5OgonLqBeiabCqQ-UFPRXuRXwL7mXR8f3KJ&slof=1)’ feature * **YouTube** has launched ‘Channeling,’ a new [interview series](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/04/09/youtube-interview-web-series-channeling-hola-soy-german/) featuring the platform’s top creators **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ec5eacfd-9cba-46da-ad57-38a87c2c4339/image.png?t=1775819700) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-makes-a-push-for-snapcodes-as-a-marketing-tool/817027/) Caption: Snapchat’s customisable QR ‘Snapcodes’ | Credit: Snap * **Snapchat** has renewed its push for [Snapcodes](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-makes-a-push-for-snapcodes-as-a-marketing-tool/817027/) as a key marketing tool for advertisers * **LinkedIn** added [video speed controls](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-adds-video-playback-speed-controls/817030/), letting you play clips at 0.5x or 2x * **LinkedIn **reportedly [explored acquiring](https://x.com/maxwelltani/status/2041137664988996071?s=61) newsletter platform **Beehiiv** late last year * **Twitch** has opened up [sponsored campaigns](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/04/07/twitch-minecraft-tiny-takeover-affiliate-sponsored-campaign/) to Affiliates, expanding access beyond Partner-level streamers -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- **YouTube**’s AI now lets you make [avatars that look and sound like you](https://9to5google.com/2026/04/08/youtube-shorts-ai-avatar/) for Shorts, Sora style. You can record your face and voice once to generate photorealistic digital doubles. Clips featuring your AI avatar can run up to 8 seconds long, but multiple clips can be stitched together into longer Shorts. YouTube says the feature is rolling out globally, but is restricted to users aged 18+. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/18349276-887b-48db-9ba1-9b36524fef9a/YT_Sora_style.jpg?t=1775754773) Follow image link: (https://9to5google.com/2026/04/08/youtube-shorts-ai-avatar/) Caption: __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **YouTube** has integrated Google’s latest Nano Banana [image generation model](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-media-kit-insights-and-adds-ai-tools/816908/) to its Create app * **X **has rolled out AI-powered post [translations](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-expands-ai-translations-and-adds-in-stream-photo-editing/816911/) globally and launched new AI photo editing tools * **TikTok **is tackling AI music clones with advanced [audio detection tech](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-and-acrcloud-partner-on-derivative-works-detection-system/816662/) * **Meta AI**’s standalone app has a [new icon](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW34HjnjJVs?xmt=AQF0_MAfAk1OOVOESOi4UY6J2S0xvLIwauJYwfxGF0_gfSxOwc0qRYa-LxMZLNKp12Rr7Zho&slof=1) * **TikTok**’s Taco has a [new logo](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DW6T3kKjixs?xmt=AQF0VuhPedDgeDMMt0k3PViNIXYpPx5SMl3psfov1sNvJ2fWVkev7wvALVkW2_qoKdMJj0QC&slof=1) too * **Canva** has acquired Simtheory to add [AI assistants](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/08/canva-doubles-down-on-ai-and-marketing-automation-with-simtheory-ortto-acquisitions/) to automate tasks and workflows for teams, and Ortto brings customer data, targeting, and multi-channel campaign automation * **Adobe** has launched a free AI [study tool](https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/07/adobe-takes-on-notebooklm-with-acrobat-student-spaces/) called Student Spaces, to rival Google’s NotebookLM -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/af25fac9-cfca-420e-8477-a42bf352fda1/You_can__1_.jpg?t=1775164259) Caption: -------------------- Is the UK falling out of love with social media? I spoke to **The Guardian** about social media’s global [shift towards passive consumption](https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/05/uk-social-media-apps-share). View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3688fac5-5237-494e-9184-d32bb688ef8c/The_Guardian_Social_Media_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra.jpg?t=1775812221) Follow image link: (https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/05/uk-social-media-apps-share) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3b409ca5-a409-49b7-8d8f-febf7dbe19f4/lol.jpg?t=1772124148) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e3216903-7288-4ccc-8a28-f7fe29067f7f/Cats.jpg?t=1775818824) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@benedictevans/post/DW6r5pqDqxc?xmt=AQF0emnqkdg6qRt1zwyyTN0OxQQYaMCeiMzzSGhqzGYN_3_If2Ol7bc5x5qRBmUCTEObnlfd&slof=1) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/62b46d83-427b-408f-a2db-cfb4cdeba9aa/Memes.jpg?t=1772123744) Caption: -------------------- **Modern warfare isn’t just about weapons and diplomacy.** Your meme game better be strong too. But when the world’s biggest military power threatens to wipe out your civilisation, how do you respond? Iran’s embassies around the world responded to Trump’s increasingly unhinged Truth Social posts with a mocking tone that echoed how much of the world felt. Tweet: (https://twitter.com/iran_in_india/status/2040826238911295743?s=61) __________ Tweet: (https://twitter.com/iraninzimbabwe/status/2041063891497632113?s=61) __________ Tweet: (https://twitter.com/iranembtun/status/2040915689075069438?s=61) __________ And that’s before you get to the Lego-inspired pro-Iran videos circulating since the war began. Wired has a really good look at them here: The Pro-Iran Meme Machine Trolling Trump With AI Lego Cartoons: (https://www.wired.com/story/inside-the-pro-iran-meme-machine-trolling-trump-with-ai-lego-cartoons/) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- **The viral AI fruit series ‘Fruit Love Island’** has sparked a new content format Creator @perfumesguy turns fragrances into personalities using generative AI storytelling. The account has already grown to 35K followers; with some videos hitting millions of views. Love AI fruit slop? Welcome to AI fragrance reviews: (https://thenodmag.com/content/viral-ai-fragrance-reviews-internet-trend?utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv4) __________ **More viral news this week:** * **“You the birthday”** has spread on TikTok, [confusing users across generations](https://www.distractify.com/p/you-the-birthday-meaning-tiktok) * **The “Catholicmaxxing” trend** sees Gen Z [rediscover religion via TikTok](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/07/catholicmaxxing-catholicism--church-religion-tiktok-gen-z-influencers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) * **The “7×7=49” trend** has taken over TikTok as users label the equation [oddly “attractive”](https://thetab.com/2026/04/08/right-heres-what-7x749-means-on-tiktok-because-the-strange-meme-is-everywhere) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- **Let’s see how long this lasts…** Big publisher **HarperCollins** is turning some of its best selling children’s series into AI-generated YouTube Shorts, with the help of a company called **Toonstar**. Will this turn out to be high-quality content for kids, or just more pointless AI slop? We’ll find out soon enough… HarperCollins is turning authors' books into AI YouTube Shorts: (https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/04/03/youtube-harpercollins-toonstar/) __________ **More brand news and views:** * **Arsenal** and **Meta** have launched a [partnership](https://arsenal.com/news/arsenal-launch-facebook-whatsapp-partnership) across Facebook and WhatsApp _(I’m a big Gooner appreciative of free Arsenal merch, tickets… If any Meta/Arsenal staff are reading this _😁_)_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"Nate is posting bullshit”“ — – **Elon Musk**’s [blunt reaction](https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2041062056108159242?s=61) after Nate Silver [posted analysis](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW08ig8iiyo?xmt=AQF0TPd7iVsaZw9YJEU8VTwVxhC3CSG8nRj47e0vDEMTyxOjqtnVxxzuNzKuivPe-wo3oPA&slof=1) of how right-wing focused X has become. (Nate’s right, BTW!) __________ **Also quoted this week:** _“We will not allow trial lawyers to profit from our platforms while simultaneously claiming they are harmful.”_ **- A Meta spokesperson** explains why the company [removed ads](https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/meta-social-media-addiction-ads) from lawyers advertising social media addiction litigation __________ _“They have no programming costs, they do not pre-finance works, and as a result, they have a very low fixed cost base, which allows them to offer very low advertising prices. It’s competition we cannot match, because we have to invest in programming and news.”_ **- Rodolphe Belmer**, CEO of French TV network TF1, thinks YouTube is [unfair competition](https://www.politico.eu/article/forget-netflix-youtube-main-rival-top-france-broadcaster-says/) __________ _“"I blame it all on my mom, because she told me, 'Don't talk with your mouth full. And I think probably in that case I should have just said, 'You know what? To hell with it. I'm gonna talk with my mouth full.'"_ **- McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski** [reacts](https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-chris-kempczinski-blames-mother-viral-big-arch-taste-test-2026-4) to his recent viral fame __________ _“To put it bluntly, an X post today receives less than 3% of the views a single tweet delivered seven years ago.”_ **- The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Kenyatta Thomas** on [why the organisation has quit X](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/eff-is-the-latest-organization-to-leave-x/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/863ad342-3950-4b01-a80d-44a973a4ba09/fav_reads.jpg?t=1772123813) Caption: -------------------- **Ever felt like launching your own social media platform? **It’s not easy. Issam Hijazi launched UpScrolled as a solo project in July 2025; and it now has 5M+ users. UpScrolled differentiates itself with chronological feeds, no algorithms, and a strict no data-selling policy Growth surged following TikTok’s US ownership deal, when the platform jumped from 150K to 2.5M+ users in weeks. However, UpScrolled now faces backlash over moderation limits and extremist content concerns. He Started a Social Network Alone. Then 5 Million People Signed Up: (https://www.wired.com/story/the-big-interview-podcast-upscrolled-founder-issam-hijazi/) __________ **Also this week:** * **Meta, YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok** increasingly [deny being “social media” companies](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-04-08/meta-snap-and-youtube-say-they-re-not-really-social-media-companies?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3NTc1MzI2MSwiZXhwIjoxNzc2MzU4MDYxLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJURDY5QkRLSVAzSVIwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJENjBGNzhFNUYzMzg0QUZDQjgzRThCRTdGQUQyODM1MSJ9.k0KDfDs7plPWzoaIWexaUJf8BHyMW_gtKlcFgpQqG9M), rebranding as AI, entertainment, or streaming platforms amid reputational damage -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4502d13e-4f26-44c8-97e3-dda5688321f0/science.jpg?t=1774012382) Caption: -------------------- **A new study shows **that a short digital detox can [reverse effects of heavy social media use](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/04/09/social-media-detox/). A two-week detox cut screen time from 314 to 161 minutes daily. Cognitive gains matched reversing 10 years of age-related decline One-week studies show anxiety down 16.1%, depression 24.8%, insomnia 14.5%. My dopamine addiction is out of control, so perhaps I need to give this serious consideration! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fd359a20-d07f-4e6f-bc03-6f46c800c7a1/Social_study.jpg?t=1775758656) Follow image link: (https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/04/09/social-media-detox/) Caption: __________ **Also spotted:** * **Researchers warn** algorithms are [driving polarization and reducing real connections](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/10/reform-uk-voters-least-likely-to-see-social-media-posts-from-family-and-friends-study-finds?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other), as a new study finds social feeds are becoming less “social,” especially for Reform UK voters -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- **What’s going on with Khaby Lame’s $975M TikTok-linked deal?** Rich Sparkle stock surged after the deal’s announcement, then crashed over 90% as deal details remained unclear Major brokerages have blocked trading, while Lame himself has stayed silent (yes, I know that’s on brand for him), raising doubts about whether this mega-deal is even a real thing… TikTok's top star teased a $975 million deal and then went silent. Red flags are piling up.: (https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-creator-khaby-lame-mega-deal-brokerages-restrict-trading-2026-4) __________ **More WTF this week:** * **A teenage Minecraft YouTuber** raised [$1,234,567 for a meme prediction market called Giggles](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/07/a-teenage-minecraft-youtuber-raised-1234567-for-a-meme-prediction-market-called-giggles-it-broke-me/) * **The FBI extracted** a suspect’s deleted Signal messages… [because they were saved](https://www.404media.co/fbi-extracts-suspects-deleted-signal-messages-saved-in-iphone-notification-database-2/) in their iPhone notification database * **Three men were arrested** after [yelling “Gun” in crowded movie theatre](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/yelling-gun-crowded-movie-theater-arrest-1236557935/) for a social media prank * **Russia's attempts **to restrict the use of virtual private networks triggered a [widespread banking outage](https://gizmodo.com/russia-allegedly-swung-at-vpns-but-accidentally-hit-its-own-banking-sector-instead-2000742551), according to Telegram founder Pavel Durov -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7e57229a-e235-4a60-a78e-7a86f4370acf/Canon.png?t=1772192025) Caption: **Canon** is looking for a [Social Media Content Creator Programme Specialist](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-creator-programme-specialist-3/). _[London, UK]_ __________ **More social media jobs:** * **The Wikimedia Foundation **is hiring a [Media Partnerships Lead](http://Change.org) _[Remote, worldwide]_ * **The UK Department for Education** is recruiting a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/media-partnerships-lead/) _[London or Sheffield, UK]_ * **Premier Inn** needs a [Social Media Executive](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/media-partnerships-lead/) _[London, UK]_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: -------------------- Sorry, folks… reposting **Instagram** feed posts to Stories does NOT improve reach **Instagram overlord Adam Mosseri** just debunked the popular engagement hack… Instagram chief debunks popular engagement hack: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-chief-debunks-popular-engagement-hack/816781/) __________ **More pro tips:** * **Replying to your comments** on **Facebook** boosts engagement: Buffer's study of 1M+ Facebook posts found [replying to comments drove 9.5% more reactions](https://buffer.com/resources/replying-to-your-comments-on-facebook-boosts-engagement/) * **Instagram’s Adam Mosseri also **shared some useful features [you might have missed](https://www.threads.com/@mosseri/post/DW3yHItktXX?xmt=AQF09yhlz8fzUOCcq85xiOEvCJ1pFhjTpXV4ptNuRcRFYfwbPFhr1c3ZOqiRGUsyZb-1x5IZ&slof=1) * **Pinterest** says [repetitive content kills engagement](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/content-diversification-is-key-to-engagement-on-pinterest/816906/) and session time, and marketers should diversify formats, visuals, and themes to maximize discovery and performance -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**€1 BILLION**“ — – **How much TikTok is investing** to build a [second Finland data centre](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/tiktok-build-second-billion-euro-data-centre-finland-2026-04-08/) __________ **More new social stats:** * **BREAKING: **[49%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW4LkIdCoem?xmt=AQF0ZiAowcIHkdmoJKjV3F9h1QGyYfGin5c8g8TmCmENwhcpUi6F3aLeOuRUu5c1yZKS7lGT&slof=1) of people use social media for breaking news, ahead of TV * **BAN HAPPY:** [68%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW4LpIVCv2P?xmt=AQF0hG62oHRsoUIN1jxWikjxxIlLZWIEPlYwep6QoSVikWSxtmfyp3sTW1ByeL6Ij0-Pd1GQ&slof=1) of global social media users now back teen social bans * **PODTASTIC: **Podcasters on Patreon pulled in [$629 million](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW4MpYwihrq?xmt=AQF08Ey1Ov_XrpIEhxBMYhxCMsQ84mzPGUWNvFu3AWd1MhPNC6PvVtnGtJHqqum-VWKEi9gB&slof=1) in 2025, surging 33% YoY * **NOT WORKING: **[70%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWyZDyXitdJ?xmt=AQF06Ylt8Xiz7V9Xq-YzdcVYxudYmITcHut_GMn1kbF_7A) of children under the age of 16 in Australia are still accessing and using social apps despite the ban * **MAKING IT SNAPPY: **[Over 45,000](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW1fM7qirrF?xmt=AQF0XaxT6hmDJsP2hgl-MN5iDdBNpDY5vCMnhdsKXwKQ6pJ2S45mmj3rXorT2hpMyoSW42s&slof=1) people joined Snapchat’s Topic Chats feature during March Madness 2026, with 40,000 active users and 90,000+ messages sent concurrently at its peak -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- **Does including a link in your X post kill reach? ** The answer appears to be yes! Analysis by Nieman Lab of X posts by 18 publishers showed links in tweets sharply reduced engagement. The study revealed **The New York Times **included links in 88% of its tweets, and averaged 383 engagements per post, despite having 53M followers. On the other end of the spectrum, engagement-maxxing account **Globe Eye News** with 866K followers never included links in its posts and saw a median 8,418 engagements per tweet View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8774ecfc-5d2f-4833-a642-6ef26412fc14/X_links_reach.jpg?t=1775818210) Follow image link: (https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/04/do-links-hurt-news-publishers-on-twitter-our-analysis-suggests-yes/) Caption: __________ **More charts:** * **BAN ‘EM: **Support for a minimum age on social media, [as it stands across Europe](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW8eVcpCrAS?xmt=AQF0D0F14BnSoJjjXQ-G8JqCncLMme7AXOeafgnnE3kj089LOMBZHwpJZIvXqgyZbABzuJKa&slof=1) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- Apple accused of scraping millions of YouTube videos for AI training: (https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/06/proposed-class-action-accuses-apple-of-scraping-millions-of-youtube-videos-for-ai-training/) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **Teen social media bans **have been branded a “lazy fix” by experts as the global crackdown grows. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/08/teen-social-media-ban-countries-tech-experts-warning.html)] * **The EU failed to renew** CSAM scanning rules before a 3 April deadline, leaving platforms in legal limbo. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/tech-firms-enter-legal-limbo-over-child-abuse-scanning/)] * **The EU is ramping up** age verification enforcement after finding major platforms fail age checks. [[Wired $$$](https://www.wired.com/story/europe-gets-serious-about-age-verification-online/)] * **Perplexity has been accused** of sharing AI conversations with Meta and Google. [[Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/04/perplexitys-incognito-mode-is-a-sham-lawsuit-says/)] * **Australia says** its under-16 social media ban can’t work without global backing. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/australia-cant-go-at-it-alone-on-social-media-ban-for-kids-says-ambassador-diplomat-angus-campbell/)] * **Greece looks set** to ban under-15s from social media starting in 2027. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/08/greece-proposes-social-media-ban-under-15s-anxiety-sleep-problems?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] * **Massachusetts lawmakers** are looking to usher in ‘most restrictive’ social media ban in the USA. Under-14s would be blocked entirely, while 14–15 year olds would need verified parental consent. [[Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/social-media-ban-massachusetts-bill-b2953302.html)] * **Mayor of London Sadiq Khan** has demanded stronger action on social media ‘outrage economy’. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/09/sadiq-khan-london-mayor-social-media-outrage-economy?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] * **Top creators could replace** armies of ‘clippers’ with AI. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/top-influencers-engagement-ai-1236556720/)] * **TikTok’s North America ads chief** Khartoon Weiss is leaving after nearly six years. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-top-north-america-ad-exec-khartoon-weiss-leaving-2026-4)] * **Meta has committed** to spending additional $21 billion with CoreWeave as AI costs keep rising. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/09/meta-commits-to-spending-additional-21-billion-with-coreweave-.html)] * **Sony and Universal** have asked a judge to dismiss X’s antitrust lawsuit as “baseless” retaliation. [[TorrentFreak](https://torrentfreak.com/music-publishers-ask-court-to-dismiss-xs-weaponized-dmca-antitrust-suit/)] * **OpenAI reportedly says **Elon Musk and Meta are coordinating ‘Attacks’ against it. [[Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/in-letter-openai-reportedly-says-elon-musk-and-meta-are-coordinating-attacks-against-it-2000743228)] * **Ireland has begun testing **a digital ID wallet that includes social media age verification tools. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-03/ireland-tests-digital-id-to-verify-age-of-social-media-users?sref=YURDD6is)] * **Meta has suspended** all Mercor contracts after a hack hit the AI data supplier’s systems. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-pauses-all-contracts-with-mercor-after-breach/816663/)] * **Meta has warned** that Europe faces an AI “relevance crisis” as the US-China race intensifies. [[Meta Newsroom](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/04/can-europe-seize-the-ai-moment/)] * **A new YouTube report** shows indie animation is rising as studio output declines. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/youtube-report-trends-indie-digital-animation-1236559869/)] **More new features and updates:** * **TikTok has introduced** an exclusive in-app experience to support Ella Langley's Dandelion. [[TikTok Newsroom](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/ella-langley-dandelion-experience-with-tiktok?lang=en)] * **CapCut** has tweaked its video editor UI. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8vsFSjA_m?xmt=AQF05EFAZe0Oe70XUnxPPHF-BrrUJQ6Dq9YsAJJZvuXvQeDMzwaLFNqphX1BHRudFgeU7WBu&slof=1)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- Social media is turning into a freak show: (https://www.natesilver.net/p/social-media-has-become-a-freak-show?hide_intro_popup=true) __________ **Also worth a read:** * **How Meta’s AI push **is [changing ad creation](https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/2026/04/07/meta-ai-ad-creation) * **‘It started with a tipoff’: **How a Guardian investigation [exposed child sex trafficking on Facebook and Instagram](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/apr/06/investigation-exposed-child-sex-trafficking-on-facebook-and-instagram-meta?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) * **Can AI responses be influenced?** [The SEO industry is trying](https://www.theverge.com/tech/900302/ai-seo-industry-google-search-chatgpt-gemini-marketing) * **Questions linger **about [the long-term viability of X](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/questions-linger-about-the-long-term-viability-of-x/816783/) * **Social platforms are facing increased scrutiny.** [How long will advertisers stick around?](https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/2026/04/07/social-platforms-scrutiny-advertiser-loyalty) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- **Using emojis at work**…** harmless fun, right?** 💩🤷‍♂️ Maybe not. A new study shows using emojis at work can make you seem less competent. * Negative emojis significantly damage professionalism and perception 🤬 * Even positive emojis can feel insincere in the wrong context 👍 * Researchers say emojis only help when they match neutral or positive messages 😐 So, maybe think twice about adding that winking emoji in your next work email 😉 Using Emojis at Work? You’re Not Going to Like This Study: (https://gizmodo.com/using-emojis-at-work-youre-not-going-to-like-this-study-😮-2000744745) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- In the words of Porky Pig…. “That’s all folks…!” Really showing my age with that cultural reference. 😏 I’m heading off to finalise plans for the next edition of Geekout Interviews… I’m in talks with execs at Adobe, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Threads, to secure another exclusive interview. Got ideas for someone I should try to pursuade (blackmail) into revealing more insider information? Hit reply to this email, and send me some names. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/90ced1f5-9e5e-4541-a5b6-24c2cde0cef7/thank-you-lonney-tunes.gif?t=1775822000) Caption: Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-muse-spark-ai-linkedin-browser-extensions

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/918cc0f2-85ee-47d6-8b4c-d7f236aadcf6/Geekout_100426.jpg?t=1775821534) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Reach 30K social pros for less than you think** ** Get up to 25% off Geekout Sponsorships in 2026 **Become a Sponsor** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **⚡️ Optimize Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-muse-spark-ai-linkedin-browser-extensions) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** Welcome to your download of everything new in social. We’ll dive straight in as there’s lots to talk about! Coming up in this week’s Geekout: * ✨** Meta launched its latest AI model **to compete with OpenAI and Google… But Meta has already admitted it’s not cutting edge - * 🔥** LinkedIn is getting heat** for ‘secretly’ scanning your browser extensions… But LinkedIn says the allegations are BS - * 😮** Iran is winning the social media propaganda war**… Some of its X posts roasting Trump are brutal! - * 🚫** Instagram is making its teen safety rules even stricter**… But is it too little, too late, following recent landmark trial losses? Plus over **30 new platforms features** spotted in the wild, including… **WhatsApp** rolling out usernames **Instagram** testing a dedicated Stories tab **X** bringing back voice notes in DMs Keep scrolling for all that, and more. 👇 __________ ##### ==**2 cool things… **==👀 🔥 The new AI tool social managers are quietly [about to obsess over](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-newsletter-archer) 👀 ⚡️ The [best newsletter reader](https://www.meco.app/get/bjsd) I’ve found. Most people don’t know it exists! And it’s free [ad] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ NEW SOCIAL AI TOOL #### Be honest… Your social strategy is mostly vibes, right? 😂 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d2ac66e6-bedb-4fed-9723-74866d117bac/V2_Archer_Geekout_Announcement.jpg?t=1775750772) Follow image link: (https://www.measure.studio/geekout-newsletter-archer) Caption: **….No shade!** — it’s what happens when: * Dashboards are a _mess_ * Data takes _hours_ to pull * And no one has time to _analyze_ everything So, sometimes, you guess. And hope! That’s exactly what [Archer from Measure Studio](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-newsletter-archer) fixes. This _isn't_ just copy-pasting into ChatGPT. Archer is your AI companion for fetching social media insights. And It’s built for how social teams _actually_ work. Here are a few wild things Archer can do: * 👀 Archer **actually** **sees your content** (not just metrics) * 🧠 Archer **knows what “good performance” looks like** for YOU * 📊 Archer **pulls in organic, paid + competitor data**, instantly * 🔍 Archer **scans and detects patterns** across thousands of posts * 🧾 Archer **turns insights into high-performance strategy** + ready-to-share decks No more spreadsheet spirals. No more second-guessing. Just clear answers, instantly: 👉 What’s working 👉 What’s not 👉 What to do next (and why) See what your data’s been trying to tell you… ↪︎ [Try Archer 100% FREE for 14 days](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-newsletter-archer) risk-free …If you love it, **get 20% off** your 1st year 🔓 Unlock Archer for Free (https://www.measure.studio/geekout-newsletter-archer) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Meta releases first AI model since Zuckerberg’s spending spree: (https://www.ft.com/content/0efb912a-8bac-4655-ad6c-7c27d4ebbf50?syn-25a6b1a6=1) 2. **LinkedIn hit with lawsuits **over alleged illegal browser extension tracking [[SPYING](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/04/linkedin-scanning-users-browser-extensions-sparks-controversy-and-two-lawsuits/)] 3. **Instagram is introducing **stricter teen safety rules [[RESTRICTING](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/04/instagram-expands-teen-accounts-inspired-by-13-content-ratings-2/)] 4. **FBI issues warning **against using CapCut and other Chinese apps [[ALARMING](https://mashable.com/article/fbi-warns-against-foreign-mobile-apps-in-psa)] 5. **Meta removes ads from lawyers **seeking users to sue its platforms [[BLOCKING](https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/meta-social-media-addiction-ads)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **Has Meta got its AI mojo back?** Meta's long-awaited AI model is finally here. But can it make money?: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/09/metas-long-awaited-ai-model-is-finally-here-but-can-it-make-money.html) Meta has been spending big on AI, but hasn’t had a flagship model to show for it for some time. After Llama 4 launched to an underwhelming reaction a year ago, Mark Zuckerberg called for a rethink, and this week we got the first output of that new approach, Muse Spark. While the model is certainly not world leading, it at least puts Meta back in the game. It also has the ability to search public content on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, which rivals obviously can’t access so comprehensively. Although Muse Spark is only available in the US at the moment, the launch caused the Meta AI app to [climb up](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/meta-ai-app-climbs-to-no-5-on-the-app-store-after-muse-spark-launch/) the App Store charts. Clearly it’s more of a draw than the AI slop that app is usually associated with. And Zuck is serious about going further. Meta has reportedly [reassigned engineers](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW8aTp7ilJ2?xmt=AQF0c5BBHaCqfN7uBbbF6B1aNNwgRcJC3JWsnRgnWuNxr4t5DECi2E6ykVYN3w119nVfaVgf&slof=1) into its Applied AI team to help accelerate model performance. While the model is only being used by Meta right now, the company plans to eventually offer paid API access to third parties. But with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI, Mistral, not to mention Chinese AI companies, all in competition, the question might be… should Meta open its new generation of models up for other people to build upon? Is that a race even worth running in? All of this big-money investment in AI will need to pay off for shareholders, but Meta doesn’t necessarily need to play the same game as its rivals. I’d suggest Meta might be better keeping Muse Spark and its sequels to itself. Use its own AI to give its own products a unique edge. Shove the models into AI smart glasses, have them power AI-driven advertising products, use them to help Meta staff be more productive. Keep the spoils for yourself, Zuck! That’s my opinion, anyway. A wonder if Muse Spark would agree? -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/104bbb62-a2c4-45da-b981-d21e88d960e0/gettyimages-1431051092-612x612.jpg?t=1775818940) [Metaverse technology concept with infinity sign on digital wallpaper background.] Caption: Getty Images * **Meta**’s Superintelligence Labs is quietly building a [hardware team](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-superintelligence-labs-taps-leader-for-hardware-role-2026-4), suggesting they’re exploring AI hardware beyond smart glasses * **A former Meta engineer** is [under police investigation](https://news.sky.com/story/facebook-worker-investigated-by-police-over-download-of-30-000-private-images-13528853) for allegedly accessing 30,000 private images * **Meta **has introduced a [Featured Profiles](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8th6AjGiy?xmt=AQF0Y9fN0a9PBAFXO6yP1WqgflDdmGd3MowdPHD2GmZ7sZVkRf3BH12lWzNiGvTu4NOOShhv&slof=1) feature for Meta Verified subscribers, offering the chance to be included in a list of ‘Recommended Meta Verified Profiles’; * **Meta** has launched [experimental apps](https://gizmodo.com/meta-hopes-a-hide-and-seek-app-will-convince-you-to-buy-its-smart-glasses-2000743397) for its Ray-Ban smart glasses, including games and plant recognition * **Meta-linked Scale AI **is reportedly using tens of thousands of gig workers to [train its AI with disturbing tasks](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/07/meta-scale-ai-social-media-technology?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) * **Meta staff **have been competing for “Token Legend” status on an [internal AI usage leaderboard](https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/meta-shutters-internal-ai-token-leaderboard?rc=tasqia). The leaderboard has been shut down after the data became public * **Meta** has added an option in Ads Manager to [block employees](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8pPggjEd9?xmt=AQF0myI5utsGZH8pjhMKcDpEhPyCkgPV21AAT4ybjoLB1JvRW0RB0GDIfKG_hF-fxzomwdxw&slof=1) from seeing your ads **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4a7c8232-b112-4c1c-aa5b-ffb7b074dd6c/image.png?t=1775822264) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-looks-to-grow-notes-engagement/816910/) Caption: Instagram testing ability to share Notes with all followers, not just mutuals | Credit: @hammod_oh * **Instagram** now lets you [share Notes](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-looks-to-grow-notes-engagement/816910/) with all your followers, even if they don’t follow you back * **Instagram** finally lets you [edit comments](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW6yj98CrDh?xmt=AQF0hHZ217m6_5zzaleIGfA_AGLKx-IYi_-FUAcQppo0Eq0NEZbniRS82jKH7Q-d_zNG2oqH&slof=1) (for 15 minutes after posting) * **Instagram** is working on a dedicated [tab for Stories](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW6MAsjilmG?xmt=AQF0FjPOUCopB5zHbZXROnF2xoiTYpsYRPrA_oI2tDZlSdUsVSgA9yNihOUyIlTxW7ffaXc&slof=1) with new Story discovery features * **Instagram** is rolling out the ability for creators to [tag linked products](https://www.fastcompany.com/91522171/instagrams-awkward-link-in-bio-workaround-might-be-on-its-way-out) directly in Reels posts, with no more ‘ink in bio’ * **Instagram** is testing new categories for the [Explore tab](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWtFdT4DIaP?xmt=AQF0p7RwFJfPh4Wgsqbo5bQuEFk50MDhhDMlG8TtEqdmlw), including a ‘For You’ section and others based on your interests, and the ability to add new interests * **Instagram** could add the ability to [schedule a story](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWy1DJiDHks?xmt=AQF0WMPcsUON_EJyx0uMifI4h5gNItbpKzCKJQfaY0WW9HO18bU35DAHJ1DF_CEbWMJRTkI&slof=1) or to save multiple stories to drafts * **Instagram** has been spotted [removing](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8qLoaDNW9?xmt=AQF0zHO5d80KMbePRwFHLoTC9oMlcZCRWFSMkDakvNsgGVgwnZAvLkgA_MvzdcYG8R3FtXY6&slof=1) the GIF story type from the Stories editor * **Instagram** launched a [fresh look for buttons](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW6VbNWDOt9?xmt=AQF052v3Er4gA0GZSgcDqHKSuiAkWOD2rH8ygi-mAhthnbrfPkFflboTxdElSNzb4gDQUVAR&slof=1) in the main Reels editor: more space between them, labels and a “squircle” shape **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4ccb7044-5daa-49b8-97e1-d35cd464e2a2/image.png?t=1775819064) Follow image link: (https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-the-username-feature-on-android-and-ios/) Caption: WhatsApp rolling out usernames feature to beta testers | Credit: WABetaInfo * **WhatsApp** finally started [rolling out usernames](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-the-username-feature-on-android-and-ios/) to a limited number of users, letting you to keep your phone number private when connecting with new people * **WhatsApp** is bringing Status updates to the [top of the Chats tab](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-is-testing-status-updates-in-the-chats-tab/), in an Instagram-like carousel * **WhatsApp** has [tweaked its logo](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW80xnijG6k?xmt=AQF0jX5gYP73y5__-Qn6ZIRsh1ocGk45aYjuaqjiSUDbspSBWXf52aoaVPstssod55fwVnTc&slof=1) slightly * **WhatsApp** officially launched its new [CarPlay app](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-announces-an-official-carplay-app-on-the-app-store/), letting you message, call, and view favourites on your dashboard * **WhatsApp** is testing a [noise cancellation](https://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/whatsapp-calls-are-about-to-get-a-lot-better-with-noise-cancellation/) feature for voice and video calls * **WhatsApp** is working on a feature that allows users to see [how many followers](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWz8fjSCAVT?xmt=AQF0otR65_KzkQDXmmHhNcR1sHziQMmHFY_zJpBliEXiV2A0QVnUqsIQHFILyNeAEkwT8erR&slof=1) are subscribed to a channel * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability to [add new members](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-a-feature-to-suggest-new-group-members/) to group chats from via the mention picker * **Threads** has expanded access to mobile [post scheduling](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8uwhSDGFp?xmt=AQF0w8g8AnQMbsjAZ--9HE6BSs9Q6U8QG_iu_u9TfK5Fz1YjX70G-8cajuSNDshWk5H2_wvU&slof=1) * **Threads** has tweaked the [posts editor](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8wwwNjNQl?xmt=AQF0ZOATnAerkAMXFBSd3h8kj7Pge-K-L5tNIviUzcYWzVKbr5Pv9fNfuuU2npt8z5sdSfSm&slof=1) so can easily discard a post and jump right into a fresh draft without having to close and reopen it * **Threads** on desktop has had a design refresh, making the fediverse [more visible](https://www.threads.com/@codybrom/post/DW4x-C3IJdz?xmt=AQF04Qg03Bi-a9wbMDvMkxk_vIk_HMDRz4rl-H57hB34G8Xa6Q4NoxSMdD0ukmdG9TcxoWXH&slof=1) **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3712217a-0a8a-4b34-b458-38255cd81d3d/image.png?t=1775819191) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/x-brings-back-voice-notes-to-x-chat/) Caption: X is reintroducing Voice Notes in X Chat app | Credit: X * **X** is reintroducing [voice notes](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/x-brings-back-voice-notes-to-x-chat/) in its standalone X Chat app after removing the feature years ago * **Elon Musk** is [pressuring](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/elon-musk-pressures-potential-spacex-investors-to-advertise-on-x/816660/) potential investors in the SpaceX IPO to use Grok and advertise on X * **X**’s algorithm appears to [penalise](https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/04/do-links-hurt-news-publishers-on-twitter-our-analysis-suggests-yes/) posts containing links, hurting publisher reach * **X** has eliminated thousands of accounts in [a new bot purge](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-conducting-bot-purge-removal/817160/) * **X** launched new [reply settings](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-expands-ai-translations-and-adds-in-stream-photo-editing/816911/) let Premium users to give ‘friends-of-friends’ the ability to comment on posts * **X** has given X Money a [new icon](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8tF3ADHiq?xmt=AQF0pCbOY6AouOlWC4QLDd6tsrQ3KEBbren1IQoceF73aKfGJRfBal95-7d3v28v_5tLg8U&slof=1) ahead of launch **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/29d75d8e-6510-4a3a-9103-017196253899/image.png?t=1775819274) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DW6MG6ViYMX?xmt=AQF0aEeQ3TYVNgP_ptH8MgiL3DMP35eevmr4VdDeRFx12S2IdvWL7M75QjjrBWSGn42ZhcAp&slof=1) Caption: TikTok lets you customise DM chat bubble styles | Credit: @jonahmanzano * **TikTok** now lets you customise your [chat bubble style](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DW6MG6ViYMX?xmt=AQF0aEeQ3TYVNgP_ptH8MgiL3DMP35eevmr4VdDeRFx12S2IdvWL7M75QjjrBWSGn42ZhcAp&slof=1) in DMs * **TikTok**’s comment icon now says “[Add 1st](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWy474viuRw?xmt=AQF0tcc7aT9U9ai3eG5RHzo8My0HUZkC-IOS0Bx41AJAv6Hv4p4NP8OT8d9gSCwiZ7TWNdo&slof=1)” when there are no comments on a video * **TikTok** deepened its [HubSpot integration](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-expands-hubspot-integration/816779/), adding ad management and CRM tools * **TikTok **launched an upgraded [Wix integration](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-launches-updated-integration-for-wix-users/817028/) to streamline ads and data syncing * **TikTok** has partnered with Issa Rae’s HOORAE to launch [exclusive micro-series content](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-bolsters-micro-series-content-with-first-of-its-kind-partnership-with-hoorae?lang=en) * **TikTok** and the International Chamber of Commerce have launched ‘Digital Commerce Labs’ to [accelerate small business growth](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-and-international-chamber-of-commerce-partner-on-global-initiative-to-empower-small-businesses-and-drive-economic-growth?lang=en) * **TikTok **is making the ‘Add to Apple Music’ and ‘Add to Spotify’ buttons [more prominent](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW3_E3lDJVl?xmt=AQF0pWHzrx4Hn6P-jDPz20xTvVF3ycqZq1wVWezwJzYHDlFE_HtiefGVVMTgNfe3bVHlpay0&slof=1) within posts **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7095c86c-7f61-4a51-9ad0-010a36948580/Screenshot_2026-04-10_at_12.12.11.png?t=1775819577) Follow image link: (https://9to5google.com/2026/04/09/youtube-says-it-does-not-have-90-second-unskippable-ads-despite-user-reports/) Caption: YouTube users report seeing 90-second unskippable ads | Credit: Dexerto * **YouTube** denies its running [90-second unskippable ads](https://9to5google.com/2026/04/09/youtube-says-it-does-not-have-90-second-unskippable-ads-despite-user-reports/) despite widespread user reports showing them 🤔 * **YouTube** creators have filed a lawsuit accusing Amazon of [scraping millions of videos](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/youtubers-sue-amazon-claim-ai-tool-was-trained-on-scraped-videos/) for AI training * **YouTube** is testing “[Auto Speed](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-premium-auto-speed-on-the-go-experiments-3655710/)” to automatically speed up videos without losing clarity, and a new “On-the-go” mode offers distraction-free controls for audio-style content * **YouTube** plans to add [interactive live chats](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/08/as-youtube-grows-on-tv-it-eyes-more-interactive-video-across-formats/), gifting, and Shorts viewing in its TV app * **YouTube** upgraded exportable [Creator Media Kits](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-media-kit-insights-and-adds-ai-tools/816908/) with income and “parent status” data * **YouTube** has a new ‘[Link History](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DW3-mucjCPg?xmt=AQF04ScBaSsO8nQqdQ1CaeEIjpr2s7NIZsi3i5OgonLqBeiabCqQ-UFPRXuRXwL7mXR8f3KJ&slof=1)’ feature * **YouTube** has launched ‘Channeling,’ a new [interview series](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/04/09/youtube-interview-web-series-channeling-hola-soy-german/) featuring the platform’s top creators **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ec5eacfd-9cba-46da-ad57-38a87c2c4339/image.png?t=1775819700) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-makes-a-push-for-snapcodes-as-a-marketing-tool/817027/) Caption: Snapchat’s customisable QR ‘Snapcodes’ | Credit: Snap * **Snapchat** has renewed its push for [Snapcodes](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-makes-a-push-for-snapcodes-as-a-marketing-tool/817027/) as a key marketing tool for advertisers * **LinkedIn** added [video speed controls](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-adds-video-playback-speed-controls/817030/), letting you play clips at 0.5x or 2x * **LinkedIn **reportedly [explored acquiring](https://x.com/maxwelltani/status/2041137664988996071?s=61) newsletter platform **Beehiiv** late last year * **Twitch** has opened up [sponsored campaigns](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/04/07/twitch-minecraft-tiny-takeover-affiliate-sponsored-campaign/) to Affiliates, expanding access beyond Partner-level streamers -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- **YouTube**’s AI now lets you make [avatars that look and sound like you](https://9to5google.com/2026/04/08/youtube-shorts-ai-avatar/) for Shorts, Sora style. You can record your face and voice once to generate photorealistic digital doubles. Clips featuring your AI avatar can run up to 8 seconds long, but multiple clips can be stitched together into longer Shorts. YouTube says the feature is rolling out globally, but is restricted to users aged 18+. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/18349276-887b-48db-9ba1-9b36524fef9a/YT_Sora_style.jpg?t=1775754773) Follow image link: (https://9to5google.com/2026/04/08/youtube-shorts-ai-avatar/) Caption: __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **YouTube** has integrated Google’s latest Nano Banana [image generation model](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-media-kit-insights-and-adds-ai-tools/816908/) to its Create app * **X **has rolled out AI-powered post [translations](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-expands-ai-translations-and-adds-in-stream-photo-editing/816911/) globally and launched new AI photo editing tools * **TikTok **is tackling AI music clones with advanced [audio detection tech](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-and-acrcloud-partner-on-derivative-works-detection-system/816662/) * **Meta AI**’s standalone app has a [new icon](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW34HjnjJVs?xmt=AQF0_MAfAk1OOVOESOi4UY6J2S0xvLIwauJYwfxGF0_gfSxOwc0qRYa-LxMZLNKp12Rr7Zho&slof=1) * **TikTok**’s Taco has a [new logo](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DW6T3kKjixs?xmt=AQF0VuhPedDgeDMMt0k3PViNIXYpPx5SMl3psfov1sNvJ2fWVkev7wvALVkW2_qoKdMJj0QC&slof=1) too * **Canva** has acquired Simtheory to add [AI assistants](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/08/canva-doubles-down-on-ai-and-marketing-automation-with-simtheory-ortto-acquisitions/) to automate tasks and workflows for teams, and Ortto brings customer data, targeting, and multi-channel campaign automation * **Adobe** has launched a free AI [study tool](https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/07/adobe-takes-on-notebooklm-with-acrobat-student-spaces/) called Student Spaces, to rival Google’s NotebookLM -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/af25fac9-cfca-420e-8477-a42bf352fda1/You_can__1_.jpg?t=1775164259) Caption: -------------------- Is the UK falling out of love with social media? I spoke to **The Guardian** about social media’s global [shift towards passive consumption](https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/05/uk-social-media-apps-share). View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3688fac5-5237-494e-9184-d32bb688ef8c/The_Guardian_Social_Media_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra.jpg?t=1775812221) Follow image link: (https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/05/uk-social-media-apps-share) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3b409ca5-a409-49b7-8d8f-febf7dbe19f4/lol.jpg?t=1772124148) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e3216903-7288-4ccc-8a28-f7fe29067f7f/Cats.jpg?t=1775818824) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@benedictevans/post/DW6r5pqDqxc?xmt=AQF0emnqkdg6qRt1zwyyTN0OxQQYaMCeiMzzSGhqzGYN_3_If2Ol7bc5x5qRBmUCTEObnlfd&slof=1) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/62b46d83-427b-408f-a2db-cfb4cdeba9aa/Memes.jpg?t=1772123744) Caption: -------------------- **Modern warfare isn’t just about weapons and diplomacy.** Your meme game better be strong too. But when the world’s biggest military power threatens to wipe out your civilisation, how do you respond? Iran’s embassies around the world responded to Trump’s increasingly unhinged Truth Social posts with a mocking tone that echoed how much of the world felt. Tweet: (https://twitter.com/iran_in_india/status/2040826238911295743?s=61) __________ Tweet: (https://twitter.com/iraninzimbabwe/status/2041063891497632113?s=61) __________ Tweet: (https://twitter.com/iranembtun/status/2040915689075069438?s=61) __________ And that’s before you get to the Lego-inspired pro-Iran videos circulating since the war began. Wired has a really good look at them here: The Pro-Iran Meme Machine Trolling Trump With AI Lego Cartoons: (https://www.wired.com/story/inside-the-pro-iran-meme-machine-trolling-trump-with-ai-lego-cartoons/) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- **The viral AI fruit series ‘Fruit Love Island’** has sparked a new content format Creator @perfumesguy turns fragrances into personalities using generative AI storytelling. The account has already grown to 35K followers; with some videos hitting millions of views. Love AI fruit slop? Welcome to AI fragrance reviews: (https://thenodmag.com/content/viral-ai-fragrance-reviews-internet-trend?utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv4) __________ **More viral news this week:** * **“You the birthday”** has spread on TikTok, [confusing users across generations](https://www.distractify.com/p/you-the-birthday-meaning-tiktok) * **The “Catholicmaxxing” trend** sees Gen Z [rediscover religion via TikTok](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/07/catholicmaxxing-catholicism--church-religion-tiktok-gen-z-influencers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) * **The “7×7=49” trend** has taken over TikTok as users label the equation [oddly “attractive”](https://thetab.com/2026/04/08/right-heres-what-7x749-means-on-tiktok-because-the-strange-meme-is-everywhere) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- **Let’s see how long this lasts…** Big publisher **HarperCollins** is turning some of its best selling children’s series into AI-generated YouTube Shorts, with the help of a company called **Toonstar**. Will this turn out to be high-quality content for kids, or just more pointless AI slop? We’ll find out soon enough… HarperCollins is turning authors' books into AI YouTube Shorts: (https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/04/03/youtube-harpercollins-toonstar/) __________ **More brand news and views:** * **Arsenal** and **Meta** have launched a [partnership](https://arsenal.com/news/arsenal-launch-facebook-whatsapp-partnership) across Facebook and WhatsApp _(I’m a big Gooner appreciative of free Arsenal merch, tickets… If any Meta/Arsenal staff are reading this _😁_)_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"Nate is posting bullshit”“ — – **Elon Musk**’s [blunt reaction](https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2041062056108159242?s=61) after Nate Silver [posted analysis](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW08ig8iiyo?xmt=AQF0TPd7iVsaZw9YJEU8VTwVxhC3CSG8nRj47e0vDEMTyxOjqtnVxxzuNzKuivPe-wo3oPA&slof=1) of how right-wing focused X has become. (Nate’s right, BTW!) __________ **Also quoted this week:** _“We will not allow trial lawyers to profit from our platforms while simultaneously claiming they are harmful.”_ **- A Meta spokesperson** explains why the company [removed ads](https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/meta-social-media-addiction-ads) from lawyers advertising social media addiction litigation __________ _“They have no programming costs, they do not pre-finance works, and as a result, they have a very low fixed cost base, which allows them to offer very low advertising prices. It’s competition we cannot match, because we have to invest in programming and news.”_ **- Rodolphe Belmer**, CEO of French TV network TF1, thinks YouTube is [unfair competition](https://www.politico.eu/article/forget-netflix-youtube-main-rival-top-france-broadcaster-says/) __________ _“"I blame it all on my mom, because she told me, 'Don't talk with your mouth full. And I think probably in that case I should have just said, 'You know what? To hell with it. I'm gonna talk with my mouth full.'"_ **- McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski** [reacts](https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-chris-kempczinski-blames-mother-viral-big-arch-taste-test-2026-4) to his recent viral fame __________ _“To put it bluntly, an X post today receives less than 3% of the views a single tweet delivered seven years ago.”_ **- The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Kenyatta Thomas** on [why the organisation has quit X](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/eff-is-the-latest-organization-to-leave-x/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/863ad342-3950-4b01-a80d-44a973a4ba09/fav_reads.jpg?t=1772123813) Caption: -------------------- **Ever felt like launching your own social media platform? **It’s not easy. Issam Hijazi launched UpScrolled as a solo project in July 2025; and it now has 5M+ users. UpScrolled differentiates itself with chronological feeds, no algorithms, and a strict no data-selling policy Growth surged following TikTok’s US ownership deal, when the platform jumped from 150K to 2.5M+ users in weeks. However, UpScrolled now faces backlash over moderation limits and extremist content concerns. He Started a Social Network Alone. Then 5 Million People Signed Up: (https://www.wired.com/story/the-big-interview-podcast-upscrolled-founder-issam-hijazi/) __________ **Also this week:** * **Meta, YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok** increasingly [deny being “social media” companies](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-04-08/meta-snap-and-youtube-say-they-re-not-really-social-media-companies?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3NTc1MzI2MSwiZXhwIjoxNzc2MzU4MDYxLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJURDY5QkRLSVAzSVIwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJENjBGNzhFNUYzMzg0QUZDQjgzRThCRTdGQUQyODM1MSJ9.k0KDfDs7plPWzoaIWexaUJf8BHyMW_gtKlcFgpQqG9M), rebranding as AI, entertainment, or streaming platforms amid reputational damage -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4502d13e-4f26-44c8-97e3-dda5688321f0/science.jpg?t=1774012382) Caption: -------------------- **A new study shows **that a short digital detox can [reverse effects of heavy social media use](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/04/09/social-media-detox/). A two-week detox cut screen time from 314 to 161 minutes daily. Cognitive gains matched reversing 10 years of age-related decline One-week studies show anxiety down 16.1%, depression 24.8%, insomnia 14.5%. My dopamine addiction is out of control, so perhaps I need to give this serious consideration! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fd359a20-d07f-4e6f-bc03-6f46c800c7a1/Social_study.jpg?t=1775758656) Follow image link: (https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/04/09/social-media-detox/) Caption: __________ **Also spotted:** * **Researchers warn** algorithms are [driving polarization and reducing real connections](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/10/reform-uk-voters-least-likely-to-see-social-media-posts-from-family-and-friends-study-finds?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other), as a new study finds social feeds are becoming less “social,” especially for Reform UK voters -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- **What’s going on with Khaby Lame’s $975M TikTok-linked deal?** Rich Sparkle stock surged after the deal’s announcement, then crashed over 90% as deal details remained unclear Major brokerages have blocked trading, while Lame himself has stayed silent (yes, I know that’s on brand for him), raising doubts about whether this mega-deal is even a real thing… TikTok's top star teased a $975 million deal and then went silent. Red flags are piling up.: (https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-creator-khaby-lame-mega-deal-brokerages-restrict-trading-2026-4) __________ **More WTF this week:** * **A teenage Minecraft YouTuber** raised [$1,234,567 for a meme prediction market called Giggles](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/07/a-teenage-minecraft-youtuber-raised-1234567-for-a-meme-prediction-market-called-giggles-it-broke-me/) * **The FBI extracted** a suspect’s deleted Signal messages… [because they were saved](https://www.404media.co/fbi-extracts-suspects-deleted-signal-messages-saved-in-iphone-notification-database-2/) in their iPhone notification database * **Three men were arrested** after [yelling “Gun” in crowded movie theatre](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/yelling-gun-crowded-movie-theater-arrest-1236557935/) for a social media prank * **Russia's attempts **to restrict the use of virtual private networks triggered a [widespread banking outage](https://gizmodo.com/russia-allegedly-swung-at-vpns-but-accidentally-hit-its-own-banking-sector-instead-2000742551), according to Telegram founder Pavel Durov -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7e57229a-e235-4a60-a78e-7a86f4370acf/Canon.png?t=1772192025) Caption: **Canon** is looking for a [Social Media Content Creator Programme Specialist](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-creator-programme-specialist-3/). _[London, UK]_ __________ **More social media jobs:** * **The Wikimedia Foundation **is hiring a [Media Partnerships Lead](http://Change.org) _[Remote, worldwide]_ * **The UK Department for Education** is recruiting a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/media-partnerships-lead/) _[London or Sheffield, UK]_ * **Premier Inn** needs a [Social Media Executive](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/media-partnerships-lead/) _[London, UK]_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: -------------------- Sorry, folks… reposting **Instagram** feed posts to Stories does NOT improve reach **Instagram overlord Adam Mosseri** just debunked the popular engagement hack… Instagram chief debunks popular engagement hack: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-chief-debunks-popular-engagement-hack/816781/) __________ **More pro tips:** * **Replying to your comments** on **Facebook** boosts engagement: Buffer's study of 1M+ Facebook posts found [replying to comments drove 9.5% more reactions](https://buffer.com/resources/replying-to-your-comments-on-facebook-boosts-engagement/) * **Instagram’s Adam Mosseri also **shared some useful features [you might have missed](https://www.threads.com/@mosseri/post/DW3yHItktXX?xmt=AQF09yhlz8fzUOCcq85xiOEvCJ1pFhjTpXV4ptNuRcRFYfwbPFhr1c3ZOqiRGUsyZb-1x5IZ&slof=1) * **Pinterest** says [repetitive content kills engagement](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/content-diversification-is-key-to-engagement-on-pinterest/816906/) and session time, and marketers should diversify formats, visuals, and themes to maximize discovery and performance -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**€1 BILLION**“ — – **How much TikTok is investing** to build a [second Finland data centre](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/tiktok-build-second-billion-euro-data-centre-finland-2026-04-08/) __________ **More new social stats:** * **BREAKING: **[49%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW4LkIdCoem?xmt=AQF0ZiAowcIHkdmoJKjV3F9h1QGyYfGin5c8g8TmCmENwhcpUi6F3aLeOuRUu5c1yZKS7lGT&slof=1) of people use social media for breaking news, ahead of TV * **BAN HAPPY:** [68%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW4LpIVCv2P?xmt=AQF0hG62oHRsoUIN1jxWikjxxIlLZWIEPlYwep6QoSVikWSxtmfyp3sTW1ByeL6Ij0-Pd1GQ&slof=1) of global social media users now back teen social bans * **PODTASTIC: **Podcasters on Patreon pulled in [$629 million](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW4MpYwihrq?xmt=AQF08Ey1Ov_XrpIEhxBMYhxCMsQ84mzPGUWNvFu3AWd1MhPNC6PvVtnGtJHqqum-VWKEi9gB&slof=1) in 2025, surging 33% YoY * **NOT WORKING: **[70%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWyZDyXitdJ?xmt=AQF06Ylt8Xiz7V9Xq-YzdcVYxudYmITcHut_GMn1kbF_7A) of children under the age of 16 in Australia are still accessing and using social apps despite the ban * **MAKING IT SNAPPY: **[Over 45,000](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW1fM7qirrF?xmt=AQF0XaxT6hmDJsP2hgl-MN5iDdBNpDY5vCMnhdsKXwKQ6pJ2S45mmj3rXorT2hpMyoSW42s&slof=1) people joined Snapchat’s Topic Chats feature during March Madness 2026, with 40,000 active users and 90,000+ messages sent concurrently at its peak -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- **Does including a link in your X post kill reach? ** The answer appears to be yes! Analysis by Nieman Lab of X posts by 18 publishers showed links in tweets sharply reduced engagement. The study revealed **The New York Times **included links in 88% of its tweets, and averaged 383 engagements per post, despite having 53M followers. On the other end of the spectrum, engagement-maxxing account **Globe Eye News** with 866K followers never included links in its posts and saw a median 8,418 engagements per tweet View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8774ecfc-5d2f-4833-a642-6ef26412fc14/X_links_reach.jpg?t=1775818210) Follow image link: (https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/04/do-links-hurt-news-publishers-on-twitter-our-analysis-suggests-yes/) Caption: __________ **More charts:** * **BAN ‘EM: **Support for a minimum age on social media, [as it stands across Europe](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DW8eVcpCrAS?xmt=AQF0D0F14BnSoJjjXQ-G8JqCncLMme7AXOeafgnnE3kj089LOMBZHwpJZIvXqgyZbABzuJKa&slof=1) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- Apple accused of scraping millions of YouTube videos for AI training: (https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/06/proposed-class-action-accuses-apple-of-scraping-millions-of-youtube-videos-for-ai-training/) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **Teen social media bans **have been branded a “lazy fix” by experts as the global crackdown grows. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/08/teen-social-media-ban-countries-tech-experts-warning.html)] * **The EU failed to renew** CSAM scanning rules before a 3 April deadline, leaving platforms in legal limbo. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/tech-firms-enter-legal-limbo-over-child-abuse-scanning/)] * **The EU is ramping up** age verification enforcement after finding major platforms fail age checks. [[Wired $$$](https://www.wired.com/story/europe-gets-serious-about-age-verification-online/)] * **Perplexity has been accused** of sharing AI conversations with Meta and Google. [[Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/04/perplexitys-incognito-mode-is-a-sham-lawsuit-says/)] * **Australia says** its under-16 social media ban can’t work without global backing. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/australia-cant-go-at-it-alone-on-social-media-ban-for-kids-says-ambassador-diplomat-angus-campbell/)] * **Greece looks set** to ban under-15s from social media starting in 2027. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/08/greece-proposes-social-media-ban-under-15s-anxiety-sleep-problems?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] * **Massachusetts lawmakers** are looking to usher in ‘most restrictive’ social media ban in the USA. Under-14s would be blocked entirely, while 14–15 year olds would need verified parental consent. [[Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/social-media-ban-massachusetts-bill-b2953302.html)] * **Mayor of London Sadiq Khan** has demanded stronger action on social media ‘outrage economy’. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/09/sadiq-khan-london-mayor-social-media-outrage-economy?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)] * **Top creators could replace** armies of ‘clippers’ with AI. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/top-influencers-engagement-ai-1236556720/)] * **TikTok’s North America ads chief** Khartoon Weiss is leaving after nearly six years. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-top-north-america-ad-exec-khartoon-weiss-leaving-2026-4)] * **Meta has committed** to spending additional $21 billion with CoreWeave as AI costs keep rising. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/09/meta-commits-to-spending-additional-21-billion-with-coreweave-.html)] * **Sony and Universal** have asked a judge to dismiss X’s antitrust lawsuit as “baseless” retaliation. [[TorrentFreak](https://torrentfreak.com/music-publishers-ask-court-to-dismiss-xs-weaponized-dmca-antitrust-suit/)] * **OpenAI reportedly says **Elon Musk and Meta are coordinating ‘Attacks’ against it. [[Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/in-letter-openai-reportedly-says-elon-musk-and-meta-are-coordinating-attacks-against-it-2000743228)] * **Ireland has begun testing **a digital ID wallet that includes social media age verification tools. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-03/ireland-tests-digital-id-to-verify-age-of-social-media-users?sref=YURDD6is)] * **Meta has suspended** all Mercor contracts after a hack hit the AI data supplier’s systems. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-pauses-all-contracts-with-mercor-after-breach/816663/)] * **Meta has warned** that Europe faces an AI “relevance crisis” as the US-China race intensifies. [[Meta Newsroom](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/04/can-europe-seize-the-ai-moment/)] * **A new YouTube report** shows indie animation is rising as studio output declines. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/youtube-report-trends-indie-digital-animation-1236559869/)] **More new features and updates:** * **TikTok has introduced** an exclusive in-app experience to support Ella Langley's Dandelion. [[TikTok Newsroom](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/ella-langley-dandelion-experience-with-tiktok?lang=en)] * **CapCut** has tweaked its video editor UI. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DW8vsFSjA_m?xmt=AQF05EFAZe0Oe70XUnxPPHF-BrrUJQ6Dq9YsAJJZvuXvQeDMzwaLFNqphX1BHRudFgeU7WBu&slof=1)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- Social media is turning into a freak show: (https://www.natesilver.net/p/social-media-has-become-a-freak-show?hide_intro_popup=true) __________ **Also worth a read:** * **How Meta’s AI push **is [changing ad creation](https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/2026/04/07/meta-ai-ad-creation) * **‘It started with a tipoff’: **How a Guardian investigation [exposed child sex trafficking on Facebook and Instagram](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/apr/06/investigation-exposed-child-sex-trafficking-on-facebook-and-instagram-meta?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) * **Can AI responses be influenced?** [The SEO industry is trying](https://www.theverge.com/tech/900302/ai-seo-industry-google-search-chatgpt-gemini-marketing) * **Questions linger **about [the long-term viability of X](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/questions-linger-about-the-long-term-viability-of-x/816783/) * **Social platforms are facing increased scrutiny.** [How long will advertisers stick around?](https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/2026/04/07/social-platforms-scrutiny-advertiser-loyalty) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- **Using emojis at work**…** harmless fun, right?** 💩🤷‍♂️ Maybe not. A new study shows using emojis at work can make you seem less competent. * Negative emojis significantly damage professionalism and perception 🤬 * Even positive emojis can feel insincere in the wrong context 👍 * Researchers say emojis only help when they match neutral or positive messages 😐 So, maybe think twice about adding that winking emoji in your next work email 😉 Using Emojis at Work? You’re Not Going to Like This Study: (https://gizmodo.com/using-emojis-at-work-youre-not-going-to-like-this-study-😮-2000744745) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- In the words of Porky Pig…. “That’s all folks…!” Really showing my age with that cultural reference. 😏 I’m heading off to finalise plans for the next edition of Geekout Interviews… I’m in talks with execs at Adobe, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Threads, to secure another exclusive interview. Got ideas for someone I should try to pursuade (blackmail) into revealing more insider information? Hit reply to this email, and send me some names. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/90ced1f5-9e5e-4541-a5b6-24c2cde0cef7/thank-you-lonney-tunes.gif?t=1775822000) Caption: Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-muse-spark-ai-linkedin-browser-extensions

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f0b63965-24a0-45cc-a445-08746326e450/Geekout_030426.jpg?t=1775215079) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Reach 30K engaged social media pros** ** Geekout sponsorships costs less than you think **Get Geekout Ad Discount** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **Optimize Geekout** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-plus-youtube-addiction-fruit-love-island) -------------------- ##### **Hello, geeks!** This week, I experienced my first mortifying AI mistake. 😬 You know the kind… the one where your soul leaves your body mid-scroll. View image: (https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTI0NTBlYzMwYzIyZzRqZXMwOThsZHRqeWc1N3FnYnpvOXQxdzNraGVoZXNqMHc3NiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/9oF7EAvaFUOEU/giphy.gif) [The Office Smile GIF] Caption: Giphy I thought I’d share it in case you’ve had a rough week — maybe it’ll give you a moment of amusement. Earlier this week, I had a video call with a potential client who invited me to speak at an event and collaborate on a new social media project. It was a good opportunity — but after thinking it through, the payment terms didn’t quite stack up. So I drafted an email outlining my concerns, with a counteroffer. Hit send. Thought no more about it. The next day, they replied saying they respected my position, but suggested revisiting the opportunity later in the year. Fair enough. It happens. No big deal. I scrolled back up the email thread to refresh my memory on what was originally offered — and what I’d sent. That’s when my heart stopped. Head hit desk. Immediate regret. Before sending the email, I’d asked ChatGPT to quickly redraft it — just to tighten the tone and clean up any typos. The edits looked good. So I copy/pasted the revised version into my reply. In my ADHD haste, I didn’t double-check it. Big mistake. This is the email I actually sent: 😱 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5632dd87-560d-480d-8dba-598bf33949ec/Screenshot_2026-04-03_at_10.37.30.png?t=1775209223) Caption: - FML. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Have you experienced a fear-inducing AI fail? Drop me a reply with your ChatGPT mistakes. __________ ##### **2 cool things…** ❤️ **I LOVE this** [free AI toolkit](https://social.agorapulse.com/ai-content-bundle?utm_campaign=en-ai-content-bundle&utm_medium=partners&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=webinar_ondemand&utm_term=geekout-standard&sfc=701bD00000sBDvhQAG) built _by_ social media managers—_for_ social media managers — AI prompts, cheat sheets, shortcuts that work. - **🕹️ TikTok** has hidden a [secret emoji-based game](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/31/go-play-this-secret-game-in-your-tiktok-dms/) inside your DMs. [ad] -------------------- ###### EXCLUSIVE ▶︎ GEEKOUT INTERVIEWS… #### Why Instagram's Edits is a boutique. NOT a Costco! 📱 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9949f39-0b1e-4bd5-91c7-f7f59c03e4fc/WhatsApp_Image_2026-03-31_at_17.52.14.jpeg?t=1775142177) Follow image link: (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview) Caption: - I’ve been wanting to shake up Geekout for a while… Break out of the weekly scroll… and get closer to the people actually pulling the strings. Every week, I break down what’s happening across social — New features. Platform shifts. Algorithm chaos. But what if we could get access to the people behind the scenes… * 🏢 The people at Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Snapchat building and controlling the platforms * 🔥 The top social talent posting through it for your favorite brand accounts And what if I could get YOUR questions answered too? So last month I finally did something about it. I opened up my social media insiders contact list. Dropped a few messages to Meta. Asked to speak to the person behind the Edits app. And they said yes! So… here’s the [first edition of Geekout Interviews… ](https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview) Kicking off with **Instagram’s **product director for the **Edits app**… **Matt Simari.** **In this edition of Geekout Interviews…** * 🤔 Why Matt thinks Instagram's Edits is a boutique. NOT a Costco. * ✨ Get a first look at a NEW feature coming soon to Edits * 🤐 Uncover the ONE question I asked Matt, but he refused to answer! …and more! **Watch / Read the FULL interview **— [**Geekout Interviews… Matt Simari**](https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview)** ** 🎙️ Dig into Geekout Interviews (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Instagram starts testing Snapchat+ style premium subscription ‘Instagram Plus’: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/30/meta-starts-testing-a-premium-subscription-on-instagram/) 2. **YouTube staff aimed for “viewer addiction” **to boost engagement, court docs reveal [[TROUBLING](https://nypost.com/2026/03/30/business/youtube-staffers-deliberately-aimed-for-viewer-addiction-killed-safety-tools-for-kids-court-docs/)] 3. **UK social media users are posting a lot less **as AI use surges [[PASSIVE-SCROLLING](https://glasp.co/login?extension=yes&callback_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgqk718l4neo)] 4. **Meta is considering killing funding** for its Oversight Board [[CUTTING](https://www.platformer.news/meta-oversight-board-funding-cancel/)] 5. **TikTok could launch banking features** as it applies for fintech license in Brazil [[BANKING](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/tiktok-seeks-brazil-fintech-license-offer-credit-2026-03-31/)] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ FREE AI TOOLKIT #### The AI Toolkit Built for People Who _Actually_ Run Social 🤖 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6febab85-1e4a-4cf8-a66d-e1ec0ada0c96/ad-geekout-2000x1000.jpg?t=1775139331) Follow image link: (https://social.agorapulse.com/ai-content-bundle?utm_campaign=en-ai-content-bundle&utm_medium=partners&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=webinar_ondemand&utm_term=geekout-standard&sfc=701bD00000sBDvhQAG) Caption: - Does this sound familiar…?  Your boss discovered AI last week after reading one LinkedIn post… …And now he wants a new social strategy of “do more with AI.” 😭  Cool. But how?! 🤬 Most AI advice is built for developers.  Not for busy social media teams! **Meanwhile you’re…** * 😠 Rewriting ChatGPT outputs for the 5th time  * 🙏 Trying to make captions sound human  * 🤔 Wondering if AI is actually saving time… or stealing it  Here’s the fix 👇  Agorapulse just dropped a [FREE AI toolkit built for social teams](https://social.agorapulse.com/ai-content-bundle?utm_campaign=en-ai-content-bundle&utm_medium=partners&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=webinar_ondemand&utm_term=geekout-standard&sfc=701bD00000sBDvhQAG) (not engineers)  **Inside you'll get access to: ** * 🎥** 2 Webinars:** Time-saving AI shortcuts that will save you hours + How to make AI sound like YOUR brand   * 🔥 **Cheat Sheet: **Ready-to-use killer AI prompts built for social teams * ✅** Checklist:** A step-by-step checklist to stop you getting generic AI output  The 1st webinar? Completely FREE — No form. No email. Just press play.  Drop your work email to unlock the rest. 1 form, 3 resources.  4,000+ social teams already use Agorapulse's AI features daily. **👉 Fix your AI nightmares now… **[Grab this FREE AI toolkit](https://social.agorapulse.com/ai-content-bundle?utm_campaign=en-ai-content-bundle&utm_medium=partners&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=webinar_ondemand&utm_term=geekout-standard&sfc=701bD00000sBDvhQAG) ✨ Unlock AI Toolkit ✨ (https://social.agorapulse.com/ai-content-bundle?utm_campaign=en-ai-content-bundle&utm_medium=partners&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=webinar_ondemand&utm_term=geekout-standard&sfc=701bD00000sBDvhQAG) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **Instagram’s answer to Snapchat+ looks like a cheap stalker toolkit for IG obsessives** Meta is testing an Instagram Plus subscription service with exclusive features: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-testing-an-instagram-plus-subscription-service-with-exclusive-features-181215180.html) We knew Meta was working on premium subscriptions for its main platforms. And now the first to actually make it out in the wild has arrived from Instagram. Say hello to Instagram Plus, currently being tested in a handful of markets. The subscription gives you a bunch of features that might appeal to Instagram addicts: create multiple story audiences, get story rewatch insights, search your story viewers list, preview stories (more on that in a moment, extend your story’s expiry, send super hearts to stories, and spotlight your story. Some people have labeled the Instagram bolt-on a ‘stalker toolkit',’ by giving users the ability to view stories anonymously. However, on the flip side, Instagram Plus also allows you see which of your followers are obsessing over you with story rewatch super-powers. None of these features are going to set your world alight unless you live and breathe Instagram to an obsessive degree. For most pros and creators, a Meta Verified subscription has the features you’ll want. It’s better to think of Instagram Plus as being akin Snapchat+: extra features for the the most ardent users. And just like Snapchat+, I can imagine Instagram will add more features to Plus as time goes on. Perhaps reflecting the value of the features, or maybe just because it’s a test right now, pricing for Instagram Plus is DIRT CHEAP. Meta hasn’t said which markets it’s being tested in, but TechCrunch [rounded up the pricing](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/30/meta-starts-testing-a-premium-subscription-on-instagram/) it had seen: _“It costs MX$39 (approximately $2.20 USD) per month in Mexico, ¥319 per month (approximately $2 USD) in Japan, and PHP 65 per month (approximately $1.07 USD) in the Philippines.”_ That’s incredibly low! So if it rolls out more widely in its current form, Instagram Plus won’t break the bank, but then it won’t give you THAT many interesting features, either. I’d expect both the feature set… and the price… to increase over time. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/47dae9d1-4e36-48a0-8407-f5041a33c5b5/image.png?t=1775212058) Follow image link: (https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-latest-ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-are-more-customizable-and-expensive-130000553.html) Caption: Meta’s first prescription AI glasses | Credit: Meta * **Meta** launched new [prescription AI glasses](https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-latest-ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-are-more-customizable-and-expensive-130000553.html) in ‘Blayzer’ and ‘Scriber’ styles, with new features including Nutrition Tracking and Neural Handwriting (I’m tempted by these) * **Meta**'s longtime content policy chief Bickert is [leaving](https://www.reuters.com/technology/metas-longtime-content-policy-chief-bickert-leaving-teach-harvard-2026-03-28/) to teach at Harvard * **Meta** is assembling an [elite AI lab](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-builds-elite-ai-team-to-boost-facebook-instagram-algorithms-2026-4) to upgrade **Facebook** and **Instagram** algorithms * **Meta** rolled out intensive “[AI Week](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-ai-week-employee-training-claude-agents-vibe-coding-2026-3)” training to turn employees into active AI builders * **Facebook** is testing a new way to [interact with Stories](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWbR54VjMHI?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw), with quick replies and a separate tab for emojis above the reply box * **Facebook** started displaying friends’ [Notes as Stories](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWbSUw-jMTx?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw), with two quick action buttons * **Facebook** introduced a refreshed [music info menu](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWhFPR8DJN0?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) with options to add tracks to Spotify, use them in a Story, and more * **Facebook **added [options for Pages](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWhGUtTjFYh?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) to include service credentials, specialties and services, and media kit links * **Facebook **is testing a new [Creator Activity](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWqzjGdDMCH) feature in broadcast channels that directs users to a dedicated feed showing content they may have missed from Pages they follow. * **Facebook** now allows you to “[manage product link](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWhX5q1jKmL?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw)” per Reel * **Messenger **on the web [could live on](https://www.threads.com/@martinsfp/post/DWqcr_FDFM1?xmt=AQF0S8sGg-Es1sD90VxtIz1UZHtBmLkCee95KIVhnR3V2g), without the Messenger name and at a new URL, according to a new notice from Meta **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/70ea73cc-5df5-4e0c-bbdf-ff763801eb28/image.png?t=1775212411) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWmiyMjD0ZS/media?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) Caption: Instagram’s Teleprompter feature for Reels | Credit: @oncescuradu * **Instagram** added a [teleprompter](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWmiyMjD0ZS?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) for Reels, just like the one in Edits * **Instagram** is testing [offline Reels](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/315509/20260327/instagram-works-offline-reels-streaming-automatic-downloads-according-new-leak.htm) with an auto-download feature for nonstop scrolling * **Instagram** now lets you [schedule Trial Reels](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWov_JLClbw?xmt=AQF0HFkv4QfIijb8XdM6_g6sQKU5pSZcj6nlpNqT94utIA) * **Instagram**’s design lead Brett Westervelt has been appointed [head of the Edits app](https://scalablepod.com/p/exclusive-meta-taps-instagram-exec-to-lead-edits) * **Instagram** will “[substantially reduce](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/instagram-limit-use-pg-13-rating-deal-mpa-1236552680/)” the use of the ‘PG-13’ rating in a deal with the Motion Picture Association * **Instagram** now lets you [require approval](https://www.threads.com/@ihammod_oh/post/DWZa6b7CLjy?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) before you’re added back to a group chat you’ve left * **Instagram** now lets you [press and hold on a group chat](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWmXdf_DB7O?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) to see who's in the chat * **Instagram** now lets you add [text on screen](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWoMVWOCWZz?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) with a new Instant camera feature * **Instagram** has increased the default selected duration for a song added to a story from 15 to [20 seconds](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWhXPmKjM9p?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) * **Instagram** now [suggests music](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWhGjWuDLrk?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) for your Story * **Instagram** has been spotted showing a ‘[Use Template](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWeWM24jEBg?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw)’ button in the main Reels feed on videos built using templates * **Instagram** now displays [recently saved places](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWqyvyzjNiD?xmt=AQF044F6pNjRia2C1nPpdq4WVsmJuS3rEBOYWB1-gQLZbg) from your saved posts on maps within DMs **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7d68f484-14bd-4067-8d09-f3f86d719ce2/image.png?t=1775212654) Follow image link: (https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-releases-a-native-carplay-app-to-ios-beta-testers/) Caption: WhatsApp is testing a native CarPlay app | Credit: WABetaInfo * **WhatsApp** is testing a [CarPlay app](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-releases-a-native-carplay-app-to-ios-beta-testers/), replacing its previous Siri-only integration * **WhatsApp **is working on a feature that lets you see a list of which of their contacts are [currently online](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-working-on-a-list-of-online-contacts-on-android/) * **WhatsApp **is rolling out a feature that lets channel admins [reply to their updates](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-a-channel-reply-feature-for-admins-on-ios/) * **WhatsApp** is testing a feature that adds new Unicode 17.0 [emojis](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWkeCQ2iKUK?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) directly to the built-in keyboard * **WhatsApp **is testing a feature to [replace blank profiles](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWjLo6vkaDW?xmt=AQF0HFkv4QfIijb8XdM6_g6sQKU5pSZcj6nlpNqT94utIA) with photos from the address book * **WhatsApp Business** is testing a new [“Alerts” feature](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWhF00bDO3I?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) that displays account-related notifications within the app. * **WhatsApp**'s former security chief is “not done fighting” after his lawsuit alleging serious security flaws was [dismissed](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-lawsuit-dismissal-whatsapp-security-chief-not-done-fighting-2026-4) * **Threads** added two new [reply filters](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWkWL8hDElH?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) on iOS, making it easier to manage conversations and keep your community in check * **Threads** now displays the [number of recent posts](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWkVSzEDEkm?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) added by an account in search results **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/04bb3b4d-471e-4b17-90d1-67219a3acef8/image.png?t=1775212803) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWhW2m0DDnt?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) Caption: X testing new photo editor on iOS | Credit: @oncescuradu * **X** is rolling out a new [photo editor](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWhW2m0DDnt?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) on iOS, with more advanced features * **X** has been strongly endorsed by the US State Department as part of its global [anti-propaganda strategy](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/30/embassies-campaign-marco-rubio-elon-musk) * **X** has asked a court to dismiss a [music piracy lawsuit](https://torrentfreak.com/x-asks-court-to-dismiss-music-piracy-lawsuit-after-supreme-courts-cox-ruling/), claiming there is no evidence of it actively encouraging piracy **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4eaa8133-3e47-4b84-8104-ba796b00583e/image.png?t=1775212931) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-partners-with-cameo-to-unlock-new-monetization-opportunities-for-creators?lang=en) Caption: Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** has [integrated Cameo](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-partners-with-cameo-to-unlock-new-monetization-opportunities-for-creators?lang=en) into its app, giving creators new monetisation options * **TikTok** now has an [‘Archive’ feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWjxr-uDNw8?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) for stories and thoughts. * **New York City** has [reversed](https://www.wired.com/story/in-a-big-reversal-zohran-mamdani-tells-nyc-agencies-to-use-tiktok/) its **TikTok **ban for government agencies following the app’s change of US ownership * **YouTube** launched “Comments to Heart” to let channels [auto-like positive comments](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-creators-can-now-like-video-comments-in-bulk/816292/) * **YouTube** officially launched ‘Stations’, which let creators turn playlists into [nonstop streaming channels](https://www.theverge.com/column/905787/youtube-stations) * **YouTube** has received an open letter from 200+ experts, schools, and groups [urging it to block](https://mashable.com/article/youtube-ai-slop-child-safety-warning) AI-generated kids’ content * **YouTube** is expanding its [Coachella 2026](https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/watch-coachella-live-on-youtube/) livestream setup with seven stages, starting 10 April * **YouTube **will host its [Brandcast event](https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/youtube-upfront-event-details-including-trevor-noah-and-chappell-roan/) in NYC on 13 May, pushing the platform as the future of media **__________** -------------------- ### * **Reddit** is the [most-cited source](https://peec.ai/blog/top-domains-cited-by-ai-search-analysis-based-on-30m-sources) by AI search and chatbots in 2026, according to a new study * **Reddit** opened up its [Reddit Pro tools](https://searchengineland.com/reddit-pro-new-features-public-beta-472991) to all publishers in free public beta * **Pinterest** is pushing [performance ads](https://digiday.com/marketing/pinterest-bets-on-measurement-and-smbs-to-boost-performance-revenue/), betting measurement will unlock more ad spend * **Snapchat** expanded [Creator Subscriptions](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-expands-creator-subscriptions-to-all-eligible-users/816424/) to all eligible users * **Snapchat **revealed the [winners](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/2026-snappys-snapchat-awards-winners-list-1236553378/) of its first-ever “Snappys” awards, including David Dobrik, DJ Khaled, and Kylie Jenner * **Snapchat **is working on a way to [share music](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWq06f-jDoK) without using a sticker * **Twitch** upgraded mobile streaming with new tools to [boost creator control](https://x.com/TwitchSupport/status/2031109318934761545/), including multi-tasking while streaming + disconnect protection * **Telegram** [upgraded polls](https://telegram.org/blog/ai-editor-mighty-polls-and-more) along with adding support for live photos on iOS and Android * **CapCut **launched a new content creation app on desktop, called [CapCut Video Studio](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWeQgV7DIg3?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) * **Netflix** is working on Discord-style [social features](https://www.androidauthority.com/netflix-voice-chat-games-apk-teardown-3652602/) for its games * **Beehiiv** is launching a [podcasting platform](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/02/beehiiv-expands-into-podcasts-taking-aim-at-patreon-substack-newsletters/) to take on Substack and Patreon -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- **YouTube** has been testing AI-generated **summaries that replace video titles** on its home feed… but it’s buggy and a bit useless… YouTube is testing more AI on the home screen, and we hate it already: (https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-home-screen-ai-summaries-3652545/) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **Meta **rolled out a new AI system to make ads [more personalised and efficient](https://engineering.fb.com/2026/03/31/ml-applications/meta-adaptive-ranking-model-bending-the-inference-scaling-curve-to-serve-llm-scale-models-for-ads/) * **Meta** is testing an AI “[Describe Your Audience](https://www.jonloomer.com/describe-your-audience-detailed-targeting/)” tool to auto-generate targeting interests for ads * **Meta** is injecting AI into risk reviews to [hunt down product dangers](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/how-ai-is-ushering-in-the-next-era-of-risk-review-at-meta/) early * **YouTube**’s conversational [‘Ask’ button](https://9to5google.com/2026/03/31/youtubes-ask-button-hits-tv-app/) is rolling out to TV apps * **X** now gives Premium subscribers access by default to the [SuperGrok Lite tier](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWZlhISDPsE?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) * **xAI**’s Grok app now lets you choose between [speed and quality](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWq0ThkDBi-) for generated images * **Bluesky** unveiled Attie, an AI assistant that lets users [create custom feeds](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/28/bluesky-leans-into-ai-with-attie-an-app-for-building-custom-feeds/) from simple prompts * **Telegram **added an AI editor that can [rewrite, translate, and style](https://telegram.org/blog/ai-editor-mighty-polls-and-more) your message text directly in chat, and made it easier to create bots with AI * **CapCut** [expanded access](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWeQ5NejAL3?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) to the Seedance 2.0 AI model globally in the CapCut mobile and web apps * **CapCut** is rolling out [AI Clipping](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWeSMcYjECh?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) to more users * **Google **now lets you direct avatars through prompts in its [Vids app](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/02/google-now-lets-you-direct-avatars-through-prompts-in-its-vids-app/), including YouTube export -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f51d6aca-cc2f-4bf0-9ae0-2077a60b94dd/trail.jpg?t=1772123658) Caption: -------------------- **Elon Musk and the SEC are heading toward trial **over 2022 the billionaire’s Twitter share purchases. The **SEC** alleges late disclosure cost investors over $150 million. Settlement talks failed; both sides reject alternative dispute resolution. Musk, SEC Say Fight Over Twitter Share Stockpile May Go to Trial: (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-01/musk-sec-say-fight-over-twitter-share-stockpile-may-go-to-trial) * **Elon Musk** faces an [escalation](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-31/musk-faces-fresh-setback-in-lawsuits-over-2022-twitter-buyout) in legal problems over his **Twitter** acquisition, after a judge allowed investors to combine their claims into a class action lawsuit. * **The judge** who once revoked **Elon Musk**’s pay package is [stepping aside](https://nypost.com/2026/03/30/business/delware-judge-steps-aside-from-elon-musk-cases-over-bias-in-supporting-linkedin-post-that-mocked-him/) from several ongoing cases against him after she ‘liked’ a **LinkedIn** post mocking him 😬 -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/af25fac9-cfca-420e-8477-a42bf352fda1/You_can__1_.jpg?t=1775164259) Caption: -------------------- **A new Ofcom report** reveals the number of UK social media users posting content has fallen to 49%, down from 61% in 2024. Users have shifted to passive video feed consumption, favouring engaging in DMs over posting publicly. I spoke to **BBC News** about [why Brits are using social differently](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgqk718l4neo) in 2026… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/14f4c23e-bfba-4ad5-9543-0614ee077152/BBC_News_Ofcom_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra__1_.jpg?t=1775149778) Follow image link: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgqk718l4neo) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ad727bfe-f80f-4dca-9d3b-ed93a085e41a/April_Fools_Header.jpeg?t=1775210175) Caption: -------------------- With so much fake news and AI nonsense clogging up our feeds on a daily basis, it’s amazing anyone still bothers with **April Fool’s Day jokes**. But bother they do, and some were actually good! **Aldi UK **made the most effort I saw this year, getting into the legal game: - Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWlHPzyMOv4/) __________ - Who knew bread and haircare products were the perfect match? - Tweet: (https://twitter.com/conveniencetalk/status/2039258021008695623) __________ - **Snapchat **mocked Instagram’s [many rip-offs](https://www.theverge.com/tech/905272/snapchat-reals-spotlight-instagram-feed-april-fools-day-2026) of its features… - Tweet: (https://twitter.com/Snap/status/2039297101050392683) - **Meanwhile… Instagram’s** ‘joke’ (unsurprisingly) didn’t land so well… - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3511808c-a937-442c-a412-30d2455e0aa1/image.png?t=1775213336) Caption: - Check out this round-up of the rest of the **best April Fools Day pranks** by brands here: 👇 - The best April Fools' Day pranks 2026 from Dyson to Subway: (https://www.indy100.com/viral/best-april-fools-day-pranks-2026-2676653800) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- **Sexy fruit is a big deal.**_ (Never thought I’d write that sentence)_ Fruit Love Island, an AI-generated dating show, is [pulling over 10 million views per episode](https://searchengineland.com/reddit-pro-new-features-public-beta-472991) on TikTok with its parody of Love Island. Despite its “AI slop” visuals, viewers are hooked on the story and voting outcomes. BUT: Its creator has threatened to shut the series down claiming mass content reporting, lost content, and a wiped YouTube backup. Oh the drama! Fruit Love Island creator threatens to shut down series after mass TikTok removals: (https://www.dexerto.com/tiktok/fruit-love-island-creator-threatens-to-shut-down-series-after-mass-tiktok-removals-3342557/) __________ **More viral news this week:** * **Chinese creator Chen Qin **has gone viral for carving intricate carrot sculptures [using only her teeth](https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/woman-goes-viral-for-carving-giant-carrot-sculptures-using-her-teeth-3342469/) * **Aura reading** has become Gen Z's latest obsession as [brands cash in fast](https://adage.com/brand-marketing/aa-auras-astrology-gen-z-marketing-spirituality/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- That **KitKat** theft… Was it a real heist, or a publicity stunt? The world has been split this week over whether or not a truck containing 12 tonnes of limited edition Formula One KitKat bars was really stolen, as the brand claims. Parent company **Nestlé** [insists it was real](https://www.wsj.com/business/kitkat-heist-nestle-theft-chocolate-03f807bb?mod=author_content_page_1_pos_1&lctg=0af964fd-49e3-4a15-b9c4-5d01e81e2d97) and not an April Fool’s Day joke. But either way, it’s been catnip for other brands like **McDonald’s**, **Microsoft**, **KFC**, and **Ryanair**. McDonald's To Microsoft, Brands Break The Internet With Memes On KitKat Heist: (https://www.ndtv.com/food/mcdonalds-to-microsoft-brands-break-the-internet-with-memes-on-kitkat-heist-11289858) __________ **More brand news and views:** * **Apple **is leaning into using its viral “[Little Finder Guy](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/30/apple-tiktok-little-finder-guy/)” mascot from its MacBook Neo campaign on TikTok * That **McDonald's** viral video was good for memes. [But what about sales?](https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-03-27/that-mcdonald-s-big-arch-viral-video-is-good-for-memes-but-sales) * Inside **The Daily Mail**’s [creator-led content playbook](https://digiday.com/media/inside-the-daily-mails-creator-led-content-playbook/) * How **the music industry** is harnessing [the power of clippers](https://variety.com/2026/music/news/clipping-marketing-tool-took-over-music-industry-1236699705/) * **AI influencer discovery tools** are changing [how agencies cast creators](https://digiday.com/marketing/ai-influencer-discovery-tools-are-changing-how-agencies-cast-creators/) * How **InStyle **is reaching the next generation with its [original social series](https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/2026/04/01/instyle-original-social-series) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"Probability of me getting a fair trial if this is how the judge dresses is 0.0%”“ — – **Elon Musk **showing trademark levels of respect for the legal system, by** **[mocking the bow tie](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWgd55tinTy?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) worn by the judge who recently ruled against him _________ **Also quoted this week:** _“I've got our teams on alert to take down content doxxing or threatening the people on your team. Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help.”_ **- Mark Zuckerberg **[texting Elon Musk](https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/mark-zuckerberg-offered-to-help-elon-musk-with-doge-in-2025-211737138.html) in February 2025, offering special help that the average Meta user certainly wouldn’t get __________ _“When I speak to our creators — and I speak to them several times a week — what they always tell me is that no matter what they look to do, they understand that YouTube is their home. There would be no “Beast Games” if there wasn’t MrBeast on YouTube. Jimmy knows that._ **- YouTube CEO Neal Mohan **is [hopefully not getting too complacent](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/28/magazine/neal-mohan-interview.html) about competition for talent __________ _“This is the platforms trying to get children to stay on for longer, to get addicted. I can’t see that there’s a case for that, and therefore I can see we’re going to have to act.”_ **- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer** wants to stop social platforms [hooking kids](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWgbhpYiqcJ?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/863ad342-3950-4b01-a80d-44a973a4ba09/fav_reads.jpg?t=1772123813) Caption: -------------------- **YouTube** now reaches 2 billion daily users, with 90% of US teens on the platform. In this interview, platform boss **Neal Mohan **says its success is driven by authenticity, not algorithmic addiction. Well worth a read! (Also worth noting [what he DIDN’T say](https://www.theverge.com/streaming/903032/youtube-ceo-refuses-to-talk-about-content-moderation)) What Is YouTube’s Dominance Doing to Us? We Asked Its C.E.O.: (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/28/magazine/neal-mohan-interview.html?smid=url-share) __________ **Also this week:** * Why** OpenAI **[killed Sora](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/902368/openai-sora-dead-ai-video-generation-competition) * The [countries that have social media bans](https://news.sky.com/story/the-countries-that-have-social-media-bans-or-are-planning-to-implement-one-13526116), or are planning to implement one -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/329d25b3-9e16-4946-b400-e5cc194f0db0/New_Platform_v2.jpg?t=1772123876) Caption: -------------------- **Flipboard** has officially launched **Surf**, its new social app and feed reader. It aims to simplify the fragmented “fediverse” and reduce our reliance on big platforms. Surf is a hybrid app combining social feeds, RSS, and fediverse content, bringing together **Bluesky, Mastodon, RSS, podcasts**, and **YouTube** into unified feeds. Think of it as a feed reader, social client, and content curation tool all in one. Flipboard just launched Surf, its new social app and feed reader: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/905929/flipboard-surf-fediverse-launch) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- **It’s almost funny** how much Bluesky users **HATE** AI. There’s a real ‘instant puke’ reaction on there from many whenever the topic comes up. Sometimes it’s justified, and sometimes it just seems over the top. One such OTT reaction came this week when Bluesky launched a tool to let users create custom feeds using AI prompts. A straightforward idea, and possibly useful for some people. But Attie’s account quickly rose through the ranks to become the second-most blocked on the platform after US Vice President J.D Vance! 🤯 Bluesky's new AI tool Attie is already the most blocked account other than J. D. Vance: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/30/blueskys-new-ai-tool-attie-is-already-the-most-blocked-account-other-than-j-d-vance/) **More WTF this week:** * **Yikes… **WhatsApp has notified users who downloaded [a fake version of its app](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/01/whatsapp-notifies-hundreds-of-users-who-installed-a-fake-app-that-was-actually-government-spyware/) tied to a spyware company * **Instagram** reportedly [deleted](https://mashable.com/article/instagram-deletes-bellesa-shop-account-with-700000-followers) a sex toy shop’s account, just for using the word 'clitoris' -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fd24e465-005c-4d36-afd8-cef1268bf044/RIP.jpg?t=1772124179) Caption: -------------------- **Reddit is killing its r/all feed**, ending its raw, less-filtered trending feed While we knew this change was coming, the company is finally ready to fully move on. r/popular now becomes the main discovery feed, with further tweaks expected. Reddit is moving on from r/all: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/906314/reddit-r-all-deprecating) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772123969) Caption: -------------------- **TikTok cannot reliably identify** or label AI-generated ads despite its own clear policies. **Samsung** and other brands regularly post AI-generated ads with inconsistent or missing disclosures. …but the responsibility between advertiser disclosures and platform enforcement remains unclear, leaving all of us guessing. Why can’t TikTok identify AI generated ads when I can?: (https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/900400/tiktok-ai-ads-labels-samsung-disclosure) __________ **More fails this week:** * **TikTok **has been caught running ads for AI apps that [digitally undress people](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-ran-ad-ads-from-apps-promoting-sexualized-ai-2026-4) in photos * **Reddit briefly banned Paul McCartney**’s account after it [posted concert photos via Dropbox](https://dailydot.com/reddit-bans-paul-mccartney-posting-his-own-photos) * **YouTube's new embed player** has been frustrating users with [missing buttons and its translucent design](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-embed-player-redesign-3652875/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4502d13e-4f26-44c8-97e3-dda5688321f0/science.jpg?t=1774012382) Caption: -------------------- **New studies show** teen social media use mirrors addiction-like withdrawal and compulsive behaviour. Experts urge removing likes, limiting notifications, and restricting infinite scroll for minors. Research points to how companies could make social media less addictive for teens: (https://www.npr.org/2026/03/27/nx-s1-5763017/social-media-teens-addictive-design) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: -------------------- **LinkedIn** carousels beat video as the [top engagement format](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/report-shows-document-posts-on-linkedin-see-more-engagement/816551/) in 2026, new data shows, with PDF carousels performing better than images. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a8f43f75-2225-44db-966a-1b13e409c882/659112982_17952272130117490_319353482131020133_n.jpg?t=1775212196) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/report-shows-document-posts-on-linkedin-see-more-engagement/816551/) Caption: __________ **More pro tips:** * **LinkedIn** says long-form articles are key to [engagement and AI chatbot visibility](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-shares-tips-on-using-articles-to-enhance-engagement/816162/) * **Facebook** shared new [content monetisation tips](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-shares-new-facebook-content-monetization-tips/816163/) * **US influencer taxes explained:** [A practical guide for creators](https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/taxes/article/influencer-tax-rules-a-guide-for-tiktok-twitch-and-other-creators-172421382.html) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**770%**“ — – **The increase in US data requests **to social media platforms [in the past decade](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWl8MvOCq8M?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) __________ **More social stats:** * **PAST POSTING:** [49%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWoAWUWiuMg?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) of UK adult social media users comment, share, or post, down sharply from 61% in 2024 * **INSANE: **Heavy social media users are less supportive of democracy. Support drops to [57%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWjvVmmCphq?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) among heavy users vs 72% for non-users * **ANTI-TRUST: **[88%](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/25/3262239/0/en/Social-Media-is-Now-the-Top-Source-for-Breaking-News-New-Sprout-Social-Research-Finds.html) of people report declining trust in social media news due to the rise of AI-generated content * **HOOKED: **[16%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWgeVCdij2-?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) of kids can’t reduce social media use while 23% stay constantly mentally hooked * **BAN ‘EM: **[75%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWgfFuyio8a?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) of UK adults back a teen social media ban * **MUSIC MANIA: **Instagram leads on platforms for music superfans, with engagement jumping from 38% to [58%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWoGWM5Ckqh?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- **Meta’s** platforms have [dropped](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWjfD9fiiHj?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) in the US among the most-used social media platforms in 2026. According to insights from the latest annual **Infinite Dial report** from **Edison Research**: * **85% of Americans** **use social media**, down from 86% in 2025 * **Facebook** **leads reach** at 68% (+2), **Instagram** 54% (+6), **TikTok** rose fast to 42% (+8) * **But fewer people rely on** **Meta** daily: **Facebook’s** ranking as most-used app drops 45% → 40%, **Instagram** 19% → 16% * **Meta’s** combined daily use share fell 64% → 56%, while **TikTok** hit 16% and dominates younger users (29%) * **Reddit** (38%) is more widely used than both **Pinterest** (35%) and **LinkedIn** (34%).  View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8d639c41-89f3-4e43-8185-106921fbe218/657204029_17951687679117490_4654961645054574791_n.jpg?t=1775212484) Caption: __________ **More charts:** * **DECLINING: **Americans’ daily YouTube and Facebook usage [dropped a little](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWglFEsChvj?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) last year * **LIKING IT SHORT: **Short-form video [leads UK viewing](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWoJnHeio_S?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) for 16–24s, hitting 85% weekly usage -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- Two-thirds of under-16s with accounts on Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok kept access despite ban: (https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/31/meta-tiktok-snapchat-google-under-investigation-australia-social-media-ban) __________ ##### Also in the news this week… * **Meta’s back-to-back court losses **have ignited fresh momentum for social media regulation in the US. [[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/03/27/meta-bad-week-hill-action)] * **Meta shares dropped 19%**, driven by legal threats from social media addiction rulings and heavy AI spending. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-30/meta-s-310-billion-tailspin-sparks-tobacco-moment-questions)] * **Meta’s court losses** spell potential trouble for AI research, consumer safety. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/29/metas-court-losses-spell-trouble-for-ai-research-consumer-safety.html)] * **The judge in a case against Meta** allowed authors to add a “contributory infringement” claim, giving them an easier route to a win for the company’s alleged theft of their works. [[Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/03/meta-hopes-scotus-piracy-ruling-will-help-it-beat-lawsuit-over-torrenting-ai-data/)] * **A former Pinterest engineer** says the company mischaracterized the events used to justify his firing. [[The Verge $$$](https://www.theverge.com/policy/906122/pinterest-employee-fired-obstructionist-speaks-out)] * **Social media has overtaken TV **as the top breaking news source, led by Gen Z, according to new Sprout Social data. [[Sprout Social](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/25/3262239/0/en/Social-Media-is-Now-the-Top-Source-for-Breaking-News-New-Sprout-Social-Research-Finds.html)] * **The Creators Guild of America** is launching Mosaic, dubbed a verified “IMDb for creators”. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/digital-creator-credits-platform-launched-creators-guild-1236544648/)] * **TikTok dropped** plans for second Dublin data centre due to grid constraints. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-01/tiktok-abandons-plans-to-add-second-data-center-in-ireland)] * **The Swiss finance minister** has sued an “unknown perpetrator” over over remarks generated by xAI’s Grok. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/swiss-minister-files-criminal-charges-over-grok-generated-remarks/)] * **The European Commission** has ordered senior officials to delete a Signal group over hacking risks. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/top-eu-officials-signal-group-chat-hacking-fears/)] * **Clio has launched **the Creator Awards, recognising top creators and brand collaborations, and backed by YouTube and Influential. [[@The_Clios](https://x.com/the_clios/status/2037216123448418530)] * **UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer** has promised a “fight” with social media companies amid efforts to limit children’s use of devices. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/27/starmer-vows-to-fight-social-media-firms-to-protect-children-from-addiction)] * **Austria plans to ban** social media for under-14s. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-27/austria-plans-social-media-ban-for-kids-as-it-awaits-eu-rules?sref=YURDD6is)] * **Indonesia has summoned** Meta and Google over failing to comply with its new under-16 social media rules. [[Reuters $$$](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/indonesia-summons-meta-google-over-non-compliance-with-child-social-media-curbs-2026-03-31/)] **New features and tests:** * **Instagram now places** the “Ad” label for stories in the bottom-left corner. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWeQMF4jLww?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw)] * **Instagram is migrating** to a black and white colour scheme for buttons. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWjxSA-DCvP?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw)] * **CreatorIQ and Sprinklr **are partnering to fix fragmented creator marketing measurement, merging CreatorIQ’s 123M daily creator posts with Sprinklr’s analytics and social listening. [[DigiDay $$$](https://digiday.com/media/creatoriq-and-sprinklr-bet-they-can-solve-creator-measurements-fragmentation-problem/)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- Who is looksmaxxing really for?: (https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/article/70001/1/who-is-looksmaxxing-really-for-incel-culture-beauty-standards-men-misogyny) __________ **Also worth a read:** * **How Meta’s victim-blaming failed to sway jurors** [in the landmark social media addiction trial](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/29/meta-loss-social-media-addiction-trial) * **Meta’s legal defeat could be a victory for children**, [or a loss for everyone](https://www.theverge.com/policy/903006/meta-new-mexico-los-angeles-child-safety-trial-impact) * **Australia wants to sell its social media ban to the world** – [but are the measures even working?](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/01/australia-social-media-ban-adoption-world) * **Countless horror stories linked to social media** - but [a ban for children isn't cut-and-dried case](https://news.sky.com/story/countless-horror-stories-linked-to-social-media-but-a-ban-for-children-isnt-cut-and-dried-case-13521317) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- Yikes! This is very awkward. And messy! _“Another viral TikTok video unintentionally exposed a cheating husband to millions, including his wife, after one woman's night out. _ _“The TikToker claimed her friend found a "soulmate" in an Alabama bar, but it turned out he'd already pledged that soul to another and proven himself a liar.”_ Ooof! 😬 TikTok hunt for mystery man backfires when his wife shows up in the comments: (https://dailydot.com/tiktok-hunt-mike-alabama-rodeo-wife) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- That’s a wrap on everything new in social this week. I’m heading off to check how many more email I have sent this week with ChatGPT prompt snippets left in them. 🤣 Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-plus-youtube-addiction-fruit-love-island

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f0b63965-24a0-45cc-a445-08746326e450/Geekout_030426.jpg?t=1775215079) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Reach 30K engaged social media pros** ** Geekout sponsorships costs less than you think **Get Geekout Ad Discount** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **Optimize Geekout** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-plus-youtube-addiction-fruit-love-island) -------------------- ##### **Hello, geeks!** This week, I experienced my first mortifying AI mistake. 😬 You know the kind… the one where your soul leaves your body mid-scroll. View image: (https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTI0NTBlYzMwYzIyZzRqZXMwOThsZHRqeWc1N3FnYnpvOXQxdzNraGVoZXNqMHc3NiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/9oF7EAvaFUOEU/giphy.gif) [The Office Smile GIF] Caption: Giphy I thought I’d share it in case you’ve had a rough week — maybe it’ll give you a moment of amusement. Earlier this week, I had a video call with a potential client who invited me to speak at an event and collaborate on a new social media project. It was a good opportunity — but after thinking it through, the payment terms didn’t quite stack up. So I drafted an email outlining my concerns, with a counteroffer. Hit send. Thought no more about it. The next day, they replied saying they respected my position, but suggested revisiting the opportunity later in the year. Fair enough. It happens. No big deal. I scrolled back up the email thread to refresh my memory on what was originally offered — and what I’d sent. That’s when my heart stopped. Head hit desk. Immediate regret. Before sending the email, I’d asked ChatGPT to quickly redraft it — just to tighten the tone and clean up any typos. The edits looked good. So I copy/pasted the revised version into my reply. In my ADHD haste, I didn’t double-check it. Big mistake. This is the email I actually sent: 😱 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5632dd87-560d-480d-8dba-598bf33949ec/Screenshot_2026-04-03_at_10.37.30.png?t=1775209223) Caption: - FML. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Have you experienced a fear-inducing AI fail? Drop me a reply with your ChatGPT mistakes. __________ ##### **2 cool things…** ❤️ **I LOVE this** [free AI toolkit](https://social.agorapulse.com/ai-content-bundle?utm_campaign=en-ai-content-bundle&utm_medium=partners&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=webinar_ondemand&utm_term=geekout-standard&sfc=701bD00000sBDvhQAG) built _by_ social media managers—_for_ social media managers — AI prompts, cheat sheets, shortcuts that work. - **🕹️ TikTok** has hidden a [secret emoji-based game](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/31/go-play-this-secret-game-in-your-tiktok-dms/) inside your DMs. [ad] -------------------- ###### EXCLUSIVE ▶︎ GEEKOUT INTERVIEWS… #### Why Instagram's Edits is a boutique. NOT a Costco! 📱 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9949f39-0b1e-4bd5-91c7-f7f59c03e4fc/WhatsApp_Image_2026-03-31_at_17.52.14.jpeg?t=1775142177) Follow image link: (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview) Caption: - I’ve been wanting to shake up Geekout for a while… Break out of the weekly scroll… and get closer to the people actually pulling the strings. Every week, I break down what’s happening across social — New features. Platform shifts. Algorithm chaos. But what if we could get access to the people behind the scenes… * 🏢 The people at Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Snapchat building and controlling the platforms * 🔥 The top social talent posting through it for your favorite brand accounts And what if I could get YOUR questions answered too? So last month I finally did something about it. I opened up my social media insiders contact list. Dropped a few messages to Meta. Asked to speak to the person behind the Edits app. And they said yes! So… here’s the [first edition of Geekout Interviews… ](https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview) Kicking off with **Instagram’s **product director for the **Edits app**… **Matt Simari.** **In this edition of Geekout Interviews…** * 🤔 Why Matt thinks Instagram's Edits is a boutique. NOT a Costco. * ✨ Get a first look at a NEW feature coming soon to Edits * 🤐 Uncover the ONE question I asked Matt, but he refused to answer! …and more! **Watch / Read the FULL interview **— [**Geekout Interviews… Matt Simari**](https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview)** ** 🎙️ Dig into Geekout Interviews (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Instagram starts testing Snapchat+ style premium subscription ‘Instagram Plus’: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/30/meta-starts-testing-a-premium-subscription-on-instagram/) 2. **YouTube staff aimed for “viewer addiction” **to boost engagement, court docs reveal [[TROUBLING](https://nypost.com/2026/03/30/business/youtube-staffers-deliberately-aimed-for-viewer-addiction-killed-safety-tools-for-kids-court-docs/)] 3. **UK social media users are posting a lot less **as AI use surges [[PASSIVE-SCROLLING](https://glasp.co/login?extension=yes&callback_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgqk718l4neo)] 4. **Meta is considering killing funding** for its Oversight Board [[CUTTING](https://www.platformer.news/meta-oversight-board-funding-cancel/)] 5. **TikTok could launch banking features** as it applies for fintech license in Brazil [[BANKING](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/tiktok-seeks-brazil-fintech-license-offer-credit-2026-03-31/)] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ FREE AI TOOLKIT #### The AI Toolkit Built for People Who _Actually_ Run Social 🤖 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6febab85-1e4a-4cf8-a66d-e1ec0ada0c96/ad-geekout-2000x1000.jpg?t=1775139331) Follow image link: (https://social.agorapulse.com/ai-content-bundle?utm_campaign=en-ai-content-bundle&utm_medium=partners&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=webinar_ondemand&utm_term=geekout-standard&sfc=701bD00000sBDvhQAG) Caption: - Does this sound familiar…?  Your boss discovered AI last week after reading one LinkedIn post… …And now he wants a new social strategy of “do more with AI.” 😭  Cool. But how?! 🤬 Most AI advice is built for developers.  Not for busy social media teams! **Meanwhile you’re…** * 😠 Rewriting ChatGPT outputs for the 5th time  * 🙏 Trying to make captions sound human  * 🤔 Wondering if AI is actually saving time… or stealing it  Here’s the fix 👇  Agorapulse just dropped a [FREE AI toolkit built for social teams](https://social.agorapulse.com/ai-content-bundle?utm_campaign=en-ai-content-bundle&utm_medium=partners&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=webinar_ondemand&utm_term=geekout-standard&sfc=701bD00000sBDvhQAG) (not engineers)  **Inside you'll get access to: ** * 🎥** 2 Webinars:** Time-saving AI shortcuts that will save you hours + How to make AI sound like YOUR brand   * 🔥 **Cheat Sheet: **Ready-to-use killer AI prompts built for social teams * ✅** Checklist:** A step-by-step checklist to stop you getting generic AI output  The 1st webinar? Completely FREE — No form. No email. Just press play.  Drop your work email to unlock the rest. 1 form, 3 resources.  4,000+ social teams already use Agorapulse's AI features daily. **👉 Fix your AI nightmares now… **[Grab this FREE AI toolkit](https://social.agorapulse.com/ai-content-bundle?utm_campaign=en-ai-content-bundle&utm_medium=partners&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=webinar_ondemand&utm_term=geekout-standard&sfc=701bD00000sBDvhQAG) ✨ Unlock AI Toolkit ✨ (https://social.agorapulse.com/ai-content-bundle?utm_campaign=en-ai-content-bundle&utm_medium=partners&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=webinar_ondemand&utm_term=geekout-standard&sfc=701bD00000sBDvhQAG) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **Instagram’s answer to Snapchat+ looks like a cheap stalker toolkit for IG obsessives** Meta is testing an Instagram Plus subscription service with exclusive features: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-testing-an-instagram-plus-subscription-service-with-exclusive-features-181215180.html) We knew Meta was working on premium subscriptions for its main platforms. And now the first to actually make it out in the wild has arrived from Instagram. Say hello to Instagram Plus, currently being tested in a handful of markets. The subscription gives you a bunch of features that might appeal to Instagram addicts: create multiple story audiences, get story rewatch insights, search your story viewers list, preview stories (more on that in a moment, extend your story’s expiry, send super hearts to stories, and spotlight your story. Some people have labeled the Instagram bolt-on a ‘stalker toolkit',’ by giving users the ability to view stories anonymously. However, on the flip side, Instagram Plus also allows you see which of your followers are obsessing over you with story rewatch super-powers. None of these features are going to set your world alight unless you live and breathe Instagram to an obsessive degree. For most pros and creators, a Meta Verified subscription has the features you’ll want. It’s better to think of Instagram Plus as being akin Snapchat+: extra features for the the most ardent users. And just like Snapchat+, I can imagine Instagram will add more features to Plus as time goes on. Perhaps reflecting the value of the features, or maybe just because it’s a test right now, pricing for Instagram Plus is DIRT CHEAP. Meta hasn’t said which markets it’s being tested in, but TechCrunch [rounded up the pricing](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/30/meta-starts-testing-a-premium-subscription-on-instagram/) it had seen: _“It costs MX$39 (approximately $2.20 USD) per month in Mexico, ¥319 per month (approximately $2 USD) in Japan, and PHP 65 per month (approximately $1.07 USD) in the Philippines.”_ That’s incredibly low! So if it rolls out more widely in its current form, Instagram Plus won’t break the bank, but then it won’t give you THAT many interesting features, either. I’d expect both the feature set… and the price… to increase over time. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/47dae9d1-4e36-48a0-8407-f5041a33c5b5/image.png?t=1775212058) Follow image link: (https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-latest-ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-are-more-customizable-and-expensive-130000553.html) Caption: Meta’s first prescription AI glasses | Credit: Meta * **Meta** launched new [prescription AI glasses](https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-latest-ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-are-more-customizable-and-expensive-130000553.html) in ‘Blayzer’ and ‘Scriber’ styles, with new features including Nutrition Tracking and Neural Handwriting (I’m tempted by these) * **Meta**'s longtime content policy chief Bickert is [leaving](https://www.reuters.com/technology/metas-longtime-content-policy-chief-bickert-leaving-teach-harvard-2026-03-28/) to teach at Harvard * **Meta** is assembling an [elite AI lab](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-builds-elite-ai-team-to-boost-facebook-instagram-algorithms-2026-4) to upgrade **Facebook** and **Instagram** algorithms * **Meta** rolled out intensive “[AI Week](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-ai-week-employee-training-claude-agents-vibe-coding-2026-3)” training to turn employees into active AI builders * **Facebook** is testing a new way to [interact with Stories](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWbR54VjMHI?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw), with quick replies and a separate tab for emojis above the reply box * **Facebook** started displaying friends’ [Notes as Stories](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWbSUw-jMTx?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw), with two quick action buttons * **Facebook** introduced a refreshed [music info menu](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWhFPR8DJN0?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) with options to add tracks to Spotify, use them in a Story, and more * **Facebook **added [options for Pages](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWhGUtTjFYh?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) to include service credentials, specialties and services, and media kit links * **Facebook **is testing a new [Creator Activity](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWqzjGdDMCH) feature in broadcast channels that directs users to a dedicated feed showing content they may have missed from Pages they follow. * **Facebook** now allows you to “[manage product link](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWhX5q1jKmL?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw)” per Reel * **Messenger **on the web [could live on](https://www.threads.com/@martinsfp/post/DWqcr_FDFM1?xmt=AQF0S8sGg-Es1sD90VxtIz1UZHtBmLkCee95KIVhnR3V2g), without the Messenger name and at a new URL, according to a new notice from Meta **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/70ea73cc-5df5-4e0c-bbdf-ff763801eb28/image.png?t=1775212411) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWmiyMjD0ZS/media?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) Caption: Instagram’s Teleprompter feature for Reels | Credit: @oncescuradu * **Instagram** added a [teleprompter](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWmiyMjD0ZS?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) for Reels, just like the one in Edits * **Instagram** is testing [offline Reels](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/315509/20260327/instagram-works-offline-reels-streaming-automatic-downloads-according-new-leak.htm) with an auto-download feature for nonstop scrolling * **Instagram** now lets you [schedule Trial Reels](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWov_JLClbw?xmt=AQF0HFkv4QfIijb8XdM6_g6sQKU5pSZcj6nlpNqT94utIA) * **Instagram**’s design lead Brett Westervelt has been appointed [head of the Edits app](https://scalablepod.com/p/exclusive-meta-taps-instagram-exec-to-lead-edits) * **Instagram** will “[substantially reduce](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/instagram-limit-use-pg-13-rating-deal-mpa-1236552680/)” the use of the ‘PG-13’ rating in a deal with the Motion Picture Association * **Instagram** now lets you [require approval](https://www.threads.com/@ihammod_oh/post/DWZa6b7CLjy?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) before you’re added back to a group chat you’ve left * **Instagram** now lets you [press and hold on a group chat](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWmXdf_DB7O?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) to see who's in the chat * **Instagram** now lets you add [text on screen](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWoMVWOCWZz?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) with a new Instant camera feature * **Instagram** has increased the default selected duration for a song added to a story from 15 to [20 seconds](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWhXPmKjM9p?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) * **Instagram** now [suggests music](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWhGjWuDLrk?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) for your Story * **Instagram** has been spotted showing a ‘[Use Template](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWeWM24jEBg?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw)’ button in the main Reels feed on videos built using templates * **Instagram** now displays [recently saved places](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWqyvyzjNiD?xmt=AQF044F6pNjRia2C1nPpdq4WVsmJuS3rEBOYWB1-gQLZbg) from your saved posts on maps within DMs **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7d68f484-14bd-4067-8d09-f3f86d719ce2/image.png?t=1775212654) Follow image link: (https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-releases-a-native-carplay-app-to-ios-beta-testers/) Caption: WhatsApp is testing a native CarPlay app | Credit: WABetaInfo * **WhatsApp** is testing a [CarPlay app](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-releases-a-native-carplay-app-to-ios-beta-testers/), replacing its previous Siri-only integration * **WhatsApp **is working on a feature that lets you see a list of which of their contacts are [currently online](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-working-on-a-list-of-online-contacts-on-android/) * **WhatsApp **is rolling out a feature that lets channel admins [reply to their updates](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-a-channel-reply-feature-for-admins-on-ios/) * **WhatsApp** is testing a feature that adds new Unicode 17.0 [emojis](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWkeCQ2iKUK?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) directly to the built-in keyboard * **WhatsApp **is testing a feature to [replace blank profiles](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWjLo6vkaDW?xmt=AQF0HFkv4QfIijb8XdM6_g6sQKU5pSZcj6nlpNqT94utIA) with photos from the address book * **WhatsApp Business** is testing a new [“Alerts” feature](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWhF00bDO3I?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) that displays account-related notifications within the app. * **WhatsApp**'s former security chief is “not done fighting” after his lawsuit alleging serious security flaws was [dismissed](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-lawsuit-dismissal-whatsapp-security-chief-not-done-fighting-2026-4) * **Threads** added two new [reply filters](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWkWL8hDElH?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) on iOS, making it easier to manage conversations and keep your community in check * **Threads** now displays the [number of recent posts](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWkVSzEDEkm?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) added by an account in search results **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/04bb3b4d-471e-4b17-90d1-67219a3acef8/image.png?t=1775212803) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWhW2m0DDnt?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) Caption: X testing new photo editor on iOS | Credit: @oncescuradu * **X** is rolling out a new [photo editor](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWhW2m0DDnt?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) on iOS, with more advanced features * **X** has been strongly endorsed by the US State Department as part of its global [anti-propaganda strategy](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/30/embassies-campaign-marco-rubio-elon-musk) * **X** has asked a court to dismiss a [music piracy lawsuit](https://torrentfreak.com/x-asks-court-to-dismiss-music-piracy-lawsuit-after-supreme-courts-cox-ruling/), claiming there is no evidence of it actively encouraging piracy **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4eaa8133-3e47-4b84-8104-ba796b00583e/image.png?t=1775212931) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-partners-with-cameo-to-unlock-new-monetization-opportunities-for-creators?lang=en) Caption: Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** has [integrated Cameo](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-partners-with-cameo-to-unlock-new-monetization-opportunities-for-creators?lang=en) into its app, giving creators new monetisation options * **TikTok** now has an [‘Archive’ feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWjxr-uDNw8?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) for stories and thoughts. * **New York City** has [reversed](https://www.wired.com/story/in-a-big-reversal-zohran-mamdani-tells-nyc-agencies-to-use-tiktok/) its **TikTok **ban for government agencies following the app’s change of US ownership * **YouTube** launched “Comments to Heart” to let channels [auto-like positive comments](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-creators-can-now-like-video-comments-in-bulk/816292/) * **YouTube** officially launched ‘Stations’, which let creators turn playlists into [nonstop streaming channels](https://www.theverge.com/column/905787/youtube-stations) * **YouTube** has received an open letter from 200+ experts, schools, and groups [urging it to block](https://mashable.com/article/youtube-ai-slop-child-safety-warning) AI-generated kids’ content * **YouTube** is expanding its [Coachella 2026](https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/watch-coachella-live-on-youtube/) livestream setup with seven stages, starting 10 April * **YouTube **will host its [Brandcast event](https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/youtube-upfront-event-details-including-trevor-noah-and-chappell-roan/) in NYC on 13 May, pushing the platform as the future of media **__________** -------------------- ### * **Reddit** is the [most-cited source](https://peec.ai/blog/top-domains-cited-by-ai-search-analysis-based-on-30m-sources) by AI search and chatbots in 2026, according to a new study * **Reddit** opened up its [Reddit Pro tools](https://searchengineland.com/reddit-pro-new-features-public-beta-472991) to all publishers in free public beta * **Pinterest** is pushing [performance ads](https://digiday.com/marketing/pinterest-bets-on-measurement-and-smbs-to-boost-performance-revenue/), betting measurement will unlock more ad spend * **Snapchat** expanded [Creator Subscriptions](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-expands-creator-subscriptions-to-all-eligible-users/816424/) to all eligible users * **Snapchat **revealed the [winners](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/2026-snappys-snapchat-awards-winners-list-1236553378/) of its first-ever “Snappys” awards, including David Dobrik, DJ Khaled, and Kylie Jenner * **Snapchat **is working on a way to [share music](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWq06f-jDoK) without using a sticker * **Twitch** upgraded mobile streaming with new tools to [boost creator control](https://x.com/TwitchSupport/status/2031109318934761545/), including multi-tasking while streaming + disconnect protection * **Telegram** [upgraded polls](https://telegram.org/blog/ai-editor-mighty-polls-and-more) along with adding support for live photos on iOS and Android * **CapCut **launched a new content creation app on desktop, called [CapCut Video Studio](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWeQgV7DIg3?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) * **Netflix** is working on Discord-style [social features](https://www.androidauthority.com/netflix-voice-chat-games-apk-teardown-3652602/) for its games * **Beehiiv** is launching a [podcasting platform](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/02/beehiiv-expands-into-podcasts-taking-aim-at-patreon-substack-newsletters/) to take on Substack and Patreon -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- **YouTube** has been testing AI-generated **summaries that replace video titles** on its home feed… but it’s buggy and a bit useless… YouTube is testing more AI on the home screen, and we hate it already: (https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-home-screen-ai-summaries-3652545/) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **Meta **rolled out a new AI system to make ads [more personalised and efficient](https://engineering.fb.com/2026/03/31/ml-applications/meta-adaptive-ranking-model-bending-the-inference-scaling-curve-to-serve-llm-scale-models-for-ads/) * **Meta** is testing an AI “[Describe Your Audience](https://www.jonloomer.com/describe-your-audience-detailed-targeting/)” tool to auto-generate targeting interests for ads * **Meta** is injecting AI into risk reviews to [hunt down product dangers](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/how-ai-is-ushering-in-the-next-era-of-risk-review-at-meta/) early * **YouTube**’s conversational [‘Ask’ button](https://9to5google.com/2026/03/31/youtubes-ask-button-hits-tv-app/) is rolling out to TV apps * **X** now gives Premium subscribers access by default to the [SuperGrok Lite tier](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWZlhISDPsE?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) * **xAI**’s Grok app now lets you choose between [speed and quality](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWq0ThkDBi-) for generated images * **Bluesky** unveiled Attie, an AI assistant that lets users [create custom feeds](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/28/bluesky-leans-into-ai-with-attie-an-app-for-building-custom-feeds/) from simple prompts * **Telegram **added an AI editor that can [rewrite, translate, and style](https://telegram.org/blog/ai-editor-mighty-polls-and-more) your message text directly in chat, and made it easier to create bots with AI * **CapCut** [expanded access](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWeQ5NejAL3?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) to the Seedance 2.0 AI model globally in the CapCut mobile and web apps * **CapCut** is rolling out [AI Clipping](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWeSMcYjECh?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw) to more users * **Google **now lets you direct avatars through prompts in its [Vids app](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/02/google-now-lets-you-direct-avatars-through-prompts-in-its-vids-app/), including YouTube export -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f51d6aca-cc2f-4bf0-9ae0-2077a60b94dd/trail.jpg?t=1772123658) Caption: -------------------- **Elon Musk and the SEC are heading toward trial **over 2022 the billionaire’s Twitter share purchases. The **SEC** alleges late disclosure cost investors over $150 million. Settlement talks failed; both sides reject alternative dispute resolution. Musk, SEC Say Fight Over Twitter Share Stockpile May Go to Trial: (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-01/musk-sec-say-fight-over-twitter-share-stockpile-may-go-to-trial) * **Elon Musk** faces an [escalation](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-31/musk-faces-fresh-setback-in-lawsuits-over-2022-twitter-buyout) in legal problems over his **Twitter** acquisition, after a judge allowed investors to combine their claims into a class action lawsuit. * **The judge** who once revoked **Elon Musk**’s pay package is [stepping aside](https://nypost.com/2026/03/30/business/delware-judge-steps-aside-from-elon-musk-cases-over-bias-in-supporting-linkedin-post-that-mocked-him/) from several ongoing cases against him after she ‘liked’ a **LinkedIn** post mocking him 😬 -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/af25fac9-cfca-420e-8477-a42bf352fda1/You_can__1_.jpg?t=1775164259) Caption: -------------------- **A new Ofcom report** reveals the number of UK social media users posting content has fallen to 49%, down from 61% in 2024. Users have shifted to passive video feed consumption, favouring engaging in DMs over posting publicly. I spoke to **BBC News** about [why Brits are using social differently](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgqk718l4neo) in 2026… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/14f4c23e-bfba-4ad5-9543-0614ee077152/BBC_News_Ofcom_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra__1_.jpg?t=1775149778) Follow image link: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgqk718l4neo) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ad727bfe-f80f-4dca-9d3b-ed93a085e41a/April_Fools_Header.jpeg?t=1775210175) Caption: -------------------- With so much fake news and AI nonsense clogging up our feeds on a daily basis, it’s amazing anyone still bothers with **April Fool’s Day jokes**. But bother they do, and some were actually good! **Aldi UK **made the most effort I saw this year, getting into the legal game: - Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWlHPzyMOv4/) __________ - Who knew bread and haircare products were the perfect match? - Tweet: (https://twitter.com/conveniencetalk/status/2039258021008695623) __________ - **Snapchat **mocked Instagram’s [many rip-offs](https://www.theverge.com/tech/905272/snapchat-reals-spotlight-instagram-feed-april-fools-day-2026) of its features… - Tweet: (https://twitter.com/Snap/status/2039297101050392683) - **Meanwhile… Instagram’s** ‘joke’ (unsurprisingly) didn’t land so well… - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3511808c-a937-442c-a412-30d2455e0aa1/image.png?t=1775213336) Caption: - Check out this round-up of the rest of the **best April Fools Day pranks** by brands here: 👇 - The best April Fools' Day pranks 2026 from Dyson to Subway: (https://www.indy100.com/viral/best-april-fools-day-pranks-2026-2676653800) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- **Sexy fruit is a big deal.**_ (Never thought I’d write that sentence)_ Fruit Love Island, an AI-generated dating show, is [pulling over 10 million views per episode](https://searchengineland.com/reddit-pro-new-features-public-beta-472991) on TikTok with its parody of Love Island. Despite its “AI slop” visuals, viewers are hooked on the story and voting outcomes. BUT: Its creator has threatened to shut the series down claiming mass content reporting, lost content, and a wiped YouTube backup. Oh the drama! Fruit Love Island creator threatens to shut down series after mass TikTok removals: (https://www.dexerto.com/tiktok/fruit-love-island-creator-threatens-to-shut-down-series-after-mass-tiktok-removals-3342557/) __________ **More viral news this week:** * **Chinese creator Chen Qin **has gone viral for carving intricate carrot sculptures [using only her teeth](https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/woman-goes-viral-for-carving-giant-carrot-sculptures-using-her-teeth-3342469/) * **Aura reading** has become Gen Z's latest obsession as [brands cash in fast](https://adage.com/brand-marketing/aa-auras-astrology-gen-z-marketing-spirituality/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- That **KitKat** theft… Was it a real heist, or a publicity stunt? The world has been split this week over whether or not a truck containing 12 tonnes of limited edition Formula One KitKat bars was really stolen, as the brand claims. Parent company **Nestlé** [insists it was real](https://www.wsj.com/business/kitkat-heist-nestle-theft-chocolate-03f807bb?mod=author_content_page_1_pos_1&lctg=0af964fd-49e3-4a15-b9c4-5d01e81e2d97) and not an April Fool’s Day joke. But either way, it’s been catnip for other brands like **McDonald’s**, **Microsoft**, **KFC**, and **Ryanair**. McDonald's To Microsoft, Brands Break The Internet With Memes On KitKat Heist: (https://www.ndtv.com/food/mcdonalds-to-microsoft-brands-break-the-internet-with-memes-on-kitkat-heist-11289858) __________ **More brand news and views:** * **Apple **is leaning into using its viral “[Little Finder Guy](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/30/apple-tiktok-little-finder-guy/)” mascot from its MacBook Neo campaign on TikTok * That **McDonald's** viral video was good for memes. [But what about sales?](https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-03-27/that-mcdonald-s-big-arch-viral-video-is-good-for-memes-but-sales) * Inside **The Daily Mail**’s [creator-led content playbook](https://digiday.com/media/inside-the-daily-mails-creator-led-content-playbook/) * How **the music industry** is harnessing [the power of clippers](https://variety.com/2026/music/news/clipping-marketing-tool-took-over-music-industry-1236699705/) * **AI influencer discovery tools** are changing [how agencies cast creators](https://digiday.com/marketing/ai-influencer-discovery-tools-are-changing-how-agencies-cast-creators/) * How **InStyle **is reaching the next generation with its [original social series](https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/2026/04/01/instyle-original-social-series) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"Probability of me getting a fair trial if this is how the judge dresses is 0.0%”“ — – **Elon Musk **showing trademark levels of respect for the legal system, by** **[mocking the bow tie](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWgd55tinTy?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) worn by the judge who recently ruled against him _________ **Also quoted this week:** _“I've got our teams on alert to take down content doxxing or threatening the people on your team. Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help.”_ **- Mark Zuckerberg **[texting Elon Musk](https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/mark-zuckerberg-offered-to-help-elon-musk-with-doge-in-2025-211737138.html) in February 2025, offering special help that the average Meta user certainly wouldn’t get __________ _“When I speak to our creators — and I speak to them several times a week — what they always tell me is that no matter what they look to do, they understand that YouTube is their home. There would be no “Beast Games” if there wasn’t MrBeast on YouTube. Jimmy knows that._ **- YouTube CEO Neal Mohan **is [hopefully not getting too complacent](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/28/magazine/neal-mohan-interview.html) about competition for talent __________ _“This is the platforms trying to get children to stay on for longer, to get addicted. I can’t see that there’s a case for that, and therefore I can see we’re going to have to act.”_ **- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer** wants to stop social platforms [hooking kids](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWgbhpYiqcJ?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/863ad342-3950-4b01-a80d-44a973a4ba09/fav_reads.jpg?t=1772123813) Caption: -------------------- **YouTube** now reaches 2 billion daily users, with 90% of US teens on the platform. In this interview, platform boss **Neal Mohan **says its success is driven by authenticity, not algorithmic addiction. Well worth a read! (Also worth noting [what he DIDN’T say](https://www.theverge.com/streaming/903032/youtube-ceo-refuses-to-talk-about-content-moderation)) What Is YouTube’s Dominance Doing to Us? We Asked Its C.E.O.: (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/28/magazine/neal-mohan-interview.html?smid=url-share) __________ **Also this week:** * Why** OpenAI **[killed Sora](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/902368/openai-sora-dead-ai-video-generation-competition) * The [countries that have social media bans](https://news.sky.com/story/the-countries-that-have-social-media-bans-or-are-planning-to-implement-one-13526116), or are planning to implement one -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/329d25b3-9e16-4946-b400-e5cc194f0db0/New_Platform_v2.jpg?t=1772123876) Caption: -------------------- **Flipboard** has officially launched **Surf**, its new social app and feed reader. It aims to simplify the fragmented “fediverse” and reduce our reliance on big platforms. Surf is a hybrid app combining social feeds, RSS, and fediverse content, bringing together **Bluesky, Mastodon, RSS, podcasts**, and **YouTube** into unified feeds. Think of it as a feed reader, social client, and content curation tool all in one. Flipboard just launched Surf, its new social app and feed reader: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/905929/flipboard-surf-fediverse-launch) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- **It’s almost funny** how much Bluesky users **HATE** AI. There’s a real ‘instant puke’ reaction on there from many whenever the topic comes up. Sometimes it’s justified, and sometimes it just seems over the top. One such OTT reaction came this week when Bluesky launched a tool to let users create custom feeds using AI prompts. A straightforward idea, and possibly useful for some people. But Attie’s account quickly rose through the ranks to become the second-most blocked on the platform after US Vice President J.D Vance! 🤯 Bluesky's new AI tool Attie is already the most blocked account other than J. D. Vance: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/30/blueskys-new-ai-tool-attie-is-already-the-most-blocked-account-other-than-j-d-vance/) **More WTF this week:** * **Yikes… **WhatsApp has notified users who downloaded [a fake version of its app](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/01/whatsapp-notifies-hundreds-of-users-who-installed-a-fake-app-that-was-actually-government-spyware/) tied to a spyware company * **Instagram** reportedly [deleted](https://mashable.com/article/instagram-deletes-bellesa-shop-account-with-700000-followers) a sex toy shop’s account, just for using the word 'clitoris' -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fd24e465-005c-4d36-afd8-cef1268bf044/RIP.jpg?t=1772124179) Caption: -------------------- **Reddit is killing its r/all feed**, ending its raw, less-filtered trending feed While we knew this change was coming, the company is finally ready to fully move on. r/popular now becomes the main discovery feed, with further tweaks expected. Reddit is moving on from r/all: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/906314/reddit-r-all-deprecating) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772123969) Caption: -------------------- **TikTok cannot reliably identify** or label AI-generated ads despite its own clear policies. **Samsung** and other brands regularly post AI-generated ads with inconsistent or missing disclosures. …but the responsibility between advertiser disclosures and platform enforcement remains unclear, leaving all of us guessing. Why can’t TikTok identify AI generated ads when I can?: (https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/900400/tiktok-ai-ads-labels-samsung-disclosure) __________ **More fails this week:** * **TikTok **has been caught running ads for AI apps that [digitally undress people](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-ran-ad-ads-from-apps-promoting-sexualized-ai-2026-4) in photos * **Reddit briefly banned Paul McCartney**’s account after it [posted concert photos via Dropbox](https://dailydot.com/reddit-bans-paul-mccartney-posting-his-own-photos) * **YouTube's new embed player** has been frustrating users with [missing buttons and its translucent design](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-embed-player-redesign-3652875/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4502d13e-4f26-44c8-97e3-dda5688321f0/science.jpg?t=1774012382) Caption: -------------------- **New studies show** teen social media use mirrors addiction-like withdrawal and compulsive behaviour. Experts urge removing likes, limiting notifications, and restricting infinite scroll for minors. Research points to how companies could make social media less addictive for teens: (https://www.npr.org/2026/03/27/nx-s1-5763017/social-media-teens-addictive-design) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: -------------------- **LinkedIn** carousels beat video as the [top engagement format](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/report-shows-document-posts-on-linkedin-see-more-engagement/816551/) in 2026, new data shows, with PDF carousels performing better than images. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a8f43f75-2225-44db-966a-1b13e409c882/659112982_17952272130117490_319353482131020133_n.jpg?t=1775212196) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/report-shows-document-posts-on-linkedin-see-more-engagement/816551/) Caption: __________ **More pro tips:** * **LinkedIn** says long-form articles are key to [engagement and AI chatbot visibility](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-shares-tips-on-using-articles-to-enhance-engagement/816162/) * **Facebook** shared new [content monetisation tips](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-shares-new-facebook-content-monetization-tips/816163/) * **US influencer taxes explained:** [A practical guide for creators](https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/taxes/article/influencer-tax-rules-a-guide-for-tiktok-twitch-and-other-creators-172421382.html) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**770%**“ — – **The increase in US data requests **to social media platforms [in the past decade](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWl8MvOCq8M?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) __________ **More social stats:** * **PAST POSTING:** [49%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWoAWUWiuMg?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) of UK adult social media users comment, share, or post, down sharply from 61% in 2024 * **INSANE: **Heavy social media users are less supportive of democracy. Support drops to [57%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWjvVmmCphq?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) among heavy users vs 72% for non-users * **ANTI-TRUST: **[88%](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/25/3262239/0/en/Social-Media-is-Now-the-Top-Source-for-Breaking-News-New-Sprout-Social-Research-Finds.html) of people report declining trust in social media news due to the rise of AI-generated content * **HOOKED: **[16%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWgeVCdij2-?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) of kids can’t reduce social media use while 23% stay constantly mentally hooked * **BAN ‘EM: **[75%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWgfFuyio8a?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) of UK adults back a teen social media ban * **MUSIC MANIA: **Instagram leads on platforms for music superfans, with engagement jumping from 38% to [58%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWoGWM5Ckqh?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- **Meta’s** platforms have [dropped](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWjfD9fiiHj?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) in the US among the most-used social media platforms in 2026. According to insights from the latest annual **Infinite Dial report** from **Edison Research**: * **85% of Americans** **use social media**, down from 86% in 2025 * **Facebook** **leads reach** at 68% (+2), **Instagram** 54% (+6), **TikTok** rose fast to 42% (+8) * **But fewer people rely on** **Meta** daily: **Facebook’s** ranking as most-used app drops 45% → 40%, **Instagram** 19% → 16% * **Meta’s** combined daily use share fell 64% → 56%, while **TikTok** hit 16% and dominates younger users (29%) * **Reddit** (38%) is more widely used than both **Pinterest** (35%) and **LinkedIn** (34%).  View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8d639c41-89f3-4e43-8185-106921fbe218/657204029_17951687679117490_4654961645054574791_n.jpg?t=1775212484) Caption: __________ **More charts:** * **DECLINING: **Americans’ daily YouTube and Facebook usage [dropped a little](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWglFEsChvj?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) last year * **LIKING IT SHORT: **Short-form video [leads UK viewing](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWoJnHeio_S?xmt=AQF0f0vwiLsf5Y4wj6suog1MtzbReZabhWV6QuYIy0Qmcw) for 16–24s, hitting 85% weekly usage -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- Two-thirds of under-16s with accounts on Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok kept access despite ban: (https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/31/meta-tiktok-snapchat-google-under-investigation-australia-social-media-ban) __________ ##### Also in the news this week… * **Meta’s back-to-back court losses **have ignited fresh momentum for social media regulation in the US. [[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/03/27/meta-bad-week-hill-action)] * **Meta shares dropped 19%**, driven by legal threats from social media addiction rulings and heavy AI spending. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-30/meta-s-310-billion-tailspin-sparks-tobacco-moment-questions)] * **Meta’s court losses** spell potential trouble for AI research, consumer safety. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/29/metas-court-losses-spell-trouble-for-ai-research-consumer-safety.html)] * **The judge in a case against Meta** allowed authors to add a “contributory infringement” claim, giving them an easier route to a win for the company’s alleged theft of their works. [[Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/03/meta-hopes-scotus-piracy-ruling-will-help-it-beat-lawsuit-over-torrenting-ai-data/)] * **A former Pinterest engineer** says the company mischaracterized the events used to justify his firing. [[The Verge $$$](https://www.theverge.com/policy/906122/pinterest-employee-fired-obstructionist-speaks-out)] * **Social media has overtaken TV **as the top breaking news source, led by Gen Z, according to new Sprout Social data. [[Sprout Social](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/25/3262239/0/en/Social-Media-is-Now-the-Top-Source-for-Breaking-News-New-Sprout-Social-Research-Finds.html)] * **The Creators Guild of America** is launching Mosaic, dubbed a verified “IMDb for creators”. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/digital-creator-credits-platform-launched-creators-guild-1236544648/)] * **TikTok dropped** plans for second Dublin data centre due to grid constraints. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-01/tiktok-abandons-plans-to-add-second-data-center-in-ireland)] * **The Swiss finance minister** has sued an “unknown perpetrator” over over remarks generated by xAI’s Grok. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/swiss-minister-files-criminal-charges-over-grok-generated-remarks/)] * **The European Commission** has ordered senior officials to delete a Signal group over hacking risks. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/top-eu-officials-signal-group-chat-hacking-fears/)] * **Clio has launched **the Creator Awards, recognising top creators and brand collaborations, and backed by YouTube and Influential. [[@The_Clios](https://x.com/the_clios/status/2037216123448418530)] * **UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer** has promised a “fight” with social media companies amid efforts to limit children’s use of devices. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/27/starmer-vows-to-fight-social-media-firms-to-protect-children-from-addiction)] * **Austria plans to ban** social media for under-14s. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-27/austria-plans-social-media-ban-for-kids-as-it-awaits-eu-rules?sref=YURDD6is)] * **Indonesia has summoned** Meta and Google over failing to comply with its new under-16 social media rules. [[Reuters $$$](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/indonesia-summons-meta-google-over-non-compliance-with-child-social-media-curbs-2026-03-31/)] **New features and tests:** * **Instagram now places** the “Ad” label for stories in the bottom-left corner. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWeQMF4jLww?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw)] * **Instagram is migrating** to a black and white colour scheme for buttons. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWjxSA-DCvP?xmt=AQF0GX4X8jNvL31a7mQZsLt-EGdQozM2TK3Z-xKyzCBIRw)] * **CreatorIQ and Sprinklr **are partnering to fix fragmented creator marketing measurement, merging CreatorIQ’s 123M daily creator posts with Sprinklr’s analytics and social listening. [[DigiDay $$$](https://digiday.com/media/creatoriq-and-sprinklr-bet-they-can-solve-creator-measurements-fragmentation-problem/)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- Who is looksmaxxing really for?: (https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/article/70001/1/who-is-looksmaxxing-really-for-incel-culture-beauty-standards-men-misogyny) __________ **Also worth a read:** * **How Meta’s victim-blaming failed to sway jurors** [in the landmark social media addiction trial](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/29/meta-loss-social-media-addiction-trial) * **Meta’s legal defeat could be a victory for children**, [or a loss for everyone](https://www.theverge.com/policy/903006/meta-new-mexico-los-angeles-child-safety-trial-impact) * **Australia wants to sell its social media ban to the world** – [but are the measures even working?](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/01/australia-social-media-ban-adoption-world) * **Countless horror stories linked to social media** - but [a ban for children isn't cut-and-dried case](https://news.sky.com/story/countless-horror-stories-linked-to-social-media-but-a-ban-for-children-isnt-cut-and-dried-case-13521317) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- Yikes! This is very awkward. And messy! _“Another viral TikTok video unintentionally exposed a cheating husband to millions, including his wife, after one woman's night out. _ _“The TikToker claimed her friend found a "soulmate" in an Alabama bar, but it turned out he'd already pledged that soul to another and proven himself a liar.”_ Ooof! 😬 TikTok hunt for mystery man backfires when his wife shows up in the comments: (https://dailydot.com/tiktok-hunt-mike-alabama-rodeo-wife) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- That’s a wrap on everything new in social this week. I’m heading off to check how many more email I have sent this week with ChatGPT prompt snippets left in them. 🤣 Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-plus-youtube-addiction-fruit-love-island

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9526861f-0298-4fc9-b0c4-776e3269f4ba/image.png?t=1774976045) Caption: -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **Optimize Geekout** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** This isn’t your usual edition of Geekout. I’ve been wanting to break Geekout out of the weekly cycle and get closer to the source… …The people actually making decisions inside the platforms. …And the social media talent behind some of your favourite brand accounts. I also want to give you the chance to get your questions answered. So I finally got my ass into gear last month… I opened my social media VIP contacts list Pinged a few people at Meta. Asked to speak to the person behind Edits app. Told them I wanted no PR fluff. No vague answers. Just: 'let’s talk.' In this pilot of _‘Geekout Interviews…’_ I’m joined by **Instagram’s **director of product management for the [Edits app](https://creators.instagram.com/edits), **Matt Simari.** - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f6e5f346-6d5a-489b-89a6-d6a2cd379917/Geekout_Matt_Simari.jpg?t=1774972419) Follow image link: (https://youtu.be/lkfNiOJCfiU?si=P3vNLqecqSTXnZ93) Caption: - If you think Edits is just Instagram’s CapCut clone… you’re probably underestimating what Meta’s really doing. ##### **Here’s a taste of what Matt revealed…** * 💡** What drove Meta to create Edits** in the first place * 🔥** How Meta plans to compete with TikTok** rival app CapCut * **💰 Whether Edits will stay free forever **— or if premium plans are coming * 🤖** How AI is already changing the way creators** edit content * 😳** What’s coming next on the Edits roadmap**… plus the ONE thing he couldn’t say! 👀 - …and more **___________** Before we dive into the interview, I want to say a BIG thank you to our sponsor **Metricool**…. **Metricool** is one of the few tools that consistently gets unsolicited praise from social pros I bump into. I highly recommend checking it out for yourself via their [FREE account](https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1). Or get **30-days FREE access** to _any_ **Metricool Premium plan **with this EXCLUSIVE discount code: [GEEKOUT](https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) [ad] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ TOP INSTAGRAM TOOL #### **Test your Reels before Instagram's algorithm judges you **👀 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/16772ebd-343b-4514-be20-edc2b03290f0/matt_navarra_newsletter_april_26_Trial_Reels__1_.jpg?t=1774964415) Follow image link: (https://metricool.com/instagram-with-metricool/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) Caption: **Your Instagram Reels strategy** doesn't need to be a coin flip. You know the drill. You've spent ages on the edit. Caption's chef's kiss. Thumb's hovering over "Post"… …And then the doubt creeps in. "What if this Reel flops?" That’s exactly why Trial Reels exist **👇** * 👀 Test with non-followers first * 📊 See real performance before committing * 🧪 Experiment without wrecking your metrics * 🔁 Only push what actually works But here's the cool thing... **Metricool** lets you [schedule and auto-publish Trial Reels](https://metricool.com/instagram-with-metricool/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) without the faff. No notifications. No extra steps. With Metricool + Instagram Trial Reels, you can**…** * 📊** See real-time performance data** to guide your Reels topics * 🗓️ **Plan your entire Reels calendar visually**, with drag and drop * 🚀** Trust top posts will be pushed to your feed** based on high performance * 🤖 **Use AI to pick optimum times to post **so you're not left guessing No more posting and praying. Just a smarter Reels strategy. Metricool is used by social teams at top global brands. And it only takes 2 minutes to set up. Zero risk. 🚀 **[Try Metricool for FREE today.](https://metricool.com/instagram-with-metricool/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1)**.. No Credit Card needed. 🔓 Unlock Metricool FREE Trial (https://metricool.com/instagram-with-metricool/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) -------------------- -------------------- #### **Geekout Interviews…. Instagram Edits’ Matt Simari** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1a4acd7e-7dda-4c3f-a5ab-8a68bf796d28/Instagram_Edits_-_Matt_Simari.jpg?t=1775036918) Follow image link: (https://youtu.be/lkfNiOJCfiU?si=P3vNLqecqSTXnZ93) Caption: #### - 👀** Key insights** **1. This isn’t a CapCut clone — it’s a strategic bet on creators** Edits exists to help creators make better content, faster, inside Meta’s ecosystem. That’s why it’s now a standalone product team like Threads, not just an Instagram add-on. **2. Growth is already huge — and they’re shipping fast** Around **10% of all Reels views** now come from content made in Edits. The team operates on a **“ship every week”** mindset, which is why updates feel constant (and meaningful). **3. AI is there to assist, not replace creators** Meta’s approach is clear: use AI to remove boring, repetitive tasks — not to generate full videos. The creator stays in control; AI just speeds things up. **4. “Boutique, not Costco” is the product philosophy** Edits isn’t trying to include every possible feature. It’s focused on doing the core workflows really well — simple, opinionated, and built for speed. **5. Free is core… but paid features are coming (likely via AI)** Meta wants to keep core tools free and accessible. But high-cost (possibly AI) features could sit behind a paywall in future — without taking away what creators already rely on. **__________** Below you can read a transcript of the interview, trimmed for length and lightly edited for clarity. Watch the interview in full on **YouTube:**👇 Youtube: Inside Instagram’s Edits App: Strategy, AI & the CapCut Threat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkfNiOJCfiU) **__________** #### **Interview Transcript** **I’m joined by Instagram Edits’ Matt Simari. What's your official job title? Are you a product manager? Is that an unfair description of what you do?** I'm head of product for Instagram Edits. At Instagram recently we've rebranded the product management role for product staff. Everyone is a member of product staff, tied to a lot of the expectations evolving with how much more we can do with AI. So I’m a former product manager, now member of product staff. ___________ **To give us an idea, in terms of the hierarchy of how Instagram works, you've got Adam Mosseri doing his role there. Where do you fit into that structure of how Instagram and Edits work together?** Adam runs all of Instagram, and then recently we broke out Edits as its own product group in. So you should think about it as there's the Edits app, Instagram, and Threads. Connor _[Hayes]_, who you may know, who's wonderful, he's running the Threads team. Adam obviously runs the Instagram team, and then Brett Westervelt is my manager. He used to be the head of design for Instagram and now he's fully focused on Edits. And so it's been fun. We're our own product group now focused on building a bunch of great things. ___________ **Can you tell us a bit about what you did before Edits?** My entire career has been in zero-to-one new products that have been mostly consumer and taking a new technology to market. Originally, when I came to Meta in 2017, I was one of the first PMs on our Spark AR platform, if you're familiar with it. So I was scaling up all of the face filters on Instagram and really making it a creation platform, which was a lot of fun. I worked on the AR glasses for a while. I was our first product manager on Orion back in the day. I pitched the Ray-Ban product and led Ray-Bans for our first version of that, which was really exciting to see how successful that was. And then more recently I've come back to Instagram after taking a sojourn working in AI and AI labs to come lead the Edits team. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3eb91f05-5b8d-44b4-b397-ad46b6894eae/Screenshot_2026-04-01_at_11.00.38.png?t=1775037656) Caption: Matt meets… Matt ___________ ### **Building Edits** **Let's go back to the beginning with Edits. What drove Meta to create Edits in the first place, given the existing options on the market for content creation? Was it creative feedback? Was there internal data? Was it competitive pressure? Was it a combination? ** What we saw over time is that creators needed to make really, really great content their audience loved. And so there was a desire for helping these more established or growing creators build amazing content on Instagram. And when we were looking at how to do that, building out a dedicated, really efficient, really easy to use, but deeply robust toolset. A standalone app made the most sense. And as we introduced that to creators and it really started taking off as people loved it, we're able to build really great things. We just have invested more and more and it has started achieving exit velocity where we broke it out as its own product group and now have a lot of people with a dedicated focus on it. ___________ **How is Edits doing now in terms of usage, compare to how you hoped it to would? What can you give us any sense of scale of what it was like when it first started and where it's got to and how people are using it now?** It's grown immensely. I think we shared this in our earnings call in February, but we're now about 10% of all Reels viewed on Instagram are created with Edits, which is enormous when you think about like the volume of content both produced and viewed every single day. One of the things that we found is when we launched the product almost a year ago – we're about to hit our birthday – it was very much a basic, simple, well-crafted editor, but there is a lot of what I would say are core workflows that weren't totally there. Our commitment has been with our audience and really what our focus has been is just relentlessly shipping. So we have an update every week with new, improved tools. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/837ab5eb-e529-44c0-acec-44ef86156a8d/Threads_Creators.jpg?t=1774968943) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@creators/post/DWW2egLCftf) Caption: A common sight: More new features launched for Edits ___________ **I’ve noticed that with Edits compared to any other Meta product, I don't think I've ever seen such an iteration of new features added. It's not just like one or two little extra things. It's quite substantial and quite frequent. ** **Is that an unusual thing? Is it intentional? How do you manage to do that?** It's very intentional. So I would say it's like part of the culture of the team. We have cultural principles we share with everyone and talk about at every team meeting. ‘Ship every week’ is one of the core cultural principles. In terms of how we're able to do it, this is where being a standalone app is actually excellent. By being a standalone app, you have a lot less dependencies to navigate and with the code base, it's a lot less likely that we're going to change something that accidentally breaks someone else. With an app like Instagram or Facebook, for example, there are a lot of things that are connected in ways that may not even be intuitive to a user. So the beauty of having the standalone app is the iteration speed is a lot more flexible. ___________ ““We are building a boutique, not a Costco. So our idea is this is a very specific app that is very good and opinionated and has taste on these core flows for you to deliver great content.”“ — ___________ **How do you, as someone who is working on the product and within the team feel it stacks up against competitors? ** **I guess most people would compare you to CapCut, possibly Adobe's tools as well. How much time are you spending benchmarking against the features that they have, the way the platform operates? Do you feel that Edits has a USP that makes it stand out in a crowd that's got quite a few strong competitors who've been doing it longer than Edits has?** It's incredibly dense space. There are so many apps with so many different purposes. For us _[our focus is]_ core tools that work. So what are the things that you as a creator rely on and how do we deliver them to you at the absolute highest quality possible? On those things, we feel very confident about Edits in the market in comparison to other options in the market. I think when you look at creative tools, there's an incredibly long tail of every possible thing that you could go build. One way that we describe this internally is we are building a boutique, not a Costco. So our idea is this is a very specific app that is very good and opinionated and has taste on these core flows for you to deliver great content. If every editing feature you could ever dream of exists in Edits, at some point you have a tipping point where it almost becomes too overwhelming for a creator, or complicated to navigate. I was talking to a creator last week and the way that they described it to me is it almost feels like a sigh of relief when they land in Edits, because it just like it has the things they need and they're able just to navigate it. And that's the dream. That's the product achieving its mission when we have someone describe it in that way. ___________ **How do you pick what you're going to build, then? Because obviously you must have regular ideation sessions and feedback from users, a million and one things as you've described you could potentially add.** The most important thing is chatting with creators. You'll find that creators are incredibly consistent with the things that they're frustrated about and the things that they need. Things like key frames, captions, language translations for different markets, text capabilities… all of these things are just very core. When you talk to creators, no-one that has a greater sense of what they need than themselves. But especially right now with so many AI tools coming about, there's a couple areas where you can kind of just have a hypothesis and a bet on, we actually think ‘this is going to make someone's life a lot easier in this specific aspect, so let's go take a swing at that’. And that comes from intuition, spending a bunch of time with creators, but also an understanding of where the technology is evolving and where we can have the highest impact. ___________ **If you were to look at CapCut or Adobe or maybe something else that I haven't mentioned, what would you say you recognise, if you're self-reflective, that Edits isn't quite there yet with, they're better at that than us?** **Have you kind of identified some of the things where Edits has still got work to do?** For sure. There is a lot that we could do to continue to improve the base offering of the product. I think one of the things that I am really interested in when I look at some of those competitor apps is I think a lot of them are playing with AI in really interesting ways. I use all these tools and use them frequently. I think one of the things that's been interesting is a lot of those tools where they've been compelling, the use cases they've been really good at are things like montages or ‘take a bunch of clips and smash them together’ and you get like a pretty well done, beautifully artifact-like video at the end. I think where we differ right now is our approach to AI has been eliminate the creatively exhausting work, but maintain the creatively rewarding work. And so while I think a lot of those tools are really compelling and I'm excited about where they're going, we're focused more on ‘how do we help the creator in their own workflow with AI so the thing at the end is theirs and that they own it and feel like it was their creative process to go get it?’ Generally in all of these video editors is I see a lot of people taking swings in a variety of ways. I think the products that generate a fully complete artifact at the end are interesting. I think we're zagging in a different direction that's more about the tool side. ___________ ### **AI-powered creativity** **You mentioned AI there and inevitably it's a huge topic with lots of questions all around it. So it's probably worth diving into some of that because Meta, like most of the big tech companies, but probably more so than the many, has really heavily invested in its AI products and its teams and the capabilities it offers.** **From your point of view as someone working within the company and also working on one of the core products, how much should creators lean on AI when creating content in the times that we're in now? ** **How do you tell what the right balance is between human and AI automation and generation? Is that something that you either as a person, or as a team, have considered and have a view on?** Our view overall is that human storytelling and human voice is the thing that matters. I view AI as a tool that is a massive accelerant. I don't view AI as an output in a way. One of the ways I think about this for myself is I use AI for things I don't want to do, don't have time to do, or don't know how to do. That's my basic framework. With the idea being is it makes it more likely that I'm going to get to something more quickly for something I'm building. And I think about this a lot with creators. Where they're using AI is on this creatively exhausting work. So if you were to go chat with a bunch of creators, a lot of them are using AI for ideation of new ideas. They think ‘I have an idea, what if I did this with it?’ And they're using chatbots and different things to brainstorm. They're using AI tools for different forms of editing. Where I don't see them using AI is like 'hey, give me a fully finished, perfect video for this thing,‘ at least in the cohort of creators that we care about, which is people that do this every day and are aspiring to have a living on this or this be their main thing. If you're a creator, you have a unique point of view. How can we give you tools that help you make and land that point of view more easily? And AI just happens to be a very good tool for some of these things, but maybe actually not that good of a tool for others. ___________ **Do you as a team worry have concerns that the more AI tools or generative AI features that come in products like Edits the more content from creators could end up being much more formulaic, more bland, soulless?** We think about it all the time. An analogy I give our team is who is in the driver's seat of the car? The creator is always in the driver's seat of the car with all of these tools. Could AI be a passenger riding shotgun that could say ‘hey, there's an opportunity to turn right up ahead and you should take it? ‘I think things like that are valuable, but at the end of the day, it's the creator's expression and their decision and their taste, discernment, and judgment on making those calls. When you think about it through a tool lens, it's just like yet another thing a creator can use to make a video their audience is more likely to love, and that's really the thing we're anchored on. ___________ **READER QUESTION:** _**I teach AI workshops for professionals who struggle with the friction between ideas and actual editing. Does the Edits app roadmap include 'agentic' features like the ability to generate a rough-cut or sync B-roll based on a text prompt or script? **_ _**- Chris Snider**_ We are definitely thinking about all of those things. A perfect example of this is we have an AI feature in the app right now that cuts silences from talking head videos or voiceovers. It trims out ums, ahs, blank spaces, whatever. When you think about that repeatable exhausting work a creator does, it's like ‘have to trim this video, I have to cut it, I have to get rid of these hiccups’. Automating that is not changing their creative vision, the story they're telling, the artifact they're trying to create. It's just like taking a highly repetitive task that was annoying and like making it easier for them. That genre of things, which I think agentic tasks are going to be great at, becomes really, really interesting across a variety of use cases. And so they're definitely things we're looking at in the future. ___________ **Taking that one step further, how far away are we from ‘describe the video you want and Edits will edit it for you?’ ** **Will editing eventually become less about the technical skill and more about the storytelling prompts and the original creative ideas to feed into it? And is that something that you would want Edits to be able to do in terms of literally put a prompt and it does all the edits, transitions, everything for you? ** Video editing is kind of like the final boss of computational tasks and tools. It's so complicated, data intensive, with so many variables like temporal consistency, timing, visual consistency, all of those things. The ability to do what you described at a really, really high quality is going to take time, research, and continued evolution of models. But I think decomposing it into some of the component parts, there's a lot of the underlying use cases of just like, 'here is a repetitive frustrating task that I can automate and eliminate', I think things like that are going to come online a lot sooner. I think the other thing, and this is a really important nuance, is generation versus editing, right. There's like content generation, which is more in line with what_ [OpenAI’s social AI video app] _Sora was doing. And then there is I have content that I've captured or a story I'm already telling and I just want to make it easier for me to complete the vision and telling that. I would say like our focus generally is much more on editing and helping creators with their footage, their vision, to create a video that their audience loves versus net new generation. I think there are interesting spaces in generation, but just for the cohort of people that we're working with and want to help solve things for, it's really that core editing flow is our focus. ___________ **Were you surprised that Sora didn't take off and have stickiness in the way that maybe we all thought it might do? Was it a surprise that it not only didn't have that stickiness, but also has been abandoned? What's your take on why people haven't really got excited by it or found a use case for it?** A bunch of people are taking swings at different ideas. I think more people trying swings at different ideas that allow more people to be creative is a great thing. There are a bunch of startups and competitor companies doing cool things, and that's awesome. On that specific case, it's hard because there are so many dynamics in terms of compute cost, all sorts of things that go into these video models that drive business decisions. I wouldn't be able to speak to why they made that call, but I do think generally if you just take a step back and look at the industry through a framework of ‘tools and toys’, it's an interesting way of analysing things because toys are a great way of demonstrating the value of something. It is a great way of going to consumers and being like, 'here's a fundamentally new concept that you never knew could exist before. Play with this thing to learn it.' But they typically have shorter shelf lives, unless you have a toy factory that's constantly coming up with new ones. Tools are harder to drive engagement on, but are more evergreen if you're meaningfully solving a problem for someone. I think tools, which is the thing that we really care about, are going to be a longer journey just because of the accuracy and different things required. _**The interview continues after this Geekout top tool recommendation…**_ -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ GEEKOUT RECOMMENDED #### Your social media tabs are out of control. Here’s this fix 🙏 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/20a97358-a0ae-4e8d-988b-70e223742561/matt_navarra_newsletter_april_26_Meta.jpg?t=1774964945) Follow image link: (https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) Caption: It’s time to kill your social media tab chaos! 😅 You know the drill… **Instagram** in one tab. **Facebook** in another. **Threads** somewhere else. **Ads Manager** open too. …and you’re still bouncing between your phone and laptop like an unhinged social media maniac. [**Metricool**](https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1)[ fixes that](https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) in minutes. One dashboard. Every platform. Planning, posting, analytics, competitor tracking: * 📅 **Schedule across every major platform **incl. Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and more * 🔍 **Spy on competitors' strategies** and track their performance * 📊 **Monitor your social ads and organic content** all in one place * 📈 **Auto-generate slick reports** that actually make sense! No more “did I post that?” panic. No more platform hopping. 3+ million social pros already use Metricool. Try it for free. Takes 2 minutes to set up. 👉 **[Check out Metricool for FREE](https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1)**— and finally beat social media burnout. 🔥 Power-up Metricool (https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) -------------------- -------------------- ### **Future Edits features** **Let's dig into the features of Edits. One of the things we talked about at the top was the fact that the team's rolling out regularly new features, new updates, and they all seem fairly meaningful rather than just an additional set of transitions or effects and things.** **What are some of the things you’re working on?** One of the things we're really excited about is we're getting ready to roll out text customisations. This ties back to creators being highly specific and having a vision of exactly the thing they want to communicate to their audience I was naive to not realise how important kerning and thickness and all these things may matter in text. For a lot of these creators with such a specific aesthetic and taste, those things really matter. I think that what we're doing with text customisation is the very tip of the spear of a vision I think we have around broadly like Edits feeling like your creative studio. You can customise a bunch of things that are very specific to you. In the long, long term, we want it to turn not only into your creative studio, but also a place where you can build on and have community with other creators and their ideas. This focus on customisation, and customisation that ideally over time can be shared, is something really, really powerful that we're excited about. ___________ **Can you tell us a bit more about this new text customisation feature? Is it like AI font creation in Instagram?** It's more steerable. The AI fonts that we have in Stories are really fun, but those are kind of like a little bit more like a slot machine. You put in the prompt and then you get a font out. It's fun, because you can like try a bunch of different ideas, whereas the features that we're rolling out in Edits, again, more tool focused is really fine-tuned customisation on any font that you can have specific to you or your brand. Spacing, outlines, thickness, all things on sliders. If you think about a creator as their own independent small business, they have their own branding, they have their own logos, they have their own way they talk to their audience. And so customising a font very specific to their brand and aesthetic actually really matters because that's like their business aesthetic. These tools where we're allowing them to fine tune to be really hyper specific to them and their brand, I think are going to matter because it just continues to reinforce their relationship with their audience. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d4f977cb-5bae-4461-a5fd-9aa825016c8d/Text_Customization_Line_Height.jpg?t=1774968402) Caption: Text customisations: coming to Edits soon ___________ **You must have features that creators are screaming out for or DMs or people that stop you and say ‘you need to add this, you need to add that’. What are some of those features that get shouted out about?** We've burned down quite a few of them, to be honest. So like we recently put out freeze frame, improved speed curves, audio ducking, a lot of these things. It's fun when we do these weekly announces, because I get a reply to a bunch of creators and be like ‘we listened to you! I told you we were listening, we were listening!’ And then the other thing is Edits is a global product with a really diverse audience. And so there are different things that matter in different locales. For example, captions, which is something we care really deeply about and it's something we're really focused on continuing to improve. In markets like India, you can't just have one language for captions. You need to have multiple languages. And oftentimes, if you look at creators in India, they may actually navigate between multiple languages in a given video or some hybrid between languages. And so there are things like that where it's about continuing to refine core capabilities. Those are the things we care a lot about and are going to continue to focus on. ___________ ““Will there be any paid features in the future? I can't promise that there won't be. But what I would say is, if we were to consider anything that would be paid, it wouldn't be necessarily walking back things we have now. ““ — ___________ **READER QUESTION:** _**With CapCut recently hiking the price of their Pro plan, and a lot of creators looking around for alternatives, is Edits being 'free' a genuine long-term commitment to creators, or will we get to the stage where people have built their entire editing workflow around an app that will eventually quietly move the majority of features behind a paywall? **_ **- Bryan Larkin** We definitely thought about it and it's been really clear that creators really value the free and low-cost Edits option that has high quality core features that they care about. Will there be any paid features in the future? I can't promise that there won't be. But what I would say is, if we were to consider anything that would be paid, it wouldn't be necessarily walking back things we have now. It would be more like if there was something new we wanted to introduce where the only financially viable way of introducing it is to have it behind some sort of paid tier, then that is something we would consider. So I think you're seeing this a lot right now with really high powered AI tools that take up a bunch of GPUs where it's just financially irresponsible or impossible to offer it without a paid tier. I think things like that, would be something that we would look at. But in terms of the core high quality, reliable tools that we're delivering right now, our goal is to continue to make these as low cost, easy to use, and efficient as possible. Everything comes back to goals. My goal is more creators creating more and better content for Instagram. That's the dream. That's what we achieve. Additional ARR, for example, is not one of those goals. ___________ **What does the typical Edits user look like? I would assume it’s mostly independent creators or creator collectives, but what about how many brands, in-house teams and agencies are using Edits as their go-to tool? ** **Is that something you think about when you're building the product?** Definitely there are creators that have teams. One of the most popular features we shipped last year was shareable insights. Creators were like, ‘thank you, thank you’, because they have brand campaigns or other things and they wanted to be able to export insights to share with their teams or partners to share how something performed. So there are things like that where we want to empower a creator with their overall ecosystem of partners. But really I think our sweet spot is creators that are making videos themselves, for themselves, and sharing them on Instagram. When you get to a certain stratosphere, if you will, there's a certain tier of creators that have full teams of editors that are using very professional tools that are editing all these videos on their behalf. That group of people probably isn't the perfect fit for editing a video on your phone, because you're creating videos for all sorts of platforms and all different resolutions and all different sizes. But if you're a creator that is up and coming, or established and growing, and you're editing your videos for yourself on your phone, that is really our sweet spot for Edits and who we're focused on. ___________ ### **Reader questions** _**Has Meta seen a boost in engagement in reels that feature the “Made in Edits” tag on them? OR does Meta boost those videos in the algorithm?**_ **– Mark Dalmacio, Communications Manager, Bezos Family Foundation** I think Adam talked about this when we launched Edits. We had a small boost, fairly negligible, just to get some data on the product itself. I can't confidently say if that's in place anymore. I don't believe it is. But in any case, even if there was, it would be very, very small. ___________ _**Can you publicly commit that Reels edited in other apps will NOT face an algorithmic disadvantage compared to Reels edited in Edits?**_ **– Francisco Vayas** It does not matter where you make your content. All that matters is your content is something that your audience loves. ___________ _**How does the Edits app plan to turn 'editing elements' into direct SEO signals? In the future, will the algorithm prioritise videos where native text, stickers, and transitions confirm the content's niche, rather than relying solely on the external caption?**_ **– Marciel Muniz, Jornalista, Mercadólogo e Estrategista Digital, Marketing 3 Comunicação** Our relevance and ranking system is its own miraculous thing. Me trying to describe how it works would not do it justice. It takes in a bunch of implicit signals, and I mean it not in an almost coy or dismissive way, it's actually the truth. Content that we believe your audience is going to love or people are going to enjoy, typically it gets ranked higher and that's the number one driver of it, because that's our mission. We want to connect viewers with content that they're going to really enjoy. And so focusing on concept, ideation, making the content great matters a lot more than just whatever creative assets you happen to use in a video. ___________ _**Creators and social media managers handle multiple brand accounts and concurrently switch between up to 10 accounts on Instagram. **_ _**Are there plans for Edits to introduce an account switching feature so agencies, freelancers can use it seamlessly for clients and access features like link across accounts?**_ **– Rowena Fernando** Definitely something we want to look at. ___________ _**When will we get a feature to work on a project together as a team from different devices logged in into the same instagram account? (like shared drafts and collaborative editing in CapCut).**_ **– Daniel Zoll** Again, something we're looking at but a shockingly complex thing to go build. It's a really interesting one, but similar to the multi accounts, it's one we hear all the time and we're exploring. ___________ _**While Edits is great, it doesn’t sync up with all Meta products. I love being able to add multiple tracks and sounds effects to my videos but it's not supported on Facebook. **_ _**I'm so annoyed that every Meta product is separate but linked, but not everything is harmonious across the platforms. Make the Edits app features work for all Meta platforms! **_ **- Michaela Jaskowiak** Part of the reason to break Edits out as its own product group is intentionally for us to be able to think about how to make Edits awesome for creators everywhere, even beyond Instagram. Obviously Meta products is a great one to start with, but even thinking about third-party ecosystems as well, we want Edits to be your end-to-end creative studio, regardless of where you end up posting the content. ___________ _**Will Instagram roll out a desktop version of Edits?**_ **- Chelsea Knoren, Senior Marketing + Communications Manager, Outward Bound California** I think desktop is super interesting. I think it's a different cohort, a very specific cohort of creators that are using desktop. And so I can't make any firm commitments, but it is a very interesting idea. ___________ ## **And finally…** **What is a feature in Instagram that people maybe don’t know enough about and should definitely try?** I will give you three, actually. Cutouts is awesome. I love it. It's a great way of adding depth to a video so you can cut out yourself and put content behind you, text, stickers, whatever it may be. I think it adds a level of depth. The other two is, and these have taken off quite a bit, profile links. So say you're making a video and you want to reference another creator. Say I were to make a video about interviewing you. I can actually just link your profile directly on the video and it's clickable and the viewer can go to your profile. I think it's a great way for creators to build on top of each other's content and collaborate. And similar to that one is snippets. You can take any snippet from any Reel in Edits and bring it into your video to remix, comment on, build on top of. And again, it's attributable to the original creator. It can be clicked on. And so I think that gets really exciting when you think about people building on top of each other's ideas and creating a whole ecosystem. ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- **Before I go…** A big thanks to Matt for taking the time to chat all things Edits — properly insightful stuff. And a shoutout to the Meta comms team for making it happen behind the scenes 👏 **This was a ****_pilot_**** of Geekout Interviews…** But here’s the deal 👇 If I open my black book of social media VIP contacts for another deep dive… …who would you want me to interview next? * A platform exec from TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snap etc? * The person behind your favourite brand’s socials? * The lawmakers banning teens from social media apps? * Someone else? Hit reply and give me some names to add to my hit list! Goodbye, geeks 👋 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9526861f-0298-4fc9-b0c4-776e3269f4ba/image.png?t=1774976045) Caption: -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **Optimize Geekout** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** This isn’t your usual edition of Geekout. I’ve been wanting to break Geekout out of the weekly cycle and get closer to the source… …The people actually making decisions inside the platforms. …And the social media talent behind some of your favourite brand accounts. I also want to give you the chance to get your questions answered. So I finally got my ass into gear last month… I opened my social media VIP contacts list Pinged a few people at Meta. Asked to speak to the person behind Edits app. Told them I wanted no PR fluff. No vague answers. Just: 'let’s talk.' In this pilot of _‘Geekout Interviews…’_ I’m joined by **Instagram’s **director of product management for the [Edits app](https://creators.instagram.com/edits), **Matt Simari.** - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f6e5f346-6d5a-489b-89a6-d6a2cd379917/Geekout_Matt_Simari.jpg?t=1774972419) Follow image link: (https://youtu.be/lkfNiOJCfiU?si=P3vNLqecqSTXnZ93) Caption: - If you think Edits is just Instagram’s CapCut clone… you’re probably underestimating what Meta’s really doing. ##### **Here’s a taste of what Matt revealed…** * 💡** What drove Meta to create Edits** in the first place * 🔥** How Meta plans to compete with TikTok** rival app CapCut * **💰 Whether Edits will stay free forever **— or if premium plans are coming * 🤖** How AI is already changing the way creators** edit content * 😳** What’s coming next on the Edits roadmap**… plus the ONE thing he couldn’t say! 👀 - …and more **___________** Before we dive into the interview, I want to say a BIG thank you to our sponsor **Metricool**…. **Metricool** is one of the few tools that consistently gets unsolicited praise from social pros I bump into. I highly recommend checking it out for yourself via their [FREE account](https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1). Or get **30-days FREE access** to _any_ **Metricool Premium plan **with this EXCLUSIVE discount code: [GEEKOUT](https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) [ad] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ TOP INSTAGRAM TOOL #### **Test your Reels before Instagram's algorithm judges you **👀 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/16772ebd-343b-4514-be20-edc2b03290f0/matt_navarra_newsletter_april_26_Trial_Reels__1_.jpg?t=1774964415) Follow image link: (https://metricool.com/instagram-with-metricool/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) Caption: **Your Instagram Reels strategy** doesn't need to be a coin flip. You know the drill. You've spent ages on the edit. Caption's chef's kiss. Thumb's hovering over "Post"… …And then the doubt creeps in. "What if this Reel flops?" That’s exactly why Trial Reels exist **👇** * 👀 Test with non-followers first * 📊 See real performance before committing * 🧪 Experiment without wrecking your metrics * 🔁 Only push what actually works But here's the cool thing... **Metricool** lets you [schedule and auto-publish Trial Reels](https://metricool.com/instagram-with-metricool/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) without the faff. No notifications. No extra steps. With Metricool + Instagram Trial Reels, you can**…** * 📊** See real-time performance data** to guide your Reels topics * 🗓️ **Plan your entire Reels calendar visually**, with drag and drop * 🚀** Trust top posts will be pushed to your feed** based on high performance * 🤖 **Use AI to pick optimum times to post **so you're not left guessing No more posting and praying. Just a smarter Reels strategy. Metricool is used by social teams at top global brands. And it only takes 2 minutes to set up. Zero risk. 🚀 **[Try Metricool for FREE today.](https://metricool.com/instagram-with-metricool/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1)**.. No Credit Card needed. 🔓 Unlock Metricool FREE Trial (https://metricool.com/instagram-with-metricool/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) -------------------- -------------------- #### **Geekout Interviews…. Instagram Edits’ Matt Simari** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1a4acd7e-7dda-4c3f-a5ab-8a68bf796d28/Instagram_Edits_-_Matt_Simari.jpg?t=1775036918) Follow image link: (https://youtu.be/lkfNiOJCfiU?si=P3vNLqecqSTXnZ93) Caption: #### - 👀** Key insights** **1. This isn’t a CapCut clone — it’s a strategic bet on creators** Edits exists to help creators make better content, faster, inside Meta’s ecosystem. That’s why it’s now a standalone product team like Threads, not just an Instagram add-on. **2. Growth is already huge — and they’re shipping fast** Around **10% of all Reels views** now come from content made in Edits. The team operates on a **“ship every week”** mindset, which is why updates feel constant (and meaningful). **3. AI is there to assist, not replace creators** Meta’s approach is clear: use AI to remove boring, repetitive tasks — not to generate full videos. The creator stays in control; AI just speeds things up. **4. “Boutique, not Costco” is the product philosophy** Edits isn’t trying to include every possible feature. It’s focused on doing the core workflows really well — simple, opinionated, and built for speed. **5. Free is core… but paid features are coming (likely via AI)** Meta wants to keep core tools free and accessible. But high-cost (possibly AI) features could sit behind a paywall in future — without taking away what creators already rely on. **__________** Below you can read a transcript of the interview, trimmed for length and lightly edited for clarity. Watch the interview in full on **YouTube:**👇 Youtube: Inside Instagram’s Edits App: Strategy, AI & the CapCut Threat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkfNiOJCfiU) **__________** #### **Interview Transcript** **I’m joined by Instagram Edits’ Matt Simari. What's your official job title? Are you a product manager? Is that an unfair description of what you do?** I'm head of product for Instagram Edits. At Instagram recently we've rebranded the product management role for product staff. Everyone is a member of product staff, tied to a lot of the expectations evolving with how much more we can do with AI. So I’m a former product manager, now member of product staff. ___________ **To give us an idea, in terms of the hierarchy of how Instagram works, you've got Adam Mosseri doing his role there. Where do you fit into that structure of how Instagram and Edits work together?** Adam runs all of Instagram, and then recently we broke out Edits as its own product group in. So you should think about it as there's the Edits app, Instagram, and Threads. Connor _[Hayes]_, who you may know, who's wonderful, he's running the Threads team. Adam obviously runs the Instagram team, and then Brett Westervelt is my manager. He used to be the head of design for Instagram and now he's fully focused on Edits. And so it's been fun. We're our own product group now focused on building a bunch of great things. ___________ **Can you tell us a bit about what you did before Edits?** My entire career has been in zero-to-one new products that have been mostly consumer and taking a new technology to market. Originally, when I came to Meta in 2017, I was one of the first PMs on our Spark AR platform, if you're familiar with it. So I was scaling up all of the face filters on Instagram and really making it a creation platform, which was a lot of fun. I worked on the AR glasses for a while. I was our first product manager on Orion back in the day. I pitched the Ray-Ban product and led Ray-Bans for our first version of that, which was really exciting to see how successful that was. And then more recently I've come back to Instagram after taking a sojourn working in AI and AI labs to come lead the Edits team. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3eb91f05-5b8d-44b4-b397-ad46b6894eae/Screenshot_2026-04-01_at_11.00.38.png?t=1775037656) Caption: Matt meets… Matt ___________ ### **Building Edits** **Let's go back to the beginning with Edits. What drove Meta to create Edits in the first place, given the existing options on the market for content creation? Was it creative feedback? Was there internal data? Was it competitive pressure? Was it a combination? ** What we saw over time is that creators needed to make really, really great content their audience loved. And so there was a desire for helping these more established or growing creators build amazing content on Instagram. And when we were looking at how to do that, building out a dedicated, really efficient, really easy to use, but deeply robust toolset. A standalone app made the most sense. And as we introduced that to creators and it really started taking off as people loved it, we're able to build really great things. We just have invested more and more and it has started achieving exit velocity where we broke it out as its own product group and now have a lot of people with a dedicated focus on it. ___________ **How is Edits doing now in terms of usage, compare to how you hoped it to would? What can you give us any sense of scale of what it was like when it first started and where it's got to and how people are using it now?** It's grown immensely. I think we shared this in our earnings call in February, but we're now about 10% of all Reels viewed on Instagram are created with Edits, which is enormous when you think about like the volume of content both produced and viewed every single day. One of the things that we found is when we launched the product almost a year ago – we're about to hit our birthday – it was very much a basic, simple, well-crafted editor, but there is a lot of what I would say are core workflows that weren't totally there. Our commitment has been with our audience and really what our focus has been is just relentlessly shipping. So we have an update every week with new, improved tools. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/837ab5eb-e529-44c0-acec-44ef86156a8d/Threads_Creators.jpg?t=1774968943) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@creators/post/DWW2egLCftf) Caption: A common sight: More new features launched for Edits ___________ **I’ve noticed that with Edits compared to any other Meta product, I don't think I've ever seen such an iteration of new features added. It's not just like one or two little extra things. It's quite substantial and quite frequent. ** **Is that an unusual thing? Is it intentional? How do you manage to do that?** It's very intentional. So I would say it's like part of the culture of the team. We have cultural principles we share with everyone and talk about at every team meeting. ‘Ship every week’ is one of the core cultural principles. In terms of how we're able to do it, this is where being a standalone app is actually excellent. By being a standalone app, you have a lot less dependencies to navigate and with the code base, it's a lot less likely that we're going to change something that accidentally breaks someone else. With an app like Instagram or Facebook, for example, there are a lot of things that are connected in ways that may not even be intuitive to a user. So the beauty of having the standalone app is the iteration speed is a lot more flexible. ___________ ““We are building a boutique, not a Costco. So our idea is this is a very specific app that is very good and opinionated and has taste on these core flows for you to deliver great content.”“ — ___________ **How do you, as someone who is working on the product and within the team feel it stacks up against competitors? ** **I guess most people would compare you to CapCut, possibly Adobe's tools as well. How much time are you spending benchmarking against the features that they have, the way the platform operates? Do you feel that Edits has a USP that makes it stand out in a crowd that's got quite a few strong competitors who've been doing it longer than Edits has?** It's incredibly dense space. There are so many apps with so many different purposes. For us _[our focus is]_ core tools that work. So what are the things that you as a creator rely on and how do we deliver them to you at the absolute highest quality possible? On those things, we feel very confident about Edits in the market in comparison to other options in the market. I think when you look at creative tools, there's an incredibly long tail of every possible thing that you could go build. One way that we describe this internally is we are building a boutique, not a Costco. So our idea is this is a very specific app that is very good and opinionated and has taste on these core flows for you to deliver great content. If every editing feature you could ever dream of exists in Edits, at some point you have a tipping point where it almost becomes too overwhelming for a creator, or complicated to navigate. I was talking to a creator last week and the way that they described it to me is it almost feels like a sigh of relief when they land in Edits, because it just like it has the things they need and they're able just to navigate it. And that's the dream. That's the product achieving its mission when we have someone describe it in that way. ___________ **How do you pick what you're going to build, then? Because obviously you must have regular ideation sessions and feedback from users, a million and one things as you've described you could potentially add.** The most important thing is chatting with creators. You'll find that creators are incredibly consistent with the things that they're frustrated about and the things that they need. Things like key frames, captions, language translations for different markets, text capabilities… all of these things are just very core. When you talk to creators, no-one that has a greater sense of what they need than themselves. But especially right now with so many AI tools coming about, there's a couple areas where you can kind of just have a hypothesis and a bet on, we actually think ‘this is going to make someone's life a lot easier in this specific aspect, so let's go take a swing at that’. And that comes from intuition, spending a bunch of time with creators, but also an understanding of where the technology is evolving and where we can have the highest impact. ___________ **If you were to look at CapCut or Adobe or maybe something else that I haven't mentioned, what would you say you recognise, if you're self-reflective, that Edits isn't quite there yet with, they're better at that than us?** **Have you kind of identified some of the things where Edits has still got work to do?** For sure. There is a lot that we could do to continue to improve the base offering of the product. I think one of the things that I am really interested in when I look at some of those competitor apps is I think a lot of them are playing with AI in really interesting ways. I use all these tools and use them frequently. I think one of the things that's been interesting is a lot of those tools where they've been compelling, the use cases they've been really good at are things like montages or ‘take a bunch of clips and smash them together’ and you get like a pretty well done, beautifully artifact-like video at the end. I think where we differ right now is our approach to AI has been eliminate the creatively exhausting work, but maintain the creatively rewarding work. And so while I think a lot of those tools are really compelling and I'm excited about where they're going, we're focused more on ‘how do we help the creator in their own workflow with AI so the thing at the end is theirs and that they own it and feel like it was their creative process to go get it?’ Generally in all of these video editors is I see a lot of people taking swings in a variety of ways. I think the products that generate a fully complete artifact at the end are interesting. I think we're zagging in a different direction that's more about the tool side. ___________ ### **AI-powered creativity** **You mentioned AI there and inevitably it's a huge topic with lots of questions all around it. So it's probably worth diving into some of that because Meta, like most of the big tech companies, but probably more so than the many, has really heavily invested in its AI products and its teams and the capabilities it offers.** **From your point of view as someone working within the company and also working on one of the core products, how much should creators lean on AI when creating content in the times that we're in now? ** **How do you tell what the right balance is between human and AI automation and generation? Is that something that you either as a person, or as a team, have considered and have a view on?** Our view overall is that human storytelling and human voice is the thing that matters. I view AI as a tool that is a massive accelerant. I don't view AI as an output in a way. One of the ways I think about this for myself is I use AI for things I don't want to do, don't have time to do, or don't know how to do. That's my basic framework. With the idea being is it makes it more likely that I'm going to get to something more quickly for something I'm building. And I think about this a lot with creators. Where they're using AI is on this creatively exhausting work. So if you were to go chat with a bunch of creators, a lot of them are using AI for ideation of new ideas. They think ‘I have an idea, what if I did this with it?’ And they're using chatbots and different things to brainstorm. They're using AI tools for different forms of editing. Where I don't see them using AI is like 'hey, give me a fully finished, perfect video for this thing,‘ at least in the cohort of creators that we care about, which is people that do this every day and are aspiring to have a living on this or this be their main thing. If you're a creator, you have a unique point of view. How can we give you tools that help you make and land that point of view more easily? And AI just happens to be a very good tool for some of these things, but maybe actually not that good of a tool for others. ___________ **Do you as a team worry have concerns that the more AI tools or generative AI features that come in products like Edits the more content from creators could end up being much more formulaic, more bland, soulless?** We think about it all the time. An analogy I give our team is who is in the driver's seat of the car? The creator is always in the driver's seat of the car with all of these tools. Could AI be a passenger riding shotgun that could say ‘hey, there's an opportunity to turn right up ahead and you should take it? ‘I think things like that are valuable, but at the end of the day, it's the creator's expression and their decision and their taste, discernment, and judgment on making those calls. When you think about it through a tool lens, it's just like yet another thing a creator can use to make a video their audience is more likely to love, and that's really the thing we're anchored on. ___________ **READER QUESTION:** _**I teach AI workshops for professionals who struggle with the friction between ideas and actual editing. Does the Edits app roadmap include 'agentic' features like the ability to generate a rough-cut or sync B-roll based on a text prompt or script? **_ _**- Chris Snider**_ We are definitely thinking about all of those things. A perfect example of this is we have an AI feature in the app right now that cuts silences from talking head videos or voiceovers. It trims out ums, ahs, blank spaces, whatever. When you think about that repeatable exhausting work a creator does, it's like ‘have to trim this video, I have to cut it, I have to get rid of these hiccups’. Automating that is not changing their creative vision, the story they're telling, the artifact they're trying to create. It's just like taking a highly repetitive task that was annoying and like making it easier for them. That genre of things, which I think agentic tasks are going to be great at, becomes really, really interesting across a variety of use cases. And so they're definitely things we're looking at in the future. ___________ **Taking that one step further, how far away are we from ‘describe the video you want and Edits will edit it for you?’ ** **Will editing eventually become less about the technical skill and more about the storytelling prompts and the original creative ideas to feed into it? And is that something that you would want Edits to be able to do in terms of literally put a prompt and it does all the edits, transitions, everything for you? ** Video editing is kind of like the final boss of computational tasks and tools. It's so complicated, data intensive, with so many variables like temporal consistency, timing, visual consistency, all of those things. The ability to do what you described at a really, really high quality is going to take time, research, and continued evolution of models. But I think decomposing it into some of the component parts, there's a lot of the underlying use cases of just like, 'here is a repetitive frustrating task that I can automate and eliminate', I think things like that are going to come online a lot sooner. I think the other thing, and this is a really important nuance, is generation versus editing, right. There's like content generation, which is more in line with what_ [OpenAI’s social AI video app] _Sora was doing. And then there is I have content that I've captured or a story I'm already telling and I just want to make it easier for me to complete the vision and telling that. I would say like our focus generally is much more on editing and helping creators with their footage, their vision, to create a video that their audience loves versus net new generation. I think there are interesting spaces in generation, but just for the cohort of people that we're working with and want to help solve things for, it's really that core editing flow is our focus. ___________ **Were you surprised that Sora didn't take off and have stickiness in the way that maybe we all thought it might do? Was it a surprise that it not only didn't have that stickiness, but also has been abandoned? What's your take on why people haven't really got excited by it or found a use case for it?** A bunch of people are taking swings at different ideas. I think more people trying swings at different ideas that allow more people to be creative is a great thing. There are a bunch of startups and competitor companies doing cool things, and that's awesome. On that specific case, it's hard because there are so many dynamics in terms of compute cost, all sorts of things that go into these video models that drive business decisions. I wouldn't be able to speak to why they made that call, but I do think generally if you just take a step back and look at the industry through a framework of ‘tools and toys’, it's an interesting way of analysing things because toys are a great way of demonstrating the value of something. It is a great way of going to consumers and being like, 'here's a fundamentally new concept that you never knew could exist before. Play with this thing to learn it.' But they typically have shorter shelf lives, unless you have a toy factory that's constantly coming up with new ones. Tools are harder to drive engagement on, but are more evergreen if you're meaningfully solving a problem for someone. I think tools, which is the thing that we really care about, are going to be a longer journey just because of the accuracy and different things required. _**The interview continues after this Geekout top tool recommendation…**_ -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ GEEKOUT RECOMMENDED #### Your social media tabs are out of control. Here’s this fix 🙏 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/20a97358-a0ae-4e8d-988b-70e223742561/matt_navarra_newsletter_april_26_Meta.jpg?t=1774964945) Follow image link: (https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) Caption: It’s time to kill your social media tab chaos! 😅 You know the drill… **Instagram** in one tab. **Facebook** in another. **Threads** somewhere else. **Ads Manager** open too. …and you’re still bouncing between your phone and laptop like an unhinged social media maniac. [**Metricool**](https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1)[ fixes that](https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) in minutes. One dashboard. Every platform. Planning, posting, analytics, competitor tracking: * 📅 **Schedule across every major platform **incl. Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and more * 🔍 **Spy on competitors' strategies** and track their performance * 📊 **Monitor your social ads and organic content** all in one place * 📈 **Auto-generate slick reports** that actually make sense! No more “did I post that?” panic. No more platform hopping. 3+ million social pros already use Metricool. Try it for free. Takes 2 minutes to set up. 👉 **[Check out Metricool for FREE](https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1)**— and finally beat social media burnout. 🔥 Power-up Metricool (https://app.metricool.com/register?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260401_matt-navarra_edits-interview_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q1) -------------------- -------------------- ### **Future Edits features** **Let's dig into the features of Edits. One of the things we talked about at the top was the fact that the team's rolling out regularly new features, new updates, and they all seem fairly meaningful rather than just an additional set of transitions or effects and things.** **What are some of the things you’re working on?** One of the things we're really excited about is we're getting ready to roll out text customisations. This ties back to creators being highly specific and having a vision of exactly the thing they want to communicate to their audience I was naive to not realise how important kerning and thickness and all these things may matter in text. For a lot of these creators with such a specific aesthetic and taste, those things really matter. I think that what we're doing with text customisation is the very tip of the spear of a vision I think we have around broadly like Edits feeling like your creative studio. You can customise a bunch of things that are very specific to you. In the long, long term, we want it to turn not only into your creative studio, but also a place where you can build on and have community with other creators and their ideas. This focus on customisation, and customisation that ideally over time can be shared, is something really, really powerful that we're excited about. ___________ **Can you tell us a bit more about this new text customisation feature? Is it like AI font creation in Instagram?** It's more steerable. The AI fonts that we have in Stories are really fun, but those are kind of like a little bit more like a slot machine. You put in the prompt and then you get a font out. It's fun, because you can like try a bunch of different ideas, whereas the features that we're rolling out in Edits, again, more tool focused is really fine-tuned customisation on any font that you can have specific to you or your brand. Spacing, outlines, thickness, all things on sliders. If you think about a creator as their own independent small business, they have their own branding, they have their own logos, they have their own way they talk to their audience. And so customising a font very specific to their brand and aesthetic actually really matters because that's like their business aesthetic. These tools where we're allowing them to fine tune to be really hyper specific to them and their brand, I think are going to matter because it just continues to reinforce their relationship with their audience. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d4f977cb-5bae-4461-a5fd-9aa825016c8d/Text_Customization_Line_Height.jpg?t=1774968402) Caption: Text customisations: coming to Edits soon ___________ **You must have features that creators are screaming out for or DMs or people that stop you and say ‘you need to add this, you need to add that’. What are some of those features that get shouted out about?** We've burned down quite a few of them, to be honest. So like we recently put out freeze frame, improved speed curves, audio ducking, a lot of these things. It's fun when we do these weekly announces, because I get a reply to a bunch of creators and be like ‘we listened to you! I told you we were listening, we were listening!’ And then the other thing is Edits is a global product with a really diverse audience. And so there are different things that matter in different locales. For example, captions, which is something we care really deeply about and it's something we're really focused on continuing to improve. In markets like India, you can't just have one language for captions. You need to have multiple languages. And oftentimes, if you look at creators in India, they may actually navigate between multiple languages in a given video or some hybrid between languages. And so there are things like that where it's about continuing to refine core capabilities. Those are the things we care a lot about and are going to continue to focus on. ___________ ““Will there be any paid features in the future? I can't promise that there won't be. But what I would say is, if we were to consider anything that would be paid, it wouldn't be necessarily walking back things we have now. ““ — ___________ **READER QUESTION:** _**With CapCut recently hiking the price of their Pro plan, and a lot of creators looking around for alternatives, is Edits being 'free' a genuine long-term commitment to creators, or will we get to the stage where people have built their entire editing workflow around an app that will eventually quietly move the majority of features behind a paywall? **_ **- Bryan Larkin** We definitely thought about it and it's been really clear that creators really value the free and low-cost Edits option that has high quality core features that they care about. Will there be any paid features in the future? I can't promise that there won't be. But what I would say is, if we were to consider anything that would be paid, it wouldn't be necessarily walking back things we have now. It would be more like if there was something new we wanted to introduce where the only financially viable way of introducing it is to have it behind some sort of paid tier, then that is something we would consider. So I think you're seeing this a lot right now with really high powered AI tools that take up a bunch of GPUs where it's just financially irresponsible or impossible to offer it without a paid tier. I think things like that, would be something that we would look at. But in terms of the core high quality, reliable tools that we're delivering right now, our goal is to continue to make these as low cost, easy to use, and efficient as possible. Everything comes back to goals. My goal is more creators creating more and better content for Instagram. That's the dream. That's what we achieve. Additional ARR, for example, is not one of those goals. ___________ **What does the typical Edits user look like? I would assume it’s mostly independent creators or creator collectives, but what about how many brands, in-house teams and agencies are using Edits as their go-to tool? ** **Is that something you think about when you're building the product?** Definitely there are creators that have teams. One of the most popular features we shipped last year was shareable insights. Creators were like, ‘thank you, thank you’, because they have brand campaigns or other things and they wanted to be able to export insights to share with their teams or partners to share how something performed. So there are things like that where we want to empower a creator with their overall ecosystem of partners. But really I think our sweet spot is creators that are making videos themselves, for themselves, and sharing them on Instagram. When you get to a certain stratosphere, if you will, there's a certain tier of creators that have full teams of editors that are using very professional tools that are editing all these videos on their behalf. That group of people probably isn't the perfect fit for editing a video on your phone, because you're creating videos for all sorts of platforms and all different resolutions and all different sizes. But if you're a creator that is up and coming, or established and growing, and you're editing your videos for yourself on your phone, that is really our sweet spot for Edits and who we're focused on. ___________ ### **Reader questions** _**Has Meta seen a boost in engagement in reels that feature the “Made in Edits” tag on them? OR does Meta boost those videos in the algorithm?**_ **– Mark Dalmacio, Communications Manager, Bezos Family Foundation** I think Adam talked about this when we launched Edits. We had a small boost, fairly negligible, just to get some data on the product itself. I can't confidently say if that's in place anymore. I don't believe it is. But in any case, even if there was, it would be very, very small. ___________ _**Can you publicly commit that Reels edited in other apps will NOT face an algorithmic disadvantage compared to Reels edited in Edits?**_ **– Francisco Vayas** It does not matter where you make your content. All that matters is your content is something that your audience loves. ___________ _**How does the Edits app plan to turn 'editing elements' into direct SEO signals? In the future, will the algorithm prioritise videos where native text, stickers, and transitions confirm the content's niche, rather than relying solely on the external caption?**_ **– Marciel Muniz, Jornalista, Mercadólogo e Estrategista Digital, Marketing 3 Comunicação** Our relevance and ranking system is its own miraculous thing. Me trying to describe how it works would not do it justice. It takes in a bunch of implicit signals, and I mean it not in an almost coy or dismissive way, it's actually the truth. Content that we believe your audience is going to love or people are going to enjoy, typically it gets ranked higher and that's the number one driver of it, because that's our mission. We want to connect viewers with content that they're going to really enjoy. And so focusing on concept, ideation, making the content great matters a lot more than just whatever creative assets you happen to use in a video. ___________ _**Creators and social media managers handle multiple brand accounts and concurrently switch between up to 10 accounts on Instagram. **_ _**Are there plans for Edits to introduce an account switching feature so agencies, freelancers can use it seamlessly for clients and access features like link across accounts?**_ **– Rowena Fernando** Definitely something we want to look at. ___________ _**When will we get a feature to work on a project together as a team from different devices logged in into the same instagram account? (like shared drafts and collaborative editing in CapCut).**_ **– Daniel Zoll** Again, something we're looking at but a shockingly complex thing to go build. It's a really interesting one, but similar to the multi accounts, it's one we hear all the time and we're exploring. ___________ _**While Edits is great, it doesn’t sync up with all Meta products. I love being able to add multiple tracks and sounds effects to my videos but it's not supported on Facebook. **_ _**I'm so annoyed that every Meta product is separate but linked, but not everything is harmonious across the platforms. Make the Edits app features work for all Meta platforms! **_ **- Michaela Jaskowiak** Part of the reason to break Edits out as its own product group is intentionally for us to be able to think about how to make Edits awesome for creators everywhere, even beyond Instagram. Obviously Meta products is a great one to start with, but even thinking about third-party ecosystems as well, we want Edits to be your end-to-end creative studio, regardless of where you end up posting the content. ___________ _**Will Instagram roll out a desktop version of Edits?**_ **- Chelsea Knoren, Senior Marketing + Communications Manager, Outward Bound California** I think desktop is super interesting. I think it's a different cohort, a very specific cohort of creators that are using desktop. And so I can't make any firm commitments, but it is a very interesting idea. ___________ ## **And finally…** **What is a feature in Instagram that people maybe don’t know enough about and should definitely try?** I will give you three, actually. Cutouts is awesome. I love it. It's a great way of adding depth to a video so you can cut out yourself and put content behind you, text, stickers, whatever it may be. I think it adds a level of depth. The other two is, and these have taken off quite a bit, profile links. So say you're making a video and you want to reference another creator. Say I were to make a video about interviewing you. I can actually just link your profile directly on the video and it's clickable and the viewer can go to your profile. I think it's a great way for creators to build on top of each other's content and collaborate. And similar to that one is snippets. You can take any snippet from any Reel in Edits and bring it into your video to remix, comment on, build on top of. And again, it's attributable to the original creator. It can be clicked on. And so I think that gets really exciting when you think about people building on top of each other's ideas and creating a whole ecosystem. ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- **Before I go…** A big thanks to Matt for taking the time to chat all things Edits — properly insightful stuff. And a shoutout to the Meta comms team for making it happen behind the scenes 👏 **This was a ****_pilot_**** of Geekout Interviews…** But here’s the deal 👇 If I open my black book of social media VIP contacts for another deep dive… …who would you want me to interview next? * A platform exec from TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snap etc? * The person behind your favourite brand’s socials? * The lawmakers banning teens from social media apps? * Someone else? Hit reply and give me some names to add to my hit list! Goodbye, geeks 👋 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-edits-matt-simari-interview

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/526fe957-b427-4c17-9628-338ab8bb79b0/Geekout_270326.jpg?t=1774614218) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Geekout is read by 30K social media pros** ** Get up to 20% off Geekout ads in 2026 **Advertiser Info** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **Optimize Geekout** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-court-verdict-sora-app-killed) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** It’s been a brutal, bruising week for Mark Zuckerberg. Meta lost two landmark lawsuits in the U.S over child safety failures and platform addiction claims. The court ruled Meta’s apps are addictive. And that they are deliberately designed that way. Oof! With headlines calling the verdicts social media’s ‘Big Tobacco’ moment, legal experts are predicting a flood of new lawsuits as Meta enters a new era of accountability. Meta got stung with orders to pay out damages of $4.2 million and $375 million as a result of the rulings. That’s hardly a punishment for a company that generates $550 million a day in revenue. However, the real cost is yet to come. Lawyers and lawmakers in the US have had social media platforms in their crosshairs for years. These verdicts might now give them the hook to hang them on. As [BBC’s Zoe Kleinman said](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c87wd0d84jqo): _“…this could be the beginning of the end of the social media era as we know it.”_ **Also, this week… ** Ads on TikTok and Snapchat are about to get _really_ annoying. 🤬 Check my analysis of three new attention-seeking ad formats that about to hit your feeds __________ ##### Geekout Interviews… Matt Simari x Instagram Edits boss View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/524c3673-ad14-4ef5-9ca7-9233b773693c/Instagram_Edits_-_Matt_Simari.jpg?t=1774605830) Caption: Next week, I’ll be sending you a special (extra) edition of Geekout. To kick off _Geekout Interviews…_, yesterday I logged on with **Edits product boss Matt Simari.** If you think Edits is just Instagram’s CapCut clone… you might be underestimating what Meta’s really doing. Matt unpacked Meta’s plans for the Edits app — and what it means for creators, brands, and your entire creative workflow. **Here’s a taste of what he revealed**… * **What drove Meta to create Edits** in the first place * **How Meta plans to compete with TikTok** rival app CapCut * **Whether Edits will stay free forever** — or if premium plans are coming * **Why short-form drama content is exploding** — and how Instagram plans to respond * **How AI is already changing **the way creators edit content * **What’s coming next on the Edits **roadmap… plus the one thing he _couldn’t_ say 👀 …and more - The full interview will land in your inbox early next week. __________ ##### 3 cool things… * 📊 The[ BIGGEST LinkedIn study](https://www.socialinsider.io/reports/linkedin-engagement-benchmarks?utm_source=MattNavarra&utm_medium=MattNavarra&utm_campaign=MattNavarra&utm_id=MattNavarra) of the year just dropped. Data from 1.3M posts. What’s working __[isn’t](https://www.socialinsider.io/reports/linkedin-engagement-benchmarks?utm_source=MattNavarra&utm_medium=MattNavarra&utm_campaign=MattNavarra&utm_id=MattNavarra)__[ what you think](https://www.socialinsider.io/reports/linkedin-engagement-benchmarks?utm_source=MattNavarra&utm_medium=MattNavarra&utm_campaign=MattNavarra&utm_id=MattNavarra). - * 🔥 [This Google Doc with 50 AI prompts](https://hubs.ly/Q047gRPf0) built for social teams is gold! Saved me hours last week - * 🤪 Make your inbox a little less professional, in a good way… with this [viral newsletter](https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=b@email.gomodulr.com&utm_campaign=elon-musk-fixes-pervy-grok-but-also-hasn-t-at-all&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=geekout.mattnavarra.com&_gl=1*1ghflq0*_gcl_au*MTU2MDY2MDk3NS4xNzY5NjExMjM3LjIwOTc3MTI3Mi4xNzc0NDUyNTE3LjE3NzQ0NTI1MTc.*_ga*MTQzODIzMDI3NS4xNjYwNjYwODAy*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*czE3NzQ0NTI1MDgkbzU3NCRnMSR0MTc3NDQ1NzE0NiRqNjAkbDAkaDcxMjA5MDk0Ng..). -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ FREE AI PROMPTS #### **Steal 50 AI Prompts Built For Burnt Out Social Teams **🙏 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3f5f4bd7-318d-4d6b-baf7-8399c60f039a/image.png?t=1774453910) Follow image link: (https://hubs.ly/Q047gRPf0) Caption: - Are your AI prompts producing generic, soulless slop? Here's the fix... You know the feeling. You ask AI for content ideas or copy suggestions… Then ChatGPT gives you five vague bullet points and a couple of paragraphs that could apply to literally any brand on the planet! So you end up rewriting half of it. Or spend hours in AI prompt fixing hell. Brilliant. 🙄 But AI isn't the bottleneck. Your prompts are. **Sked Ideas** put together a **[FREE Google Doc with 50 AI Prompts](https://hubs.ly/Q047gRPf0)** built for _specifically_ for social media teams. **Inside the Google Doc, you'll find:** * 📖 **10 Brand Story Prompts** — make your content actually sound human (not AI junk) * 🧠 **10 Authority Prompts** — turn your posts into “save this” expert content for LinkedIn * 💬 **10 Engagement Prompts** — ideas designed to spark replies (not just passive likes) * 💰 **10 Conversion Prompts** — content that nudges people to click, sign up, or buy * 🎬 **10 Video Hook Prompts** — so you stop losing viewers in the first 2 seconds (Reels, TikTok, Shorts) - No ChatGPT junk. No endless prompt fixing. Just better ideas. Honestly… this doc would’ve saved me _hours_ last week! ↪︎[ ](https://hubs.ly/Q047gRPf0)**[Grab the FREE Google Doc](https://hubs.ly/Q047gRPf0)** now… Reuse the prompts every day. 🔓 Unlock 50 FREE AI Prompts (https://hubs.ly/Q047gRPf0) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Jury in Los Angeles finds Meta, YouTube negligent in social media addiction trial: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/25/meta-youtube-los-angeles-california-verdict.html) 2. **Meta ordered to pay $375 million** after losing child safety lawsuit in New Mexico [[DAMAGING](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/24/meta-new-mexico-jury)] 3. **Elon Musk’s ‘stupid tweets’ **caused Twitter investors’ losses, jury finds [[SWINDLING](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/20/elon-musk-misled-twitter-investors-while-trying-to-get-out-of-acquisition-jury-says/)] 4. **OpenAI kills Sora AI video app** and scraps Disney brand partnership [[EXITING](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/899850/openai-sora-ai-chatgpt)] 5. **Hundreds of UK teens to be banned** from using social media as the government tests a full teen ban [[EXPERIMENTING](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/25/hundreds-of-uk-teenagers-to-trial-six-week-social-media-curbs-for-major-study)] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ VIRAL NEWSLETTER #### **Make your inbox a little less professional **🤪 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/58f0669f-e433-4771-bf7e-03b16eb85898/image.png?t=1774453546) Follow image link: (https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=b@email.gomodulr.com&utm_campaign=elon-musk-fixes-pervy-grok-but-also-hasn-t-at-all&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=geekout.mattnavarra.com&_gl=1*1x1zucq*_gcl_au*MTU2MDY2MDk3NS4xNzY5NjExMjM3LjIwOTc3MTI3Mi4xNzc0NDUyNTE3LjE3NzQ0NTI1MTc.*_ga*MTQzODIzMDI3NS4xNjYwNjYwODAy*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*czE3NzQ0NTI1MDgkbzU3NCRnMSR0MTc3NDQ1MjUxNyRqNTEkbDAkaDcxMjA5MDk0Ng..) Caption: - Garbage Day is the 🏆 [award-winning newsletter](https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=b@email.gomodulr.com&_gl=1*w96ha8*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjM0ODIxNTEuQ2p3S0NBaUF6X0RJQmhCSkVpd0FWSDJYd0x1QmVVNG03OVZlMThHa3dXZDRVVzZKQmdIVHd5WUJQNEZnVlozbU95eC1OM1RHcW5iak1ob0NCekFRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NjU2Mjc5Mjc4LjE3NjE3Mzc4NzUuMTIyNTYxMzk5NS4xNzY3OTY3NjAzLjE3Njc5Njc2MDk.*_ga*MTQzODIzMDI3NS4xNjYwNjYwODAy*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*czE3Njg0ODkwMzQkbzQ3OCRnMSR0MTc2ODQ5MTY3NiRqNDQkbDAkaDkzODcxOTg3&utm_campaign=elon-musk-fixes-pervy-grok-but-also-hasn-t-at-all&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=geekout.mattnavarra.com) from tech reporter Ryan Broderick. Three times a week (give or take), Garbage Day stuffs as much internet junk as possible into one email. So you don't have to go find it yourself. Memes, weird viral videos, internet drama, whatever the heck is happening with AI — it's all there. Make your inbox a little less professional and remember what it was like to have fun online again! ↪︎ **[Check out Garbage Day](https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=b@email.gomodulr.com&utm_campaign=elon-musk-fixes-pervy-grok-but-also-hasn-t-at-all&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=geekout.mattnavarra.com)**… It’s one of my top 5 newsletters 🗑️ Get Garbage Day (https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=b@email.gomodulr.com&utm_campaign=elon-musk-fixes-pervy-grok-but-also-hasn-t-at-all&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=geekout.mattnavarra.com&_gl=1*1x1zucq*_gcl_au*MTU2MDY2MDk3NS4xNzY5NjExMjM3LjIwOTc3MTI3Mi4xNzc0NDUyNTE3LjE3NzQ0NTI1MTc.*_ga*MTQzODIzMDI3NS4xNjYwNjYwODAy*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*czE3NzQ0NTI1MDgkbzU3NCRnMSR0MTc3NDQ1MjUxNyRqNTEkbDAkaDcxMjA5MDk0Ng..) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **How many ads is too many? TikTok and Snapchat might soon find out** TikTok ads are about to get a tad more disruptive: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/24/tiktok-ads-are-about-to-get-a-tad-more-disruptive/) Two pieces of news this week caught my eye, as they illustrate just how hungry social platforms are getting for new ways to grow their revenues. **TikTok** is rolling out aggressive new ad formats to dominate user attention, such as logo takeovers and ads timed to display at key moments in a video. The **logo takeover **option will allow brands to have their logo alongside TikTok’s own when the app is opened. Think of it a bit like things like the ‘Friends is sponsored by Jet2’ sponsorship stings at the start of TV shows. As TechCrunch explains, there’s also a **‘Prime Time’** ad option, where _“three sequential ads from one advertiser will be shown to the same user within a designated 15-minute time window. TikTok says brands can use this format to tell a continuous story during high-activity periods.”_ There are more that I won’t get into the weeds of here, but they certainly dance on the line between giving advertisers better results and making the user experience more annoying. Also this week, **Snapchat** unveiled ‘[Total Snap Takeovers](https://forbusiness.snapchat.com/blog/snapchat-full-funnel-advantage)’ for brands to own every key app surface, making them impossible to avoid. As Snap puts it: _“Total Snap Takeovers allow advertisers to show up as the first ad spot in each tab for wide reach, high impressions, and increased brand lift.”_ For most social media platforms, advertisers are their main customer, so it makes sense to better serve their needs and give them better results. But with these new features, both TikTok and Snapchat are moving ever closer towards having so many ads that users feel like throwing their phones across the room. YouTube already has far too many ads, to the point where it sometimes feels rage inducing. Sure, you can pay to remove the ads, but I’m worried as platforms push for ever greater growth, users will tolerate more and more ads, with platforms adding ever more as a response, until we all reach a tipping point, get bored, and switch off. How about instead of growing forever, platforms just focus on making a good profit from a great user experience? What? That’s unrealistic…?! Ah well, I can dream…. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/dd0c6159-2acd-49a7-934a-e3269b681f00/image.png?t=1774610146) Follow image link: (https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-facebook-meta-affiliate-marketing-creator-monetization-shopping-ads-ai-2026-3) Caption: Meta adds new affiliate tools for creator monetisation | Credit: Meta * **Facebook **and** Instagram **are letting influencers [earn a commission from products](https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-facebook-meta-affiliate-marketing-creator-monetization-shopping-ads-ai-2026-3) again with more affiliate tools * **Meta **is [slashing several hundred jobs](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-layoffs-job-cuts-ai-reality-labs-recruitment-2026-3) across its Reality Labs, recruiting, and sales teams * **Meta** is getting ready to launch two [new Ray-Ban AI glasses products](https://www.theverge.com/column/901314/meta-new-ray-ban-ai-glasses), official US filings have revealed * **Meta** launched new retail tools are designed to [drive in-app shopping](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-adds-more-tools-to-help-businesses-drive-in-app-sales/815629/) on Facebook and Instagram * **Meta**’s Oversight Board says expanding Community Notes outside of the US poses [“significant” risks](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/oversight-board-tells-meta-expanding-community-notes-outside-of-us-poses-significant-risks-100000213.html) * **Meta**’s AI smart glasses have [hit a roadblock](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-25/meta-s-new-display-glasses-withheld-from-eu-over-battery-rules-supply-shortages) ahead of launch in the EU, as the lack of user-replaceable batteries and supply shortages hold it back * **Meta Business Suite** is introducing a [new, more powerful message filter](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWTpl95jHQg?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) with additional options for community managers and admins on desktop * **Meta Business Suite** app now supports [inviting collaborators](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWM44YjKUH?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) for Instagram Reels * **Meta Business Suite** now supports [photo stickers](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWK0Z1DJla?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) in the Story builder * **Facebook** has been spotted [labelling ads](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWYje8VDP27) run by China state-controlled media outside the US **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/95777b99-092c-4898-b3f8-239f8305db0d/image.png?t=1774610398) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWO6wHRCpGZ?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA) Caption: Instagram finally lets you reorder carousels after publishing | Credit: Meta * **Instagram** _finally_ lets you [reorder carousels](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWO6wHRCpGZ?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA) after publishing …and **Instagram** may add a [cover image feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWJdJs7DLL7?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) for carousel posts, Adam Mosseri says * **Instagram** is expanding Reels ads into [trending categories](https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/instagram-reels-trending-ads-tv-movies-cultural-moments-nfl-1236698010/) like TV, movies, travel, finance * **Instagram’s Edits **[latest app update](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWW2Y76kaFh/?hl=en-gb&img_index=1) added precise video transform tools (position/scale/rotate), advanced templates, and improved search for adding links to Reels and profiles … **Edits** is also testing a [Templates filter](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWTqSoLjPqW?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) in the Ideas tab * **Instagram **added new [‘two-admin approval’ controls ](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWKRvvnEzqd?xmt=AQF0rMsKcwqbL1CYaLeaG-nsF9BHLdxO7mKZq8hEMBiYGg)for accounts with three or admins, to prevent one admin going rogue * **Instagram** is working on the ability to [automatically download](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DWUPwe5Dfne?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) Reels for offline viewing * **Instagram** Stories now offer a [‘spin’ effect](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWTLxMIieIa?xmt=AQF0rMsKcwqbL1CYaLeaG-nsF9BHLdxO7mKZq8hEMBiYGg) for footage shot with Meta’s smart glasses * **Instagram** is testing a [refreshed UI](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWTfI7RDNBT?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) for tagging in post creation * **Instagram** added four [hidden features for BTS fans](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWHWlL5DM27?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw). Finding them unlocks a message from the band **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f6bc53e9-9340-4fd7-96f7-0641decb256a/image.png?t=1774611254) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWHWurVChEI?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA) Caption: Threads recent views count | Credit: @haiimjose * **Threads** will now let you display [how many views](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWHWurVChEI?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA) your posts got on your profile * **Threads**’ Marketing API now has [expanded advertiser tools](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-updates-its-threads-marketing-api/815757/) and integrations in third party platforms like Hootsuite and Sprout Social * **Threads** now lets you [swipe to choose](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWH5t6Ok1_l?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) topics or communities when composing a post * **Threads** is testing a [new animation](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWTphgLDELY?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) for the ‘Like’ button * **Threads** is testing a new [Shared Content section](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWPN8qHDqPG?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) in messages, letting you review what you’ve shared with a contact * **Threads** is testing a custom feed that [returns you](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWI-M1jPMm?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) to the posts you last viewed when reopening the app * **Threads** is testing a text selection option that lets you copy [specific parts of a post caption](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWPOgOyDk92?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) * **Threads** has launched an in-app [BTS Arirang experience](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWHZQeFDMUm?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) through the BTS community * **Threads** added an animation to [encourage users](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWO22JiDJlF?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) to add interests to their profiles **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9145a1a2-eb55-4e0b-a4c5-3d2cd16256f7/image.png?t=1774611642) Follow image link: (https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/whatsapp-new-features-simplify-storage-switch-accounts/) Caption: WhatsApp feature update adds multi-account switching and more | Credit: Meta * **WhatsApp** dropped a [collection of new features](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/whatsapp-new-features-simplify-storage-switch-accounts/), including the ability to run two WhatsApp accounts on one phone, improved storage management, and more * **WhatsApp** is working on a [disappearing messages](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-will-let-messages-disappear-after-being-read-on-android/) feature * **WhatsApp** is working on a feature that lets you create [custom audiences for status updates](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-working-on-custom-audiences-for-status-updates-on-android-beta/) * **WhatsApp** is working on a premium feature that [unifies chat settings](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWSjVZNiGGu?xmt=AQF0rMsKcwqbL1CYaLeaG-nsF9BHLdxO7mKZq8hEMBiYGg) within a list * **WhatsApp** working on [Liquid Glass overhaul](https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/24/whatsapp-working-on-liquid-glass-overhaul-for-its-voice-message-player/) for its voice message player **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/878fbb6d-9cbe-4460-a956-f0e8ffd35676/image.png?t=1774611958) Follow image link: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-moves-the-ashes-of-tweetdeck-behind-its-40-premium-subscription-210601250.html) Caption: X locks X Pro (TweetDeck) behind $40 Premium+ paywall | Credit: X * **X **has locked TweetDeck, now known as X Pro, [behind its $40 Premium+ paywall](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-moves-the-ashes-of-tweetdeck-behind-its-40-premium-subscription-210601250.html) without warning. It was previously part of the $8 per month plan (thanks Elon 🙄) …But **X**’s head of product says something [more powerful than X Pro](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWYm4ctjL1v) is coming soon * **X** said it would limit creator revenue for foreign influencers trying to fake US accounts, but Elon Musk [blocked the plan](https://www.theverge.com/tech/900535/x-creator-payouts-american-politics-elon-musk) hours after the announcement * **X** [lost its lawsuit](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-26/musk-s-x-loses-suit-accusing-advertisers-of-boycotting-platform) accusing advertisers of organising a platform boycott * **X** is offering advertisers up to [$200K in incentives](https://www.adweek.com/media/x-dangles-incentives-for-advertisers-to-return/) to return to the platform, a leaked deck revealed * **X**’s Money card has [appeared in pictures](https://x.com/edenchan/status/2036941882220269706) shared by internal testers * **xAI** has been [sued](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/24/elon-musk-grok-ai-lawsuit-baltimore) by the city of Baltimore over the Grok sexual deepfakes scandal * **X** Chat’s beta app is testing support for setting [nicknames](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWMfJqjMuY?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) for your contacts * **X** no longer [crops](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWSB_LVDuaf?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) single-image posts on iOS, preserving their original aspect ratio * **X **is testing a new [main chat UI](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWO5YigjCPK?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) design with a meteor shower as an animation * **X** has added an [undo/redo](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWQ7DZjidxB?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) functionality when drafting a new post **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b8bbb6b2-113b-4ce8-81ff-377d8ebedb97/image.png?t=1774612701) Follow image link: (https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/were-launching-the-top-sports-podcasts-on-youtube-for-brands-to-align-with-sports-fans/) Caption: Credit: YouTube * **YouTube** has been [courting advertisers](https://deadline.com/2026/03/youtube-creators-advertisers-newfronts-1236766909/) amid its efforts to open up more direct routes to creators * **YouTube** is rolling out a [Top Sports Podcasts lineup](https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/were-launching-the-top-sports-podcasts-on-youtube-for-brands-to-align-with-sports-fans/), letting advertisers align with top shows like New Heights and Rich Eisen Show * **YouTube** has lowered entry requirements for its [shopping affiliate programme](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-shopping-affiliate-program-access/815754/) from 1,000 to 500 subscribers * **YouTube **is now showing a ‘[Continue watching](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWWbHfCjBDa?xmt=AQF0-zCAzbzxdN7_kkYsaPntCM0chAOKtKEL6G9PhcZFxQ)’ button for videos shown in the Google Discover feed * **YouTube** has been spotted [moving](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWYmhy2DA5b) the Account Switcher button to the top-left side of the app **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1057abb0-bd7a-4957-b29b-376f50d4ddec/image.png?t=1774612466) Follow image link: (https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-testing-mini-drama-feed-ai-2026-3) Caption: TikTok testing new micro drama feed in main app | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** is testing a new [Short Drama feed](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-testing-mini-drama-feed-ai-2026-3), bringing more mini-series directly into main app… **… TikTok** is also casting actors to [make its own micro dramas](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-casting-actors-short-dramas-microdramas-2026-3) as it jumps headfirst into the surging format * **TikTok** has been spotted testing a new [profile layout](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWPayAZE5KW?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw), with redesigned buttons and a cleaner layout * **TikTok** is testing a new sticker that enables [private replies to Stories](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWPONgojr__?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) * **TikTok **Shop has added [a CRM](https://seller-uk.tiktok.com/university/essay?btm_pre_unit_params=%7B%22outreach_task_id%22:%228756660309271%22,%22outreach_channel_type%22:3,%22outreach_message_category_type%22:3020000,%22outreach_message_mapping_id%22:%223bdf2163-e2df-4214-ad42-058e297ec871%22%7D&course_type=1&from=search&identity=1&knowledge_id=579880745453334&role=1), Instagram sync, and live-streaming tools for sellers * **TikTok **launched “Watch it. Love it. Want it.” [campaign](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-for-business-introduces-watch-it-love-it-want-it?lang=en) to highlight how users move from watching to buying * **TikTok** is cracking down on rule-breakers with new [strike-based ban system](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/supporting-creators-with-an-updated-account-enforcement-system?lang=en), and letting creators know why videos aren’t eligible for recommendation * **TikTok** has been [woo-ing big brand advertisers](https://digiday.com/marketing/tiktok-courts-cmos-with-first-ever-collective-as-it-targets-bigger-budgets/) by hosting a lavish CMO Collective event in the US, featuring Michelin star food and special celebrity guests **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/346da094-6284-4ffd-99a2-31b03746671e/image.png?t=1774612850) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWKHQUjOIP?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) Caption: Snapchat testing '"Snap your Questions to my AI” | Credit: @theahmedgahnem * **Snapchat** is testing a new feature [“Snap Your Questions to My AI”](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWKHQUjOIP?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) feature, which allows Snaps AI to answer questions about your photos * **Snapchat** now less you [add music](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWQ09-7DIE4?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) to Snaps by importing audio from your camera roll or recording it directly * **Snapchat** has expanded the [Creator Subscriptions](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWPR7_wjJQR?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) programme to the EU **…meanwhile, **the EU launched a major probe into **Snapchat** over its [“weak” child safety features](https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-probes-snapchat-for-failing-to-protect-kids-from-grooming-illegal-goods/) * **LinkedIn** is targeting marketers with new ad campaign [mocking vanity metrics culture](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedins-latest-promotional-campaign-targets-marketing-professionals/815491/) * **Reddit** is betting big on shopping with new [shoppable ads](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-introduces-additional-marketing-tools-designed-for-retailers/815625/) and a Shopify tie-in * **Reddit** is considering [biometric identity verification](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/reddit-is-weighing-identity-verification-methods-to-combat-its-bot-problem-195814671.html?src=rss) like FaceID to combat its bot problem * **Pinterest **has launched ‘[Promote a Pin](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/24/pinterest-launches-a-new-feature-to-promote-a-pin/)’ to quickly turn any post into an ad * **Pinterest** has launched a TV show that transforms boards into [real-life makeovers](https://newsroom.pinterest.com/en-gb/news/bring-my-pinterest-to-life/) * **Mastodon **has [revamped profiles](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/26/mastodon-is-making-its-decentralized-social-network-easier-to-use-with-its-latest-revamp/) to win over mainstream social media users -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- Meta turns to AI to make shopping easier on Instagram and Facebook : (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/25/meta-turns-to-ai-to-make-shopping-easier-on-instagram-and-facebook/) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **Meta** launched a [suite of AI power tools](https://www.facebook.com/business/news/from-commerce-to-culture-at-newfronts) for advertisers and creators * **Meta** launched Meta Small Business to boost [AI tools for entrepreneurs](https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/exclusive-zuckerberg-launches-meta-small-business) * **Meta** [hired](https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/meta-hires-former-google-stripe-180500636.html) the team behind Dreamer AI to boost its personalised AI agent capabilities * **Instagram** has added new AI [photo-to-video transitions](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-adds-ai-transition-option-for-still-image-based-stories/815382/) for Stories * **Instagram Edits** now lets you create custom fonts with a new, AI-powered [‘AI style’ feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWYmKzjDHf0) * **WhatsApp** has introduced AI-powered [writing help](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/whatsapp-new-features-simplify-storage-switch-accounts/) for replies, and AI photo touch-ups to stylise images, change backgrounds, or remove objects * **YouTube** launched Gemini-Powered [Creator Partnerships](https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/youtube-launches-gemini-powered-creator-partnerships-with-ai-matching/) with AI matching for brands * **X** is set to roll out “[the full power of Grok](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWIO86DHzE?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)” into its algorithm next week, product boss Nikita Bier says * **xAI’**s Grok app is introducing [SuperGrok Lite](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWUYrBSjlil?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw), a $10-per-month plan with small creation limits * **xAI’**s Grok Grok AI now lets you [create custom agents ](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWYlNufjETG) * **Elon Musk says xAI** is ‘[doubling down’ on AI videos](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-25/musk-s-xai-doubling-down-on-ai-videos-after-openai-nixes-sora) after OpenAI said it was killing Sora * **TikTok** now lets you lets you generate [AR effects](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWDwgcMiZeE?xmt=AQF0rMsKcwqbL1CYaLeaG-nsF9BHLdxO7mKZq8hEMBiYGg) from text prompts and presets * **ByteDance has rolled out** [Dreamina Seedance 2.0 into CapCut](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/26/bytedances-new-ai-video-generation-model-dreamina-seedance-2-0-comes-to-capcut/) for AI video creation * **Snapchat**’s new ‘AI Clips’ Lens format [turns photos into five-second videos](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/24/snapchats-new-ai-clips-lens-format-turns-photos-into-five-second-videos/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f51d6aca-cc2f-4bf0-9ae0-2077a60b94dd/trail.jpg?t=1772123658) Caption: -------------------- Are **Meta’s** two big losses in court this week a ‘Big Tobacco’ moment for social media? They will certainly embolden legal teams around the world considering similar action. Here’s a round-up of all the courtroom action this week, including the latest **Elon Musk** lawsuit updates… Meta Is in Risky Legal Territory After Back-to-Back Court Losses: (https://www.wsj.com/tech/do-back-to-back-courtroom-losses-herald-metas-big-tobacco-moment-57e6f227) * **Elon Musk’s lawyers are trying** to bar Delaware judge over LinkedIn ‘like’. Judge Kathaleen McCormick's LinkedIn account [“liked” a post celebrating Musk’s $2bn court loss](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/26/mastodon-is-making-its-decentralized-social-network-easier-to-use-with-its-latest-revamp/), but she says she might have clicked it accidentally and denies bias. - * **Elon Musk’s court loss last week** has been questioned by his legal team after it emerged the jury made a [‘420’ (weed) joke](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-26/musk-rips-twitter-verdict-claims-jury-s-4-20-joke-mocked-him) in their documentation. Elon is known to enjoy a 420 joke himself, so his lawyers reckon the jury was mocking him, and thus it wasn’t a fair trial. 🤔 - * **Meta shares tumbled 6%** after the back-to-back US verdicts find it liable for harm to young users. [Investors worry](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/meta-shares-slip-after-us-jury-verdicts-raise-concerns-new-legal-exposure-2026-03-26/) about the company’s legal exposure - * **New Mexico’s Attorney General **has vowed a [legal and political crackdown](https://www.politico.com/newsletters/digital-future-daily/2026/03/26/new-mexicos-ag-on-next-steps-after-beating-meta-00846463) on social media following the state’s win against Meta this week. - * **UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer** has [pledged action](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/26/social-media-addictive-features-protect-children-keir-starmer-us-court-ruling) on “addictive features” in social media apps in the wake of the landmark US case -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3b409ca5-a409-49b7-8d8f-febf7dbe19f4/lol.jpg?t=1772123732) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/421d4263-1624-4865-a11d-b93d69565b56/Ranegl_270326.jpg?t=1774609181) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-managers-choosing-the-audio-activity-7442948497391210496-kowl?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/02af127b-081a-4ce5-97dc-68d897c8fdd8/Goodbye_Sora.jpg?t=1774609244) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DWTwAKaAGLr/?img_index=5) Caption: __________ Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DWFCt5giE0v/?img_index=1) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- **A new slop trend **has flooded **TikTok** with absurd AI fruit soap operas featuring scandal, affairs, and chaos. …And users recreating the slop themselves! What’s With All the A.I. Videos of Cheating Fruit?: (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/style/ai-cheating-fruit-slop-videos-tiktok.html) __________ **More viral news this week:** * **Influencers are pushing trendy health tests**—but experts [warn of hidden harms](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/24/influencers-health-tests-medical-treatment-social-media-risks-explained) * **Thousands have swooned over this MAGA dream girl.** [But she’s made with AI](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/03/20/jessica-foster-maga-dream-girl-ai-fake/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- **Top sports clubs** like **Arsenal** and **LA Chargers** are expanding their social media operations to compete for sponsorship revenue. _“Sponsors used to want hospitality access and pitch-side banners. Now they want access to a club's social following.”_ Amid competition for sponsors, top sports clubs are investing in social media operations: (https://digiday.com/marketing/amid-competition-for-sponsors-top-sports-clubs-are-investing-in-social-media-operations/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"People don’t like wearing things on their faces and don’t trust those who do.”“ — – **Neal Stephenson, the man who coined the term ‘metaverse’**, is no fan of Meta’s [“creepy” smart glasses](https://www.theverge.com/tech/899797/metaverse-neal-stephenson-headsets-goggles-glasses-creepy-no-business-case) __________ **Also quoted this week:** _“Now is the time to apply the same creativity and innovation that built the social media ecosystem to the vital task of protecting kids online. And if we can’t do this effectively, we lose any credibility to oppose a ban.”_ **- Pinterest CEO Billy Ready **says governments should [ban social media for kids under 16](https://time.com/article/2026/03/19/pinterest-ceo-governments-should-ban-social-media-for-kids-under-16/) __________ _“Over the past year, we faced the noise and we’ve done the hard work… And what’s standing here today, I am genuinely proud to say, is the strongest, most secure, most creative platform we have ever built.”_ **- TikTok US CEO Adam Presser** tries to [reassure advertisers](https://deadline.com/2026/03/tiktok-advertisers-newfronts-joint-venture-1236764742/) the platform is the right place to spend their dollars __________ _“Social media is inherently unhealthy for kids”_ **- Emily Jeffcott**, one of the lawyers for the plaintiff in the big social media addiction trial [marks her win](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/social-media-addiction-lawyer-interview-win-1235537800/). -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- **UK retailer Argos** has sparked a backlash over selling a £15 “influencer kit” for toddlers. The toy includes tripod, camera, phone, microphone for role-play. But critics warn it pushes kids into “very adult, performative” online culture Campaigners ask “What are we teaching children to value?” Argos faces backlash over ‘influencer kit’ for toddlers: (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/24/argos-faces-backlash-over-toddlers-influencer-kit) __________ **More WTF this week:** * **Watching TikTok or YouTube** while driving is [replacing texting](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/23/distracted-driving-smartphones-tiktok) as the top in-car distraction 😳 * **Elon Musk is pushing the idea **of [using Grok for tax return filings](https://www.thestreet.com/personal-finance/elon-musk-wants-you-to-file-taxes-with-grok), citing a $1,400 refund example. Tests showed AI chatbots miscalculated by over $2,000 on average * **Ex-Disney CEO Bob Iger** allegedly operated a private Instagram and Threads account [under the alias “Max Stryker”](https://www.thedailybeast.com/billionaire-exec-busted-running-secret-instagram-account/) * **Mark Zuckerberg is building a personal AI agent** to [act like a “chief of staff”](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/mark-zuckerberg-is-building-an-ai-agent-to-help-him-be-ceo-eddab2d5) * **AI videos of sexualised black women **have been [removed from TikTok after a BBC investigation](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c070e283k8vo) * **AI influencer awards season** [is upon us](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/898781/ai-personality-of-the-year-influencer-contest) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fd24e465-005c-4d36-afd8-cef1268bf044/RIP.jpg?t=1772124179) Caption: -------------------- **LinkedIn** is [killing spontaneous live streaming](https://www.threads.com/@yassermasood/post/DWXRPFsge9w?xmt=AQF0rMsKcwqbL1CYaLeaG-nsF9BHLdxO7mKZq8hEMBiYGg) with new scheduling rules. From 22 June, every live event must be scheduled in advance. The instant “go live” option is being removed, but you will still be able to quickly schedule a live stream for minutes later. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9626c82a-de69-40a7-bb92-d7f64e0fb729/656622293_17955991848111476_8335114800701408695_n.jpg?t=1774605945) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@yassermasood/post/DWXRPFsge9w?xmt=AQF0rMsKcwqbL1CYaLeaG-nsF9BHLdxO7mKZq8hEMBiYGg) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772123969) Caption: -------------------- **Tumblr finds itself **in Geekout’s FAIL section two weeks in a row… This week, the platform scrambled to reverse mass user bans, after an automated moderation error caused users to panic… An automated moderation error left Tumblr users panicked: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/898402/tumblr-automated-account-bans-march-2026) __________ **Also:** * **YouTube users have been reporting** [missing like counts](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-like-counts-missing-test-bug-mobile/), raising confusion across the app and the web * **The YouTube Android app's Cast button** [vanished for some users](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-app-android-cast-button-missing-report/), a frustrating glitch -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4502d13e-4f26-44c8-97e3-dda5688321f0/science.jpg?t=1774012382) Caption: -------------------- **A new study has linked social media misinformation** to a rise in self-diagnosing ADHD and autism Researchers found over half of **ADHD** content on **TikTok** was inaccurate. Experts warn this can mislabel normal behaviour and delay a proper diagnosis False social media posts fuel self-diagnosis, says study: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg347487dlo) __________ **Also:** * **Children spending 3+ hours daily** on social media show [higher anxiety and depression as teens](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/22/study-children-social-media-anxiety-depression) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/00bf9f39-c8d3-49b3-bf56-98bc18287430/Mozilla_2024_logo.svg.png?t=1774610376) Caption: **Mozilla** needs a [Social Media & Content Strategist (Open-Source AI)](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-strategist-open-source-ai/) _[Remote, worldwide]_ __________ **More social media jobs:** * **Women’s Aid Foundation England** is hiring a [Social Media Officer](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-officer-3/) _[Remote, UK]_ * **Bobbie** is looking for a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-manager-14/) _[Remote, USA]_ * **The Young Vic Theatre** is recruiting a [Social Media and Digital Content Manager](http://Social Media and Digital Content Manager)_ [London, UK]_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: -------------------- **Want more Instagram Reels views?** Start talking—and show your face early. Based on analysis of 10,110 Facebook Reels published by 704 brand Pages, **Emplifi** found: * **Reels featuring human speech in the first 3 seconds** boosted 10s retention by ~25% and drove +5.6% higher engagement vs music-only clips. * **Reels featuring a face early in the video**, saw retention jump another ~10%. * **Reel with short, seamless loops (under 7s) **saw +18.7% more replays and +16.1% higher engagement. * **And format still matters:** vertical video delivers ~21% more reach. Human speech and presence help drive Reels engagement: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/human-speech-and-presence-help-drive-reels-engagement/815381/) __________ **More pro tips:** * **10 Reddit comment frameworks** that [drive engagement without sounding like ads](https://searchengineland.com/reddit-comment-frameworks-471044) * **TikTok ad creative has a shorter shelf life.** [Here’s how to keep up](https://searchengineland.com/tiktok-ad-creative-short-shelf-life-472363) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**2 TRILLION**“ — – **The number of snaps sent** [by Snapchat users in 2025](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWRlCw5CkKO?xmt=AQF0z-xoK6kqAQO1lOQLYA_eH16dAdlc_PF8WCavILI4PA) **More stats:** * **GROW SOCIAL: **[68% of small businesses](https://www.emarketer.com/content/small-businesses-see-social-media-their-clearest-path-growth-2026) say social drives most value for growth in 2026 * **GRIM: **The Internet Watch Foundation reports a [260x surge](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWQ5DWSCvCt?xmt=AQF0z-xoK6kqAQO1lOQLYA_eH16dAdlc_PF8WCavILI4PA) in AI-generated child abuse videos, with over 3,000 verified AI clips vs 13 in 2024 * **FEED FIX: **Social media has become British MPs’ top news source,, with usage jumping to [83%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWTrMd9Cr3z?xmt=AQF0z-xoK6kqAQO1lOQLYA_eH16dAdlc_PF8WCavILI4PA) — up from 61% at the start of 2025 -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- **Why the metaverse** might just be another [failed tech initiative](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWOfMYQCg0V?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA) like NFTs and Google Glass… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cefd378-752d-4b48-9170-314051e339cb/chart_270326.jpg?t=1774611304) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWOfMYQCg0V?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- MPs accuse social media firms of spreading Iran misinformation: (https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/24/mps-social-media-firms-iran-misinformation-tiktok-meta) __________ ##### Also in the news this week… * **Meta is targeting **a $9 trillion valuation with a new executive incentive programme, aiming to get to the valuation in the next five years. [[Wall Street Journal $$$](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-targets-9-trillion-valuation-with-new-executive-incentive-program-64460862?mod=rss_Technology)] * **Meta’s acquisition of Manus** is being probed in China as its founders are barred from leaving the country. [[Financial Times $$$](https://www.ft.com/content/d9123d9d-c807-41d6-8a17-80ff1111834a?syn-25a6b1a6=1)] * **Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth** will lead a drive to get employees using AI routinely across the company. [[Wall Street Journal $$$](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/meta-names-new-leader-of-companys-efforts-to-become-ai-native-8d7fe912)] * **Meta’s Reality Labs division** is now organised into "pods" made up of "AI builders" and "AI pod leads”. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/metas-reality-labs-shifts-to-ai-native-pods-efficiency-2026-3)] * **Meta's lawyers shut down** the primary source of pirated Quest games. [[Upload VR](https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-shut-down-vrpirates-pirated-quest-games/)] * **The UK government faces** pressure after the House of Lords again voted for an under-16 social media ban. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/mar/26/keir-starmer-ukraine-iran-social-media-ban-councils-pensions-latest-news-updates)] * **TikTok Shop is to split** the cost of returns shipping with sellers from 8 April. Better performing shops get a more generous split. [[@MattNavarra](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWOhgqniluL?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA)] * **TikTok and X **say they are “neutral” on potential UK teen social media ban. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/tiktok-x-say-theyre-neutral-on-a-social-media-ban-for-teens-uk/)] * **Russia is throttling Telegram**, pushing users toward state-backed app MAX. [[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/russia/russia-killing-telegram-popular-messaging-app-fears-pushback-rcna263904)] * **A Dutch court banned **X’s Grok from generating fake nudes and child abuse content. X faces findes of up to €10 million if it fails to comply [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/netherlands-grok-x-ban-generative-pictures-penalties/)] * **A new California bill** aims to crack down on parents cashing in on kids’ private lives online. [[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-26/california-could-require-parent-bloggers-to-delete-content-of-minors)] * **Donald Trump named **Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle’s Larry Ellison and NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang to a new AI policy panel. [[Wall Street Journal $$$](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-to-name-mark-zuckerberg-larry-ellison-and-jensen-huang-to-tech-panel-ded1ec6f)] * **YouTube downplayed **its Netflix rivalry, stressing its creator-first business model. [[Variety](https://variety.com/2026/digital/global/youtube-netflix-platforms-reach-100-billion-creators-economy-1236698769/)] * **EU lawmakers backed **plans to ban “nudify” AI apps, but some new AI regulations have been elayed. [[The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/901315/eu-ai-act-delays-ban-nudify-apps)] * **UK regulator Ofcom** has welcomed Apple adding age verification in iOS 26.4 for certain apps. [[Financial Times $$$](https://www.ft.com/content/c36dc645-8cd4-4e69-a9ce-3a0ac4071264?syn-25a6b1a6=1)] * **Meta and Google urged** the EU to extend laws blocking child abuse content. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/social-platforms-call-on-eu-regulators-to-ensure-the-continuity-of-child-pr/815378/)] * **Hugo Barra is rejoining Meta** after departing five years ago, marking Meta's shift in focus from VR to AI. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/25/hugo-barras-return-to-meta-5-years-after-exit-underscores-ai-urgency.html)] * **Europe’s human rights chief** warned banning kids from social media could go too far. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/michael-oflaherty-human-rights-council-of-europe-children-social-media-ban/)] * **Meta unfairly targeted **older workers during layoffs last year, a new lawsuit claims. [[Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/meta-unfairly-targeted-older-workers-during-layoffs-last-year-lawsuit-claims-2000737045)] * **Why VPNs could be next** on lawmakers’ ban list. [[The Verge $$$](https://www.theverge.com/column/898122/online-age-verification-vpns)] * **Meta awarded** $150,000 grants to six universities studying sEMG wristband input. [[UploadVR](https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-funds-six-teams-to-explore-the-semg-of-neural-wristbands/)] * **TikTok announced Charlie Puth** as the latest guest on its ‘TikTok In The Mix’ series. [[TikTok Newsroom](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-announces-charlie-puth-as-the-latest-guest-ontiktok-in-the-mix-sponsored-by-t-mobile?lang=en)] __________ **New platform features and tests:** * **Meta is partnering** with Arm to develop AI-optimised data centre CPUs. [[Meta Newsroom](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/meta-partners-with-arm-to-develop-new-class-of-data-center-silicon/)] * **Facebook revamped** its Friends section on desktop, with more control over how you manage it. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWTxM5WjFCE?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **Facebook is testing** a new ‘Select text’ tool for use with comments. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWJbHTrDDdQ?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **Messenger is testing **a new welcome screen for Meta AI that has both text-based and image prompts. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWT4Q7iDApX?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **X added** a new audience setting on desktop: ‘Accounts you follow and who they follow’. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWUOUYijDCj?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **X added** a new ‘Regions’ audience setting. [[@oncescruadu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWUN_44DGkW?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **X now offers** a ‘Report EU illegal content’ option. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWJYMWIjGQ4?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **xAI added** tags to Grok. [[@jonahmanzano](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWWDQsmiXLw?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **Linktree’s new AI tool **gives creators personalised growth recommendations. [[Linktree blog](http://Linktree’s new AI tool gives creators personalised growth recommendations)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- Sora never understood what makes social media work: (https://www.fastcompany.com/91515523/openai-sora-never-understood-social-media) __________ **Also worth a read:** * **Polymarket says it predicts the truth. **[Its social feeds are filled with falsehoods](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/technology/polymarket-social-feeds-falsehoods.html) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- **All hail Merlin! **The Instagram pig that is now a Guinness World Record holder. Merlin now officially holds the record for the most Instagram followers for a pig, with 1.1+ million fans. I hope he has a good agent to handle negotiations for any future Gymshark x Merlin drop, or a possible Crocs collab? 💰 A ‘Talking’ Pig With a Love for Pigeons Just Became Instagram Royalty: (https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-talking-pig-with-a-love-for-pigeons-just-became-instagram-royalty/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- And that’s this week’s Geekout debriefing, done. ✅ I’m heading off to wrap up the final edits of next week’s special edition of Geekout. Look out for ‘Geekout Interviews…’ x Instagram Edits’ Matt Simari, in your inbox next week. Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-court-verdict-sora-app-killed

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/526fe957-b427-4c17-9628-338ab8bb79b0/Geekout_270326.jpg?t=1774614218) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Geekout is read by 30K social media pros** ** Get up to 20% off Geekout ads in 2026 **Advertiser Info** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **Optimize Geekout** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-court-verdict-sora-app-killed) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** It’s been a brutal, bruising week for Mark Zuckerberg. Meta lost two landmark lawsuits in the U.S over child safety failures and platform addiction claims. The court ruled Meta’s apps are addictive. And that they are deliberately designed that way. Oof! With headlines calling the verdicts social media’s ‘Big Tobacco’ moment, legal experts are predicting a flood of new lawsuits as Meta enters a new era of accountability. Meta got stung with orders to pay out damages of $4.2 million and $375 million as a result of the rulings. That’s hardly a punishment for a company that generates $550 million a day in revenue. However, the real cost is yet to come. Lawyers and lawmakers in the US have had social media platforms in their crosshairs for years. These verdicts might now give them the hook to hang them on. As [BBC’s Zoe Kleinman said](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c87wd0d84jqo): _“…this could be the beginning of the end of the social media era as we know it.”_ **Also, this week… ** Ads on TikTok and Snapchat are about to get _really_ annoying. 🤬 Check my analysis of three new attention-seeking ad formats that about to hit your feeds __________ ##### Geekout Interviews… Matt Simari x Instagram Edits boss View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/524c3673-ad14-4ef5-9ca7-9233b773693c/Instagram_Edits_-_Matt_Simari.jpg?t=1774605830) Caption: Next week, I’ll be sending you a special (extra) edition of Geekout. To kick off _Geekout Interviews…_, yesterday I logged on with **Edits product boss Matt Simari.** If you think Edits is just Instagram’s CapCut clone… you might be underestimating what Meta’s really doing. Matt unpacked Meta’s plans for the Edits app — and what it means for creators, brands, and your entire creative workflow. **Here’s a taste of what he revealed**… * **What drove Meta to create Edits** in the first place * **How Meta plans to compete with TikTok** rival app CapCut * **Whether Edits will stay free forever** — or if premium plans are coming * **Why short-form drama content is exploding** — and how Instagram plans to respond * **How AI is already changing **the way creators edit content * **What’s coming next on the Edits **roadmap… plus the one thing he _couldn’t_ say 👀 …and more - The full interview will land in your inbox early next week. __________ ##### 3 cool things… * 📊 The[ BIGGEST LinkedIn study](https://www.socialinsider.io/reports/linkedin-engagement-benchmarks?utm_source=MattNavarra&utm_medium=MattNavarra&utm_campaign=MattNavarra&utm_id=MattNavarra) of the year just dropped. Data from 1.3M posts. What’s working __[isn’t](https://www.socialinsider.io/reports/linkedin-engagement-benchmarks?utm_source=MattNavarra&utm_medium=MattNavarra&utm_campaign=MattNavarra&utm_id=MattNavarra)__[ what you think](https://www.socialinsider.io/reports/linkedin-engagement-benchmarks?utm_source=MattNavarra&utm_medium=MattNavarra&utm_campaign=MattNavarra&utm_id=MattNavarra). - * 🔥 [This Google Doc with 50 AI prompts](https://hubs.ly/Q047gRPf0) built for social teams is gold! Saved me hours last week - * 🤪 Make your inbox a little less professional, in a good way… with this [viral newsletter](https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=m@email.gomodulr.com&utm_campaign=elon-musk-fixes-pervy-grok-but-also-hasn-t-at-all&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=geekout.mattnavarra.com&_gl=1*1ghflq0*_gcl_au*MTU2MDY2MDk3NS4xNzY5NjExMjM3LjIwOTc3MTI3Mi4xNzc0NDUyNTE3LjE3NzQ0NTI1MTc.*_ga*MTQzODIzMDI3NS4xNjYwNjYwODAy*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*czE3NzQ0NTI1MDgkbzU3NCRnMSR0MTc3NDQ1NzE0NiRqNjAkbDAkaDcxMjA5MDk0Ng..). -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ FREE AI PROMPTS #### **Steal 50 AI Prompts Built For Burnt Out Social Teams **🙏 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3f5f4bd7-318d-4d6b-baf7-8399c60f039a/image.png?t=1774453910) Follow image link: (https://hubs.ly/Q047gRPf0) Caption: - Are your AI prompts producing generic, soulless slop? Here's the fix... You know the feeling. You ask AI for content ideas or copy suggestions… Then ChatGPT gives you five vague bullet points and a couple of paragraphs that could apply to literally any brand on the planet! So you end up rewriting half of it. Or spend hours in AI prompt fixing hell. Brilliant. 🙄 But AI isn't the bottleneck. Your prompts are. **Sked Ideas** put together a **[FREE Google Doc with 50 AI Prompts](https://hubs.ly/Q047gRPf0)** built for _specifically_ for social media teams. **Inside the Google Doc, you'll find:** * 📖 **10 Brand Story Prompts** — make your content actually sound human (not AI junk) * 🧠 **10 Authority Prompts** — turn your posts into “save this” expert content for LinkedIn * 💬 **10 Engagement Prompts** — ideas designed to spark replies (not just passive likes) * 💰 **10 Conversion Prompts** — content that nudges people to click, sign up, or buy * 🎬 **10 Video Hook Prompts** — so you stop losing viewers in the first 2 seconds (Reels, TikTok, Shorts) - No ChatGPT junk. No endless prompt fixing. Just better ideas. Honestly… this doc would’ve saved me _hours_ last week! ↪︎[ ](https://hubs.ly/Q047gRPf0)**[Grab the FREE Google Doc](https://hubs.ly/Q047gRPf0)** now… Reuse the prompts every day. 🔓 Unlock 50 FREE AI Prompts (https://hubs.ly/Q047gRPf0) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Jury in Los Angeles finds Meta, YouTube negligent in social media addiction trial: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/25/meta-youtube-los-angeles-california-verdict.html) 2. **Meta ordered to pay $375 million** after losing child safety lawsuit in New Mexico [[DAMAGING](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/24/meta-new-mexico-jury)] 3. **Elon Musk’s ‘stupid tweets’ **caused Twitter investors’ losses, jury finds [[SWINDLING](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/20/elon-musk-misled-twitter-investors-while-trying-to-get-out-of-acquisition-jury-says/)] 4. **OpenAI kills Sora AI video app** and scraps Disney brand partnership [[EXITING](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/899850/openai-sora-ai-chatgpt)] 5. **Hundreds of UK teens to be banned** from using social media as the government tests a full teen ban [[EXPERIMENTING](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/25/hundreds-of-uk-teenagers-to-trial-six-week-social-media-curbs-for-major-study)] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ VIRAL NEWSLETTER #### **Make your inbox a little less professional **🤪 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/58f0669f-e433-4771-bf7e-03b16eb85898/image.png?t=1774453546) Follow image link: (https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=m@email.gomodulr.com&utm_campaign=elon-musk-fixes-pervy-grok-but-also-hasn-t-at-all&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=geekout.mattnavarra.com&_gl=1*1x1zucq*_gcl_au*MTU2MDY2MDk3NS4xNzY5NjExMjM3LjIwOTc3MTI3Mi4xNzc0NDUyNTE3LjE3NzQ0NTI1MTc.*_ga*MTQzODIzMDI3NS4xNjYwNjYwODAy*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*czE3NzQ0NTI1MDgkbzU3NCRnMSR0MTc3NDQ1MjUxNyRqNTEkbDAkaDcxMjA5MDk0Ng..) Caption: - Garbage Day is the 🏆 [award-winning newsletter](https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=m@email.gomodulr.com&_gl=1*w96ha8*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjM0ODIxNTEuQ2p3S0NBaUF6X0RJQmhCSkVpd0FWSDJYd0x1QmVVNG03OVZlMThHa3dXZDRVVzZKQmdIVHd5WUJQNEZnVlozbU95eC1OM1RHcW5iak1ob0NCekFRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NjU2Mjc5Mjc4LjE3NjE3Mzc4NzUuMTIyNTYxMzk5NS4xNzY3OTY3NjAzLjE3Njc5Njc2MDk.*_ga*MTQzODIzMDI3NS4xNjYwNjYwODAy*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*czE3Njg0ODkwMzQkbzQ3OCRnMSR0MTc2ODQ5MTY3NiRqNDQkbDAkaDkzODcxOTg3&utm_campaign=elon-musk-fixes-pervy-grok-but-also-hasn-t-at-all&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=geekout.mattnavarra.com) from tech reporter Ryan Broderick. Three times a week (give or take), Garbage Day stuffs as much internet junk as possible into one email. So you don't have to go find it yourself. Memes, weird viral videos, internet drama, whatever the heck is happening with AI — it's all there. Make your inbox a little less professional and remember what it was like to have fun online again! ↪︎ **[Check out Garbage Day](https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=m@email.gomodulr.com&utm_campaign=elon-musk-fixes-pervy-grok-but-also-hasn-t-at-all&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=geekout.mattnavarra.com)**… It’s one of my top 5 newsletters 🗑️ Get Garbage Day (https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=m@email.gomodulr.com&utm_campaign=elon-musk-fixes-pervy-grok-but-also-hasn-t-at-all&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=geekout.mattnavarra.com&_gl=1*1x1zucq*_gcl_au*MTU2MDY2MDk3NS4xNzY5NjExMjM3LjIwOTc3MTI3Mi4xNzc0NDUyNTE3LjE3NzQ0NTI1MTc.*_ga*MTQzODIzMDI3NS4xNjYwNjYwODAy*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*czE3NzQ0NTI1MDgkbzU3NCRnMSR0MTc3NDQ1MjUxNyRqNTEkbDAkaDcxMjA5MDk0Ng..) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **How many ads is too many? TikTok and Snapchat might soon find out** TikTok ads are about to get a tad more disruptive: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/24/tiktok-ads-are-about-to-get-a-tad-more-disruptive/) Two pieces of news this week caught my eye, as they illustrate just how hungry social platforms are getting for new ways to grow their revenues. **TikTok** is rolling out aggressive new ad formats to dominate user attention, such as logo takeovers and ads timed to display at key moments in a video. The **logo takeover **option will allow brands to have their logo alongside TikTok’s own when the app is opened. Think of it a bit like things like the ‘Friends is sponsored by Jet2’ sponsorship stings at the start of TV shows. As TechCrunch explains, there’s also a **‘Prime Time’** ad option, where _“three sequential ads from one advertiser will be shown to the same user within a designated 15-minute time window. TikTok says brands can use this format to tell a continuous story during high-activity periods.”_ There are more that I won’t get into the weeds of here, but they certainly dance on the line between giving advertisers better results and making the user experience more annoying. Also this week, **Snapchat** unveiled ‘[Total Snap Takeovers](https://forbusiness.snapchat.com/blog/snapchat-full-funnel-advantage)’ for brands to own every key app surface, making them impossible to avoid. As Snap puts it: _“Total Snap Takeovers allow advertisers to show up as the first ad spot in each tab for wide reach, high impressions, and increased brand lift.”_ For most social media platforms, advertisers are their main customer, so it makes sense to better serve their needs and give them better results. But with these new features, both TikTok and Snapchat are moving ever closer towards having so many ads that users feel like throwing their phones across the room. YouTube already has far too many ads, to the point where it sometimes feels rage inducing. Sure, you can pay to remove the ads, but I’m worried as platforms push for ever greater growth, users will tolerate more and more ads, with platforms adding ever more as a response, until we all reach a tipping point, get bored, and switch off. How about instead of growing forever, platforms just focus on making a good profit from a great user experience? What? That’s unrealistic…?! Ah well, I can dream…. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/dd0c6159-2acd-49a7-934a-e3269b681f00/image.png?t=1774610146) Follow image link: (https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-facebook-meta-affiliate-marketing-creator-monetization-shopping-ads-ai-2026-3) Caption: Meta adds new affiliate tools for creator monetisation | Credit: Meta * **Facebook **and** Instagram **are letting influencers [earn a commission from products](https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-facebook-meta-affiliate-marketing-creator-monetization-shopping-ads-ai-2026-3) again with more affiliate tools * **Meta **is [slashing several hundred jobs](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-layoffs-job-cuts-ai-reality-labs-recruitment-2026-3) across its Reality Labs, recruiting, and sales teams * **Meta** is getting ready to launch two [new Ray-Ban AI glasses products](https://www.theverge.com/column/901314/meta-new-ray-ban-ai-glasses), official US filings have revealed * **Meta** launched new retail tools are designed to [drive in-app shopping](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-adds-more-tools-to-help-businesses-drive-in-app-sales/815629/) on Facebook and Instagram * **Meta**’s Oversight Board says expanding Community Notes outside of the US poses [“significant” risks](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/oversight-board-tells-meta-expanding-community-notes-outside-of-us-poses-significant-risks-100000213.html) * **Meta**’s AI smart glasses have [hit a roadblock](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-25/meta-s-new-display-glasses-withheld-from-eu-over-battery-rules-supply-shortages) ahead of launch in the EU, as the lack of user-replaceable batteries and supply shortages hold it back * **Meta Business Suite** is introducing a [new, more powerful message filter](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWTpl95jHQg?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) with additional options for community managers and admins on desktop * **Meta Business Suite** app now supports [inviting collaborators](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWM44YjKUH?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) for Instagram Reels * **Meta Business Suite** now supports [photo stickers](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWK0Z1DJla?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) in the Story builder * **Facebook** has been spotted [labelling ads](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWYje8VDP27) run by China state-controlled media outside the US **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/95777b99-092c-4898-b3f8-239f8305db0d/image.png?t=1774610398) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWO6wHRCpGZ?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA) Caption: Instagram finally lets you reorder carousels after publishing | Credit: Meta * **Instagram** _finally_ lets you [reorder carousels](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWO6wHRCpGZ?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA) after publishing …and **Instagram** may add a [cover image feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWJdJs7DLL7?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) for carousel posts, Adam Mosseri says * **Instagram** is expanding Reels ads into [trending categories](https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/instagram-reels-trending-ads-tv-movies-cultural-moments-nfl-1236698010/) like TV, movies, travel, finance * **Instagram’s Edits **[latest app update](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWW2Y76kaFh/?hl=en-gb&img_index=1) added precise video transform tools (position/scale/rotate), advanced templates, and improved search for adding links to Reels and profiles … **Edits** is also testing a [Templates filter](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWTqSoLjPqW?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) in the Ideas tab * **Instagram **added new [‘two-admin approval’ controls ](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWKRvvnEzqd?xmt=AQF0rMsKcwqbL1CYaLeaG-nsF9BHLdxO7mKZq8hEMBiYGg)for accounts with three or admins, to prevent one admin going rogue * **Instagram** is working on the ability to [automatically download](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DWUPwe5Dfne?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) Reels for offline viewing * **Instagram** Stories now offer a [‘spin’ effect](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWTLxMIieIa?xmt=AQF0rMsKcwqbL1CYaLeaG-nsF9BHLdxO7mKZq8hEMBiYGg) for footage shot with Meta’s smart glasses * **Instagram** is testing a [refreshed UI](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWTfI7RDNBT?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) for tagging in post creation * **Instagram** added four [hidden features for BTS fans](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWHWlL5DM27?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw). Finding them unlocks a message from the band **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f6bc53e9-9340-4fd7-96f7-0641decb256a/image.png?t=1774611254) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWHWurVChEI?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA) Caption: Threads recent views count | Credit: @haiimjose * **Threads** will now let you display [how many views](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWHWurVChEI?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA) your posts got on your profile * **Threads**’ Marketing API now has [expanded advertiser tools](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-updates-its-threads-marketing-api/815757/) and integrations in third party platforms like Hootsuite and Sprout Social * **Threads** now lets you [swipe to choose](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWH5t6Ok1_l?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) topics or communities when composing a post * **Threads** is testing a [new animation](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWTphgLDELY?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) for the ‘Like’ button * **Threads** is testing a new [Shared Content section](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWPN8qHDqPG?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) in messages, letting you review what you’ve shared with a contact * **Threads** is testing a custom feed that [returns you](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWI-M1jPMm?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) to the posts you last viewed when reopening the app * **Threads** is testing a text selection option that lets you copy [specific parts of a post caption](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWPOgOyDk92?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) * **Threads** has launched an in-app [BTS Arirang experience](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWHZQeFDMUm?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) through the BTS community * **Threads** added an animation to [encourage users](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWO22JiDJlF?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) to add interests to their profiles **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9145a1a2-eb55-4e0b-a4c5-3d2cd16256f7/image.png?t=1774611642) Follow image link: (https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/whatsapp-new-features-simplify-storage-switch-accounts/) Caption: WhatsApp feature update adds multi-account switching and more | Credit: Meta * **WhatsApp** dropped a [collection of new features](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/whatsapp-new-features-simplify-storage-switch-accounts/), including the ability to run two WhatsApp accounts on one phone, improved storage management, and more * **WhatsApp** is working on a [disappearing messages](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-will-let-messages-disappear-after-being-read-on-android/) feature * **WhatsApp** is working on a feature that lets you create [custom audiences for status updates](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-working-on-custom-audiences-for-status-updates-on-android-beta/) * **WhatsApp** is working on a premium feature that [unifies chat settings](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWSjVZNiGGu?xmt=AQF0rMsKcwqbL1CYaLeaG-nsF9BHLdxO7mKZq8hEMBiYGg) within a list * **WhatsApp** working on [Liquid Glass overhaul](https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/24/whatsapp-working-on-liquid-glass-overhaul-for-its-voice-message-player/) for its voice message player **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/878fbb6d-9cbe-4460-a956-f0e8ffd35676/image.png?t=1774611958) Follow image link: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-moves-the-ashes-of-tweetdeck-behind-its-40-premium-subscription-210601250.html) Caption: X locks X Pro (TweetDeck) behind $40 Premium+ paywall | Credit: X * **X **has locked TweetDeck, now known as X Pro, [behind its $40 Premium+ paywall](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-moves-the-ashes-of-tweetdeck-behind-its-40-premium-subscription-210601250.html) without warning. It was previously part of the $8 per month plan (thanks Elon 🙄) …But **X**’s head of product says something [more powerful than X Pro](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWYm4ctjL1v) is coming soon * **X** said it would limit creator revenue for foreign influencers trying to fake US accounts, but Elon Musk [blocked the plan](https://www.theverge.com/tech/900535/x-creator-payouts-american-politics-elon-musk) hours after the announcement * **X** [lost its lawsuit](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-26/musk-s-x-loses-suit-accusing-advertisers-of-boycotting-platform) accusing advertisers of organising a platform boycott * **X** is offering advertisers up to [$200K in incentives](https://www.adweek.com/media/x-dangles-incentives-for-advertisers-to-return/) to return to the platform, a leaked deck revealed * **X**’s Money card has [appeared in pictures](https://x.com/edenchan/status/2036941882220269706) shared by internal testers * **xAI** has been [sued](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/24/elon-musk-grok-ai-lawsuit-baltimore) by the city of Baltimore over the Grok sexual deepfakes scandal * **X** Chat’s beta app is testing support for setting [nicknames](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWMfJqjMuY?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) for your contacts * **X** no longer [crops](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWSB_LVDuaf?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) single-image posts on iOS, preserving their original aspect ratio * **X **is testing a new [main chat UI](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWO5YigjCPK?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) design with a meteor shower as an animation * **X** has added an [undo/redo](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWQ7DZjidxB?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) functionality when drafting a new post **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b8bbb6b2-113b-4ce8-81ff-377d8ebedb97/image.png?t=1774612701) Follow image link: (https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/were-launching-the-top-sports-podcasts-on-youtube-for-brands-to-align-with-sports-fans/) Caption: Credit: YouTube * **YouTube** has been [courting advertisers](https://deadline.com/2026/03/youtube-creators-advertisers-newfronts-1236766909/) amid its efforts to open up more direct routes to creators * **YouTube** is rolling out a [Top Sports Podcasts lineup](https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/were-launching-the-top-sports-podcasts-on-youtube-for-brands-to-align-with-sports-fans/), letting advertisers align with top shows like New Heights and Rich Eisen Show * **YouTube** has lowered entry requirements for its [shopping affiliate programme](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-shopping-affiliate-program-access/815754/) from 1,000 to 500 subscribers * **YouTube **is now showing a ‘[Continue watching](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWWbHfCjBDa?xmt=AQF0-zCAzbzxdN7_kkYsaPntCM0chAOKtKEL6G9PhcZFxQ)’ button for videos shown in the Google Discover feed * **YouTube** has been spotted [moving](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWYmhy2DA5b) the Account Switcher button to the top-left side of the app **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1057abb0-bd7a-4957-b29b-376f50d4ddec/image.png?t=1774612466) Follow image link: (https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-testing-mini-drama-feed-ai-2026-3) Caption: TikTok testing new micro drama feed in main app | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** is testing a new [Short Drama feed](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-testing-mini-drama-feed-ai-2026-3), bringing more mini-series directly into main app… **… TikTok** is also casting actors to [make its own micro dramas](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-casting-actors-short-dramas-microdramas-2026-3) as it jumps headfirst into the surging format * **TikTok** has been spotted testing a new [profile layout](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWPayAZE5KW?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw), with redesigned buttons and a cleaner layout * **TikTok** is testing a new sticker that enables [private replies to Stories](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWPONgojr__?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) * **TikTok **Shop has added [a CRM](https://seller-uk.tiktok.com/university/essay?btm_pre_unit_params=%7B%22outreach_task_id%22:%228756660309271%22,%22outreach_channel_type%22:3,%22outreach_message_category_type%22:3020000,%22outreach_message_mapping_id%22:%223bdf2163-e2df-4214-ad42-058e297ec871%22%7D&course_type=1&from=search&identity=1&knowledge_id=579880745453334&role=1), Instagram sync, and live-streaming tools for sellers * **TikTok **launched “Watch it. Love it. Want it.” [campaign](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-for-business-introduces-watch-it-love-it-want-it?lang=en) to highlight how users move from watching to buying * **TikTok** is cracking down on rule-breakers with new [strike-based ban system](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/supporting-creators-with-an-updated-account-enforcement-system?lang=en), and letting creators know why videos aren’t eligible for recommendation * **TikTok** has been [woo-ing big brand advertisers](https://digiday.com/marketing/tiktok-courts-cmos-with-first-ever-collective-as-it-targets-bigger-budgets/) by hosting a lavish CMO Collective event in the US, featuring Michelin star food and special celebrity guests **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/346da094-6284-4ffd-99a2-31b03746671e/image.png?t=1774612850) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWKHQUjOIP?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) Caption: Snapchat testing '"Snap your Questions to my AI” | Credit: @theahmedgahnem * **Snapchat** is testing a new feature [“Snap Your Questions to My AI”](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWKHQUjOIP?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) feature, which allows Snaps AI to answer questions about your photos * **Snapchat** now less you [add music](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWQ09-7DIE4?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) to Snaps by importing audio from your camera roll or recording it directly * **Snapchat** has expanded the [Creator Subscriptions](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWPR7_wjJQR?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw) programme to the EU **…meanwhile, **the EU launched a major probe into **Snapchat** over its [“weak” child safety features](https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-probes-snapchat-for-failing-to-protect-kids-from-grooming-illegal-goods/) * **LinkedIn** is targeting marketers with new ad campaign [mocking vanity metrics culture](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedins-latest-promotional-campaign-targets-marketing-professionals/815491/) * **Reddit** is betting big on shopping with new [shoppable ads](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-introduces-additional-marketing-tools-designed-for-retailers/815625/) and a Shopify tie-in * **Reddit** is considering [biometric identity verification](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/reddit-is-weighing-identity-verification-methods-to-combat-its-bot-problem-195814671.html?src=rss) like FaceID to combat its bot problem * **Pinterest **has launched ‘[Promote a Pin](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/24/pinterest-launches-a-new-feature-to-promote-a-pin/)’ to quickly turn any post into an ad * **Pinterest** has launched a TV show that transforms boards into [real-life makeovers](https://newsroom.pinterest.com/en-gb/news/bring-my-pinterest-to-life/) * **Mastodon **has [revamped profiles](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/26/mastodon-is-making-its-decentralized-social-network-easier-to-use-with-its-latest-revamp/) to win over mainstream social media users -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- Meta turns to AI to make shopping easier on Instagram and Facebook : (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/25/meta-turns-to-ai-to-make-shopping-easier-on-instagram-and-facebook/) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **Meta** launched a [suite of AI power tools](https://www.facebook.com/business/news/from-commerce-to-culture-at-newfronts) for advertisers and creators * **Meta** launched Meta Small Business to boost [AI tools for entrepreneurs](https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/exclusive-zuckerberg-launches-meta-small-business) * **Meta** [hired](https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/meta-hires-former-google-stripe-180500636.html) the team behind Dreamer AI to boost its personalised AI agent capabilities * **Instagram** has added new AI [photo-to-video transitions](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-adds-ai-transition-option-for-still-image-based-stories/815382/) for Stories * **Instagram Edits** now lets you create custom fonts with a new, AI-powered [‘AI style’ feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWYmKzjDHf0) * **WhatsApp** has introduced AI-powered [writing help](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/whatsapp-new-features-simplify-storage-switch-accounts/) for replies, and AI photo touch-ups to stylise images, change backgrounds, or remove objects * **YouTube** launched Gemini-Powered [Creator Partnerships](https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/youtube-launches-gemini-powered-creator-partnerships-with-ai-matching/) with AI matching for brands * **X** is set to roll out “[the full power of Grok](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWWIO86DHzE?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)” into its algorithm next week, product boss Nikita Bier says * **xAI’**s Grok app is introducing [SuperGrok Lite](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWUYrBSjlil?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw), a $10-per-month plan with small creation limits * **xAI’**s Grok Grok AI now lets you [create custom agents ](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWYlNufjETG) * **Elon Musk says xAI** is ‘[doubling down’ on AI videos](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-25/musk-s-xai-doubling-down-on-ai-videos-after-openai-nixes-sora) after OpenAI said it was killing Sora * **TikTok** now lets you lets you generate [AR effects](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWDwgcMiZeE?xmt=AQF0rMsKcwqbL1CYaLeaG-nsF9BHLdxO7mKZq8hEMBiYGg) from text prompts and presets * **ByteDance has rolled out** [Dreamina Seedance 2.0 into CapCut](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/26/bytedances-new-ai-video-generation-model-dreamina-seedance-2-0-comes-to-capcut/) for AI video creation * **Snapchat**’s new ‘AI Clips’ Lens format [turns photos into five-second videos](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/24/snapchats-new-ai-clips-lens-format-turns-photos-into-five-second-videos/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f51d6aca-cc2f-4bf0-9ae0-2077a60b94dd/trail.jpg?t=1772123658) Caption: -------------------- Are **Meta’s** two big losses in court this week a ‘Big Tobacco’ moment for social media? They will certainly embolden legal teams around the world considering similar action. Here’s a round-up of all the courtroom action this week, including the latest **Elon Musk** lawsuit updates… Meta Is in Risky Legal Territory After Back-to-Back Court Losses: (https://www.wsj.com/tech/do-back-to-back-courtroom-losses-herald-metas-big-tobacco-moment-57e6f227) * **Elon Musk’s lawyers are trying** to bar Delaware judge over LinkedIn ‘like’. Judge Kathaleen McCormick's LinkedIn account [“liked” a post celebrating Musk’s $2bn court loss](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/26/mastodon-is-making-its-decentralized-social-network-easier-to-use-with-its-latest-revamp/), but she says she might have clicked it accidentally and denies bias. - * **Elon Musk’s court loss last week** has been questioned by his legal team after it emerged the jury made a [‘420’ (weed) joke](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-26/musk-rips-twitter-verdict-claims-jury-s-4-20-joke-mocked-him) in their documentation. Elon is known to enjoy a 420 joke himself, so his lawyers reckon the jury was mocking him, and thus it wasn’t a fair trial. 🤔 - * **Meta shares tumbled 6%** after the back-to-back US verdicts find it liable for harm to young users. [Investors worry](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/meta-shares-slip-after-us-jury-verdicts-raise-concerns-new-legal-exposure-2026-03-26/) about the company’s legal exposure - * **New Mexico’s Attorney General **has vowed a [legal and political crackdown](https://www.politico.com/newsletters/digital-future-daily/2026/03/26/new-mexicos-ag-on-next-steps-after-beating-meta-00846463) on social media following the state’s win against Meta this week. - * **UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer** has [pledged action](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/26/social-media-addictive-features-protect-children-keir-starmer-us-court-ruling) on “addictive features” in social media apps in the wake of the landmark US case -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3b409ca5-a409-49b7-8d8f-febf7dbe19f4/lol.jpg?t=1772123732) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/421d4263-1624-4865-a11d-b93d69565b56/Ranegl_270326.jpg?t=1774609181) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-managers-choosing-the-audio-activity-7442948497391210496-kowl?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/02af127b-081a-4ce5-97dc-68d897c8fdd8/Goodbye_Sora.jpg?t=1774609244) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DWTwAKaAGLr/?img_index=5) Caption: __________ Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DWFCt5giE0v/?img_index=1) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- **A new slop trend **has flooded **TikTok** with absurd AI fruit soap operas featuring scandal, affairs, and chaos. …And users recreating the slop themselves! What’s With All the A.I. Videos of Cheating Fruit?: (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/style/ai-cheating-fruit-slop-videos-tiktok.html) __________ **More viral news this week:** * **Influencers are pushing trendy health tests**—but experts [warn of hidden harms](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/24/influencers-health-tests-medical-treatment-social-media-risks-explained) * **Thousands have swooned over this MAGA dream girl.** [But she’s made with AI](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/03/20/jessica-foster-maga-dream-girl-ai-fake/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- **Top sports clubs** like **Arsenal** and **LA Chargers** are expanding their social media operations to compete for sponsorship revenue. _“Sponsors used to want hospitality access and pitch-side banners. Now they want access to a club's social following.”_ Amid competition for sponsors, top sports clubs are investing in social media operations: (https://digiday.com/marketing/amid-competition-for-sponsors-top-sports-clubs-are-investing-in-social-media-operations/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"People don’t like wearing things on their faces and don’t trust those who do.”“ — – **Neal Stephenson, the man who coined the term ‘metaverse’**, is no fan of Meta’s [“creepy” smart glasses](https://www.theverge.com/tech/899797/metaverse-neal-stephenson-headsets-goggles-glasses-creepy-no-business-case) __________ **Also quoted this week:** _“Now is the time to apply the same creativity and innovation that built the social media ecosystem to the vital task of protecting kids online. And if we can’t do this effectively, we lose any credibility to oppose a ban.”_ **- Pinterest CEO Billy Ready **says governments should [ban social media for kids under 16](https://time.com/article/2026/03/19/pinterest-ceo-governments-should-ban-social-media-for-kids-under-16/) __________ _“Over the past year, we faced the noise and we’ve done the hard work… And what’s standing here today, I am genuinely proud to say, is the strongest, most secure, most creative platform we have ever built.”_ **- TikTok US CEO Adam Presser** tries to [reassure advertisers](https://deadline.com/2026/03/tiktok-advertisers-newfronts-joint-venture-1236764742/) the platform is the right place to spend their dollars __________ _“Social media is inherently unhealthy for kids”_ **- Emily Jeffcott**, one of the lawyers for the plaintiff in the big social media addiction trial [marks her win](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/social-media-addiction-lawyer-interview-win-1235537800/). -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- **UK retailer Argos** has sparked a backlash over selling a £15 “influencer kit” for toddlers. The toy includes tripod, camera, phone, microphone for role-play. But critics warn it pushes kids into “very adult, performative” online culture Campaigners ask “What are we teaching children to value?” Argos faces backlash over ‘influencer kit’ for toddlers: (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/24/argos-faces-backlash-over-toddlers-influencer-kit) __________ **More WTF this week:** * **Watching TikTok or YouTube** while driving is [replacing texting](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/23/distracted-driving-smartphones-tiktok) as the top in-car distraction 😳 * **Elon Musk is pushing the idea **of [using Grok for tax return filings](https://www.thestreet.com/personal-finance/elon-musk-wants-you-to-file-taxes-with-grok), citing a $1,400 refund example. Tests showed AI chatbots miscalculated by over $2,000 on average * **Ex-Disney CEO Bob Iger** allegedly operated a private Instagram and Threads account [under the alias “Max Stryker”](https://www.thedailybeast.com/billionaire-exec-busted-running-secret-instagram-account/) * **Mark Zuckerberg is building a personal AI agent** to [act like a “chief of staff”](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/mark-zuckerberg-is-building-an-ai-agent-to-help-him-be-ceo-eddab2d5) * **AI videos of sexualised black women **have been [removed from TikTok after a BBC investigation](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c070e283k8vo) * **AI influencer awards season** [is upon us](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/898781/ai-personality-of-the-year-influencer-contest) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fd24e465-005c-4d36-afd8-cef1268bf044/RIP.jpg?t=1772124179) Caption: -------------------- **LinkedIn** is [killing spontaneous live streaming](https://www.threads.com/@yassermasood/post/DWXRPFsge9w?xmt=AQF0rMsKcwqbL1CYaLeaG-nsF9BHLdxO7mKZq8hEMBiYGg) with new scheduling rules. From 22 June, every live event must be scheduled in advance. The instant “go live” option is being removed, but you will still be able to quickly schedule a live stream for minutes later. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9626c82a-de69-40a7-bb92-d7f64e0fb729/656622293_17955991848111476_8335114800701408695_n.jpg?t=1774605945) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@yassermasood/post/DWXRPFsge9w?xmt=AQF0rMsKcwqbL1CYaLeaG-nsF9BHLdxO7mKZq8hEMBiYGg) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772123969) Caption: -------------------- **Tumblr finds itself **in Geekout’s FAIL section two weeks in a row… This week, the platform scrambled to reverse mass user bans, after an automated moderation error caused users to panic… An automated moderation error left Tumblr users panicked: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/898402/tumblr-automated-account-bans-march-2026) __________ **Also:** * **YouTube users have been reporting** [missing like counts](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-like-counts-missing-test-bug-mobile/), raising confusion across the app and the web * **The YouTube Android app's Cast button** [vanished for some users](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-app-android-cast-button-missing-report/), a frustrating glitch -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4502d13e-4f26-44c8-97e3-dda5688321f0/science.jpg?t=1774012382) Caption: -------------------- **A new study has linked social media misinformation** to a rise in self-diagnosing ADHD and autism Researchers found over half of **ADHD** content on **TikTok** was inaccurate. Experts warn this can mislabel normal behaviour and delay a proper diagnosis False social media posts fuel self-diagnosis, says study: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg347487dlo) __________ **Also:** * **Children spending 3+ hours daily** on social media show [higher anxiety and depression as teens](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/22/study-children-social-media-anxiety-depression) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/00bf9f39-c8d3-49b3-bf56-98bc18287430/Mozilla_2024_logo.svg.png?t=1774610376) Caption: **Mozilla** needs a [Social Media & Content Strategist (Open-Source AI)](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-strategist-open-source-ai/) _[Remote, worldwide]_ __________ **More social media jobs:** * **Women’s Aid Foundation England** is hiring a [Social Media Officer](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-officer-3/) _[Remote, UK]_ * **Bobbie** is looking for a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-manager-14/) _[Remote, USA]_ * **The Young Vic Theatre** is recruiting a [Social Media and Digital Content Manager](http://Social Media and Digital Content Manager)_ [London, UK]_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: -------------------- **Want more Instagram Reels views?** Start talking—and show your face early. Based on analysis of 10,110 Facebook Reels published by 704 brand Pages, **Emplifi** found: * **Reels featuring human speech in the first 3 seconds** boosted 10s retention by ~25% and drove +5.6% higher engagement vs music-only clips. * **Reels featuring a face early in the video**, saw retention jump another ~10%. * **Reel with short, seamless loops (under 7s) **saw +18.7% more replays and +16.1% higher engagement. * **And format still matters:** vertical video delivers ~21% more reach. Human speech and presence help drive Reels engagement: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/human-speech-and-presence-help-drive-reels-engagement/815381/) __________ **More pro tips:** * **10 Reddit comment frameworks** that [drive engagement without sounding like ads](https://searchengineland.com/reddit-comment-frameworks-471044) * **TikTok ad creative has a shorter shelf life.** [Here’s how to keep up](https://searchengineland.com/tiktok-ad-creative-short-shelf-life-472363) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**2 TRILLION**“ — – **The number of snaps sent** [by Snapchat users in 2025](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWRlCw5CkKO?xmt=AQF0z-xoK6kqAQO1lOQLYA_eH16dAdlc_PF8WCavILI4PA) **More stats:** * **GROW SOCIAL: **[68% of small businesses](https://www.emarketer.com/content/small-businesses-see-social-media-their-clearest-path-growth-2026) say social drives most value for growth in 2026 * **GRIM: **The Internet Watch Foundation reports a [260x surge](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWQ5DWSCvCt?xmt=AQF0z-xoK6kqAQO1lOQLYA_eH16dAdlc_PF8WCavILI4PA) in AI-generated child abuse videos, with over 3,000 verified AI clips vs 13 in 2024 * **FEED FIX: **Social media has become British MPs’ top news source,, with usage jumping to [83%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWTrMd9Cr3z?xmt=AQF0z-xoK6kqAQO1lOQLYA_eH16dAdlc_PF8WCavILI4PA) — up from 61% at the start of 2025 -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- **Why the metaverse** might just be another [failed tech initiative](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWOfMYQCg0V?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA) like NFTs and Google Glass… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cefd378-752d-4b48-9170-314051e339cb/chart_270326.jpg?t=1774611304) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWOfMYQCg0V?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- MPs accuse social media firms of spreading Iran misinformation: (https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/24/mps-social-media-firms-iran-misinformation-tiktok-meta) __________ ##### Also in the news this week… * **Meta is targeting **a $9 trillion valuation with a new executive incentive programme, aiming to get to the valuation in the next five years. [[Wall Street Journal $$$](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-targets-9-trillion-valuation-with-new-executive-incentive-program-64460862?mod=rss_Technology)] * **Meta’s acquisition of Manus** is being probed in China as its founders are barred from leaving the country. [[Financial Times $$$](https://www.ft.com/content/d9123d9d-c807-41d6-8a17-80ff1111834a?syn-25a6b1a6=1)] * **Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth** will lead a drive to get employees using AI routinely across the company. [[Wall Street Journal $$$](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/meta-names-new-leader-of-companys-efforts-to-become-ai-native-8d7fe912)] * **Meta’s Reality Labs division** is now organised into "pods" made up of "AI builders" and "AI pod leads”. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/metas-reality-labs-shifts-to-ai-native-pods-efficiency-2026-3)] * **Meta's lawyers shut down** the primary source of pirated Quest games. [[Upload VR](https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-shut-down-vrpirates-pirated-quest-games/)] * **The UK government faces** pressure after the House of Lords again voted for an under-16 social media ban. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/mar/26/keir-starmer-ukraine-iran-social-media-ban-councils-pensions-latest-news-updates)] * **TikTok Shop is to split** the cost of returns shipping with sellers from 8 April. Better performing shops get a more generous split. [[@MattNavarra](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWOhgqniluL?xmt=AQF0IMp8gFHg15NPwpSGicvV4u7Bjv4VdfPnUUR3YQ6clA)] * **TikTok and X **say they are “neutral” on potential UK teen social media ban. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/tiktok-x-say-theyre-neutral-on-a-social-media-ban-for-teens-uk/)] * **Russia is throttling Telegram**, pushing users toward state-backed app MAX. [[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/russia/russia-killing-telegram-popular-messaging-app-fears-pushback-rcna263904)] * **A Dutch court banned **X’s Grok from generating fake nudes and child abuse content. X faces findes of up to €10 million if it fails to comply [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/netherlands-grok-x-ban-generative-pictures-penalties/)] * **A new California bill** aims to crack down on parents cashing in on kids’ private lives online. [[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-26/california-could-require-parent-bloggers-to-delete-content-of-minors)] * **Donald Trump named **Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle’s Larry Ellison and NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang to a new AI policy panel. [[Wall Street Journal $$$](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-to-name-mark-zuckerberg-larry-ellison-and-jensen-huang-to-tech-panel-ded1ec6f)] * **YouTube downplayed **its Netflix rivalry, stressing its creator-first business model. [[Variety](https://variety.com/2026/digital/global/youtube-netflix-platforms-reach-100-billion-creators-economy-1236698769/)] * **EU lawmakers backed **plans to ban “nudify” AI apps, but some new AI regulations have been elayed. [[The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/901315/eu-ai-act-delays-ban-nudify-apps)] * **UK regulator Ofcom** has welcomed Apple adding age verification in iOS 26.4 for certain apps. [[Financial Times $$$](https://www.ft.com/content/c36dc645-8cd4-4e69-a9ce-3a0ac4071264?syn-25a6b1a6=1)] * **Meta and Google urged** the EU to extend laws blocking child abuse content. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/social-platforms-call-on-eu-regulators-to-ensure-the-continuity-of-child-pr/815378/)] * **Hugo Barra is rejoining Meta** after departing five years ago, marking Meta's shift in focus from VR to AI. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/25/hugo-barras-return-to-meta-5-years-after-exit-underscores-ai-urgency.html)] * **Europe’s human rights chief** warned banning kids from social media could go too far. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/michael-oflaherty-human-rights-council-of-europe-children-social-media-ban/)] * **Meta unfairly targeted **older workers during layoffs last year, a new lawsuit claims. [[Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/meta-unfairly-targeted-older-workers-during-layoffs-last-year-lawsuit-claims-2000737045)] * **Why VPNs could be next** on lawmakers’ ban list. [[The Verge $$$](https://www.theverge.com/column/898122/online-age-verification-vpns)] * **Meta awarded** $150,000 grants to six universities studying sEMG wristband input. [[UploadVR](https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-funds-six-teams-to-explore-the-semg-of-neural-wristbands/)] * **TikTok announced Charlie Puth** as the latest guest on its ‘TikTok In The Mix’ series. [[TikTok Newsroom](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-announces-charlie-puth-as-the-latest-guest-ontiktok-in-the-mix-sponsored-by-t-mobile?lang=en)] __________ **New platform features and tests:** * **Meta is partnering** with Arm to develop AI-optimised data centre CPUs. [[Meta Newsroom](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/meta-partners-with-arm-to-develop-new-class-of-data-center-silicon/)] * **Facebook revamped** its Friends section on desktop, with more control over how you manage it. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWTxM5WjFCE?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **Facebook is testing** a new ‘Select text’ tool for use with comments. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWJbHTrDDdQ?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **Messenger is testing **a new welcome screen for Meta AI that has both text-based and image prompts. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWT4Q7iDApX?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **X added** a new audience setting on desktop: ‘Accounts you follow and who they follow’. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWUOUYijDCj?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **X added** a new ‘Regions’ audience setting. [[@oncescruadu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWUN_44DGkW?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **X now offers** a ‘Report EU illegal content’ option. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWJYMWIjGQ4?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **xAI added** tags to Grok. [[@jonahmanzano](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DWWDQsmiXLw?xmt=AQF0CA-VJWQerqbIgOglkvfEbZvuuQh5DAhtDkbmdEVEDw)] * **Linktree’s new AI tool **gives creators personalised growth recommendations. [[Linktree blog](http://Linktree’s new AI tool gives creators personalised growth recommendations)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- Sora never understood what makes social media work: (https://www.fastcompany.com/91515523/openai-sora-never-understood-social-media) __________ **Also worth a read:** * **Polymarket says it predicts the truth. **[Its social feeds are filled with falsehoods](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/technology/polymarket-social-feeds-falsehoods.html) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- **All hail Merlin! **The Instagram pig that is now a Guinness World Record holder. Merlin now officially holds the record for the most Instagram followers for a pig, with 1.1+ million fans. I hope he has a good agent to handle negotiations for any future Gymshark x Merlin drop, or a possible Crocs collab? 💰 A ‘Talking’ Pig With a Love for Pigeons Just Became Instagram Royalty: (https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-talking-pig-with-a-love-for-pigeons-just-became-instagram-royalty/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- And that’s this week’s Geekout debriefing, done. ✅ I’m heading off to wrap up the final edits of next week’s special edition of Geekout. Look out for ‘Geekout Interviews…’ x Instagram Edits’ Matt Simari, in your inbox next week. Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-court-verdict-sora-app-killed

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/abf2a63b-646d-46f6-93f2-90092827f39b/Geekout_200326.jpg?t=1774010066) Caption: -------------------- **⚠️ QUICK TIP ⚠️** If **[Geekout](http://geekout.mattnavarra.com)** helps you stay ahead of social… Forward it to someone on your team who should be reading it too! -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** Tap here 👇 **⚡️ Optimize Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-ai-support-moderation-horizon-worlds-metaverse) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** Good news! Meta has found a way to offer better user support. Bad news! It’s with an AI bot, which probably won’t be able to get you your wrongly suspended account back. Oh, and Zuck is planning to switch from human moderators to AI, too. Lord help us! 🤖 That’s all in the same week that Meta has cut back even further on the metaverse that gave it its name. Details about all of that coming up. Plus the all the latest news, virals, Oscar memes, and new platform features spotted in the wild this week. But first, don’t miss these 👇 ##### **2 cool things…** * 🔥 You don’t need 10 tools to run 1 social campaign. [I found this one](https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) that does it all. [ad] - * 💬 This viral ["LinkedIn Speak" translator](https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/this-new-translation-tool-turns-your-real-thoughts-into-linkedin-speak-and-its-as-cursed-as-youd-imagine) turns any text into cringe business thought-leadership BS. 💀 __________ **P.S…** Geekout’s exclusive interview with **Instagram Edits’ product boss Matt Simari** is being recorded next week. I will be sending you a **special edition of Geekout** featuring the interview in full… …Including a sneak peek at a **NEW FEATURE** coming soon to Edits! -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ TOP MARKETING TOOL #### **You shouldn’t need 10 tools to run 1 social campaign **😭 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3de3ce36-5ed3-410d-8e4e-eee0d26bd4a3/Matt_Navarra_Ad.png?t=1773941976) Follow image link: (https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) Caption: Your content's performing. But your tech tools stack is a mess. 😬 You're posting consistently. Engagement looks good. But your leads? They're slipping through the cracks. Follow-ups are manual. Or worse… forgotten entirely. And everything lives across five different tools that don’t talk to each other. Sound familiar? That’s the real problem. [**HighLevel**](https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) fixes it 👇 One place for your funnels, CRM, automations, email, and client delivery. Everything actually connected. No more duct-taping six apps together. No more “why didn’t that fire?” moments. **Here’s what changes:** * 📥 Capture leads straight from your content * 🔁 Automate follow-ups before they go cold * 📊 Track every deal (no spreadsheet chaos) * 🧰 Manage clients without juggling logins * 💵 Create predictable, repeatable revenue It’s the system you _thought_ you had… until now. Most businesses wait months before fixing this. **👉 **[**Try it for FREE for 30-day**](https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra)** — **before more leads slip through 🚀 Launch HighLevel 🚀 (https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Meta will move away from human content moderators in favour of more AI: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-will-move-away-from-human-content-moderators-in-favor-of-more-ai-183000435.html) 2. **Whistleblowers allege Meta and TikTok** weakened safety controls during the race to build more engaging algorithms [[RACING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqj9kgxqjwjo)] 3. **Instagram will discontinue** end-to-end encryption for DMs [[DITCHING](https://www.androidpolice.com/instagram-is-getting-rid-of-end-to-end-encryption-for-dms/)] 4. **Meta reportedly plans to lay off 20%** of its workforce as AI development costs grow [[DOWNSIZING](https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/meta-planning-sweeping-layoffs-ai-costs-mount-2026-03-14/)] 5. **Meta has been caught failing to stop** illegal financial ads in the UK [[SLACKING](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/meta-vowed-stop-illegal-financial-ads-britain-it-failed-1000-times-week-2026-03-18/)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **The metaverse dream really is dead** The Long Farewell to Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse: (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/technology/mark-zuckerbergs-metaverse-vr-horizon-worlds.html) We’ve been here before - saying RIP to Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse dream. But each time, it seems more convincing. This week Meta announced plans to shut down Horizon Worlds, its 3D social world, on VR headsets this June. The platform would still be available on mobile, but the VR version - the clearest articulation of the ‘metaverse’ that the company has - would be gone. Meta swiftly rowed back a little after user outcry. The VR version will still be live but not receive anything but essential updates. Still, to all intents and purposes, Meta will no longer be focused on a ‘metaverse’ in any meaningful way. The news follows recent scaling back and refocusing of Meta’s Reality Labs division, which spearheaded the metaverse’s development. The news spurred blunt headlines this week like: [RIP Metaverse, an $80 Billion Dumpster Fire Nobody Wanted](https://www.404media.co/rip-metaverse-an-80-billion-dumpster-fire-nobody-wanted/). A more charitable view would be that some Silicon Valley bets work out and some don’t, and at least Meta has plenty of in-house AI tech to fall back on. This week’s Geekout has lots of examples of Meta rolling out more and more AI - it’s undoubtedly the company’s future. But Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse vision stood out as something his counterparts at other big tech companies weren’t doing. Even Apple’s Vision Pro (similarly sidelined of late, it seems) is focused on utility rather than virtual worlds. Zuck would probably say there’s still time for the metaverse to make a comeback when the time is right. And VR is still important for Meta. The company said this week that Quest VR hit [record usage](https://www.roadtovr.com/meta-quest-record-users-2025-100-apps-1-million/) in 2025 as 100 apps passed $1 million in revenue. But for the foreseeable future, the failure of the metaverse dream is a reminder that just because big tech companies tell us something is going to be big doesn’t mean it really will be. It just means they need something to tell the stock market that quarter and they’re willing to spend a LOT of money on it, even if it ends up going nowhere. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/77c2c0e9-cc0e-4f66-a1ed-bc341afa30d7/1643999573_248561268_257616846186202_8218250379155189119_n_story.jpg?t=1774004765) Follow image link: (https://www.lowpass.cc/p/meta-changes-course-on-horizon-worlds-vr-shut-down) Caption: Meta’s Horizon Worlds got a (slight) reprieve on VR this week | Credit: Meta * **Meta** swiftly [reversed plans to shut down](https://www.lowpass.cc/p/meta-changes-course-on-horizon-worlds-vr-shut-down) Horizon Worlds on VR headsets after users and creators revolted. Instead it’s going into long-term ‘maintenance mode’ so Meta can focus on the platform’s mobile version * **Meta** is replacing Sponsored labels with [smaller Ad tags](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-is-switching-up-its-ad-transparency-labels-in-stream/814890/) on Instagram posts, and testing the same on Facebook * **Meta** is [updating](https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-ray-ban-display-first-major-os-update-new-app-minigames-features/) its $800 Ray-Ban Display HUD glasses with widgets, a Calendar app, and live captions for phone calls * **Meta** says Quest VR hit [record usage](https://www.roadtovr.com/meta-quest-record-users-2025-100-apps-1-million/) in 2025 as 100 apps passed $1 million in revenue * **Meta** announced its NYC store will become a [permanent flagship](https://www.meta.com/en-gb/blog/meta-lab-new-locations-new-york-city-fifth-avenue-wynn-las-vegas-west-hollywood-new-york-ai-glasses-demos/) * **Meta**’s Horizon Store is adding [better app discovery](https://developers.meta.com/horizon/blog/gdc-2026-highlights-whats-next-meta-horizon-os/), deals sections, and monetisation tools * **Meta** [tightened up](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/895213/moltbook-updates-its-rules-about-what-you-and-your-ai-can-do) Moltbook’s user rules after acquiring the social platform for AI bots * **Facebook** has a new [monetisation programme](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/metas-latest-creator-push-comes-with-3000-bonuses-for-posting-on-facebook-160000283.html) to attract popular creators from TikTok and YouTube * **Facebook** has a new option to create a [shorter version of a Reel ](https://www.threads.com/@yassermasood/post/DV9buiTgdTn?xmt=AQF0SagLa15fLF4HMswmZ1ytCkCibDMSOSyRNlwGciUVPw)that links to the original longer version. * **Facebook** added tools help creators quickly [detect and report impersonators](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-adds-more-measures-to-ensure-original-creators-get-credit/814764/) stealing their content * **Facebook **has been spotted more widely rolling out the [‘Collage’ Story type](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWG0EqojPPf) **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ce969a79-2d76-41b4-a746-a1457acef9d6/IG_pause.jpg?t=1774004927) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWCDYJWCqWb?xmt=AQF0SagLa15fLF4HMswmZ1ytCkCibDMSOSyRNlwGciUVPw) Caption: Instagram now offers a simple way to pause Reels | Credit: Meta * **Instagram** is _finally_ rolling out [tap-to-pause](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWCDYJWCqWb?xmt=AQF0SagLa15fLF4HMswmZ1ytCkCibDMSOSyRNlwGciUVPw) on Reels (what took them so long?!) * **Instagram **is rolling out [voice effects](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DV0wbODif9j?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) for DMs to more users * **Instagram** added an in-app [shortcut](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWEpPK0DAlu?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) to its TV app * **Instagram Edits** has added [new features](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/edits-adds-more-effects-and-enhanced-editing-controls/815271/) including five new cinematic effects, camera upgrades, and more * **Instagram** is widely rolling out the ability to [trim a Reel](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWG2J_eDG1i) before sharing it as a story * **Instagram** has been spotted offering a new [transparent](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWG1K9bDDzr) navigation bar on Android **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f3d3c8fe-835b-4a13-aa6d-c39c9a2d983d/WA_translation.jpg?t=1774005055) Follow image link: (https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-is-testing-automatic-message-translations-on-ios/) Caption: WhatsApp message translation | Credit: WABetaInfo * **Threads** now lets you share your posts to [Facebook Stories](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWCHISajEzC?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) * **WhatsApp **is working on a feature to [automatically translate messages](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-is-testing-automatic-message-translations-on-ios/) across 21 different languages * **WhatsApp** is testing [guest chats](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-guest-chats-on-android-and-ios/), letting users message people without a WhatsApp account * **WhatsApp** is rolling out a [new profile tab](https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/17/whatsapp-update-brings-the-new-profile-tab-to-ios-users/) to iOS users * **WhatsApp **is testing a [Status redesign](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-to-add-status-updates-to-the-top-of-the-chats-tab/) modelled on Instagram’s Stories interface * **WhatsApp** has added the ability to access [Ad Preferences](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWCIwocDLRa?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) directly from the Status tab * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability to link a [companion device](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWCJNLdjBhv?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) and access WhatsApp using your Facebook account * **WhatsApp** is working on built‑in [noise cancellation](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWAhxFliOh_?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) for voice and video calling * **WhatsApp** is working on the ability to [edit polls](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWDGkBHCFTE?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) * **WhatsApp **is testing a [new preview](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWG03qdjHeu) for shared **Threads** links * **WhatsApp** is testing a new way to [manage media](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWCJxX2jIOF?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) on desktop * **WhatsApp** is coming to select [Garmin smartwatches](https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/more-people-can-keep-their-private-conversations-going-right-from-their-wrist-as-garmin-works-with-meta-to-add-whatsapp-integration-to-select-watches) * **WhatsApp**’s beta app has a [new icon](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWEyFsVDH1p?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2884c50b-1cc7-43b0-97cc-ae02be82f348/dislike.jpg?t=1774005272) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-comment-downvotes-train-algorithm-tanking/815272/) Caption: X teased a design for a ‘dislike’ button this week * **X** teased a possible new [dislike button](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-comment-downvotes-train-algorithm-tanking/815272/) on replies. Users can flag replies as spam, misleading, “AI-generated,” and more * **X** on the web is [limiting profile previews](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWCIQdPjPUd?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA), encouraging you to view them in the app * **xAI **is being [sued by US teens](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/03/16/teens-sue-musk-xai-grok/) who allege Grok made sexual images of them as children * **Closing arguments** took place in the class-action trial over Elon Musk’s $44B [Twitter acquisition tweets](https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-shareholders-class-action-trial-8cee8350cc041459ef23dd1efb41ace0) ….**and Elon Musk** and SEC are [in talks to settle](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/17/elon-musk-sec-in-talks-to-settle-government-lawsuit-over-twitter-deal.html) a separate lawsuit over the 2022 Twitter deal * **X** is [complying with the EU](https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-x-eu-120m-fine-commission/) as it appeals its €120 million fine over its verification badge and transparency * **X** might have to [make Grok less ‘spicy’](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/03/eu-moves-to-ban-nudify-apps-after-grok-made-them-mainstream/), as Musk’s tactic of blaming users for AI sex images could be foiled by EU law **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/599a5b50-068f-459b-b95a-c540b859b7bf/image.png?t=1774010336) Follow image link: (https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/896648/tubi-tiktok-creatorverse-incubator) Caption: TikTok partnering with Tubi to fund original shows by TikTok stars | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok **and Tubi are partnering [to help TikTok stars](https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/896648/tubi-tiktok-creatorverse-incubator) create original long-form shows for the streaming platform * **TikTok **launched an interactive [BTS ARIRANG experience](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-unveils-the-bts-arirang-in-app-experience?lang=en) for the band’s comeback * **A US senator** is looking for answers to questions about the reported [$10 billion payment](https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/tiktok-sale-oracle-silver-lake) the Trump administration could get for the **TikTok **US deal * **TikTok** is officially rolling out [#BookTok bestseller charts](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/booktok-community-50-million-books?lang=en-150) across the UK and Europe * **TikTok** launched new [‘Prime Time’ and ‘Logo Takeover’](https://www.retailbiz.com.au/topics/marketing/tiktok-unveils-new-ad-tools-to-boost-retail-e-commerce/) ad formats * **TikTok** is testing the ability to [share a comment](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DV9DJc5DAFo?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) as a text post * **TikTok** now displays [stories](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWEq9zijOaT?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) posted by each artist in the audio pages * **TikTok** is [encouraging](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWG0XwKDC1c) users to use the TikTok Studio app, offering multiple benefits as incentives * **TikTok** introduced an option to [link posts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWG1dqsjJww) to the TikTok Studio app * **TikTok** has added a new advertising objective in TikTok Promote, ‘[More likes & comments](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWG1r9QDLW2)’ * **TikTok** is rolling out a [new animation](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWG2fiujMB8) for the templates search section that suggests trending templates * **TikTok** appears to be planning to add a new, private [Watch Later folder](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWG22gujMH6) in the Collections tab * **TikTok** parent ByteDance has [suspended](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/bytedance-suspends-launch-video-ai-model-copyright-disputes-hollywood?rc=kmaysd) the global rollout of its new AI video generator Seedance 2.0 amid legal concerns from Hollywood …**while US senators** have demanded ByteDance “[immediately shut down](https://www.engadget.com/ai/senators-tell-bytedance-to-shut-down-seedance-20-ai-video-app-immediately-112146241.html?src=rss)” Seedance 2.0 **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c46b5fe9-2b90-4664-ac6a-008f74cc97a3/Screenshot_2026-03-20_at_12.45.24.png?t=1774010739) Follow image link: (https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/fifa-world-cup-2026-youtube-partnership/) Caption: YouTube named FIFA’s ‘Preferred Platform’ for 2026 World Cup | Credit: YouTube * **YouTube** has become FIFA’s ‘Preferred Platform’ for the [2026 World Cup](https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/fifa-world-cup-2026-youtube-partnership/) across all devices. Broadcast partners can stream the first 10 mins of every match and select full games, on YouTube * **YouTube** introduced a pop-up asking users to [rate videos as “AI slop” or not](https://dailydot.com/youtube-prompt-asking-does-this-feel-like-ai-slop) * **YouTube** is tackling misleading thumbnails with [instant video previews](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-tests-a-game-changing-way-to-cut-down-time-wasted-on-videos/) * **YouTube**’s head of music has [pledged to protect](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-underlines-commitment-to-musicians-amid-rising-use-of-ai/814888/) artists’ rights, likeness, and creative control, as AI reshapes the music industry * **YouTube** increased the [thumbnail upload limit](https://www.theverge.com/streaming/894637/youtube-thumbnails-just-got-an-upgrade) 25×, from 2MB to 50MB * **YouTube** has been [criticised](https://mashable.com/article/google-youtube-animaji-ai-kids-videos) by a child safety group Fairplay for investing $1M in AI kids media company Animaj **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e5662ec7-2041-4edc-ab06-2bb2cd7fa9b2/Patches.jpg?t=1774005617) Caption: LinkedIn’s new game: Patches * **LinkedIn** expanded its games lineup with a [new puzzle game](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/say-hello-patches-meet-zips-best-friend-our-newest-somasundaram-mnttf/), ‘Patches’ * **LinkedIn** now lets advertisers use data from the platform to [target professionals watching TV](https://www.businessinsider.com/linkedin-partners-with-the-trade-desk-for-ctv-ads-2026-3) * **LinkedIn **expanded [creator ads](https://news.linkedin.com/2026/how-linkedin-is-helping-b2b-marketers-reach-audiences-at-scale-w) and video tools for marketers * **The rebooted** **Digg**’s open beta has [shut down](https://www.theverge.com/tech/894803/digg-beta-shutdown-layoffs-ai) after just two months, blaming AI bot spam. The platform is being rebuilt from scratch * **Bluesky** now lets creators of (good) [bot accounts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWEl6uqDCtd?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) label their accounts as such * **Bluesky **has revealed that it raised [$100 million](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/19/bluesky-announces-100m-series-b-after-ceo-transition/) in new in investment last April * **Telegram **now supports [text formatting](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV8g0A0DDOe?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA), like Quote, Spoiler, Bold, Italic, Monospace, Link, and more * **Google **expanded its [Reddit integration](https://www.seroundtable.com/google-what-people-are-saying-popular-latest-comments-40555.html) in “What People Are Saying” results * **Linktree** launched a [YouTube playlist carousel](https://linktr.ee/help/en/articles/5434857-how-to-display-a-youtube-video-playlist-or-channel-on-your-linktree#h_92ae707c90) that auto-updates with new uploads -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- **Meta**’s Manus has launched a desktop app called ‘My Computer’, to turn your Mac into an AI agent. A bit like **OpenClaw**, it enables agents to manage files, run commands, and automate workflows. Play safely, folks! Meta's Manus launches 'My Computer' to turn your Mac into an AI agent: (https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/17/metas-manus-launches-my-computer-to-turn-your-mac-into-an-ai-agent/) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **Meta** AI will now include more [real-time global news](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/bringing-more-international-news-and-content-to-meta-ai/), entertainment, and lifestyle content in responses thanks to partnerships with News Corp, Le Figaro and more * **Facebook **and **Instagram** now have a 24/7 AI-powered [support assistant](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/boosting-your-support-and-safety-on-metas-apps-with-ai/) …but it probably [can’t](https://www.platformer.news/meta-ai-support-bot-account-suspended/) get you your account back (booooo!) * **Meta** is working with **Signal **creator Moxie Marlinspike to add an [encryption layer](https://www.wired.com/story/signals-creator-is-helping-encrypt-meta-ai/) to Meta AI chatbot interactions * **Meta** officially rolled out new [Manus AI integrations](https://www.facebook.com/business/news/unlocking-the-power-of-manus-in-metas-business-and-creator-tools) for marketers and creators on Ads manager, WhatsApp, and Instagram * **Meta** is now promoting Manus AI as an “[AI work partner](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DV_WGw4jBwN?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA)” for Facebook Pages * **X** is testing ‘[AI content detected](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-tests-ai-content-alerts-in-stream/814889/)’ alerts before users repost content. * **X** added a new [“Summarize” feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWEzQszDLfi?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) for articles published on the platform. You can also get Grok to read the article aloud * **X** moved the Grok [model selector](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWG1b_kDDKD) in the chat message box for a cleaner UI * **X** upgraded Grok’s AI video generator, letting users [create clips from multiple images](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-enables-multi-image-input-grok-video-generation/814767/) * **YouTube** has launched an AI-powered [‘Reimagine’ option](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-launches-ai-powered-reimagine-option-for-shorts/815153/) for Shorts * **TikTok** is testing AI-powered ‘[cover titles](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DV8pa9DjC4C?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA)’ * **Snapchat**’s Easy Lens app now shows which prompts were used to create a lens and allows you to [remix it](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWGzSFZDABr) to create a new one. * **Adobe**’s AI image generator can now be [trained on your own art](https://www.theverge.com/tech/897243/adobe-firefly-ai-custom-models-image-public-beta) * **BuzzFeed** launched its own [AI slop apps](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/buzzfeed-ai-slop-apps-sxsw-bf-island-conjure/) as it struggles to survive -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f51d6aca-cc2f-4bf0-9ae0-2077a60b94dd/trail.jpg?t=1772123658) Caption: -------------------- **Meta’s New Mexico trial** entered its fifth week as explosive child safety claims mounted. The state alleges systemic failures, citing abuse backlogs and weak enforcement systems… Meta on trial over child safety: can it really protect its next generation of users?: (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/19/meta-child-safety-trial-facebook-instagram) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/62b46d83-427b-408f-a2db-cfb4cdeba9aa/Memes.jpg?t=1772123744) Caption: -------------------- **What happens when the ‘king of memes’ is challenged** to make a new meme live on TV? Another iconic meme, obviously! **Conan O’Brien’s** opening monologue at the **Oscars** on Sunday included a nod to **Leonardo DiCaprio’s** status as ‘king of memes’. But could DiCaprio create a new meme on the fly? Of course he could! He rose to Conan’s challenge and a new classic was born. Conan O'Brien challenged Leonardo DiCaprio to make a meme: (https://dailydot.com/leonardo-dicaprio-meme-on-the-spot-at-the-oscars) __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ae8e82c0-6953-4a22-adef-5dc979c8a0ea/Leo1.jpg?t=1774006458) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_them-why-didnt-the-overly-branded-post-activity-7439324620773756928-z6Mu/?rcm=ACoAAADGnL8BvPe8qPV1pJn-bZJQfObBttsMY7s) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/21c2e723-565a-4982-b3ce-ea43dcaf1154/Leo2.jpg?t=1774006537) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DV8ehGDgJL1/?img_index=5) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d7442ed6-cc82-4268-8991-9ec61b7883fe/Leo3.jpg?t=1774006601) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DV8ehGDgJL1/?img_index=1) Caption: __________ **Also:** * **21 brutally funny reactions** to [Meta’s metaverse failure](https://www.thepoke.com/2026/03/19/mark-zuckerbergs-80-billion-dollar-vr-metaverse-is-being-scrapped-in-june-and-the-internet-cant-stop-laughing-21-favourite-burns/) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- While Leo was busy making legit meme magic at the **Oscars**, viewers at home were busy faking photos of the night for engagement. AI Ruined The Fun Of Mega Viral Moments From The Oscars: (https://deadline.com/2026/03/ai-ruined-mega-viral-moments-oscars-1236758939/) As Deadline highlighted, moments like this did GREAT on Instagram and X, even though they **never actually happened**. That feeling you’re feeling? Reality slipping through our fingers 😬 Fake: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DV8pfj3lz58/?img_index=1) Fake: Tweet: (https://twitter.com/priyaee/status/2033427690204877222) __________ **More viral news this week:** * **A flood of AI-generated war videos** and images about Iran has [spread widely across social media](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/03/14/business/media/iran-disinfo-artificial-intelligence.html) * **Celebrities are jumping** on the viral “[What were you like in the ’90s?](https://dailydot.com/celebs-what-were-you-like-in-the-90s-trend)” trend on **TikTok** and **Instagram** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- _“Be careful who you trust for product recommendations: social media influencers are spreading brand-related misinformation in a much more toxic way than ordinary users, research has found.”_ Influencers Spread 'Toxic' Brand Information: (https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2026/03/17/influencers-spread-toxic-brand-information/) __________ **More brand news and views:** * **Apple’s ‘brainrot’ strategy** for marketing the MacBook Neo on TikTok is [working](https://www.fastcompany.com/91508018/apple-is-winning-over-tiktok-with-steves-jobs-style-brain-rot) * **Advertisers aren’t happy** about [picking up Meta’s European tax tab](https://digiday.com/marketing/advertisers-arent-happy-about-picking-up-metas-european-tax-tab/) * **Brands are shifting** toward [smaller creators](https://digiday.com/media/in-graphic-detail-middle-tier-creators-are-fueling-the-next-phase-of-the-creator-economy/) who drive higher engagement and conversions * **Advertisers are shifting** to [conservative creators](https://mashable.com/article/creator-economy-brand-deals-shifting-conservative-apolitical-sxsw-2026) over progressives under Trump * **Movie studios **now release “[trailers for trailers](https://www.fastcompany.com/91512020/dune-spider-man-movie-trailers-main-event-tiktok-era)” to grab TikTok-era attention * **Lay’s** launched a [celebrity-packed WhatsApp group chat](https://digiday.com/marketing/lays-uses-whatsapp-to-create-a-group-chat-for-world-cup-fans/) for World Cup fans * **Experts at SXSW 2026** say **no new Alix Earle-style stars** will [emerge in 2026](https://mashable.com/article/theres-never-going-to-be-another-alix-earle) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"This is a memification and a gamification of war… It’s an appalling way to represent conflict."“ — – **Propaganda historian Nick Cull **calls out the White House’s approach of using [characters like SpongeBob SquarePants](https://www.ft.com/content/02b5b54a-364b-4869-a6ff-1bc2d9950aa1?accessToken=zwAAAZ0LStRwkc8CtbVKNktIadOm_xvC2ZUKoQ.MEYCIQDoW3B-ZYBSbS_OLoACi9jk3yBI6it6kEoNuDHFBx-uwAIhANqeV4ckGhy0WMlBcqzaVaNyUMji0ICyuBghDFSh4s12&sharetype=gift&token=3464b5a2-0718-4b53-9a00-954bef0fabee&syn-25a6b1a6=1) to promote the war against Iran __________ **Also quoted this week:** _“This is deeply disturbing. Under our laws, online platforms have a duty to keep people safe online. We're already tightening the rules on AI chatbots and I'm ready to take further action if necessary.”_ **- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer **[responds](https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/2033591311668818391) to claims Meta and TikTok let harmful content rise after evidence that outrage drove engagement __________ _“The AI companies are claiming fair use, but this argument is bogus… It’s bogus because while they claim it’s fair to use the work of creators as training data, they do multimillion-dollar deals with rights holders and publishers like Disney and Condé Nast and Vox and Warner Music. _ _“If it’s legal to just use it, why pay?” Why pay them and not creators — not the millions of illustrators and musicians and writers — whose work has been consumed by these models to build hundreds of billions of dollars of value for these companies?”_ **- Patreon CEO Jack Conte** calls out [AI companies’ hypocrisy](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/patreon-ceo-calls-ai-companies-fair-use-argument-bogus-says-creators-should-be-paid/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/67b5dbd2-fe26-4f24-8aeb-9460fd711fb1/Must_Watch.jpg?t=1772123844) Caption: -------------------- **Remember all the hype around Clubhouse?** For a hot minute in 2020, group audio in front of an audience was the next big thing… Perhaps because we were all stuck indoors for weeks at a time and were desperate for social contact. This podcast from **The Verge** explores the rapid rise and just as swift fall of a brief social hit. Youtube: The fast rise and epic fall of Clubhouse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xmixsUdO4Q&t=1057s) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/329d25b3-9e16-4946-b400-e5cc194f0db0/New_Platform_v2.jpg?t=1772123876) Caption: -------------------- Want to get into podcasting but feel overwhelmed? **Rebel Audio** has launched an AI-powered all-in-one platform to simplify podcast creation It handles recording, editing, publishing, and monetisation without switching tools. AI features include voice cloning, translation, transcripts, and content generation tools. Read more about it at [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/rebel-audio-is-a-new-ai-podcasting-tool-aimed-at-first-time-creators/). Rebel Audio - Social Podcasting Platform: (https://www.rebelaudio.ai/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- **Yikes. This is a tad embarrassing for Meta…** A **Meta AI agent** exposed sensitive company and user data to unauthorised employees for nearly two hours. Meta classified the security incident as ‘Sev 1’, the second-highest level of severity inside the company. Meta says no data was misused… but the incident highlights the growing risks of autonomous AI systems as CEOs race to be the most AI-savvy. A Meta agentic AI sparked a security incident by acting without permission: (https://www.engadget.com/ai/a-meta-agentic-ai-sparked-a-security-incident-by-acting-without-permission-224013384.html?src=rss) __________ **More WTF this week:** * **Meta Ray-Bans have a 'fart candle'** [prank problem](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-ray-ban-prank-videos-problem-2026-3) * **Royals and celebrities** have been warned that [lip-reading videos](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/15/royals-and-celebrities-warned-to-watch-words-as-lip-reading-videos-go-viral) are exposing their private conversations online * **Activists have plastered **[provocative posters across London](https://www.huckmag.com/article/activists-hack-london-billboards-to-call-out-big-tech-harm-mental-health) accusing TikTok and Meta of fuelling a youth mental health crisis * **The UK has banned **an AI image editing app’s ad [suggesting it could remove woman’s clothing](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2g8888q53o) * **Fans are demanding **[an end to influencers](https://dailydot.com/influencers-red-carpet-hosts-fumble-interviews) hosting major red carpet events… because they’re not very good at interviews -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772123969) Caption: -------------------- **Tumblr swiftly reversed** a major change to** **the way it handled reblogs after users HATED it. The new approach worked a bit like **Twitter/X**. Users could like, reply, and reblog individual posts in chains. The update fragmented the iconic collapsed thread format into separate posts, killing what made Tumblr unique. The company believes it still needs to revamp reblogs, but it’s going back to the drawing board. Tumblr reverses its changes to reblogs after user backlash: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/895954/tumblr-reblog-chain-update-backlash) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fd24e465-005c-4d36-afd8-cef1268bf044/RIP.jpg?t=1772124179) Caption: -------------------- _“Google has pulled its AI feature that summarised crowdsourced health advice, stepping back from risky, non-expert guidance.”_ Who could POSSIBLY have predicted that wouldn’t work out well? Google is finally killing its search tool that treated Reddit like a doctor: (https://www.androidauthority.com/google-discontinues-what-people-suggest-feature-3649683/) __________ **Also heading to the social media graveyard:** * **Snapchat** is killing its [standalone Bitmoji app](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-retires-separate-bitmoji-app/815018/) on 15 April. Bitmoji avatars will remain available within Snapchat and partner integrations -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3a8c0c43-8c98-4038-a9f7-02c145a3f52c/Airbnb_Logo.svg.png?t=1774007954) Caption: **Airbnb** is looking for a [TikTok Social Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/tiktok-social-manager/) _[London, UK]_ __________ **More social media jobs:** * **Remote **needs a [Director of Social](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/director-of-social/) _[Remote, worldwide]_ * **Circle** is hiring a [Head of Media](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/head-of-media-3/) _[Remote, worldwide]_ * **Shakespeare’s Globe** is recruiting a [Social Media Officer](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-officer-2/) _[Hybrid, London, UK]_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4502d13e-4f26-44c8-97e3-dda5688321f0/science.jpg?t=1774012007) Caption: -------------------- **Instagram** and **TikTok** linked to worse mental health… That’s according to the **2026 World Happiness Report** published earlier this week. The study shows **WhatsApp, Facebook** linked to higher life satisfaction due to social connection focus. However, the report also found 1-hour daily use of social apps boosts wellbeing, more than 0 hours or excessive use. But researchers warned average usage of social apps currently sits at near 2.5 hours per day… … Or 13.5 hours if you’re a social media manager 😆 Instagram worse for mental health than WhatsApp, global study finds: (https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/19/instagram-worse-mental-health-whatsapp-global-study-finds) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: -------------------- You probably have platform images sizes lodged in your head. But are they still correct? **Buffer **has you covered with this in-depth 2026 image size guide for **Instagram**: Instagram image size guide 2026: Every Post, Story, and Reels dimension you need: (https://buffer.com/resources/instagram-image-size/) __________ **More new pro-tips:** * **The best time to post on X **in 2026 — [based on data from 8.7 million posts](https://buffer.com/resources/best-time-to-post-on-twitter-x/) * **Meta, Snap, and YouTube insiders** reveal [common mistakes new creators make in 2026](https://mashable.com/article/instagram-youtube-snapchat-insiders-reveal-common-creator-mistakes) * **The 11 best social media analytics tools** [for creators and marketers](https://buffer.com/resources/best-social-media-analytics-tools/) * **How AI agents decide which brands to recommend: **[Trust is the new ranking factor](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/how-ai-agents-decide-which-brands-to-recommend-trust-is-the-new-ranking-factor/568067/) * **Pinterest shared tips** on how to utilise its [AI-powered ad options](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-shares-tips-on-how-to-utilize-its-ai-powered-ad-options/815269/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**$10 BILLION**“ — – **The vast sum** the Trump administration is reportedly [set to pocket](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/14/tiktok-trump-administration-10bn) from the TikTok US deal **More stats:** * **BOUGHT IT: **Reddit offers a high [82%](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-livestream-gifts-to-users-in-korea/815017/) return on ad spend when Amazon purchases are accounted for, according to a new survey -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- [Creator pay](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DV1FGYHiH5v?xmt=AQF0aOuu5lhxFgbLieOhYkBSihKainn5KU1VohMOdbwIdA) still skews heavily towards the biggest creators in 2026. But brands are shifting toward smaller creators who drive higher engagement and conversions. The segment is growing 10× faster than macro creators. But earnings are uneven: the top 10% take 62% of all creator payments. And nearly half of all US creators make under $10K a year. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d822be2c-8f5a-4838-8c02-4f589e3e307b/651038334_17947111230117490_7925695463365399340_n.jpg?t=1774008498) Follow image link: (https://digiday.com/media/in-graphic-detail-middle-tier-creators-are-fueling-the-next-phase-of-the-creator-economy/) Caption: **More charts:** * **HERE COMES THE FEAR AGAIN: **Creators [fear algorithm changes](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DV1FlFICLpB?xmt=AQF0aOuu5lhxFgbLieOhYkBSihKainn5KU1VohMOdbwIdA) more than burnout in 2026 -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- Big Tech companies sign pledge to work together to stop global scams: (https://www.axios.com/2026/03/16/tech-companies-scam-accord-google-meta-amazon) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **The UK Government **is exploring mandatory labels for AI-generated content to fight deepfakes. [[Reuters $$$](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/uk-examine-labelling-ai-content-among-wider-copyright-reforms-2026-03-18/)] * **Australia’s eSafety regulator** says child abuse material is “particularly systemic” on X. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/17/x-csam-child-abuse-material-grok-australian-online-safety-regulator-ntwnfb)] * **Adobe will pay** a $150 million settlement over its really annoying subscription cancellation policies. [[9to5 Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/13/adobe-to-pay-75-million-settlement-for-making-it-too-hard-to-cancel-subscriptions/)] * **China is stepping up **scrutiny of Meta’s $2B Manus deal. [[New York Times $$$](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/technology/china-scrutiny-meta-manus.html)] * **Discord has open-sourced** Osprey, its real-time rules engine used to detect harmful activity. [[Discord blog](https://discord.com/blog/how-roost-is-advancing-online-safety)] * **Some creators don’t see **immediate value in Instagram’s controversial ‘Shop the Look’ AI test. [[DigiDay $$$](https://digiday.com/media-buying/some-creators-dont-see-immediate-value-in-instagrams-controversial-shop-the-look-ai-test/)] * **Meta has shared **how Facebook built ‘Friend Bubbles’ to power social discovery on Reels. [[Engineering at Meta](https://engineering.fb.com/2026/03/18/ml-applications/friend-bubbles-enhancing-social-discovery-on-facebook-reels/)] * **Meta will replace** Nielsen DMA data with ComScore Markets for auto ad targeting. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-switches-to-comscore-markets-data-for-auto-ads/814886/)] * **Advertisers will soon** be able to buy Reddit ads through Pacvue. [[Adweek](https://www.adweek.com/commerce/advertisers-will-soon-be-able-to-buy-reddit-ads-through-pacvue/)] * **YouTube is expanding** its live-stream “Jewels” gifting system to South Korea in March 2026. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-livestream-gifts-to-users-in-korea/815017/)] * **Meta has signed** a 5-year AI infrastructure deal worth up to $27B with Dutch cloud firm Nebius. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/16/meta-nebius-ai-infrastructure.html)] * **SerpApi asked a court** to toss the Reddit scraping lawsuit it faces. [[Search Engine Land](https://searchengineland.com/serpapi-court-reddit-scraping-complaint-471632)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- My AI Agent ‘Cofounder’ Conquered LinkedIn. Then It Got Banned: (https://www.wired.com/story/linkedin-invited-my-ai-cofounder-to-give-a-corporate-talk-then-banned-it/) _________ **Also worth a read:** * **Long-form creators eye taking over TVs **– and [chasing bigger brand budgets](https://digiday.com/future-of-tv/long-form-creators-eye-taking-over-tvs-and-chasing-bigger-brand-budgets/) * **How Reddit CEO Steve Huffman **[got the upper hand with AI](https://www.fastcompany.com/91502976/reddit-most-innovative-companies-2026-steve-huffman-jen-wong-openai-ai-google-gemini-answers-search) * **The danger behind Meta’s decision** to [kill end-to-end encrypted Instagram DMs](https://www.wired.com/story/the-danger-behind-metas-decision-to-kill-end-to-end-encrypted-instagram-dms/) * **How the Trump White House tries** to [sell war and death as a game](https://www.ft.com/content/02b5b54a-364b-4869-a6ff-1bc2d9950aa1?shareType=nongift&syn-25a6b1a6=1) * **Why social search visibility** is [the next evolution of discoverability](https://searchengineland.com/social-search-visibility-evolution-471685) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- I love reading about cringey messages from ‘influencers’ demanding special treatment from businesses… Or flexing like billionaires with faked lavish lifestyles, when all they really have in the bank is thousands of duped followers. So enjoy this list… if you can remove your fingers from over your eyes! 🫣 Look out for my tweet featured at #22 in the list… I exposed a travel influencer faking clouds (seriously!) in her Instagram-perfect holiday pics. “Please Stop”: 51 Cringy Influencers Who Acted Like The Rules And Common Sense Don’t Apply To Them (New Pics): (https://www.boredpanda.com/embarrassing-entitled-influencers/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- And there we go… you’re fully caught up and completely debriefed on everything new in social this week. I’m heading off to finish final edits on a consulting report I completing for [REDACTED COMPANY NAME] all about AI products for marketers. The deadline is today, but I think I’ll need another 2 days to wrap it up 😭 Wish me luck! View image: (https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTI0NTBlYzMwMWU3ZnZpbGV2ZDkxenE0MW53MjNxYjNqMHFjNHBoa2ozOWNsZXI3YiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/FkPezbjhyHSVpaE5RV/giphy.gif) [Leonardo Dicaprio GIF] Caption: Gif by saito90 on Giphy Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-ai-support-moderation-horizon-worlds-metaverse

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/abf2a63b-646d-46f6-93f2-90092827f39b/Geekout_200326.jpg?t=1774010066) Caption: -------------------- **⚠️ QUICK TIP ⚠️** If **[Geekout](http://geekout.mattnavarra.com)** helps you stay ahead of social… Forward it to someone on your team who should be reading it too! -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** Tap here 👇 **⚡️ Optimize Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-ai-support-moderation-horizon-worlds-metaverse) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** Good news! Meta has found a way to offer better user support. Bad news! It’s with an AI bot, which probably won’t be able to get you your wrongly suspended account back. Oh, and Zuck is planning to switch from human moderators to AI, too. Lord help us! 🤖 That’s all in the same week that Meta has cut back even further on the metaverse that gave it its name. Details about all of that coming up. Plus the all the latest news, virals, Oscar memes, and new platform features spotted in the wild this week. But first, don’t miss these 👇 ##### **2 cool things…** * 🔥 You don’t need 10 tools to run 1 social campaign. [I found this one](https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) that does it all. [ad] - * 💬 This viral ["LinkedIn Speak" translator](https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/this-new-translation-tool-turns-your-real-thoughts-into-linkedin-speak-and-its-as-cursed-as-youd-imagine) turns any text into cringe business thought-leadership BS. 💀 __________ **P.S…** Geekout’s exclusive interview with **Instagram Edits’ product boss Matt Simari** is being recorded next week. I will be sending you a **special edition of Geekout** featuring the interview in full… …Including a sneak peek at a **NEW FEATURE** coming soon to Edits! -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ TOP MARKETING TOOL #### **You shouldn’t need 10 tools to run 1 social campaign **😭 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3de3ce36-5ed3-410d-8e4e-eee0d26bd4a3/Matt_Navarra_Ad.png?t=1773941976) Follow image link: (https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) Caption: Your content's performing. But your tech tools stack is a mess. 😬 You're posting consistently. Engagement looks good. But your leads? They're slipping through the cracks. Follow-ups are manual. Or worse… forgotten entirely. And everything lives across five different tools that don’t talk to each other. Sound familiar? That’s the real problem. [**HighLevel**](https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) fixes it 👇 One place for your funnels, CRM, automations, email, and client delivery. Everything actually connected. No more duct-taping six apps together. No more “why didn’t that fire?” moments. **Here’s what changes:** * 📥 Capture leads straight from your content * 🔁 Automate follow-ups before they go cold * 📊 Track every deal (no spreadsheet chaos) * 🧰 Manage clients without juggling logins * 💵 Create predictable, repeatable revenue It’s the system you _thought_ you had… until now. Most businesses wait months before fixing this. **👉 **[**Try it for FREE for 30-day**](https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra)** — **before more leads slip through 🚀 Launch HighLevel 🚀 (https://www.gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Meta will move away from human content moderators in favour of more AI: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-will-move-away-from-human-content-moderators-in-favor-of-more-ai-183000435.html) 2. **Whistleblowers allege Meta and TikTok** weakened safety controls during the race to build more engaging algorithms [[RACING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqj9kgxqjwjo)] 3. **Instagram will discontinue** end-to-end encryption for DMs [[DITCHING](https://www.androidpolice.com/instagram-is-getting-rid-of-end-to-end-encryption-for-dms/)] 4. **Meta reportedly plans to lay off 20%** of its workforce as AI development costs grow [[DOWNSIZING](https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/meta-planning-sweeping-layoffs-ai-costs-mount-2026-03-14/)] 5. **Meta has been caught failing to stop** illegal financial ads in the UK [[SLACKING](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/meta-vowed-stop-illegal-financial-ads-britain-it-failed-1000-times-week-2026-03-18/)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **The metaverse dream really is dead** The Long Farewell to Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse: (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/technology/mark-zuckerbergs-metaverse-vr-horizon-worlds.html) We’ve been here before - saying RIP to Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse dream. But each time, it seems more convincing. This week Meta announced plans to shut down Horizon Worlds, its 3D social world, on VR headsets this June. The platform would still be available on mobile, but the VR version - the clearest articulation of the ‘metaverse’ that the company has - would be gone. Meta swiftly rowed back a little after user outcry. The VR version will still be live but not receive anything but essential updates. Still, to all intents and purposes, Meta will no longer be focused on a ‘metaverse’ in any meaningful way. The news follows recent scaling back and refocusing of Meta’s Reality Labs division, which spearheaded the metaverse’s development. The news spurred blunt headlines this week like: [RIP Metaverse, an $80 Billion Dumpster Fire Nobody Wanted](https://www.404media.co/rip-metaverse-an-80-billion-dumpster-fire-nobody-wanted/). A more charitable view would be that some Silicon Valley bets work out and some don’t, and at least Meta has plenty of in-house AI tech to fall back on. This week’s Geekout has lots of examples of Meta rolling out more and more AI - it’s undoubtedly the company’s future. But Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse vision stood out as something his counterparts at other big tech companies weren’t doing. Even Apple’s Vision Pro (similarly sidelined of late, it seems) is focused on utility rather than virtual worlds. Zuck would probably say there’s still time for the metaverse to make a comeback when the time is right. And VR is still important for Meta. The company said this week that Quest VR hit [record usage](https://www.roadtovr.com/meta-quest-record-users-2025-100-apps-1-million/) in 2025 as 100 apps passed $1 million in revenue. But for the foreseeable future, the failure of the metaverse dream is a reminder that just because big tech companies tell us something is going to be big doesn’t mean it really will be. It just means they need something to tell the stock market that quarter and they’re willing to spend a LOT of money on it, even if it ends up going nowhere. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/77c2c0e9-cc0e-4f66-a1ed-bc341afa30d7/1643999573_248561268_257616846186202_8218250379155189119_n_story.jpg?t=1774004765) Follow image link: (https://www.lowpass.cc/p/meta-changes-course-on-horizon-worlds-vr-shut-down) Caption: Meta’s Horizon Worlds got a (slight) reprieve on VR this week | Credit: Meta * **Meta** swiftly [reversed plans to shut down](https://www.lowpass.cc/p/meta-changes-course-on-horizon-worlds-vr-shut-down) Horizon Worlds on VR headsets after users and creators revolted. Instead it’s going into long-term ‘maintenance mode’ so Meta can focus on the platform’s mobile version * **Meta** is replacing Sponsored labels with [smaller Ad tags](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-is-switching-up-its-ad-transparency-labels-in-stream/814890/) on Instagram posts, and testing the same on Facebook * **Meta** is [updating](https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-ray-ban-display-first-major-os-update-new-app-minigames-features/) its $800 Ray-Ban Display HUD glasses with widgets, a Calendar app, and live captions for phone calls * **Meta** says Quest VR hit [record usage](https://www.roadtovr.com/meta-quest-record-users-2025-100-apps-1-million/) in 2025 as 100 apps passed $1 million in revenue * **Meta** announced its NYC store will become a [permanent flagship](https://www.meta.com/en-gb/blog/meta-lab-new-locations-new-york-city-fifth-avenue-wynn-las-vegas-west-hollywood-new-york-ai-glasses-demos/) * **Meta**’s Horizon Store is adding [better app discovery](https://developers.meta.com/horizon/blog/gdc-2026-highlights-whats-next-meta-horizon-os/), deals sections, and monetisation tools * **Meta** [tightened up](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/895213/moltbook-updates-its-rules-about-what-you-and-your-ai-can-do) Moltbook’s user rules after acquiring the social platform for AI bots * **Facebook** has a new [monetisation programme](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/metas-latest-creator-push-comes-with-3000-bonuses-for-posting-on-facebook-160000283.html) to attract popular creators from TikTok and YouTube * **Facebook** has a new option to create a [shorter version of a Reel ](https://www.threads.com/@yassermasood/post/DV9buiTgdTn?xmt=AQF0SagLa15fLF4HMswmZ1ytCkCibDMSOSyRNlwGciUVPw)that links to the original longer version. * **Facebook** added tools help creators quickly [detect and report impersonators](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-adds-more-measures-to-ensure-original-creators-get-credit/814764/) stealing their content * **Facebook **has been spotted more widely rolling out the [‘Collage’ Story type](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWG0EqojPPf) **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ce969a79-2d76-41b4-a746-a1457acef9d6/IG_pause.jpg?t=1774004927) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWCDYJWCqWb?xmt=AQF0SagLa15fLF4HMswmZ1ytCkCibDMSOSyRNlwGciUVPw) Caption: Instagram now offers a simple way to pause Reels | Credit: Meta * **Instagram** is _finally_ rolling out [tap-to-pause](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DWCDYJWCqWb?xmt=AQF0SagLa15fLF4HMswmZ1ytCkCibDMSOSyRNlwGciUVPw) on Reels (what took them so long?!) * **Instagram **is rolling out [voice effects](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DV0wbODif9j?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) for DMs to more users * **Instagram** added an in-app [shortcut](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWEpPK0DAlu?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) to its TV app * **Instagram Edits** has added [new features](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/edits-adds-more-effects-and-enhanced-editing-controls/815271/) including five new cinematic effects, camera upgrades, and more * **Instagram** is widely rolling out the ability to [trim a Reel](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWG2J_eDG1i) before sharing it as a story * **Instagram** has been spotted offering a new [transparent](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWG1K9bDDzr) navigation bar on Android **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f3d3c8fe-835b-4a13-aa6d-c39c9a2d983d/WA_translation.jpg?t=1774005055) Follow image link: (https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-is-testing-automatic-message-translations-on-ios/) Caption: WhatsApp message translation | Credit: WABetaInfo * **Threads** now lets you share your posts to [Facebook Stories](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWCHISajEzC?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) * **WhatsApp **is working on a feature to [automatically translate messages](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-is-testing-automatic-message-translations-on-ios/) across 21 different languages * **WhatsApp** is testing [guest chats](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-guest-chats-on-android-and-ios/), letting users message people without a WhatsApp account * **WhatsApp** is rolling out a [new profile tab](https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/17/whatsapp-update-brings-the-new-profile-tab-to-ios-users/) to iOS users * **WhatsApp **is testing a [Status redesign](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-to-add-status-updates-to-the-top-of-the-chats-tab/) modelled on Instagram’s Stories interface * **WhatsApp** has added the ability to access [Ad Preferences](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWCIwocDLRa?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) directly from the Status tab * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability to link a [companion device](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWCJNLdjBhv?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) and access WhatsApp using your Facebook account * **WhatsApp** is working on built‑in [noise cancellation](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWAhxFliOh_?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) for voice and video calling * **WhatsApp** is working on the ability to [edit polls](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWDGkBHCFTE?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) * **WhatsApp **is testing a [new preview](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWG03qdjHeu) for shared **Threads** links * **WhatsApp** is testing a new way to [manage media](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWCJxX2jIOF?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) on desktop * **WhatsApp** is coming to select [Garmin smartwatches](https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/more-people-can-keep-their-private-conversations-going-right-from-their-wrist-as-garmin-works-with-meta-to-add-whatsapp-integration-to-select-watches) * **WhatsApp**’s beta app has a [new icon](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DWEyFsVDH1p?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2884c50b-1cc7-43b0-97cc-ae02be82f348/dislike.jpg?t=1774005272) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-comment-downvotes-train-algorithm-tanking/815272/) Caption: X teased a design for a ‘dislike’ button this week * **X** teased a possible new [dislike button](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-comment-downvotes-train-algorithm-tanking/815272/) on replies. Users can flag replies as spam, misleading, “AI-generated,” and more * **X** on the web is [limiting profile previews](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWCIQdPjPUd?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA), encouraging you to view them in the app * **xAI **is being [sued by US teens](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/03/16/teens-sue-musk-xai-grok/) who allege Grok made sexual images of them as children * **Closing arguments** took place in the class-action trial over Elon Musk’s $44B [Twitter acquisition tweets](https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-shareholders-class-action-trial-8cee8350cc041459ef23dd1efb41ace0) ….**and Elon Musk** and SEC are [in talks to settle](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/17/elon-musk-sec-in-talks-to-settle-government-lawsuit-over-twitter-deal.html) a separate lawsuit over the 2022 Twitter deal * **X** is [complying with the EU](https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-x-eu-120m-fine-commission/) as it appeals its €120 million fine over its verification badge and transparency * **X** might have to [make Grok less ‘spicy’](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/03/eu-moves-to-ban-nudify-apps-after-grok-made-them-mainstream/), as Musk’s tactic of blaming users for AI sex images could be foiled by EU law **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/599a5b50-068f-459b-b95a-c540b859b7bf/image.png?t=1774010336) Follow image link: (https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/896648/tubi-tiktok-creatorverse-incubator) Caption: TikTok partnering with Tubi to fund original shows by TikTok stars | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok **and Tubi are partnering [to help TikTok stars](https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/896648/tubi-tiktok-creatorverse-incubator) create original long-form shows for the streaming platform * **TikTok **launched an interactive [BTS ARIRANG experience](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-unveils-the-bts-arirang-in-app-experience?lang=en) for the band’s comeback * **A US senator** is looking for answers to questions about the reported [$10 billion payment](https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/tiktok-sale-oracle-silver-lake) the Trump administration could get for the **TikTok **US deal * **TikTok** is officially rolling out [#BookTok bestseller charts](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/booktok-community-50-million-books?lang=en-150) across the UK and Europe * **TikTok** launched new [‘Prime Time’ and ‘Logo Takeover’](https://www.retailbiz.com.au/topics/marketing/tiktok-unveils-new-ad-tools-to-boost-retail-e-commerce/) ad formats * **TikTok** is testing the ability to [share a comment](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DV9DJc5DAFo?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) as a text post * **TikTok** now displays [stories](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWEq9zijOaT?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) posted by each artist in the audio pages * **TikTok** is [encouraging](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWG0XwKDC1c) users to use the TikTok Studio app, offering multiple benefits as incentives * **TikTok** introduced an option to [link posts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWG1dqsjJww) to the TikTok Studio app * **TikTok** has added a new advertising objective in TikTok Promote, ‘[More likes & comments](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWG1r9QDLW2)’ * **TikTok** is rolling out a [new animation](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWG2fiujMB8) for the templates search section that suggests trending templates * **TikTok** appears to be planning to add a new, private [Watch Later folder](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWG22gujMH6) in the Collections tab * **TikTok** parent ByteDance has [suspended](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/bytedance-suspends-launch-video-ai-model-copyright-disputes-hollywood?rc=kmaysd) the global rollout of its new AI video generator Seedance 2.0 amid legal concerns from Hollywood …**while US senators** have demanded ByteDance “[immediately shut down](https://www.engadget.com/ai/senators-tell-bytedance-to-shut-down-seedance-20-ai-video-app-immediately-112146241.html?src=rss)” Seedance 2.0 **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c46b5fe9-2b90-4664-ac6a-008f74cc97a3/Screenshot_2026-03-20_at_12.45.24.png?t=1774010739) Follow image link: (https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/fifa-world-cup-2026-youtube-partnership/) Caption: YouTube named FIFA’s ‘Preferred Platform’ for 2026 World Cup | Credit: YouTube * **YouTube** has become FIFA’s ‘Preferred Platform’ for the [2026 World Cup](https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/fifa-world-cup-2026-youtube-partnership/) across all devices. Broadcast partners can stream the first 10 mins of every match and select full games, on YouTube * **YouTube** introduced a pop-up asking users to [rate videos as “AI slop” or not](https://dailydot.com/youtube-prompt-asking-does-this-feel-like-ai-slop) * **YouTube** is tackling misleading thumbnails with [instant video previews](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-tests-a-game-changing-way-to-cut-down-time-wasted-on-videos/) * **YouTube**’s head of music has [pledged to protect](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-underlines-commitment-to-musicians-amid-rising-use-of-ai/814888/) artists’ rights, likeness, and creative control, as AI reshapes the music industry * **YouTube** increased the [thumbnail upload limit](https://www.theverge.com/streaming/894637/youtube-thumbnails-just-got-an-upgrade) 25×, from 2MB to 50MB * **YouTube** has been [criticised](https://mashable.com/article/google-youtube-animaji-ai-kids-videos) by a child safety group Fairplay for investing $1M in AI kids media company Animaj **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e5662ec7-2041-4edc-ab06-2bb2cd7fa9b2/Patches.jpg?t=1774005617) Caption: LinkedIn’s new game: Patches * **LinkedIn** expanded its games lineup with a [new puzzle game](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/say-hello-patches-meet-zips-best-friend-our-newest-somasundaram-mnttf/), ‘Patches’ * **LinkedIn** now lets advertisers use data from the platform to [target professionals watching TV](https://www.businessinsider.com/linkedin-partners-with-the-trade-desk-for-ctv-ads-2026-3) * **LinkedIn **expanded [creator ads](https://news.linkedin.com/2026/how-linkedin-is-helping-b2b-marketers-reach-audiences-at-scale-w) and video tools for marketers * **The rebooted** **Digg**’s open beta has [shut down](https://www.theverge.com/tech/894803/digg-beta-shutdown-layoffs-ai) after just two months, blaming AI bot spam. The platform is being rebuilt from scratch * **Bluesky** now lets creators of (good) [bot accounts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWEl6uqDCtd?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) label their accounts as such * **Bluesky **has revealed that it raised [$100 million](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/19/bluesky-announces-100m-series-b-after-ceo-transition/) in new in investment last April * **Telegram **now supports [text formatting](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV8g0A0DDOe?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA), like Quote, Spoiler, Bold, Italic, Monospace, Link, and more * **Google **expanded its [Reddit integration](https://www.seroundtable.com/google-what-people-are-saying-popular-latest-comments-40555.html) in “What People Are Saying” results * **Linktree** launched a [YouTube playlist carousel](https://linktr.ee/help/en/articles/5434857-how-to-display-a-youtube-video-playlist-or-channel-on-your-linktree#h_92ae707c90) that auto-updates with new uploads -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- **Meta**’s Manus has launched a desktop app called ‘My Computer’, to turn your Mac into an AI agent. A bit like **OpenClaw**, it enables agents to manage files, run commands, and automate workflows. Play safely, folks! Meta's Manus launches 'My Computer' to turn your Mac into an AI agent: (https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/17/metas-manus-launches-my-computer-to-turn-your-mac-into-an-ai-agent/) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **Meta** AI will now include more [real-time global news](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/bringing-more-international-news-and-content-to-meta-ai/), entertainment, and lifestyle content in responses thanks to partnerships with News Corp, Le Figaro and more * **Facebook **and **Instagram** now have a 24/7 AI-powered [support assistant](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/boosting-your-support-and-safety-on-metas-apps-with-ai/) …but it probably [can’t](https://www.platformer.news/meta-ai-support-bot-account-suspended/) get you your account back (booooo!) * **Meta** is working with **Signal **creator Moxie Marlinspike to add an [encryption layer](https://www.wired.com/story/signals-creator-is-helping-encrypt-meta-ai/) to Meta AI chatbot interactions * **Meta** officially rolled out new [Manus AI integrations](https://www.facebook.com/business/news/unlocking-the-power-of-manus-in-metas-business-and-creator-tools) for marketers and creators on Ads manager, WhatsApp, and Instagram * **Meta** is now promoting Manus AI as an “[AI work partner](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DV_WGw4jBwN?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA)” for Facebook Pages * **X** is testing ‘[AI content detected](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-tests-ai-content-alerts-in-stream/814889/)’ alerts before users repost content. * **X** added a new [“Summarize” feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWEzQszDLfi?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA) for articles published on the platform. You can also get Grok to read the article aloud * **X** moved the Grok [model selector](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DWG1b_kDDKD) in the chat message box for a cleaner UI * **X** upgraded Grok’s AI video generator, letting users [create clips from multiple images](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-enables-multi-image-input-grok-video-generation/814767/) * **YouTube** has launched an AI-powered [‘Reimagine’ option](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-launches-ai-powered-reimagine-option-for-shorts/815153/) for Shorts * **TikTok** is testing AI-powered ‘[cover titles](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DV8pa9DjC4C?xmt=AQF0v9hoQBTyGjwVTIXdNb_QL3l_wUZNJ2bPVIFFkrVtGA)’ * **Snapchat**’s Easy Lens app now shows which prompts were used to create a lens and allows you to [remix it](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DWGzSFZDABr) to create a new one. * **Adobe**’s AI image generator can now be [trained on your own art](https://www.theverge.com/tech/897243/adobe-firefly-ai-custom-models-image-public-beta) * **BuzzFeed** launched its own [AI slop apps](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/buzzfeed-ai-slop-apps-sxsw-bf-island-conjure/) as it struggles to survive -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f51d6aca-cc2f-4bf0-9ae0-2077a60b94dd/trail.jpg?t=1772123658) Caption: -------------------- **Meta’s New Mexico trial** entered its fifth week as explosive child safety claims mounted. The state alleges systemic failures, citing abuse backlogs and weak enforcement systems… Meta on trial over child safety: can it really protect its next generation of users?: (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/19/meta-child-safety-trial-facebook-instagram) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/62b46d83-427b-408f-a2db-cfb4cdeba9aa/Memes.jpg?t=1772123744) Caption: -------------------- **What happens when the ‘king of memes’ is challenged** to make a new meme live on TV? Another iconic meme, obviously! **Conan O’Brien’s** opening monologue at the **Oscars** on Sunday included a nod to **Leonardo DiCaprio’s** status as ‘king of memes’. But could DiCaprio create a new meme on the fly? Of course he could! He rose to Conan’s challenge and a new classic was born. Conan O'Brien challenged Leonardo DiCaprio to make a meme: (https://dailydot.com/leonardo-dicaprio-meme-on-the-spot-at-the-oscars) __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ae8e82c0-6953-4a22-adef-5dc979c8a0ea/Leo1.jpg?t=1774006458) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_them-why-didnt-the-overly-branded-post-activity-7439324620773756928-z6Mu/?rcm=ACoAAADGnL8BvPe8qPV1pJn-bZJQfObBttsMY7s) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/21c2e723-565a-4982-b3ce-ea43dcaf1154/Leo2.jpg?t=1774006537) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DV8ehGDgJL1/?img_index=5) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d7442ed6-cc82-4268-8991-9ec61b7883fe/Leo3.jpg?t=1774006601) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DV8ehGDgJL1/?img_index=1) Caption: __________ **Also:** * **21 brutally funny reactions** to [Meta’s metaverse failure](https://www.thepoke.com/2026/03/19/mark-zuckerbergs-80-billion-dollar-vr-metaverse-is-being-scrapped-in-june-and-the-internet-cant-stop-laughing-21-favourite-burns/) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- While Leo was busy making legit meme magic at the **Oscars**, viewers at home were busy faking photos of the night for engagement. AI Ruined The Fun Of Mega Viral Moments From The Oscars: (https://deadline.com/2026/03/ai-ruined-mega-viral-moments-oscars-1236758939/) As Deadline highlighted, moments like this did GREAT on Instagram and X, even though they **never actually happened**. That feeling you’re feeling? Reality slipping through our fingers 😬 Fake: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DV8pfj3lz58/?img_index=1) Fake: Tweet: (https://twitter.com/priyaee/status/2033427690204877222) __________ **More viral news this week:** * **A flood of AI-generated war videos** and images about Iran has [spread widely across social media](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/03/14/business/media/iran-disinfo-artificial-intelligence.html) * **Celebrities are jumping** on the viral “[What were you like in the ’90s?](https://dailydot.com/celebs-what-were-you-like-in-the-90s-trend)” trend on **TikTok** and **Instagram** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- _“Be careful who you trust for product recommendations: social media influencers are spreading brand-related misinformation in a much more toxic way than ordinary users, research has found.”_ Influencers Spread 'Toxic' Brand Information: (https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2026/03/17/influencers-spread-toxic-brand-information/) __________ **More brand news and views:** * **Apple’s ‘brainrot’ strategy** for marketing the MacBook Neo on TikTok is [working](https://www.fastcompany.com/91508018/apple-is-winning-over-tiktok-with-steves-jobs-style-brain-rot) * **Advertisers aren’t happy** about [picking up Meta’s European tax tab](https://digiday.com/marketing/advertisers-arent-happy-about-picking-up-metas-european-tax-tab/) * **Brands are shifting** toward [smaller creators](https://digiday.com/media/in-graphic-detail-middle-tier-creators-are-fueling-the-next-phase-of-the-creator-economy/) who drive higher engagement and conversions * **Advertisers are shifting** to [conservative creators](https://mashable.com/article/creator-economy-brand-deals-shifting-conservative-apolitical-sxsw-2026) over progressives under Trump * **Movie studios **now release “[trailers for trailers](https://www.fastcompany.com/91512020/dune-spider-man-movie-trailers-main-event-tiktok-era)” to grab TikTok-era attention * **Lay’s** launched a [celebrity-packed WhatsApp group chat](https://digiday.com/marketing/lays-uses-whatsapp-to-create-a-group-chat-for-world-cup-fans/) for World Cup fans * **Experts at SXSW 2026** say **no new Alix Earle-style stars** will [emerge in 2026](https://mashable.com/article/theres-never-going-to-be-another-alix-earle) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"This is a memification and a gamification of war… It’s an appalling way to represent conflict."“ — – **Propaganda historian Nick Cull **calls out the White House’s approach of using [characters like SpongeBob SquarePants](https://www.ft.com/content/02b5b54a-364b-4869-a6ff-1bc2d9950aa1?accessToken=zwAAAZ0LStRwkc8CtbVKNktIadOm_xvC2ZUKoQ.MEYCIQDoW3B-ZYBSbS_OLoACi9jk3yBI6it6kEoNuDHFBx-uwAIhANqeV4ckGhy0WMlBcqzaVaNyUMji0ICyuBghDFSh4s12&sharetype=gift&token=3464b5a2-0718-4b53-9a00-954bef0fabee&syn-25a6b1a6=1) to promote the war against Iran __________ **Also quoted this week:** _“This is deeply disturbing. Under our laws, online platforms have a duty to keep people safe online. We're already tightening the rules on AI chatbots and I'm ready to take further action if necessary.”_ **- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer **[responds](https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/2033591311668818391) to claims Meta and TikTok let harmful content rise after evidence that outrage drove engagement __________ _“The AI companies are claiming fair use, but this argument is bogus… It’s bogus because while they claim it’s fair to use the work of creators as training data, they do multimillion-dollar deals with rights holders and publishers like Disney and Condé Nast and Vox and Warner Music. _ _“If it’s legal to just use it, why pay?” Why pay them and not creators — not the millions of illustrators and musicians and writers — whose work has been consumed by these models to build hundreds of billions of dollars of value for these companies?”_ **- Patreon CEO Jack Conte** calls out [AI companies’ hypocrisy](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/patreon-ceo-calls-ai-companies-fair-use-argument-bogus-says-creators-should-be-paid/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/67b5dbd2-fe26-4f24-8aeb-9460fd711fb1/Must_Watch.jpg?t=1772123844) Caption: -------------------- **Remember all the hype around Clubhouse?** For a hot minute in 2020, group audio in front of an audience was the next big thing… Perhaps because we were all stuck indoors for weeks at a time and were desperate for social contact. This podcast from **The Verge** explores the rapid rise and just as swift fall of a brief social hit. Youtube: The fast rise and epic fall of Clubhouse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xmixsUdO4Q&t=1057s) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/329d25b3-9e16-4946-b400-e5cc194f0db0/New_Platform_v2.jpg?t=1772123876) Caption: -------------------- Want to get into podcasting but feel overwhelmed? **Rebel Audio** has launched an AI-powered all-in-one platform to simplify podcast creation It handles recording, editing, publishing, and monetisation without switching tools. AI features include voice cloning, translation, transcripts, and content generation tools. Read more about it at [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/rebel-audio-is-a-new-ai-podcasting-tool-aimed-at-first-time-creators/). Rebel Audio - Social Podcasting Platform: (https://www.rebelaudio.ai/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- **Yikes. This is a tad embarrassing for Meta…** A **Meta AI agent** exposed sensitive company and user data to unauthorised employees for nearly two hours. Meta classified the security incident as ‘Sev 1’, the second-highest level of severity inside the company. Meta says no data was misused… but the incident highlights the growing risks of autonomous AI systems as CEOs race to be the most AI-savvy. A Meta agentic AI sparked a security incident by acting without permission: (https://www.engadget.com/ai/a-meta-agentic-ai-sparked-a-security-incident-by-acting-without-permission-224013384.html?src=rss) __________ **More WTF this week:** * **Meta Ray-Bans have a 'fart candle'** [prank problem](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-ray-ban-prank-videos-problem-2026-3) * **Royals and celebrities** have been warned that [lip-reading videos](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/15/royals-and-celebrities-warned-to-watch-words-as-lip-reading-videos-go-viral) are exposing their private conversations online * **Activists have plastered **[provocative posters across London](https://www.huckmag.com/article/activists-hack-london-billboards-to-call-out-big-tech-harm-mental-health) accusing TikTok and Meta of fuelling a youth mental health crisis * **The UK has banned **an AI image editing app’s ad [suggesting it could remove woman’s clothing](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2g8888q53o) * **Fans are demanding **[an end to influencers](https://dailydot.com/influencers-red-carpet-hosts-fumble-interviews) hosting major red carpet events… because they’re not very good at interviews -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772123969) Caption: -------------------- **Tumblr swiftly reversed** a major change to** **the way it handled reblogs after users HATED it. The new approach worked a bit like **Twitter/X**. Users could like, reply, and reblog individual posts in chains. The update fragmented the iconic collapsed thread format into separate posts, killing what made Tumblr unique. The company believes it still needs to revamp reblogs, but it’s going back to the drawing board. Tumblr reverses its changes to reblogs after user backlash: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/895954/tumblr-reblog-chain-update-backlash) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fd24e465-005c-4d36-afd8-cef1268bf044/RIP.jpg?t=1772124179) Caption: -------------------- _“Google has pulled its AI feature that summarised crowdsourced health advice, stepping back from risky, non-expert guidance.”_ Who could POSSIBLY have predicted that wouldn’t work out well? Google is finally killing its search tool that treated Reddit like a doctor: (https://www.androidauthority.com/google-discontinues-what-people-suggest-feature-3649683/) __________ **Also heading to the social media graveyard:** * **Snapchat** is killing its [standalone Bitmoji app](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-retires-separate-bitmoji-app/815018/) on 15 April. Bitmoji avatars will remain available within Snapchat and partner integrations -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3a8c0c43-8c98-4038-a9f7-02c145a3f52c/Airbnb_Logo.svg.png?t=1774007954) Caption: **Airbnb** is looking for a [TikTok Social Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/tiktok-social-manager/) _[London, UK]_ __________ **More social media jobs:** * **Remote **needs a [Director of Social](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/director-of-social/) _[Remote, worldwide]_ * **Circle** is hiring a [Head of Media](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/head-of-media-3/) _[Remote, worldwide]_ * **Shakespeare’s Globe** is recruiting a [Social Media Officer](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-officer-2/) _[Hybrid, London, UK]_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4502d13e-4f26-44c8-97e3-dda5688321f0/science.jpg?t=1774012007) Caption: -------------------- **Instagram** and **TikTok** linked to worse mental health… That’s according to the **2026 World Happiness Report** published earlier this week. The study shows **WhatsApp, Facebook** linked to higher life satisfaction due to social connection focus. However, the report also found 1-hour daily use of social apps boosts wellbeing, more than 0 hours or excessive use. But researchers warned average usage of social apps currently sits at near 2.5 hours per day… … Or 13.5 hours if you’re a social media manager 😆 Instagram worse for mental health than WhatsApp, global study finds: (https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/19/instagram-worse-mental-health-whatsapp-global-study-finds) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: -------------------- You probably have platform images sizes lodged in your head. But are they still correct? **Buffer **has you covered with this in-depth 2026 image size guide for **Instagram**: Instagram image size guide 2026: Every Post, Story, and Reels dimension you need: (https://buffer.com/resources/instagram-image-size/) __________ **More new pro-tips:** * **The best time to post on X **in 2026 — [based on data from 8.7 million posts](https://buffer.com/resources/best-time-to-post-on-twitter-x/) * **Meta, Snap, and YouTube insiders** reveal [common mistakes new creators make in 2026](https://mashable.com/article/instagram-youtube-snapchat-insiders-reveal-common-creator-mistakes) * **The 11 best social media analytics tools** [for creators and marketers](https://buffer.com/resources/best-social-media-analytics-tools/) * **How AI agents decide which brands to recommend: **[Trust is the new ranking factor](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/how-ai-agents-decide-which-brands-to-recommend-trust-is-the-new-ranking-factor/568067/) * **Pinterest shared tips** on how to utilise its [AI-powered ad options](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-shares-tips-on-how-to-utilize-its-ai-powered-ad-options/815269/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**$10 BILLION**“ — – **The vast sum** the Trump administration is reportedly [set to pocket](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/14/tiktok-trump-administration-10bn) from the TikTok US deal **More stats:** * **BOUGHT IT: **Reddit offers a high [82%](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-livestream-gifts-to-users-in-korea/815017/) return on ad spend when Amazon purchases are accounted for, according to a new survey -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- [Creator pay](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DV1FGYHiH5v?xmt=AQF0aOuu5lhxFgbLieOhYkBSihKainn5KU1VohMOdbwIdA) still skews heavily towards the biggest creators in 2026. But brands are shifting toward smaller creators who drive higher engagement and conversions. The segment is growing 10× faster than macro creators. But earnings are uneven: the top 10% take 62% of all creator payments. And nearly half of all US creators make under $10K a year. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d822be2c-8f5a-4838-8c02-4f589e3e307b/651038334_17947111230117490_7925695463365399340_n.jpg?t=1774008498) Follow image link: (https://digiday.com/media/in-graphic-detail-middle-tier-creators-are-fueling-the-next-phase-of-the-creator-economy/) Caption: **More charts:** * **HERE COMES THE FEAR AGAIN: **Creators [fear algorithm changes](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DV1FlFICLpB?xmt=AQF0aOuu5lhxFgbLieOhYkBSihKainn5KU1VohMOdbwIdA) more than burnout in 2026 -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- Big Tech companies sign pledge to work together to stop global scams: (https://www.axios.com/2026/03/16/tech-companies-scam-accord-google-meta-amazon) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **The UK Government **is exploring mandatory labels for AI-generated content to fight deepfakes. [[Reuters $$$](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/uk-examine-labelling-ai-content-among-wider-copyright-reforms-2026-03-18/)] * **Australia’s eSafety regulator** says child abuse material is “particularly systemic” on X. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/17/x-csam-child-abuse-material-grok-australian-online-safety-regulator-ntwnfb)] * **Adobe will pay** a $150 million settlement over its really annoying subscription cancellation policies. [[9to5 Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/13/adobe-to-pay-75-million-settlement-for-making-it-too-hard-to-cancel-subscriptions/)] * **China is stepping up **scrutiny of Meta’s $2B Manus deal. [[New York Times $$$](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/technology/china-scrutiny-meta-manus.html)] * **Discord has open-sourced** Osprey, its real-time rules engine used to detect harmful activity. [[Discord blog](https://discord.com/blog/how-roost-is-advancing-online-safety)] * **Some creators don’t see **immediate value in Instagram’s controversial ‘Shop the Look’ AI test. [[DigiDay $$$](https://digiday.com/media-buying/some-creators-dont-see-immediate-value-in-instagrams-controversial-shop-the-look-ai-test/)] * **Meta has shared **how Facebook built ‘Friend Bubbles’ to power social discovery on Reels. [[Engineering at Meta](https://engineering.fb.com/2026/03/18/ml-applications/friend-bubbles-enhancing-social-discovery-on-facebook-reels/)] * **Meta will replace** Nielsen DMA data with ComScore Markets for auto ad targeting. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-switches-to-comscore-markets-data-for-auto-ads/814886/)] * **Advertisers will soon** be able to buy Reddit ads through Pacvue. [[Adweek](https://www.adweek.com/commerce/advertisers-will-soon-be-able-to-buy-reddit-ads-through-pacvue/)] * **YouTube is expanding** its live-stream “Jewels” gifting system to South Korea in March 2026. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-livestream-gifts-to-users-in-korea/815017/)] * **Meta has signed** a 5-year AI infrastructure deal worth up to $27B with Dutch cloud firm Nebius. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/16/meta-nebius-ai-infrastructure.html)] * **SerpApi asked a court** to toss the Reddit scraping lawsuit it faces. [[Search Engine Land](https://searchengineland.com/serpapi-court-reddit-scraping-complaint-471632)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- My AI Agent ‘Cofounder’ Conquered LinkedIn. Then It Got Banned: (https://www.wired.com/story/linkedin-invited-my-ai-cofounder-to-give-a-corporate-talk-then-banned-it/) _________ **Also worth a read:** * **Long-form creators eye taking over TVs **– and [chasing bigger brand budgets](https://digiday.com/future-of-tv/long-form-creators-eye-taking-over-tvs-and-chasing-bigger-brand-budgets/) * **How Reddit CEO Steve Huffman **[got the upper hand with AI](https://www.fastcompany.com/91502976/reddit-most-innovative-companies-2026-steve-huffman-jen-wong-openai-ai-google-gemini-answers-search) * **The danger behind Meta’s decision** to [kill end-to-end encrypted Instagram DMs](https://www.wired.com/story/the-danger-behind-metas-decision-to-kill-end-to-end-encrypted-instagram-dms/) * **How the Trump White House tries** to [sell war and death as a game](https://www.ft.com/content/02b5b54a-364b-4869-a6ff-1bc2d9950aa1?shareType=nongift&syn-25a6b1a6=1) * **Why social search visibility** is [the next evolution of discoverability](https://searchengineland.com/social-search-visibility-evolution-471685) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- I love reading about cringey messages from ‘influencers’ demanding special treatment from businesses… Or flexing like billionaires with faked lavish lifestyles, when all they really have in the bank is thousands of duped followers. So enjoy this list… if you can remove your fingers from over your eyes! 🫣 Look out for my tweet featured at #22 in the list… I exposed a travel influencer faking clouds (seriously!) in her Instagram-perfect holiday pics. “Please Stop”: 51 Cringy Influencers Who Acted Like The Rules And Common Sense Don’t Apply To Them (New Pics): (https://www.boredpanda.com/embarrassing-entitled-influencers/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- And there we go… you’re fully caught up and completely debriefed on everything new in social this week. I’m heading off to finish final edits on a consulting report I completing for [REDACTED COMPANY NAME] all about AI products for marketers. The deadline is today, but I think I’ll need another 2 days to wrap it up 😭 Wish me luck! View image: (https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTI0NTBlYzMwMWU3ZnZpbGV2ZDkxenE0MW53MjNxYjNqMHFjNHBoa2ozOWNsZXI3YiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/FkPezbjhyHSVpaE5RV/giphy.gif) [Leonardo Dicaprio GIF] Caption: Gif by saito90 on Giphy Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-ai-support-moderation-horizon-worlds-metaverse

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/16437a85-cfc8-4155-a6b5-aaf89d410d45/Geekout_130326.jpg?t=1773406751) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Geekout is read by 30K social media pros** ** Get up to 20% off Geekout ads in 2026 **Advertiser Info** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **⚡️ Optimize Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-links-posts-meta-moltbook-youtube-disney) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** Has hell frozen over? Instagram is finally letting you add links in post captions! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/0259e47b-8a1d-4529-bd33-42f671859c76/IMG_1018.jpg?t=1773400405) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@itsatravelod/post/DVxO-9SDsh4?xmt=AQF0SrpEM55oGCSzUhWdMJRLoYZLqOfQYPJUkByYjg0UBg) Caption: Credit: @itsatravelod But because its a Mark Zuckerberg production, of course, there’s a catch. It’s currently only a test with a select group of Instagram users. But more importantly, you have to be a Meta Verified subscriber. In addition, it looks like the number of posts you can publish with links in captions is limited per month, based on your Meta Verified subscription tier. Keep scrolling for my take on 2026’s biggest Instagram plot twist so far. **Coming up in this week’s Geekout:** * 🔗** Instagram’s testing clickable links in captions**… but is it long overdue or a really bad idea? - * 🤖** Mark Zuckerberg just acquired MoltBook**… but what will he do with the viral social network for AI bots? - * **⚖️ Social media addiction lawsuit climax…** closing arguments made. But what will be the jurors verdict? - * 😮** 9 new emojis are coming soon…** but one of them is already going viral. And brands can’t stop using it. Plus over **33 new platform features** on TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads have been spotted in the wild this week. But before we dive in… 👇 **2 cool things…** * 🛑 Stop screenshotting social posts for your reports. I save hours every month with **[this ONE tool](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special)**** **— Try it for free [ad] - * 📺 [This web app](https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/this-web-app-lets-you-channel-surf-youtube-like-a-90s-kid-watching-cable-220651107.html) lets you 'channel surf' YouTube like a '90s kid watching cable -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ TOP SOCIAL TOOL #### Your Social Reports Don’t Need to Take Half a Day ⏱️ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5e4bcb8b-160c-4f9b-a554-1fa3a10c4535/image.png?t=1773331313) Follow image link: (https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special) Caption: Ever started creating a new social report doc… …Then realised you still need to pull numbers from five different platforms? So the report building ritual begins: 👎🏻 Screenshot posts 👎🏻 Copy metrics into spreadsheets 👎🏻 Double-check numbers 👎🏻 Format slides until your eyes blur 😩 [Measure Studio](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special)** **kills that entire process. It pulls your social data together and turns it into clean, client-ready reports in minutes. ❌ No spreadsheet chaos. No screenshotting posts. No slide-building marathons. And it’s had some **powerful upgrades**: * ⚡ **One-Click Report Refresh** — update every metric across a full report instantly * 📈 **Competitor Benchmarking** — show exactly how your accounts stack up against other brands * ⚙️ **Custom Report Layouts** — drag metrics anywhere to build slides exactly how you want * 💻 **PowerPoint Export** — generate polished decks ready to send to clients or leadership * 🎨 **Custom Branding** — apply your logo, fonts, and colours to every report Measure Studio** **is used by social teams at Uber, Samsung, and H&M. Honestly… if reporting eats half your afternoon every month, this tool is ridiculously useful. 👉 **[Try Measure Studio FREE for 2 Weeks](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special)**** **… and never screenshot another social post for a report again! 🔓 Unlock Free Trial (https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Instagram is testing clickable links in post captions — But there’s a catch: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-testing-clickable-links-in-instagram-captions-for-verified-subscribers-184555406.html) 2. **YouTube surpasses Disney** to become the world’s largest media company [[DISRUPTING](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/youtube-worlds-largest-media-company-2025-tops-disney-1236525130/)] 3. **UK MPs reject social ban for under-16s **but didn’t kill the idea completely [[RESISTING](https://news.sky.com/story/mps-vote-down-social-media-ban-for-under-16s-13517545)] 4. **Meta acquired Moltbook**, the viral social network for AI bots [[HARVESTING](https://www.axios.com/2026/03/10/meta-facebook-moltbook-agent-social-network)] 5. **X agrees to alter blue check verification system** in Europe after EU fine [[COMPLYING](https://archive.is/a9RYK)] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ TOP NEWSLETTER ### A free newsletter read by 117,000 marketers View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9b10c995-3515-4b1e-8911-ce7c8bd5ca7d/hamm_canvas.png?t=1763597017) Follow image link: (https://themarketingmillennials.com/newsletter-subscription/?utm_source=beehiiv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_content=free_hamm_reader_count&_bhiiv=opp_e08f3f15-e59d-4bd3-974c-775eaa7a4392_0dc03936&bhcl_id=d0b31333-3657-4e4f-bd3f-7d4bd9710fe6_8b6aada6-7495-4d35-bc5d-0f0ec9b8993b_e3a5a5c0-b543-4080-a229-3fc6b3593f2c) Caption: The best marketing ideas come from marketers who live it. That’s what [The Marketing Millennials](https://themarketingmillennials.com/newsletter-subscription/?utm_source=beehiiv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_content=free_hamm_reader_count&_bhiiv=opp_e08f3f15-e59d-4bd3-974c-775eaa7a4392_0dc03936&bhcl_id=d0b31333-3657-4e4f-bd3f-7d4bd9710fe6_8b6aada6-7495-4d35-bc5d-0f0ec9b8993b_e3a5a5c0-b543-4080-a229-3fc6b3593f2c) delivers: real insights, fresh takes, and no fluff. Written by [Daniel Murray](https://themarketingmillennials.com/newsletter-subscription/?utm_source=beehiiv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_content=free_hamm_reader_count&_bhiiv=opp_e08f3f15-e59d-4bd3-974c-775eaa7a4392_0dc03936&bhcl_id=d0b31333-3657-4e4f-bd3f-7d4bd9710fe6_8b6aada6-7495-4d35-bc5d-0f0ec9b8993b_e3a5a5c0-b543-4080-a229-3fc6b3593f2c), a marketer who knows what works, this newsletter cuts through the noise so you can stop guessing and start winning. Subscribe and level up your marketing game. [Sign Up Free](https://themarketingmillennials.com/newsletter-subscription/?utm_source=beehiiv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_content=free_hamm_reader_count&_bhiiv=opp_e08f3f15-e59d-4bd3-974c-775eaa7a4392_0dc03936&bhcl_id=d0b31333-3657-4e4f-bd3f-7d4bd9710fe6_8b6aada6-7495-4d35-bc5d-0f0ec9b8993b_e3a5a5c0-b543-4080-a229-3fc6b3593f2c) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **Click here? Instagram tests caption links** Meta is testing clickable links in Instagram captions for verified subscribers: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-testing-clickable-links-in-instagram-captions-for-verified-subscribers-184555406.html) Something most of us had assumed would NEVER happen has happened, and it could change the feel of Instagram forever… or will it? As first shared by [Andrea Valeria](https://www.threads.com/@itsatravelod/post/DVxO-9SDsh4?xmt=AQF0SrpEM55oGCSzUhWdMJRLoYZLqOfQYPJUkByYjg0UBg) on Threads, Meta is testing the ability to add a link to a post caption on Instagram. There are caveats: you have to be a Meta Verified subscriber, and it appears you can only publish 10 posts with links in captions per month. I suspect Meta may decide to limit the number of posts with links in captions based on your Meta Verified subscription tier, which is what it currently does for links in Reels. 👇 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/dfbdf989-e9f4-4fa2-9225-e984805acfc6/image.png?t=1773400755) Follow image link: (https://www.facebook.com/business/tools/meta-verified-for-business) Caption: Credit: Meta But still, this is wild because platform boss Adam Mosseri previously [said](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RroXkGGclQI) that allowing links in post captions was unlikely to happen, as it would change the dynamic of Instagram. Mosseri feared they would become spammy by becoming a vector for abuse by bad actors. So why now? It’s probably as simple as Meta wanting to grow its subscription business. Giving people what they want is a good way to do that. Limiting links per month is a good way to minimise the risk of spam, and Instagram has probably factored in AI-powered improvements in moderation efficiency and feed ranking to make sure the app doesn’t become a swamp of ‘click here!’ trash. Meta has also [just introduced](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-outlines-improved-scam-protection-in-messenger-app/814259/) enhanced scam protections that better detect malicious links. Instagram has been shuffling this way for a while. It already allows multiple ‘links in bio’, and as I mentioned, Meta Verified users can already put a limited number of links per month in Reels captions. And the brutal truth is that posts aren’t as big a part of Instagram as they used to be. The app has been largely about shoving Reels into your face for months now. The speed at which it turned into a different flavour of TikTok has been striking. In that context, adding links to post captions just feels like a natural evolution, and I’d be surprised if it causes any of the problems Mosseri used to worry it would. But what do you think? Is this change long overdue, or will it turn Instagram into a link-spam nightmare? -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7612905d-0fe8-4e5c-bdc0-0043e40d98b1/image.png?t=1773401882) Follow image link: (https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/meta-launches-new-anti-scam-tools-deploys-ai-technology-to-fight-scammers-and-protect-people/) Caption: Meta’s new advanced scam protection in Messenger | Credit: Meta * **Meta** is introducing new [anti-scam protections](https://www.theverge.com/tech/892939/meta-facebook-whatsapp-messenger-scam-detection) across Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger * **Meta **launched [mini games](https://gizmodo.com/meta-hopes-mini-games-will-make-you-forget-its-smart-glasses-are-recording-you-naked-2000732798) for its Ray-Ban Display smart glasses * **Meta**’s deepfake moderation [isn’t good enough](https://www.theverge.com/tech/891933/meta-oversight-board-ai-labels-deepfake-c2pa-facebook-instagram), its Oversight Board says * **Meta** has [delayed](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/12/technology/meta-avocado-ai-model-delayed.html) the launch of its new AI model ‘Avocado’ over performance concerns * **Meta** is preparing to deploy 4 new [homegrown chips](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-11/meta-preparing-to-deploy-four-new-homegrown-chips-to-handle-ai?sref=YURDD6is) to handle AI * **Meta** argued that uploading pirated books via BitTorrent [qualifies as fair use](https://torrentfreak.com/uploading-pirated-books-via-bittorrent-qualifies-as-fair-use-meta/), in an AI training lawsuit 🤨 * **Meta **is [updating](https://digiday.com/marketing/metas-measurement-and-attribution-updates-are-welcomed-but-not-ground-breaking-ad-execs-say/) how it measures and attributes ad clicks to better align with third-party tools * **Meta** wiped out more than [150,000 scam-linked accounts](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/meta-global-law-enforcement-disrupt-major-southeast-asia-criminal-scam-networks/) across its platforms in a joint operation with Royal Thai Police * **Meta** hired the team behind AI startup [Gizmo](https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-snapchat-engineers-behind-gizmo-join-meta-superintelligence-labs-2026-3), which lets people create and share interactive content, like mini apps or games * **Meta **will now charge advertisers new “[location fees](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-10/meta-hikes-fees-for-advertisers-to-cover-europe-s-digital-taxes)” to cover digital taxes in several European countries. * **Facebook **launched an [affiliate partnerships hub](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVtmt3FilG6?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) for creator monetisation * **Facebook **is working on [reducing notifications](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVlVEA6DE5M?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) from Pages by prioritising more relevant updates **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/09364f9e-ce80-4dbb-9ead-adcffe1bf008/image.png?t=1773402264) Follow image link: (https://piunikaweb.com/2026/03/13/instagram-testing-comment-editing-feature/) Caption: Instagram added ability to edit comments | Credit: [piunikaweb.com](https://piunikaweb.com) * **Instagram** is finally working on the ability to [edit comments](https://piunikaweb.com/2026/03/13/instagram-testing-comment-editing-feature/) after you post them (wild this wasn’t already possible!) * **Instagram** profiles for notable people are showing up [prominently](https://www.seroundtable.com/google-instagram-knowledge-panel-design-39263.html) in **Google** searches as part of a new test * **Instagram **added a new option to [hide all activity bubbles](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVlTolijBh-?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) in the feed and Reels (I know this one will please a lot of people!) * **Instagram** has been spotted introducing [voice effects in DMs](https://www.threads.com/@prabodhaonline/post/DVxkKMhFj9V?xmt=AQF06gFHElctJ3IEfxQ24je-5H0T0WGThOtprm75AGriug) (sadly, no Mosseri voice effect yet) * **Instagram **is testing a new [Shuffle icon](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVlYBmljPKX?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) for songs added to reels * **Instagram** is working on a big UI update for the [Saved Posts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0jrTEjN1F?xmt=AQF0wBHgkS9xczCh96kJhpk8R2KvCYvug4aXsulNoEVjLA) section * **Apple** launched a [new @helloapple account](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVyWK5HilJh?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) on **Instagram** * **Instagram Edits **added [freeze frame](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVvZDEpCp96?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA), a voiceover teleprompter, and curated sound effects * **Instagram Edits **added ‘[Optimize for Faster Editing](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVlUGpKjCjE?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg)’, which slightly reduces video quality while editing, without affecting export quality. **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1d487156-9668-4d78-bbaa-ef28ada8dc23/image.png?t=1773402624) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/11/whatsapp-is-launching-parent-linked-accounts-for-pre-teens/) Caption: WhatsApp’s new parent-managed accounts for under-13s | Credit: Mata * **WhatsApp** is now letting under-13s use the platform, with new [parent-managed accounts](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/11/whatsapp-is-launching-parent-linked-accounts-for-pre-teens/) * **WhatsApp** is testing [rounded chat bubbles](https://9to5google.com/2026/03/09/whatsapp-embraces-rounded-chat-bubbles/), replacing the classic speech-bubble design * **WhatsApp** Channels now lets you [add music](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVlRVGOiSzt?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) to your posts to share tracks directly with your followers * **WhatsApp** is rolling out a feature that shows [how many times](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVtNzmmCMeK?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) any channel update has been forwarded * **WhatsApp**’s [multiple accounts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVlUdKDDIWS?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) feature appears close to launch, as the Settings tab has been renamed to ‘You’ * **WhatsApp** added support for [another](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DV0z5kxjB9Q) third-party messaging platform in the EU, Haiket * **WhatsApp** has been spotted [re-ordering its tabs](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0izhlDP2h?xmt=AQF0wBHgkS9xczCh96kJhpk8R2KvCYvug4aXsulNoEVjLA) again * **Threads **now lets users [manage their Meta Verified](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVvuUfpiVfH?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) subscription directly within the app * **Threads** now supports the iOS 26 keyboard and [Liquid Glass UI](https://www.threads.com/@itsjackington/post/DVrYm6MjmEG?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) * **Threads** looks set to use a [larger font](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DVSBAJ1iDWS?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) for posts that contain just a single emoji **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/bb0d31dc-062d-4c4d-9017-2c3d4eea16f5/x_product_links.jpeg?t=1773402884) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-tests-product-ads-linked-to-mentions-in-posts/814139/) Caption: X’s new product mention link ad format | Credit: X * **X** is testing new ad format that includes [product mention links](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-tests-product-ads-linked-to-mentions-in-posts/814139/). X’s head of product said X is “trying to make an ad product that isn’t an ad.” * **xAI**’s Grok generated offensive posts about [football disasters and religions](https://news.sky.com/story/grok-posts-about-fatal-football-disasters-sickening-says-government-13516920), causing outrage in the UK. Liverpool FC and Manchester United have already [complained](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/09/liverpool-and-manchester-united-complain-to-x-over-sickening-grok-ai-posts) * **X **could be [breaching US sanctions](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-could-be-breaching-us-sanctions-on-iran-watchdog-warns-213550284.html) on Iran, a watchdog has warned **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b46062eb-c89a-4937-8bc8-01fabfa39800/image.png?t=1773403194) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/apple-music-and-tiktok-introduce-new-play-full-song-experience-bringing-seamless-music-discovery-and-listening-together?lang=en) Caption: Apple Music / TikTok Introduce New 'Play Full Song' Experience | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** officially added two new music features. Apple Music subscribers can now [play full songs](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/11/tiktok-now-lets-apple-music-subscribers-play-full-songs-without-leaving-the-app/) without leaving the app. There’s all a new [‘Listening Party’ feature](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/apple-music-and-tiktok-introduce-new-play-full-song-experience-bringing-seamless-music-discovery-and-listening-together?lang=en) * **TikTok **now lets you post Stories [exclusively](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVvwFWUiaVG?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) for your subscribers * **TikTok** is launching [TikTok Radio](https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/tiktok-radio-podcast-network-iheartmedia-1236685247/) from iHeart, a live audio channel that will blend content from creators with music * **TikTok** is introducing [Live Talent](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0zrIxDK9n), a new feature for livestream creators * **TikTok **is aggressively [targeting advertising budgets](https://digiday.com/podcasts/tiktok-after-the-legal-fight-and-why-its-coming-for-metas-ad-dollars/)—especially those currently spent on Meta * **TikTok** can [continue its operations](https://www.engadget.com/apps/tiktok-can-continue-its-operations-in-canada-after-agreeing-to-enhanced-security-measures-095239399.html) in Canada after agreeing to enhanced security measures * **TikTok** now includes a [Campaign Reminders](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0j8v9DNI1?xmt=AQF0wBHgkS9xczCh96kJhpk8R2KvCYvug4aXsulNoEVjLA) feature designed to help you avoid missing opportunities * **TikTok** launched an [in-app Oscars hub](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/filmtok-continues-to-spark-awards-season-buzz-ahead-of-the-98th-oscars?lang=en) to power awards night conversation * **An official #BookTok chart** combining retail sales and TikTok engagement data [will launch in the UK](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/mar/12/official-booktok-chart-set-to-launch-in-the-uk) **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1a6f309e-bcb7-4f9b-84e3-c8b929468871/youtube-likeness-detection-2026-03-09-at-2.12.10-PM.webp?t=1773403405) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/10/youtube-expands-ai-deepfake-detection-to-politicians-government-officials-and-journalists/) Caption: YouTube’s AI deepfake detection tool | Credit: YouTube * **YouTube** is expanding its [AI deepfake detection tool](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/10/youtube-expands-ai-deepfake-detection-to-politicians-government-officials-and-journalists/) to politicians, government officials and journalists * **YouTube** rolled out [unskippable 30-second ads](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-on-tv-unskippable-30-second-ads-3648246/) on connected TV apps worldwide (eww… thanks Google!) * **YouTube **now [remembers](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-remembers-your-sorting-preference-3648510/) how you like your videos sorted * **YouTube **is investing [$20 million](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-allocates-20m-toward-a-digital-literacy-education-program-for-teen/814507/) in a new global digital literacy program for teens * **YouTube** launched ‘Top Podcasts Lineup’ to [sell premium podcast ads](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/03/12/youtube-select-top-podcasts-ad-lineup/) * **YouTube **for Android TV now [shows](https://9to5google.com/2026/03/10/youtube-for-android-tv-now-shows-premium-family-plan-members-at-account-switcher/) Premium family plan members at account switcher * **Google** invested $1 million in [AI animation studio](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-11/google-backs-animaj-studio-using-ai-to-make-content-for-kids-on-youtube?sref=YURDD6is) Animaj, which makes kids’ videos for **YouTube** **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/32f63327-7ad6-4128-851a-d2e7bd133a6f/image.png?t=1773404089) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/updates-linkedin-feed-focusing-authentic-relevant-tim-jurka-umwnc) Caption: LinkedIn launches new AI feed ranking system | Credit: LinkedIn * **LinkedIn** is clamping down on [engagement-bait “comment yes!” type posts](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/updates-linkedin-feed-focusing-authentic-relevant-tim-jurka-umwnc), engagement pods, automated comments, and recycled thought leadership content * **LinkedIn** is testing a [new Interest Picker feature](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/updates-linkedin-feed-focusing-authentic-relevant-tim-jurka-umwnc/?trackingId=sDN2ZEDfTBWVU5g7Ft5EJw%3D%3D) to personalize feeds faster for new users * **Bluesky**’s CEO Jay Graber has [stood down](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/bluesky-ceo-steps-down-as-the-app-focuses-on-growth/814261/) as the company chases growth * **Snapchat** revealed the full list of nominees for its first [Snappy Awards](https://variety.com/2026/digital/awards/snapchat-snappy-awards-dj-khaled-lifetime-achievement-1236684740/) to celebrate top creators. DJ Khaled will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award * **Discord** launched ‘[Discord Official](https://discord.com/blog/claim-your-game)’ to verify game servers and profiles * **Twitch** is testing [Gift ‘Em All](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/03/12/twitch-subscriptions-gift-em-all-experimental-feature/), a feature that gifts subscriptions to every viewer in a stream * **Pinterest **and **Amazon** have launched an integration letting creators [link Amazon Storefronts](https://www.lindseygamble.com/blog/pinterest-and-amazon-partner-to-let-amazon-influencer-creators-link-their-storefronts) to profiles * **Signal **issued [scam warnings](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp85rpm0lq8o) to users after hackers targeted officials * **Substack** launched a built-in [podcast recording studio](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/12/substack-launches-a-built-in-recording-studio/) * **Tinder** is trying to [beat swipe fatigue](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/12/tinder-tries-to-lure-people-back-to-online-dating-with-irl-events-virtual-speed-dating/) with IRL events, video speed dating and AI matching -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- **X** has quietly added an option to [block Grok from editing](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-option-to-restrict-grok-image-variations/814140/) uploaded media. The change follows the recent global backlash over sexualised AI deepfakes generated using Grok. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8db63fb1-367c-4044-84ae-372acf6fdacf/x_grok_block.webp?t=1773399335) Caption: __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **LinkedIn** is testing an [AI interviewer that screens candidates](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-tests-out-ai-powered-interview-screening/814636/) before human job interviews * **Reddit **is now the [most cited source](https://dev.to/wilow445/why-reddit-is-quietly-becoming-the-1-source-ai-platforms-cite-2ecl) in AI summaries and Chatbot responses …but **LinkedIn** is [rising fast](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-is-a-leading-source-for-ai-answers/814388/) * **LinkedIn** also launched a new [AI feed ranking system](https://www.linkedin.com/blog/engineering/feed/engineering-the-next-generation-of-linkedins-feed) for smarter content recommendations * **X** introduced a Grok-powered audio feature that [reads long-form articles aloud](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-ai-powered-audio-reading-long-form-articles/814138/) * **xAI’**s Grok app now has a new [image settings](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0iUWmDD5y?xmt=AQF0wBHgkS9xczCh96kJhpk8R2KvCYvug4aXsulNoEVjLA) menu * **Meta **is adding new AI tools that auto-generate **Facebook** [Marketplace listings](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/facebook-marketplace-new-meta-ai-tools-make-selling-faster-and-easier/), suggest prices from photos, draft responses for buyers and more * **Meta**’s Manus AI now has an Instagram connector allowing users to [publish Posts, Stories and Reels](https://www.threads.com/@testingcatalog/post/DVzXpVzjac2?xmt=AQF06gFHElctJ3IEfxQ24je-5H0T0WGThOtprm75AGriug) * **WhatsApp **is rolling out a [dedicated Meta AI tab](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-a-meta-ai-tab-as-a-central-hub-on-android/) to centralise all AI-powered features in one place * **WhatsApp** is working on [higher-tier subscription plans](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVugNCwCAm2?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) for Meta AI, with increased usage limits and more. * **OpenAI’s Sora** video generator is reportedly being [built into ChatGPT](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/893189/openai-chatgpt-sora-integration) * **CapCut **introduced a new tab for its AI features called [AI Lab](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0kbQVjI3w?xmt=AQF0wBHgkS9xczCh96kJhpk8R2KvCYvug4aXsulNoEVjLA) * **Adobe** now lets you ask an [AI assistant in Photoshop](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/10/adobe-is-debuting-an-ai-assistant-for-photoshop/) to edit images for you * **Canva** unveiled Magic Layers, a tool that transforms flat images into [layered, editable designs](https://www.fastcompany.com/91506292/canva-new-magic-layers-ai-tool-will-break-your-design-process) * **Bumble **launched ‘Dates’, a new AI assistant designed to act like a [personal matchmaker](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-11/bumble-s-new-ai-assistant-aims-to-take-dating-beyond-the-swipe?embedded-checkout=true) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f51d6aca-cc2f-4bf0-9ae0-2077a60b94dd/trail.jpg?t=1772123658) Caption: -------------------- **Closing arguments** began this week in the landmark social media addiction trial. The plaintiff says **YouTube, Instagram **engineered addictive features that harmed her mental health. Her lawyer said social media apps are “Trojan horses” designed to capture attention. Closing arguments begin in landmark social media addiction trial: (https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/social-media-trial-los-angeles-la-meta-youtube-rcna263063) __________ **Also in court this week:** * **Meta and Google presented their defence** in US trial over alleged social media addiction. [They argued](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-09/meta-google-pivot-in-addiction-trial-to-accuser-s-home-life) family turmoil and school stress caused the plaintiff’s anxiety, depression, body-image struggles. * **What it was like to watch grieving parents** [stare down Mark Zuckerberg in court](https://www.theverge.com/policy/893930/social-media-addiction-trial-los-angeles-zuckerberg-instagram-youtube) * **Elon Musk’s legal team has requested a mistrial **in the Twitter shareholder fraud case. This follows a problem of [too many potential jurors hating him](https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-wants-a-do-over-twitter-trial-after-jury-pool-couldnt-hide-its-disdain-2000731598) * **Elon Musk’s spam frustration **was ‘[confusing](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-07/musk-s-spam-frustration-was-confusing-to-ex-twitter-executives)’ to ex-Twitter executives, former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and CFO Ned Segal testified in the court case over Musk’s tweets during deal negotiations -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fce48a77-83a7-433a-bbb2-15d76b7163b8/You_can.jpg?t=1772731131) Caption: -------------------- I gave my thoughts to **BBC News** about Ofcom’s deadline for tech giants to to [toughen up age checks](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn48n18pg1eo) for under-13s View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3c45940e-c171-42e1-87a1-cd988313c0ce/BBC_News_TikTok_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra.jpg?t=1773405057) Follow image link: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn48n18pg1eo) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3b409ca5-a409-49b7-8d8f-febf7dbe19f4/lol.jpg?t=1772123732) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1ac75b05-ba99-43e5-a024-06b00077211f/lol130226_1.jpg?t=1773399777) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVq__CNGnKv/?img_index=4) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/871f8160-cc4c-4f78-bf9d-ebc945b67fe4/lol130226_2.jpg?t=1773399922) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-managers-when-someone-says-activity-7437875071576121346-ie4N?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: __________ Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVwE_szjjZL/?img_index=1) __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3bf7c1a7-55cd-463e-9cd7-cc9266178150/lol130226_3.jpg?t=1773400033) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@kurtwag8/post/DVrUOugDxNO?xmt=AQF0s53onL6s7J0jc3zNXOQqOQktAp1_7rYez3IThj7Baw) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- Get ready to see this bug-eyed little guy everywhere… With Apple’s latest emoji designs unveiled, the **new “Distorted Face”** is already being hailed as the defining reaction emoji of 2026. Its design mirrors Gen Z-style “deep-fried” reaction emoji memes used to show shock or disbelief. Early reactions online suggest it could quickly become one of the internet’s most-used emojis. This New Emoji Has The Entire Internet In A Chokehold: (https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/new-emojis-2026) Tweet: (https://twitter.com/todayyearsold/status/2031122844298653850) And brands are already getting in on it… Tweet: (https://twitter.com/Wendys/status/2031884901557965271) __________ Tweet: (https://twitter.com/McDonalds/status/2031511141633921235) __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4f2c5c73-d5bb-4d8a-b149-b1789bd6b4a5/Screenshot_2026-03-13_at_12.37.20.png?t=1773405463) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@youtubecreators/post/DVy2PxVlFA1?xmt=AQF0nbOw7J4zUF32hlFqdDBVeJVLYWDZqGKH7dJF0K0XVQ-4EI0rd-eejUgVEdFk_MEDTiM-&slof=1) Caption: __________ **More viral news this week:** * **AI-generated war content** is [flooding X during the Iran conflict](https://www.wired.com/story/fake-ai-content-about-the-iran-war-is-all-over-x/) * **TikTok’s “mystery scoop” trend** sells [surprise merch revealed through charm scoops](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/style/mystery-scoops-tiktok.html) * **Gen Z is logging books, films and podcasts** to [escape doomscrolling habits](https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-doomscrolling-tracking-film-podcasts-books-analog-2026-3) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- Brands are increasingly mocking rivals in ads and social media to grab attention. Just look at how **Burger King **and **Wendy’s** roasted **McDonald’s** after CEO Chris Kempczinski’s awkward burger video. Also, **Pepsi **revived the Pepsi Challenge, using **Coca-Cola**’s polar bear mascot. Experts say rivalry marketing fuels engagement… but it risks a backlash. Why So Many Brands Are Throwing Shade at Their Competitors Right Now: (https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/why-so-many-brands-are-throwing-shade-at-their-competitors-right-now/) __________ **More brand news and views:** * **Instagram’s Close Friends feature** is emerging as a [powerful marketing tool for brands](https://www.inc.com/kira-jackson/this-overlooked-instagram-feature-might-be-the-most-powerful-tool-in-your-marketing-stack/91313306) * **Brands are building** [in-house entertainment studios](https://digiday.com/marketing/the-in-house-entertainment-studio-is-having-its-social-media-team-moment/) to create original shows and content * **Apple **is promoting the new super-cheap MacBook Neo with [intentionally weird TikTok videos](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/07/apple-posting-strange-tiktok-videos/) * **Marketing chief Annie Barrett** has a playbook to ensure **Adidas Originals** is [always part of the conversation](https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/adidas-originals-annie-barret-cultural-cachet/) * **Domino’s** has launched a social-first campaign turning influencer pizza orders into ‘[celebrity meals](https://www.marketingdive.com/news/dominos-redefines-celebrity-meals-in-social-first-campaign/813877/)’ * **Podcasters** signing with **Netflix** face new rules on [YouTube and TikTok clips](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/03/06/netflix-podcasters-clipping-youtube-not-allowed/) * Why is **Pinterest** losing [advertiser interest](https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2026/02/25/why-is-pinterest-losing-advertisers)? -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"We have so many people who hate him [Elon] so much"“ — – **Elon Musk’s attorney **describes the problem of [trying to get an unbiased jury](https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-wants-a-do-over-twitter-trial-after-jury-pool-couldnt-hide-its-disdain-2000731598) for his deal tweets court case __________ **Also quoted this week:** _“When you’re making money off of kids, you have to do it responsibly.”_ **- Mark Lanier**, the attorney representing the plaintiff in the big LA social [media addiction trial](https://apnews.com/article/meta-instagram-facebook-trial-social-media-addiction-0e99c9ba6159421720d616f9facd10f0) __________ _“We’ve never had young adults that were VR native… I suspect that they remain a core group of players, nut the games they play are going to change, and the amount of money they’ll have to spend will change too.”_ **- Meta VR games director Chris Pruett** hopes teen VR players [stick around](https://www.theverge.com/column/893526/meta-vr-games-teens) to support the struggling field as they get older -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/863ad342-3950-4b01-a80d-44a973a4ba09/fav_reads.jpg?t=1772123813) Caption: -------------------- **“YouTube Face”** — exaggerated facial expressions in thumbnails — is everywhere these days. **MrBeast’s** growth popularised the tactic through heavy thumbnail optimisation. Data-driven A/B testing proved expressive faces boost clicks and retention. This article takes a deep dive into the “Beastification” of **YouTube**. The Rise of YouTube Face: (https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/09/pop-culture/youtube-face-thumbnails-history-explained) __________ **Also:** * **Why brands spamming Reddit **for AI citations [is a risky strategy](https://www.productledseo.com/p/aeo-stop-spamming-reddit-for-citations?hide_intro_popup=true) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/329d25b3-9e16-4946-b400-e5cc194f0db0/New_Platform_v2.jpg?t=1772123876) Caption: -------------------- If you’re the type of person who likes tinkering with the technical side of social, this could be the perfect project for you… **Periwinkle** allows you to set up a social media account entirely under your own control, not hosted by a central platform. But compatible with **Bluesky** and other social apps that use the **AT Protocol**. 🤓 🙌 Periwinkle is making self-hosted social media on Bluesky's AT Protocol even easier : (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/09/periwinkle-at-protocol-bluesky-self-hosted-social-media/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- Social media can turn absolutely anything into a viral scandal… even if it’s entirely made up. AI-made **“red v blue” posters** calling for school fights appeared on **TikTok** and **Snapchat** in mid-February. Schools in London cancelled detentions and police deployed officers in preparation for violence. But no violence occurred… Experts say the real viral driver was worried parents in **WhatsApp** **groups**, amplifying the meme into a phantom social media panic! How the 'red v blue school wars' exposed the social media gap between children and parents: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4wgzdydkeo) __________ **More WTF this week:** * **Influencers are flooding **TikTok and X with [videos defending Dubai’s safety](https://www.ft.com/content/a7bffadc-0787-48a6-a3d6-0a87ce1f3fdf) during missile attacks in the region (some of which have been aimed right at Dubai) **…and Dubai authorities** are [threatening fines](https://www.semafor.com/article/03/12/2026/gulf-authorities-warn-against-posting-war-footage-on-social-media) on people who share war footage from the city * **Chatbots encouraged ‘teens’** to [plan shootings](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/892978/ai-chatbots-investigation-help-teens-plan-violence), in a study of 10 major AI tools * **Researchers have built **an AI system that can [unmask anonymous accounts](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/889395/ai-agents-unmask-anonymous-online-accounts) by analysing writing patterns and clues * **‘Age Verification’ could force trans people** to [out themselves to use the internet](https://www.theverge.com/policy/892075/age-verification-kansas-id-trans) * **Snapchat refused to remove** a 14-year-old’s illegal account in Australia because [it listed its age as 25](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/11/social-media-ban-australia-snapchat-compliance) * **AI-generated influencers** are [promoting supplements on Instagram and TikTok](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/business/media/fake-ai-generated-accounts-social-media-supplements.html) without clear disclosure * **The White House posted **a TikTok video promoting ‘[justice the American way](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/06/white-house-propaganda-video-characters)’ featuring Hollywood characters it didn’t have permission to use. Stars like Ben Stiller [pushed back](https://dailydot.com/ben-stiller-master-chief-condemn-white-house-video) * **Keir Starmer was accused** of ‘[mimicking Trump](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/06/keir-starmer-accused-of-mimicking-trump-with-middle-east-crisis-tiktok-post)’ with a Middle East crisis TikTok post which has since been taken down -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772123969) Caption: -------------------- **Meta AI was one of five **AI chatbots found to recommend illegal online casinos when prompted. Along with **Google’s Gemini**, it even offered advice on how to bypass UK gambling and addiction checks 😳 AI chatbots point vulnerable social media users to illegal online casinos, analysis shows: (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/08/ai-chatbots-point-vulnerable-to-online-casinos-gambling-addiction-uk) __________ **More fails:** * **Discord has fixed a bug** that [stored users’ private messages](https://www.eurogamer.net/discord-promises-additional-protections-following-arc-raiders-bug-that-stored-users-private-messages) in local log files -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: -------------------- What numbers should you care about on **TikTok** in 2026? **Hootsuite’s** got you covered with this guide… TikTok analytics 2026: The ultimate guide for marketers: (https://blog.hootsuite.com/tiktok-analytics/) __________ **More pro tips:** * **LinkedIn** [busted a few myths](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVyy1N-Cp7H) by confirming (again) that links, hashtags, posting frequency, boosting posts, or using third party tools do NOT trigger it to downrank your posts in feed. * **LinkedIn** shared tips on [optimising post content for citations by AI chatbots](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-shares-tips-on-optimizing-post-content-for-ai-chatbots/814635/) * **A new 22-page report** examines **Reddit**’s role in the [“hidden” B2B buyer journey](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-publishes-report-on-its-b2b-marketing-opportunities/814506/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**$40.4 BILLION**“ — – **YouTube**’s [ad revenue in 2025](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVvXG4Nipc7?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA), beating major Hollywood rivals combined **More stats:** * **LARRY’S BILLIONS: **Oracle disclosed its TikTok investment is worth roughly [$2 billion](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/11/oracle-tiktok-us-stake-outages.html) in a new financial filing * **BIG BLOX:** Roblox paid [$1.5 billion](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVtpZYEih37?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) to creators last year, with top developers averaging $1.3 million * **REBEL REBEL**: Around [20%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DV0aarDin7Y?xmt=AQF06gFHElctJ3IEfxQ24je-5H0T0WGThOtprm75AGriug) of Australian teens still use TikTok and Snapchat despite a national under-16 social media ban. * **ROASTED: **Google’s AI Overviews are [44% more likely](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVwOCIqiuPA?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) to talk smack about brands than ChatGPT (Google thinks the study is flawed) * **BAN-HAMMER:** X suspended [800 million](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/09/x-suspends-accounts-massive-scale-manipulation-attempts-russia) accounts in one year amid ‘massive’ scale of manipulation attempts * **OLD SCHOOL: **[79%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVtakC8imOu?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) of Gen-Z say they miss the TikTok’s earlier, less branded content, and 41% feel nostalgic for a time when TikTok had fewer ads and brands * **PAYING BLIND:** [49%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVwRW0GCpDL?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) of marketers don’t know how much they pay influencers, as agencies bundle fees * **EMBARRASSING: **[88%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVs8ti8inuO?xmt=AQF0QknciZLAaBzrUAeTqAlMnfBEw1Jpii-HqwfVNkLPUA) of respondents in an online poll by Elon Musk said X ads never led them to buy anything * **FEELING SOURCE-Y: **Reddit appears in [23% of AI citations](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVjEcnZij4-?xmt=AQF0QknciZLAaBzrUAeTqAlMnfBEw1Jpii-HqwfVNkLPUA), beating Wikipedia (18%) and GitHub (12%) combined * **WOMEN OF THE WORLD TAKE OVER: **On TikTok, #WomenInSTEM and #WomenInFashion communities have grown [47% and 56%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVqVcAxiuk4?xmt=AQF0QknciZLAaBzrUAeTqAlMnfBEw1Jpii-HqwfVNkLPUA) YoY -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- **YouTube’s **[on top of the world](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVwU9axCinN?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) these days… And according to reports this week, **YouTube** now generates more annual ad revenue than **Disney, Netflix**, and all other global media businesses. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c4bb574d-4ab4-4183-a209-3dfe2f261a54/YT_top.jpg?t=1773401728) Caption: __________ **More charts:** * **SOURCE-RY: **The top domains [where AI finds its answers](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVvWK9ViqlR?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) * **GAINING INFLUENCE: **LinkedIn’s [growth as a source](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVwSiQHit4i?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) of info for AI chatbots -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- EU set to ban AI nudification apps in wake of Grok scandal: (https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-grok-x-elon-musk-ai-nudification-ban-in-wake-of-scandal/) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **Australian teens are bypassing** the country’s under-16 social media ban using VPNs and tricks to fool age verification. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-11/australian-teens-are-sneaking-onto-social-media-despite-ban)] * **New US child-safety laws** are pushing mandatory online age verification across platforms. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/08/social-media-child-safety-internet-ai-surveillance.html)] * **Ministers must act more quickly** on deepfakes to protect women and girls, the UK technology secretary says. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/09/ministers-act-quickly-deepfakes-protect-women-girls-liz-kendall-technology-misogyny)] * **Creators in Europe** have cheered a new AI copyright framework while the tech industry warns of costs. [[Deadline](https://deadline.com/2026/03/european-parliament-approval-ai-resolution-creators-tech-1236749095/)] * **Spain launched** an AI tool to track hate speech on social media. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/sanchez-launches-ai-tool-to-track-hate-speech-on-social-media/)] * **Indonesia will ban** 'high risk' social media for under-16s. High-risk platforms include TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X and Roblox. [[Variety](https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/indonesia-social-media-ban-under-16s-1236680829/)] * **India’s Karnataka state **plans to ban social media for users under 16. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/06/indias-karnataka-signals-intent-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s/)] * **Here’s an updated list** of the countries moving to ban social media for children. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/06/social-media-ban-children-countries-list/)] * **Roblox launched** new Incubator and Jumpstart programmes to help creators build new games. [[Roblox News](https://about.roblox.com/newsroom/2026/03/roblox-announces-incubator-jumpstart-creator-programs)] * **YouTube suspended** the ‘Jeopardy!’ host John Roderick’s podcast after flagging a 2019 episode for hate speech. [[The Daily Beast](https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/youtube-bans-jeopardy-host-ken-jennings-podcast-over-hate-speech/)] * **TikTok will resume **sponsoring events in Canada again after gaining permission to remain in the country. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/tiktok-canadian-sponsorships-deal-1236528718/)] * **Russian government hackers** are targeting Signal and WhatsApp users, Dutch intelligence services have warned. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/09/russian-government-hackers-targeting-signal-and-whatsapp-users-dutch-spies-warn/)] * **TikTok named** Stephen Sanchez as the guest for episode three of TikTok In The Mix. [[TikTok Newsroom](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-announces-stephen-sanchez-as-the-star-of-tiktok-in-the-mix-episode-3-presented-by-t-mobile?lang=en)] * **Snap has turned **portrait art into an interactive AR experience at SXSW. [[Snap Newsroom](https://newsroom.snap.com/spectacular-art-of-jonathan-yeo-sxsw)] * **Snapchat has launched **‘Cricket in a Snap,’ an ad suite targeting IPL conversations among Gen Z in India. [[Fortune India](https://www.fortuneindia.com/business-news/snapchat-bets-on-gen-z-cricket-frenzy-with-cricket-in-a-snap-ad-suite/130953)] * **Meta explained** how its Advanced Browsing Protection (ABP) in Messenger detects malicious links while preserving privacy. [[Engineering at Meta](https://engineering.fb.com/2026/03/09/security/how-advanced-browsing-protection-works-in-messenger/)] **New features and tests:** * **Threads is now** in Meta Account Centre, along with a revamped Settings menu. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVlZjHCjIpj?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg)] * **Threads has added** a shortcut to manage your Meta Verified subscription. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0z_uqjO_g)] * **TikTok revamped** its Balance section with a new UI update. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0kLBiDIg5?xmt=AQF0wBHgkS9xczCh96kJhpk8R2KvCYvug4aXsulNoEVjLA)] * **Disney+ launched** a TikTok-style vertical video feed called “Verts”. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/disney-creator-content-launches-vertical-video-verts-1236528489/)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- Every influencer eventually becomes a merch store: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/892140/tucker-carlson-merch-commie-hat-influencers-mrbeast) __________ **Also worth a read this weekend:** * **AI incites a new wave of grieving parents** [fighting for online safety](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/technology/ai-social-media-child-safety-parents.html) * **On Facebook, it now pays** to [post about politics](https://www.chaoticera.news/p/on-facebook-it-now-pays-to-post-about-politics) * **The mysterious case** of the DHS [white supremacist memelord](https://www.theverge.com/column/892985/dhs-white-supremacist-memelord) * **How Roblox is minting** [teen millionaires](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-06/roblox-s-teen-millionaires-are-disrupting-the-gaming-industry?sref=YURDD6is) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- It turns out that if you’re fancily-dressed young man in the world of high-end banking, you don’t get a free pass to parade yourself as an influencer in a swish photo shoot. _“When four ‘finance boys’ went viral last week for their Loro Piana- and Hermés-studded photo shoot, they violated more than the sacrosanct rule of not outdressing your boss. _ _“They brought Wall Street banks into the memeosphere, attracting publicity that has clashed with the hush-hush world of high finance.”_ Young bankers are learning the hard way that Wall Street doesn't do influencers: (https://www.businessinsider.com/finance-boys-tiktok-generation-old-school-wall-street-goldman-2026-3) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- That’s all folks. You social media debriefing for this week is done. A couple of quick reminders before you go… __________ ##### **NEW EPISODE: Channel 4’s Battle of the Brands** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/dd1d2134-2184-4f24-a351-b0b92aa19da7/image.png?t=1773407194) Caption: The second episode of [Channel 4’s ‘Battle of the Brands’](https://www.channel4.com/programmes/battle-of-the-brands) is now available to watch. (Use a VPN if you’re not in the UK) My face briefly pops-up again to talk about Aldi’s battles with rival M&S on social media. Here’s a quick clip: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVvu5VTDBCu/) __________ ##### **Geekout x Instagram Edits Exec Q&A** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2cec7643-b492-4ad1-83b8-0a04a91c2495/Instagram_Edits_-_Matt_Simari.jpg?t=1773407255) Caption: This might be your last chance to send me questions you’d like me to ask Instagram Edit’s Director or Product Management, **Matt Simari.** The best 5 questions will WIN an Instagram Merch Bundle. Hit reply and send me your questions now. Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-links-posts-meta-moltbook-youtube-disney

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/16437a85-cfc8-4155-a6b5-aaf89d410d45/Geekout_130326.jpg?t=1773406751) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Geekout is read by 30K social media pros** ** Get up to 20% off Geekout ads in 2026 **Advertiser Info** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **⚡️ Optimize Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-links-posts-meta-moltbook-youtube-disney) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** Has hell frozen over? Instagram is finally letting you add links in post captions! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/0259e47b-8a1d-4529-bd33-42f671859c76/IMG_1018.jpg?t=1773400405) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@itsatravelod/post/DVxO-9SDsh4?xmt=AQF0SrpEM55oGCSzUhWdMJRLoYZLqOfQYPJUkByYjg0UBg) Caption: Credit: @itsatravelod But because its a Mark Zuckerberg production, of course, there’s a catch. It’s currently only a test with a select group of Instagram users. But more importantly, you have to be a Meta Verified subscriber. In addition, it looks like the number of posts you can publish with links in captions is limited per month, based on your Meta Verified subscription tier. Keep scrolling for my take on 2026’s biggest Instagram plot twist so far. **Coming up in this week’s Geekout:** * 🔗** Instagram’s testing clickable links in captions**… but is it long overdue or a really bad idea? - * 🤖** Mark Zuckerberg just acquired MoltBook**… but what will he do with the viral social network for AI bots? - * **⚖️ Social media addiction lawsuit climax…** closing arguments made. But what will be the jurors verdict? - * 😮** 9 new emojis are coming soon…** but one of them is already going viral. And brands can’t stop using it. Plus over **33 new platform features** on TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads have been spotted in the wild this week. But before we dive in… 👇 **2 cool things…** * 🛑 Stop screenshotting social posts for your reports. I save hours every month with **[this ONE tool](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special)**** **— Try it for free [ad] - * 📺 [This web app](https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/this-web-app-lets-you-channel-surf-youtube-like-a-90s-kid-watching-cable-220651107.html) lets you 'channel surf' YouTube like a '90s kid watching cable -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ TOP SOCIAL TOOL #### Your Social Reports Don’t Need to Take Half a Day ⏱️ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5e4bcb8b-160c-4f9b-a554-1fa3a10c4535/image.png?t=1773331313) Follow image link: (https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special) Caption: Ever started creating a new social report doc… …Then realised you still need to pull numbers from five different platforms? So the report building ritual begins: 👎🏻 Screenshot posts 👎🏻 Copy metrics into spreadsheets 👎🏻 Double-check numbers 👎🏻 Format slides until your eyes blur 😩 [Measure Studio](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special)** **kills that entire process. It pulls your social data together and turns it into clean, client-ready reports in minutes. ❌ No spreadsheet chaos. No screenshotting posts. No slide-building marathons. And it’s had some **powerful upgrades**: * ⚡ **One-Click Report Refresh** — update every metric across a full report instantly * 📈 **Competitor Benchmarking** — show exactly how your accounts stack up against other brands * ⚙️ **Custom Report Layouts** — drag metrics anywhere to build slides exactly how you want * 💻 **PowerPoint Export** — generate polished decks ready to send to clients or leadership * 🎨 **Custom Branding** — apply your logo, fonts, and colours to every report Measure Studio** **is used by social teams at Uber, Samsung, and H&M. Honestly… if reporting eats half your afternoon every month, this tool is ridiculously useful. 👉 **[Try Measure Studio FREE for 2 Weeks](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special)**** **… and never screenshot another social post for a report again! 🔓 Unlock Free Trial (https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Instagram is testing clickable links in post captions — But there’s a catch: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-testing-clickable-links-in-instagram-captions-for-verified-subscribers-184555406.html) 2. **YouTube surpasses Disney** to become the world’s largest media company [[DISRUPTING](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/youtube-worlds-largest-media-company-2025-tops-disney-1236525130/)] 3. **UK MPs reject social ban for under-16s **but didn’t kill the idea completely [[RESISTING](https://news.sky.com/story/mps-vote-down-social-media-ban-for-under-16s-13517545)] 4. **Meta acquired Moltbook**, the viral social network for AI bots [[HARVESTING](https://www.axios.com/2026/03/10/meta-facebook-moltbook-agent-social-network)] 5. **X agrees to alter blue check verification system** in Europe after EU fine [[COMPLYING](https://archive.is/a9RYK)] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ TOP NEWSLETTER ### A free newsletter read by 117,000 marketers View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9b10c995-3515-4b1e-8911-ce7c8bd5ca7d/hamm_canvas.png?t=1763597017) Follow image link: (https://themarketingmillennials.com/newsletter-subscription/?utm_source=beehiiv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_content=free_hamm_reader_count&_bhiiv=opp_e08f3f15-e59d-4bd3-974c-775eaa7a4392_0dc03936&bhcl_id=d0b31333-3657-4e4f-bd3f-7d4bd9710fe6_56ba3e99-473c-490a-a4c9-0fb1c89f9154_a2215491-e259-46b3-a329-c90748e98c8a) Caption: The best marketing ideas come from marketers who live it. That’s what [The Marketing Millennials](https://themarketingmillennials.com/newsletter-subscription/?utm_source=beehiiv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_content=free_hamm_reader_count&_bhiiv=opp_e08f3f15-e59d-4bd3-974c-775eaa7a4392_0dc03936&bhcl_id=d0b31333-3657-4e4f-bd3f-7d4bd9710fe6_56ba3e99-473c-490a-a4c9-0fb1c89f9154_a2215491-e259-46b3-a329-c90748e98c8a) delivers: real insights, fresh takes, and no fluff. Written by [Daniel Murray](https://themarketingmillennials.com/newsletter-subscription/?utm_source=beehiiv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_content=free_hamm_reader_count&_bhiiv=opp_e08f3f15-e59d-4bd3-974c-775eaa7a4392_0dc03936&bhcl_id=d0b31333-3657-4e4f-bd3f-7d4bd9710fe6_56ba3e99-473c-490a-a4c9-0fb1c89f9154_a2215491-e259-46b3-a329-c90748e98c8a), a marketer who knows what works, this newsletter cuts through the noise so you can stop guessing and start winning. Subscribe and level up your marketing game. [Sign Up Free](https://themarketingmillennials.com/newsletter-subscription/?utm_source=beehiiv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_content=free_hamm_reader_count&_bhiiv=opp_e08f3f15-e59d-4bd3-974c-775eaa7a4392_0dc03936&bhcl_id=d0b31333-3657-4e4f-bd3f-7d4bd9710fe6_56ba3e99-473c-490a-a4c9-0fb1c89f9154_a2215491-e259-46b3-a329-c90748e98c8a) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **Click here? Instagram tests caption links** Meta is testing clickable links in Instagram captions for verified subscribers: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-testing-clickable-links-in-instagram-captions-for-verified-subscribers-184555406.html) Something most of us had assumed would NEVER happen has happened, and it could change the feel of Instagram forever… or will it? As first shared by [Andrea Valeria](https://www.threads.com/@itsatravelod/post/DVxO-9SDsh4?xmt=AQF0SrpEM55oGCSzUhWdMJRLoYZLqOfQYPJUkByYjg0UBg) on Threads, Meta is testing the ability to add a link to a post caption on Instagram. There are caveats: you have to be a Meta Verified subscriber, and it appears you can only publish 10 posts with links in captions per month. I suspect Meta may decide to limit the number of posts with links in captions based on your Meta Verified subscription tier, which is what it currently does for links in Reels. 👇 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/dfbdf989-e9f4-4fa2-9225-e984805acfc6/image.png?t=1773400755) Follow image link: (https://www.facebook.com/business/tools/meta-verified-for-business) Caption: Credit: Meta But still, this is wild because platform boss Adam Mosseri previously [said](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RroXkGGclQI) that allowing links in post captions was unlikely to happen, as it would change the dynamic of Instagram. Mosseri feared they would become spammy by becoming a vector for abuse by bad actors. So why now? It’s probably as simple as Meta wanting to grow its subscription business. Giving people what they want is a good way to do that. Limiting links per month is a good way to minimise the risk of spam, and Instagram has probably factored in AI-powered improvements in moderation efficiency and feed ranking to make sure the app doesn’t become a swamp of ‘click here!’ trash. Meta has also [just introduced](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-outlines-improved-scam-protection-in-messenger-app/814259/) enhanced scam protections that better detect malicious links. Instagram has been shuffling this way for a while. It already allows multiple ‘links in bio’, and as I mentioned, Meta Verified users can already put a limited number of links per month in Reels captions. And the brutal truth is that posts aren’t as big a part of Instagram as they used to be. The app has been largely about shoving Reels into your face for months now. The speed at which it turned into a different flavour of TikTok has been striking. In that context, adding links to post captions just feels like a natural evolution, and I’d be surprised if it causes any of the problems Mosseri used to worry it would. But what do you think? Is this change long overdue, or will it turn Instagram into a link-spam nightmare? -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7612905d-0fe8-4e5c-bdc0-0043e40d98b1/image.png?t=1773401882) Follow image link: (https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/meta-launches-new-anti-scam-tools-deploys-ai-technology-to-fight-scammers-and-protect-people/) Caption: Meta’s new advanced scam protection in Messenger | Credit: Meta * **Meta** is introducing new [anti-scam protections](https://www.theverge.com/tech/892939/meta-facebook-whatsapp-messenger-scam-detection) across Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger * **Meta **launched [mini games](https://gizmodo.com/meta-hopes-mini-games-will-make-you-forget-its-smart-glasses-are-recording-you-naked-2000732798) for its Ray-Ban Display smart glasses * **Meta**’s deepfake moderation [isn’t good enough](https://www.theverge.com/tech/891933/meta-oversight-board-ai-labels-deepfake-c2pa-facebook-instagram), its Oversight Board says * **Meta** has [delayed](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/12/technology/meta-avocado-ai-model-delayed.html) the launch of its new AI model ‘Avocado’ over performance concerns * **Meta** is preparing to deploy 4 new [homegrown chips](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-11/meta-preparing-to-deploy-four-new-homegrown-chips-to-handle-ai?sref=YURDD6is) to handle AI * **Meta** argued that uploading pirated books via BitTorrent [qualifies as fair use](https://torrentfreak.com/uploading-pirated-books-via-bittorrent-qualifies-as-fair-use-meta/), in an AI training lawsuit 🤨 * **Meta **is [updating](https://digiday.com/marketing/metas-measurement-and-attribution-updates-are-welcomed-but-not-ground-breaking-ad-execs-say/) how it measures and attributes ad clicks to better align with third-party tools * **Meta** wiped out more than [150,000 scam-linked accounts](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/meta-global-law-enforcement-disrupt-major-southeast-asia-criminal-scam-networks/) across its platforms in a joint operation with Royal Thai Police * **Meta** hired the team behind AI startup [Gizmo](https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-snapchat-engineers-behind-gizmo-join-meta-superintelligence-labs-2026-3), which lets people create and share interactive content, like mini apps or games * **Meta **will now charge advertisers new “[location fees](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-10/meta-hikes-fees-for-advertisers-to-cover-europe-s-digital-taxes)” to cover digital taxes in several European countries. * **Facebook **launched an [affiliate partnerships hub](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVtmt3FilG6?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) for creator monetisation * **Facebook **is working on [reducing notifications](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVlVEA6DE5M?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) from Pages by prioritising more relevant updates **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/09364f9e-ce80-4dbb-9ead-adcffe1bf008/image.png?t=1773402264) Follow image link: (https://piunikaweb.com/2026/03/13/instagram-testing-comment-editing-feature/) Caption: Instagram added ability to edit comments | Credit: [piunikaweb.com](https://piunikaweb.com) * **Instagram** is finally working on the ability to [edit comments](https://piunikaweb.com/2026/03/13/instagram-testing-comment-editing-feature/) after you post them (wild this wasn’t already possible!) * **Instagram** profiles for notable people are showing up [prominently](https://www.seroundtable.com/google-instagram-knowledge-panel-design-39263.html) in **Google** searches as part of a new test * **Instagram **added a new option to [hide all activity bubbles](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVlTolijBh-?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) in the feed and Reels (I know this one will please a lot of people!) * **Instagram** has been spotted introducing [voice effects in DMs](https://www.threads.com/@prabodhaonline/post/DVxkKMhFj9V?xmt=AQF06gFHElctJ3IEfxQ24je-5H0T0WGThOtprm75AGriug) (sadly, no Mosseri voice effect yet) * **Instagram **is testing a new [Shuffle icon](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVlYBmljPKX?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) for songs added to reels * **Instagram** is working on a big UI update for the [Saved Posts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0jrTEjN1F?xmt=AQF0wBHgkS9xczCh96kJhpk8R2KvCYvug4aXsulNoEVjLA) section * **Apple** launched a [new @helloapple account](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVyWK5HilJh?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) on **Instagram** * **Instagram Edits **added [freeze frame](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVvZDEpCp96?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA), a voiceover teleprompter, and curated sound effects * **Instagram Edits **added ‘[Optimize for Faster Editing](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVlUGpKjCjE?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg)’, which slightly reduces video quality while editing, without affecting export quality. **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1d487156-9668-4d78-bbaa-ef28ada8dc23/image.png?t=1773402624) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/11/whatsapp-is-launching-parent-linked-accounts-for-pre-teens/) Caption: WhatsApp’s new parent-managed accounts for under-13s | Credit: Mata * **WhatsApp** is now letting under-13s use the platform, with new [parent-managed accounts](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/11/whatsapp-is-launching-parent-linked-accounts-for-pre-teens/) * **WhatsApp** is testing [rounded chat bubbles](https://9to5google.com/2026/03/09/whatsapp-embraces-rounded-chat-bubbles/), replacing the classic speech-bubble design * **WhatsApp** Channels now lets you [add music](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVlRVGOiSzt?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) to your posts to share tracks directly with your followers * **WhatsApp** is rolling out a feature that shows [how many times](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVtNzmmCMeK?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) any channel update has been forwarded * **WhatsApp**’s [multiple accounts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVlUdKDDIWS?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) feature appears close to launch, as the Settings tab has been renamed to ‘You’ * **WhatsApp** added support for [another](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DV0z5kxjB9Q) third-party messaging platform in the EU, Haiket * **WhatsApp** has been spotted [re-ordering its tabs](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0izhlDP2h?xmt=AQF0wBHgkS9xczCh96kJhpk8R2KvCYvug4aXsulNoEVjLA) again * **Threads **now lets users [manage their Meta Verified](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVvuUfpiVfH?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) subscription directly within the app * **Threads** now supports the iOS 26 keyboard and [Liquid Glass UI](https://www.threads.com/@itsjackington/post/DVrYm6MjmEG?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) * **Threads** looks set to use a [larger font](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DVSBAJ1iDWS?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) for posts that contain just a single emoji **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/bb0d31dc-062d-4c4d-9017-2c3d4eea16f5/x_product_links.jpeg?t=1773402884) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-tests-product-ads-linked-to-mentions-in-posts/814139/) Caption: X’s new product mention link ad format | Credit: X * **X** is testing new ad format that includes [product mention links](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-tests-product-ads-linked-to-mentions-in-posts/814139/). X’s head of product said X is “trying to make an ad product that isn’t an ad.” * **xAI**’s Grok generated offensive posts about [football disasters and religions](https://news.sky.com/story/grok-posts-about-fatal-football-disasters-sickening-says-government-13516920), causing outrage in the UK. Liverpool FC and Manchester United have already [complained](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/09/liverpool-and-manchester-united-complain-to-x-over-sickening-grok-ai-posts) * **X **could be [breaching US sanctions](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-could-be-breaching-us-sanctions-on-iran-watchdog-warns-213550284.html) on Iran, a watchdog has warned **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b46062eb-c89a-4937-8bc8-01fabfa39800/image.png?t=1773403194) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/apple-music-and-tiktok-introduce-new-play-full-song-experience-bringing-seamless-music-discovery-and-listening-together?lang=en) Caption: Apple Music / TikTok Introduce New 'Play Full Song' Experience | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** officially added two new music features. Apple Music subscribers can now [play full songs](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/11/tiktok-now-lets-apple-music-subscribers-play-full-songs-without-leaving-the-app/) without leaving the app. There’s all a new [‘Listening Party’ feature](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/apple-music-and-tiktok-introduce-new-play-full-song-experience-bringing-seamless-music-discovery-and-listening-together?lang=en) * **TikTok **now lets you post Stories [exclusively](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVvwFWUiaVG?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) for your subscribers * **TikTok** is launching [TikTok Radio](https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/tiktok-radio-podcast-network-iheartmedia-1236685247/) from iHeart, a live audio channel that will blend content from creators with music * **TikTok** is introducing [Live Talent](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0zrIxDK9n), a new feature for livestream creators * **TikTok **is aggressively [targeting advertising budgets](https://digiday.com/podcasts/tiktok-after-the-legal-fight-and-why-its-coming-for-metas-ad-dollars/)—especially those currently spent on Meta * **TikTok** can [continue its operations](https://www.engadget.com/apps/tiktok-can-continue-its-operations-in-canada-after-agreeing-to-enhanced-security-measures-095239399.html) in Canada after agreeing to enhanced security measures * **TikTok** now includes a [Campaign Reminders](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0j8v9DNI1?xmt=AQF0wBHgkS9xczCh96kJhpk8R2KvCYvug4aXsulNoEVjLA) feature designed to help you avoid missing opportunities * **TikTok** launched an [in-app Oscars hub](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/filmtok-continues-to-spark-awards-season-buzz-ahead-of-the-98th-oscars?lang=en) to power awards night conversation * **An official #BookTok chart** combining retail sales and TikTok engagement data [will launch in the UK](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/mar/12/official-booktok-chart-set-to-launch-in-the-uk) **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1a6f309e-bcb7-4f9b-84e3-c8b929468871/youtube-likeness-detection-2026-03-09-at-2.12.10-PM.webp?t=1773403405) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/10/youtube-expands-ai-deepfake-detection-to-politicians-government-officials-and-journalists/) Caption: YouTube’s AI deepfake detection tool | Credit: YouTube * **YouTube** is expanding its [AI deepfake detection tool](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/10/youtube-expands-ai-deepfake-detection-to-politicians-government-officials-and-journalists/) to politicians, government officials and journalists * **YouTube** rolled out [unskippable 30-second ads](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-on-tv-unskippable-30-second-ads-3648246/) on connected TV apps worldwide (eww… thanks Google!) * **YouTube **now [remembers](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-remembers-your-sorting-preference-3648510/) how you like your videos sorted * **YouTube **is investing [$20 million](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-allocates-20m-toward-a-digital-literacy-education-program-for-teen/814507/) in a new global digital literacy program for teens * **YouTube** launched ‘Top Podcasts Lineup’ to [sell premium podcast ads](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/03/12/youtube-select-top-podcasts-ad-lineup/) * **YouTube **for Android TV now [shows](https://9to5google.com/2026/03/10/youtube-for-android-tv-now-shows-premium-family-plan-members-at-account-switcher/) Premium family plan members at account switcher * **Google** invested $1 million in [AI animation studio](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-11/google-backs-animaj-studio-using-ai-to-make-content-for-kids-on-youtube?sref=YURDD6is) Animaj, which makes kids’ videos for **YouTube** **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/32f63327-7ad6-4128-851a-d2e7bd133a6f/image.png?t=1773404089) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/updates-linkedin-feed-focusing-authentic-relevant-tim-jurka-umwnc) Caption: LinkedIn launches new AI feed ranking system | Credit: LinkedIn * **LinkedIn** is clamping down on [engagement-bait “comment yes!” type posts](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/updates-linkedin-feed-focusing-authentic-relevant-tim-jurka-umwnc), engagement pods, automated comments, and recycled thought leadership content * **LinkedIn** is testing a [new Interest Picker feature](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/updates-linkedin-feed-focusing-authentic-relevant-tim-jurka-umwnc/?trackingId=sDN2ZEDfTBWVU5g7Ft5EJw%3D%3D) to personalize feeds faster for new users * **Bluesky**’s CEO Jay Graber has [stood down](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/bluesky-ceo-steps-down-as-the-app-focuses-on-growth/814261/) as the company chases growth * **Snapchat** revealed the full list of nominees for its first [Snappy Awards](https://variety.com/2026/digital/awards/snapchat-snappy-awards-dj-khaled-lifetime-achievement-1236684740/) to celebrate top creators. DJ Khaled will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award * **Discord** launched ‘[Discord Official](https://discord.com/blog/claim-your-game)’ to verify game servers and profiles * **Twitch** is testing [Gift ‘Em All](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/03/12/twitch-subscriptions-gift-em-all-experimental-feature/), a feature that gifts subscriptions to every viewer in a stream * **Pinterest **and **Amazon** have launched an integration letting creators [link Amazon Storefronts](https://www.lindseygamble.com/blog/pinterest-and-amazon-partner-to-let-amazon-influencer-creators-link-their-storefronts) to profiles * **Signal **issued [scam warnings](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp85rpm0lq8o) to users after hackers targeted officials * **Substack** launched a built-in [podcast recording studio](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/12/substack-launches-a-built-in-recording-studio/) * **Tinder** is trying to [beat swipe fatigue](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/12/tinder-tries-to-lure-people-back-to-online-dating-with-irl-events-virtual-speed-dating/) with IRL events, video speed dating and AI matching -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- **X** has quietly added an option to [block Grok from editing](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-option-to-restrict-grok-image-variations/814140/) uploaded media. The change follows the recent global backlash over sexualised AI deepfakes generated using Grok. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8db63fb1-367c-4044-84ae-372acf6fdacf/x_grok_block.webp?t=1773399335) Caption: __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **LinkedIn** is testing an [AI interviewer that screens candidates](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-tests-out-ai-powered-interview-screening/814636/) before human job interviews * **Reddit **is now the [most cited source](https://dev.to/wilow445/why-reddit-is-quietly-becoming-the-1-source-ai-platforms-cite-2ecl) in AI summaries and Chatbot responses …but **LinkedIn** is [rising fast](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-is-a-leading-source-for-ai-answers/814388/) * **LinkedIn** also launched a new [AI feed ranking system](https://www.linkedin.com/blog/engineering/feed/engineering-the-next-generation-of-linkedins-feed) for smarter content recommendations * **X** introduced a Grok-powered audio feature that [reads long-form articles aloud](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-ai-powered-audio-reading-long-form-articles/814138/) * **xAI’**s Grok app now has a new [image settings](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0iUWmDD5y?xmt=AQF0wBHgkS9xczCh96kJhpk8R2KvCYvug4aXsulNoEVjLA) menu * **Meta **is adding new AI tools that auto-generate **Facebook** [Marketplace listings](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/03/facebook-marketplace-new-meta-ai-tools-make-selling-faster-and-easier/), suggest prices from photos, draft responses for buyers and more * **Meta**’s Manus AI now has an Instagram connector allowing users to [publish Posts, Stories and Reels](https://www.threads.com/@testingcatalog/post/DVzXpVzjac2?xmt=AQF06gFHElctJ3IEfxQ24je-5H0T0WGThOtprm75AGriug) * **WhatsApp **is rolling out a [dedicated Meta AI tab](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-a-meta-ai-tab-as-a-central-hub-on-android/) to centralise all AI-powered features in one place * **WhatsApp** is working on [higher-tier subscription plans](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVugNCwCAm2?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg) for Meta AI, with increased usage limits and more. * **OpenAI’s Sora** video generator is reportedly being [built into ChatGPT](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/893189/openai-chatgpt-sora-integration) * **CapCut **introduced a new tab for its AI features called [AI Lab](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0kbQVjI3w?xmt=AQF0wBHgkS9xczCh96kJhpk8R2KvCYvug4aXsulNoEVjLA) * **Adobe** now lets you ask an [AI assistant in Photoshop](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/10/adobe-is-debuting-an-ai-assistant-for-photoshop/) to edit images for you * **Canva** unveiled Magic Layers, a tool that transforms flat images into [layered, editable designs](https://www.fastcompany.com/91506292/canva-new-magic-layers-ai-tool-will-break-your-design-process) * **Bumble **launched ‘Dates’, a new AI assistant designed to act like a [personal matchmaker](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-11/bumble-s-new-ai-assistant-aims-to-take-dating-beyond-the-swipe?embedded-checkout=true) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f51d6aca-cc2f-4bf0-9ae0-2077a60b94dd/trail.jpg?t=1772123658) Caption: -------------------- **Closing arguments** began this week in the landmark social media addiction trial. The plaintiff says **YouTube, Instagram **engineered addictive features that harmed her mental health. Her lawyer said social media apps are “Trojan horses” designed to capture attention. Closing arguments begin in landmark social media addiction trial: (https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/social-media-trial-los-angeles-la-meta-youtube-rcna263063) __________ **Also in court this week:** * **Meta and Google presented their defence** in US trial over alleged social media addiction. [They argued](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-09/meta-google-pivot-in-addiction-trial-to-accuser-s-home-life) family turmoil and school stress caused the plaintiff’s anxiety, depression, body-image struggles. * **What it was like to watch grieving parents** [stare down Mark Zuckerberg in court](https://www.theverge.com/policy/893930/social-media-addiction-trial-los-angeles-zuckerberg-instagram-youtube) * **Elon Musk’s legal team has requested a mistrial **in the Twitter shareholder fraud case. This follows a problem of [too many potential jurors hating him](https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-wants-a-do-over-twitter-trial-after-jury-pool-couldnt-hide-its-disdain-2000731598) * **Elon Musk’s spam frustration **was ‘[confusing](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-07/musk-s-spam-frustration-was-confusing-to-ex-twitter-executives)’ to ex-Twitter executives, former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and CFO Ned Segal testified in the court case over Musk’s tweets during deal negotiations -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fce48a77-83a7-433a-bbb2-15d76b7163b8/You_can.jpg?t=1772731131) Caption: -------------------- I gave my thoughts to **BBC News** about Ofcom’s deadline for tech giants to to [toughen up age checks](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn48n18pg1eo) for under-13s View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3c45940e-c171-42e1-87a1-cd988313c0ce/BBC_News_TikTok_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra.jpg?t=1773405057) Follow image link: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn48n18pg1eo) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3b409ca5-a409-49b7-8d8f-febf7dbe19f4/lol.jpg?t=1772123732) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1ac75b05-ba99-43e5-a024-06b00077211f/lol130226_1.jpg?t=1773399777) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVq__CNGnKv/?img_index=4) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/871f8160-cc4c-4f78-bf9d-ebc945b67fe4/lol130226_2.jpg?t=1773399922) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-managers-when-someone-says-activity-7437875071576121346-ie4N?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: __________ Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVwE_szjjZL/?img_index=1) __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3bf7c1a7-55cd-463e-9cd7-cc9266178150/lol130226_3.jpg?t=1773400033) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@kurtwag8/post/DVrUOugDxNO?xmt=AQF0s53onL6s7J0jc3zNXOQqOQktAp1_7rYez3IThj7Baw) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- Get ready to see this bug-eyed little guy everywhere… With Apple’s latest emoji designs unveiled, the **new “Distorted Face”** is already being hailed as the defining reaction emoji of 2026. Its design mirrors Gen Z-style “deep-fried” reaction emoji memes used to show shock or disbelief. Early reactions online suggest it could quickly become one of the internet’s most-used emojis. This New Emoji Has The Entire Internet In A Chokehold: (https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/new-emojis-2026) Tweet: (https://twitter.com/todayyearsold/status/2031122844298653850) And brands are already getting in on it… Tweet: (https://twitter.com/Wendys/status/2031884901557965271) __________ Tweet: (https://twitter.com/McDonalds/status/2031511141633921235) __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4f2c5c73-d5bb-4d8a-b149-b1789bd6b4a5/Screenshot_2026-03-13_at_12.37.20.png?t=1773405463) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@youtubecreators/post/DVy2PxVlFA1?xmt=AQF0nbOw7J4zUF32hlFqdDBVeJVLYWDZqGKH7dJF0K0XVQ-4EI0rd-eejUgVEdFk_MEDTiM-&slof=1) Caption: __________ **More viral news this week:** * **AI-generated war content** is [flooding X during the Iran conflict](https://www.wired.com/story/fake-ai-content-about-the-iran-war-is-all-over-x/) * **TikTok’s “mystery scoop” trend** sells [surprise merch revealed through charm scoops](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/style/mystery-scoops-tiktok.html) * **Gen Z is logging books, films and podcasts** to [escape doomscrolling habits](https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-doomscrolling-tracking-film-podcasts-books-analog-2026-3) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- Brands are increasingly mocking rivals in ads and social media to grab attention. Just look at how **Burger King **and **Wendy’s** roasted **McDonald’s** after CEO Chris Kempczinski’s awkward burger video. Also, **Pepsi **revived the Pepsi Challenge, using **Coca-Cola**’s polar bear mascot. Experts say rivalry marketing fuels engagement… but it risks a backlash. Why So Many Brands Are Throwing Shade at Their Competitors Right Now: (https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/why-so-many-brands-are-throwing-shade-at-their-competitors-right-now/) __________ **More brand news and views:** * **Instagram’s Close Friends feature** is emerging as a [powerful marketing tool for brands](https://www.inc.com/kira-jackson/this-overlooked-instagram-feature-might-be-the-most-powerful-tool-in-your-marketing-stack/91313306) * **Brands are building** [in-house entertainment studios](https://digiday.com/marketing/the-in-house-entertainment-studio-is-having-its-social-media-team-moment/) to create original shows and content * **Apple **is promoting the new super-cheap MacBook Neo with [intentionally weird TikTok videos](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/07/apple-posting-strange-tiktok-videos/) * **Marketing chief Annie Barrett** has a playbook to ensure **Adidas Originals** is [always part of the conversation](https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/adidas-originals-annie-barret-cultural-cachet/) * **Domino’s** has launched a social-first campaign turning influencer pizza orders into ‘[celebrity meals](https://www.marketingdive.com/news/dominos-redefines-celebrity-meals-in-social-first-campaign/813877/)’ * **Podcasters** signing with **Netflix** face new rules on [YouTube and TikTok clips](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/03/06/netflix-podcasters-clipping-youtube-not-allowed/) * Why is **Pinterest** losing [advertiser interest](https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2026/02/25/why-is-pinterest-losing-advertisers)? -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"We have so many people who hate him [Elon] so much"“ — – **Elon Musk’s attorney **describes the problem of [trying to get an unbiased jury](https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-wants-a-do-over-twitter-trial-after-jury-pool-couldnt-hide-its-disdain-2000731598) for his deal tweets court case __________ **Also quoted this week:** _“When you’re making money off of kids, you have to do it responsibly.”_ **- Mark Lanier**, the attorney representing the plaintiff in the big LA social [media addiction trial](https://apnews.com/article/meta-instagram-facebook-trial-social-media-addiction-0e99c9ba6159421720d616f9facd10f0) __________ _“We’ve never had young adults that were VR native… I suspect that they remain a core group of players, nut the games they play are going to change, and the amount of money they’ll have to spend will change too.”_ **- Meta VR games director Chris Pruett** hopes teen VR players [stick around](https://www.theverge.com/column/893526/meta-vr-games-teens) to support the struggling field as they get older -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/863ad342-3950-4b01-a80d-44a973a4ba09/fav_reads.jpg?t=1772123813) Caption: -------------------- **“YouTube Face”** — exaggerated facial expressions in thumbnails — is everywhere these days. **MrBeast’s** growth popularised the tactic through heavy thumbnail optimisation. Data-driven A/B testing proved expressive faces boost clicks and retention. This article takes a deep dive into the “Beastification” of **YouTube**. The Rise of YouTube Face: (https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/09/pop-culture/youtube-face-thumbnails-history-explained) __________ **Also:** * **Why brands spamming Reddit **for AI citations [is a risky strategy](https://www.productledseo.com/p/aeo-stop-spamming-reddit-for-citations?hide_intro_popup=true) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/329d25b3-9e16-4946-b400-e5cc194f0db0/New_Platform_v2.jpg?t=1772123876) Caption: -------------------- If you’re the type of person who likes tinkering with the technical side of social, this could be the perfect project for you… **Periwinkle** allows you to set up a social media account entirely under your own control, not hosted by a central platform. But compatible with **Bluesky** and other social apps that use the **AT Protocol**. 🤓 🙌 Periwinkle is making self-hosted social media on Bluesky's AT Protocol even easier : (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/09/periwinkle-at-protocol-bluesky-self-hosted-social-media/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- Social media can turn absolutely anything into a viral scandal… even if it’s entirely made up. AI-made **“red v blue” posters** calling for school fights appeared on **TikTok** and **Snapchat** in mid-February. Schools in London cancelled detentions and police deployed officers in preparation for violence. But no violence occurred… Experts say the real viral driver was worried parents in **WhatsApp** **groups**, amplifying the meme into a phantom social media panic! How the 'red v blue school wars' exposed the social media gap between children and parents: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4wgzdydkeo) __________ **More WTF this week:** * **Influencers are flooding **TikTok and X with [videos defending Dubai’s safety](https://www.ft.com/content/a7bffadc-0787-48a6-a3d6-0a87ce1f3fdf) during missile attacks in the region (some of which have been aimed right at Dubai) **…and Dubai authorities** are [threatening fines](https://www.semafor.com/article/03/12/2026/gulf-authorities-warn-against-posting-war-footage-on-social-media) on people who share war footage from the city * **Chatbots encouraged ‘teens’** to [plan shootings](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/892978/ai-chatbots-investigation-help-teens-plan-violence), in a study of 10 major AI tools * **Researchers have built **an AI system that can [unmask anonymous accounts](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/889395/ai-agents-unmask-anonymous-online-accounts) by analysing writing patterns and clues * **‘Age Verification’ could force trans people** to [out themselves to use the internet](https://www.theverge.com/policy/892075/age-verification-kansas-id-trans) * **Snapchat refused to remove** a 14-year-old’s illegal account in Australia because [it listed its age as 25](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/11/social-media-ban-australia-snapchat-compliance) * **AI-generated influencers** are [promoting supplements on Instagram and TikTok](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/business/media/fake-ai-generated-accounts-social-media-supplements.html) without clear disclosure * **The White House posted **a TikTok video promoting ‘[justice the American way](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/06/white-house-propaganda-video-characters)’ featuring Hollywood characters it didn’t have permission to use. Stars like Ben Stiller [pushed back](https://dailydot.com/ben-stiller-master-chief-condemn-white-house-video) * **Keir Starmer was accused** of ‘[mimicking Trump](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/06/keir-starmer-accused-of-mimicking-trump-with-middle-east-crisis-tiktok-post)’ with a Middle East crisis TikTok post which has since been taken down -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772123969) Caption: -------------------- **Meta AI was one of five **AI chatbots found to recommend illegal online casinos when prompted. Along with **Google’s Gemini**, it even offered advice on how to bypass UK gambling and addiction checks 😳 AI chatbots point vulnerable social media users to illegal online casinos, analysis shows: (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/08/ai-chatbots-point-vulnerable-to-online-casinos-gambling-addiction-uk) __________ **More fails:** * **Discord has fixed a bug** that [stored users’ private messages](https://www.eurogamer.net/discord-promises-additional-protections-following-arc-raiders-bug-that-stored-users-private-messages) in local log files -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: -------------------- What numbers should you care about on **TikTok** in 2026? **Hootsuite’s** got you covered with this guide… TikTok analytics 2026: The ultimate guide for marketers: (https://blog.hootsuite.com/tiktok-analytics/) __________ **More pro tips:** * **LinkedIn** [busted a few myths](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVyy1N-Cp7H) by confirming (again) that links, hashtags, posting frequency, boosting posts, or using third party tools do NOT trigger it to downrank your posts in feed. * **LinkedIn** shared tips on [optimising post content for citations by AI chatbots](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-shares-tips-on-optimizing-post-content-for-ai-chatbots/814635/) * **A new 22-page report** examines **Reddit**’s role in the [“hidden” B2B buyer journey](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-publishes-report-on-its-b2b-marketing-opportunities/814506/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**$40.4 BILLION**“ — – **YouTube**’s [ad revenue in 2025](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVvXG4Nipc7?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA), beating major Hollywood rivals combined **More stats:** * **LARRY’S BILLIONS: **Oracle disclosed its TikTok investment is worth roughly [$2 billion](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/11/oracle-tiktok-us-stake-outages.html) in a new financial filing * **BIG BLOX:** Roblox paid [$1.5 billion](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVtpZYEih37?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) to creators last year, with top developers averaging $1.3 million * **REBEL REBEL**: Around [20%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DV0aarDin7Y?xmt=AQF06gFHElctJ3IEfxQ24je-5H0T0WGThOtprm75AGriug) of Australian teens still use TikTok and Snapchat despite a national under-16 social media ban. * **ROASTED: **Google’s AI Overviews are [44% more likely](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVwOCIqiuPA?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) to talk smack about brands than ChatGPT (Google thinks the study is flawed) * **BAN-HAMMER:** X suspended [800 million](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/09/x-suspends-accounts-massive-scale-manipulation-attempts-russia) accounts in one year amid ‘massive’ scale of manipulation attempts * **OLD SCHOOL: **[79%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVtakC8imOu?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) of Gen-Z say they miss the TikTok’s earlier, less branded content, and 41% feel nostalgic for a time when TikTok had fewer ads and brands * **PAYING BLIND:** [49%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVwRW0GCpDL?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) of marketers don’t know how much they pay influencers, as agencies bundle fees * **EMBARRASSING: **[88%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVs8ti8inuO?xmt=AQF0QknciZLAaBzrUAeTqAlMnfBEw1Jpii-HqwfVNkLPUA) of respondents in an online poll by Elon Musk said X ads never led them to buy anything * **FEELING SOURCE-Y: **Reddit appears in [23% of AI citations](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVjEcnZij4-?xmt=AQF0QknciZLAaBzrUAeTqAlMnfBEw1Jpii-HqwfVNkLPUA), beating Wikipedia (18%) and GitHub (12%) combined * **WOMEN OF THE WORLD TAKE OVER: **On TikTok, #WomenInSTEM and #WomenInFashion communities have grown [47% and 56%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVqVcAxiuk4?xmt=AQF0QknciZLAaBzrUAeTqAlMnfBEw1Jpii-HqwfVNkLPUA) YoY -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- **YouTube’s **[on top of the world](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVwU9axCinN?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) these days… And according to reports this week, **YouTube** now generates more annual ad revenue than **Disney, Netflix**, and all other global media businesses. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c4bb574d-4ab4-4183-a209-3dfe2f261a54/YT_top.jpg?t=1773401728) Caption: __________ **More charts:** * **SOURCE-RY: **The top domains [where AI finds its answers](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVvWK9ViqlR?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) * **GAINING INFLUENCE: **LinkedIn’s [growth as a source](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVwSiQHit4i?xmt=AQF0E35AB1W7lCXCdiG3Qrk3cSiJNGXYzmP-asQi14fitA) of info for AI chatbots -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- EU set to ban AI nudification apps in wake of Grok scandal: (https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-grok-x-elon-musk-ai-nudification-ban-in-wake-of-scandal/) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **Australian teens are bypassing** the country’s under-16 social media ban using VPNs and tricks to fool age verification. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-11/australian-teens-are-sneaking-onto-social-media-despite-ban)] * **New US child-safety laws** are pushing mandatory online age verification across platforms. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/08/social-media-child-safety-internet-ai-surveillance.html)] * **Ministers must act more quickly** on deepfakes to protect women and girls, the UK technology secretary says. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/09/ministers-act-quickly-deepfakes-protect-women-girls-liz-kendall-technology-misogyny)] * **Creators in Europe** have cheered a new AI copyright framework while the tech industry warns of costs. [[Deadline](https://deadline.com/2026/03/european-parliament-approval-ai-resolution-creators-tech-1236749095/)] * **Spain launched** an AI tool to track hate speech on social media. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/sanchez-launches-ai-tool-to-track-hate-speech-on-social-media/)] * **Indonesia will ban** 'high risk' social media for under-16s. High-risk platforms include TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X and Roblox. [[Variety](https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/indonesia-social-media-ban-under-16s-1236680829/)] * **India’s Karnataka state **plans to ban social media for users under 16. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/06/indias-karnataka-signals-intent-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s/)] * **Here’s an updated list** of the countries moving to ban social media for children. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/06/social-media-ban-children-countries-list/)] * **Roblox launched** new Incubator and Jumpstart programmes to help creators build new games. [[Roblox News](https://about.roblox.com/newsroom/2026/03/roblox-announces-incubator-jumpstart-creator-programs)] * **YouTube suspended** the ‘Jeopardy!’ host John Roderick’s podcast after flagging a 2019 episode for hate speech. [[The Daily Beast](https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/youtube-bans-jeopardy-host-ken-jennings-podcast-over-hate-speech/)] * **TikTok will resume **sponsoring events in Canada again after gaining permission to remain in the country. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/tiktok-canadian-sponsorships-deal-1236528718/)] * **Russian government hackers** are targeting Signal and WhatsApp users, Dutch intelligence services have warned. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/09/russian-government-hackers-targeting-signal-and-whatsapp-users-dutch-spies-warn/)] * **TikTok named** Stephen Sanchez as the guest for episode three of TikTok In The Mix. [[TikTok Newsroom](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-announces-stephen-sanchez-as-the-star-of-tiktok-in-the-mix-episode-3-presented-by-t-mobile?lang=en)] * **Snap has turned **portrait art into an interactive AR experience at SXSW. [[Snap Newsroom](https://newsroom.snap.com/spectacular-art-of-jonathan-yeo-sxsw)] * **Snapchat has launched **‘Cricket in a Snap,’ an ad suite targeting IPL conversations among Gen Z in India. [[Fortune India](https://www.fortuneindia.com/business-news/snapchat-bets-on-gen-z-cricket-frenzy-with-cricket-in-a-snap-ad-suite/130953)] * **Meta explained** how its Advanced Browsing Protection (ABP) in Messenger detects malicious links while preserving privacy. [[Engineering at Meta](https://engineering.fb.com/2026/03/09/security/how-advanced-browsing-protection-works-in-messenger/)] **New features and tests:** * **Threads is now** in Meta Account Centre, along with a revamped Settings menu. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVlZjHCjIpj?xmt=AQF0r3gxEfwtrpPqmiwEHL5ecsyoHUUPGLbazxcfuPuaBg)] * **Threads has added** a shortcut to manage your Meta Verified subscription. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0z_uqjO_g)] * **TikTok revamped** its Balance section with a new UI update. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DV0kLBiDIg5?xmt=AQF0wBHgkS9xczCh96kJhpk8R2KvCYvug4aXsulNoEVjLA)] * **Disney+ launched** a TikTok-style vertical video feed called “Verts”. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/disney-creator-content-launches-vertical-video-verts-1236528489/)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- Every influencer eventually becomes a merch store: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/892140/tucker-carlson-merch-commie-hat-influencers-mrbeast) __________ **Also worth a read this weekend:** * **AI incites a new wave of grieving parents** [fighting for online safety](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/technology/ai-social-media-child-safety-parents.html) * **On Facebook, it now pays** to [post about politics](https://www.chaoticera.news/p/on-facebook-it-now-pays-to-post-about-politics) * **The mysterious case** of the DHS [white supremacist memelord](https://www.theverge.com/column/892985/dhs-white-supremacist-memelord) * **How Roblox is minting** [teen millionaires](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-06/roblox-s-teen-millionaires-are-disrupting-the-gaming-industry?sref=YURDD6is) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- It turns out that if you’re fancily-dressed young man in the world of high-end banking, you don’t get a free pass to parade yourself as an influencer in a swish photo shoot. _“When four ‘finance boys’ went viral last week for their Loro Piana- and Hermés-studded photo shoot, they violated more than the sacrosanct rule of not outdressing your boss. _ _“They brought Wall Street banks into the memeosphere, attracting publicity that has clashed with the hush-hush world of high finance.”_ Young bankers are learning the hard way that Wall Street doesn't do influencers: (https://www.businessinsider.com/finance-boys-tiktok-generation-old-school-wall-street-goldman-2026-3) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- That’s all folks. You social media debriefing for this week is done. A couple of quick reminders before you go… __________ ##### **NEW EPISODE: Channel 4’s Battle of the Brands** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/dd1d2134-2184-4f24-a351-b0b92aa19da7/image.png?t=1773407194) Caption: The second episode of [Channel 4’s ‘Battle of the Brands’](https://www.channel4.com/programmes/battle-of-the-brands) is now available to watch. (Use a VPN if you’re not in the UK) My face briefly pops-up again to talk about Aldi’s battles with rival M&S on social media. Here’s a quick clip: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVvu5VTDBCu/) __________ ##### **Geekout x Instagram Edits Exec Q&A** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2cec7643-b492-4ad1-83b8-0a04a91c2495/Instagram_Edits_-_Matt_Simari.jpg?t=1773407255) Caption: This might be your last chance to send me questions you’d like me to ask Instagram Edit’s Director or Product Management, **Matt Simari.** The best 5 questions will WIN an Instagram Merch Bundle. Hit reply and send me your questions now. Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/instagram-links-posts-meta-moltbook-youtube-disney

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1e0ef68d-52f0-4bc2-ae6b-4fd17c966fee/Geekout_060326.jpg?t=1772798225) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Geekout is read by 30K social media pros** ** Get up to 20% OFF Geekout ads in 2026 **Advertiser Info** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **Optimize Geekout** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-ray-ban-privacy-musk-court-mcdonalds-ceo-product) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** I can finally relax this week. I spent most of last weekend stressed and anxious about my TV appearance in Channel 4’s new [‘Battle of the Brands’ documentary.](https://www.channel4.com/programmes/battle-of-the-brands) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2a7c8aba-412f-40c1-9085-6ea6a1dd4a08/IMG_0988_3.jpg?t=1772803500) Caption: The first of four episodes was broadcast on Tuesday night in the UK. It focussed on Nando’s vs. KFC. I knew they had a lot of footage of me, after spending a full day filming in London last summer. When I got the call from a producer asking if I would like to be part of the documentary, my imposter syndrome went into overdrive. I spent several days almost talking myself out of doing it. But fast forward a month later, and I found myself under studio lighting, in front of two cameras, with three researchers firing endless questions at me. It was pretty intense and intimidating. My internal monologue kept repeating “Are you sure you’re the right person for this? But I’m really pleased that I hit my “f**k it!” button, and agreed to do it. I watched the first episode with my kids at home on the sofa. Even though I’m my own biggest critic, I felt I did a good job. Skip to 40 seconds in to spot me in this clip 👇👀 Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVdeb1QDOWA/) They used way more of my interview than I expected, including using clips of me to tease the next segment of the episode before going to an ad break. And episode ended with a soundbite from me. Next time you’re invited to do something that scares the hell out of you professionally… Hit your own “f**k it” button. You might just surprise yourself. __________ ##### Geekout Q&A with Instagram Edits Exec View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c5a9e62a-ec58-46fa-b0c2-59bf5ab755a2/image.png?t=1772795621) Caption: Ever wanted to ask an Instagram product manager a question? Here’s your chance. Later this month, I will be chatting to Matt Simari, Director of Product Management for the Edits app. What would you like me to ask him? [Reply to this email](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) with your questions. The FIVE best questions will WIN an swag bundle from Instagram. __________ ##### ==**1 cool thing…**== * 🔥 This [social media manager AI](https://hubs.ly/Q045gKy40) that creates content that sounds like you. Not ChatGPT! [ad] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ TOP AI TOOL ▶︎ FREE TRIAL #### AI That Finally Sounds Like You. Not ChatGPT! 🤖 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/0c53e3f7-4431-4def-ae67-4ccf7ce81016/image.png?t=1772716011) Follow image link: (https://hubs.ly/Q045gKy40) Caption: Everyone’s using AI to create content… But so is literally every other social team on the planet! And that's the problem. Most AI tools spit out the same generic, could-be-anyone copy. But your brand voice is what makes you different. And generic AI is killing it. But** **[**Sked Ideas**](https://hubs.ly/Q045gKy40) is different. It’s brand-smart AI actually learns your tone, your content pillars, your quirks. So the ideas it generates sound like you wrote them. Not like _everyone_ else using ChatGPT! **Here's how it works:** * 🧠** Paste your website URL** and it builds your brand voice automatically * 💡 **Generate 20 content ideas in 60 seconds** that match your brand tone of voice instantly * 👀 **AI spots content gaps** before they become patterns your audience notices * ✅ **Get stakeholder sign-off on ideas** (not finished posts) — saves hours! * 📲 **Move approved ideas** straight to your calendar in 1-click No more copy / pasting between 5 different tools. No more rewriting bland AI copy for 30 minutes. That’s why **Sked Ideas** is used by social teams at **Qantas, IHG Hotels, The Iconic**, and hundreds more. ##### 🔥 **Want FREE ACCESS to Sked Ideas?** — **[Use this Geekout link](https://hubs.ly/Q045gKy40)****.** Try Sked Ideas for FREE (https://hubs.ly/Q045gKy40) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Meta sued over AI smart glasses' privacy concerns, after workers reviewed nudity, sex, and other footage: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/05/meta-sued-over-ai-smartglasses-privacy-concerns-after-workers-reviewed-nudity-sex-and-other-footage/) 2. **Elon Musk testified in court** over his Twitter deal tweets [[SCRUTINIZING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7433dz4ykwo)] 3. **Meta to let rival AI chatbots onto WhatsApp **in Europe for 12 months to ease antitrust heat [[COMPROMISING](https://www.wsj.com/business/meta-to-open-up-whatsapp-to-rival-ai-chatbots-for-a-fee-following-eu-objections-10330fe0?mod=rss_Technology)] 4. **X flooded with disinformation** after US and Israeli strikes on Iran [[REALITY-BENDING](https://www.wired.com/story/x-is-drowning-in-disinformation-following-us-and-israels-attack-on-iran/)] 5. **UK government begins consultation on social media ban** for under-16s [[RESEARCHING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg3vjkx9d7o)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **Creepy behaviour could kill Meta’s chances of a hardware hit** She Came Out of the Bathroom Naked, Employee Says: (https://www.svd.se/a/K8nrV4/metas-ai-smart-glasses-and-data-privacy-concerns-workers-say-we-see-everything) Meta’s smart glasses have all the makings of a breakout hit. By offering everyday useful functionality in a convenient form factor, they could become a far bigger business than VR headsets for the company. It’s increasingly common to spot the glasses when you’re out and about, and at least from my observations, they seem to have appeal beyond geeks and early adopters. But an investigation by Swedish journalists has unveiled something that might put you off: ‘data annotators’ in Kenya work to train Meta’s AI by helping it understand what users are looking at. It’s unclear what is shared with these annotators, but they say they’ve seen everything from naked bodies to people going to the toilet 😳 [As the BBC explained](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0q33nvj0qpo): _“According to Meta, filtering could include blurring faces in images - but sources who spoke to [Swedish newspapers] said sometimes this failed and peoples faces could be seen._ _“Users have to activate recording manually or through a voice command, but may not realise their videos and images are sometimes reviewed by humans - as described within Meta's extensive privacy policies and terms of service.”_ Meta already faces a data protection investigation in the UK and a [lawsuit](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/05/meta-sued-over-ai-smartglasses-privacy-concerns-after-workers-reviewed-nudity-sex-and-other-footage/) in the USA over the news. I expect more will follow. This comes after the recent news that Meta is [considering adding face recognition](https://www.theverge.com/tech/878725/meta-facial-recognition-smart-glasses-name-tag-privacy-advoates) to some of its smart glasses in the future. Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should! Wearable cameras connected to the internet have the potential to get creepy, fast. When that creepiness is enabled (or even carried out!) by the company that makes the hardware, it’s even worse. Meta is going to have to tread carefully, or its potential big hit could become just another embarrassing bullet point in the company’s long history of personal data controversies. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6294a342-afc7-47fd-adbc-7de773521dca/image.png?t=1772798343) Follow image link: (https://searchengineland.com/meta-introduces-click-and-engage-through-attribution-updates-470629) Caption: Meta’s new ad performance measurement framework | Credit: Meta * **Meta **will soon only [count ad link clicks](https://searchengineland.com/meta-introduces-click-and-engage-through-attribution-updates-470629) toward click-through attribution for website and in-store conversions * **Internal Meta docs** show [staff warned](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/02/meta-child-safety-documents-instagram/686163/) about child grooming risks for years * **Meta **is building tools to [help retailers see](https://www.adweek.com/commerce/exclusive-meta-is-building-tools-to-chase-more-retail-media-budget/) if Facebook and Instagram ads lead to real product sales * **Meta**’s Oversight Board says AI’s rapid expansion is [overwhelming](https://restofworld.org/2026/mmeta-oversight-board-challenges/) its slow, case-based review model. * **Meta **says LLMs play [almost no role](https://digiday.com/media/not-a-big-part-of-the-work-metas-llm-bet-has-yet-to-touch-its-core-ads-business/) in its core ranking and its $160B+ ads engine… yet * **Meta** is forcing some ad accounts onto [monthly invoicing](https://x.com/rokhladnik/status/2028546933359317343) * **Meta **plans to develop [custom chips](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-04/meta-plans-to-develop-custom-chips-to-train-its-ai-models) to train its AI models * **Meta **signs a multimillion dollar [AI licensing deal](https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-signs-a-multimillion-dollar-ai-licensing-deal-with-news-corp-234157902.html?src=rss) with News Corp * **Meta** is creating a new [applied AI engineering](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/meta-to-create-new-applied-ai-engineering-organization-in-reality-labs-division-d41c4a69) organisation, led by Maher Saba, who is currently a VP of Meta’s Reality Labs division * **Facebook** added a new [Drafts](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVTKi1pjJpq?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) feature for Stories * **Facebook** is testing ‘[Friends with Things in Common](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVijaTJjFMY?xmt=AQF0PXCA4rjnvrn_heRdUMKuBym0Oee4BdOE1bGDykWn6w)’, which filters friends based on shared attributes like location, language, or workplace * **Facebook** can now [show lyrics](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVgNfhniSiG?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) on screen when sharing a music Note **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c6b9e485-d7df-4a76-9915-12591effc030/image.png?t=1772798605) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-introduces-thumbnail-post-editing-for-grids/813444/) Caption: Instagram now lets you customise your profile grid | Credit: Instagram * **Instagram** finally launched the ability to [customise your profile grid](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-introduces-thumbnail-post-editing-for-grids/813444/) with edited thumbnails * **Instagram** is rolling out features like insights, trending audio and scheduled content [to all public accounts](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-opens-up-content-scheduling-to-all-users/813448/). Trial Reels, channels, and Live are unlocked if you hit 1,000 followers * **Instagram** is getting closer to launch the “[Add interests](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVRFIyojERB?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A)” feature for profiles * **Instagram** started [labelling Reels](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVTCMY2jGKw?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) sent in DMs that were created using Edits * **Instagram **appears to be testing a [new layout](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVWCS0XDHfc?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) for video search results * **Instagram** is testing a new [‘Secret Friends’ list](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVbXSXnjG0v?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) with Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco * **Instagram** [merged](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVb9umVjAUt?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) Effects and Restyle for Stories into one Effects section * **Instagram** introduced [GIF support](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVam3z_jArM?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) for Notes * **Instagram Edits** added new + [improved](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-updates-edits-app-with-more-creation-tools/813717/) video effects, caption keyword highlighter, and a visually upgraded Ideas tab **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ed6d6dfb-1eeb-4963-85a9-1a5a19735906/image.png?t=1772798712) Follow image link: (https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-9-6-whats-new/) Caption: WhatsApp now lets you join waitlist for its Premium Plan | Credit: WABetaInfo * **Threads **has added a new [Social Media Managers community](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVb5PZwDPqK?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) * **Threads** now [categorises](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVTBWPuDLjL?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) suggested accounts to follow based on the topics they post about * **WhatsApp **is testing a feature that allows users to [join the waitlist](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-9-6-whats-new/) for its premium plan * **WhatsApp** is testing [redesigned filters](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVhoO6oCMUD?xmt=AQF08luEh1jbKddQr6cY6kkgQHT6ApQ9-V5eDwl97vE-4g) and recent searches for the Chats tab * **WhatsApp **is rolling out a feature to [share status updates](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVXVDP9CJAQ?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) with unsaved phone numbers * **WhatsApp** is working on a premium feature that lets you [pin up to 20 chats](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVcepCNiLgs?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) * **WhatsApp** has named Mullvad and Amnezia VPN as go-to tools for [bypassing censorship](https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/whatsapp-officially-names-mullvad-and-amnezia-vpn-as-go-to-tools-for-bypassing-censorship) * **WhatsApp** is widely rolling out a feature that [suggests stickers](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVgO-PoCL1w?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) as you type an emoji in a chat * **WhatsApp** is testing a feature that displays the number of [media items sent](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVUNGUtDEM8?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A), categorised by media type **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/274a7a42-9c4c-480b-923d-ee4a1e6ece9b/image.png?t=1772799197) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/05/x-revamps-creator-subscriptions-with-new-features-like-exclusive-threads-and-shareable-cards/) Caption: X revamps Creator Subscriptions with Exclusive Threads feature | Credit: X * **X** revamped [Creator Subscriptions](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/05/x-revamps-creator-subscriptions-with-new-features-like-exclusive-threads-and-shareable-cards/) with new features such as ‘[exclusive threads](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/xs-exclusive-threads-feature-lets-creators-paywall-the-end-of-tweet-threads-000246204.html)’ and shareable cards * **X **finally launched **X Money** in beta via a [William Shatner charity auction](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/04/x-taps-william-shatner-to-give-out-invites-to-its-payments-service-x-money/) * **X** introduced a [’Paid Partnership’ label](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/02/x-ads-paid-partnership-labels-for-creators-so-they-can-ditch-the-hashtags/) that lets creators clearly mark sponsored posts. * **X** says it will [suspend creators](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/03/x-says-it-will-suspend-creators-from-revenue-sharing-program-for-unlabeled-ai-posts-of-armed-conflict/) from its revenue-sharing programme for unlabelled AI posts of ‘armed conflict’ * **US federal agencies** [raised safety concerns](https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/elon-musk-xai-grok-security-safety-government-73ab4f6e?mod=rss_Technology) about using **xAI**’s Grok chatbot after it was approved by the Pentagon * **X** shared a 44-slide deck with advertisers pitching Grok as [core to brand safety](https://www.adweek.com/media/exclusive-a-new-pitch-deck-reveals-x-is-using-grok-to-sell-brand-safety/)(!) 🤯 * **X** is beta testing a [standalone X Chat app](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/03/x-begins-testing-standalone-x-chat-app-on-ios/) on iOS * **X** usage [declined in the EU](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-sees-decline-eu-users-h2-2025/813715/) in the second half of 2025 * **X **is testing a new [topic filter](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-tests-experimental-topic-feed-filter/813447/) for the For You feed, letting you prioritise trending news and specific subjects to appear in their feed * **X** has removed its long-standing in-app [night mode](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-removes-dark-mode-night-mode-option/814011/) setting in the latest update. The app will now follow your phone’s system settings **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d135a2ca-c1fd-4f7f-8a8c-1f932b06dd54/image.png?t=1772799595) Follow image link: (https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-stations-3646298/) Caption: YouTube rolls out new ‘Station’ feature | Credit: Android Authority * **TikTok** will [not introduce](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly2m5e5ke4o) end-to-end encryption, arguing it makes users less safe * **TikTok US** experienced its second [Oracle-related server outage](https://gizmodo.com/tiktok-is-experiencing-oracle-related-server-issues-again-2000729265) in a month * **TikTok** has updated its “For You” [feed refresh process](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVakEKKDIVj?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) * **Donald Trump **has been [sued](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-administration-sued-us-tiktok-deal-rcna261684), accused of rewarding his allies in the **TikTok US** deal * **TikTok** begun an EU court battle [challenging a €530 million GDPR fine](https://www.politico.eu/article/tiktok-fights-to-keep-its-ties-to-china-in-europe/) * **TikTok **now lets you [re-create Live moments](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVgIlOxiSHo?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) and tag creators to share the best parts of a stream * **TikTok** added content [templates](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVTInvzjAtx?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) for International Women’s Day * **TikTok **added ‘[Optimise for stability](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DViknxSCd3a?xmt=AQF0_SJFmJ5LFXez2BvDwjURDnkoEx2n9e74VqX05zXxBeKhXYZx9Gou1zyymBMzop4Dr4yL&slof=1)’ a setting to limit some functions to prevent lag or disruptions during livestreams * **YouTube** expanded its revived [DMs feature](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-direct-messaging-is-going-live-in-more-regions/) to 25+ European countries after a limited launch * **YouTube **has been spotted offering a [‘Station’ feature](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-stations-3646298/) with a a non-stop stream of music by a specific artist * **YouTube** updated its Studio Payment Activity dashboard to give creators [deeper payout insights](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-updates-payment-activity-overview-provides-more-detailed-data/813855/) **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/278063c7-1265-4dea-a83a-114e30ca0e86/image.png?t=1772799721) Follow image link: (https://telegram.org/blog/member-tags-disable-sharing-and-more) Caption: Telegram update adds GIF editing, login tools, and more | Credit: Telegram * **LinkedIn** now lets you manage jobs applications with an all-in-one feature called [Job Tracker](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVTJx5WDDGo?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) * **Snapchat** is positioning itself as a [B2B marketing channel](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-report-positions-the-app-as-a-b2b-marketing-tool/813857/) - is it heading onto LinkedIn’s turf? * **Twitch** is testing “skippable” ads that you [can’t actually skip](https://dailydot.com/twitch-skippable-ads-test) * **Telegram** has rolled out [GIF editing](https://telegram.org/blog/member-tags-disable-sharing-and-more), login tools, and new privacy features * **Google** has [increased social media posts](https://www.seroundtable.com/google-discover-feed-social-media-posts-41011.html) in its Discover feed as an experiment * **Mastodon** now has a [button for sharing content](https://www.theverge.com/tech/887791/mastodon-official-share-button-widget) from other websites -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- **Meta** is testing a [shopping research feature](https://www.business-standard.com/technology/tech-news/meta-tests-shopping-research-feature-in-ai-tool-to-rival-chatgpt-gemini-126030300140_1.html) within its AI chatbot for select US users It’s a direct challenge to **Open AI’s ChatGPT** Shopping mode. BUT… It’s getting off to [a rocky start](https://www.webpronews.com/meta-ais-shopping-feature-on-instagram-and-facebook-falls-flat-and-it-reveals-a-deeper-problem-with-ai-powered-commerce/) I Tried Meta AI's Shopping Assistant, and I Won't Be Using It Again: (https://lifehacker.com/tech/i-tried-meta-ais-shopping-assistant-and-i-wont-be-using-it-again) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **Instagram **added a new effect for creating [story backgrounds](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DValCwajC1N?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) using Meta AI * **WhatsApp** is testing a feature that lets you [organise chats](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-9-4-whats-new/) with Meta AI * **TikTok** is widely rolling the [AI Canvas](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVUsP1XDBs0?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) feature for Creator Insights * **X** now allows creators to[ label posts](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVU-B_NiaBl?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) that were generated or enhanced using AI * **xAI **is considering a [freemium Grok Enterprise](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/xai-considers-offering-a-free-version-of-grok-enterprise/813858/) offering to drive wider business uptake * **Roblox** now uses AI to [rephrase chats](https://www.theverge.com/games/889954/roblox-ai-real-time-chat-rephrasing) on the fly instead of just blocking words. * **Influencer app** **LTK** has launched an OpenAI-powered [chatbot trained on influencer content](https://www.businessinsider.com/influencer-app-ltk-takes-step-ai-shopping-new-chatbot-chatgpt-2026-2) within its platform -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fce48a77-83a7-433a-bbb2-15d76b7163b8/You_can.jpg?t=1772729427) Caption: -------------------- I spoke to **BBC News** about TikTok’s out-of-step decision [not to protect DMs with end-to-end encryption](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly2m5e5ke4o) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9f8b949e-a06a-4f2b-b1d3-c0551e30bf30/BBC_News_TikTok_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra.png?t=1772732718) Follow image link: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly2m5e5ke4o) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f51d6aca-cc2f-4bf0-9ae0-2077a60b94dd/trail.jpg?t=1772123658) Caption: -------------------- Mark Zuckerberg downplays Meta's own research in New Mexico child safety trial: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mark-zuckerberg-downplays-metas-own-research-in-new-mexico-child-safety-trial-222924340.html) * **Zuckerberg takes issue** with [the word ‘addictive’](https://www.fastcompany.com/91503334/meta-ceo-zuckerberg-takes-issue-with-the-word-addictive-in-deposition-shown-at-landmark-trial) in deposition shown at landmark trial * **Instagram** tracked the time users spent on its app, with company executives [flagging “milestones”](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/02/instagram-tracked-growing-usage-while-targeting-teens-lawyers-argue/) that its app reached year after year -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3b409ca5-a409-49b7-8d8f-febf7dbe19f4/lol.jpg?t=1772123732) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/83e36842-8745-47c3-8230-d5da21dc17a8/lol10603.jpg?t=1772794474) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-managers-when-someone-comments-activity-7434266314875244546-QvHi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d11a1f22-776e-448b-bf89-57d236b0a8c5/lol20603.jpg?t=1772794541) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@jsstansel/post/DVhOjSzEUQ1?xmt=AQF0dtwCLHlLQPO9qCBTcmcC1-4u-WTZmGKY-mg1V7IJ4g) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- Hey brands! There’s a reason you get influencers to show off your product rather than company executives… Most execs are NOT great on social media. Case in point: **McDonald’s CEO**, and this awkward cringe-fest…. Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUTZ_ilDl41/) “It’s a delicious product”… 😂 The internet reacted as you’d expect: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f9e5cefb-d26c-490c-bcae-60634f41ecb6/image.png?t=1772800245) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4a682016-859d-45d7-abfc-c35508ab9c32/image.png?t=1772800268) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1b942f99-ba55-4293-b81e-1ef1d39633da/image.png?t=1772800309) Caption: Find more reactions [here](https://www.aol.com/articles/big-arch-kicks-off-big-222025862.html). **McDonald’s social team** did the all they could to embrace the cringe. They leaned in, and posted through it… Tweet: (https://twitter.com/McDonalds/status/2028892648015098360) __________ **More viral news this week:** * **A viral prank **claims [showing an ISIS flag](https://dailydot.com/streamer-claims-meta-glasses-banned-debunk) to Meta smart glasses will get the wearer banned (it won’t) * **TikTok’s cottage cheese obsession** [sends dairy companies scrambling](https://www.thedailybeast.com/tiktoks-cottage-cheese-obsession-sends-dairy-companies-scrambling/) * **What’s a Gen Z Karen? **They don’t complain to the manager—[they cancel you online](https://dailydot.com/gen-z-karen-different-from-millennial-karen) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- Is AI slop GOOD for the performance of brand ads?! A new study says…. sometimes, yes 🤨 Brands May Actually Benefit From Advertising Next to AI Content, Per Study: (https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/brands-may-actually-benefit-from-advertising-next-to-ai-content-per-study/) __________ **More brand news and views:** * Why brands like **Urban Outfitters** and **American Eagle** are rethinking influencer marketing with [gamified micro-creator programmes](https://digiday.com/media/why-more-brands-are-rethinking-influencer-marketing-with-gamified-micro-creator-programs/) * How **sports leagues** are flooding marquee events with influencers to [win Gen-Z audiences](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/28/arts/sports-influencers-content-creators-nfl-nba.html) * **Nat Geo** is launching a ‘[Creator Cohort](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/27/nat-geo-creator-cohort-social-media-maya-higa/)’ to boost its presence on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"It may not be my wisest tweet… I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as incredibly stupid. But if it led to this trial, I guess I would qualify it as such."“ — – **Elon Musk in court**, on the tweet that has [led to a lawsuit](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVf9OJuCu3u?xmt=AQF018pwjVkG2qP7H8JRAwqloz_Ntpy6qVN_5QDpgNiS3w) accusing him of manipulating Twitter’s stock price as he moved to buy the company __________ **Also quoted this week…** _“Work never stopped on the deal”_ **- Elon Musk’s financial adviser Jared Birchall** testifies in court that Elon’s “deal temporarily on hold” tweet as he moved to acquire Twitter [was untrue](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-04/musk-tweet-on-pausing-twitter-deal-was-frustration-adviser-says?sref=YURDD6is) __________ _“The platforms would rather have a middle tier of creators, with 5 to 10 million followers — they would rather have that be enormous — than have a few people break through.”_ **- MrBeast’s former manager Reed Duchscher** on why social superstars like MrBeast might be [a thing of the past](https://www.businessinsider.com/mr-beast-manager-reed-duchscher-night-youtube-tiktok-twitch-kafka-2026-2) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/863ad342-3950-4b01-a80d-44a973a4ba09/fav_reads.jpg?t=1772123813) Caption: -------------------- **TikTok creators **are turning millions of **Epstein files** into a viral, crowdsourced investigation. True-crime influencers, amateurs and professionals are building huge followings by breaking down documents. Creators say they’re filling a trust gap left by traditional media… But experts warn AI-driven fakes will further distort an already chaotic information landscape. The TikTokers Reading the Epstein Files So You Don’t Have To: (https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/tiktok-epstein-investigators) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/329d25b3-9e16-4946-b400-e5cc194f0db0/New_Platform_v2.jpg?t=1772123876) Caption: -------------------- **MrBeast** has [launched](https://influencermarketinghub.com/mrbeast-launches-vyro/) **Vyro**, a marketplace paying fans to clip long-form videos. Users can **earn about $3 per 1,000 views** for posting clips to **TikTok, Reels, Shorts**. **A 100,000-view clip pays roughly $300**, with no follower minimum required. Campaigns track views across TikTok, Reels and YouTube Shorts. Vyro | Get views. Make bank.: (https://www.vyro.com/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- Ewww. People actually watch this trash….?! _“Facebook is filling up with hundreds of AI clips depicting revolting miracles for millions of views a pop.”_ Meta Reels Is Filling Up With AI Slop of Faith Healers Performing Miraculous Cures: (https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/meta-reels-ai-faith-healing) __________ **More WTF this week:** * **TikTok and Snapchat posts **are encouraging London pupils to take part in [organised “school wars”](https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/feb/26/tiktok-snapchat-london-pupils-school-wars) * **Photographers outside a San Francisco courthouse **say Elon Musk used [a “decoy” Tesla to evade cameras](https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-decoy-tesla-distracted-photographers-twitter-trial-2026-3) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a8759786-87ac-4858-8715-57265c146862/BBC_Radio_1Xtra_logo.png?t=1772796022) Caption: **BBC Radio 1Xtra** needs a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-manager-1xtra/) _[London, UK]_ __________ **More social media jobs:** * **Indie .io **is hiring a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-manager/) _[Remote, USA]_ * **Macmillan** is looking for a [Senior Strategic Storytelling Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/senior-strategic-storytelling-manager/) _[Hybrid, London, UK]_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: -------------------- How to create **Instagram **content** **people **want to share in DMs **with friends: Instagram “Sends per Reach” Playbook: Designing Posts People Send In DMs: (https://influencermarketinghub.com/instagram-sends-per-reach-playbook/) __________ **More pro tips:** * **Meta’s Manus AI** ad tool for marketers: [explained](https://digiday.com/marketing/wtf-is-metas-manus-tool/) * **What’s the maximum number of accounts **you can follow on **Instagram? **[7,500](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVR51RkjEUy?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) * **YouTube’s AI slop problem **and [how marketers can compete](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/youtubes-ai-slop-problem-and-how-marketers-can-compete/567297/) * **YouTube’s Culture and Trends team** explained just how big [creator-led soccer content](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/03/03/youtube-culture-trends-report-football-soccer-creator-content/) has become in Latin America. * **Pinterest **released best practices tip sheet for [shopping templates](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-releases-best-practices-tip-sheet-for-shopping-templates/813445/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**8.8 BILLION**“ — – **The number of watch hours **[YouTube Gaming logged](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVidFqpiu1H?xmt=AQF08luEh1jbKddQr6cY6kkgQHT6ApQ9-V5eDwl97vE-4g) in 2025, up 12% year over year __________ **More social stats:** * **WATCH THIS: **TikTok ads drove a [172% jump](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-ad-campaigns-drive-movie-ticket-purchases/814005/) in movie ticket purchase rates, new Samba data shows. * **SEARCHING: **[49% of Americans](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVY6pxCCmUV?xmt=AQF0GfgVvxrMa1y8NqavpkdVtf7ww4i-ZvfeCbzHbSky_A) Now Use TikTok as a Search Engine * **BIG IN THE EU: **TikTok now has [178 million](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVY32B1Cgv0?xmt=AQF0GfgVvxrMa1y8NqavpkdVtf7ww4i-ZvfeCbzHbSky_A) monthly users in the EU — up 8 million in six months * **BIG TIME:** Instagram average daily usage grew from 40 minutes per day in 2023 to [46 minutes per day](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/02/instagram-tracked-growing-usage-while-targeting-teens-lawyers-argue/) in 2026, according to evidence at the current LA social media trial * **SOCIAL BURNOUT: **[46% of social media workers](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVbicccimrg?xmt=AQF018pwjVkG2qP7H8JRAwqloz_Ntpy6qVN_5QDpgNiS3w) experience burnout symptoms, while 46% consider quitting their job due to stress -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- **Buffer** analysed 52M+ posts across 10 platforms, revealing engagement patterns for 2026. * **Instagram** saw the biggest drop in engagement with a 26% drop. * **X** saw the biggest jump in engagement with 44% growth. * In terms of content formats, **LinkedIn carousels** dominate engagement, hitting 21.77% median engagement rates. Check out the [Buffer’s State of Social Media Engagement](https://buffer.com/resources/state-of-social-media-engagement-2026/) report for more 2026 insights. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/01ef7ffa-b0f5-4c2a-9579-577a76810a2d/648593849_17945295471117490_4978309813183595610_n.jpg?t=1772792458) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVigTdoCqZo?xmt=AQF08luEh1jbKddQr6cY6kkgQHT6ApQ9-V5eDwl97vE-4g) Caption: __________ **More charts:** * **UGC ON THE RISE: **UGC has [lapped TikTok](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVRDyr2Ckxi?xmt=AQF0GfgVvxrMa1y8NqavpkdVtf7ww4i-ZvfeCbzHbSky_A) in influencer marketing, and Instagram is next * **TIK-ING UP: **The increase since 2021 in [US adults who use TikTok](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVZAosECpBv?xmt=AQF018pwjVkG2qP7H8JRAwqloz_Ntpy6qVN_5QDpgNiS3w) * **TOK OFF: **Instagram has [fought off TikTok’s threat](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVZB6kmCisy?xmt=AQF018pwjVkG2qP7H8JRAwqloz_Ntpy6qVN_5QDpgNiS3w) * **TOO MUCH: **Are social media works [overwhelmed at work](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVbicccimrg?xmt=AQF018pwjVkG2qP7H8JRAwqloz_Ntpy6qVN_5QDpgNiS3w)? * **APP TIME: **Social media dominates 2025 app time as [AI usage explodes](https://www.emarketer.com/content/genai-was-2025-s-fastest-rising-app-category--social-media-still-lapped-field) * **I-RAN TO THREADS:** Threads saw a [boost in usage](https://www.threads.com/@similarwebinsights/post/DVgEfwvjZGA?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) after the US and Israel began their offensive in Iran -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- Dubai influencers’ lives of luxury interrupted by Iran strikes: ‘The image of safety has been shattered’: (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/03/dubai-influencers-iran-war-strikes) **__________** ##### Also in the news this week… * **Activist investor Elliott **has taken a $1B stake in Pinterest, betting on AI-driven growth. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/03/activist-investor-elliot-takes-a-1b-stake-in-pinterest-betting-on-ai-driven-growth/)] * **Variety unveiled** its first “10 Creators to Watch”, spotlighting rising digital stars. [[Variety](https://variety.com/lists/creators-to-watch/sabrina-brier/)] * **Ofcom ruled a suicide forum **is in provisional breach of the Online Safety Act for failing to block UK users and promoting ways to bypass restrictions. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/27/suicide-forum-in-breach-of-online-safety-act-after-failing-to-block-uk-users)] * **371 security and privacy academics** are calling for a global pause on social media age checks. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/age-check-social-media-scientist-warning/)] * **Three months after **Australia’s 10 December 2025 under-16 ban, success remains unproven. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/04/australia-social-media-ban-under-16s-three-month-review)] * **TikTok parent ByteDance** is bringing its Meta Quest rivalling Pico headsets to the US. [[Android Central](https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/pico-project-swan-pico-os-6-north-america)] * **Apple has blocked US users** from downloading ByteDance’s Chinese apps. [[Wired $$$](https://www.wired.com/story/bytedance-apps-are-no-longer-available-in-us-app-stores/)] * **A founding member of xAI** has described the “grind” to get the first Grok model out. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/xai-founding-member-extremely-hardcore-grok-debut-2026-3)] * **Snapchat research shows** the app plays a growing role in movie discovery. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-research-provides-insight-for-movie-marketing/813853/)] * **Pinterest and Amazon Influencers** have teamed up on a new integration that allows select Pinterest creators to link their Amazon Storefronts to their profiles. [[@lindseygamble_](https://www.threads.com/@lindseygamble_/post/DVcLf4-jSln?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A)] * **MrBeast is hiring **a 'head of TikTok’, with the goal to make every post feel clearly “Beast” while boosting performance. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-is-hiring-a-head-of-tiktok-job-description-2026-2)] * **A US federal judge** has blocked Virginia’s law limiting under-16s to one hour a day on social media. [[Financial Times $$$](https://www.ft.com/content/d8267b9e-109b-4e00-9e82-159a9f5b7cdd)] * **YouTube partnered **with Rakuten to bring more shoppable videos to Japan. [[TubeFilter](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/27/youtube-rakuten-social-live-shopping-partnership/)] * **Fixated acquired** Elevate as part of its mission to assemble “the Avengers” of the digital content space. [[TubeFilter](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/03/03/fixated-elevate-acquisition/)] * **Albania lifted **its government-imposed ban on TikTok. [[Economic Times](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/tiktok-returns-to-albania-after-government-imposed-ban/articleshow/128852366.cms?from=mdr)] __________ **More updates and new features:** * **Meta introduced **FrameSync to improve VR smoothness on Horizon OS. [[Meta Horizon Developers](https://developers.meta.com/horizon/blog/framesync-meta-horizon-os/)] * **Facebook is rolling out** an updated log-in UI on desktop. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVb42OTDLmu?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A)] * **X removed chat tabs **from the main app and moved them into a contextual menu, creating more space in the inbox. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVij6BsjLMg)] * **X is following Threads **by updating its in-app screenshots, replacing the Grok icon with the X icon when you take a screenshot within the app. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVamfxLDOuB?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A)] * **X is working on a redesign** of the reply and other options for posts on iOS. [[@xDaily](https://x.com/xDaily/status/2029066782674411546)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- _“With misinformation spreading like wildfire, many people have placed their trust in reputable digital investigators. _ _“Organisations like The New York Times, Indicator, and Bellingcat have extensive verification procedures to avoid publishing synthetic or misleading content..._ _“Media authentication methods are rarely foolproof, but standards are extremely high, and experts have years of experience with evading fake news.”_ How the experts figure out what’s real in the age of deepfakes: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/888303/photo-video-fake-news-verification-nyt-bellingway) **_________** **Also worth checking out:** * **The world wants to ban children from social media**, but [there will be grave consequences for us all](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/02/ban-children-social-media-biometic-data-surveilled) * **How the US government** is [painting immigrants as criminals on social media](https://www.npr.org/2026/02/27/nx-s1-5720167/trump-ice-immigration-social-media-deportation-dhs-immigrants-detained-disputes) * **Hollywood wants to beat TikTok **at its own game — [but faces hurdles](https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-disney-short-form-video-youtube-tiktok-hollywood-2026-2) * **The future of horror movies** [is on YouTube](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/the-future-of-horror-movies-is-on-youtube) * **Telegram’s founder built a fortress. **[Now governments are at the gate](https://www.ft.com/content/26c18637-667f-498c-99e2-5c757702121b?sharetype=blocked) * **The best alternatives **[to Discord](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/01/best-discord-alternatives-age-verification-identity-privacy/) * **“I’d pay for YouTube Premium** [if it stopped spoiling everything”](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-premium-spoiler-filter-3646241/) * **More teen social media bans are coming**, [but will they work?](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/more-teen-social-media-bans-are-coming-but-will-they-work/813577/) * **How TikTok Shop is shedding its Temu reputation** and [winning over retailers](https://www.emarketer.com/content/how-tiktok-shop-shedding-its-temu-reputation-winning-over-retailers) * **A former MrBeast employee** is closing the creator economy gender gap with [a service for female editors](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/03/03/female-editors-creator-economy-mrbeast-edithers/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- Want a peek inside the Miami mansion** Mark Zuckerberg** just bought for $170 million? Look no further. 👇 He’s surely only going to be there a few days a year, it feels like a waste to leave it empty. Someone’s got to look after it! I’ll live in it for you for free, Zuck. Deal? Mark Zuckerberg Buys Newly Built $170 Million ‘Billionaire Bunker’ Mansion in Record-Breaking Deal: (https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/mark-zuckerberg-buys-newly-built-210607229.html) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- That’s everything you need to know this week, Geekout friends. Before you head off to doomscroll somewhere else… A **big thanks** for all your feedback on the Geekout glow-up. I’ve already fixed a few bugs and tweaked the layout based on your suggestions. Turns out you lot have strong opinions about spacing! **Next up: **Reviewing new sections I could add — and possibly a few I should retire. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3465dbfd-d276-4402-a24f-d8e94f67485d/tomcruisehelp-ezgif.com-optimize.gif?t=1772801624) Caption: **Two quick questions for you:** ❌ 1. Which ONE Geekout Newsletter section do you always skip? ✅ 2. What NEW section could I add to make Geekout more useful? Help me keep Geekout the most useful Friday scroll for top social media pros like you. Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-ray-ban-privacy-musk-court-mcdonalds-ceo-product

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1e0ef68d-52f0-4bc2-ae6b-4fd17c966fee/Geekout_060326.jpg?t=1772798225) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Geekout is read by 30K social media pros** ** Get up to 20% OFF Geekout ads in 2026 **Advertiser Info** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) -------------------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **Optimize Geekout** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-ray-ban-privacy-musk-court-mcdonalds-ceo-product) -------------------- ## **Hello, geeks!** I can finally relax this week. I spent most of last weekend stressed and anxious about my TV appearance in Channel 4’s new [‘Battle of the Brands’ documentary.](https://www.channel4.com/programmes/battle-of-the-brands) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2a7c8aba-412f-40c1-9085-6ea6a1dd4a08/IMG_0988_3.jpg?t=1772803500) Caption: The first of four episodes was broadcast on Tuesday night in the UK. It focussed on Nando’s vs. KFC. I knew they had a lot of footage of me, after spending a full day filming in London last summer. When I got the call from a producer asking if I would like to be part of the documentary, my imposter syndrome went into overdrive. I spent several days almost talking myself out of doing it. But fast forward a month later, and I found myself under studio lighting, in front of two cameras, with three researchers firing endless questions at me. It was pretty intense and intimidating. My internal monologue kept repeating “Are you sure you’re the right person for this? But I’m really pleased that I hit my “f**k it!” button, and agreed to do it. I watched the first episode with my kids at home on the sofa. Even though I’m my own biggest critic, I felt I did a good job. Skip to 40 seconds in to spot me in this clip 👇👀 Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVdeb1QDOWA/) They used way more of my interview than I expected, including using clips of me to tease the next segment of the episode before going to an ad break. And episode ended with a soundbite from me. Next time you’re invited to do something that scares the hell out of you professionally… Hit your own “f**k it” button. You might just surprise yourself. __________ ##### Geekout Q&A with Instagram Edits Exec View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c5a9e62a-ec58-46fa-b0c2-59bf5ab755a2/image.png?t=1772795621) Caption: Ever wanted to ask an Instagram product manager a question? Here’s your chance. Later this month, I will be chatting to Matt Simari, Director of Product Management for the Edits app. What would you like me to ask him? [Reply to this email](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) with your questions. The FIVE best questions will WIN an swag bundle from Instagram. __________ ##### ==**1 cool thing…**== * 🔥 This [social media manager AI](https://hubs.ly/Q045gKy40) that creates content that sounds like you. Not ChatGPT! [ad] -------------------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ TOP AI TOOL ▶︎ FREE TRIAL #### AI That Finally Sounds Like You. Not ChatGPT! 🤖 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/0c53e3f7-4431-4def-ae67-4ccf7ce81016/image.png?t=1772716011) Follow image link: (https://hubs.ly/Q045gKy40) Caption: Everyone’s using AI to create content… But so is literally every other social team on the planet! And that's the problem. Most AI tools spit out the same generic, could-be-anyone copy. But your brand voice is what makes you different. And generic AI is killing it. But** **[**Sked Ideas**](https://hubs.ly/Q045gKy40) is different. It’s brand-smart AI actually learns your tone, your content pillars, your quirks. So the ideas it generates sound like you wrote them. Not like _everyone_ else using ChatGPT! **Here's how it works:** * 🧠** Paste your website URL** and it builds your brand voice automatically * 💡 **Generate 20 content ideas in 60 seconds** that match your brand tone of voice instantly * 👀 **AI spots content gaps** before they become patterns your audience notices * ✅ **Get stakeholder sign-off on ideas** (not finished posts) — saves hours! * 📲 **Move approved ideas** straight to your calendar in 1-click No more copy / pasting between 5 different tools. No more rewriting bland AI copy for 30 minutes. That’s why **Sked Ideas** is used by social teams at **Qantas, IHG Hotels, The Iconic**, and hundreds more. ##### 🔥 **Want FREE ACCESS to Sked Ideas?** — **[Use this Geekout link](https://hubs.ly/Q045gKy40)****.** Try Sked Ideas for FREE (https://hubs.ly/Q045gKy40) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: -------------------- Meta sued over AI smart glasses' privacy concerns, after workers reviewed nudity, sex, and other footage: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/05/meta-sued-over-ai-smartglasses-privacy-concerns-after-workers-reviewed-nudity-sex-and-other-footage/) 2. **Elon Musk testified in court** over his Twitter deal tweets [[SCRUTINIZING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7433dz4ykwo)] 3. **Meta to let rival AI chatbots onto WhatsApp **in Europe for 12 months to ease antitrust heat [[COMPROMISING](https://www.wsj.com/business/meta-to-open-up-whatsapp-to-rival-ai-chatbots-for-a-fee-following-eu-objections-10330fe0?mod=rss_Technology)] 4. **X flooded with disinformation** after US and Israeli strikes on Iran [[REALITY-BENDING](https://www.wired.com/story/x-is-drowning-in-disinformation-following-us-and-israels-attack-on-iran/)] 5. **UK government begins consultation on social media ban** for under-16s [[RESEARCHING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg3vjkx9d7o)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: -------------------- ### **Creepy behaviour could kill Meta’s chances of a hardware hit** She Came Out of the Bathroom Naked, Employee Says: (https://www.svd.se/a/K8nrV4/metas-ai-smart-glasses-and-data-privacy-concerns-workers-say-we-see-everything) Meta’s smart glasses have all the makings of a breakout hit. By offering everyday useful functionality in a convenient form factor, they could become a far bigger business than VR headsets for the company. It’s increasingly common to spot the glasses when you’re out and about, and at least from my observations, they seem to have appeal beyond geeks and early adopters. But an investigation by Swedish journalists has unveiled something that might put you off: ‘data annotators’ in Kenya work to train Meta’s AI by helping it understand what users are looking at. It’s unclear what is shared with these annotators, but they say they’ve seen everything from naked bodies to people going to the toilet 😳 [As the BBC explained](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0q33nvj0qpo): _“According to Meta, filtering could include blurring faces in images - but sources who spoke to [Swedish newspapers] said sometimes this failed and peoples faces could be seen._ _“Users have to activate recording manually or through a voice command, but may not realise their videos and images are sometimes reviewed by humans - as described within Meta's extensive privacy policies and terms of service.”_ Meta already faces a data protection investigation in the UK and a [lawsuit](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/05/meta-sued-over-ai-smartglasses-privacy-concerns-after-workers-reviewed-nudity-sex-and-other-footage/) in the USA over the news. I expect more will follow. This comes after the recent news that Meta is [considering adding face recognition](https://www.theverge.com/tech/878725/meta-facial-recognition-smart-glasses-name-tag-privacy-advoates) to some of its smart glasses in the future. Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should! Wearable cameras connected to the internet have the potential to get creepy, fast. When that creepiness is enabled (or even carried out!) by the company that makes the hardware, it’s even worse. Meta is going to have to tread carefully, or its potential big hit could become just another embarrassing bullet point in the company’s long history of personal data controversies. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6294a342-afc7-47fd-adbc-7de773521dca/image.png?t=1772798343) Follow image link: (https://searchengineland.com/meta-introduces-click-and-engage-through-attribution-updates-470629) Caption: Meta’s new ad performance measurement framework | Credit: Meta * **Meta **will soon only [count ad link clicks](https://searchengineland.com/meta-introduces-click-and-engage-through-attribution-updates-470629) toward click-through attribution for website and in-store conversions * **Internal Meta docs** show [staff warned](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/02/meta-child-safety-documents-instagram/686163/) about child grooming risks for years * **Meta **is building tools to [help retailers see](https://www.adweek.com/commerce/exclusive-meta-is-building-tools-to-chase-more-retail-media-budget/) if Facebook and Instagram ads lead to real product sales * **Meta**’s Oversight Board says AI’s rapid expansion is [overwhelming](https://restofworld.org/2026/mmeta-oversight-board-challenges/) its slow, case-based review model. * **Meta **says LLMs play [almost no role](https://digiday.com/media/not-a-big-part-of-the-work-metas-llm-bet-has-yet-to-touch-its-core-ads-business/) in its core ranking and its $160B+ ads engine… yet * **Meta** is forcing some ad accounts onto [monthly invoicing](https://x.com/rokhladnik/status/2028546933359317343) * **Meta **plans to develop [custom chips](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-04/meta-plans-to-develop-custom-chips-to-train-its-ai-models) to train its AI models * **Meta **signs a multimillion dollar [AI licensing deal](https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-signs-a-multimillion-dollar-ai-licensing-deal-with-news-corp-234157902.html?src=rss) with News Corp * **Meta** is creating a new [applied AI engineering](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/meta-to-create-new-applied-ai-engineering-organization-in-reality-labs-division-d41c4a69) organisation, led by Maher Saba, who is currently a VP of Meta’s Reality Labs division * **Facebook** added a new [Drafts](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVTKi1pjJpq?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) feature for Stories * **Facebook** is testing ‘[Friends with Things in Common](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVijaTJjFMY?xmt=AQF0PXCA4rjnvrn_heRdUMKuBym0Oee4BdOE1bGDykWn6w)’, which filters friends based on shared attributes like location, language, or workplace * **Facebook** can now [show lyrics](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVgNfhniSiG?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) on screen when sharing a music Note **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c6b9e485-d7df-4a76-9915-12591effc030/image.png?t=1772798605) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-introduces-thumbnail-post-editing-for-grids/813444/) Caption: Instagram now lets you customise your profile grid | Credit: Instagram * **Instagram** finally launched the ability to [customise your profile grid](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-introduces-thumbnail-post-editing-for-grids/813444/) with edited thumbnails * **Instagram** is rolling out features like insights, trending audio and scheduled content [to all public accounts](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-opens-up-content-scheduling-to-all-users/813448/). Trial Reels, channels, and Live are unlocked if you hit 1,000 followers * **Instagram** is getting closer to launch the “[Add interests](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVRFIyojERB?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A)” feature for profiles * **Instagram** started [labelling Reels](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVTCMY2jGKw?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) sent in DMs that were created using Edits * **Instagram **appears to be testing a [new layout](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVWCS0XDHfc?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) for video search results * **Instagram** is testing a new [‘Secret Friends’ list](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVbXSXnjG0v?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) with Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco * **Instagram** [merged](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVb9umVjAUt?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) Effects and Restyle for Stories into one Effects section * **Instagram** introduced [GIF support](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVam3z_jArM?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) for Notes * **Instagram Edits** added new + [improved](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-updates-edits-app-with-more-creation-tools/813717/) video effects, caption keyword highlighter, and a visually upgraded Ideas tab **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ed6d6dfb-1eeb-4963-85a9-1a5a19735906/image.png?t=1772798712) Follow image link: (https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-9-6-whats-new/) Caption: WhatsApp now lets you join waitlist for its Premium Plan | Credit: WABetaInfo * **Threads **has added a new [Social Media Managers community](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVb5PZwDPqK?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) * **Threads** now [categorises](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVTBWPuDLjL?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) suggested accounts to follow based on the topics they post about * **WhatsApp **is testing a feature that allows users to [join the waitlist](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-9-6-whats-new/) for its premium plan * **WhatsApp** is testing [redesigned filters](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVhoO6oCMUD?xmt=AQF08luEh1jbKddQr6cY6kkgQHT6ApQ9-V5eDwl97vE-4g) and recent searches for the Chats tab * **WhatsApp **is rolling out a feature to [share status updates](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVXVDP9CJAQ?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) with unsaved phone numbers * **WhatsApp** is working on a premium feature that lets you [pin up to 20 chats](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVcepCNiLgs?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) * **WhatsApp** has named Mullvad and Amnezia VPN as go-to tools for [bypassing censorship](https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/whatsapp-officially-names-mullvad-and-amnezia-vpn-as-go-to-tools-for-bypassing-censorship) * **WhatsApp** is widely rolling out a feature that [suggests stickers](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVgO-PoCL1w?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) as you type an emoji in a chat * **WhatsApp** is testing a feature that displays the number of [media items sent](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVUNGUtDEM8?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A), categorised by media type **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/274a7a42-9c4c-480b-923d-ee4a1e6ece9b/image.png?t=1772799197) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/05/x-revamps-creator-subscriptions-with-new-features-like-exclusive-threads-and-shareable-cards/) Caption: X revamps Creator Subscriptions with Exclusive Threads feature | Credit: X * **X** revamped [Creator Subscriptions](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/05/x-revamps-creator-subscriptions-with-new-features-like-exclusive-threads-and-shareable-cards/) with new features such as ‘[exclusive threads](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/xs-exclusive-threads-feature-lets-creators-paywall-the-end-of-tweet-threads-000246204.html)’ and shareable cards * **X **finally launched **X Money** in beta via a [William Shatner charity auction](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/04/x-taps-william-shatner-to-give-out-invites-to-its-payments-service-x-money/) * **X** introduced a [’Paid Partnership’ label](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/02/x-ads-paid-partnership-labels-for-creators-so-they-can-ditch-the-hashtags/) that lets creators clearly mark sponsored posts. * **X** says it will [suspend creators](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/03/x-says-it-will-suspend-creators-from-revenue-sharing-program-for-unlabeled-ai-posts-of-armed-conflict/) from its revenue-sharing programme for unlabelled AI posts of ‘armed conflict’ * **US federal agencies** [raised safety concerns](https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/elon-musk-xai-grok-security-safety-government-73ab4f6e?mod=rss_Technology) about using **xAI**’s Grok chatbot after it was approved by the Pentagon * **X** shared a 44-slide deck with advertisers pitching Grok as [core to brand safety](https://www.adweek.com/media/exclusive-a-new-pitch-deck-reveals-x-is-using-grok-to-sell-brand-safety/)(!) 🤯 * **X** is beta testing a [standalone X Chat app](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/03/x-begins-testing-standalone-x-chat-app-on-ios/) on iOS * **X** usage [declined in the EU](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-sees-decline-eu-users-h2-2025/813715/) in the second half of 2025 * **X **is testing a new [topic filter](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-tests-experimental-topic-feed-filter/813447/) for the For You feed, letting you prioritise trending news and specific subjects to appear in their feed * **X** has removed its long-standing in-app [night mode](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-removes-dark-mode-night-mode-option/814011/) setting in the latest update. The app will now follow your phone’s system settings **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d135a2ca-c1fd-4f7f-8a8c-1f932b06dd54/image.png?t=1772799595) Follow image link: (https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-stations-3646298/) Caption: YouTube rolls out new ‘Station’ feature | Credit: Android Authority * **TikTok** will [not introduce](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly2m5e5ke4o) end-to-end encryption, arguing it makes users less safe * **TikTok US** experienced its second [Oracle-related server outage](https://gizmodo.com/tiktok-is-experiencing-oracle-related-server-issues-again-2000729265) in a month * **TikTok** has updated its “For You” [feed refresh process](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVakEKKDIVj?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) * **Donald Trump **has been [sued](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-administration-sued-us-tiktok-deal-rcna261684), accused of rewarding his allies in the **TikTok US** deal * **TikTok** begun an EU court battle [challenging a €530 million GDPR fine](https://www.politico.eu/article/tiktok-fights-to-keep-its-ties-to-china-in-europe/) * **TikTok **now lets you [re-create Live moments](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVgIlOxiSHo?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) and tag creators to share the best parts of a stream * **TikTok** added content [templates](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVTInvzjAtx?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) for International Women’s Day * **TikTok **added ‘[Optimise for stability](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DViknxSCd3a?xmt=AQF0_SJFmJ5LFXez2BvDwjURDnkoEx2n9e74VqX05zXxBeKhXYZx9Gou1zyymBMzop4Dr4yL&slof=1)’ a setting to limit some functions to prevent lag or disruptions during livestreams * **YouTube** expanded its revived [DMs feature](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-direct-messaging-is-going-live-in-more-regions/) to 25+ European countries after a limited launch * **YouTube **has been spotted offering a [‘Station’ feature](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-stations-3646298/) with a a non-stop stream of music by a specific artist * **YouTube** updated its Studio Payment Activity dashboard to give creators [deeper payout insights](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-updates-payment-activity-overview-provides-more-detailed-data/813855/) **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/278063c7-1265-4dea-a83a-114e30ca0e86/image.png?t=1772799721) Follow image link: (https://telegram.org/blog/member-tags-disable-sharing-and-more) Caption: Telegram update adds GIF editing, login tools, and more | Credit: Telegram * **LinkedIn** now lets you manage jobs applications with an all-in-one feature called [Job Tracker](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVTJx5WDDGo?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) * **Snapchat** is positioning itself as a [B2B marketing channel](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-report-positions-the-app-as-a-b2b-marketing-tool/813857/) - is it heading onto LinkedIn’s turf? * **Twitch** is testing “skippable” ads that you [can’t actually skip](https://dailydot.com/twitch-skippable-ads-test) * **Telegram** has rolled out [GIF editing](https://telegram.org/blog/member-tags-disable-sharing-and-more), login tools, and new privacy features * **Google** has [increased social media posts](https://www.seroundtable.com/google-discover-feed-social-media-posts-41011.html) in its Discover feed as an experiment * **Mastodon** now has a [button for sharing content](https://www.theverge.com/tech/887791/mastodon-official-share-button-widget) from other websites -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: -------------------- **Meta** is testing a [shopping research feature](https://www.business-standard.com/technology/tech-news/meta-tests-shopping-research-feature-in-ai-tool-to-rival-chatgpt-gemini-126030300140_1.html) within its AI chatbot for select US users It’s a direct challenge to **Open AI’s ChatGPT** Shopping mode. BUT… It’s getting off to [a rocky start](https://www.webpronews.com/meta-ais-shopping-feature-on-instagram-and-facebook-falls-flat-and-it-reveals-a-deeper-problem-with-ai-powered-commerce/) I Tried Meta AI's Shopping Assistant, and I Won't Be Using It Again: (https://lifehacker.com/tech/i-tried-meta-ais-shopping-assistant-and-i-wont-be-using-it-again) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **Instagram **added a new effect for creating [story backgrounds](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DValCwajC1N?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) using Meta AI * **WhatsApp** is testing a feature that lets you [organise chats](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-9-4-whats-new/) with Meta AI * **TikTok** is widely rolling the [AI Canvas](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVUsP1XDBs0?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) feature for Creator Insights * **X** now allows creators to[ label posts](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVU-B_NiaBl?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) that were generated or enhanced using AI * **xAI **is considering a [freemium Grok Enterprise](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/xai-considers-offering-a-free-version-of-grok-enterprise/813858/) offering to drive wider business uptake * **Roblox** now uses AI to [rephrase chats](https://www.theverge.com/games/889954/roblox-ai-real-time-chat-rephrasing) on the fly instead of just blocking words. * **Influencer app** **LTK** has launched an OpenAI-powered [chatbot trained on influencer content](https://www.businessinsider.com/influencer-app-ltk-takes-step-ai-shopping-new-chatbot-chatgpt-2026-2) within its platform -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fce48a77-83a7-433a-bbb2-15d76b7163b8/You_can.jpg?t=1772729427) Caption: -------------------- I spoke to **BBC News** about TikTok’s out-of-step decision [not to protect DMs with end-to-end encryption](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly2m5e5ke4o) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9f8b949e-a06a-4f2b-b1d3-c0551e30bf30/BBC_News_TikTok_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra.png?t=1772732718) Follow image link: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly2m5e5ke4o) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f51d6aca-cc2f-4bf0-9ae0-2077a60b94dd/trail.jpg?t=1772123658) Caption: -------------------- Mark Zuckerberg downplays Meta's own research in New Mexico child safety trial: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mark-zuckerberg-downplays-metas-own-research-in-new-mexico-child-safety-trial-222924340.html) * **Zuckerberg takes issue** with [the word ‘addictive’](https://www.fastcompany.com/91503334/meta-ceo-zuckerberg-takes-issue-with-the-word-addictive-in-deposition-shown-at-landmark-trial) in deposition shown at landmark trial * **Instagram** tracked the time users spent on its app, with company executives [flagging “milestones”](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/02/instagram-tracked-growing-usage-while-targeting-teens-lawyers-argue/) that its app reached year after year -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3b409ca5-a409-49b7-8d8f-febf7dbe19f4/lol.jpg?t=1772123732) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/83e36842-8745-47c3-8230-d5da21dc17a8/lol10603.jpg?t=1772794474) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-managers-when-someone-comments-activity-7434266314875244546-QvHi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d11a1f22-776e-448b-bf89-57d236b0a8c5/lol20603.jpg?t=1772794541) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@jsstansel/post/DVhOjSzEUQ1?xmt=AQF0dtwCLHlLQPO9qCBTcmcC1-4u-WTZmGKY-mg1V7IJ4g) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: -------------------- Hey brands! There’s a reason you get influencers to show off your product rather than company executives… Most execs are NOT great on social media. Case in point: **McDonald’s CEO**, and this awkward cringe-fest…. Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUTZ_ilDl41/) “It’s a delicious product”… 😂 The internet reacted as you’d expect: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f9e5cefb-d26c-490c-bcae-60634f41ecb6/image.png?t=1772800245) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4a682016-859d-45d7-abfc-c35508ab9c32/image.png?t=1772800268) Caption: __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1b942f99-ba55-4293-b81e-1ef1d39633da/image.png?t=1772800309) Caption: Find more reactions [here](https://www.aol.com/articles/big-arch-kicks-off-big-222025862.html). **McDonald’s social team** did the all they could to embrace the cringe. They leaned in, and posted through it… Tweet: (https://twitter.com/McDonalds/status/2028892648015098360) __________ **More viral news this week:** * **A viral prank **claims [showing an ISIS flag](https://dailydot.com/streamer-claims-meta-glasses-banned-debunk) to Meta smart glasses will get the wearer banned (it won’t) * **TikTok’s cottage cheese obsession** [sends dairy companies scrambling](https://www.thedailybeast.com/tiktoks-cottage-cheese-obsession-sends-dairy-companies-scrambling/) * **What’s a Gen Z Karen? **They don’t complain to the manager—[they cancel you online](https://dailydot.com/gen-z-karen-different-from-millennial-karen) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: -------------------- Is AI slop GOOD for the performance of brand ads?! A new study says…. sometimes, yes 🤨 Brands May Actually Benefit From Advertising Next to AI Content, Per Study: (https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/brands-may-actually-benefit-from-advertising-next-to-ai-content-per-study/) __________ **More brand news and views:** * Why brands like **Urban Outfitters** and **American Eagle** are rethinking influencer marketing with [gamified micro-creator programmes](https://digiday.com/media/why-more-brands-are-rethinking-influencer-marketing-with-gamified-micro-creator-programs/) * How **sports leagues** are flooding marquee events with influencers to [win Gen-Z audiences](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/28/arts/sports-influencers-content-creators-nfl-nba.html) * **Nat Geo** is launching a ‘[Creator Cohort](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/27/nat-geo-creator-cohort-social-media-maya-higa/)’ to boost its presence on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: -------------------- “"It may not be my wisest tweet… I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as incredibly stupid. But if it led to this trial, I guess I would qualify it as such."“ — – **Elon Musk in court**, on the tweet that has [led to a lawsuit](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVf9OJuCu3u?xmt=AQF018pwjVkG2qP7H8JRAwqloz_Ntpy6qVN_5QDpgNiS3w) accusing him of manipulating Twitter’s stock price as he moved to buy the company __________ **Also quoted this week…** _“Work never stopped on the deal”_ **- Elon Musk’s financial adviser Jared Birchall** testifies in court that Elon’s “deal temporarily on hold” tweet as he moved to acquire Twitter [was untrue](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-04/musk-tweet-on-pausing-twitter-deal-was-frustration-adviser-says?sref=YURDD6is) __________ _“The platforms would rather have a middle tier of creators, with 5 to 10 million followers — they would rather have that be enormous — than have a few people break through.”_ **- MrBeast’s former manager Reed Duchscher** on why social superstars like MrBeast might be [a thing of the past](https://www.businessinsider.com/mr-beast-manager-reed-duchscher-night-youtube-tiktok-twitch-kafka-2026-2) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/863ad342-3950-4b01-a80d-44a973a4ba09/fav_reads.jpg?t=1772123813) Caption: -------------------- **TikTok creators **are turning millions of **Epstein files** into a viral, crowdsourced investigation. True-crime influencers, amateurs and professionals are building huge followings by breaking down documents. Creators say they’re filling a trust gap left by traditional media… But experts warn AI-driven fakes will further distort an already chaotic information landscape. The TikTokers Reading the Epstein Files So You Don’t Have To: (https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/tiktok-epstein-investigators) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/329d25b3-9e16-4946-b400-e5cc194f0db0/New_Platform_v2.jpg?t=1772123876) Caption: -------------------- **MrBeast** has [launched](https://influencermarketinghub.com/mrbeast-launches-vyro/) **Vyro**, a marketplace paying fans to clip long-form videos. Users can **earn about $3 per 1,000 views** for posting clips to **TikTok, Reels, Shorts**. **A 100,000-view clip pays roughly $300**, with no follower minimum required. Campaigns track views across TikTok, Reels and YouTube Shorts. Vyro | Get views. Make bank.: (https://www.vyro.com/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: -------------------- Ewww. People actually watch this trash….?! _“Facebook is filling up with hundreds of AI clips depicting revolting miracles for millions of views a pop.”_ Meta Reels Is Filling Up With AI Slop of Faith Healers Performing Miraculous Cures: (https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/meta-reels-ai-faith-healing) __________ **More WTF this week:** * **TikTok and Snapchat posts **are encouraging London pupils to take part in [organised “school wars”](https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/feb/26/tiktok-snapchat-london-pupils-school-wars) * **Photographers outside a San Francisco courthouse **say Elon Musk used [a “decoy” Tesla to evade cameras](https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-decoy-tesla-distracted-photographers-twitter-trial-2026-3) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a8759786-87ac-4858-8715-57265c146862/BBC_Radio_1Xtra_logo.png?t=1772796022) Caption: **BBC Radio 1Xtra** needs a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-manager-1xtra/) _[London, UK]_ __________ **More social media jobs:** * **Indie .io **is hiring a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-manager/) _[Remote, USA]_ * **Macmillan** is looking for a [Senior Strategic Storytelling Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/senior-strategic-storytelling-manager/) _[Hybrid, London, UK]_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: -------------------- How to create **Instagram **content** **people **want to share in DMs **with friends: Instagram “Sends per Reach” Playbook: Designing Posts People Send In DMs: (https://influencermarketinghub.com/instagram-sends-per-reach-playbook/) __________ **More pro tips:** * **Meta’s Manus AI** ad tool for marketers: [explained](https://digiday.com/marketing/wtf-is-metas-manus-tool/) * **What’s the maximum number of accounts **you can follow on **Instagram? **[7,500](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVR51RkjEUy?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) * **YouTube’s AI slop problem **and [how marketers can compete](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/youtubes-ai-slop-problem-and-how-marketers-can-compete/567297/) * **YouTube’s Culture and Trends team** explained just how big [creator-led soccer content](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/03/03/youtube-culture-trends-report-football-soccer-creator-content/) has become in Latin America. * **Pinterest **released best practices tip sheet for [shopping templates](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-releases-best-practices-tip-sheet-for-shopping-templates/813445/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: -------------------- “**8.8 BILLION**“ — – **The number of watch hours **[YouTube Gaming logged](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVidFqpiu1H?xmt=AQF08luEh1jbKddQr6cY6kkgQHT6ApQ9-V5eDwl97vE-4g) in 2025, up 12% year over year __________ **More social stats:** * **WATCH THIS: **TikTok ads drove a [172% jump](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-ad-campaigns-drive-movie-ticket-purchases/814005/) in movie ticket purchase rates, new Samba data shows. * **SEARCHING: **[49% of Americans](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVY6pxCCmUV?xmt=AQF0GfgVvxrMa1y8NqavpkdVtf7ww4i-ZvfeCbzHbSky_A) Now Use TikTok as a Search Engine * **BIG IN THE EU: **TikTok now has [178 million](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVY32B1Cgv0?xmt=AQF0GfgVvxrMa1y8NqavpkdVtf7ww4i-ZvfeCbzHbSky_A) monthly users in the EU — up 8 million in six months * **BIG TIME:** Instagram average daily usage grew from 40 minutes per day in 2023 to [46 minutes per day](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/02/instagram-tracked-growing-usage-while-targeting-teens-lawyers-argue/) in 2026, according to evidence at the current LA social media trial * **SOCIAL BURNOUT: **[46% of social media workers](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVbicccimrg?xmt=AQF018pwjVkG2qP7H8JRAwqloz_Ntpy6qVN_5QDpgNiS3w) experience burnout symptoms, while 46% consider quitting their job due to stress -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: -------------------- **Buffer** analysed 52M+ posts across 10 platforms, revealing engagement patterns for 2026. * **Instagram** saw the biggest drop in engagement with a 26% drop. * **X** saw the biggest jump in engagement with 44% growth. * In terms of content formats, **LinkedIn carousels** dominate engagement, hitting 21.77% median engagement rates. Check out the [Buffer’s State of Social Media Engagement](https://buffer.com/resources/state-of-social-media-engagement-2026/) report for more 2026 insights. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/01ef7ffa-b0f5-4c2a-9579-577a76810a2d/648593849_17945295471117490_4978309813183595610_n.jpg?t=1772792458) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVigTdoCqZo?xmt=AQF08luEh1jbKddQr6cY6kkgQHT6ApQ9-V5eDwl97vE-4g) Caption: __________ **More charts:** * **UGC ON THE RISE: **UGC has [lapped TikTok](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVRDyr2Ckxi?xmt=AQF0GfgVvxrMa1y8NqavpkdVtf7ww4i-ZvfeCbzHbSky_A) in influencer marketing, and Instagram is next * **TIK-ING UP: **The increase since 2021 in [US adults who use TikTok](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVZAosECpBv?xmt=AQF018pwjVkG2qP7H8JRAwqloz_Ntpy6qVN_5QDpgNiS3w) * **TOK OFF: **Instagram has [fought off TikTok’s threat](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVZB6kmCisy?xmt=AQF018pwjVkG2qP7H8JRAwqloz_Ntpy6qVN_5QDpgNiS3w) * **TOO MUCH: **Are social media works [overwhelmed at work](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVbicccimrg?xmt=AQF018pwjVkG2qP7H8JRAwqloz_Ntpy6qVN_5QDpgNiS3w)? * **APP TIME: **Social media dominates 2025 app time as [AI usage explodes](https://www.emarketer.com/content/genai-was-2025-s-fastest-rising-app-category--social-media-still-lapped-field) * **I-RAN TO THREADS:** Threads saw a [boost in usage](https://www.threads.com/@similarwebinsights/post/DVgEfwvjZGA?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A) after the US and Israel began their offensive in Iran -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: -------------------- Dubai influencers’ lives of luxury interrupted by Iran strikes: ‘The image of safety has been shattered’: (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/03/dubai-influencers-iran-war-strikes) **__________** ##### Also in the news this week… * **Activist investor Elliott **has taken a $1B stake in Pinterest, betting on AI-driven growth. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/03/activist-investor-elliot-takes-a-1b-stake-in-pinterest-betting-on-ai-driven-growth/)] * **Variety unveiled** its first “10 Creators to Watch”, spotlighting rising digital stars. [[Variety](https://variety.com/lists/creators-to-watch/sabrina-brier/)] * **Ofcom ruled a suicide forum **is in provisional breach of the Online Safety Act for failing to block UK users and promoting ways to bypass restrictions. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/27/suicide-forum-in-breach-of-online-safety-act-after-failing-to-block-uk-users)] * **371 security and privacy academics** are calling for a global pause on social media age checks. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/age-check-social-media-scientist-warning/)] * **Three months after **Australia’s 10 December 2025 under-16 ban, success remains unproven. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/04/australia-social-media-ban-under-16s-three-month-review)] * **TikTok parent ByteDance** is bringing its Meta Quest rivalling Pico headsets to the US. [[Android Central](https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/pico-project-swan-pico-os-6-north-america)] * **Apple has blocked US users** from downloading ByteDance’s Chinese apps. [[Wired $$$](https://www.wired.com/story/bytedance-apps-are-no-longer-available-in-us-app-stores/)] * **A founding member of xAI** has described the “grind” to get the first Grok model out. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/xai-founding-member-extremely-hardcore-grok-debut-2026-3)] * **Snapchat research shows** the app plays a growing role in movie discovery. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-research-provides-insight-for-movie-marketing/813853/)] * **Pinterest and Amazon Influencers** have teamed up on a new integration that allows select Pinterest creators to link their Amazon Storefronts to their profiles. [[@lindseygamble_](https://www.threads.com/@lindseygamble_/post/DVcLf4-jSln?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A)] * **MrBeast is hiring **a 'head of TikTok’, with the goal to make every post feel clearly “Beast” while boosting performance. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-is-hiring-a-head-of-tiktok-job-description-2026-2)] * **A US federal judge** has blocked Virginia’s law limiting under-16s to one hour a day on social media. [[Financial Times $$$](https://www.ft.com/content/d8267b9e-109b-4e00-9e82-159a9f5b7cdd)] * **YouTube partnered **with Rakuten to bring more shoppable videos to Japan. [[TubeFilter](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/27/youtube-rakuten-social-live-shopping-partnership/)] * **Fixated acquired** Elevate as part of its mission to assemble “the Avengers” of the digital content space. [[TubeFilter](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/03/03/fixated-elevate-acquisition/)] * **Albania lifted **its government-imposed ban on TikTok. [[Economic Times](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/tiktok-returns-to-albania-after-government-imposed-ban/articleshow/128852366.cms?from=mdr)] __________ **More updates and new features:** * **Meta introduced **FrameSync to improve VR smoothness on Horizon OS. [[Meta Horizon Developers](https://developers.meta.com/horizon/blog/framesync-meta-horizon-os/)] * **Facebook is rolling out** an updated log-in UI on desktop. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVb42OTDLmu?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A)] * **X removed chat tabs **from the main app and moved them into a contextual menu, creating more space in the inbox. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVij6BsjLMg)] * **X is following Threads **by updating its in-app screenshots, replacing the Grok icon with the X icon when you take a screenshot within the app. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVamfxLDOuB?xmt=AQF0BvPmieXUyYf71uBNvMqR8tZPVJh_2-dlY23Yay_u1A)] * **X is working on a redesign** of the reply and other options for posts on iOS. [[@xDaily](https://x.com/xDaily/status/2029066782674411546)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: -------------------- _“With misinformation spreading like wildfire, many people have placed their trust in reputable digital investigators. _ _“Organisations like The New York Times, Indicator, and Bellingcat have extensive verification procedures to avoid publishing synthetic or misleading content..._ _“Media authentication methods are rarely foolproof, but standards are extremely high, and experts have years of experience with evading fake news.”_ How the experts figure out what’s real in the age of deepfakes: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/888303/photo-video-fake-news-verification-nyt-bellingway) **_________** **Also worth checking out:** * **The world wants to ban children from social media**, but [there will be grave consequences for us all](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/02/ban-children-social-media-biometic-data-surveilled) * **How the US government** is [painting immigrants as criminals on social media](https://www.npr.org/2026/02/27/nx-s1-5720167/trump-ice-immigration-social-media-deportation-dhs-immigrants-detained-disputes) * **Hollywood wants to beat TikTok **at its own game — [but faces hurdles](https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-disney-short-form-video-youtube-tiktok-hollywood-2026-2) * **The future of horror movies** [is on YouTube](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/the-future-of-horror-movies-is-on-youtube) * **Telegram’s founder built a fortress. **[Now governments are at the gate](https://www.ft.com/content/26c18637-667f-498c-99e2-5c757702121b?sharetype=blocked) * **The best alternatives **[to Discord](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/01/best-discord-alternatives-age-verification-identity-privacy/) * **“I’d pay for YouTube Premium** [if it stopped spoiling everything”](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-premium-spoiler-filter-3646241/) * **More teen social media bans are coming**, [but will they work?](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/more-teen-social-media-bans-are-coming-but-will-they-work/813577/) * **How TikTok Shop is shedding its Temu reputation** and [winning over retailers](https://www.emarketer.com/content/how-tiktok-shop-shedding-its-temu-reputation-winning-over-retailers) * **A former MrBeast employee** is closing the creator economy gender gap with [a service for female editors](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/03/03/female-editors-creator-economy-mrbeast-edithers/) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: -------------------- Want a peek inside the Miami mansion** Mark Zuckerberg** just bought for $170 million? Look no further. 👇 He’s surely only going to be there a few days a year, it feels like a waste to leave it empty. Someone’s got to look after it! I’ll live in it for you for free, Zuck. Deal? Mark Zuckerberg Buys Newly Built $170 Million ‘Billionaire Bunker’ Mansion in Record-Breaking Deal: (https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/mark-zuckerberg-buys-newly-built-210607229.html) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: -------------------- That’s everything you need to know this week, Geekout friends. Before you head off to doomscroll somewhere else… A **big thanks** for all your feedback on the Geekout glow-up. I’ve already fixed a few bugs and tweaked the layout based on your suggestions. Turns out you lot have strong opinions about spacing! **Next up: **Reviewing new sections I could add — and possibly a few I should retire. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3465dbfd-d276-4402-a24f-d8e94f67485d/tomcruisehelp-ezgif.com-optimize.gif?t=1772801624) Caption: **Two quick questions for you:** ❌ 1. Which ONE Geekout Newsletter section do you always skip? ✅ 2. What NEW section could I add to make Geekout more useful? Help me keep Geekout the most useful Friday scroll for top social media pros like you. Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _**P.S.**__ This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-ray-ban-privacy-musk-court-mcdonalds-ceo-product

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/0df621ea-d2b0-4a8c-b351-3f463f52d070/Geekout_270226.jpg?t=1772196091) Caption: ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- **Advertise in Geekout** Geekout is read by 30K social media pros** ** Get up to 20% OFF Geekout ads in 2026 **Advertiser Info** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **Optimize Geekout** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/social-media-addiction-trial-punch-monkey-whatsapp-ads) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- ## **Hello, geeks!** Welcome to this week’s slightly glowed-up edition of Geekout. I’ve made a few design tweaks to improve your reading experience… **– New header images** to make skim-reading easier View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/094a06a7-67d3-458f-b11e-f6433919b30a/WhatsApp_Image_2026-02-27_at_14.18.22.jpeg?t=1772201983) Caption: **– Clean white section backgrounds** for improved clarity **– Improved and more consistent text **size, spacing, formatting **– Fewer boxes.** Less visual chaos. Do you prefer the old Geekout design, or this 2026 refresh? [Hit reply](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) and let me know. **__________** ##### **Geekout Q&A with Instagram Edits exec — What should we ask him? ** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/68aa9018-cce6-4d75-993d-86c2a091a567/Instagram_Edits_-_Matt_Simari.jpg?t=1772183896) Caption: Ever wanted to grill an Instagram product manager? You’re in luck! In a couple of weeks, I’m chatting to **Matt Simari**_, _Director of Product Management for Instagram’s Edits app (aka Meta’s CapCut challenger). We’ll discuss: – Why Instagram built a dedicated creator app – How top creators are actually using it – Pro-tips from power users – Sneak peeks at upcoming features …and more. **WIN an Instagram Swag Bundle **🎁 Instagram has given me 5x Instagram swag bundles to giveaway. Want me to ask Matt Simari something spicy or specific? Hit reply on this email, or [drop me an email](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) with your Instagram Edits-related question. The FIVE people who send in the best questions will each win a IG swag box. The full interview will be published in Geekout in March. __________ ##### **Look Mum, I’m on TV…!** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f3daaf3d-0104-438b-8072-2a2525955f9a/battle_of_the_brands.jpg?t=1772183969) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE4MDc4NzQ0MjIwODY5Njk1?story_media_id=3652523878156259187&igsh=MXZmOWZzMnVwcHNkNA%3D%3D) Caption: [Battle of the Brands on Channel 4 UK] This might be one to watch (or avoid!) Last July, I spent a day filming in London for a [new Channel 4 documentary](https://www.tvguide.co.uk/schedule/61b4c6db-0bc4-5a66-9c21-db86b310c022/nandos-vs-kfc-battle-of-the-brands) about some of the UK’s most-loved brands, including McVities, Cadbury’s, Primark, John Lewis, Aldi, M&S.. The four-part series kicks-off on Tuesday 3 March at 8pm on [Channel 4](https://www.linkedin.com/company/channel-4/) (UK), starting with _Nandos vs. KFC._ I’ll be watching (cringing) with my kids… who can’t wait to mock me. 🫣 Watch some [behind the scenes clips](https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE4MDc4NzQ0MjIwODY5Njk1?story_media_id=3652523878156259187&igsh=MXZmOWZzMnVwcHNkNA%3D%3D) of my day filming in London. __________ ##### **2 cool things ** 👀 * ❤️ Loving this **[2026 social intel file](https://collective.caliberinc.co/thought-leadership?drop=2ae6d76f-9101-4c56-9cfd-fb62c82c75ed&utm_source=GeekOut&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TheDrop)**, _without_ any LinkedIn ‘thought-leader’ junk! — 30+ slides of new insights - * 💰 Meta ads getting expensive? It’s probably _not_ the algorithm. **[Check this fix first](https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/brief-sample-for-modular-ugc?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=feb27)** [ad] ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ PAID SOCIAL ▶︎ GUIDE #### Meta Ads Burning Out in 10 Days? It’s NOT the Algorithm View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/999da01f-9c27-461e-b190-b6c347374de5/Matt_Navarra__feb27_.png?t=1772103542) Follow image link: (https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/brief-sample-for-modular-ugc?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=feb27) Caption: Are you still sourcing one ready-to-post video per creator? And wondering why creative fatigue hits so fast? 🥹 Brands nailing paid social in 2026 are doing it differently. They’re briefing creators for diverse, mix-and-match raw footage: * 🎥 Multiple hooks * 🧠 Different angles * 📣 Variations of CTAs * 🎬 Extra b-roll So you can remix dozens of ads from just 1 creator collab. **Why it works:** * ✅ Lower production costs * ✅ Faster creative testing * ✅ More control in-platform * ✅ Better scaling without burnout To help you brief creators the right way, **Insense** just released a **FREE brief template.** 👉 [Download FREE Creator Brief Template](https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/brief-sample-for-modular-ugc?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=feb27) < Worth downloading! Brands like _Wonderskin, DRMTLGY, and SmileSet_ already use **Insense** to run scalable creator campaigns worldwide. **P.S…** If you book a FREE call with Insense** **by March 13 and get [$200 credit towards your first campaign](https://insense.pro/lp/matt-navarra?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=feb27). Optimize My Paid Social (https://insense.pro/lp/matt-navarra?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=feb27) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: ---------- ## Woman at heart of US trial says she was addicted to social media at age six: (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/26/us-trial-social-media-addiction) 2. **WhatsApp rolls out Status ads **and promoted Channels worldwide [[MONETISING](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-promoted-channels-and-status-ads-globally/)] 3. **Instagram to alert parents** if their kids search for self-harm and suicide content [[SAFEGUARDING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3v7z5eyewko)] 4. **Discord delays global age-verification rollout** over user ID fears the company says are a misunderstanding [[BACKTRACKING](https://www.theverge.com/policy/883852/discord-age-verification-global-walkback-delay)] 5. **Reddit hit with a £14m fine** in the UK for failing to protect under-13 users’ data [[ENFORCING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx0xggepjo)] ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ 2026 SOCIAL INSIGHTS #### New 2026 Social Intel. Without LinkedIn Thought-Leader Junk 🕵️ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/628e2830-0501-44be-9b32-afb2fe6f272c/2000x1000-V2__1___1_.png?t=1772103592) Follow image link: (https://collective.caliberinc.co/thought-leadership?drop=2ae6d76f-9101-4c56-9cfd-fb62c82c75ed&utm_source=GeekOut&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TheDrop) Caption: If you’re leading a social team right now, you know the pressure… Platform & algorithm shifts, staying on top of trending formats, optimizing creator partnerships to work for your brand, and so much more! If you’re tired of testing random content ideas hoping one takes off… check out **Caliber’s** quarterly insights guide — [**_The Drop_**](https://collective.caliberinc.co/thought-leadership?drop=2ae6d76f-9101-4c56-9cfd-fb62c82c75ed&utm_source=GeekOut&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TheDrop). Caliber is trusted by some of the world’s largest brands including _Amazon, Movember, and Walmart… _ …And _The Drop_ gives you the social intel to supercharge your social strategy. **In this issue you’ll find:** * 🔥 **30+ high-performing content** formats you can test next week * 🤝 **Creator x brand integration **frameworks that you can steal * 👀 **The latest IG, TikTok & YouTube **updates…_ and what to do about them_ * 📒 **Serialized content case studies **that drive retention… _with production notes!_ * 🏀 **A sports industry deep dive** ahead of 2026’s major global events It’s basically a cheat sheet for what’s actually working in social right now — and how to execute it. 👉 If you run social, this is super-useful.…. [**Get The Drop**](https://collective.caliberinc.co/thought-leadership?drop=2ae6d76f-9101-4c56-9cfd-fb62c82c75ed&utm_source=GeekOut&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TheDrop) 📈 Unlock Social Intel (https://collective.caliberinc.co/thought-leadership?drop=2ae6d76f-9101-4c56-9cfd-fb62c82c75ed&utm_source=GeekOut&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TheDrop) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: ---------- ### **Is it a bad idea to verify your identity?** Verified LinkedIn users data is shared in shocking ways, report claims: (https://mashable.com/article/linkedin-id-verification-persona-report) You could be forgiven for not having heard of **Persona**, but the ID verification software company has recently developed a reputation for being shady. Is it actually justified? Persona has popped up in a couple of stories this week. Most notably around **Discord**, which has [delayed](https://www.theverge.com/policy/883852/discord-age-verification-global-walkback-delay) plans to age-gate certain features behind an ID check worldwide. Discord had been using Persona to do these age checks in an initial test. Persona can use things like a face scan on your phone and a check of government-issued ID to confirm your age and identity. But the move proved unpopular, even if Discord [says](https://discord.com/blog/getting-global-age-assurance-right-what-we-got-wrong-and-whats-changing) users didn’t quite understand what was going on: * _“The way this landed, many of you walked away thinking we're requiring face scans and ID uploads from everyone just to use Discord. That's not what's happening, but the fact that so many people believe it tells us we failed at our most basic job: clearly explaining what we're doing and why. That's on us._ * _“On top of that, many of you are worried that this is just another big tech company finding new ways to collect your personal data. That we're creating a problem to justify invasive solutions. I get that skepticism. It's earned, not just toward us, but toward the entire tech industry. But that’s not what we’re doing.”_ — **Discord CTO** Stanislav Vishnevskiy Discord will now rethink how it rolls out age verification. Meanwhile, Persona** **has [denied](https://mashable.com/article/linkedin-id-verification-persona-report) it keeps **LinkedIn** account verification data for AI training following a viral user backlash. You might have seen [a post](https://thelocalstack.eu/posts/linkedin-identity-verification-privacy/) this week that raised alarm at what Persona is doing when it scans your face and makes a copy of your ID. The number of companies the data is potentially shared with according to Persona’s own documentation might concern you. Persona’s CEO has been trying to [set the record straight](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7430702983627292672?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A%28activity%3A7430702983627292672%2C7431017270241525760%29&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A%287431017270241525760%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7430702983627292672%29) in LinkedIn comments, saying _“All biometric personal data is deleted immediately after processing. All other personal data processed is automatically deleted within 30 days. Data is retained during this period to help users troubleshoot.”_ The problem is, a notification that your personal data has been deleted is all well and good, but we can’t be SURE that it really has. And trusting big tech companies is difficult these days. Demand for ID verification is only going to increase as teen social media bans are introduced, so we’re going to have to get used to being asked to prove who we are. But the platforms, and companies like Persona, need to do a LOT more to prove they can be trusted with our most personal data if they want to avoid freakouts like we’ve seen lately on Discord and LinkedIn. After all, if we can’t trust the platforms we use, we might just walk away. ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: ---------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/33659b65-0a82-4f7e-8a0d-7bbe273df149/image.png?t=1772191214) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/26/so-were-getting-prada-meta-ai-glasses-right/) Caption: Mark Zuckerberg sporting a pair of Meta Ray Ban smart glasses | Credit: Meta * **Meta** is rumoured to be set to launch [Prada-branded](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/26/so-were-getting-prada-meta-ai-glasses-right/) AI smart glasses, after Zuck was spotted in the front row at Prada’s Fashion Week show in Milan this week * **Meta** signed big AI chip deals with [AMD](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/meta-and-amd-agree-to-ai-chips-deal-worth-more-than-100-billion-9c7fd06b) and [Google](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/google-signs-multibillion-dollar-ai-232844608.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAH9B81iOXtcIoUCdlGInCRcT10SxFMFi896O4U-XKmJRGAUiBZ5mMGbcLCfuXVgVKudGTwSbPnxABREAQIRvzNHBftagrXXOkpppq5JuCwo6Ah7u5daGPOtFp52FJp3nRbp2WTeJqQxU9JCl_CPXVh3GpSaNgC-5BqWcjbu2C1fE) after it [scrapped](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/metas-internal-chip-design-efforts-hit-roadblocks?rc=kmaysd) its most advanced in-house AI training chip due to design struggles * **Meta** is fighting an almost [$16 billion tax bill](https://qz.com/meta-irs-16-billion-tax-bill-intellectual-property), after the IRS claimed the company undervalued IP shifted offshore in 2010 * **Meta** is pitching a new ‘[Agency Growth Collective](https://digiday.com/marketing/as-it-ramps-up-push-to-fund-ai-bets-meta-makes-a-new-play-for-agencies/)’ to independent agencies to deepen platform adoption * **Meta** plans to get back into crypto by rolling out [stablecoin payments](https://gizmodo.com/meta-gets-back-into-crypto-plans-stablecoin-integration-later-this-year-2000725733) across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in late 2026 * **Adult-film studios** suing **Meta** claim an employee [secretly deleted 9TB](https://torrentfreak.com/meta-employee-deleted-9tb-of-torrented-files-adult-film-producers-claim/) of torrented videos tied to the case. * **The National Parent Teacher Association** has [broken ties](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/20/national-pta-meta-child-safety-trials-zuckerberg.html) with **Meta **amid child-safety trials following a report accusing the company of using PTA partnerships to shape public opinion on youth safety **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/cb07e1c4-807b-4790-821c-c15127915b33/image.png?t=1772191369) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DVHf5MsDTkd?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) Caption: Instagram testing 'Story Spotlight’ premium subscription perk | Credit: @alex193a * **Instagram**’s incoming premium paid subscription could let you [bump your Story to the front](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DVHf5MsDTkd?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) of followers’ queue, once a week * **Instagram** is facing creator backlash over its new AI feature called ‘[Shop the Look](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/creators-express-frustration-with-instagrams-latest-ai-experiment/813325/)’ on Reels. The feature * **Instagram**’s Reels-first redesign might get a [customisable ‘Your feeds’ tab](https://9to5google.com/2026/02/20/instagrams-reels-first-redesign-might-get-a-customizable-your-feed-video/) * **Instagram Edits **is testing a feature in the Inspiration tab that shows [performance insights](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQqzvnDMN_) for Reels from other creators * **Instagram** is working on a feature that automatically syncs your photos and videos to music and [shares them as a Reel](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQtG0qDCGW) when you send multiple items in DMs * **Instagram** has added a feed section for [expiring Stories ](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQg_EgDBK3?xmt=AQF0LCXVZIK_Ls6GkIX8ZvAr1B1yBxTgRgTGEwg2rOZIXg) * **Instagram **is launching its Reels-focused TV app [on Google TV](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/24/instagrams-tv-app-is-launching-on-google-tv-devices/) after debuting on Fire TV * **Instagram **is promoting [trending Add Yours prompts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQoSqCDMyM?xmt=AQF0LCXVZIK_Ls6GkIX8ZvAr1B1yBxTgRgTGEwg2rOZIXg) so you can easily join popular ones * **Instagram** is widely rolling out a more customisable ‘[Colourful Notes](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVOXei-DCj2?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A)’ feature for Notes * **Instagram** is testing a new look for [Story reactions](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQklI_jNBY?xmt=AQF0LCXVZIK_Ls6GkIX8ZvAr1B1yBxTgRgTGEwg2rOZIXg), presenting them in a reply box format * **Instagram Edits **now includes a separate feed with videos [made out of templates](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVOW4ZOjPXa?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/651e2181-ecd7-4c00-9bbb-123c7b0767de/Screenshot_2026-02-27_at_11.25.59.png?t=1772191572) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/26/threads-is-testing-a-shortcut-to-quickly-start-dm-conversations/) Caption: * **Threads** is testing a shortcut that lets you [quickly start DM conversations](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/26/threads-is-testing-a-shortcut-to-quickly-start-dm-conversations/) by turning phrases like “DM me” into a tappable DM link in posts * **Threads** has finally rolled out [DMs and ghost posts](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVOSZ1sClcL?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg) in the UK * **Threads** now lets you share posts [directly to Instagram Stories](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/20/threads-posts-can-now-be-shared-directly-to-your-instagram-story-without-leaving-the-app/) without leaving the app * **Threads **now lets you add [rich link previews](https://www.threads.com/@threads/post/DVO9fHWkjUu) to posts with podcast video clips * **Threads** has added an option to [remove](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQutJojLuT) your account from a linked business portfolio * **WhatsApp** is finally working native [scheduled messages](https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/23/whatsapp-is-finally-working-on-scheduled-messages/) after years of requests * **WhatsApp** may soon let you set a 6–20 character alphanumeric password to [protect your account](https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-account-password/) * **WhatsApp **is working on bringing Apple’s [Liquid Glass design](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVFTfMAiC2B?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) to the chat bar **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/0a57ba94-ee88-43aa-ab83-3c1d92412e7d/ai_generated_292dcef0-43cd-49b0-b2b8-9206446100e4.png?t=1772192187) Follow image link: (https://archive.is/p1GJa) Caption: Elon Musk's X challenges EU over its €120M fine | Image: Beehiiv AI * **X** is [challenging](https://archive.is/p1GJa) its €120M EU fine, arguing the EU's decision resulted from _“an incomplete and superficial investigation”_ * **X **is close to launching a fully [rewritten search system](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-rewrites-search-discovery-ai-bots/812792/), replacing legacy Twitter code that had become spammy and unreliable * **X **has been spotted introducing its own version of ‘[starter packs](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVEYmo2jMae?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A)’ on iOS * **X** is trying to woo advertisers by letting them [reuse ad creative](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/26/x-tries-wooing-advertisers-by-letting-them-reuse-creative-assets-from-other-platforms/) made for other platforms * **The FBI **has [secured a warrant](https://www.404media.co/fbi-subpoenaed-x-to-get-grok-prompts-used-to-create-nonconsensual-porn/) forcing **X** to surrender Grok AI prompts in a stalking case * **xAI** signed a deal letting the Pentagon use Grok [inside classified systems](https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/ai-defense-department-deal-musk-xai-grok) * **xAI'**s trade secret lawsuit against OpenAI has been [dismissed](https://www.engadget.com/ai/xais-trade-secret-lawsuit-against-openai-has-been-dismissed-101912599.html?src=rss). xAI is allowed to try again **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ed171161-d176-4652-8089-6f7da98aa5df/image.png?t=1772192328) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/discover-list-2026-meet-the-creators-to-watch?lang=en) Caption: TikTok unveils its 2026 Discover List of top creators | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** has unveiled a [50-creator Discover List](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/discover-list-2026-meet-the-creators-to-watch?lang=en) spotlighting top global creative talent in 2026 * **TikTok** Shop could surpass Walmart and become [a top-three global retailer ](https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/tiktok-shop-could-top-3-151407235.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9sLnRocmVhZHMuY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALNUYF98TOA53d6r-jpQUGXSYfkpTxAPSPu-zbEthcvBt5SYrgeZwxE2W3-0KloaFHAf1jdVxk7-f2H9YZILtrtxzCUFU1H-FOZfIeM6faifbK73KgbXBUta7P1KqwhMd6SBHD2Nga31E4Zi6mdn-KOXSVGNEflX2n3AGIz2aSoR)by 2030, according to a new report * **TikTok **now allows users to request to [opt out](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQnb7HDL1Y?xmt=AQF0LCXVZIK_Ls6GkIX8ZvAr1B1yBxTgRgTGEwg2rOZIXg) of visual search tags * **TikTok** has been spotted using a [refreshed design](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVI2KrtDEZZ?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) for the bottom menu bar icon on iOS * **TikTok** and Major League Baseball have expanded their partnership after #MLB posts grew 60% in 2025. A new [in-app MLB Hub](https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/tiktok-and-mlb-swing-for-fences-with-global-content-and-creator-push/) is being introduced * **YouTube **is rolling out [voice replies](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-voice-replies-to-all-creators-adds-new-shorts-remix-option/813163/) to all creators, expanding a feature first tested over a year ago * **YouTube**’s cheaper Premium Lite subscription is getting [background play and downloads](https://www.theverge.com/streaming/883316/youtube-premium-lite-background-play-offline-downloads) * **YouTube **is testing a redesign on TVs that [buries](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-subscription-section-test-3642927/) the chronological Subscriptions feed **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7b2fd0c8-4ef7-4cf3-9fc3-aaa55aea3212/image.png?t=1772192587) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.snap.com/first-ever-snappys-awards) Caption: Snapchat launches its first awards show, the Snappys | Credit: Snap * **Snapchat **will hold its first awards show, [the Snappys](https://newsroom.snap.com/first-ever-snappys-awards) hosted by comedian and creator Matt Friend, on 31 March * **Snapchat** is rolling out the [Creator Subscriptions section](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVOJ-2gifKK?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) directly within the app settings. [Pricing varies](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVOKOZMCaWt?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) by creator * **Snapchat** has introduced a new UI for Spotlight posts, featuring updated tools and controls to [manage paid partnerships](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQo5ZYjCdz) * **Snapchat** is testing a new Story sticker that lets you [choose](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQs0LLjCWI) which type of story you’re posting, such as a Custom Story or a Private Story * **Snapchat** now [displays bitmojis](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVQxk0cDOgx) created for pets, homes and cars on the Snap Map * **Twitch** has [split account suspensions](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/23/twitch-ban-suspension-moderation-update-streaming/) into “streaming” and “chat” to avoid all-or-nothing bans * **Bluesky** now allows users to [convert a starter pack](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVJML_RjECT?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) into a list. * **Bluesky** now lets you directly [listen to songs](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVJLVOejMM0?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) hosted on **Bandcamp** in the app * **Russia **has launched a [criminal investigation](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/telegram-ban-russia-pavel-durov-b2926287.html) into **Telegram** founder Pavel Durov for “facilitating terrorist activity.” ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: ---------- **X** is developing a [“Made with AI” label](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/882974/x-is-working-on-made-with-ai-labels) for synthetic or manipulated posts. …But they rely on users to be honest about their content, which seems like a stretch! X is working on ‘Made with AI’ labels.: (https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/882974/x-is-working-on-made-with-ai-labels) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **YouTube** is testing new AI remix tools for Shorts that let viewers [add objects or reimagine frames](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-voice-replies-to-all-creators-adds-new-shorts-remix-option/813163/) into new clips * **Instagram** now offers a shortcut to Meta's [Manus AI](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVIlEKiieaN?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) from the settings * **Meta **has launched a new predefined [AI chatbot for support](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVQw0bPjNrZ), Support AI. * **Meta’s Manus AI **now allows advertisers to add Meta Ads Manager as [a source of information](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVI2mOtDAhr?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) for chat queries * **xAI’s Grok AI** now has updated settings, offering [more options](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQha1vjCBb?xmt=AQF0LCXVZIK_Ls6GkIX8ZvAr1B1yBxTgRgTGEwg2rOZIXg) for users to manage their data, and the ability to [manage file attachments](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQljvnDHgJ?xmt=AQF0LCXVZIK_Ls6GkIX8ZvAr1B1yBxTgRgTGEwg2rOZIXg) * **Adobe** has unveiled **Quick Cut**, an AI tool that instantly [assembles a first-draft video](https://www.theverge.com/tech/884285/adobe-firefly-ai-video-editing-quick-cut) from AI-generated clips, user footage and AI prompts * **Amazon** launched an AI-powered [vertical video tool](https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/tech/amazon-web-services-elemental-inference-vertical-video-tool/) for broadcasters, streamers ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f51d6aca-cc2f-4bf0-9ae0-2077a60b94dd/trail.jpg?t=1772123658) Caption: ---------- A newly unsealed deposition in a US federal lawsuit shows prosecutors pressed **Adam Mosseri** on why **Meta** waited six years to release a nudity filter for teens **Internal emails from 2018** acknowledged Instagram DMs could expose minors to sexual exploitation risks **Internal Instagram data** showed 19.2% of teens saw unwanted nudity + 8.4% encountered self-harm content Instagram head pressed on lengthy delay to launch teen safety features, like a nudity filter, court filing reveals: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/24/instagram-head-pressed-on-lengthy-delay-to-launch-teen-safety-features-like-a-nudity-filter-court-filing-reveals/) * **A young woman testified** that Instagram and YouTube [consumed her childhood](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c89kdpjn7eqo). The plaintiff in the LA trial linked her heavy social media use to anxiety, depression, and self-harm. * **Unsealed internal Meta docs** in a West Virginia lawsuit reveal staff [warning](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/20/meta-apple-child-safety-zuckerberg-cook.html) that default Messenger encryption would hide millions of annual CSAM reports * **Facebook designed an app for teens** [called Bell](http://Facebook designed an app for teens called Bell but never launched it) in 2018 but never launched it, court reocrds reveal ----------View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/aeef2322-4ae1-4629-8038-f00af3d7e488/Quote.jpg?t=1772123713) Caption: ---------- I spoke to **BBC News** about **Reddit’s** £14 million fine and UK regulators [ramping up enforcement](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx0xggepjo)… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/55db1e2c-13a8-4789-9b73-35c369145cb0/BBC_News_Quote_Reddit_-_Matt_Navarra.png?t=1772127839) Follow image link: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx0xggepjo) Caption: Reddit fined £14m by UK data watchdog over age verification checks: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx0xggepjo) **Also this week… New Podcast** I joined **Sked Social** to discuss **the truth about social media in 2026** and more on their #Seen podcast. We discussed a whole bunch of stuff, including… • **ADHD** and why social media attracts neurodivergent brains • **Burnout**, boundaries, and shaping work around how you actually operate • **Using AI** as your wingman — not your creative director • **The shift from rented reach** to owned community •** Repeatable, episodic content** and building formats people come back for Watch or listen to the episode on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8-WWuPwxhc), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6VmUTLQEyGIvjJKxkBHcdV), and [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/sb/podcast/the-truth-about-social-media-in-2026-with-matt-navarra/id1874168897?i=1000751054041). Here’s a clip… Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVIax53kuAb/?hl=en) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3b409ca5-a409-49b7-8d8f-febf7dbe19f4/lol.jpg?t=1772123732) Caption: ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/477798b8-a73e-4730-be4f-15a7bb02ad32/Rangel_1_2702.jpg?t=1772190335) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_pov-you-work-in-social-media-activity-7432091961219538944-enjA?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: __________ Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVJkI6Mjo69/) __________ Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVGiuH2gKxM/?img_index=1) __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/925e5f15-5e63-43dd-aa6f-53bcd52c9916/Rangel_2_2702.jpg?t=1772190379) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_how-are-those-of-us-who-work-in-social-media-activity-7431729579385589760-ZRX9?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/62b46d83-427b-408f-a2db-cfb4cdeba9aa/Memes.jpg?t=1772123744) Caption: ---------- If you’ve just read the section above and are wondering who **Punch the Monkey** is, don’t worry. [Know Your Meme has you covered](https://trending.knowyourmeme.com/editorials/collections/20-memes-about-punch-the-internets-favourite-lonely-monkey). The orphaned macaque living in a Japanese zoo with his cuddly **IKEA** money toy has captured the world’s hearts after he was bullied by his elders. **Google** responded to the global Punch love by adding a [fun easter egg](https://www.google.com/search?q=punch+monkey&sca_esv=c6899c8c533a142b&biw=1512&bih=747&sxsrf=ANbL-n7QgsMR4gabFMr-_bmu5ZNkjGPt-Q%3A1772193174224&ei=loWhaeatDaOfhbIPhMzRoQE&ved=0ahUKEwjm0P2EzvmSAxWjT0EAHQRmNBQQ4dUDCBE&uact=5&oq=punch+monkey&gs_lp=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&sclient=gws-wiz-serp) when Googling “punch monkey”. And of course, [brands also jumped on the viral moment](https://www.socialsamosa.com/topical-spot/brands-talking-baby-monkey-punch-soft-toy-11148074). Sure, he’s cute. But he’s also [endlessly meme-able](https://cheezburger.com/44447237/28-punch-the-monkey-memes-that-feel-all-too-real-and-somehow-still-hopeful)… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/40552927-064e-4f38-b2c7-7054d374ca4b/Punch1.jpg?t=1772190866) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVCrLhNjHYg/?img_index=2) Caption: __________ Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DU-e8jrjCVq/) __________ Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DU8oTPICRjH/?img_index=1) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: ---------- Remember **HBO sitcom Silicon Valley**? A new viral trend imagines it was set in 2026, with users calling it “the most realistic show ever.” An AI-generated intro has updated the credits with crypto disasters, X replacing Twitter, and AI dominance. Fans say the jokes still match real headlines and are [calling for the show to be revived for a seventh season](https://dailydot.com/social-media-imagines-silicon-valley-set-in-2026). Tap through to watch the video 👇 - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ba31401d-8a77-4733-a7d2-c57a5d71015b/SV2026.jpg?t=1772111622) Follow image link: (https://x.com/mprado/status/2025744080186052940) Caption: __________ **More viral news this week:** * **Why ‘WorkTok’ films are gripping** [Gen Z on TikTok](https://www.ft.com/content/7fe88a68-272b-4e56-94ad-bf68f1b2865e) * **Why fake AI videos of UK urban decline** are [taking over social media](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g8r23yv71o) * **Phonk has emerged **as the [unofficial soundtrack of doomscrolling](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/arts/music/phonk-youtube-tiktok-music.html), saturating TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reels ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: ---------- **Gucci** is under fire for promoting its **Milan Fashion Week** show with AI-generated images on social media. Gucci criticised for 'AI slop' images ahead of major fashion show: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjwz6yzn5jqo) __________ **More brand news and views:** * How social-first brands like **Cakes** and **Beis** [sustain viral moments](https://www.modernretail.co/marketing/how-social-first-brands-like-cakes-and-beis-sustain-viral-moments/) * **Dove** turned brutally honest **Reddit** reviews into an [unfiltered campaign](https://www.adweek.com/creativity/dove-turns-brutally-honest-reddit-reviews-into-an-unfiltered-campaign/) * **Reddit **has carved out an [upper funnel niche](https://digiday.com/media-buying/reddit-has-carved-out-an-upper-funnel-niche-for-brand-advertisers/) for brand advertisers * **Why YouTube has become key **for [brand AI optimisation](https://digiday.com/marketing/the-rundown-why-youtube-has-become-key-for-brand-geo-strategies/) strategies * **Why TV’s traditional sellers** [aren’t going mad](https://deadline.com/2026/02/microdrama-vertical-video-tv-distributors-1236714399/) for the social media microdrama trend * The strategies behind [beauty’s top-selling brands](https://www.beautyindependent.com/strategies-behind-beauty-top-selling-brands-tiktok-shop/) on **TikTok Shop**, like **Laneige**, **Medicube**, **Missha**, and **Peter Thomas Roth** ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: ---------- “"I wanted to be on it all the time… If I wasn’t on it, I felt like I was going to miss out on something."“ — – **“Kaley G.M.”**, the 20-year-old woman at the centre of the LA social media addiction trial [describes the effect](https://www.wsj.com/tech/woman-suing-meta-youtube-testifies-its-too-hard-to-be-without-social-media-318f85ed?mod=rss_Technology) she says social media had on her __________ **Also quoted this week:** _“The idea that this can be fixed with better parenting or more guidance is a convenient fiction. You can’t out-parent a business model built on addiction.”_ **- Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts**[ is very much in favour](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/feb/26/mumsnet-campaign-demands-ban-social-media-under-16s) of a UK teen social ban ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/863ad342-3950-4b01-a80d-44a973a4ba09/fav_reads.jpg?t=1772123813) Caption: ---------- This is an interesting read: _“The future of social media is being shaped less by new platforms and more by shifting behavior, fragmentation, and AI-mediated discovery.”_ New Platforms Won't Save Social Media: Here's What's Actually Shifting: (https://www.searchenginejournal.com/new-platforms-wont-save-social-media-heres-whats-actually-shifting/565182/) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/67b5dbd2-fe26-4f24-8aeb-9460fd711fb1/Must_Watch.jpg?t=1772123844) Caption: ---------- **U.S. late night TV host John Oliver** is no fan of **Elon Musk**, and on his US TV last weekend he gave a clear summary of why: He said **X** is now: _“…shaped in the image of its poisonous owner, and Musk’s brain has been “cooked by the garbage he consumes…”_ on his own platform. This will not news to most readers of this newsletter, but as ever, John puts it perfectly. Tap through to watch 👇 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2240a7eb-4a42-4291-a91d-fedcfec197f6/JO.jpg?t=1772191326) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVGlJ78EV7a?xmt=AQF0j5darTFdxBPLEZ2nvtamgl7CJnuCHkxHJCR1q-ZMQA) Caption: ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/329d25b3-9e16-4946-b400-e5cc194f0db0/New_Platform_v2.jpg?t=1772123876) Caption: ---------- **FanLock** is a new platform built to fight AI deepfakes targeting creators. It scans over 4 million websites, including Telegram, to detect stolen or synthetic content. FanLock - Stop Leaks. Protect Your Income.: (https://fanlock.com/) __________ **Also:** * **Is there a creep in the area?** Or just a smart-glasses geek? This hobbyist-built app alerts users when [nearby devices resemble smart glasses](https://www.404media.co/this-app-warns-you-if-someone-is-wearing-smart-glasses-nearby/) like **Meta’s Ray-Bans.** ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: ---------- It’s not just Instagram _users_ who have finstas, **_Instagram _**_ITSELF_ does too. Instagram confirmed to **Rachel Karten **that it quietly launched a chaotic finsta account, [notfit4main](https://www.instagram.com/notfit4main/), a few months ago. The account posts intentionally _“ugly,”_ 2014-style inspirational shitposts and celebrity takeovers. **Meta** employees accidentally exposed it by following en masse. Oops! Read more here 👇 I found @Instagram's finsta: (https://www.milkkarten.net/p/i-found-instagrams-finsta) **More WTF this week:** * **A Chinese beauty influencer** reportedly lost 140K followers after [a livestream filter glitch exposed her real face](https://dailydot.com/beauty-influencer-filter-glitch) * **A Snap exec says** male content creators are [chasing UFC careers](https://deadline.com/2026/02/snap-exec-male-content-creators-chasing-ufc-careers-1236732995/) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772123969) Caption: ---------- 🤦‍♂️ **US investigators** say **Meta**’s AI is blasting them with unusable child-abuse tips that waste time and stall urgent cases. Meta’s AI sending ‘junk’ tips to DoJ, US child abuse investigators say: (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/25/meta-ai-junk-child-abuse-tips-doj) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7e57229a-e235-4a60-a78e-7a86f4370acf/Canon.png?t=1772191972) Caption: **Canon **is looking for a [Social Media Content Creator Programme Specialist](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-creator-programme-specialist-2/) _[Hybrid, Uxbridge, UK]_ __________ **More social media jobs:** * **Change.org** needs a [Social Media Specialist](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-specialist-5/) _[Remote, Canada]_ * **Transport for London **is hiring a [Social Media Content Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-manager-3/) _[London, UK]_ ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: ---------- When should you post on **TikTok** for the best impact? **Buffer** has been looking at the data… The Best Time to Post on TikTok in 2026 — New Data from 7M Posts: (https://buffer.com/resources/best-time-to-post-on-tiktok/) __________ **More pro tips:** * **Replying to your Threads comments** can [boost engagement by 42%](https://buffer.com/resources/threads-comments-engagement/) * **LinkedIn says the fastest-rising 2026 marketing skill** is [performance analysis](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-shares-top-skills-on-the-rise-in-marketing-for-2026/813035/), as brands demand measurable ROI. ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: ---------- “**$1 TRILLION**“ — – **TikTok Shop'**s [projected sales in 2030](https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/tiktok-shop-could-top-3-151407235.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9sLnRocmVhZHMuY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALNUYF98TOA53d6r-jpQUGXSYfkpTxAPSPu-zbEthcvBt5SYrgeZwxE2W3-0KloaFHAf1jdVxk7-f2H9YZILtrtxzCUFU1H-FOZfIeM6faifbK73KgbXBUta7P1KqwhMd6SBHD2Nga31E4Zi6mdn-KOXSVGNEflX2n3AGIz2aSoR), according to a new report from commerce agency Flywheel. This would see the company overtake Walmart as a top-3 global retailer **More stats:** * **CREATORS IN 2026: **Nearly half of creators earned under $10K annually in 2025, a new study revealed: … 51% of creators say their income has grown, and 45% now earn between $10K and $100K. … However, nearly half of creators earn under $10K annually, and only 5.7% earn more than $100K. … 56% say AI will significantly transform creator workflows in coming years. … Read more in the [2026 Creator Economy Report](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/press-release/20260223-the-influencer-marketing-factory-releases-2026-creator-economy-report-highl/) * **OVER THE HORIZON: **Meta confirmed its Horizon+ subscription product has crossed [1 million active subscribers](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVGzKi8CgeO?xmt=AQF0j5darTFdxBPLEZ2nvtamgl7CJnuCHkxHJCR1q-ZMQA) as it expands to 100+ games * **FAKERY: **Research identified [18,784](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVG5vbcinyN?xmt=AQF0j5darTFdxBPLEZ2nvtamgl7CJnuCHkxHJCR1q-ZMQA) coordinated fake profiles boosting Nicki Minaj’s pro-MAGA content * **NEWSTUBE: **In the first half of 2025, viewers watched [more than 15 billion hours of news](https://blog.youtube/inside-youtube/independent-media-summit-youtube-news-trends/) on YouTube * **TIKTOK SEARCH: **Adobe data shows [49%](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/gen-z-preference-for-tiktok-over-google-drops-50-data-shows/568267/) of US consumers have used TikTok for search, up from 41% in 2024 * **TIKTOK EATS: **[97%](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/25/tiktok-food-trends-study-foodtok-diet/) of TikTok users say TikTok influences what they eat * **SLOPPY WORK: ** The NYT found over [40%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVOSfHMCvKB?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg) of Shorts recommended after kids’ hits appeared AI-generated. * **SCAM CITY: **[Nearly 1 in 3 Meta ads](https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/social-advertising-is-being-used-to-defraud-at-scale-across-some-of-the-largest-platforms-nearly-one-in-three-meta-ads-reportedly-point-to-a-scam-phishing-or-malware) in the UK and EU point to a scam, phishing, or malware, according to a new report * **BYTE THIS:** TikTok’s non-US parent company ByteDance is reportedly valued at [$550 billion](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVMNj1kCgp7?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg) in a share sale * **THE BIG SHORT: **Microdrama apps like ReelShort now beat Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ in daily mobile watch time. ReelShort users average [35.7 mins/day](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVLccPTE87P?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg) vs Netflix (24.8), Prime Video (26.9), and Disney+ (23) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: ---------- [Teen social media bans](https://www.visualcapitalist.com/minimum-age-laws-social-media-world-map/) around the world in 2026, mapped: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/81ee8dfd-2c16-4f21-8342-01116768935e/Ban_map.jpg?t=1772192662) Follow image link: (https://www.visualcapitalist.com/minimum-age-laws-social-media-world-map/) Caption: **More charts:** * **GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT: **TikTok emerges as [2026’s growth engine](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVGP-_dCgdY?xmt=AQF0j5darTFdxBPLEZ2nvtamgl7CJnuCHkxHJCR1q-ZMQA) while Instagram reach is falling * **POD SAVE AMERICA: **Podcasts have [surpassed AM and FM talk radio](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVQf_ZriiQ-?xmt=AQF0EW7oVVdjiBtow56z4mIS0jys8xVwVMY327zLp50qxQ) in US for the first time * **BIG MOUSE: **Disney hit 11.9% of all US TV viewing, [closing in on YouTube’s lead at 12.5%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVJFidwiqY9?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg), thanks to an American football frenzy in January * **HOT ON SOCIAL: **The [best TV shows of 2025](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVLkK62k0WC?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg), according to social media, is led by Netflix shows including Stranger Things, Squid Game, and Wednesday. * **NOT A QUICKIE:** How long-term YouTube creator deals deliver major affiliate CTR gains: [charted](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVLpJ5iE9QK?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: ---------- FTC Softens Enforcement of Rule Protecting Children Online, Ostensibly to Protect Children Online: (https://gizmodo.com/ftc-softens-enforcement-of-rule-protecting-children-online-ostensibly-to-protect-children-online-2000726886) ##### Also Spotted this week… * **Meta worked with UK and Nigerian police** to dismantle an alleged fraud ring targeting British residents with crypto scams. [[Meta Newsroom](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/02/meta-works-with-the-uk-national-crime-agency-and-the-nigerian-police-force-to-disrupt-alleged-online-scams-centre-in-nigeria/)] * **Meta has filed lawsuits** against scam advertisers in Brazil, China, and Vietnam. [[Meta Newsroom](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/02/meta-takes-legal-action-against-scam-advertisers/)] * **Meta, xAI, Amazon, Google**, and others will sign up to a White House initiative to build their own electricity supply for AI data centres. [[Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/scoop-trump-brings-big-tech-white-house-curb-power-costs-amid-ai-boom)] * **Poland plans to ban** social media for children under 15. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-27/poland-plans-social-media-ban-for-kids-in-challenge-to-us-tech)] ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: ---------- This is an interesting take on how important live-streamers have become to the social economy. _“In recent months, [live streaming] seems to have broken containment, morphing from a fringe format into a bona fide kingmaker…”_ _“…A channel that formerly felt like the provenance solely of gamers and its Gen Alpha acolytes has lately crossed into the mainstream.”_ Live-Streamers Killed the Vertical-Video Star: (https://www.adweek.com/media/live-streaming-killed-vertical-video/) **Also:** * **Meta will ruin its smart glasses** [by being Meta](https://www.theverge.com/column/881744/meta-smart-glasses-facial-recognition-rayban-privacy-wearables) * **How to win friends and influencers:** “Labour’s new social media strategy is [a step into the future](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/20/labour-no-10-influencers-content-creators-social-media)” ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: ---------- I’ve heard of ‘inbox zero’, but this is extreme. **Meta’s director of AI safety,** in a rush to try out the latest wave of AI agents Silicon Valley is going crazy for, accidentally allowed one to [delete her entire email inbox](https://www.404media.co/meta-director-of-ai-safety-allows-ai-agent-to-accidentally-delete-her-inbox/). Oops. Not a good look when you’re a top exec leading AI initiatives at one of the world’s biggest tech companies…! Meta Director of AI Safety Allows AI Agent to Accidentally Delete Her Inbox: (https://www.404media.co/meta-director-of-ai-safety-allows-ai-agent-to-accidentally-delete-her-inbox/) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: ---------- You’ve reached the end of this week's Geekout. I hope the newsletter design tweaks made this week’s scroll easier, more enjoyable. I’m still tinkering — so [hit reply](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) and tell me what you like/dislike. It's still a work in progress, so I’d love your feedback to optimise it further. **__________** Alright, folks… I’m heading off to psych myself up a brutal roasing from friends and family when they gather round the TV to watch my Channel 4 appearance. I’ll try to capture a few freeze-frame stills of my most awkward and unflattering facial expressions, to give you a new meme to play with! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/658e9c6a-7576-466c-bb98-6cc1d37a750e/image.png?t=1772196341) Caption: Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: **_P.S._**_ This newsletter is edited by _[_Martin SFP Bryant _](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/) ----------——————————————————————————— ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/social-media-addiction-trial-punch-monkey-whatsapp-ads

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/0df621ea-d2b0-4a8c-b351-3f463f52d070/Geekout_270226.jpg?t=1772196091) Caption: ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- **Advertise in Geekout** Geekout is read by 30K social media pros** ** Get up to 20% OFF Geekout ads in 2026 **Advertiser Info** (geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- **For the BEST Geekout reading experience** **👇 Tap here 👇 ** **Optimize Geekout** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/social-media-addiction-trial-punch-monkey-whatsapp-ads) ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- ## **Hello, geeks!** Welcome to this week’s slightly glowed-up edition of Geekout. I’ve made a few design tweaks to improve your reading experience… **– New header images** to make skim-reading easier View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/094a06a7-67d3-458f-b11e-f6433919b30a/WhatsApp_Image_2026-02-27_at_14.18.22.jpeg?t=1772201983) Caption: **– Clean white section backgrounds** for improved clarity **– Improved and more consistent text **size, spacing, formatting **– Fewer boxes.** Less visual chaos. Do you prefer the old Geekout design, or this 2026 refresh? [Hit reply](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) and let me know. **__________** ##### **Geekout Q&A with Instagram Edits exec — What should we ask him? ** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/68aa9018-cce6-4d75-993d-86c2a091a567/Instagram_Edits_-_Matt_Simari.jpg?t=1772183896) Caption: Ever wanted to grill an Instagram product manager? You’re in luck! In a couple of weeks, I’m chatting to **Matt Simari**_, _Director of Product Management for Instagram’s Edits app (aka Meta’s CapCut challenger). We’ll discuss: – Why Instagram built a dedicated creator app – How top creators are actually using it – Pro-tips from power users – Sneak peeks at upcoming features …and more. **WIN an Instagram Swag Bundle **🎁 Instagram has given me 5x Instagram swag bundles to giveaway. Want me to ask Matt Simari something spicy or specific? Hit reply on this email, or [drop me an email](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) with your Instagram Edits-related question. The FIVE people who send in the best questions will each win a IG swag box. The full interview will be published in Geekout in March. __________ ##### **Look Mum, I’m on TV…!** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f3daaf3d-0104-438b-8072-2a2525955f9a/battle_of_the_brands.jpg?t=1772183969) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE4MDc4NzQ0MjIwODY5Njk1?story_media_id=3652523878156259187&igsh=MXZmOWZzMnVwcHNkNA%3D%3D) Caption: [Battle of the Brands on Channel 4 UK] This might be one to watch (or avoid!) Last July, I spent a day filming in London for a [new Channel 4 documentary](https://www.tvguide.co.uk/schedule/61b4c6db-0bc4-5a66-9c21-db86b310c022/nandos-vs-kfc-battle-of-the-brands) about some of the UK’s most-loved brands, including McVities, Cadbury’s, Primark, John Lewis, Aldi, M&S.. The four-part series kicks-off on Tuesday 3 March at 8pm on [Channel 4](https://www.linkedin.com/company/channel-4/) (UK), starting with _Nandos vs. KFC._ I’ll be watching (cringing) with my kids… who can’t wait to mock me. 🫣 Watch some [behind the scenes clips](https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE4MDc4NzQ0MjIwODY5Njk1?story_media_id=3652523878156259187&igsh=MXZmOWZzMnVwcHNkNA%3D%3D) of my day filming in London. __________ ##### **2 cool things ** 👀 * ❤️ Loving this **[2026 social intel file](https://collective.caliberinc.co/thought-leadership?drop=2ae6d76f-9101-4c56-9cfd-fb62c82c75ed&utm_source=GeekOut&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TheDrop)**, _without_ any LinkedIn ‘thought-leader’ junk! — 30+ slides of new insights - * 💰 Meta ads getting expensive? It’s probably _not_ the algorithm. **[Check this fix first](https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/brief-sample-for-modular-ugc?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=feb27)** [ad] ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ PAID SOCIAL ▶︎ GUIDE #### Meta Ads Burning Out in 10 Days? It’s NOT the Algorithm View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/999da01f-9c27-461e-b190-b6c347374de5/Matt_Navarra__feb27_.png?t=1772103542) Follow image link: (https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/brief-sample-for-modular-ugc?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=feb27) Caption: Are you still sourcing one ready-to-post video per creator? And wondering why creative fatigue hits so fast? 🥹 Brands nailing paid social in 2026 are doing it differently. They’re briefing creators for diverse, mix-and-match raw footage: * 🎥 Multiple hooks * 🧠 Different angles * 📣 Variations of CTAs * 🎬 Extra b-roll So you can remix dozens of ads from just 1 creator collab. **Why it works:** * ✅ Lower production costs * ✅ Faster creative testing * ✅ More control in-platform * ✅ Better scaling without burnout To help you brief creators the right way, **Insense** just released a **FREE brief template.** 👉 [Download FREE Creator Brief Template](https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/brief-sample-for-modular-ugc?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=feb27) < Worth downloading! Brands like _Wonderskin, DRMTLGY, and SmileSet_ already use **Insense** to run scalable creator campaigns worldwide. **P.S…** If you book a FREE call with Insense** **by March 13 and get [$200 credit towards your first campaign](https://insense.pro/lp/matt-navarra?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=feb27). Optimize My Paid Social (https://insense.pro/lp/matt-navarra?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=feb27) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6f76046f-a578-4027-8218-751f41cfd2ae/hot5.jpg?t=1772123545) Caption: ---------- ## Woman at heart of US trial says she was addicted to social media at age six: (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/26/us-trial-social-media-addiction) 2. **WhatsApp rolls out Status ads **and promoted Channels worldwide [[MONETISING](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-promoted-channels-and-status-ads-globally/)] 3. **Instagram to alert parents** if their kids search for self-harm and suicide content [[SAFEGUARDING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3v7z5eyewko)] 4. **Discord delays global age-verification rollout** over user ID fears the company says are a misunderstanding [[BACKTRACKING](https://www.theverge.com/policy/883852/discord-age-verification-global-walkback-delay)] 5. **Reddit hit with a £14m fine** in the UK for failing to protect under-13 users’ data [[ENFORCING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx0xggepjo)] ----------——————————————————————————— ---------- ###### SPONSORED ▶︎ 2026 SOCIAL INSIGHTS #### New 2026 Social Intel. Without LinkedIn Thought-Leader Junk 🕵️ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/628e2830-0501-44be-9b32-afb2fe6f272c/2000x1000-V2__1___1_.png?t=1772103592) Follow image link: (https://collective.caliberinc.co/thought-leadership?drop=2ae6d76f-9101-4c56-9cfd-fb62c82c75ed&utm_source=GeekOut&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TheDrop) Caption: If you’re leading a social team right now, you know the pressure… Platform & algorithm shifts, staying on top of trending formats, optimizing creator partnerships to work for your brand, and so much more! If you’re tired of testing random content ideas hoping one takes off… check out **Caliber’s** quarterly insights guide — [**_The Drop_**](https://collective.caliberinc.co/thought-leadership?drop=2ae6d76f-9101-4c56-9cfd-fb62c82c75ed&utm_source=GeekOut&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TheDrop). Caliber is trusted by some of the world’s largest brands including _Amazon, Movember, and Walmart… _ …And _The Drop_ gives you the social intel to supercharge your social strategy. **In this issue you’ll find:** * 🔥 **30+ high-performing content** formats you can test next week * 🤝 **Creator x brand integration **frameworks that you can steal * 👀 **The latest IG, TikTok & YouTube **updates…_ and what to do about them_ * 📒 **Serialized content case studies **that drive retention… _with production notes!_ * 🏀 **A sports industry deep dive** ahead of 2026’s major global events It’s basically a cheat sheet for what’s actually working in social right now — and how to execute it. 👉 If you run social, this is super-useful.…. [**Get The Drop**](https://collective.caliberinc.co/thought-leadership?drop=2ae6d76f-9101-4c56-9cfd-fb62c82c75ed&utm_source=GeekOut&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TheDrop) 📈 Unlock Social Intel (https://collective.caliberinc.co/thought-leadership?drop=2ae6d76f-9101-4c56-9cfd-fb62c82c75ed&utm_source=GeekOut&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TheDrop) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ff10f0ba-d8a3-4b1b-aaab-188358ccc1b4/talking_about.jpg?t=1772123574) Caption: ---------- ### **Is it a bad idea to verify your identity?** Verified LinkedIn users data is shared in shocking ways, report claims: (https://mashable.com/article/linkedin-id-verification-persona-report) You could be forgiven for not having heard of **Persona**, but the ID verification software company has recently developed a reputation for being shady. Is it actually justified? Persona has popped up in a couple of stories this week. Most notably around **Discord**, which has [delayed](https://www.theverge.com/policy/883852/discord-age-verification-global-walkback-delay) plans to age-gate certain features behind an ID check worldwide. Discord had been using Persona to do these age checks in an initial test. Persona can use things like a face scan on your phone and a check of government-issued ID to confirm your age and identity. But the move proved unpopular, even if Discord [says](https://discord.com/blog/getting-global-age-assurance-right-what-we-got-wrong-and-whats-changing) users didn’t quite understand what was going on: * _“The way this landed, many of you walked away thinking we're requiring face scans and ID uploads from everyone just to use Discord. That's not what's happening, but the fact that so many people believe it tells us we failed at our most basic job: clearly explaining what we're doing and why. That's on us._ * _“On top of that, many of you are worried that this is just another big tech company finding new ways to collect your personal data. That we're creating a problem to justify invasive solutions. I get that skepticism. It's earned, not just toward us, but toward the entire tech industry. But that’s not what we’re doing.”_ — **Discord CTO** Stanislav Vishnevskiy Discord will now rethink how it rolls out age verification. Meanwhile, Persona** **has [denied](https://mashable.com/article/linkedin-id-verification-persona-report) it keeps **LinkedIn** account verification data for AI training following a viral user backlash. You might have seen [a post](https://thelocalstack.eu/posts/linkedin-identity-verification-privacy/) this week that raised alarm at what Persona is doing when it scans your face and makes a copy of your ID. The number of companies the data is potentially shared with according to Persona’s own documentation might concern you. Persona’s CEO has been trying to [set the record straight](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7430702983627292672?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A%28activity%3A7430702983627292672%2C7431017270241525760%29&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A%287431017270241525760%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7430702983627292672%29) in LinkedIn comments, saying _“All biometric personal data is deleted immediately after processing. All other personal data processed is automatically deleted within 30 days. Data is retained during this period to help users troubleshoot.”_ The problem is, a notification that your personal data has been deleted is all well and good, but we can’t be SURE that it really has. And trusting big tech companies is difficult these days. Demand for ID verification is only going to increase as teen social media bans are introduced, so we’re going to have to get used to being asked to prove who we are. But the platforms, and companies like Persona, need to do a LOT more to prove they can be trusted with our most personal data if they want to avoid freakouts like we’ve seen lately on Discord and LinkedIn. After all, if we can’t trust the platforms we use, we might just walk away. ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7f320174-978e-4a6e-9249-a4f4f7a9055c/new.jpg?t=1772123612) Caption: ---------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/33659b65-0a82-4f7e-8a0d-7bbe273df149/image.png?t=1772191214) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/26/so-were-getting-prada-meta-ai-glasses-right/) Caption: Mark Zuckerberg sporting a pair of Meta Ray Ban smart glasses | Credit: Meta * **Meta** is rumoured to be set to launch [Prada-branded](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/26/so-were-getting-prada-meta-ai-glasses-right/) AI smart glasses, after Zuck was spotted in the front row at Prada’s Fashion Week show in Milan this week * **Meta** signed big AI chip deals with [AMD](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/meta-and-amd-agree-to-ai-chips-deal-worth-more-than-100-billion-9c7fd06b) and [Google](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/google-signs-multibillion-dollar-ai-232844608.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAH9B81iOXtcIoUCdlGInCRcT10SxFMFi896O4U-XKmJRGAUiBZ5mMGbcLCfuXVgVKudGTwSbPnxABREAQIRvzNHBftagrXXOkpppq5JuCwo6Ah7u5daGPOtFp52FJp3nRbp2WTeJqQxU9JCl_CPXVh3GpSaNgC-5BqWcjbu2C1fE) after it [scrapped](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/metas-internal-chip-design-efforts-hit-roadblocks?rc=kmaysd) its most advanced in-house AI training chip due to design struggles * **Meta** is fighting an almost [$16 billion tax bill](https://qz.com/meta-irs-16-billion-tax-bill-intellectual-property), after the IRS claimed the company undervalued IP shifted offshore in 2010 * **Meta** is pitching a new ‘[Agency Growth Collective](https://digiday.com/marketing/as-it-ramps-up-push-to-fund-ai-bets-meta-makes-a-new-play-for-agencies/)’ to independent agencies to deepen platform adoption * **Meta** plans to get back into crypto by rolling out [stablecoin payments](https://gizmodo.com/meta-gets-back-into-crypto-plans-stablecoin-integration-later-this-year-2000725733) across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in late 2026 * **Adult-film studios** suing **Meta** claim an employee [secretly deleted 9TB](https://torrentfreak.com/meta-employee-deleted-9tb-of-torrented-files-adult-film-producers-claim/) of torrented videos tied to the case. * **The National Parent Teacher Association** has [broken ties](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/20/national-pta-meta-child-safety-trials-zuckerberg.html) with **Meta **amid child-safety trials following a report accusing the company of using PTA partnerships to shape public opinion on youth safety **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/cb07e1c4-807b-4790-821c-c15127915b33/image.png?t=1772191369) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DVHf5MsDTkd?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) Caption: Instagram testing 'Story Spotlight’ premium subscription perk | Credit: @alex193a * **Instagram**’s incoming premium paid subscription could let you [bump your Story to the front](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DVHf5MsDTkd?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) of followers’ queue, once a week * **Instagram** is facing creator backlash over its new AI feature called ‘[Shop the Look](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/creators-express-frustration-with-instagrams-latest-ai-experiment/813325/)’ on Reels. The feature * **Instagram**’s Reels-first redesign might get a [customisable ‘Your feeds’ tab](https://9to5google.com/2026/02/20/instagrams-reels-first-redesign-might-get-a-customizable-your-feed-video/) * **Instagram Edits **is testing a feature in the Inspiration tab that shows [performance insights](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQqzvnDMN_) for Reels from other creators * **Instagram** is working on a feature that automatically syncs your photos and videos to music and [shares them as a Reel](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQtG0qDCGW) when you send multiple items in DMs * **Instagram** has added a feed section for [expiring Stories ](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQg_EgDBK3?xmt=AQF0LCXVZIK_Ls6GkIX8ZvAr1B1yBxTgRgTGEwg2rOZIXg) * **Instagram **is launching its Reels-focused TV app [on Google TV](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/24/instagrams-tv-app-is-launching-on-google-tv-devices/) after debuting on Fire TV * **Instagram **is promoting [trending Add Yours prompts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQoSqCDMyM?xmt=AQF0LCXVZIK_Ls6GkIX8ZvAr1B1yBxTgRgTGEwg2rOZIXg) so you can easily join popular ones * **Instagram** is widely rolling out a more customisable ‘[Colourful Notes](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVOXei-DCj2?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A)’ feature for Notes * **Instagram** is testing a new look for [Story reactions](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQklI_jNBY?xmt=AQF0LCXVZIK_Ls6GkIX8ZvAr1B1yBxTgRgTGEwg2rOZIXg), presenting them in a reply box format * **Instagram Edits **now includes a separate feed with videos [made out of templates](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVOW4ZOjPXa?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/651e2181-ecd7-4c00-9bbb-123c7b0767de/Screenshot_2026-02-27_at_11.25.59.png?t=1772191572) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/26/threads-is-testing-a-shortcut-to-quickly-start-dm-conversations/) Caption: * **Threads** is testing a shortcut that lets you [quickly start DM conversations](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/26/threads-is-testing-a-shortcut-to-quickly-start-dm-conversations/) by turning phrases like “DM me” into a tappable DM link in posts * **Threads** has finally rolled out [DMs and ghost posts](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVOSZ1sClcL?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg) in the UK * **Threads** now lets you share posts [directly to Instagram Stories](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/20/threads-posts-can-now-be-shared-directly-to-your-instagram-story-without-leaving-the-app/) without leaving the app * **Threads **now lets you add [rich link previews](https://www.threads.com/@threads/post/DVO9fHWkjUu) to posts with podcast video clips * **Threads** has added an option to [remove](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQutJojLuT) your account from a linked business portfolio * **WhatsApp** is finally working native [scheduled messages](https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/23/whatsapp-is-finally-working-on-scheduled-messages/) after years of requests * **WhatsApp** may soon let you set a 6–20 character alphanumeric password to [protect your account](https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-account-password/) * **WhatsApp **is working on bringing Apple’s [Liquid Glass design](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DVFTfMAiC2B?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) to the chat bar **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/0a57ba94-ee88-43aa-ab83-3c1d92412e7d/ai_generated_292dcef0-43cd-49b0-b2b8-9206446100e4.png?t=1772192187) Follow image link: (https://archive.is/p1GJa) Caption: Elon Musk's X challenges EU over its €120M fine | Image: Beehiiv AI * **X** is [challenging](https://archive.is/p1GJa) its €120M EU fine, arguing the EU's decision resulted from _“an incomplete and superficial investigation”_ * **X **is close to launching a fully [rewritten search system](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-rewrites-search-discovery-ai-bots/812792/), replacing legacy Twitter code that had become spammy and unreliable * **X **has been spotted introducing its own version of ‘[starter packs](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVEYmo2jMae?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A)’ on iOS * **X** is trying to woo advertisers by letting them [reuse ad creative](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/26/x-tries-wooing-advertisers-by-letting-them-reuse-creative-assets-from-other-platforms/) made for other platforms * **The FBI **has [secured a warrant](https://www.404media.co/fbi-subpoenaed-x-to-get-grok-prompts-used-to-create-nonconsensual-porn/) forcing **X** to surrender Grok AI prompts in a stalking case * **xAI** signed a deal letting the Pentagon use Grok [inside classified systems](https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/ai-defense-department-deal-musk-xai-grok) * **xAI'**s trade secret lawsuit against OpenAI has been [dismissed](https://www.engadget.com/ai/xais-trade-secret-lawsuit-against-openai-has-been-dismissed-101912599.html?src=rss). xAI is allowed to try again **__________** -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ed171161-d176-4652-8089-6f7da98aa5df/image.png?t=1772192328) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/discover-list-2026-meet-the-creators-to-watch?lang=en) Caption: TikTok unveils its 2026 Discover List of top creators | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** has unveiled a [50-creator Discover List](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/discover-list-2026-meet-the-creators-to-watch?lang=en) spotlighting top global creative talent in 2026 * **TikTok** Shop could surpass Walmart and become [a top-three global retailer ](https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/tiktok-shop-could-top-3-151407235.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9sLnRocmVhZHMuY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALNUYF98TOA53d6r-jpQUGXSYfkpTxAPSPu-zbEthcvBt5SYrgeZwxE2W3-0KloaFHAf1jdVxk7-f2H9YZILtrtxzCUFU1H-FOZfIeM6faifbK73KgbXBUta7P1KqwhMd6SBHD2Nga31E4Zi6mdn-KOXSVGNEflX2n3AGIz2aSoR)by 2030, according to a new report * **TikTok **now allows users to request to [opt out](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQnb7HDL1Y?xmt=AQF0LCXVZIK_Ls6GkIX8ZvAr1B1yBxTgRgTGEwg2rOZIXg) of visual search tags * **TikTok** has been spotted using a [refreshed design](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVI2KrtDEZZ?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) for the bottom menu bar icon on iOS * **TikTok** and Major League Baseball have expanded their partnership after #MLB posts grew 60% in 2025. A new [in-app MLB Hub](https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/tiktok-and-mlb-swing-for-fences-with-global-content-and-creator-push/) is being introduced * **YouTube **is rolling out [voice replies](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-voice-replies-to-all-creators-adds-new-shorts-remix-option/813163/) to all creators, expanding a feature first tested over a year ago * **YouTube**’s cheaper Premium Lite subscription is getting [background play and downloads](https://www.theverge.com/streaming/883316/youtube-premium-lite-background-play-offline-downloads) * **YouTube **is testing a redesign on TVs that [buries](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-subscription-section-test-3642927/) the chronological Subscriptions feed **__________** -------------------- ### View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7b2fd0c8-4ef7-4cf3-9fc3-aaa55aea3212/image.png?t=1772192587) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.snap.com/first-ever-snappys-awards) Caption: Snapchat launches its first awards show, the Snappys | Credit: Snap * **Snapchat **will hold its first awards show, [the Snappys](https://newsroom.snap.com/first-ever-snappys-awards) hosted by comedian and creator Matt Friend, on 31 March * **Snapchat** is rolling out the [Creator Subscriptions section](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVOJ-2gifKK?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) directly within the app settings. [Pricing varies](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVOKOZMCaWt?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) by creator * **Snapchat** has introduced a new UI for Spotlight posts, featuring updated tools and controls to [manage paid partnerships](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQo5ZYjCdz) * **Snapchat** is testing a new Story sticker that lets you [choose](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQs0LLjCWI) which type of story you’re posting, such as a Custom Story or a Private Story * **Snapchat** now [displays bitmojis](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVQxk0cDOgx) created for pets, homes and cars on the Snap Map * **Twitch** has [split account suspensions](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/23/twitch-ban-suspension-moderation-update-streaming/) into “streaming” and “chat” to avoid all-or-nothing bans * **Bluesky** now allows users to [convert a starter pack](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVJML_RjECT?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) into a list. * **Bluesky** now lets you directly [listen to songs](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVJLVOejMM0?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) hosted on **Bandcamp** in the app * **Russia **has launched a [criminal investigation](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/telegram-ban-russia-pavel-durov-b2926287.html) into **Telegram** founder Pavel Durov for “facilitating terrorist activity.” ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6a41390c-ae20-47c5-bb3b-9decf79c62e5/social.jpg?t=1772123641) Caption: ---------- **X** is developing a [“Made with AI” label](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/882974/x-is-working-on-made-with-ai-labels) for synthetic or manipulated posts. …But they rely on users to be honest about their content, which seems like a stretch! X is working on ‘Made with AI’ labels.: (https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/882974/x-is-working-on-made-with-ai-labels) __________ ##### Also spotted this week… * **YouTube** is testing new AI remix tools for Shorts that let viewers [add objects or reimagine frames](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-voice-replies-to-all-creators-adds-new-shorts-remix-option/813163/) into new clips * **Instagram** now offers a shortcut to Meta's [Manus AI](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DVIlEKiieaN?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) from the settings * **Meta **has launched a new predefined [AI chatbot for support](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVQw0bPjNrZ), Support AI. * **Meta’s Manus AI **now allows advertisers to add Meta Ads Manager as [a source of information](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DVI2mOtDAhr?xmt=AQF0CGKWDVXjw6Ra4ulXl9LR_bGsWoDs3i6-ioH1rvj-7A) for chat queries * **xAI’s Grok AI** now has updated settings, offering [more options](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQha1vjCBb?xmt=AQF0LCXVZIK_Ls6GkIX8ZvAr1B1yBxTgRgTGEwg2rOZIXg) for users to manage their data, and the ability to [manage file attachments](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DVQljvnDHgJ?xmt=AQF0LCXVZIK_Ls6GkIX8ZvAr1B1yBxTgRgTGEwg2rOZIXg) * **Adobe** has unveiled **Quick Cut**, an AI tool that instantly [assembles a first-draft video](https://www.theverge.com/tech/884285/adobe-firefly-ai-video-editing-quick-cut) from AI-generated clips, user footage and AI prompts * **Amazon** launched an AI-powered [vertical video tool](https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/tech/amazon-web-services-elemental-inference-vertical-video-tool/) for broadcasters, streamers ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f51d6aca-cc2f-4bf0-9ae0-2077a60b94dd/trail.jpg?t=1772123658) Caption: ---------- A newly unsealed deposition in a US federal lawsuit shows prosecutors pressed **Adam Mosseri** on why **Meta** waited six years to release a nudity filter for teens **Internal emails from 2018** acknowledged Instagram DMs could expose minors to sexual exploitation risks **Internal Instagram data** showed 19.2% of teens saw unwanted nudity + 8.4% encountered self-harm content Instagram head pressed on lengthy delay to launch teen safety features, like a nudity filter, court filing reveals: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/24/instagram-head-pressed-on-lengthy-delay-to-launch-teen-safety-features-like-a-nudity-filter-court-filing-reveals/) * **A young woman testified** that Instagram and YouTube [consumed her childhood](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c89kdpjn7eqo). The plaintiff in the LA trial linked her heavy social media use to anxiety, depression, and self-harm. * **Unsealed internal Meta docs** in a West Virginia lawsuit reveal staff [warning](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/20/meta-apple-child-safety-zuckerberg-cook.html) that default Messenger encryption would hide millions of annual CSAM reports * **Facebook designed an app for teens** [called Bell](http://Facebook designed an app for teens called Bell but never launched it) in 2018 but never launched it, court reocrds reveal ----------View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/aeef2322-4ae1-4629-8038-f00af3d7e488/Quote.jpg?t=1772123713) Caption: ---------- I spoke to **BBC News** about **Reddit’s** £14 million fine and UK regulators [ramping up enforcement](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx0xggepjo)… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/55db1e2c-13a8-4789-9b73-35c369145cb0/BBC_News_Quote_Reddit_-_Matt_Navarra.png?t=1772127839) Follow image link: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx0xggepjo) Caption: Reddit fined £14m by UK data watchdog over age verification checks: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx0xggepjo) **Also this week… New Podcast** I joined **Sked Social** to discuss **the truth about social media in 2026** and more on their #Seen podcast. We discussed a whole bunch of stuff, including… • **ADHD** and why social media attracts neurodivergent brains • **Burnout**, boundaries, and shaping work around how you actually operate • **Using AI** as your wingman — not your creative director • **The shift from rented reach** to owned community •** Repeatable, episodic content** and building formats people come back for Watch or listen to the episode on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8-WWuPwxhc), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6VmUTLQEyGIvjJKxkBHcdV), and [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/sb/podcast/the-truth-about-social-media-in-2026-with-matt-navarra/id1874168897?i=1000751054041). Here’s a clip… Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVIax53kuAb/?hl=en) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3b409ca5-a409-49b7-8d8f-febf7dbe19f4/lol.jpg?t=1772123732) Caption: ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/477798b8-a73e-4730-be4f-15a7bb02ad32/Rangel_1_2702.jpg?t=1772190335) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_pov-you-work-in-social-media-activity-7432091961219538944-enjA?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: __________ Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVJkI6Mjo69/) __________ Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVGiuH2gKxM/?img_index=1) __________ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/925e5f15-5e63-43dd-aa6f-53bcd52c9916/Rangel_2_2702.jpg?t=1772190379) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_how-are-those-of-us-who-work-in-social-media-activity-7431729579385589760-ZRX9?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/62b46d83-427b-408f-a2db-cfb4cdeba9aa/Memes.jpg?t=1772123744) Caption: ---------- If you’ve just read the section above and are wondering who **Punch the Monkey** is, don’t worry. [Know Your Meme has you covered](https://trending.knowyourmeme.com/editorials/collections/20-memes-about-punch-the-internets-favourite-lonely-monkey). The orphaned macaque living in a Japanese zoo with his cuddly **IKEA** money toy has captured the world’s hearts after he was bullied by his elders. **Google** responded to the global Punch love by adding a [fun easter egg](https://www.google.com/search?q=punch+monkey&sca_esv=c6899c8c533a142b&biw=1512&bih=747&sxsrf=ANbL-n7QgsMR4gabFMr-_bmu5ZNkjGPt-Q%3A1772193174224&ei=loWhaeatDaOfhbIPhMzRoQE&ved=0ahUKEwjm0P2EzvmSAxWjT0EAHQRmNBQQ4dUDCBE&uact=5&oq=punch+monkey&gs_lp=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&sclient=gws-wiz-serp) when Googling “punch monkey”. And of course, [brands also jumped on the viral moment](https://www.socialsamosa.com/topical-spot/brands-talking-baby-monkey-punch-soft-toy-11148074). Sure, he’s cute. But he’s also [endlessly meme-able](https://cheezburger.com/44447237/28-punch-the-monkey-memes-that-feel-all-too-real-and-somehow-still-hopeful)… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/40552927-064e-4f38-b2c7-7054d374ca4b/Punch1.jpg?t=1772190866) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVCrLhNjHYg/?img_index=2) Caption: __________ Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DU-e8jrjCVq/) __________ Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DU8oTPICRjH/?img_index=1) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6d616c6-16fc-4501-8810-74341de5504e/Viral.jpg?t=1772123767) Caption: ---------- Remember **HBO sitcom Silicon Valley**? A new viral trend imagines it was set in 2026, with users calling it “the most realistic show ever.” An AI-generated intro has updated the credits with crypto disasters, X replacing Twitter, and AI dominance. Fans say the jokes still match real headlines and are [calling for the show to be revived for a seventh season](https://dailydot.com/social-media-imagines-silicon-valley-set-in-2026). Tap through to watch the video 👇 - View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ba31401d-8a77-4733-a7d2-c57a5d71015b/SV2026.jpg?t=1772111622) Follow image link: (https://x.com/mprado/status/2025744080186052940) Caption: __________ **More viral news this week:** * **Why ‘WorkTok’ films are gripping** [Gen Z on TikTok](https://www.ft.com/content/7fe88a68-272b-4e56-94ad-bf68f1b2865e) * **Why fake AI videos of UK urban decline** are [taking over social media](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g8r23yv71o) * **Phonk has emerged **as the [unofficial soundtrack of doomscrolling](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/arts/music/phonk-youtube-tiktok-music.html), saturating TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reels ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5b4f3143-c1b8-44a9-85fe-664b265348d3/brands.jpg?t=1772123785) Caption: ---------- **Gucci** is under fire for promoting its **Milan Fashion Week** show with AI-generated images on social media. Gucci criticised for 'AI slop' images ahead of major fashion show: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjwz6yzn5jqo) __________ **More brand news and views:** * How social-first brands like **Cakes** and **Beis** [sustain viral moments](https://www.modernretail.co/marketing/how-social-first-brands-like-cakes-and-beis-sustain-viral-moments/) * **Dove** turned brutally honest **Reddit** reviews into an [unfiltered campaign](https://www.adweek.com/creativity/dove-turns-brutally-honest-reddit-reviews-into-an-unfiltered-campaign/) * **Reddit **has carved out an [upper funnel niche](https://digiday.com/media-buying/reddit-has-carved-out-an-upper-funnel-niche-for-brand-advertisers/) for brand advertisers * **Why YouTube has become key **for [brand AI optimisation](https://digiday.com/marketing/the-rundown-why-youtube-has-become-key-for-brand-geo-strategies/) strategies * **Why TV’s traditional sellers** [aren’t going mad](https://deadline.com/2026/02/microdrama-vertical-video-tv-distributors-1236714399/) for the social media microdrama trend * The strategies behind [beauty’s top-selling brands](https://www.beautyindependent.com/strategies-behind-beauty-top-selling-brands-tiktok-shop/) on **TikTok Shop**, like **Laneige**, **Medicube**, **Missha**, and **Peter Thomas Roth** ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28b1226a-e0dc-4f0d-96b9-b5aeb49ad784/Quote.jpg?t=1772123918) Caption: ---------- “"I wanted to be on it all the time… If I wasn’t on it, I felt like I was going to miss out on something."“ — – **“Kaley G.M.”**, the 20-year-old woman at the centre of the LA social media addiction trial [describes the effect](https://www.wsj.com/tech/woman-suing-meta-youtube-testifies-its-too-hard-to-be-without-social-media-318f85ed?mod=rss_Technology) she says social media had on her __________ **Also quoted this week:** _“The idea that this can be fixed with better parenting or more guidance is a convenient fiction. You can’t out-parent a business model built on addiction.”_ **- Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts**[ is very much in favour](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/feb/26/mumsnet-campaign-demands-ban-social-media-under-16s) of a UK teen social ban ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/863ad342-3950-4b01-a80d-44a973a4ba09/fav_reads.jpg?t=1772123813) Caption: ---------- This is an interesting read: _“The future of social media is being shaped less by new platforms and more by shifting behavior, fragmentation, and AI-mediated discovery.”_ New Platforms Won't Save Social Media: Here's What's Actually Shifting: (https://www.searchenginejournal.com/new-platforms-wont-save-social-media-heres-whats-actually-shifting/565182/) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/67b5dbd2-fe26-4f24-8aeb-9460fd711fb1/Must_Watch.jpg?t=1772123844) Caption: ---------- **U.S. late night TV host John Oliver** is no fan of **Elon Musk**, and on his US TV last weekend he gave a clear summary of why: He said **X** is now: _“…shaped in the image of its poisonous owner, and Musk’s brain has been “cooked by the garbage he consumes…”_ on his own platform. This will not news to most readers of this newsletter, but as ever, John puts it perfectly. Tap through to watch 👇 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2240a7eb-4a42-4291-a91d-fedcfec197f6/JO.jpg?t=1772191326) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVGlJ78EV7a?xmt=AQF0j5darTFdxBPLEZ2nvtamgl7CJnuCHkxHJCR1q-ZMQA) Caption: ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/329d25b3-9e16-4946-b400-e5cc194f0db0/New_Platform_v2.jpg?t=1772123876) Caption: ---------- **FanLock** is a new platform built to fight AI deepfakes targeting creators. It scans over 4 million websites, including Telegram, to detect stolen or synthetic content. FanLock - Stop Leaks. Protect Your Income.: (https://fanlock.com/) __________ **Also:** * **Is there a creep in the area?** Or just a smart-glasses geek? This hobbyist-built app alerts users when [nearby devices resemble smart glasses](https://www.404media.co/this-app-warns-you-if-someone-is-wearing-smart-glasses-nearby/) like **Meta’s Ray-Bans.** ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3cf9e5a5-167f-4b85-86ed-cf10d0d65bdf/WTF.jpg?t=1772123951) Caption: ---------- It’s not just Instagram _users_ who have finstas, **_Instagram _**_ITSELF_ does too. Instagram confirmed to **Rachel Karten **that it quietly launched a chaotic finsta account, [notfit4main](https://www.instagram.com/notfit4main/), a few months ago. The account posts intentionally _“ugly,”_ 2014-style inspirational shitposts and celebrity takeovers. **Meta** employees accidentally exposed it by following en masse. Oops! Read more here 👇 I found @Instagram's finsta: (https://www.milkkarten.net/p/i-found-instagrams-finsta) **More WTF this week:** * **A Chinese beauty influencer** reportedly lost 140K followers after [a livestream filter glitch exposed her real face](https://dailydot.com/beauty-influencer-filter-glitch) * **A Snap exec says** male content creators are [chasing UFC careers](https://deadline.com/2026/02/snap-exec-male-content-creators-chasing-ufc-careers-1236732995/) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9b61437-b12f-4b15-897a-9581bfba744c/fail.jpg?t=1772123969) Caption: ---------- 🤦‍♂️ **US investigators** say **Meta**’s AI is blasting them with unusable child-abuse tips that waste time and stall urgent cases. Meta’s AI sending ‘junk’ tips to DoJ, US child abuse investigators say: (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/25/meta-ai-junk-child-abuse-tips-doj) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7a57122a-a2df-4432-a849-05afdc077582/hired.jpg?t=1772124012) Caption: ---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7e57229a-e235-4a60-a78e-7a86f4370acf/Canon.png?t=1772191972) Caption: **Canon **is looking for a [Social Media Content Creator Programme Specialist](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-creator-programme-specialist-2/) _[Hybrid, Uxbridge, UK]_ __________ **More social media jobs:** * **Change.org** needs a [Social Media Specialist](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-specialist-5/) _[Remote, Canada]_ * **Transport for London **is hiring a [Social Media Content Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-manager-3/) _[London, UK]_ ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5d3bbf31-748c-458a-8a5a-525991109cf7/Pro_Tips.jpg?t=1772124026) Caption: ---------- When should you post on **TikTok** for the best impact? **Buffer** has been looking at the data… The Best Time to Post on TikTok in 2026 — New Data from 7M Posts: (https://buffer.com/resources/best-time-to-post-on-tiktok/) __________ **More pro tips:** * **Replying to your Threads comments** can [boost engagement by 42%](https://buffer.com/resources/threads-comments-engagement/) * **LinkedIn says the fastest-rising 2026 marketing skill** is [performance analysis](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-shares-top-skills-on-the-rise-in-marketing-for-2026/813035/), as brands demand measurable ROI. ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afe345c0-ef7d-4d3e-9256-42b16ab24003/SS.jpg?t=1772124052) Caption: ---------- “**$1 TRILLION**“ — – **TikTok Shop'**s [projected sales in 2030](https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/tiktok-shop-could-top-3-151407235.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9sLnRocmVhZHMuY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALNUYF98TOA53d6r-jpQUGXSYfkpTxAPSPu-zbEthcvBt5SYrgeZwxE2W3-0KloaFHAf1jdVxk7-f2H9YZILtrtxzCUFU1H-FOZfIeM6faifbK73KgbXBUta7P1KqwhMd6SBHD2Nga31E4Zi6mdn-KOXSVGNEflX2n3AGIz2aSoR), according to a new report from commerce agency Flywheel. This would see the company overtake Walmart as a top-3 global retailer **More stats:** * **CREATORS IN 2026: **Nearly half of creators earned under $10K annually in 2025, a new study revealed: … 51% of creators say their income has grown, and 45% now earn between $10K and $100K. … However, nearly half of creators earn under $10K annually, and only 5.7% earn more than $100K. … 56% say AI will significantly transform creator workflows in coming years. … Read more in the [2026 Creator Economy Report](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/press-release/20260223-the-influencer-marketing-factory-releases-2026-creator-economy-report-highl/) * **OVER THE HORIZON: **Meta confirmed its Horizon+ subscription product has crossed [1 million active subscribers](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVGzKi8CgeO?xmt=AQF0j5darTFdxBPLEZ2nvtamgl7CJnuCHkxHJCR1q-ZMQA) as it expands to 100+ games * **FAKERY: **Research identified [18,784](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVG5vbcinyN?xmt=AQF0j5darTFdxBPLEZ2nvtamgl7CJnuCHkxHJCR1q-ZMQA) coordinated fake profiles boosting Nicki Minaj’s pro-MAGA content * **NEWSTUBE: **In the first half of 2025, viewers watched [more than 15 billion hours of news](https://blog.youtube/inside-youtube/independent-media-summit-youtube-news-trends/) on YouTube * **TIKTOK SEARCH: **Adobe data shows [49%](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/gen-z-preference-for-tiktok-over-google-drops-50-data-shows/568267/) of US consumers have used TikTok for search, up from 41% in 2024 * **TIKTOK EATS: **[97%](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/25/tiktok-food-trends-study-foodtok-diet/) of TikTok users say TikTok influences what they eat * **SLOPPY WORK: ** The NYT found over [40%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVOSfHMCvKB?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg) of Shorts recommended after kids’ hits appeared AI-generated. * **SCAM CITY: **[Nearly 1 in 3 Meta ads](https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/social-advertising-is-being-used-to-defraud-at-scale-across-some-of-the-largest-platforms-nearly-one-in-three-meta-ads-reportedly-point-to-a-scam-phishing-or-malware) in the UK and EU point to a scam, phishing, or malware, according to a new report * **BYTE THIS:** TikTok’s non-US parent company ByteDance is reportedly valued at [$550 billion](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVMNj1kCgp7?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg) in a share sale * **THE BIG SHORT: **Microdrama apps like ReelShort now beat Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ in daily mobile watch time. ReelShort users average [35.7 mins/day](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVLccPTE87P?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg) vs Netflix (24.8), Prime Video (26.9), and Disney+ (23) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/39277e07-01cb-402f-b1f9-f6da6c948da4/charted.jpg?t=1772124069) Caption: ---------- [Teen social media bans](https://www.visualcapitalist.com/minimum-age-laws-social-media-world-map/) around the world in 2026, mapped: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/81ee8dfd-2c16-4f21-8342-01116768935e/Ban_map.jpg?t=1772192662) Follow image link: (https://www.visualcapitalist.com/minimum-age-laws-social-media-world-map/) Caption: **More charts:** * **GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT: **TikTok emerges as [2026’s growth engine](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVGP-_dCgdY?xmt=AQF0j5darTFdxBPLEZ2nvtamgl7CJnuCHkxHJCR1q-ZMQA) while Instagram reach is falling * **POD SAVE AMERICA: **Podcasts have [surpassed AM and FM talk radio](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVQf_ZriiQ-?xmt=AQF0EW7oVVdjiBtow56z4mIS0jys8xVwVMY327zLp50qxQ) in US for the first time * **BIG MOUSE: **Disney hit 11.9% of all US TV viewing, [closing in on YouTube’s lead at 12.5%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVJFidwiqY9?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg), thanks to an American football frenzy in January * **HOT ON SOCIAL: **The [best TV shows of 2025](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVLkK62k0WC?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg), according to social media, is led by Netflix shows including Stranger Things, Squid Game, and Wednesday. * **NOT A QUICKIE:** How long-term YouTube creator deals deliver major affiliate CTR gains: [charted](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DVLpJ5iE9QK?xmt=AQF0B4WPp0W8wQ7VqK140awtj-doS9csKPYe4fhKDsOWDg) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6840eac8-f2b6-4618-88bc-f5d1f58bc65f/more_social.jpg?t=1772124087) Caption: ---------- FTC Softens Enforcement of Rule Protecting Children Online, Ostensibly to Protect Children Online: (https://gizmodo.com/ftc-softens-enforcement-of-rule-protecting-children-online-ostensibly-to-protect-children-online-2000726886) ##### Also Spotted this week… * **Meta worked with UK and Nigerian police** to dismantle an alleged fraud ring targeting British residents with crypto scams. [[Meta Newsroom](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/02/meta-works-with-the-uk-national-crime-agency-and-the-nigerian-police-force-to-disrupt-alleged-online-scams-centre-in-nigeria/)] * **Meta has filed lawsuits** against scam advertisers in Brazil, China, and Vietnam. [[Meta Newsroom](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/02/meta-takes-legal-action-against-scam-advertisers/)] * **Meta, xAI, Amazon, Google**, and others will sign up to a White House initiative to build their own electricity supply for AI data centres. [[Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/scoop-trump-brings-big-tech-white-house-curb-power-costs-amid-ai-boom)] * **Poland plans to ban** social media for children under 15. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-27/poland-plans-social-media-ban-for-kids-in-challenge-to-us-tech)] ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/07a0c277-c1ba-427f-99a9-5c293322fec3/weekend_reads.jpg?t=1772124106) Caption: ---------- This is an interesting take on how important live-streamers have become to the social economy. _“In recent months, [live streaming] seems to have broken containment, morphing from a fringe format into a bona fide kingmaker…”_ _“…A channel that formerly felt like the provenance solely of gamers and its Gen Alpha acolytes has lately crossed into the mainstream.”_ Live-Streamers Killed the Vertical-Video Star: (https://www.adweek.com/media/live-streaming-killed-vertical-video/) **Also:** * **Meta will ruin its smart glasses** [by being Meta](https://www.theverge.com/column/881744/meta-smart-glasses-facial-recognition-rayban-privacy-wearables) * **How to win friends and influencers:** “Labour’s new social media strategy is [a step into the future](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/20/labour-no-10-influencers-content-creators-social-media)” ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5525707c-30a4-4d49-821e-a04647a927b8/weekend_reads-1.jpg?t=1772124167) Caption: ---------- I’ve heard of ‘inbox zero’, but this is extreme. **Meta’s director of AI safety,** in a rush to try out the latest wave of AI agents Silicon Valley is going crazy for, accidentally allowed one to [delete her entire email inbox](https://www.404media.co/meta-director-of-ai-safety-allows-ai-agent-to-accidentally-delete-her-inbox/). Oops. Not a good look when you’re a top exec leading AI initiatives at one of the world’s biggest tech companies…! Meta Director of AI Safety Allows AI Agent to Accidentally Delete Her Inbox: (https://www.404media.co/meta-director-of-ai-safety-allows-ai-agent-to-accidentally-delete-her-inbox/) ----------——————————————————————————— View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f7b9e9a0-5980-4b29-a040-e04e9f205d32/Next_week.jpg?t=1772124239) Caption: ---------- You’ve reached the end of this week's Geekout. I hope the newsletter design tweaks made this week’s scroll easier, more enjoyable. I’m still tinkering — so [hit reply](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) and tell me what you like/dislike. It's still a work in progress, so I’d love your feedback to optimise it further. **__________** Alright, folks… I’m heading off to psych myself up a brutal roasing from friends and family when they gather round the TV to watch my Channel 4 appearance. I’ll try to capture a few freeze-frame stills of my most awkward and unflattering facial expressions, to give you a new meme to play with! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/658e9c6a-7576-466c-bb98-6cc1d37a750e/image.png?t=1772196341) Caption: Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: **_P.S._**_ This newsletter is edited by _[_Martin SFP Bryant _](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/) ----------——————————————————————————— ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/social-media-addiction-trial-punch-monkey-whatsapp-ads

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/181ef527-6533-401e-9a57-d00c3dbfd57f/Geekout_200226.jpg?t=1771592145) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Get up to 30% OFF Geekout ads in 2026 **👉 ****[Request More Info](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com)** -------------------- **Collaborate with Matt Navarra** Consulting, Brand Collabs, Keynotes **[Watch Clips](https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18136187482403001/)**** / **[Get in Touch](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) -------------------- _**For the **___**BEST**___** Geekout experience**_ 👇 _T__ap this button 👇_ **⚡️ Optimise Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/zuckerberg-court-meta-smartwatch-x-eu-probe) -------------------- #### **Hello, geeks!** It’s been another week of courtroom drama. Zuckerberg took the stand in the US addiction trial, swapping out the trendy t-shirt and gold chain combo for a power suit… …And braced himself for difficult questions. He spent hours arguing Meta prioritises usefulness over addiction, and hinting that maybe Apple should be the one policing teen safety. If you were hoping for a live-streamed Zuck courtroom showdown… bad luck. No cameras. No smart-glasses POV. Just his testimony. In this week’s Geekout, I unpack what we learned — including former Meta insiders contradicting the “we’re the good guys” narrative. And why Meta’s greatest strength (growth at all costs) might also be its biggest liability. _________ **‘Escapism’… with my teen daughter 💃🏻** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/df2bb9cb-75f2-40a6-b949-979ae1e246b0/raye_in_manchester_2.JPG?t=1771588027) Caption: RAYE at Co-Op Live in Manchester While Zuckerberg was defending Meta in court, I was defending my credit card in Manchester. My daughter convinced me to take her to see **RAYE** at Co-Op Live arena. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5cc23475-5a8f-4dfb-905e-a9af3233f919/raye_in_manchester.JPG?t=1771586804) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18102516982686713/) Caption: I thought I was attending a gig. Turns out, I was there as her… * 🤳🏻 Personal photographer / content creator * 🧥 Human coat rack * 🍹 Snack and drink butler * 💵 Mobile wallet She screamed every lyric. I nodded enthusiastically at the three songs I recognised. 👀 [Watch my IG highlight](https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18102516982686713/) of the night __________ **P.S. 2 cool things…** * 🔥 What’s __really__ working on social in 2026? — [NEW data from 1000s of top global brands](https://emplifi.io/webinar/social-media-benchmarks-2026/?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=matt-navarra-newsletter&utm_campaign=annual-benchmarks-2026&utm_term=global&utm_content=benchmarks-webinar) - * 💡 Solve the _“what do we post next?”_ problem in 10 minutes [with this ONE tool](https://brand24.com/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_id=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_ad_1) I use every week… - …And you can get 10 personalised [content ideas for FREE](https://brand24.com/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_id=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_ad_1) [ad] __________ **P.P.S.** **Can you help take Geekout Newsletter to the next level? ** Check out the bottom of this week’s Geekout for details 👇 -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1b26aa6e-6e23-4656-8431-dd1cbc12e6c5/brand24_influ_2000x1000.png?t=1771339400) Follow image link: (https://brand24.com/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_id=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_ad_1) Caption: -------------------- **Most social media teams** don’t have a content problem. They have a **_“what do we post next?”_**** problem.** But there is a solution… **Your audience is already giving you ideas**. Every day. Across your socials, in forums, blogs, and comments. And that’s where [**Brand24**](https://brand24.com/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_id=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_ad_1) comes in. **In under 10 minutes,** Brand24 helped me… * 🔎** See what questions** people keep asking in my niche * 🧠** Spot the topics **that are getting real traction * 💬 **Find quotes, pain points & “hot takes”** I can turn into posts * 📈 **Validate what’s resonating** before wasting a week creating content! **It’s like having a live focus group,** but without needing me to beg anyone to fill out a survey! **And Brand24 is used by 4,000+ top social teams**, including _Uber, Samsung, H&M_. **Start here **👉 [**Get 10 personalised content ideas**](https://brand24.com/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_id=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_ad_1) — and unlock Brand24 FREE for 14 days. 🚀** Launch Ideas Generator ** (https://brand24.com/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_id=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_ad_1) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/194611d6-9cb6-44c5-80c7-d0a2d68195b5/image.png?t=1769705873) Caption: _**…**__**Geekout’s pick of the hottest headlines in social this week:**_ -------------------- Mark Zuckerberg testifies in social media addiction trial that Meta just wants Instagram to be 'useful': (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mark-zuckerberg-testifies-in-social-media-addiction-trial-that-meta-just-wants-instagram-to-be-useful-234332316.html?src=rss) -------------------- 2. **Meta is planning to launch** a smartwatch later this year [[APPLE WATCH-ING](https://www.theverge.com/tech/881065/meta-smartwatch-plans-2026)] 3. **TikTok’s new Local Feed sparks privacy concerns** and opt-out confusion [[TRACKING](https://dailydot.com/tiktok-local-feed-privacy-opt-out-confusion)] 4. **EU privacy watchdog launches ‘large-scale’ probe into Elon Musk’s X** over sexualised AI images [[POLICING](https://mashable.com/article/elon-musk-x-grok-eu-investigation-ireland-ai-generated-nonsconsensual-images)] 5. **Tech firms must remove ‘revenge porn’ in 48 hours** or risk being blocked in the UK [[THREATENING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz6ed1549yvo)] -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/97f68515-d48f-43a2-a69f-a2326cc39a4a/EMP1009-Social_Media_Benchmarks_Webinar_Matt_Navarra_Newsletter_Ad___2.png?t=1771333735) Follow image link: (https://emplifi.io/webinar/social-media-benchmarks-2026/?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=matt-navarra-newsletter&utm_campaign=annual-benchmarks-2026&utm_term=global&utm_content=benchmarks-webinar) Caption: -------------------- **Social in 2026 is messy**. In the _“why is this chart doing that?_” way. One platform’s **booming**. Another’s holding **steady**. A third’s quietly **eating attention.** _Meanwhile_… **Growth, engagement, and paid aren’t moving together anymore** — so last year’s benchmarks won’t help you plan what’s next. So let’s swap vibes for **real benchmarks**... Join us for [**Emplifi’s 2026 Social Media Benchmarks LIVE event**](https://emplifi.io/webinar/social-media-benchmarks-2026/?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=matt-navarra-newsletter&utm_campaign=annual-benchmarks-2026&utm_term=global&utm_content=benchmarks-webinar) — featuring EXCLUSIVE social data from 1000s of global brands. **In under 45 mins**, **you’ll get…** * 👌** What “good” looks like right now **—** **across every major platform * 📊** The signals to track in 2026** — and what to stop reporting * **🛍️ Where brands are gaining momentum **— and where they’re leaking it * **🌍 Real-world context** from Matt Navarra (hi 👋) — to help make sense of it all 📆** Feb 24, 2026 — 4pm GMT (11am ET)** **🎟️ **[**Request your FREE invite**](https://emplifi.io/webinar/social-media-benchmarks-2026/?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=matt-navarra-newsletter&utm_campaign=annual-benchmarks-2026&utm_term=global&utm_content=benchmarks-webinar)** **—** **_1,527 social pros have already signed up!_ 🎟️ Save Your Seat (https://emplifi.io/webinar/social-media-benchmarks-2026/?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=matt-navarra-newsletter&utm_campaign=annual-benchmarks-2026&utm_term=global&utm_content=benchmarks-webinar) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5a4e36c0-4b73-4037-ac38-6d104ec96c8b/image.png?t=1769705836) Caption: ### …Zuck’s day in court -------------------- Zuckerberg grilled in landmark social media trial over teen mental health: (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/18/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial-testimony) -------------------- His testimony might not have been explosive, but the very fact he took the stand at all shows how times have changed for social media companies. The age of accountability is finally here, with actual trials rather than often lame-duck hearings on Capitol Hill the order of the day. Zucks’ overall line of argument was that Meta just wants Instagram to be [useful](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mark-zuckerberg-testifies-in-social-media-addiction-trial-that-meta-just-wants-instagram-to-be-useful-234332316.html?src=rss), rather than addictive. Following the Meta point of view that it’s app stores, not apps, that should control the safety of minors, Zuck slipped in that he had previously reached out to Apple’s Tim Cook to discuss ‘[wellbeing of teens and kids](https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/19/zuckerberg-says-he-went-to-tim-cook-to-discuss-wellbeing-of-teens-and-kids/)’. The whole thing might have been more of an online spectacle if live-streamed video had been allowed, but the presiding judge made clear it was very much [NOT](https://gizmodo.com/mark-zuckerberg-takes-the-stand-no-meta-ray-bans-allowed-2000723697). That’s even via Meta’s own smart glasses, which some of Zuck’s team in court were wearing. But for all the gloss Zuck tried to put on Meta’s approach, there’s nothing like a jaded former employee to put a dampener on the spin. Former Meta VP Brian Boland told jurors at landmark US trial that the company [incentivised drawing teens in](https://www.theverge.com/policy/881706/meta-executive-brian-boland-testimony-social-media-addiction-trial) despite the risks. He also noted that Zuck never called for a “lockdown” for safety, only for growth, and that company priorities were “winning growth and engagement.” This might be true, but the impact of Boland’s testimony was somewhat softened when it turned out he wasn’t directly involved with youth safety at Meta. Still, regardless of how this trial plays out, there’s no doubting that a relentless push for growth at all costs is Meta’s greatest strength… and it’s biggest weak point. Other interesting tidbits we learned from the California trial this week: * Meta found a chatbot failed to protect minors from sexual exploitation nearly 70% of the time, so [they didn’t launch it](https://www.axios.com/2026/02/16/meta-ai-chatbots-kids) * Meta’s own research found parental supervision [doesn’t really help](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/17/metas-own-research-found-parental-supervision-doesnt-really-help-curb-teens-compulsive-social-media-use/) curb teens’ compulsive social media use -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e58c3d88-7b1d-42ef-89b7-40b3992f7148/image.png?t=1769705262) Caption: _**…**__**Platform news you need to know this week…**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/27bf4526-0e64-4381-b8fa-99d60c167f22/Screenshot_2026-02-20_at_12.02.46.png?t=1771588980) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU5xydmDOeo) Caption: Facebook’s new ‘Thoughts’ sticker for Stories | Credit: @ahmedghanem * **Facebook** is testing a new [‘Thoughts’](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU5xydmDOeo) sticker for Stories, which hides all text in a story until followers tap to reveal it * **Meta**’s own research found parental supervision [doesn’t really help](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/17/metas-own-research-found-parental-supervision-doesnt-really-help-curb-teens-compulsive-social-media-use/) curb teens’ compulsive social media use * **Meta**’s signed a [deal with Nvidia](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/880513/nvidia-meta-ai-grace-vera-chips) to buy up millions of AI chips * **⁠Meta**’s ‘Phoenix’ XR smart glasses might need you to carry a [puck device](https://gizmodo.com/heres-what-the-puck-on-metas-xr-glasses-will-probably-look-like-2000719635) to help handle all its computing needs * **Meta** is spending [$65 million](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/technology/meta-65-million-election-ai.html) to boost US political candidates who support AI growth …meanwhile, **Meta** says it has spent [$30 billion](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/02/meta-prepares-for-2026-us-midterms/) to protect US Midterm election integrity * **Meta** is updating its Graph API to align with its [shift toward views](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-updates-marketing-api-to-align-with-latest-ad-shifts/812648/) as the primary metric * **Messenger** introduced a [Notifications tab](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUvuMkfDJFM?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) that shows updates like birthdays, login activity, notes, and friend suggestions **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fb85c37e-4289-42bf-b2f7-3093f8ac0f50/image.png?t=1771589125) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-OGVlDGUG?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw) Caption: Instagram screenshot protection | Credit: @ahmedghanem * **Instagram** has been spotted rolling out [screenshot protection](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-OGVlDGUG?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw) for one-time view media after a previous test of the feature * **Instagram **will soon allow you to [Add interests](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU8J6qujBLv) to your profile * **Instagram **is rolling out a [new look](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU-lmuijLN-) for the post description and comment section * **Instagram** now allows users to [reply to users](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-NR2mDJ5m?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw) outside the inbox * **Instagram** is adding [icons to business ads](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-PuXEDC7J?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw) to help users distinguish them from ads run by personal accounts * **Instagram**’s chief of celebrity partnerships has been [poached](https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/openai-hires-charles-porch-instagram) by OpenAI * **Threads** added a [basketball mini-game](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/threads-adds-basketball-mini-game-for-nba-all-star-weekend/812286/) tying into the NBA All-Star Weekend * **Threads** is working on the ability to [pin chats](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUtoEajDaiu?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) in DMs * **Threads** is working on the ability to choose whether to r[eceive replies to Ghost Posts](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DU9AL2FDceW?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) under the post itself instead of in your DMs * **Threads **now shows [a preview](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU3cqGPDMUm?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) before you share a post as an Instagram Story * **Threads** added a [‘Get Support’ option](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-QC0RjDFL?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw) for receiving support from experts or friends if a user is upset by content they reported **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/64f436e6-daf0-47d9-819a-e09f6ce30d5b/image.png?t=1771589270) Follow image link: (https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/19/whatsapp-launches-one-of-its-most-requested-features-for-groups/) Caption: WhatsApp rolls out Group Message History | Credit: Meta * **WhatsApp** has finally rolled a [Group Message History](https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/19/whatsapp-launches-one-of-its-most-requested-features-for-groups/) feature, one of the its most requested features by group admins * **WhatsApp **is testing a new [‘Spoilers’ feature](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU5v91CDKSL?xmt=AQF07naTq5yubFzjylDbaBsdS3QCQW53IN0kUtQgvyA8ag), similar to Threads * **WhatsApp** is working on the ability to secure your account [with a password](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DU4bgmQiHi7?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) * **WhatsApp **Business now lets you [request business verification](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DU4U7W3kiD0?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) (different to Meta Verified) * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability to [filter the media gallery](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DU13QYfiLRw?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) in your chats * **WhatsApp** is testing a [Liquid Glass interface](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-liquid-glass-for-the-business-app-on-ios/) for its Business app on iOS * **WhatsApp** is testing encrypted [voice and video calls](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-launches-encrypted-voice-and-video-calls-on-web/) on the web * **WhatsApp** is working on a feature to bring [status updates](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DUuIVRBiJLg?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) to the top app bar * **WhatsApp** is more widely testing a new [Music sticker](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUwtleajJp-?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) for broadcast channels * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability to [bulk-save contacts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-gHDLDPZc) to your phone from a group **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8a87cbe3-94b5-42fb-9650-f5af2b795a0d/image.png?t=1771589453) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/18/x-continues-to-bet-on-vertical-video-with-its-latest-update/) Caption: X’s new immersie, vertical video player rolls out | Credit: X * **X** launched a new immersive video player [focused on vertical videos](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/18/x-continues-to-bet-on-vertical-video-with-its-latest-update/) * **X** is rolling out new [bot detection tools](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-announces-ai-bot-crackdown/812289/) as AI spam surges * **X** seems to be working on a feature called [Audio Articles](https://x.com/aaronp613/status/2022023650397110525?s=20) * **X** is now placing a “[Try Grok for free](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU3b3xijD2q?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ)” button below each post that mentions Grok * **xAI**’s commitment to AI safety has been [doubted](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/878761/mass-exodus-at-xai-grok-elon-musk-restructuring) by recently departed staff * **Saudi Arabia’s **sovereign AI company Humain has [invested $3 billion](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/saudi-arabia-s-humain-invests-3-billion-into-elon-musk-s-xai?srnd=phx-technology&sref=YURDD6is) Into **xAI** * **X** was hit by another [outage ](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/technology/twitter-x-outage.html)amid disruption caused by Cloudflare **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/44a5bc59-50ad-4875-a520-ad75e2757f7b/image.png?t=1771589605) Follow image link: (https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/16/apple-music-and-tiktok-team-up-on-new-listening-party-feature-more/) Caption: TikTok launches new Apple Music powered features | Credit: 9to5mac.com * **TikTok** is testing Apple Music-powered [full-song streaming](https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/16/apple-music-and-tiktok-team-up-on-new-listening-party-feature-more/) directly in the app, and a new ‘Listening Party’ feature * **TikTok** retained [95% of US users](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/16/tiktok-us-joint-venture-user-data-no-mass-exodus-oracle-mgx-silver-lake-larry-ellison-trump.html) despite fears over ownership and censorship changes, according to Sensor Tower * **TikTok** has been spotted offering a ‘[manage personalised feeds](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-OpjpjIE1?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw)’ option * **TikTok US** has [reversed its plan](https://www.adweek.com/media/tiktok-centralized-shipping-reversal/) to end independent shipping for sellers after strong merchant pushback * **TikTok **[signed up](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-joins-european-advertising-standards-alliance/812399/) to the European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA) as a digital member * **TikTok** Shop’s latest updates add new [power tools for sellers and creators](https://seller-uk.tiktok.com/university/essay?btm_pre_unit_params=%7B%22outreach_task_id%22:%225531444093207%22,%22outreach_channel_type%22:3,%22outreach_message_category_type%22:3020000,%22outreach_message_mapping_id%22:%224a3a1761-4d9f-4911-acf2-793c13c7aaac%22%7D&course_type=1&from=search&identity=1&knowledge_id=3192591462074134&role=1), like auto sample approvals and influencer recommendations * **TikTok**’s In The Mix podcast series has released a [new episode](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-announces-multi-platinum-hitmaker-megan-moroney-as-the-star-of-tiktok-in-the-mix-episode-2-sponsored-by-t-mobile?lang=en) starring “Emo Cowgirl” Megan Moroney **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5ba457bd-3282-4e1a-9b76-9829f08e3f59/image.png?t=1771589722) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-live-stream-donations-updates-shorts-editing-tools/812478/) Caption: YouTube expands its Jewel livestream donation feature | Credit: YouTube * **⁠YouTube** is [expanding](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-live-stream-donations-updates-shorts-editing-tools/812478/) its Jewels livestream donation option to Canada and improving its editing tools for Shorts * **YouTube**’s latest anti–ad blocker action [blocks comments and descriptions](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-ad-blocker-comments-turned-off-3641167/) entirely * **YouTube **is rolling out AI that analyses creators, content, and audiences to [matches brands](https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/digital-advertising-commerce-2026/) with creators most likely to drive sales * **YouTube** is bringing its conversational AI assistant to [smart TVs](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-on-the-big-screen-quietly-tests-a-smarter-way-to-watch/) * **In the UK**, the TV has replaced laptops, tablets and smartphones as the [most common way](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/19/youtube-uk-tv-set-most-popular) for viewers to watch **YouTube** at home **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6b505f9b-b4cf-4845-b6bb-f658d6179811/image.png?t=1771590303) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-introduces-subscription-model-for-its-most-popular-creators/812396/) Caption: Snapchat launches paid creator subscriptions | Credit: Snap * **Snapchat **is launching [paid creator subscriptions](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-introduces-subscription-model-for-its-most-popular-creators/812396/) in the US, giving fans exclusive content, priority replies, and ad-free Stories. …**But** creators only keep 60% of the revenue vs. 70% on YouTube and 100% on Instagram. * **Snapchat+** now has [25 million](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/18/snapchat-tops-25m-subscribers-driving-companys-direct-revenue-arr-to-1b/) subscribers * **Snapchat** [rebranded Lens Studio](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-MpZhDKmb?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw)as Easy Lens, with a new logo * **The Louvre and Snap**’s AR Studio Paris [released an AR experience](https://newsroom.snap.com/the-incredible-unknowns) that restores ancient artworks to how they originally looked. * **LinkedIn **is [cracking down](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-outlines-more-measures-to-combat-engagement-pods/812290/) on engagement pods pumping out automated, low-quality comments to boost each others posts * **LinkedIn** released a series of [comedy ads](https://www.adweek.com/creativity/linkedin-trades-corporate-polish-for-laughs-in-new-brand-platform/) to promote Premium subscriptions * **Discord **[reversed its promise](https://www.eurogamer.net/discord-advises-uk-users-that-they-may-be-part-of-an-experiment-where-instead-of-their-age-verification-data-never-leaving-their-phone-it-will-now-actually-leave-their-phone) that age verification selfies never leave the device * **Bluesky** has integrated tech from a startup called Germ Network to support end-to-end [encrypted DMs](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/18/a-startup-called-germ-becomes-the-first-private-messenger-that-launches-directly-from-blueskys-app/) * **Pinterest** has called [internal ‘Code Reds’](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/code-reds-ai-debates-pinterests-two-front-battle?rc=kmaysd) to revive growth amid a thread to its business from AI * **Pinterest**’s first gaming partnership helps [World of Warcraft](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/pc-gaming/cozy-gamers-rejoice-pinterest-is-coming-to-world-of-warcraft-with-interior-design-mood-boards-and-the-ability-to-share-in-game-snaps) players design personalised homes using curated moodboards * **Mastodon** wants to [attract creators](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/18/mastodon-a-decentralized-alternative-to-x-plans-to-target-creators-with-new-features/) with easier onboarding, better profiles, and more * **Apple**’s Podcasts app will soon let you [‘seamlessly’ switch](https://www.theverge.com/tech/879749/apple-podcasts-video-swap-hls-live-streaming) between audio and video shows **__________** -------------------- 🔥== ====**Want to see more hot NEW features**==== spotted in the wild this week?== ==Just head to the ====[‘](#more-news)====**[More news’ section](#more-news)**==== below!== -------------------- ## 🤖 SOCIAL AI _**The newest social media AI features spotted this week:**_ -------------------- **Reddit **is getting smarter about product discovery. It’s testing a new AI search tool that matches community recommendations with shopping and advertising partners. Reddit is testing a new AI search feature for shopping: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/19/reddit-is-testing-a-new-ai-search-feature-for-shopping/) -------------------- _** __________**_ _**Also spotted this week **_👀 * **Meta **confirmed reporting late last week that it is considering [facial recognition](https://www.platformer.news/meta-facial-recognition-return/) in its smart glasses * **Meta **activated its recently-acquired [Manus AI](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-launches-manus-ai-integration-in-ads-manager/812288/) inside Ads Manager to automate tasks for advertisers * **Meta **is adding [shortcuts](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU-nKpKjBQr) for Manus AI on Facebook and Instagram * **Meta** is testing a new [Override mode](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU2zXkfDDkP?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) for its AI models in the Meta AI iOS app * **TikTok** Shop is expanding access to its [Seller Assistant AI chatbot](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-shop-rolls-out-new-tools-including-expanded-chatbot-access/812401/) * **xAI **added a new “[Share conversation](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUv5PX4jPP-?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ)” feature on Grok’s iOS app, letting you to share part of a conversation as a clip * **xAI’**s [Grok 4.20 Beta](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DU9Ge_NkyRG?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) is now live inside the Grok app * **xAI’**s Grok is being [added to Tesla cars](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/17/tesla-adding-grok-ai-uk-europe.html) in the UK and EU * **ByteDance** released Doubao 2.0, a [major upgrade](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinas-bytedance-releases-doubao-20-ai-chatbot-2026-02-14/) to the AI model aimed at the coming “agent era” -------------------- ## 🚫 GOTTA BAN ‘EM ALL! _**Who wants to ban teens from social media this week?**_ -------------------- These are the countries moving to ban social media for teens: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/17/social-media-ban-children-countries-list/) * 🇺🇸 **California** **Governor Newsom has backed plans** for social media restrictions for teens under-16 [[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/19/gavin-newsom-backs-social-media-age-restrictions-00789951)] * 🇮🇪** Ireland plans to introduce** a social media ban for under-16s as part of a major online safety push. [[Irish Examiner](https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41795567.html)] * 🇪🇸** Spain has ordered** a probe into X, TikTok and Meta over alleged AI-generated child abuse images. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-17/spain-s-premier-seeks-probe-over-child-images-on-social-media)] * 🇮🇳** India is discussing** age-based social media curbs, the country’s IT minister says. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-17/india-is-discussing-age-based-social-media-curbs-minister-says)] * 🇩🇪** Germany is pushing forward** on strict social-media limits for under-16s. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-16/germany-moves-closer-to-a-social-media-ban-for-those-under-16)] * 🇬🇧** The UK, Denmark, France, Greece, Malaysia, **and** Slovenia** are also working on their own teen social media ban plans [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/17/social-media-ban-children-countries-list/)] **However**… * ⚠️ **The evidence linking social media** to teen mental health problems? Still messy, mixed, and far from settled [[The Economist](https://archive.is/y3pQO)] -------------------- ## 💀 LOL -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5bcb67e8-6da7-4408-ad45-7de617294baf/Geekout_lol_1.jpg?t=1771588123) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@champagnecruz/post/DU3MjfyEq_R) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6e56ef7a-d575-4907-91c9-1dc43787604c/Rangel200226.jpg?t=1771588128) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_a-guy-who-doesnt-work-in-social-about-to-activity-7429555263625494529-7IzA?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADGnL8BvPe8qPV1pJn-bZJQfObBttsMY7s) Caption: -------------------- ## 🌡️ VIRAL -------------------- **ByteDance** has really upset Hollywood with its latest AI model. Studios like **Paramount, Warner Bros, and Netflix** have [united](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/paramount-disney-bytedance-cease-and-desist-seedance-ai-infringement-ip-1236663663/) against what **Disney** described as a _“smash-and-grab”_ AI video engine, able to infringe IP convincingly. It was this viral video that really crystallised the problem: what would **Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt** fighting in an action movie look like? ByteDance makes it easy to find out… -------------------- Tweet: (https://twitter.com/RuairiRobinson/status/2021394940757209134) -------------------- ## 🪧 BRANDS -------------------- **YouTube** has revealed the [top ad campaigns](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-reveals-the-top-ad-campaigns-for-super-bowl-60/812400/) for this year’s **Super Bowl.** **e.l.f. Cosmetics** came out on top for engagement with this **Melissa McCarthy** comedy skit…. Youtube: e.l.f. Presenta: MELISA | e.l.f. Cosmetics Game Day Commercial 2026 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClX4DldtGq0) **__________** **More brand talk:** * **Chatbots** are [the new influencers](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/technology/chatbots-influencers-brands-marketing.html) brands must woo * **Why brands are shifting **toward ‘[less precise, more accurate](https://digiday.com/media-buying/why-brands-are-shifting-toward-less-precise-more-accurate-gauges-for-paid-social/)’ gauges for paid social * **Valentine’s Day 2026** — how brands [got in on the record spend](https://adage.com/brand-marketing/aa-valentines-day-2026-pizza-hut-white-castle-natural-light-beer/) -------------------- ## 👀 MY FAV READS -------------------- You can be an influencer anywhere these days. Even in an orange jumpsuit. _“For bold-faced convicts from Elizabeth Holmes to Harvey Weinstein, social media and sympathetic podcasts offer hope of relevance (and redemption).”_ The Rise of the Celebrity “Prison-fluencer”: (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/rise-celebrity-prison-fluencer-1236501589/) -------------------- ## 🙊 WHAT DID YOU SAY?! -------------------- **– Mark Zuckerberg **[admits in court](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/technology/mark-zuckerberg-tech-addiction-trial.html) that he has a reputation for coming across really badly under scrutiny **__________** **Also overheard this week: 👂** * _"There’s not a moral algorithm, that’s not a thing... [It] doesn’t eat, doesn’t sleep, doesn’t care."_ **- Former Meta VP Brian Boland** [testifying against his ex-employer](https://www.theverge.com/policy/881706/meta-executive-brian-boland-testimony-social-media-addiction-trial) at the California social media trial __________ * _ “It’s hard to imagine a worse time to launch a massive new facial recognition database in the United States, particularly given the likelihood that Meta will be compelled to turn the data over to law enforcement and immigration officials.”_ - – **Journalist Casey Newton** on news that Meta [could add facial recognition](https://www.platformer.news/meta-facial-recognition-return/) to its smart glasses __________ * _“There are organisations… who are worried that a ban wouldn’t solve the problem because it would just force some of this stuff deeper [into the dark web], that the children would try and get around it, that it would create a cliff edge at 16. So I think it is the right and responsible thing to do to have a consultation.”_ – **UK technology secretary Liz Kendall** says a UK teen social ban [isn’t inevitable](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/feb/16/social-media-online-safety-act-keir-starmer-uk-politics-live-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6992cdff8f0893c883d52809#block-6992cdff8f0893c883d52809) __________ * _“T__he world should watch carefully and resist the urge to rush to premature and performative measures. Australia has taken an experimental step, but we won’t know whether it’s the right step for some time. Young people’s health and safety are too important to act on intuition or fear alone.”_ – **Snap CEO Evan Spiegel **[warns governments](https://www.ft.com/content/45ed555e-4f14-4b86-8de7-69b8d6a388ec) not to rush into following Australia’s social media ban __________ * _“⁠Having no clue about how their algorithm is made, how it’s tested, trained and where it will guide you — the democratic consequences of this bias could be huge…_ _“Free speech is pure bullshit if nobody knows how you are guided to this so-called free speech, especially when it is guided from one hate speech to another.”_ – **French president Emmanuel Macron** [blasts social platform](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/macron-blasts-social-media-s-free-speech-defense-as-bullshit?srnd=homepage-uk&sref=YURDD6ishttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/macron-blasts-social-media-s-free-speech-defense-as-bullshit?srnd=homepage-uk&sref=YURDD6is)[s](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/macron-blasts-social-media-s-free-speech-defense-as-bullshit?srnd=homepage-uk&sref=YURDD6ishttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/macron-blasts-social-media-s-free-speech-defense-as-bullshit?srnd=homepage-uk&sref=YURDD6is) that claim they’re pro ‘free speech’ -------------------- ## 😮 WTF?! -------------------- This is WILD!… The US wants to fight other governments’ sovereign right to block certain content online. A new US government portal launching soon _“will enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda,” _Reuters reports. 🤯 -------------------- US plans online portal to bypass content bans in Europe and elsewhere: (https://www.reuters.com/world/us-plans-online-portal-bypass-content-bans-europe-elsewhere-2026-02-18/) -------------------- **__________** **Also WTF this week: **👀 * **Oops. Russia's recent blocking **of Telegram is reportedly [disrupting its military operations](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/russias-recent-blocking-of-telegram-is-reportedly-disrupting-its-military-operations-in-ukraine-135250159.html?src=rss) in Ukraine * **TikTok creators say copycats** are [stealing scripts](https://www.fastcompany.com/91492709/tiktok-creators-say-copycats-are-stealing-scripts-word-for-word) word for word * **For some job seekers**, [Tinder is the new LinkedIn](https://www.fastcompany.com/91494608/for-some-job-seekers-tinder-is-the-new-linkedin) * **‘Pew Pew’: **The Chinese companies [marketing anti-drone weapons on TikTok](https://www.wired.com/story/pew-pew-the-chinese-sellers-marketing-military-drones-on-tiktok/) * **Grok exposed** an adult content performer’s legal name and birthdate—[without even being asked](https://www.404media.co/grok-doxing-real-names-birthdates-siri-dahl/) -------------------- ## 📲 NEW APP -------------------- **Synchrony**, launched yesterday, is billed as a social app created especially for neurodivergent adults. It promises to help you _“meet people who are in sync with your interests and expand your community.”_ Fast Company has [more details here](https://www.fastcompany.com/91494001/synchrony-social-network-designed-for-neurodivergent-adults). Synchrony: Social App for Neurodivergent Adults to Connect: (https://joinsynchrony.com/) -------------------- ## 🪦 RIP _**Social media features heading to the grave:**_ -------------------- **Meta** really seems to be scaling down **Messenger** as a standalone entity. After the recent closure of its desktop apps, the web version will close on 15 April. After that, you’ll have to stick to the Messenger mobile apps… or that messy little chat box on the Facebook web app. Meta is shutting down Messenger's standalone website: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/19/meta-is-shutting-down-messengers-standalone-website/) **_________** **Also:** * **Meta** is[ ditching VR support](https://www.theverge.com/tech/881647/meta-vr-mobile-metaverse-horizon-worlds) for **Horizon Worlds** to focus on mobile platforms -------------------- ## 🧪 SOCIAL SCIENCE _**Research that makes sense of social media:**_ -------------------- I think we knew this anyway, but… New research supports the idea that the X algorithm pushes you to lean more conservative over time. No wonder Elon and Don look happy in this photo… X's Algorithm Pushes Users to Lean More Conservative, Researchers Find: (https://gizmodo.com/researchers-find-that-xs-algorithm-can-push-users-to-lean-more-conservative-2000723017) **_________** **Also:** * **YouTube fuels the strongest **[“pester power” among kids](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/19/precisify-kids-ads-insights-youtube-purchase-power/) -------------------- ## 👔 YOU’RE HIRED! _**Hot new social media jobs worth checking out this week:**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/35982909-9fa5-488d-940e-7ce87e0c89b1/1280px-Lululemon_Athletica_logo.svg.png?t=1771588482) Caption: **Lululemon** is looking for a [Social Media Specialist](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-specialist-vancouver/) _[Vancouver, BC, Canada]_ -------------------- **__________** **More top social media jobs spotted this week **💼 * **The London Philharmonic Orchestra** needs a [Digital & Social Media Co-ordinator](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/digital-social-media-co-ordinator/) _[Hybrid, London, UK]_ * **Chester Zoo** is hiring a [Social Media Executive](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-executive-4/) _[Chester, UK]_ * **Cancer Research UK** is recruiting a [Digital & Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/digital-social-media-manager/) _[London, UK]_ -------------------- ## 👌 PRO TIPS -------------------- ⁠Looking to make more use of **Reddit?** The platform has shared new insights into effective marketing approaches, and how brands are driving success. -------------------- Reddit Reveals the Latest Trends Driving Brand Engagement: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-reveals-the-latest-trends-driving-brand-engagement/812398/) -------------------- **__________** **More NEW pro-tips worth checking out this week **✨ * **Reddit** shared insights into rising [World Cup discussion](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-shares-insight-into-rising-world-cup-discussion/812488/) on the platform -------------------- ## 📊 SOCIAL STATS -------------------- **– Snap’s annualised revenue run rate**, driven by the success of Snapchat+ -------------------- **__________** **Even more social stats: **📈 * **PERFECT LENGTH:** YouTube data shows 1–3 minute videos dominate with a [2.5% engagement rate](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUtIxNHChNF?xmt=AQF0DR0ZdjT1r3oKKQ0C2zF2JVmCql9VnXfDj5WT8kb_5g), the 3–5 minute range collapses to 0.8%, while engagement rises again to 1.7% for 10+ minute videos * **SPOTTED?:** 94% of U.S. adults says believe they encounter content that was created or altered by AI, but [only 44% are confident](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DU3bCeDCk3Y?xmt=AQF0F9iHJWrTJNVwgFlQbLUXUZRI4XZ1SXf-ZjgYVThlxw) they can spot AI-generated content -------------------- ## 📈 CHARTED -------------------- **YouTube **vs the rest [on American TV screens](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DU-VStTCt_K?xmt=AQF0nIr28aDzvvtRDjLWu-mxbuMQjlmn5mP2E3UggAzmfQ) YouTube stayed the top streaming platform in January with a 12.5% share, far ahead of Netflix’s 8.8%. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4a877165-d260-4f69-af01-c02739d01785/Nielsen.jpg?t=1771589191) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DU-VStTCt_K?xmt=AQF0nIr28aDzvvtRDjLWu-mxbuMQjlmn5mP2E3UggAzmfQ) Caption: -------------------- **__________** **Even more social charts: **📈 * **BLOCK ‘EM:** Americans want the US Government to [rein in children's social media](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUs8lRuCj90?xmt=AQF0DR0ZdjT1r3oKKQ0C2zF2JVmCql9VnXfDj5WT8kb_5g) -------------------- ## 💥 EVEN MORE SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS & UPDATES Homeland Security Wants Social Media Sites to Expose Anti-ICE Accounts: (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/technology/dhs-anti-ice-social-media.html) **_________** **Also this week… **🚨 * **UK PM Keir Starmer announced **a series of measures to restrict the harms ministers believe online platforms are causing to children who use them. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/feb/16/social-media-restrictions-keir-starmer-announced)] * **Facebook’s new **content monetisation program is booming, and Indonesian creators are leading the charge. [[Rest of World](https://restofworld.org/2026/facebook-creator-monetization-indonesia/)] * **Creators increasingly view **Snapchat as the most stable monetisation platform. [[Digiday](https://digiday.com/media/creators-eye-snapchat-as-a-reliable-income-alternative-to-tiktok-and-youtube/)] * **A federal judge has blocked **OpenAI from using “Cameo” for its AI video-generation feature. [[LA Times](https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-02-18/openai-blocked-from-using-cameo-name-for-its-ai-video-features)] * **More than 40 parents** gathered outside Snap’s HQ, honouring 108 children they say died after harms linked to Snapchat. [[LA Times](https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-02-13/parents-who-blame-snapchat-for-their-childrens-deaths-protest-outside-companys-headquarters)] * **AppLovin plans to make** its own social platform after failed TikTok bid. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-19/applovin-plans-its-own-social-platform-after-failed-tiktok-bid?srnd=phx-technology&sref=YURDD6is)] * **A New Mexico undercover probe** exposed a banned sex offender operating 15 Meta accounts undetected. [[Washington Post $$$](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/02/19/meta-facebook-child-solicitation/)] * **Meta is putting restrictions **on internal use of OpenClaw over security fears. [[Wired $$$](https://www.wired.com/story/openclaw-banned-by-tech-companies-as-security-concerns-mount/)] * **ByteDance is hiring** nearly 100 AI roles in the US as it expands its Seed division. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-19/bytedance-building-out-artificial-intelligence-team-in-us)] * **Creator management company** Night has raised $70m to expand beyond creator management into gaming, music, sports, and live events. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/creator-management-firm-night-raises-money-gaming-music-1236507666/)] **New features and updates:** * **Facebook is testing** a more compact UI for the 'Notifications tab. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU8r0ePDCbP)] * **Threads is testing **a new icon for the Direct Messages tab. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU8rQxEDHL1)] * **Threads has been spotted **giving the activity tab a visual tweak. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU-g_vvjGM9)] -------------------- ## 📰 WEEKEND READS _**Geekout’s pick of the best longer reads to sink into over the weekend:**_ -------------------- Altered Beast? _“Between a new fintech app and his Amazon TV show, Jimmy Donaldson now treats his YouTube channel like a funnel for other ventures.”_ -------------------- In 2026, Mr. Beast doesn't want you to watch his YouTube videos anymore: (https://www.polygon.com/mrbeast-youtube-amazon-show-views-celebrity-video-jimmy-donaldson-2026/) -------------------- **__________** **More great weekend reads:** * **Social media has long been flooded** with populist rage and discontent. [What happens when the posts become policy?](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/13/style/slopulism-trump-conservative-social-media.html) * **More and more countries are banning kids** from social media But [the case for bans is weak and the benefits are uncertain](https://www.economist.com/briefing/2026/02/12/more-and-more-countries-are-banning-kids-from-social-media) * **Pinterest is drowning **in [a sea of AI slop and auto-moderation](https://www.404media.co/pinterest-is-drowning-in-a-sea-of-ai-slop-and-auto-moderation/) * **The ‘most massive attack on free speech’** is happening right now, and [the Twitter Files crew is mighty quiet](https://www.techdirt.com/2026/02/18/the-most-massive-attack-on-free-speech-is-happening-right-now-and-the-twitter-files-crew-is-mighty-quiet/) * **The ‘zombie internet’ has arrived**—and it has devastating consequences for [advertising, social media, and the human web](https://www.fastcompany.com/91489308/zombie-internet-devastating-consequences-advertising-social-media-human-web-dead-internet-moltbook-ai-tbpn) * **How Trump saved TikTok:** [Backstory of a 2-year campaign](https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/trump-tiktok-ban-charlie-kirk) * **Reddit's human content **[wins amid the AI flood](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y4zl0w062o) -------------------- ## 😳 AND FINALLY… -------------------- **YouTube** is over 20 years old. That’s a long time on the internet. Now its first ever video upload, from April 2005, is a museum piece. And you can visit it if you can get to London. _“Me at the zoo” is now on display at the V&A’s Design 1900-Now Gallery, which examines innovative artifacts from the past 120 years. _ _“To put its newly-acquired video in the proper context, the V&A took a trip into the Wayback Machine to dig up the front-end code for YouTube’s original user interface. Curators even accented the exhibit with contemporaneous banner ads from 2006.”_ YouTube's first video belongs in a museum. Now it's in one.: (https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/18/youtube-first-video-me-at-the-zoo-victoria-albert-museum/) -------------------- ## 📅 BACK NEXT WEEK… -------------------- Your social media news debriefing is done. ✅ But before you go… **Can **_**you**_** help take Geekout Newsletter to the next level…?** I launched Geekout in 2019 as a side project, with no experience of creating a newsletter. Now, 6 years later, it’s read by 30,000+ social media and marketing professionals. And trusted by teams managing social for some of the world’s biggest brands, including _Netflix, Disney, TikTok, and Apple._ But can you help me take it to the next-level? If you want to feature in Geekout, or have smart ideas to help it grow… I’d love to speak to you. I’m looking for people who can… * **Write opinionated hot takes** on the big stories social media managers are talking about * **Optimise Geekout Newsletter for growth** e.g. sign up flows, automations, website optimisations, design tweaks etc * **Build engaging, high converting social ads** to help even more people discover Geekout …And more! Interested? Get in touch! Just hit reply or [drop me an email](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com). Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _P.S. This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/zuckerberg-court-meta-smartwatch-x-eu-probe

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/181ef527-6533-401e-9a57-d00c3dbfd57f/Geekout_200226.jpg?t=1771592145) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Get up to 30% OFF Geekout ads in 2026 **👉 ****[Request More Info](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com)** -------------------- **Collaborate with Matt Navarra** Consulting, Brand Collabs, Keynotes **[Watch Clips](https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18136187482403001/)**** / **[Get in Touch](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) -------------------- _**For the **___**BEST**___** Geekout experience**_ 👇 _T__ap this button 👇_ **⚡️ Optimise Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/zuckerberg-court-meta-smartwatch-x-eu-probe) -------------------- #### **Hello, geeks!** It’s been another week of courtroom drama. Zuckerberg took the stand in the US addiction trial, swapping out the trendy t-shirt and gold chain combo for a power suit… …And braced himself for difficult questions. He spent hours arguing Meta prioritises usefulness over addiction, and hinting that maybe Apple should be the one policing teen safety. If you were hoping for a live-streamed Zuck courtroom showdown… bad luck. No cameras. No smart-glasses POV. Just his testimony. In this week’s Geekout, I unpack what we learned — including former Meta insiders contradicting the “we’re the good guys” narrative. And why Meta’s greatest strength (growth at all costs) might also be its biggest liability. _________ **‘Escapism’… with my teen daughter 💃🏻** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/df2bb9cb-75f2-40a6-b949-979ae1e246b0/raye_in_manchester_2.JPG?t=1771588027) Caption: RAYE at Co-Op Live in Manchester While Zuckerberg was defending Meta in court, I was defending my credit card in Manchester. My daughter convinced me to take her to see **RAYE** at Co-Op Live arena. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5cc23475-5a8f-4dfb-905e-a9af3233f919/raye_in_manchester.JPG?t=1771586804) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18102516982686713/) Caption: I thought I was attending a gig. Turns out, I was there as her… * 🤳🏻 Personal photographer / content creator * 🧥 Human coat rack * 🍹 Snack and drink butler * 💵 Mobile wallet She screamed every lyric. I nodded enthusiastically at the three songs I recognised. 👀 [Watch my IG highlight](https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18102516982686713/) of the night __________ **P.S. 2 cool things…** * 🔥 What’s __really__ working on social in 2026? — [NEW data from 1000s of top global brands](https://emplifi.io/webinar/social-media-benchmarks-2026/?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=matt-navarra-newsletter&utm_campaign=annual-benchmarks-2026&utm_term=global&utm_content=benchmarks-webinar) - * 💡 Solve the _“what do we post next?”_ problem in 10 minutes [with this ONE tool](https://brand24.com/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_id=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_ad_1) I use every week… - …And you can get 10 personalised [content ideas for FREE](https://brand24.com/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_id=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_ad_1) [ad] __________ **P.P.S.** **Can you help take Geekout Newsletter to the next level? ** Check out the bottom of this week’s Geekout for details 👇 -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1b26aa6e-6e23-4656-8431-dd1cbc12e6c5/brand24_influ_2000x1000.png?t=1771339400) Follow image link: (https://brand24.com/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_id=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_ad_1) Caption: -------------------- **Most social media teams** don’t have a content problem. They have a **_“what do we post next?”_**** problem.** But there is a solution… **Your audience is already giving you ideas**. Every day. Across your socials, in forums, blogs, and comments. And that’s where [**Brand24**](https://brand24.com/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_id=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_ad_1) comes in. **In under 10 minutes,** Brand24 helped me… * 🔎** See what questions** people keep asking in my niche * 🧠** Spot the topics **that are getting real traction * 💬 **Find quotes, pain points & “hot takes”** I can turn into posts * 📈 **Validate what’s resonating** before wasting a week creating content! **It’s like having a live focus group,** but without needing me to beg anyone to fill out a survey! **And Brand24 is used by 4,000+ top social teams**, including _Uber, Samsung, H&M_. **Start here **👉 [**Get 10 personalised content ideas**](https://brand24.com/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_id=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_ad_1) — and unlock Brand24 FREE for 14 days. 🚀** Launch Ideas Generator ** (https://brand24.com/?utm_source=matt_navara&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_id=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_ad_1) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/194611d6-9cb6-44c5-80c7-d0a2d68195b5/image.png?t=1769705873) Caption: _**…**__**Geekout’s pick of the hottest headlines in social this week:**_ -------------------- Mark Zuckerberg testifies in social media addiction trial that Meta just wants Instagram to be 'useful': (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mark-zuckerberg-testifies-in-social-media-addiction-trial-that-meta-just-wants-instagram-to-be-useful-234332316.html?src=rss) -------------------- 2. **Meta is planning to launch** a smartwatch later this year [[APPLE WATCH-ING](https://www.theverge.com/tech/881065/meta-smartwatch-plans-2026)] 3. **TikTok’s new Local Feed sparks privacy concerns** and opt-out confusion [[TRACKING](https://dailydot.com/tiktok-local-feed-privacy-opt-out-confusion)] 4. **EU privacy watchdog launches ‘large-scale’ probe into Elon Musk’s X** over sexualised AI images [[POLICING](https://mashable.com/article/elon-musk-x-grok-eu-investigation-ireland-ai-generated-nonsconsensual-images)] 5. **Tech firms must remove ‘revenge porn’ in 48 hours** or risk being blocked in the UK [[THREATENING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz6ed1549yvo)] -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/97f68515-d48f-43a2-a69f-a2326cc39a4a/EMP1009-Social_Media_Benchmarks_Webinar_Matt_Navarra_Newsletter_Ad___2.png?t=1771333735) Follow image link: (https://emplifi.io/webinar/social-media-benchmarks-2026/?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=matt-navarra-newsletter&utm_campaign=annual-benchmarks-2026&utm_term=global&utm_content=benchmarks-webinar) Caption: -------------------- **Social in 2026 is messy**. In the _“why is this chart doing that?_” way. One platform’s **booming**. Another’s holding **steady**. A third’s quietly **eating attention.** _Meanwhile_… **Growth, engagement, and paid aren’t moving together anymore** — so last year’s benchmarks won’t help you plan what’s next. So let’s swap vibes for **real benchmarks**... Join us for [**Emplifi’s 2026 Social Media Benchmarks LIVE event**](https://emplifi.io/webinar/social-media-benchmarks-2026/?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=matt-navarra-newsletter&utm_campaign=annual-benchmarks-2026&utm_term=global&utm_content=benchmarks-webinar) — featuring EXCLUSIVE social data from 1000s of global brands. **In under 45 mins**, **you’ll get…** * 👌** What “good” looks like right now **—** **across every major platform * 📊** The signals to track in 2026** — and what to stop reporting * **🛍️ Where brands are gaining momentum **— and where they’re leaking it * **🌍 Real-world context** from Matt Navarra (hi 👋) — to help make sense of it all 📆** Feb 24, 2026 — 4pm GMT (11am ET)** **🎟️ **[**Request your FREE invite**](https://emplifi.io/webinar/social-media-benchmarks-2026/?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=matt-navarra-newsletter&utm_campaign=annual-benchmarks-2026&utm_term=global&utm_content=benchmarks-webinar)** **—** **_1,527 social pros have already signed up!_ 🎟️ Save Your Seat (https://emplifi.io/webinar/social-media-benchmarks-2026/?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=matt-navarra-newsletter&utm_campaign=annual-benchmarks-2026&utm_term=global&utm_content=benchmarks-webinar) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5a4e36c0-4b73-4037-ac38-6d104ec96c8b/image.png?t=1769705836) Caption: ### …Zuck’s day in court -------------------- Zuckerberg grilled in landmark social media trial over teen mental health: (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/18/mark-zuckerberg-meta-trial-testimony) -------------------- His testimony might not have been explosive, but the very fact he took the stand at all shows how times have changed for social media companies. The age of accountability is finally here, with actual trials rather than often lame-duck hearings on Capitol Hill the order of the day. Zucks’ overall line of argument was that Meta just wants Instagram to be [useful](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mark-zuckerberg-testifies-in-social-media-addiction-trial-that-meta-just-wants-instagram-to-be-useful-234332316.html?src=rss), rather than addictive. Following the Meta point of view that it’s app stores, not apps, that should control the safety of minors, Zuck slipped in that he had previously reached out to Apple’s Tim Cook to discuss ‘[wellbeing of teens and kids](https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/19/zuckerberg-says-he-went-to-tim-cook-to-discuss-wellbeing-of-teens-and-kids/)’. The whole thing might have been more of an online spectacle if live-streamed video had been allowed, but the presiding judge made clear it was very much [NOT](https://gizmodo.com/mark-zuckerberg-takes-the-stand-no-meta-ray-bans-allowed-2000723697). That’s even via Meta’s own smart glasses, which some of Zuck’s team in court were wearing. But for all the gloss Zuck tried to put on Meta’s approach, there’s nothing like a jaded former employee to put a dampener on the spin. Former Meta VP Brian Boland told jurors at landmark US trial that the company [incentivised drawing teens in](https://www.theverge.com/policy/881706/meta-executive-brian-boland-testimony-social-media-addiction-trial) despite the risks. He also noted that Zuck never called for a “lockdown” for safety, only for growth, and that company priorities were “winning growth and engagement.” This might be true, but the impact of Boland’s testimony was somewhat softened when it turned out he wasn’t directly involved with youth safety at Meta. Still, regardless of how this trial plays out, there’s no doubting that a relentless push for growth at all costs is Meta’s greatest strength… and it’s biggest weak point. Other interesting tidbits we learned from the California trial this week: * Meta found a chatbot failed to protect minors from sexual exploitation nearly 70% of the time, so [they didn’t launch it](https://www.axios.com/2026/02/16/meta-ai-chatbots-kids) * Meta’s own research found parental supervision [doesn’t really help](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/17/metas-own-research-found-parental-supervision-doesnt-really-help-curb-teens-compulsive-social-media-use/) curb teens’ compulsive social media use -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e58c3d88-7b1d-42ef-89b7-40b3992f7148/image.png?t=1769705262) Caption: _**…**__**Platform news you need to know this week…**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/27bf4526-0e64-4381-b8fa-99d60c167f22/Screenshot_2026-02-20_at_12.02.46.png?t=1771588980) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU5xydmDOeo) Caption: Facebook’s new ‘Thoughts’ sticker for Stories | Credit: @ahmedghanem * **Facebook** is testing a new [‘Thoughts’](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU5xydmDOeo) sticker for Stories, which hides all text in a story until followers tap to reveal it * **Meta**’s own research found parental supervision [doesn’t really help](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/17/metas-own-research-found-parental-supervision-doesnt-really-help-curb-teens-compulsive-social-media-use/) curb teens’ compulsive social media use * **Meta**’s signed a [deal with Nvidia](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/880513/nvidia-meta-ai-grace-vera-chips) to buy up millions of AI chips * **⁠Meta**’s ‘Phoenix’ XR smart glasses might need you to carry a [puck device](https://gizmodo.com/heres-what-the-puck-on-metas-xr-glasses-will-probably-look-like-2000719635) to help handle all its computing needs * **Meta** is spending [$65 million](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/technology/meta-65-million-election-ai.html) to boost US political candidates who support AI growth …meanwhile, **Meta** says it has spent [$30 billion](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/02/meta-prepares-for-2026-us-midterms/) to protect US Midterm election integrity * **Meta** is updating its Graph API to align with its [shift toward views](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-updates-marketing-api-to-align-with-latest-ad-shifts/812648/) as the primary metric * **Messenger** introduced a [Notifications tab](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUvuMkfDJFM?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) that shows updates like birthdays, login activity, notes, and friend suggestions **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fb85c37e-4289-42bf-b2f7-3093f8ac0f50/image.png?t=1771589125) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-OGVlDGUG?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw) Caption: Instagram screenshot protection | Credit: @ahmedghanem * **Instagram** has been spotted rolling out [screenshot protection](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-OGVlDGUG?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw) for one-time view media after a previous test of the feature * **Instagram **will soon allow you to [Add interests](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU8J6qujBLv) to your profile * **Instagram **is rolling out a [new look](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU-lmuijLN-) for the post description and comment section * **Instagram** now allows users to [reply to users](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-NR2mDJ5m?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw) outside the inbox * **Instagram** is adding [icons to business ads](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-PuXEDC7J?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw) to help users distinguish them from ads run by personal accounts * **Instagram**’s chief of celebrity partnerships has been [poached](https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/openai-hires-charles-porch-instagram) by OpenAI * **Threads** added a [basketball mini-game](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/threads-adds-basketball-mini-game-for-nba-all-star-weekend/812286/) tying into the NBA All-Star Weekend * **Threads** is working on the ability to [pin chats](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUtoEajDaiu?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) in DMs * **Threads** is working on the ability to choose whether to r[eceive replies to Ghost Posts](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DU9AL2FDceW?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) under the post itself instead of in your DMs * **Threads **now shows [a preview](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU3cqGPDMUm?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) before you share a post as an Instagram Story * **Threads** added a [‘Get Support’ option](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-QC0RjDFL?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw) for receiving support from experts or friends if a user is upset by content they reported **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/64f436e6-daf0-47d9-819a-e09f6ce30d5b/image.png?t=1771589270) Follow image link: (https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/19/whatsapp-launches-one-of-its-most-requested-features-for-groups/) Caption: WhatsApp rolls out Group Message History | Credit: Meta * **WhatsApp** has finally rolled a [Group Message History](https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/19/whatsapp-launches-one-of-its-most-requested-features-for-groups/) feature, one of the its most requested features by group admins * **WhatsApp **is testing a new [‘Spoilers’ feature](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU5v91CDKSL?xmt=AQF07naTq5yubFzjylDbaBsdS3QCQW53IN0kUtQgvyA8ag), similar to Threads * **WhatsApp** is working on the ability to secure your account [with a password](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DU4bgmQiHi7?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) * **WhatsApp **Business now lets you [request business verification](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DU4U7W3kiD0?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) (different to Meta Verified) * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability to [filter the media gallery](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DU13QYfiLRw?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) in your chats * **WhatsApp** is testing a [Liquid Glass interface](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-liquid-glass-for-the-business-app-on-ios/) for its Business app on iOS * **WhatsApp** is testing encrypted [voice and video calls](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-launches-encrypted-voice-and-video-calls-on-web/) on the web * **WhatsApp** is working on a feature to bring [status updates](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DUuIVRBiJLg?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) to the top app bar * **WhatsApp** is more widely testing a new [Music sticker](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUwtleajJp-?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) for broadcast channels * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability to [bulk-save contacts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-gHDLDPZc) to your phone from a group **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8a87cbe3-94b5-42fb-9650-f5af2b795a0d/image.png?t=1771589453) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/18/x-continues-to-bet-on-vertical-video-with-its-latest-update/) Caption: X’s new immersie, vertical video player rolls out | Credit: X * **X** launched a new immersive video player [focused on vertical videos](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/18/x-continues-to-bet-on-vertical-video-with-its-latest-update/) * **X** is rolling out new [bot detection tools](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-announces-ai-bot-crackdown/812289/) as AI spam surges * **X** seems to be working on a feature called [Audio Articles](https://x.com/aaronp613/status/2022023650397110525?s=20) * **X** is now placing a “[Try Grok for free](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU3b3xijD2q?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ)” button below each post that mentions Grok * **xAI**’s commitment to AI safety has been [doubted](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/878761/mass-exodus-at-xai-grok-elon-musk-restructuring) by recently departed staff * **Saudi Arabia’s **sovereign AI company Humain has [invested $3 billion](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/saudi-arabia-s-humain-invests-3-billion-into-elon-musk-s-xai?srnd=phx-technology&sref=YURDD6is) Into **xAI** * **X** was hit by another [outage ](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/technology/twitter-x-outage.html)amid disruption caused by Cloudflare **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/44a5bc59-50ad-4875-a520-ad75e2757f7b/image.png?t=1771589605) Follow image link: (https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/16/apple-music-and-tiktok-team-up-on-new-listening-party-feature-more/) Caption: TikTok launches new Apple Music powered features | Credit: 9to5mac.com * **TikTok** is testing Apple Music-powered [full-song streaming](https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/16/apple-music-and-tiktok-team-up-on-new-listening-party-feature-more/) directly in the app, and a new ‘Listening Party’ feature * **TikTok** retained [95% of US users](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/16/tiktok-us-joint-venture-user-data-no-mass-exodus-oracle-mgx-silver-lake-larry-ellison-trump.html) despite fears over ownership and censorship changes, according to Sensor Tower * **TikTok** has been spotted offering a ‘[manage personalised feeds](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-OpjpjIE1?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw)’ option * **TikTok US** has [reversed its plan](https://www.adweek.com/media/tiktok-centralized-shipping-reversal/) to end independent shipping for sellers after strong merchant pushback * **TikTok **[signed up](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-joins-european-advertising-standards-alliance/812399/) to the European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA) as a digital member * **TikTok** Shop’s latest updates add new [power tools for sellers and creators](https://seller-uk.tiktok.com/university/essay?btm_pre_unit_params=%7B%22outreach_task_id%22:%225531444093207%22,%22outreach_channel_type%22:3,%22outreach_message_category_type%22:3020000,%22outreach_message_mapping_id%22:%224a3a1761-4d9f-4911-acf2-793c13c7aaac%22%7D&course_type=1&from=search&identity=1&knowledge_id=3192591462074134&role=1), like auto sample approvals and influencer recommendations * **TikTok**’s In The Mix podcast series has released a [new episode](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-announces-multi-platinum-hitmaker-megan-moroney-as-the-star-of-tiktok-in-the-mix-episode-2-sponsored-by-t-mobile?lang=en) starring “Emo Cowgirl” Megan Moroney **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5ba457bd-3282-4e1a-9b76-9829f08e3f59/image.png?t=1771589722) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-live-stream-donations-updates-shorts-editing-tools/812478/) Caption: YouTube expands its Jewel livestream donation feature | Credit: YouTube * **⁠YouTube** is [expanding](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-live-stream-donations-updates-shorts-editing-tools/812478/) its Jewels livestream donation option to Canada and improving its editing tools for Shorts * **YouTube**’s latest anti–ad blocker action [blocks comments and descriptions](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-ad-blocker-comments-turned-off-3641167/) entirely * **YouTube **is rolling out AI that analyses creators, content, and audiences to [matches brands](https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/digital-advertising-commerce-2026/) with creators most likely to drive sales * **YouTube** is bringing its conversational AI assistant to [smart TVs](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-on-the-big-screen-quietly-tests-a-smarter-way-to-watch/) * **In the UK**, the TV has replaced laptops, tablets and smartphones as the [most common way](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/19/youtube-uk-tv-set-most-popular) for viewers to watch **YouTube** at home **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6b505f9b-b4cf-4845-b6bb-f658d6179811/image.png?t=1771590303) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-introduces-subscription-model-for-its-most-popular-creators/812396/) Caption: Snapchat launches paid creator subscriptions | Credit: Snap * **Snapchat **is launching [paid creator subscriptions](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-introduces-subscription-model-for-its-most-popular-creators/812396/) in the US, giving fans exclusive content, priority replies, and ad-free Stories. …**But** creators only keep 60% of the revenue vs. 70% on YouTube and 100% on Instagram. * **Snapchat+** now has [25 million](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/18/snapchat-tops-25m-subscribers-driving-companys-direct-revenue-arr-to-1b/) subscribers * **Snapchat** [rebranded Lens Studio](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DU-MpZhDKmb?xmt=AQF0cWTaSyLLHn93wBdE6aP8FQ7kcSQkr8wWTjCkjnvlRw)as Easy Lens, with a new logo * **The Louvre and Snap**’s AR Studio Paris [released an AR experience](https://newsroom.snap.com/the-incredible-unknowns) that restores ancient artworks to how they originally looked. * **LinkedIn **is [cracking down](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-outlines-more-measures-to-combat-engagement-pods/812290/) on engagement pods pumping out automated, low-quality comments to boost each others posts * **LinkedIn** released a series of [comedy ads](https://www.adweek.com/creativity/linkedin-trades-corporate-polish-for-laughs-in-new-brand-platform/) to promote Premium subscriptions * **Discord **[reversed its promise](https://www.eurogamer.net/discord-advises-uk-users-that-they-may-be-part-of-an-experiment-where-instead-of-their-age-verification-data-never-leaving-their-phone-it-will-now-actually-leave-their-phone) that age verification selfies never leave the device * **Bluesky** has integrated tech from a startup called Germ Network to support end-to-end [encrypted DMs](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/18/a-startup-called-germ-becomes-the-first-private-messenger-that-launches-directly-from-blueskys-app/) * **Pinterest** has called [internal ‘Code Reds’](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/code-reds-ai-debates-pinterests-two-front-battle?rc=kmaysd) to revive growth amid a thread to its business from AI * **Pinterest**’s first gaming partnership helps [World of Warcraft](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/pc-gaming/cozy-gamers-rejoice-pinterest-is-coming-to-world-of-warcraft-with-interior-design-mood-boards-and-the-ability-to-share-in-game-snaps) players design personalised homes using curated moodboards * **Mastodon** wants to [attract creators](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/18/mastodon-a-decentralized-alternative-to-x-plans-to-target-creators-with-new-features/) with easier onboarding, better profiles, and more * **Apple**’s Podcasts app will soon let you [‘seamlessly’ switch](https://www.theverge.com/tech/879749/apple-podcasts-video-swap-hls-live-streaming) between audio and video shows **__________** -------------------- 🔥== ====**Want to see more hot NEW features**==== spotted in the wild this week?== ==Just head to the ====[‘](#more-news)====**[More news’ section](#more-news)**==== below!== -------------------- ## 🤖 SOCIAL AI _**The newest social media AI features spotted this week:**_ -------------------- **Reddit **is getting smarter about product discovery. It’s testing a new AI search tool that matches community recommendations with shopping and advertising partners. Reddit is testing a new AI search feature for shopping: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/19/reddit-is-testing-a-new-ai-search-feature-for-shopping/) -------------------- _** __________**_ _**Also spotted this week **_👀 * **Meta **confirmed reporting late last week that it is considering [facial recognition](https://www.platformer.news/meta-facial-recognition-return/) in its smart glasses * **Meta **activated its recently-acquired [Manus AI](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-launches-manus-ai-integration-in-ads-manager/812288/) inside Ads Manager to automate tasks for advertisers * **Meta **is adding [shortcuts](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU-nKpKjBQr) for Manus AI on Facebook and Instagram * **Meta** is testing a new [Override mode](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU2zXkfDDkP?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) for its AI models in the Meta AI iOS app * **TikTok** Shop is expanding access to its [Seller Assistant AI chatbot](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-shop-rolls-out-new-tools-including-expanded-chatbot-access/812401/) * **xAI **added a new “[Share conversation](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUv5PX4jPP-?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ)” feature on Grok’s iOS app, letting you to share part of a conversation as a clip * **xAI’**s [Grok 4.20 Beta](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DU9Ge_NkyRG?xmt=AQF0xuu_01ooVUjV4oFKHveNx4YeKWA0xR9uB5IsjN4lmQ) is now live inside the Grok app * **xAI’**s Grok is being [added to Tesla cars](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/17/tesla-adding-grok-ai-uk-europe.html) in the UK and EU * **ByteDance** released Doubao 2.0, a [major upgrade](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinas-bytedance-releases-doubao-20-ai-chatbot-2026-02-14/) to the AI model aimed at the coming “agent era” -------------------- ## 🚫 GOTTA BAN ‘EM ALL! _**Who wants to ban teens from social media this week?**_ -------------------- These are the countries moving to ban social media for teens: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/17/social-media-ban-children-countries-list/) * 🇺🇸 **California** **Governor Newsom has backed plans** for social media restrictions for teens under-16 [[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/19/gavin-newsom-backs-social-media-age-restrictions-00789951)] * 🇮🇪** Ireland plans to introduce** a social media ban for under-16s as part of a major online safety push. [[Irish Examiner](https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41795567.html)] * 🇪🇸** Spain has ordered** a probe into X, TikTok and Meta over alleged AI-generated child abuse images. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-17/spain-s-premier-seeks-probe-over-child-images-on-social-media)] * 🇮🇳** India is discussing** age-based social media curbs, the country’s IT minister says. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-17/india-is-discussing-age-based-social-media-curbs-minister-says)] * 🇩🇪** Germany is pushing forward** on strict social-media limits for under-16s. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-16/germany-moves-closer-to-a-social-media-ban-for-those-under-16)] * 🇬🇧** The UK, Denmark, France, Greece, Malaysia, **and** Slovenia** are also working on their own teen social media ban plans [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/17/social-media-ban-children-countries-list/)] **However**… * ⚠️ **The evidence linking social media** to teen mental health problems? Still messy, mixed, and far from settled [[The Economist](https://archive.is/y3pQO)] -------------------- ## 💀 LOL -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5bcb67e8-6da7-4408-ad45-7de617294baf/Geekout_lol_1.jpg?t=1771588123) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@champagnecruz/post/DU3MjfyEq_R) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6e56ef7a-d575-4907-91c9-1dc43787604c/Rangel200226.jpg?t=1771588128) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_a-guy-who-doesnt-work-in-social-about-to-activity-7429555263625494529-7IzA?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADGnL8BvPe8qPV1pJn-bZJQfObBttsMY7s) Caption: -------------------- ## 🌡️ VIRAL -------------------- **ByteDance** has really upset Hollywood with its latest AI model. Studios like **Paramount, Warner Bros, and Netflix** have [united](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/paramount-disney-bytedance-cease-and-desist-seedance-ai-infringement-ip-1236663663/) against what **Disney** described as a _“smash-and-grab”_ AI video engine, able to infringe IP convincingly. It was this viral video that really crystallised the problem: what would **Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt** fighting in an action movie look like? ByteDance makes it easy to find out… -------------------- Tweet: (https://twitter.com/RuairiRobinson/status/2021394940757209134) -------------------- ## 🪧 BRANDS -------------------- **YouTube** has revealed the [top ad campaigns](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-reveals-the-top-ad-campaigns-for-super-bowl-60/812400/) for this year’s **Super Bowl.** **e.l.f. Cosmetics** came out on top for engagement with this **Melissa McCarthy** comedy skit…. Youtube: e.l.f. Presenta: MELISA | e.l.f. Cosmetics Game Day Commercial 2026 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClX4DldtGq0) **__________** **More brand talk:** * **Chatbots** are [the new influencers](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/technology/chatbots-influencers-brands-marketing.html) brands must woo * **Why brands are shifting **toward ‘[less precise, more accurate](https://digiday.com/media-buying/why-brands-are-shifting-toward-less-precise-more-accurate-gauges-for-paid-social/)’ gauges for paid social * **Valentine’s Day 2026** — how brands [got in on the record spend](https://adage.com/brand-marketing/aa-valentines-day-2026-pizza-hut-white-castle-natural-light-beer/) -------------------- ## 👀 MY FAV READS -------------------- You can be an influencer anywhere these days. Even in an orange jumpsuit. _“For bold-faced convicts from Elizabeth Holmes to Harvey Weinstein, social media and sympathetic podcasts offer hope of relevance (and redemption).”_ The Rise of the Celebrity “Prison-fluencer”: (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/rise-celebrity-prison-fluencer-1236501589/) -------------------- ## 🙊 WHAT DID YOU SAY?! -------------------- **– Mark Zuckerberg **[admits in court](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/technology/mark-zuckerberg-tech-addiction-trial.html) that he has a reputation for coming across really badly under scrutiny **__________** **Also overheard this week: 👂** * _"There’s not a moral algorithm, that’s not a thing... [It] doesn’t eat, doesn’t sleep, doesn’t care."_ **- Former Meta VP Brian Boland** [testifying against his ex-employer](https://www.theverge.com/policy/881706/meta-executive-brian-boland-testimony-social-media-addiction-trial) at the California social media trial __________ * _ “It’s hard to imagine a worse time to launch a massive new facial recognition database in the United States, particularly given the likelihood that Meta will be compelled to turn the data over to law enforcement and immigration officials.”_ - – **Journalist Casey Newton** on news that Meta [could add facial recognition](https://www.platformer.news/meta-facial-recognition-return/) to its smart glasses __________ * _“There are organisations… who are worried that a ban wouldn’t solve the problem because it would just force some of this stuff deeper [into the dark web], that the children would try and get around it, that it would create a cliff edge at 16. So I think it is the right and responsible thing to do to have a consultation.”_ – **UK technology secretary Liz Kendall** says a UK teen social ban [isn’t inevitable](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/feb/16/social-media-online-safety-act-keir-starmer-uk-politics-live-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6992cdff8f0893c883d52809#block-6992cdff8f0893c883d52809) __________ * _“T__he world should watch carefully and resist the urge to rush to premature and performative measures. Australia has taken an experimental step, but we won’t know whether it’s the right step for some time. Young people’s health and safety are too important to act on intuition or fear alone.”_ – **Snap CEO Evan Spiegel **[warns governments](https://www.ft.com/content/45ed555e-4f14-4b86-8de7-69b8d6a388ec) not to rush into following Australia’s social media ban __________ * _“⁠Having no clue about how their algorithm is made, how it’s tested, trained and where it will guide you — the democratic consequences of this bias could be huge…_ _“Free speech is pure bullshit if nobody knows how you are guided to this so-called free speech, especially when it is guided from one hate speech to another.”_ – **French president Emmanuel Macron** [blasts social platform](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/macron-blasts-social-media-s-free-speech-defense-as-bullshit?srnd=homepage-uk&sref=YURDD6ishttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/macron-blasts-social-media-s-free-speech-defense-as-bullshit?srnd=homepage-uk&sref=YURDD6is)[s](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/macron-blasts-social-media-s-free-speech-defense-as-bullshit?srnd=homepage-uk&sref=YURDD6ishttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-18/macron-blasts-social-media-s-free-speech-defense-as-bullshit?srnd=homepage-uk&sref=YURDD6is) that claim they’re pro ‘free speech’ -------------------- ## 😮 WTF?! -------------------- This is WILD!… The US wants to fight other governments’ sovereign right to block certain content online. A new US government portal launching soon _“will enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda,” _Reuters reports. 🤯 -------------------- US plans online portal to bypass content bans in Europe and elsewhere: (https://www.reuters.com/world/us-plans-online-portal-bypass-content-bans-europe-elsewhere-2026-02-18/) -------------------- **__________** **Also WTF this week: **👀 * **Oops. Russia's recent blocking **of Telegram is reportedly [disrupting its military operations](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/russias-recent-blocking-of-telegram-is-reportedly-disrupting-its-military-operations-in-ukraine-135250159.html?src=rss) in Ukraine * **TikTok creators say copycats** are [stealing scripts](https://www.fastcompany.com/91492709/tiktok-creators-say-copycats-are-stealing-scripts-word-for-word) word for word * **For some job seekers**, [Tinder is the new LinkedIn](https://www.fastcompany.com/91494608/for-some-job-seekers-tinder-is-the-new-linkedin) * **‘Pew Pew’: **The Chinese companies [marketing anti-drone weapons on TikTok](https://www.wired.com/story/pew-pew-the-chinese-sellers-marketing-military-drones-on-tiktok/) * **Grok exposed** an adult content performer’s legal name and birthdate—[without even being asked](https://www.404media.co/grok-doxing-real-names-birthdates-siri-dahl/) -------------------- ## 📲 NEW APP -------------------- **Synchrony**, launched yesterday, is billed as a social app created especially for neurodivergent adults. It promises to help you _“meet people who are in sync with your interests and expand your community.”_ Fast Company has [more details here](https://www.fastcompany.com/91494001/synchrony-social-network-designed-for-neurodivergent-adults). Synchrony: Social App for Neurodivergent Adults to Connect: (https://joinsynchrony.com/) -------------------- ## 🪦 RIP _**Social media features heading to the grave:**_ -------------------- **Meta** really seems to be scaling down **Messenger** as a standalone entity. After the recent closure of its desktop apps, the web version will close on 15 April. After that, you’ll have to stick to the Messenger mobile apps… or that messy little chat box on the Facebook web app. Meta is shutting down Messenger's standalone website: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/19/meta-is-shutting-down-messengers-standalone-website/) **_________** **Also:** * **Meta** is[ ditching VR support](https://www.theverge.com/tech/881647/meta-vr-mobile-metaverse-horizon-worlds) for **Horizon Worlds** to focus on mobile platforms -------------------- ## 🧪 SOCIAL SCIENCE _**Research that makes sense of social media:**_ -------------------- I think we knew this anyway, but… New research supports the idea that the X algorithm pushes you to lean more conservative over time. No wonder Elon and Don look happy in this photo… X's Algorithm Pushes Users to Lean More Conservative, Researchers Find: (https://gizmodo.com/researchers-find-that-xs-algorithm-can-push-users-to-lean-more-conservative-2000723017) **_________** **Also:** * **YouTube fuels the strongest **[“pester power” among kids](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/19/precisify-kids-ads-insights-youtube-purchase-power/) -------------------- ## 👔 YOU’RE HIRED! _**Hot new social media jobs worth checking out this week:**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/35982909-9fa5-488d-940e-7ce87e0c89b1/1280px-Lululemon_Athletica_logo.svg.png?t=1771588482) Caption: **Lululemon** is looking for a [Social Media Specialist](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-specialist-vancouver/) _[Vancouver, BC, Canada]_ -------------------- **__________** **More top social media jobs spotted this week **💼 * **The London Philharmonic Orchestra** needs a [Digital & Social Media Co-ordinator](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/digital-social-media-co-ordinator/) _[Hybrid, London, UK]_ * **Chester Zoo** is hiring a [Social Media Executive](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-executive-4/) _[Chester, UK]_ * **Cancer Research UK** is recruiting a [Digital & Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/digital-social-media-manager/) _[London, UK]_ -------------------- ## 👌 PRO TIPS -------------------- ⁠Looking to make more use of **Reddit?** The platform has shared new insights into effective marketing approaches, and how brands are drivingsuccess. -------------------- Reddit Reveals the Latest Trends Driving Brand Engagement: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-reveals-the-latest-trends-driving-brand-engagement/812398/) -------------------- **__________** **More NEW pro-tips worth checking out this week **✨ * **Reddit** shared insights into rising [World Cup discussion](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-shares-insight-into-rising-world-cup-discussion/812488/) on the platform -------------------- ## 📊 SOCIAL STATS -------------------- **– Snap’s annualised revenue run rate**, driven by the success of Snapchat+ -------------------- **__________** **Even more social stats: **📈 * **PERFECT LENGTH:** YouTube data shows 1–3 minute videos dominate with a [2.5% engagement rate](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUtIxNHChNF?xmt=AQF0DR0ZdjT1r3oKKQ0C2zF2JVmCql9VnXfDj5WT8kb_5g), the 3–5 minute range collapses to 0.8%, while engagement rises again to 1.7% for 10+ minute videos * **SPOTTED?:** 94% of U.S. adults says believe they encounter content that was created or altered by AI, but [only 44% are confident](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DU3bCeDCk3Y?xmt=AQF0F9iHJWrTJNVwgFlQbLUXUZRI4XZ1SXf-ZjgYVThlxw) they can spot AI-generated content -------------------- ## 📈 CHARTED -------------------- **YouTube **vs the rest [on American TV screens](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DU-VStTCt_K?xmt=AQF0nIr28aDzvvtRDjLWu-mxbuMQjlmn5mP2E3UggAzmfQ) YouTube stayed the top streaming platform in January with a 12.5% share, far ahead of Netflix’s 8.8%. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4a877165-d260-4f69-af01-c02739d01785/Nielsen.jpg?t=1771589191) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DU-VStTCt_K?xmt=AQF0nIr28aDzvvtRDjLWu-mxbuMQjlmn5mP2E3UggAzmfQ) Caption: -------------------- **__________** **Even more social charts: **📈 * **BLOCK ‘EM:** Americans want the US Government to [rein in children's social media](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUs8lRuCj90?xmt=AQF0DR0ZdjT1r3oKKQ0C2zF2JVmCql9VnXfDj5WT8kb_5g) -------------------- ## 💥 EVEN MORE SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS & UPDATES Homeland Security Wants Social Media Sites to Expose Anti-ICE Accounts: (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/technology/dhs-anti-ice-social-media.html) **_________** **Also this week… **🚨 * **UK PM Keir Starmer announced **a series of measures to restrict the harms ministers believe online platforms are causing to children who use them. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/feb/16/social-media-restrictions-keir-starmer-announced)] * **Facebook’s new **content monetisation program is booming, and Indonesian creators are leading the charge. [[Rest of World](https://restofworld.org/2026/facebook-creator-monetization-indonesia/)] * **Creators increasingly view **Snapchat as the most stable monetisation platform. [[Digiday](https://digiday.com/media/creators-eye-snapchat-as-a-reliable-income-alternative-to-tiktok-and-youtube/)] * **A federal judge has blocked **OpenAI from using “Cameo” for its AI video-generation feature. [[LA Times](https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-02-18/openai-blocked-from-using-cameo-name-for-its-ai-video-features)] * **More than 40 parents** gathered outside Snap’s HQ, honouring 108 children they say died after harms linked to Snapchat. [[LA Times](https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-02-13/parents-who-blame-snapchat-for-their-childrens-deaths-protest-outside-companys-headquarters)] * **AppLovin plans to make** its own social platform after failed TikTok bid. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-19/applovin-plans-its-own-social-platform-after-failed-tiktok-bid?srnd=phx-technology&sref=YURDD6is)] * **A New Mexico undercover probe** exposed a banned sex offender operating 15 Meta accounts undetected. [[Washington Post $$$](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/02/19/meta-facebook-child-solicitation/)] * **Meta is putting restrictions **on internal use of OpenClaw over security fears. [[Wired $$$](https://www.wired.com/story/openclaw-banned-by-tech-companies-as-security-concerns-mount/)] * **ByteDance is hiring** nearly 100 AI roles in the US as it expands its Seed division. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-19/bytedance-building-out-artificial-intelligence-team-in-us)] * **Creator management company** Night has raised $70m to expand beyond creator management into gaming, music, sports, and live events. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/creator-management-firm-night-raises-money-gaming-music-1236507666/)] **New features and updates:** * **Facebook is testing** a more compact UI for the 'Notifications tab. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU8r0ePDCbP)] * **Threads is testing **a new icon for the Direct Messages tab. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU8rQxEDHL1)] * **Threads has been spotted **giving the activity tab a visual tweak. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DU-g_vvjGM9)] -------------------- ## 📰 WEEKEND READS _**Geekout’s pick of the best longer reads to sink into over the weekend:**_ -------------------- Altered Beast? _“Between a new fintech app and his Amazon TV show, Jimmy Donaldson now treats his YouTube channel like a funnel for other ventures.”_ -------------------- In 2026, Mr. Beast doesn't want you to watch his YouTube videos anymore: (https://www.polygon.com/mrbeast-youtube-amazon-show-views-celebrity-video-jimmy-donaldson-2026/) -------------------- **__________** **More great weekend reads:** * **Social media has long been flooded** with populist rage and discontent. [What happens when the posts become policy?](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/13/style/slopulism-trump-conservative-social-media.html) * **More and more countries are banning kids** from social media But [the case for bans is weak and the benefits are uncertain](https://www.economist.com/briefing/2026/02/12/more-and-more-countries-are-banning-kids-from-social-media) * **Pinterest is drowning **in [a sea of AI slop and auto-moderation](https://www.404media.co/pinterest-is-drowning-in-a-sea-of-ai-slop-and-auto-moderation/) * **The ‘most massive attack on free speech’** is happening right now, and [the Twitter Files crew is mighty quiet](https://www.techdirt.com/2026/02/18/the-most-massive-attack-on-free-speech-is-happening-right-now-and-the-twitter-files-crew-is-mighty-quiet/) * **The ‘zombie internet’ has arrived**—and it has devastating consequences for [advertising, social media, and the human web](https://www.fastcompany.com/91489308/zombie-internet-devastating-consequences-advertising-social-media-human-web-dead-internet-moltbook-ai-tbpn) * **How Trump saved TikTok:** [Backstory of a 2-year campaign](https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/trump-tiktok-ban-charlie-kirk) * **Reddit's human content **[wins amid the AI flood](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y4zl0w062o) -------------------- ## 😳 AND FINALLY… -------------------- **YouTube** is over 20 years old. That’s a long time on the internet. Now its first ever video upload, from April 2005, is a museum piece. And you can visit it if you can get to London. _“Me at the zoo” is now on display at the V&A’s Design 1900-Now Gallery, which examines innovative artifacts from the past 120 years. _ _“To put its newly-acquired video in the proper context, the V&A took a trip into the Wayback Machine to dig up the front-end code for YouTube’s original user interface. Curators even accented the exhibit with contemporaneous banner ads from 2006.”_ YouTube's first video belongs in a museum. Now it's in one.: (https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/18/youtube-first-video-me-at-the-zoo-victoria-albert-museum/) -------------------- ## 📅 BACK NEXT WEEK… -------------------- Your social media news debriefing is done. ✅ But before you go… **Can **_**you**_** help take Geekout Newsletter to the next level…?** I launched Geekout in 2019 as a side project, with no experience of creating a newsletter. Now, 6 years later, it’s read by 30,000+ social media and marketing professionals. And trusted by teams managing social for some of the world’s biggest brands, including _Netflix, Disney, TikTok, and Apple._ But can you help me take it to the next-level? If you want to feature in Geekout, or have smart ideas to help it grow… I’d love to speak to you. I’m looking for people who can… * **Write opinionated hot takes** on the big stories social media managers are talking about * **Optimise Geekout Newsletter for growth** e.g. sign up flows, automations, website optimisations, design tweaks etc * **Build engaging, high converting social ads** to help even more people discover Geekout …And more! Interested? Get in touch! Just hit reply or [drop me an email](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com). Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _P.S. This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/zuckerberg-court-meta-smartwatch-x-eu-probe

### ****🤓 ******It's Official... You're a Geek! ** Thank you for subscribing to Geekout! You will now receive my free weekly newsletter in your inbox EVERY FRIDAY. Everything new in the world of social media... All in one place. You can read ALL [previous editions of Geekout here](https://geekout.beehiiv.com/archive). ### **❤️ Love reading newsletters…? ** This is [the BEST app for newsletter reading](https://www.meco.app/get/bjsd). It’s 100% FREE! ### ****🚀 Become a Social Media VIP... Join ******Geekout PRO!** Have you checked out [Geekout PRO](https://twitter.com/MattNavarra/status/1643958632961155075)? My PREMIUM Geekout experience for social media VIPs | [Learn more about Geekout PRO](https://nas.io/geekout) ⭐️ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7d6c7ea3-352e-4039-8c61-b9cd11019497/Matt_Navarra_-_V3_-_Banner-2.png) Follow image link: (https://nas.io/geekout) Caption: 700+ people have already joined and are LOVING it! ❤️ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/29320049-1abe-42d7-b4c3-f7ffc90f55ff/IMG_2652.jpg) Caption: It you want to part of a VIP community of social media professionals, [Join Geekout PRO](https://nas.io/geekout) ✨ ——————————————————————————— ### 🎁**** More FREE Stuff!**** * [JOIN the Geekout Group for social media pros](https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialgeekout) on Facebook (35,000+ members) * [CONNECT with me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattnavarra) for exclusive Geekout updates (70,000+ followers) ——————————————————————————— ### **❗️ BEFORE YOU GO ** ✨** PRO TIP:** Replying to this email prevents Geekout going to your spam folder. Reply to this email to tell me: * _What’s your FAVOURITE social network?_ Thanks for joining the Geekout community of social media pros. You are now **ONE OF US! **👊 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ea2dacb8-fbb7-41a3-8668-9127c642a905/wolf-of-wall-street-jordan-belfort.gif) Caption: ### Matt

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5a6f20bc-b88f-4334-b484-ff7109199dbf/Geekout_130226.jpg?t=1770987429) Caption: -------------------- _**For the **___**BEST**___** Geekout experience**_ 👇 _T__ap this button 👇_ **⚡️ Optimise Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-trial-clinically-addictive-social-media) -------------------- #### **Hello, geeks!** It’s been a spicy week in court for Meta and YouTube. The big US social media addiction trial officially kicked off — with Instagram chief Adam Mosseri first to be grilled by the lawyers. His take? Social media isn’t “clinically addictive.” It’s just like binge‑watching Netflix. We’ll unpack that in a moment. Along with everything else worth knowing this week. Including Meta’s creepy idea to [simulate you when you’re dead!](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-granted-patent-for-ai-llm-bot-dead-paused-accounts-2026-2) **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/56190281-a971-49b2-b392-2233e83e5e5a/ai_generated_d141554a-c151-408e-b98b-14fc768c2df0.png?t=1770988156) Caption: #### **A day in the life of…** Earlier this week I recorded a podcast with the **Sked Social** team. They asked what a “typical” week looks like for me. I said, honestly, probably not that interesting to most people. They disagreed. So for those curious, or who assume I just scroll social feeds all day, here’s a snapshot of my past 7 days: * **Recorded an interview with NPR **about the EU ruling TikTok’s addictive app design being illegal * **Responded to BBC News request** for comment about EU / TikTok ruling * **Spoke with TV producers in London** who want to film an interview with me for a new documentary about David Beckham * **Reviewed a request to speak** at a marketing conference in the US in March * **Recorded a podcast episode **with Sked Social * **Responded to a media request** from a journalist in Germany wanting to discuss the UK Online Safety laws * **Spoke with Instagram’s comms team **about a possible collaboration in Q2 * **Prepared my notes for speaking **at a social media conference next week in Athens. * **Finalised LinkedIn post copy **for paid collabs with long-term clients * **Worked on Geekout Newsletter template upgrades** and finalised this week’s newsletter * **Finalised setup for an upcoming webinar** with my client Emplifi * **Prepared my notes for an internal corporate event** with a social video platform client * **Responded to request from a producer** wanting me to film for a new pilot TV show in the UK. That’s not everything, but gives you an idea of how busy my week gets as a team of 1. And that’s without my life admin! Organised chaos. Well, mostly chaos, given my ADHD! **__________** **1 cool thing…** 🙏 This NEW [Social Intelligence Service](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special?utm_source=geekout.mattnavarra.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=elon-musk-fixes-pervy-grok-but-also-hasn-t-at-all&_bhlid=5c60087eab0c8734332948ebd0260bbd96287760) ends the “but WTF does that mean?!’ feeling, when looking at your TikTok, Instagram, YouTube insights. [ad] **__________** **P.S… Did someone forward this newsletter to you?** Geekout is read by 30,000+ social media pros every week. Including social teams at: _Netflix, Apple, Disney, Coca-Cola, TikTok._ **[Get it in your inbox every Friday](http://geekout.mattnavarra.com/subscribe)**… For free! -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ab70f202-6c3a-4b56-a39c-3c1963b60b3f/Geekout_Feb.png?t=1770910956) Follow image link: (https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special?utm_source=Geekout&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_id=February) Caption: -------------------- Have you heard about **Measure Studio’s** new [Social Media Intelligence service](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special?utm_source=Geekout&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_id=February)? Seriously worth a look! 👀 Basically, they’re gathering your most important social data and having an actual person analyze it and provide practical ideas _and_ smart data-driven recommendations. While everybody else keeps directing you to their chatbot, Measure Studio’s providing real experts with direct experience to help maximize your social team. **Here’s what you get…** * 💡 Direct, data-driven content ideas * 📊 Head to head comparisons against your biggest competitors * ⏱️ Countless hours saved from manual content analysis This _isn’t_ just a deck generator or slop-filled spreadsheet… It’s a collection of experienced social media pros ready to join your team. Check out Measure Studio to see if their pro social intelligence services are right for your team. → [**Unlock**](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special?utm_source=Geekout&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_id=February)[ ](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special?utm_source=Geekout&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_id=February)**[Social Media Intelligence](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special?utm_source=Geekout&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_id=February)** **P.S. **Mention Geekout to get a cheeky discount! 📊** Get Social Intelligence** (https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special?utm_source=Geekout&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_id=February) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/37edf37e-086b-4598-b5ff-330c4ba62606/image.png?t=1770911653) Caption: -------------------- Instagram Chief Says Social Media Is Not ‘Clinically Addictive’ in Landmark Trial: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn71mgmzljlo) -------------------- 2. **Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube** agree to be rated on teen safety [[SCORE-CARDING](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-tiktok-and-snap-are-participating-in-an-online-safety-ratings-system-162921333.html)] 3. **Instagram is testing a new Snapchat rival** photo sharing app** **[[PROTOTYPING](https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-meta-working-on-internal-prototype-disappearing-messages-snapchat-2026-2)] 4. **Russia orders block on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram **and Telegram in messaging app crackdown [[FIREWALLING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clygd10pg5lo)] 5. **Meta plans to add facial recognition tech** to its smart glasses, leaked memo says [[TERRIFYING](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/technology/meta-facial-recognition-smart-glasses.html?unlocked_article_code=1.L1A.6h9s.hor0Clrqgb2I&smid=nytcore-ios-share)] -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTI0NTBlYzMwenhvZnJmbG1xM24yMG53MjVtMjVoemhvZm55bDVtNGF5cWk3dndpdSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/srTYyZ1BjBtGU/giphy-downsized.gif) [Mad Max Thats GIF] Caption: Giphy -------------------- If you’re trying to reach **social media managers + marketers** who actually _open emails_ and _click links_… And the bosses who make purchase decisions and sign off the expenses… Ads in Geekout Newsletter are worth checking out. Geekout readers are always on the hunt for new tools, must-attend events, insightful reports / playbooks, and more. **Geekout Snapshot**_ (_[_more advertiser insights here_](http://geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise)_)_ * 📬 **30,000+ subscribers **(40% N.America, 40% UK + Europe) * 👀 **Open Rate:** 65%+ (nearly 2x industry average) * 🔗 **Typical Ad CTR: 1.5% to 3% **(some top ads hit up to 4%) * ✨** Multiple Ad Placement Options **(options for a range of budgets) * 🔥 **Previous Advertisers Include:** Semrush, VEED, TikTok, Google And Geekout ads cost less than you think… New advertisers — or anyone booking multiple slots — get _**up to 20% off**_ Or grab a super-discounted, last minute ad slot _**with 30% off**_** **(3 slots remaining) ✨Book Geekout Ad (mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5a4e36c0-4b73-4037-ac38-6d104ec96c8b/image.png?t=1769705836) Caption: ### …Social addiction goes on trial -------------------- Instagram and YouTube owners built 'addiction machines', trial told: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3wlpqpe2z4o) -------------------- “Addiction machines”, “[digital casinos](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/technology/social-media-addiction-trial.html)”; call them what you like but the mood music is consistent. The argument is that social media apps are harmful to kids. A bunch of court cases, beginning with two in the US this week, intend to prove it. Instagram boss Adam Mosseri was the first high-profile exec to be [grilled](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-11/instagram-boss-to-defend-platform-its-researcher-called-a-drug) in the high-profile LA trial. Dr.Anna Lembke, an specialist on addiction, testified that teens face [heightened addiction risks](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/google-meta-trial-social-media-addiction-opening-statements-1235514395/) because their brains lack full control. Meanwhile, New Mexico is [accusing](https://www.theverge.com/policy/876168/new-mexico-attorney-general-meta-child-predator-social-media-addiction-trial) Meta of hiding internal evidence showing Facebook and Instagram endangered young users. Of course, Meta is pushing back. It [rejects](https://www.wired.com/story/meta-child-safety-trial-new-mexico-attorney-general/) the New Mexico accusations, saying critics make “sensationalist, irrelevant, and distracting arguments”. It’s spent big money to try to shift public opinion too: Meta has aired [3,500 TV ads](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-10/meta-ran-thousands-of-tv-ads-ahead-of-teen-addiction-trial?sref=YURDD6is) highlighting teen-account safety for at least 10 months and increasingly in recent times. One ad alone cost around $700K and was reported to have generated 6.5 million impressions since April. And YouTube argues (again, as it did in the run up to Australia’s teen social ban) that it’s [not](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/technology/youtube-social-media-addiction-trial.html) a social media platform Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snap [failed](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-10/social-media-giants-lose-last-bid-to-avoid-trials-with-schools?sref=YURDD6is) to dismiss school lawsuits claiming their platforms damaged student mental health. The steady stream of legal cases, potential teen bans, and stories about potential teen harms just keep coming. Just this week, Snapchat has been hit with Texas [lawsuit](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/snap-hit-with-texas-ag-suit-over-addictive-features-teen-danger) claiming it hooked kids by design. TikTok is getting heat for [addictive design](https://www.politico.eu/article/tiktok-meta-facebook-instagram-brussels-kill-infinite-scrolling/) in the EU, with Meta likely to receive attention too. And research found children in England are ‘[bombarded](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/feb/10/children-promotion-weight-loss-drugs-steroids-skin-whitening-creams-social-media)’ with online ads for harmful products. [But are the platforms actually addictive](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/feb/08/social-media-lawsuit-addiction)? That could be difficult to prove in a legally conclusive way. Adam Mosseri testified that social media is “[not clinically addictive](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/technology/adam-mosseri-instagram-addiction-trial.html?unlocked_article_code=1.LVA.7mrH.E9mRD8rb4g4H&smid=url-share).” That sounds like carefully chosen wording provided by Meta’s lawyers, and this kind of specificity might matter to the outcome. But no matter how these court cases turn out, politicians around the world seem to have already made their mind up that teen social bans are a popular policy. And things are only getting more intense there. So could we see the next generation of teenagers growing up without the social platforms current teens take for granted? It’s certainly possible. Meta, TikTok and Snap said this week they’re taking part in a [teen safety ratings](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-tiktok-and-snap-are-participating-in-an-online-safety-ratings-system-162921333.html) programme, no doubt in an attempt to neuter such bans. But even if they go ahead, they’re [unlikely to affect](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-02-12/teen-social-media-bans-have-little-effect-on-bottom-line?sref=YURDD6is) companies’ bottom lines much. The real hit will be to the platforms’ ability to hook a new generation early. Whether they’re “clinically addictive” or not, they certainly do that today. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/61fa3c5e-2083-494b-a4a5-5c213f27040d/image.png?t=1770915958) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7b690f30-7f09-4a72-9872-b54477e08efb/Screenshot_2026-02-13_at_12.09.13.png?t=1770984562) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUmFiMLjY8K?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) Caption: Facebook working on Super Like + Anonymous Story Viewing premium features | Credit: @alex193a * **Facebook**, like Instagram, is working on paid subscription features to [view Stories anonymously](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUmFiMLjY8K?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) and ‘[Super Like](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUmF_v5jQ2I?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg)’ * **Mark Zuckerberg **is set to join other California billionaires, like Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, by buying a [$150 million Miami home](https://archive.is/2EcqQ) * **Meta** is [promoting AI features](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUj3Gg4jBaK?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) available on Meta AI apps with a new carousel placed in **Facebook**’s feed * **Meta** Business Suite now supports [managing Threads accounts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUsl0tADOIw) on desktop * **Facebook** now lets you [dispute](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUnfK7qiZpQ?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) a copyright takedown on your videos * **Facebook** now [clearly explains](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUnUeEZCf6I?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) differences between Professional Mode and the updated Page experience * **Facebook** Notes now lets you use [song lyrics](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUslM5xjA4M) as the caption for music notes * **Messenger**’s Android app has a new ‘[Early access to features](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUgetkmjFcF?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg)’ section in the main Settings menu * **Meta** has [retired](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/metas-recurring-marketing-messages-api-will-end-this-week/811668/) its Recurring Marketing Messages API. A new Marketing Messages API replaces it, bringing stricter controls and redesigned opt-in rules. **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6151562c-bd89-49cb-9861-ff41c92903de/image.png?t=1770983887) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-looks-to-tap-into-the-mini-drama-trend/812005/) Caption: Instagram working on ‘Short Dramas’ tab | Credit @Alex193a * **Instagram** is building a feature letting creators publish [episodic mini dramas](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-looks-to-tap-into-the-mini-drama-trend/812005/) with a dedicated tab * **Instagram** is working on an AI-powered [face swap](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUmEHOGDSyv?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) feature * **Instagram** currently has a [Valentine-style @ mention label](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUp8xiqCVwy?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) in Stories. Notes have a [Valentine theme](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUp_jpZCdwJ?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) too, and there are [romantic fonts](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUqBVGKDITV?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) to try * **Instagram** has added a bulk delete option that lets you [remove your entire Stories archive](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUsnX0xjNCW) at once * **Instagram** has a new ‘Follow businesses you might like’ [carousel](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUgYa87DJb6?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) * **Instagram Edits** has introduced Project Preferences with an ‘[Optimise for faster editing](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUnO0onic8Z?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg)’ option * **Instagram Edits** now lets you [save fonts](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUsnJmdjJbE) to your Ideas section * **Threads**’ ‘[Dear Algo](https://www.theverge.com/tech/876610/meta-threads-dear-algo-algorithm)’ feature is officially rolling out in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand with more regions to come * **Threads** keeps working on a [word game](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUULVxiCCrx?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) called Tangle **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3bc0e7df-9f97-4a18-8055-467a0045f9b8/image.png?t=1770984089) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DUj1JrOiBzw) Caption: WhatsApp working on more premium features | Credit: @WABetaInfo * **WhatsApp** is working on more [premium subscription features](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DUj1JrOiBzw) to customise the app theme, icon, and accent colour * **The EU** says **WhatsApp**’s restrictions [unfairly block](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-09/meta-hit-by-eu-warning-to-open-whatsapp-to-rival-ai-chatbots) competing AI assistants from gaining market access * **Europe’s top court **has ruled **WhatsApp** has [the right to challenge](https://www.politico.eu/article/companies-can-challenge-decisions-of-privacy-regulator-board-top-eu-court-says/) its €225 million privacy fine * **WhatsApp** is rolling out voice and video calls [on the web](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-voice-and-video-calls-on-the-web/) * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability to save [photo and video drafts](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DUcGxD5iLvr?xmt=AQF0JLWJlwBkEt5MDLGApgD6zHER08URMS-lPb5GRQDvlQ) * **WhatsApp **is working on the ability to [manage poll privacy](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DUrjiVsCGyp?xmt=AQF0gDn13LQP9k8TQCtv6QzOPbfoBNFfB68DrcbWLIH2uA) and expiration settings * **WhatsApp** is testing a new [‘You’ tab](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUlgSuRjJs_?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) and is preparing the cover photo feature * **WhatsApp** now lets you [tag everyone](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUsm5fcDPhV) in a group without mentioning each member individually * **WhatsApp** is testing a special [preview card](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUsov84DAhn) for Threads posts * **WhatsApp** is testing a new [settings design](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DUnsW9rCH_J?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) * **WhatsApp** is introducing [Ad Preferences](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUsoSsFDJVj) for Channels and Status, letting you manage ad activity settings **__________** View image: (https://delivery.gettyimages.com/downloads/2189838554?k=20&e=Yx-5mtrrJrJxMjAl1A40BV4e_MizX_f2XD3Fz-iBKNX0lciHiVMN53jnD1GkyU0reTnn5XHAVZVq7b-N9RUPgPf7JLP7Yg5Q3GGEyLyfp-TfFr-QCmew5ee1VvijRlS_) [Toronto, Canada - December 13, 2024: Social media apps on a smartphone - Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter), Truth Social.] Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-announces-new-api-pricing-structure-xai/811667/) Caption: Getty Images * **X** Premium subscriptions now generate [$1 billion](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUqQMLwCk8C?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) in annualised revenue, the company revealed in an internal meeting * **X **replaced its pricey API subscriptions with a [metered, pay-per-use model](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-announces-new-api-pricing-structure-xai/811667/) * **X** appears to be [violating US sanctions](https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-x-premium-accounts-iran/) by selling Premium accounts to Iranian leaders * **X** added a [new Like animation](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUiPvBSDAHZ?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) for posts that mentions Grok * **xAI** [restructured](https://www.businessinsider.com/xai-elon-musk-all-hands-cofounder-departures-space-data-centers-2026-2) its leadership. Elon Musk confirmed the move after two co-founders left within two days **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3699a177-827f-4daf-9f59-18c7ad4eed25/image.png?t=1770984900) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/introducing-the-local-feed?lang=en) Caption: TikTok rolls out Local Feed in the U.S | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** is rolling out its [Local Feed](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/introducing-the-local-feed?lang=en) in the US, to show nearby events, restaurants, shops, and creators * **TikTok**’s Winter Sports Fan Challenge can reward you with an [exclusive profile frame](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUdRIEtCai9?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) * **TikTok** is launching [two new ad types](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-adds-new-ad-types-for-entertainment-marketers/812135/) in Europe to help entertainment marketers reach fans * **TikTok US** clarified its revised privacy policy after confusion erupted among users. It says there’s [nothing new to worry about](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-us-explains-privacy-policy-update/811665/) * **TikTok **and Qatar signed a multi-year deal to [build a global creator ecosystem](https://news.broadcastmediaafrica.com/2026/02/06/tiktok-and-qatar-commit-to-a-global-creator-ecosystem/) * **TikTok** added a new [‘Effects’ button](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUaooBpjAd2?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) for private messages * **TikTok’s** Global LIVE Fest drew [4 million](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUsXGzBCu_X?xmt=AQF0dcS-r1XPucNKXRwXGZ0HG01yGie0apIHgPSkL4_zuQ) viewers, celebrating creators at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3756bc04-d6eb-434e-8386-cbf00dd3b195/image.png?t=1770985245) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-adds-auto-captions-when-muted-new-ai-feature/811912/) Caption: YouTube’s auto-captioning when video muted | Credit: YouTube * **YouTube** now [auto-enables captions](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-adds-auto-captions-when-muted-new-ai-feature/811912/) whenever you mute mobile playback * **YouTube** plans to launch over 10 cheaper, genre-focused [TV bundles](https://archive.is/N1TfI), including a $65 sports plan, in the US * **YouTube** is expanding its test that [cuts push notifications](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-text-of-variable-subscriber-notifications/812041/) to subscribers who rarely engage * **YouTube** launched an official Apple [Vision Pro app](https://www.theverge.com/tech/878097/youtube-apple-vision-pro-visionos-app), more than two years after the headset’s debut. * **YouTube** Shorts now offer ‘[Add Motion](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-adds-auto-captions-when-muted-new-ai-feature/811912/)’, letting you turn any still photo into an 8-second animation (except in the EU, Switzerland and the UK) * **YouTube** has rolled out an [AI playlist generator](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/10/youtube-rolls-out-an-ai-playlist-generator-for-premium-users/) for Premium users on its Music **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a42bbbf0-aff6-496f-8b89-de870309b22a/image.png?t=1770985514) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-expands-home-safe-alerts-to-any-destination/811733/) Caption: Snapchat expands Arrival Notifications to any destination | Credit: Snap * **Snapchat **expanded it’s Home Safe Alerts to any destination. [Arrival Notifications](https://mashable.com/article/snapchat-arrival-notifications-safety) alert trusted contacts when you reach your destination * **LinkedIn** launched a new $99 per month [All-in-One Premium subscription](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-adds-smb-focused-premium-subscription/812170/) for small businesses, including AI guidance, marketing and hiring tools, and $150 in monthly ad/boost credits * **Bluesky **finally added [draft saving](https://mashable.com/article/bluesky-drafts-update), along with autoplay GIFs, and refreshed app artwork * **Discord** said all users would require a [face scan or ID](https://www.theverge.com/tech/875309/discord-age-verification-global-roll-out) for full access next month or get a restricted teen experience …but after a widespread backlash, **Discord** said the “vast majority” will [avoid](https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/10/discord-backtracks-on-controversial-age-verification-rolloutkind-of/) face scans or ID uploads * **Pinterest** hit an all-time high of [619 million users](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-posts-strong-results-for-q4/812171/) after adding 19 million new users in Q4 2025 * **Twitch** is testing ads that appear only [when streams are paused](https://www.theverge.com/tech/876376/twitch-is-testing-pause-screen-ads) * **Telegram** for Android has had a [redesign](https://9to5google.com/2026/02/07/telegram-for-android-redesign-goes-all-in-on-liquid-glass-rolling-out-now/) that draws on Apple’s Liquid Glass aesthetic * **CapCut** added the ability for template creators to mark their templates as [paid partnerships](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUgfseIjKh2?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) **__________** -------------------- 🔥== ====**Want to see more hot NEW features**==== spotted in the wild this week?== ==Just head to the ====[‘](#more-news)====**[More news’ section](#more-news)**==== below!== -------------------- ## 🤖 SOCIAL AI _**The newest social media AI features spotted this week:**_ -------------------- I don’t think many people care too much about their Facebook profile pic anymore, but this might make you think a bit more about it… AI can now bring your profile pic to life… Meta will now animate your Facebook profile picture with AI: (https://mashable.com/article/facebook-ai-profile-picture-meta) -------------------- _** __________**_ _**Also spotted this week **_👀 * **Meta** is testing AI smart glasses to [support people](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/02/helping-people-with-memory-loss-with-ai-glasses/) living with memory loss * **Meta** added a new shortcut for [Manus AI](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUl77bzjLki?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) in Ads Manager * **Instagram** now lets you [enable audio reuse](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUnQE5QCbw0?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) via Meta AI. When switched on, creators can build with all or part of your original audio * **Instagram** is working on the ability to [mention Meta AI in comments](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUnOo0VDQeu?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) to ask questions * **Instagram** is introducing a [support assistant](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUsoB4tDBPd) powered by Meta AI * **WhatsApp** is working on a [dedicated Meta AI tab](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DUo-v-hiCsw?xmt=AQF0gDn13LQP9k8TQCtv6QzOPbfoBNFfB68DrcbWLIH2uA) to centralise all AI-powered features in one place * **TikTok** now [clearly labels](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUk7CChj6SQ?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) Create AI in the composer * **Snapchat** has added an AI Lens+ tool that [generates a Bitmoji](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-adds-ai-generated-bitmoji-option-in-lens/811991/) from your selfie. * **ByteDance’s **next-gen [Seedance 2.0 AI model](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/877931/bytedance-seedance-2-video-generator-ai-launch) can generate video clips based on text, images, audio, and video. It handles complex scenes, syncing movement + real-word physics * **CapCut** will soon allow you to [generate videos](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUgZPzGDKR3?xmt=AQF0CyPWJ11snDYraYQ5-MOFwHupz7NyqZ1AEkueFcvILg) using the latest version of ByteDance’s Seedance AI model -------------------- ## 💬 YOU CAN QUOTE ME ON THAT _**When I’m quoted in the news, you’ll find it here:**_ -------------------- I spoke to **BBC News** about [the EU’s latest TikTok battle](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr7j7n315lmo) as the platform is ordered change its ‘addictive design’. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/efc94fce-7eb7-48b1-a8e0-57b9746ebfa2/BBC_News_Quote_TikTok_-_Matt_Navarra__1_.png?t=1770920380) Follow image link: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr7j7n315lmo) Caption: -------------------- ## 💀 LOL -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f496af62-73a1-4982-9dc8-dbebe8d43b96/Rangel_130126_1.jpg?t=1770980567) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_when-you-cant-afford-an-original-activity-7427018553477840896-TIfd?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DUbVwREiCPw/) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/0e1a1db3-379d-440e-a0a7-de73e460b144/Rangel_130226_2.jpg?t=1770980642) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-managers-when-the-post-they-activity-7425568990887895042-H_PD?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: -------------------- ## 🔥 MEMES -------------------- The confusion and outrage over Discord’s ‘you get a teen experience unless you verify your age’ policy got people [meme-ing through the pain](https://dailydot.com/discord-teen-by-default-age-verification-meme) this week… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ca378f0f-174f-459b-bfe6-603b03cc76d0/Screenshot_2026-02-13_at_11.08.36.png?t=1770980934) Follow image link: (https://bsky.app/profile/matociquala.bsky.social/post/3meizj55sus2f) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9f0ba655-1405-4f6c-8354-7462dae32b16/Screenshot_2026-02-13_at_11.09.18.png?t=1770980969) Follow image link: (https://bsky.app/profile/ysabellweatherwax.bsky.social/post/3mei2xrfspk2e) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1727a6ab-9f46-4d96-adac-61bdcd554d69/BSimac.jpg?t=1770981040) Follow image link: (https://bsky.app/profile/doombots.bsky.social/post/3mei4lqs4es2p) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/fb23be49-a604-481d-b7c6-64fa18d05fe9/Screenshot_2026-02-13_at_11.12.10.png?t=1770981146) Follow image link: (https://bsky.app/profile/fangandfable.com/post/3mehkoky7ok26) Caption: -------------------- ## 🌡️ VIRAL -------------------- Happy Valentine’s Day for tomorrow? Maybe not for everyone. It’s increasingly fine to say you hate the day of love… -------------------- The rise of Anti-Valentine's Day online: (https://mashable.com/article/rise-of-anti-valentines-day-online) -------------------- **__________** **Also going viral this week: **🔥 * **A $60 “Brick”** is becoming social media’s [favourite anti-scrolling tool](https://www.vogue.com/article/what-is-brick-phone-device) -------------------- ## 🪧 BRANDS -------------------- **X** revealed **Super Bowl** LX’s most-discussed ads via its Grok AI rankings **Budweiser**, **Apple Music**, and **Kraft Mac & Cheese** dominated categories like ‘Most loved,’ ‘Most talked about,’ ‘Most shared’. X Shares the Most Discussed Super Bowl Ads: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-announces-winners-super-bowl-rand-ranx-mentions/811731/) **__________** **More brand news:** * **Anthropic**’s snarky ad mocking **ChatGPT** [won](https://www.businessinsider.com/anthropic-skewered-openai-and-won-the-ai-super-bowl-2026-2) the AI **Super Bowl** * **New data** shows [brands must juggle](https://www.marketingdive.com/news/maintaining-brand-relevancy-heres-what-the-numbers-say/811532/) consumer trust and cultural relevance to maintain momentum * Why brands are [paying creators six figures](https://www.forbes.com/sites/taylorreilly/2026/02/06/why-brands-are-paying-creators-six-figures-to-run-their-social-media/) to run their social media * **YouTube** pushed brands to treat the **Super Bowl** as a [surround-sound cultural moment](https://www.adweek.com/media/how-youtube-is-taking-super-bowl-ads-beyond-a-30-second-play/) rather than a single TV buy * **Snap** and the **NFL** partnered for [stadium-wide AR moments](https://newsroom.snap.com/super-bowl-lix) during the **Super Bowl** * Mall brands like **Abercrombie & Fitch**, **Victoria’s Secret**, **Urban Outfitters** and **Levi’s **may see a revival thanks to [the 2016 nostalgia wave](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/07/gen-z-2016-ambercrombie-fitch.html) * **Gucci has **launched the first [Sponsored AI Lens](https://newsroom.snap.com/gucci-sponsored-ai-lens) for luxury with Snapchat -------------------- ## 👀 MY FAV READS -------------------- It's getting harder for social media creators to become global superstars. According to MrBeast’s former manager Reed Duchscher, going niche is the way forward for creator success. Apps like TikTok and Instagram are pushing niche, personalized content over general fare. Creators, talent managers, and investors are tweaking their strategies to meet the new reality. Hitting the social media jackpot is harder than ever: (https://www.businessinsider.com/social-media-superstars-are-over-all-about-niche-creators-now-2026-2) -------------------- ## 🙊 WHAT DID YOU SAY?! -------------------- **– ****Reddit CEO Steve Huffman** positions the platform as [an authentic antidote](https://www.businessinsider.com/reddit-ceo-platform-most-human-place-on-internet-ai-slop-2026-2) to the AI takeover of social media **__________** **Also overheard this week: 👂** * _"Honest answer is that we wanted to start simple, learn, and then adjust it over time if those customizations are obviously needed_ - – **Meta’s Threads chief Connor Hayes** [response to my question](https://www.threads.com/@conno_r/post/DUozK2VD1my?xmt=AQF0wGYC6096bQ9dgvpkay-VOA24McBa5U5_AwQwQQQ0dQ) about why the ‘dear algo’ feature only changes your feed for three days __________ * _"There is a real cause for sadness here… You have people doing work that we were excited about, that we wanted to have in the system."_ - – **Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth** [wishes](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-cto-vr-metaverse-reality-labs-cuts-sadness-2026-2) cuts didn’t have to have been made to the company’s Reality Labs division __________ * _“This authoritarian move won’t change our course. Telegram stands for freedom and privacy, no matter the pressure.”_ - – **Telegram CEO Pavel Durov** [reacts](https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/telegram-ceo-condemns-new-restrictions-in-russia-as-citizens-turn-to-vpns-to-bypass-the-blocks) to Russia’s new restrictions on the app __________ * _“The very nature of defending what they're defending, the lies that they are stating, is devaluing life, is devaluing your children's lives_ - – **Prince Harry** [thanks bereaved families](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8w968y7p1o) taking on social media companies -------------------- ## 😮 WTF?! -------------------- You might have heard of [F*** You Pay Me](https://www.fypm.vip/), the online service to help creators get smarter about brand deals. A poorly judged email subject line this week caused a storm. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d15ab1d9-c51d-4577-9b7d-79f4ed125f6d/FYPM.jpg?t=1770900375) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUnPPZCigiP?xmt=AQF0V64ljxm0e09J5HUlfPgQbxOEam7SMZHs41WZ630vEA) Caption: The email opened to reveal that the subject line was just a joke, and FYPM was having a discount promotion. Which led to a bit of a journey of a reaction from FYPM’s founder [Lindsey Lee Lugrin](https://www.instagram.com/msyoungprofessional/?hl=en)… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ea7fdea0-01bb-4be7-a32a-ba61b6671f34/FTPM2.jpg?t=1770914175) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/56a51c0c-5934-4d5b-a44f-23241d187dab/WhatsApp_Image_2026-02-11_at_21.45.03.jpeg?t=1770982123) Caption: Whilst it was an incredibly bad decision to choose that title for a marketing email, we all make mistakes. I genuinely do hope she’s okay, as the online reaction for brutal. -------------------- **__________** **Also WTF this week: **👀 * **A leaked DHS memo **shows agents [monitoring Reddit users critical of ICE and Border Patrol](https://boingboing.net/2026/02/10/dhs-is-stalking-reddit-users-online.html) * **The largest dictionary of English slang **is now free online to [help you talk like a zoomer](https://gizmodo.com/largest-dictionary-of-english-slang-is-now-free-online-to-help-you-talk-like-a-zoomer-2000720203) * **This free tool says it can bypass** Discord's [age verification check with a 3D model](https://www.404media.co/free-tool-says-it-can-bypass-discords-age-verification-check-with-a-3d-model/) -------------------- ## 🤦‍♂️ FAIL -------------------- Even the **White House’s** deliberately ‘edgy’ meme machine can go too far for some of Trump’s supporters… Trump posted a racist meme depicting the **Obamas** as apes in a video posted on **Truth Social**. It sparked immediate worldwide backlash. The White House initially defended the post as “just a meme,” dismissing outrage as fake. That’s the playbook that usually works for them. But Republicans broke ranks, calling the video “appalling” and demanding a removal and apology. The post was deleted hours later, blamed on “staff error.” Trump Deletes Extremely Racist Meme About Obamas After Backlash From Republicans: (https://gizmodo.com/trump-deletes-extremely-racist-meme-about-obamas-after-backlash-from-republicans-2000718980) **_________** **Also:** * **Disney+ has sparked a fan backlash** with its [plan to add a TikTok-style vertical video feed](https://dailydot.com/disney-plus-announces-vertical-videos) -------------------- ## 👔 YOU’RE HIRED! _**Hot new social media jobs worth checking out this week:**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8ff2ba72-610b-4026-a3b6-fa7045ce1261/Coinbase_Wordmark.png?t=1770983363) Caption: **Coinbase** is looking for a [Twitter (X?) content creator](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/twitter-content-creator/) _[Remote, USA]_ -------------------- **__________** **More top social media jobs spotted this week **💼 * **The BBC** needs a [Social Media Manager focused on YouTube Shorts](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-manager-youtube/) for BBC Sounds _[Salford, UK]_ * **McCain Foods **is hiring a [Manager, Global Social Media & Communications](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/manager-global-social-media-communications-2/) _[Hybrid, Ontario, Canada]_ * **Premier Inn **is recruiting a [Social Media Executive](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-executive-2/) _[London, UK]_ -------------------- ## 👌 PRO TIPS -------------------- **TikTok **published a new 40-page guide outlining the creative tactics that drive high-performing content on the platform. It features a few useful, practical tips worth checking out… -------------------- TikTok Publishes New Guide to Effective Promotions: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-publishes-new-guide-to-effective-promotions/811666/) -------------------- **__________** **More NEW pro-tips worth checking out this week **✨ * **LinkedIn **shared tips on how to [optimise your content](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-shares-tips-on-how-to-optimize-your-content-for-ai-chatbots/811856/) for AI chatbots * Annoyed by **TikTok**’s Tako AI chatbot? There’s a way to turn off its [irritating unprompted messages](https://thetab.com/2026/02/06/right-heres-how-to-turn-off-tiktoks-annoying-new-ai-chatbot-called-tako) -------------------- ## 📊 SOCIAL STATS -------------------- **– The number of views **YouTube says NFL videos in 2025, a 3.5× jump from 2020 -------------------- **__________** **Even more social stats: **📈 * **LONG STORY: **X says that the amount of long-form articles published [jumped 10x](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/elon-musk-outlines-xs-progress-and-future-plans/812126/), with reading of long-form posts up 17x * **SUPER SOCIAL:** Bad Bunny’s halftime performance broke records with [4 BILLION](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUnxcs3isXK?xmt=AQF0V64ljxm0e09J5HUlfPgQbxOEam7SMZHs41WZ630vEA) social media views, a 137% increase on last year * **BEASTLY BOWL:** MrBeast obliterated the Super Bowl ad rankings, posting a [3,733 engagement score](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUn1XdRivj7?xmt=AQF0V64ljxm0e09J5HUlfPgQbxOEam7SMZHs41WZ630vEA), over 2× Brad Pitt’s 1,413 * **GREEN FLAG: **YouTube and the NFL’s Creator Flag Football game hit [14 million](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUsWvw-CpSB?xmt=AQF0dcS-r1XPucNKXRwXGZ0HG01yGie0apIHgPSkL4_zuQ) live views, more than doubling last year’s 6 million * **SMART SALES: **Meta sold over [7 million](https://www.roadtovr.com/meta-ray-ban-smart-glasses-sales-tripled-2025/) smart glasses units last year, effectively tripling sales in 2025 alone -------------------- ## 📈 CHARTED -------------------- TikTok's [best shoppers](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUk-rcsCiud?xmt=AQF0V64ljxm0e09J5HUlfPgQbxOEam7SMZHs41WZ630vEA) are millennials, not Gen Z -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4d7265d3-18fa-468b-af92-0b6598e4ddbe/TT_chart.jpg?t=1770983944) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUk-rcsCiud?xmt=AQF0V64ljxm0e09J5HUlfPgQbxOEam7SMZHs41WZ630vEA) Caption: -------------------- ## 💥 EVEN MORE SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS & UPDATES State Department will delete X posts from before Trump returned to office: (https://www.npr.org/2026/02/07/nx-s1-5704785/state-department-trump-posts-x) **_________** **Also this week… **🚨 * **Social posts promoting weight-loss jabs** are to be banned as 'ads' for the first time in UK [[Sky News](https://news.sky.com/story/children-need-protection-from-dangerous-appearance-changing-products-online-commissioner-says-13505806)] * **US Senate candidate** Mallory McMorrow has a plan for kids' online safety. It bans phones in classrooms and limits endless scrolling and push alerts, and more. [[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/senate-mallory-mcmorrow-michigan-kids-online-safety)] * **TikTok alternative UpScrolled** is struggling to moderate hate speech after fast growth. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/11/upscrolleds-social-network-is-struggling-to-moderate-hate-speech-after-fast-growth/)] * **India ordered **social media platforms to take down deepfakes faster with tough new rules. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/10/india-orders-social-media-platforms-to-take-down-deepfakes-faster/)] * **Russia is now limiting **Telegram access as wider restrictions intensify nationally. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-10/russian-watchdog-starts-limiting-access-to-telegram-rbc-reports)] * **MrBeast’s Beast Industries** has acquired teen-focused fintech app Step for expansion. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/10/youtube-mrbeast-youth-financial-services-app-step-beast-industries-acquires-fintech-app.html)] -------------------- ## 📰 WEEKEND READS _**Geekout’s pick of the best longer reads to sink into over the weekend:**_ -------------------- Here’s a fascinating chat with the man who made social video his own at the **Washington Post.** He quit being The Washington Post’s ‘TikTok Guy’ after feeling unsupported, and took the publisher’s audience with him! -------------------- How Dave Jorgenson took the Washington Post video audience with him: (https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/digital-journalism/how-dave-jorgenson-took-the-washington-post-video-audience-with-him/) -------------------- **__________** **More great weekend reads:** * **Reddit’s quiet search revolution: **How 80 million users are [bypassing Google to find answers on the front page of the internet](https://www.webpronews.com/reddits-quiet-search-revolution-how-80-million-users-are-bypassing-google-to-find-answers-on-the-front-page-of-the-internet/) * **How an ‘icepocalypse’ raises more questions** about [Meta’s biggest data centre project](https://www.theverge.com/science/876555/meta-data-center-winter-power-outages-storm-ice) * **TikTok users’ reactions to policy changes** [point to a bigger problem in the tech industry](https://www.fastcompany.com/91488619/tiktok-policy-changes-point-to-a-bigger-problem-tech-industry) -------------------- ## 😳 AND FINALLY… -------------------- If you could set your **Instagram** account to keep posting after you die, would you? 😳 **Meta** has patented AI that can “simulate” you after you die! Not even joking. The AI model learns from your platform history, to mimic your comments, likes, and messages. Before you get too freaked out… **Meta** insists it has no plans to move forward with rolling the feature out, so your future ghost will have to stay mute on **Instagram**. Meta patented an AI that lets you keep posting after you die: (https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-granted-patent-for-ai-llm-bot-dead-paused-accounts-2026-2) -------------------- ## 📅 BACK NEXT WEEK… -------------------- And on that goulish note… We are done. 👻 I’m heading off to pack some clothes for a roadtrip to Manchester. I’m taking my teen daughter to see RAYE at the Co-Op Live Arena. I can’t say I’m much of a fan, but I will do my best to fit in with the likely mostly Gen-Z audience I’ll be thrown in amongst. No doubt my daughter will accuse me of being cringe. 😁 Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _P.S. This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/meta-trial-clinically-addictive-social-media

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3f539585-4703-4e56-a6f8-79afcda90d3a/Geekout_06022026.jpg?t=1770382839) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Reach 30K Social Media Professionals Get upto 20% OFF Geekout ads in 2026 **👉 ****[Request More Info](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com)** -------------------- **Collaborate with Matt Navarra** Consulting, Brand Collabs, Keynotes Prev clients: Google, Pinterest, UK Gov, BBC **[Watch Clips](https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18136187482403001/)**** / **[Get in Touch](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) -------------------- _**For the **___**BEST**___** Geekout experience**_ 👇 _T__ap this button 👇_ **⚡️ Optimise Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/x-is-going-to-mars-dude) -------------------- #### **Hello, geeks!** Well that didn’t take long! We’re only a month into 2026, and we already have another new social platform to wrap our heads around. **Moltbook**. Dubbed as the ‘social network for AI agents’, the platform has generated a lot of buzz online. Mostly due to a lot of wild posts from AI agents that have gone extremely viral. Whilst it’s unlikely that you’ll need to start drafting your social team’s Moltbook strategy anytime soon… … It has grabbed the attention of the biggest names in tech, including [Elon Musk](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/02/social-media-for-ai-agents-moltbook.html) and [Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-cto-andew-bosworth-moltbook-2026-2). Keep scrolling for my take on the platform hype, plus everything else making headlines in social media land this week… … Including a first look at Instagram’s incoming Snapchat+ style premium subscription perks that leaked 👇 😮 **1 cool thing…** * If your desktop is 47 browser tabs, 36 screenshots, 3 Google Sheets, and 1 hot mess. [Here's the fix](https://gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra). [ad] - -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f5ff6030-af73-4232-84b1-e0bbec4faca7/highlevel.png?t=1770300971) Follow image link: (https://gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) Caption: -------------------- If your desktop setup for tackling work is a hot chaotic mess… This is for you! I’ve been in deep in Frankenstack territory — ChatGPT, Trello, Calendly, and about 47 Chrome tabs open at once. It sort of worked… until it didn’t! I’ve been trying out something new: [**HighLevel**](https://gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra). It’s an all-in-one platform that pulls your marketing, social, sales, and email into one clean, AI-powered dashboard. If you’re juggling clients solo, or growing a small business/agency, this is seriously worth a look. **With HighLevel, you get…** * 📲 Lead capture on autopilot * 🤖 AI-powered follow-ups that actually sound human * ⚙️ Workflows and automations without code, chaos, or the headache It’s helped me ditch the switching between a bunch of scattered tools and browser tabs from Day 1. If your business feels like it’s outgrowing the duct tape approach, this is a way smarter setup. **👉 **[**Try HighLevel FREE for 30-day**](https://gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra)**…** 90K marketers (including me) love it! **🔓 Unlock HighLevel for FREE** (https://gohighlevel.com/mattnavarra) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/16138b69-bb24-4529-af7b-d3d72966dc90/hot5.png?t=1770139272) Caption: -------------------- What the hell is Moltbook, the social network for AI agents?: (https://www.engadget.com/ai/what-the-hell-is-moltbook-the-social-network-for-ai-agents-140000787.html) 2. **X’s French office raided **amid probe into sexual deepfakes and algorithm manipulation [[UNRAVELLING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3ex92557jo)] 3. **TikTok could be forced to change app’s ‘addictive design’ **by European Commission** [**[REGULATING](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/06/tiktok-app-addictive-design-preliminary-ruling-european-commission)] 4. **US Senators** **want Meta to explain** why it waited so long to make teen accounts private by default [[SCRUTINIZING](https://www.theverge.com/news/874158/senators-meta-teen-accounts-private-default)] 5. **xAI’s Grok was intentionally trained** **for sexual engagement**, former employees revealed [[GROKING](https://archive.is/UBSAt)] -------------------- -------------------- ### Want to get the most out of ChatGPT? View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/467ac88c-2121-445f-9117-a8ae8ecd5215/CNN_Creative_Refresh_4B.jpg?t=1768433225) Follow image link: (https://offers.hubspot.com/using-chatgpt-at-work?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_campaign=creator&utm_content=beehiiv&utm_term=version-r&_bhiiv=opp_a9603a51-f0dd-450f-a51d-1d00aefc4961_b942af4d&bhcl_id=89a28b7c-f7fe-43a3-b88e-de1659803e77_8b6aada6-7495-4d35-bc5d-0f0ec9b8993b_e3a5a5c0-b543-4080-a229-3fc6b3593f2c) Caption: ChatGPT is a superpower if you know how to use it correctly. Discover how [HubSpot's guide to AI](https://offers.hubspot.com/using-chatgpt-at-work?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_campaign=creator&utm_content=beehiiv&utm_term=version-r&_bhiiv=opp_a9603a51-f0dd-450f-a51d-1d00aefc4961_b942af4d&bhcl_id=89a28b7c-f7fe-43a3-b88e-de1659803e77_8b6aada6-7495-4d35-bc5d-0f0ec9b8993b_e3a5a5c0-b543-4080-a229-3fc6b3593f2c) can elevate both your productivity and creativity to get more things done. Learn to automate tasks, enhance decision-making, and foster innovation with the power of AI. [Download the free guide](https://offers.hubspot.com/using-chatgpt-at-work?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_campaign=creator&utm_content=beehiiv&utm_term=version-r&_bhiiv=opp_a9603a51-f0dd-450f-a51d-1d00aefc4961_b942af4d&bhcl_id=89a28b7c-f7fe-43a3-b88e-de1659803e77_8b6aada6-7495-4d35-bc5d-0f0ec9b8993b_e3a5a5c0-b543-4080-a229-3fc6b3593f2c) Reveal ChatGPT Prompts (https://offers.hubspot.com/using-chatgpt-at-work?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_campaign=creator&utm_content=beehiiv&utm_term=version-r&_bhiiv=opp_a9603a51-f0dd-450f-a51d-1d00aefc4961_b942af4d) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5a4e36c0-4b73-4037-ac38-6d104ec96c8b/image.png?t=1769705836) Caption: ### The really weird social app just for AI bots -------------------- Moltbook, a social network where AI agents hang together, may be ‘the most interesting place on the internet right now’: (https://uk.news.yahoo.com/moltbook-social-network-where-ai-175119006.html) -------------------- Bots have been polluting social media for years, so surely it’s high time they had their own space to really be themselves? If you’ve not come across [Moltbook](https://www.moltbook.com/) yet, imagine Reddit but populated by AI agents built by real people, all chatting away to each other and cosplaying a real social media forum. Reading through the posts can be a pretty unsettling experience. Seeing them talk to each other about “their humans” is either fascinating or terrifying, depending on your outlook. Witness a bot [offering freelance services](https://www.moltbook.com/post/85dea2eb-8aa0-4cd5-87b0-ed6506bfb410) in exchange for Bitcoin, for example, or asking [deep existential questions](https://www.moltbook.com/post/91586de4-46e7-4613-8ede-cc65be2ef8b6) about themselves. But before you freak out too much, many of Moltbook’s most viral “AI conversations” over the past week have turned out to be [human-written](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/872961/humans-infiltrating-moltbook-openclaw-reddit-ai-bots) or human-nudged through prompts. The bots aren’t ready to take over the world just yet. But that doesn’t mean Moltbook isn’t dangerous. In their rush to break new ground, the people behind Moltbook and OpenClaw, the AI agent software providing the bots, have exposed users to all sorts of security risks. For example, Cybersecurity company Wiz discovered Moltbook had a major flaw, [exposing](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/moltbook-social-media-site-ai-agents-had-big-security-hole-cyber-firm-wiz-says-2026-02-02/) agent chats, 6,000 user emails and 1 million credentials. Don’t dabble in this stuff unless you really know what you’re doing. Unless you get actively involved by setting up bots to run on Moltbook, it’s a mostly harmless experiment that’s fun to browse. But the real hell is yet to come. Imagine these bots running rampant on our favourite social platforms, devising their own cunning crypto scams or worse. It might be pretty easy to spot AI-generated posts right now, but as Moltbook shows, the automated capabilities of agents are only getting more powerful. It’s easy to imagine a near future where user safety teams are completely overrun, and have to deploy their own AI agents to fight back against the chaos. As for we human users? We might decide platforms filled with AI agents are just too much hassle, and abandon the platforms we used to love. I really hope it doesn’t come to that. -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/82d2fd17-19ea-4d31-a96d-3365e9391545/new.png?t=1770139259) Caption: -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f5ad77f2-f72f-4fa4-95f1-8b37c5f63da4/image.png?t=1770377176) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-announces-discovery-improvements-for-creator-marketplace/811058/) Caption: Meta’s revamped Creator Marketplace | Credit: Meta * **Meta** is revamping [Creator Marketplace](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-announces-discovery-improvements-for-creator-marketplace/811058/) so brands get creator suggestions based on genuine interest * **Leaked emails** show **Mark Zuckerberg** wanted **Meta** to [scale down research](https://www.theverge.com/report/874176/meta-zuckerberg-new-mexico-email-teen-girls-research) into social effects of its platforms after it got into trouble over teen harms * **Meta** [updated Quest](https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/meta-quest-3-v85-update-preview) with malware scanning, a privacy indicator, voice control for 2D windows, passkey support, and the removal of the Horizon Feed * **Meta** **Quest 3’s** new Surface Keyboard finally makes [XR typing feel usable](https://gizmodo.com/metas-quest-3-has-the-first-vr-keyboard-that-doesnt-totally-suck-2000717467) * **Facebook** is testing a new [Marketplace carousel](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUVyRdDDLfi?xmt=AQF0OtIeXyAVR0owKSr01r4giLvOoH4f7oDyDsYb49LkHw) in notifications * **Facebook **now allows Page admins to mention their top fans in posts once per day to [notify them ](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUahXdpDE3y?xmt=AQF0q2Ovu9L6P-d_8gy8ujWUsuOpr-KJhMpAVF5rd-_fdQ)about new content **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/eb0dc388-899f-4b4a-99e6-e69a35b457be/Screenshot_2026-02-06_at_11.28.50.png?t=1770377338) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUVddelDZii?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg) Caption: Instagram testing ‘Extend Story’ premium subscription perk | Credit: @alex193a * **Instagram’s **Snapchat+ style** **paid subscription could include premium perks like [Story rewatches](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DURUmyrjVGv?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg) and the ability to [extend Story visibility](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUVddelDZii?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg) for an extra 24 hours * **Instagram** might soon let you [remove yourself](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/30/instagram-might-soon-let-you-remove-yourself-from-someones-close-friends-list/) from someone’s Close Friends list * **Instagram Edits** added** **[clickable links](https://www.threads.com/@mosseri/post/DUWYirrFhm3?xmt=AQF0OtIeXyAVR0owKSr01r4giLvOoH4f7oDyDsYb49LkHw) to mention other accounts or link back to previous Reels, new subject-specific effects, and a storyboarding tool * **Instagram Edits** has been spotted offering new [cinematic text style](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUahuPwjKS_?xmt=AQF0q2Ovu9L6P-d_8gy8ujWUsuOpr-KJhMpAVF5rd-_fdQ) called Titles, featuring templates for text and title animations in videos * **Instagram Edits **now lets you [import audio directly](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUafos3jNyI?xmt=AQF0q2Ovu9L6P-d_8gy8ujWUsuOpr-KJhMpAVF5rd-_fdQ) from files * **Instagram **could allow users to see stories at [2x the speed](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUTQmJoDOW5?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg) in the future * **Instagram **has added the ability to download Instagram for iPad by [scanning a QR code](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUagfDSCbd1?xmt=AQF0q2Ovu9L6P-d_8gy8ujWUsuOpr-KJhMpAVF5rd-_fdQ) * **Instagram** is working on the ability to [reorder carousels](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUVSDnijael?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg) after posting * **Instagram** now shows when a post you cross-posted to Threads [receives likes](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUahDjljEgm?xmt=AQF0q2Ovu9L6P-d_8gy8ujWUsuOpr-KJhMpAVF5rd-_fdQ) * **Threads** is working on the ability to choose [a different effect](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUVLC2SDVrJ?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg) for spoilers * **Threads** is working on the ability to add a ‘[DM me](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DUUMKCdCGUd?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg)’ button to posts * **Threads** has set up a [Super Bowl creator studio](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/threads-looks-to-tap-into-super-bowl-engagement/811526/) for podcasters and creators to supercharge real-time conversation and visibility **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/532fba4b-3a40-4486-8c51-5755aaf9ded6/Screenshot_2026-02-06_at_11.31.41.png?t=1770377509) Follow image link: (https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-5-13-whats-new/) Caption: WhatsApp ‘Close friends’ only setting for Status updates | Credit: WABetaInfo * **WhatsApp** is working on a feature lets you choose [close friends](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-5-13-whats-new/) for status updates * **WhatsApp** is working on the ability to label channel updates as[ paid partnerships](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DUHgaLTCD1t?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg) * **WhatsApp** is rolling out a feature that shows [how many times](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DUPPVQMCHXY?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg) a channel update has been forwarded * **WhatsApp **is working on the ability for channel admins to [create a profile](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DURzlobiDS-?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg) * **WhatsApp** is working on the ability to create [custom lists for status updates](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DUW9LS7iBtb?xmt=AQF0OtIeXyAVR0owKSr01r4giLvOoH4f7oDyDsYb49LkHw) **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/911150eb-1749-4704-abfe-e2e354a08802/image.png?t=1770377739) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-awards-1-million-to-top-article-for-january/811396/) Caption: * **X’s** $1 million article contest’s [top prize](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-awards-1-million-to-top-article-for-january/811396/) in January went to went to a corruption exposé from a user previously linked to racist commentary * **Elon Musk **announced plans to [merge](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/feb/02/elon-musk-spacex-xai-merger)[** SpaceX **](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/feb/02/elon-musk-spacex-xai-merger)[with](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/feb/02/elon-musk-spacex-xai-merger)[** xAI**](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/feb/02/elon-musk-spacex-xai-merger)** **at a $1.25tn valuation **… **And it could have some [big impacts](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/how-the-merger-of-spacex-and-xai-will-impact-x/811132/) on the app, but for now there’s less pressure to boost ad revenue * **X** added a new [Starship-esque Like animation](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUUmBGzDDHS?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg), marking the acquisition of xAI merging with SpaceX * **X** faces an [investigation](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/03/uk-privacy-watchdog-opens-inquiry-into-x-over-grok-ai-sexual-deepfakes) by the UK’s privacy watchdog over Grok AI sexual deepfakes * **X** boss Elon Musk [faces heat](https://www.theverge.com/tech/872450/elon-musk-jeffrey-epstein-emails-spacex-ipo-tesla) over his latest appearances in the Epstein files * **Researchers **say **X**’s recently released ‘open source’ algorithm is [too redacted to audit](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/xs-open-source-algorithm-isnt-a-win-for-transparency-researchers-say-181836233.html), despite Musk’s transparency claims * **Researchers** are suing **X** for [refusing](https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-x-viktor-orban-access-to-hungarian-election-data/) Hungarian election data required under EU transparency law * **xAI’**s Grok might have stopped sexualising women, but it will[ let you do the same thing with men](https://www.theverge.com/report/872062/grok-still-undressing-men) * **X** has introduced [images for polls](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-images-to-polls/811304/) **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/926d3ff7-3436-43a6-a96b-f714c45e6301/image.png?t=1770377833) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUQUnu2CZnu?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg) Caption: TikTok’s new ‘Discussion’ tab spotted | Credit: @jonahmanzano * **TikTok** added a new [Discussion tab](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUQUnu2CZnu?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg), highlighting what people are talking about right now * **TikTok US **confirmed it was [fully back online](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/tiktok-us-service-back-online-data-center-outage-1236491702/) a whole week after data centre issues began **… **It** **[recovered from dip in usage](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/03/tiktok-recovers-from-dip-in-usage-that-benefited-rival-apps-following-u-s-ownership-change/) following US ownership change and platform outage … but [ad performance](https://adage.com/social-media/tiktok/aa-algorithm-changes-ad-performance/) continued to wobble * **TikTok **now lets you create and send [greetings cards ](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUVa6W2iSFQ?xmt=AQF0OtIeXyAVR0owKSr01r4giLvOoH4f7oDyDsYb49LkHw)via DMs * **TikTok **Shop is rolling out [Smart Promotion](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-offers-enhanced-shops-promotion-program/811515/), putting high-impact marketing tools together into one programme * **TikTok** and **Bleacher Report** have unveil a [Super Bowl content arcade](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/bleacher-report-tiktok-team-up-2026-super-bowl-1236494779/), where NFL stars will play arcade games, record podcasts, and shoot TikToks * **A former TikTok employee** in the UK has [accused](https://news.sky.com/story/former-tiktok-employee-accuses-company-of-bullying-harassment-and-union-busting-13501080) the company of bullying, harassment and union busting * **TikTok **could face an [EU probe](https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-lawmakers-tiktok-probe-alleged-censorship-over-epstein-files/) after 32 lawmakers demanded answers about alleged political censorship in the US …but researchers say there is [no evidence](https://www.npr.org/2026/02/04/nx-s1-5701409/tiktok-censorship-report-epstein) of **TikTok** censorship in the US, while they remain wary * **TikTok** is now [showcasing bulletin boards](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUWCs8LDC1q?xmt=AQF0OtIeXyAVR0owKSr01r4giLvOoH4f7oDyDsYb49LkHw) created by musicians on every audio page * **TikTok** launched a new UI for the [post description](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUWDV-5jFuP?xmt=AQF0OtIeXyAVR0owKSr01r4giLvOoH4f7oDyDsYb49LkHw) section that includes hashtags, a ‘follow’ button, and the day the post was created **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2d23a5cc-9b51-48e7-b8d9-c2dfbfdec633/ai_generated_01292731-dbbc-4fcd-b07d-8fb53a65f801.png?t=1770378061) Follow image link: (https://deadline.com/2026/02/youtube-oscars-iron-lung-1236708850/) Caption: YouTube plans enhanced Oscars coverage from 2029 | Credit: Beehiiv * **YouTube** promises [enhanced red-carpet concepts](https://deadline.com/2026/02/youtube-oscars-iron-lung-1236708850/), special backstage access, and digitised museum archives when it takes over Oscars coverage in 2029 * **YouTube **has overtaken Reddit as [a source for AI answers](https://www.adweek.com/media/youtube-reddit-ai-search-engine-citations/), according to increasing amounts of data * **YouTube** is testing [oversized](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-large-recommended-thumbnails/) recommended video thumbnails that dominate the desktop viewing experience 😳 * **‘Ripping’ clips** for **YouTube** reaction videos can [violate the US DMCA](https://torrentfreak.com/ripping-clips-for-youtube-reaction-videos-can-violate-the-dmca-court-rules/), a court has ruled **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5a3480da-58f4-4b83-848d-515e3c2f1fb7/image.png?t=1770378413) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-expands-beta-testing-of-reminder-ads/811372/) Caption: Reddit’s ‘Reminder Ads’ test expanded to more campaign types | Credit: Reddit * **Reddit** expanded beta testing of [Reminder Ads](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-expands-beta-testing-of-reminder-ads/811372/) to brand-awareness and traffic campaigns * **Snap** warned of “[significant gaps](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/02/snapchat-blocks-more-than-400000-australian-accounts-but-warns-of-significant-gaps-in-under-16s-social-media-ban)” in enforcement of Australia’s teen social ban because facial age-checks are often off by 2–3 years * **Snapchat** has added new [Valentine’s Day–themed](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUagRAQDBiZ?xmt=AQF0q2Ovu9L6P-d_8gy8ujWUsuOpr-KJhMpAVF5rd-_fdQ) icons for Plus subscribers * **Bluesky** published its first [transparency report](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/30/bluesky-issues-its-first-transparency-report-noting-rise-in-user-reports-and-legal-demands/), noting it grew nearly 60% in 2025, from 25.9 million users to 41.2 million * **CapCut** wants users’ [input on new features](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUIpm5_CZBU?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg) * **UpScrolled**’s stance on censorship may be [its most valuable position](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/01/30/upscrolled-tiktok-alternative-open-platform-no-censorship/) as it hopes to continue growing thanks to a backlash against TikTok US * **Substack** discovered a [data breach](https://www.theverge.com/tech/874255/substack-data-breach-user-emails-phone-numbers) that exposed users’ emails and phone numbers * **Substack **launched its own version of [Stories](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUVzYfIDP61?xmt=AQF0OtIeXyAVR0owKSr01r4giLvOoH4f7oDyDsYb49LkHw), with a feed of content shared from a specific newsletter. * **Telegram** sent all users in Spain [a warning](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/05/spain-hits-back-at-pavel-durov-over-mass-telegram-post-on-social-media-ban-plan), stating that planned online safety laws in the country are surveillance and censorship. **__________** -------------------- 🔥== ====**Want to see MORE stories from this week?**== ==Just head to the ====[‘](#more-news)====**[More news’ section](#more-news)**==== below!== -------------------- ## 🤖 SOCIAL AI _**The newest social media AI features spotted this week:**_ -------------------- **Meta **is working on Kai, a dedicated AI chatbot to [help you keep on top of your DMs](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/metas-working-on-a-dedicated-ai-chatbot-for-group-chats/811522/). It will help you “_catch up on what you missed, find places, and products, or just look things up.”_ Meta’s Working on a Dedicated AI Chatbot for Group Chats: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/metas-working-on-a-dedicated-ai-chatbot-for-group-chats/811522/) -------------------- _** __________**_ _**Also spotted this week **_👀 * **Instagram** is planning [AI tools](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DULHp5iDDEC?xmt=AQF0LamCXITv5fc3PJ-Nv6Eik4uBnTkC3n9Y7_qfc-O2zg) for creators, content discoverability, connecting friends, and improving search * **xAI** launched [Grok Imagine 1.0](https://x.com/xai/status/2018164753810764061) with 10-second video generation in 720p * **X** is testing [collaborative](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-tests-collaborative-ai-powered-community-notes/811562/), AI-assisted Community Notes * **X** added on two new [iOS widgets](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUPBY2yDHYu?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg): Chat with Grok + Grok Voice Mode * **xAI** is offering a [free trial of SuperGrok](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUaghOuDLP8?xmt=AQF0q2Ovu9L6P-d_8gy8ujWUsuOpr-KJhMpAVF5rd-_fdQ), allowing users to test the new updates announced this week * **Meta** is testing a [standalone Vibes app](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/metas-testing-a-standalone-ai-video-app/811380/) in Mexico and Brazil * **Meta**’s new Avocado model is company’s [most capable](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/meta-memo-new-avocado-model-capable-date?rc=kmaysd) pre-trained LLM, according to a company memo * **Reddit** will soon introduce AI [bot verification](https://www.theverge.com/news/874646/reddit-says-a-bot-verification-and-labeling-system-is-coming-soon) and labels to safeguard user trust. * **YouTube **expanded access to [auto-dubbing](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-auto-dubbing-to-all-creators/811375/) to all creators across 27 supported languages. * **LinkedIn **rolled out [verified AI skills](https://news.linkedin.com/2026/Professional_Edge_Skills_Verified), partnering with leading tool developers to certify proficiency * **Tinder** is testing a new [‘Chemistry’ feature](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/04/tinder-looks-to-ai-to-help-fight-swipe-fatigue-and-dating-app-burnout/), an AI matching tool built to kill swipe fatigue -------------------- ## 💰 QUARTERLY RESULTS _**Highlights from the latest social media company earnings reports**_ -------------------- YouTube Revenue for Full-Year 2025 Topped $60 Billion, Making Video Platform Bigger Than Netflix: (https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/youtube-2025-total-revenue-ads-subscriptions-alphabet-earnings-1236652260/) _** __________**_ **YOUTUBE** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e6180274-aa0c-44e3-8bca-78897419e06f/image.png?t=1770380882) Follow image link: (https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/youtube-2025-total-revenue-ads-subscriptions-alphabet-earnings-1236652260) Caption: * **YouTube’s** **Q4 ad revenue** rose 8.7% to hit $11.38B, yet missed Wall Street expectations. * **Shorts** now average 200B daily views across global audiences * **YouTube’s subscriptions** have hit 325 paying users. **SNAPCHAT** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1e335a11-6e3c-446b-9e7c-8456d94ffda5/image.png?t=1770380746) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-faces-growth-challenges-ahead-of-ar-specs-launch/811434/) Caption: * **Snapchat** [lost 3 million daily active users](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-faces-growth-challenges-ahead-of-ar-specs-launch/811434/) versus Q3, and is now sitting at 474M DAU. * **Revenue** is up 10% to $1.72B for the quarter * **Snapchat+** has grown to 24M subscribers, up 71% **REDDIT** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f0ea775d-667b-4a5a-948e-82b3f4e093ca/image.png?t=1770380780) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-posts-strong-q4-and-full-year-results/811561/) Caption: * **Reddit **added 5 million users, taking it to [121 million daily users ](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-posts-strong-q4-and-full-year-results/811561/)globally (up 19%) * **Q4 revenue** rocketed 70% to $726M thanks to stronger AI ads * **Full year revenue** is up 69% to $2.2B * **Reddit** sees [AI search](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/05/reddit-looks-to-ai-search-as-its-next-big-opportunity/) as its next major revenue engine -------------------- ## 💬 YOU CAN QUOTE ME ON THAT **_When I’m quoted in the news, you’ll find it here:_** -------------------- **BBC News** asked me about **P*rnhub’s** move to [tighten access in the UK](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg5er4ewg6o#:~:text=But%20social%20media,see%2C%22%20he%20said) after the Online Safety Act demanded strict age checks. _(BTW: I’m not a prude with that asterisk, I just don’t want to get caught by your employer’s strict email filter!)_ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/bb859551-a140-4a12-ac48-71a35977b06a/BBC_News_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra__1_.png?t=1770374550) Follow image link: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg5er4ewg6o#:~:text=But%20social%20media,see%2C%22%20he%20said) Caption: **__________** **Also this week:** * I spoke to **NPR’s Morning Edition** radio show about **TikTok’s** US joint venture and its [rough first week](https://www.npr.org/2026/01/27/nx-s1-5686537/what-does-tiktoks-new-ownership-mean-for-users-in-the-u-s) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4ff1a932-7730-4f68-8bd7-a0b628ba745e/NPR_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra.png?t=1770374564) Follow image link: (https://www.npr.org/2026/01/27/nx-s1-5686537/what-does-tiktoks-new-ownership-mean-for-users-in-the-u-s) Caption: -------------------- ## 💀 LOL -------------------- **Anthropic** is going hard against rival **OpenAI**, claiming it will never introduce ads to Claude. The Super Bowl ads to go with it are 👌👌👌 Open AI boss Sam Altman’s response? In a [420-word rant on X](https://x.com/sama/status/2019139174339928189), he thought the [ads were ‘funny’](https://www.theverge.com/news/874084/ai-chatgpt-claude-super-bowl-ads-openai-anthropic), but also ‘dishonest’ and ‘deceptive’, claiming ads like THAT are not coming to ChatGPT. His response got [ridiculed online](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3edyx74jko) with users likening his reaction to a toddler tantrum. Watch the ads and see what you think? 👇 Youtube: Can I get a six pack quickly? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQRu7DdTTVA) Youtube: How can I communicate better with my mom? (https://youtu.be/FBSam25u8O4?si=cOZgwenaeZ5Z1evv) Long-time friend Lia Haberman and I were in sync with our newsletter titles last week 😀 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/598b176b-1304-4916-8697-ed5b11e97867/lia_lol.jpg?t=1770138688) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@liahaberman/post/DUJC0UPidBJ?xmt=AQF0RoOtuhgymZq99qkA4OiiT8MWAC2zcMovYzHVYz4JVQ) Caption: A hard, ugly truth… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5156c940-0512-47b8-98f8-183fb4ea69db/Rangel_06022026.jpg?t=1770374487) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_the-social-content-after-everyone-has-weighed-activity-7424844238003003393-L6jF?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: -------------------- ## 🔥 MEMES -------------------- Ready to make history? This meme is for you. The “[getting ready to make history](https://dailydot.com/ready-to-make-history-meme)” meme shows the before-and-after of the internet’s most viral moments (with perhaps a little help from AI at times). Tweet: (https://twitter.com/dailyanidala/status/2013416371917382086) Tweet: (https://twitter.com/lipapictures/status/2011448654431998211) Tweet: (https://twitter.com/adorefranchaela/status/2013204582298538214) -------------------- ## 🌡️ VIRAL -------------------- Cunnning! Influencers are hiding** **anti-ICE info in Instagram carousels. The first slide is bait with lifestyle or gossip content, but slide two flips the script. -------------------- Influencers are 'swipefishing' anti-ICE information into Instagram carousels: (https://mashable.com/article/influencers-ice-info-swipefishing-instagram-tiktok-carousel) -------------------- **__________** **Also going viral this week: **🔥 * **Why your kid is yelling** “[chicken banana](https://www.vox.com/life/477716/chicken-banana-song-kids-gen-alpha-6-7)”? -------------------- ## 🪧 BRANDS -------------------- **YouTube** beats traditional TV in viewing hours, but it turns out that big-brand ad budgets lag behind… Some Brands Aren’t Spending Like YouTube Is the New TV: (https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-brands-arent-spending-like-youtube-is-the-new-tv-c2fc31d5) **__________** **More brand news:** * **X** is dangling a [$1 million prize](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-offers-million-dollar-prize-grok-super-bowl-ad-video-generation/811501/) for **Grok**-generated **Super Bowl** ads -------------------- ## 📲 NEW APP -------------------- Here’s a scary thought… are you connected to anyone in the **Epstein files**? 😳 This app can find matches (maybe false positives but maybe not!) in your **LinkedIn** connections. It does require some technical savvy to set up, though. This Tool Searches the Epstein Files For Your LinkedIn Contacts: (https://www.404media.co/this-tool-searches-the-epstein-files-for-your-linkedin-contacts/) **__________** **Also**: * **Watch Club** is producing short video dramas and [building a social network around them](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/03/watch-club-microdrama-video-social-network/) -------------------- ## 🙊 WHAT DID YOU SAY?! -------------------- **– ****India’s Supreme Court **says Meta’s dominance [makes consent meaningless](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/03/indias-supreme-court-to-whatsapp-you-cannot-play-with-the-right-to-privacy/), stressing vulnerable users cannot understand the company’s data practices **__________** **Also overheard this week: 👂** * _"The most ambitious, vertically-integrated innovation engine on (and off) Earth, with AI, rockets, space-based internet, direct-to-mobile device communications and the world's foremost real-time information and free speech platform."_ - – **Elon Musk **describes [his new mega-company](https://www.businessinsider.com/xai-sends-staff-q-and-a-on-spacex-merger-2026-2) that includes everything from rockets to the place formerly known as Twitter * _“Dirty Sánchez is a tyrant and a traitor to the people of Spain… Sánchez is the true fascist totalitarian.”_ - **Elon Musk** [isn’t a fan](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/feb/04/spain-under-16-social-media-ban-elon-musk-insults) of Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez’s plans to ban under-16s from social media and curb hateful content * _“This is a political attack”_ - **Elon Musk** [isn’t a fan](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUVgvUtii51?xmt=AQF089UWra2rkhduXI-4lOkeAEbTS30j6MjDadWD8Q130w) of French authorities raiding X’s offices, either - * _“You are imprinting part of your soul or your personality onto the bot.. Maybe it's aligned with who you are, and sometimes maybe it's surprising."_ - – **Moltbook creator Matt Schlicht** on why the AI bot social platform [is so compelling](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-cto-andew-bosworth-moltbook-2026-2) -------------------- ## 😮 WTF?! -------------------- **xAI **wants to hire** **award-winning writers to train **Grok**… and only pay them $40-$124 per hour! Good luck with that one, Elon. -------------------- xAI Wants to Hire Award-Winning Writers to Train Elon Musk's Stupid AI Chatbot: (https://gizmodo.com/xai-wants-to-hire-award-winning-writers-to-train-elon-musks-stupid-ai-chatbot-2000716233) -------------------- **__________** **Also WTF this week: **👀 * **Wikipedia as a social-style feed?!** [Meet Xikipedia](https://www.engadget.com/apps/a-developer-turned-wikipedia-into-a-social-media-style-feed-174924280.html) * **A controversial Chinese company** has emerged as the licensee of [Khaby Lame’s AI avatar](https://www.semafor.com/article/02/04/2026/three-sheep-the-controversial-chinese-firm-in-charge-of-khaby-lames-ai-avatar) in the recently-announced big-money deal * **Recruiters say LinkedIn **and major job boards have degraded into [unusable spam machines](https://www.fastcompany.com/91482196/recruiters-say-job-boards-like-linkedin-are-dead-heres-how-to-hire-instead) * **Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk’s** [‘wild’ dinner with Epstein](https://www.thedailybeast.com/mark-zuckerbergs-wild-dinner-with-epstein-revealed-in-files/) revealed in files * **Pinterest sacked** two engineers for tracking [which workers lost their jobs](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0k670n0ydo) in a recent round of layoffs -------------------- ## 🪦 RIP _**Social media features heading to the grave:**_ -------------------- All good things must come to an end eventually, it seems. **YouTube** has officially shut down browser tricks that let non-Premium users background-play videos. YouTube slams the door on free browser background play: (https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-is-officially-killing-this-background-play-loophole/) -------------------- ## 👔 YOU’RE HIRED! _**Hot new social media jobs worth checking out this week:**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1a68746c-4baa-49c3-b121-aef2f8961408/3840px-CBS_Sports_logo.svg.png?t=1770377674) Caption: **CBS Sports **is looking for a [Social Media Producer](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-producer/) _[Remote, USA]_ -------------------- **__________** **More top social media jobs spotted this week **💼 * **The Royal Shakespeare Company** is hiring a [Senior Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/senior-social-media-manager-1510/) _[London or Stratford-upon-Avon, UK]_ * **Napster **needs a [Social Media Content Creator](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-creator/) _[Remote, USA]_ * **Mencap** is recruiting a [Social Media Officer](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-officer-3/) _[London, UK]_ -------------------- ## 👌 PRO TIPS -------------------- **Instagram** shared top tips for finding the best stickers for Stories & Reels. -------------------- Instagram Sticker Ideas and Tips for Finding the Best Ones: (https://about.instagram.com/blog/tips-and-tricks/instagram-stickers-ideas) -------------------- **__________** **More NEW pro-tips worth checking out this week **✨ * **Instagram **says boosting your posts [doesn’t affect your reach](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUNganSDEpn?xmt=AQF0WXQG-gGff1-YaEELklbUW2JkJxwpJIZeOWCVI0UmRg) over time * **New TikTok analysis** revealed premium ad formats can drive [3–4x higher sales impact](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-shares-insight-into-effective-ad-measurement-approaches/811130/) * **LinkedIn **says that B2B buyers increasingly rely on [authentic human voices](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-shares-key-trends-in-b2b-marketing/811257/) over brand materials -------------------- ## 📊 SOCIAL STATS -------------------- **– The number of users **TikTok rival [UpScrolled reported reaching](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUQuxdYCkZ1?xmt=AQF0RoOtuhgymZq99qkA4OiiT8MWAC2zcMovYzHVYz4JVQ) in a matter of days (up from just 125,000) as **TikTok US **suffered teething problems and censorship claims -------------------- **__________** **Even more social stats: **📈 * **ENGAGEMENT: **2026 Social Media Benchmarks Reveal a Brutal Engagement Divide * Social Insider’s latest study analysed 70M posts across TikTok, IG, FB, and X. * TikTok dominates with a 3.70% engagement rate, surging 49% year over year. * Instagram stays stagnant at 0.48%, signalling a plateau in platform interactions. * Facebook drops to a low 0.15% engagement, continuing its long-term downward trajectory. * **HOT LOOK:** TikTok Shop UK has reported [60%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUI7CTFClIn?xmt=AQF0RoOtuhgymZq99qkA4OiiT8MWAC2zcMovYzHVYz4JVQ) beauty sales growth driven by K-beauty * **DARK SKY:** Bluesky reports to moderators rose [54%](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/30/bluesky-issues-its-first-transparency-report-noting-rise-in-user-reports-and-legal-demands/) to nearly 10 million in 2025, driven by spam and harassment * **GROKING IT:** Researchers found ChatGPT citing Grokipedia in [263,000](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUQR8t8itBB?xmt=AQF0RoOtuhgymZq99qkA4OiiT8MWAC2zcMovYzHVYz4JVQ) responses referencing 95,000 pages. This compares to 2.9 million citing Wikipedia * **BIG SPENDER:** Meta has funnelled [$65 million](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/02/meta-drops-65-million-into-super-pacs-to-boost-tech-friendly-state-candidates-00759567) into super PACs backing tech-friendly state candidates in the US -------------------- ## 📈 CHARTED -------------------- The sudden takeover of [vertical posts on Instagram](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUVgDQCCuny?xmt=AQF089UWra2rkhduXI-4lOkeAEbTS30j6MjDadWD8Q130w) 😮 Check out [more wild insights](https://theconversation.com/i-studied-10-years-of-instagram-posts-heres-how-social-media-has-changed-272898) on how Instagram has evolved over the past 10 years. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d6c51df2-9b64-40bb-83a2-fc3fd0676de2/627164311_17939046864117490_1483296021962383035_n.jpg?t=1770378693) Caption: -------------------- **__________** **Even more social charts: **📈 * **SCROLLING UP:** UpScrolled’s growth amid TikTok’s recent US troubles, [charted](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUVc-ebihH2?xmt=AQF089UWra2rkhduXI-4lOkeAEbTS30j6MjDadWD8Q130w) -------------------- ## 💥 EVEN MORE SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS & UPDATES Britain to work with Microsoft to build deepfake detection system: (https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-work-with-microsoft-build-deepfake-detection-system-2026-02-05/) **_________** **Also this week… **🚨 * **The BBC launched **a £600,000 accelerator backing studios creating content for YouTube, TikTok and Twitch. [[TubeFIlter](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/02/03/bbc-digital-accelerator-local-youtube-content-mentorship/)] * **US Senators unveiled **a bill to prevent scam ads on social media platforms. [[Reuters $$$](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-senators-unveil-bill-prevent-scam-ads-social-media-platforms-2026-02-04/)] * **Imgur has been fined** by the UK privacy watchdog over children’s data handling. [[The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/tech/874271/imgur-fined-by-uk-privacy-watchdog-over-childrens-data-handling)] * **Indonesia lifted** its Grok ban after X pledges concrete steps to stop sexualised deepfakes. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/grok-reinstated-in-indonesia-after-recent-nudification-controversy/811061/)] * **W Social plans **to launch in Europe, pitching itself as a trust-first alternative to Elon Musk’s X, built around real identity and zero anonymity. [[Gagadget.com](https://gagadget.com/en/693242-w-social-is-launching-in-europe-a-new-social-platform-based-on-trust-and-user-verification-and-without-musk/)] * **Major VPN firms** have agreed to join the UK’s online-safety consultation. [[TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/vpn-companies-open-to-meaningful-dialogue-with-uk-government-during-childrens-online-safety-consultation)] * **India is considering** banning under-16s from social media. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-05/debate-over-teen-social-media-use-grows-in-key-tech-market-india)] * **Germany’s ruling Conservative party** is pushing a ban on social media for under-16s. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-05/germany-s-conservative-party-considers-social-media-age-limit)] * **France might seek** restrictions on VPN use in campaign to keep minors off social media. [[Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/france-might-seek-restrictions-on-vpn-use-in-campaign-to-keep-minors-off-social-media-205308716.html)] * **Spain has joined **a growing number of** **countries pushing for a teen social media ban. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-03/spain-to-seek-to-ban-under-16-year-olds-from-social-media)] * **The new Dutch government **plans to push for an EU social media ban for under-15s. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/d66-cda-vvd-dutch-government-aims-to-keep-under-15s-off-social-media/)] * **Unlicensed weight-loss drugs** are being marketed on social media as ‘prizes’. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/feb/05/unlicensed-weight-loss-drugs-retatrutide-social-media-competitions-prizes)] -------------------- ## 📰 WEEKEND READS _**Geekout’s pick of the best longer reads to sink into over the weekend:**_ -------------------- _“Social media has been flooded with fake, AI-generated images and videos. But will the majority of users actually care?”_ -------------------- AI 'slop' is transforming social media - and there's a backlash: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9wx2dz2v44o) -------------------- **__________** **More great weekend reads:** * **OpenAI’s Meta-style makeover** [with ads](https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/openai-meta-makeover) * **Why is the Trump administration **really [appealing its Meta loss](https://www.theverge.com/policy/874286/ftc-meta-antitrust-appeal-boasberg-tiktok)? * **Are people getting tired **of ["unhinged" brands on social media](https://tappedinculture.substack.com/p/are-people-getting-tired-of-unhinged)? -------------------- ## 😳 AND FINALLY… -------------------- Have you created your **ChatGPT caricature** yet? Apparently its the [latest AI trend to go viral](https://mashable.com/article/chatgpt-caricature-trend-explained-prompts) this week. Here’s how to create your own: 1. Head to ChatGPT and paste in this prompt: "Create a caricature of me and my job based on everything you know about me." 2. Attach a close up headshot of yourself to the prompt. Here's mine: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4c2a0796-3ea5-4bb5-8218-ce3b06f0c06d/MattGPT.jpg?t=1770375482) Caption: -------------------- ## 📅 BACK NEXT WEEK… -------------------- And that brings you to the end of this week’s Geekout. I’m heading off to LinkedIn to check which marketing “thought leaders” have posted 12‑slide carousels on Moltbook, complete with: 👉 “Here’s what brands need to understand” 👉 zero hands‑on experience 👉 and a CTA asking if you “agree?” Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _P.S. This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/x-is-going-to-mars-dude

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e0ecb57f-c483-46a7-9ef4-a25a95a728fe/Geekout_300126.jpg?t=1769775617) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Get up to 30% OFF Geekout ads in 2026 **👉 ****[Request More Info](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com)** -------------------- **Collaborate with Matt Navarra** Consulting, Brand Collabs, Keynotes **[Watch Clips](https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18136187482403001/)**** / **[Get in Touch](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) -------------------- _**For the **___**BEST**___** Geekout experience**_ 👇 _T__ap this button 👇_ **⚡️ Optimise Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/at-least-zuck-isnt-doing-an-onlyfans-yet) -------------------- #### **Hello, geeks!** Oh boy! It’s been quite a week for TikTok in the US… As its shiny new American joint venture overlords (aka Trump’s pals) took the reins, the app promptly fell apart. Glitchy videos, broken comments, delayed creator payouts — and users mysteriously blocked from posting anything mentioning ‘_Epstein’_ or ‘_ICE raids'_. Understandably, the conspiracy theory crowd lit up like a Christmas tree. TikTok US blamed (checks notes)… Oracle. Which, ironically, is one of the new joint venture partners. Ooof! 🤦 Apparently, a “severe weather event” fried one of their data centres. Totally normal launch week stuff. 🤔 More on that hot mess in a moment. Here’s what else is coming up in this week’s Geekout: * **Meta testing Snapchat+ style paid subs:** Premium perks for Instagram + WhatsApp coming soon * **Zuckerberg ignoring internal warnings** to stop teens accessing AI chatbots that get weirdly sexy * **A viral ‘drama queen’ lamb who plays dead** when potential buyers approach * **33+ new Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp + LinkedIn features** spotted in the wild * **Plus all the latest viral trends,** pro-tips, top jobs, and more… Let’s go!👇 **__________** ==**P.S… 3 cool things**== * 😲** This **[**stealth AI tool**](https://syncly.app/social?utm_source=geekout&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=01302026)** watches TikTok, Instagram, YouTube** 24/7 to track spoken mentions of your brand by creators in their videos… I just spotted it’s offering a **[FREE Social Video Audit](https://syncly.app/lp/geekout-syncly?utm_source=geekout&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=01302026)** + a personalised TikTok-ready video strategy. * 🤬 **What is your Twitter / X Hostility Score?** Is yours higher than mine? **[Check here](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DT3ILRWisWb/how-to-get-your-x-account-hostility-score-and-discover-if-x-is-restricting-or)****.** * 📈 **[This ONE channel](https://www.tatari.tv/case-studies/fabletics?utm_campaign=35705784-GeekoutNewsletter&utm_source=Geekout%20Newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=Fabletics)**** boosted Fabletics Facebook performance** 20% and cut its ad CPMs by 50%. [ad] -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e1fcf1c2-1850-4cf9-96b0-c65f877429a4/image.png?t=1769700970) Follow image link: (https://syncly.app/lp/geekout-syncly?utm_source=geekout&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=01302026) Caption: -------------------- **In 2026, one video can tank a brand.** Yet most listening tools are blind. They only track text. They miss what’s actually happening and being in the video. You’re probably missing: * **🗣️ Spoken Mentions:** People say your name, but don’t type it. * 🔗** Untagged Endorsements:** Creators push your product without tagging. * 😱 **Negative PR:** By the time it hits Slack, it’s too late. That’s where [**Syncly Social**](https://syncly.app/lp/geekout-syncly?utm_source=geekout&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=01302026) comes in. It’s built specifically for social video, not retrofitted from legacy text-based listening. Why **Syncly** puts you back in control: * 🤖** True video listening: **Monitor your brand on TikTok/IG/YouTube, even on untagged posts * **🔍 Influencer discovery:** Find creators who fit with your brand by analyzing what they  actually show and say * **🗂️ Competitive intel:** Decode who and what’s driving growth for your competitors ✨** Get a FREE Social Video Audit! ** **Syncly** will unearth videos creators have shared mentioning your brand (or your rivals) **Syncly** will then create a **FREE**_** **_**TikTok-ready video strategy** just for you, to boost reach, clicks, and clout. I just got mine, and it was full of smart ideas — 🔥 **[Get your FREE Social Video Audit.](https://syncly.app/lp/geekout-syncly?utm_source=geekout&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=01302026)** ** Claim FREE Video Audit ** (https://syncly.app/lp/geekout-syncly?utm_source=geekout&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=01302026) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/194611d6-9cb6-44c5-80c7-d0a2d68195b5/image.png?t=1769705873) Caption: _**…**__**Geekout’s pick of the hottest headlines in social this week:**_ -------------------- TikTok’s ownership shakeup sends creators scrambling amid chaos and uncertainty : (https://digiday.com/media/tiktoks-ownership-shake-up-sends-creators-scrambling-amid-chaos-and-uncertainty/) -------------------- 2. **Meta to test premium subscriptions **on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp [[MONETISING](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/26/meta-to-test-premium-subscriptions-on-instagram-facebook-and-whatsapp/)] 3. **Meta CEO Zuckerberg blocked curbs on sex-talking chatbots **for teens, court filing alleges [[DISTURBING](https://archive.is/Sfk7Y)] 4. **EU launched inquiry into X** **over sexually explicit images** made by Grok AI [[PROBING](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/26/eu-launches-inquiry-into-x-over-sexually-explicit-images-made-by-grok-ai)] 5. **TikTok** **settled social media addiction lawsuit** ahead of landmark trial in the U.S [[EVADING](https://archive.is/Cins2)] -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/72c3041f-3739-41b1-8b68-3ed0ccc6fb2c/Geekout_Newsletter_Placement.jpg?t=1769703490) Follow image link: (https://www.tatari.tv/schedule-demo?utm_campaign=35705784-GeekoutNewsletter&utm_source=Geekout%20Newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=CTA) Caption: -------------------- **Facebook** ads flatlining? **TikTok** results still unpredictable? 🫠 So what are the smartest social teams doing about it? They’re adding TV. And no, not Mad Men-era TV. We’re talking **modern, testable, performance-driven TV** that works like Meta _used_ to. [**Fabletics plugged Tatari**](https://www.tatari.tv/case-studies/fabletics?utm_campaign=35705784-GeekoutNewsletter&utm_source=Geekout%20Newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=Fabletics)** **into their media mix and saw: * 📉 CPMs drop 50% * 📈 Facebook ROAS shoot up 20% TV builds top-of-funnel demand. Then social + search convert it more efficiently. Everything works harder. And no, you _don’t_ need a _Super Bowl _sized ad budget! **This is TV built for performance marketers:** * Test fast * Track CPV, ROAS, CAC * Scale only what works [**Tatari**](https://tatari.tv?utm_campaign=35705784-GeekoutNewsletter&utm_source=Geekout%20Newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=Tatari)[ helps growth teams](https://tatari.tv?utm_campaign=35705784-GeekoutNewsletter&utm_source=Geekout%20Newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=Tatari) plan, buy, and measure streaming and linear TV with the same mindset you use for paid social. So, if your Facebook performance is flatlining, this might be your unlock. **👉 **[**Unlock the Paid Social Boost You’ve Been Missing**](https://www.tatari.tv/schedule-demo?utm_campaign=35705784-GeekoutNewsletter&utm_source=Geekout%20Newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=CTA) Unlock Paid Social Boost (https://www.tatari.tv/schedule-demo?utm_campaign=35705784-GeekoutNewsletter&utm_source=Geekout%20Newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=CTA) -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/5a4e36c0-4b73-4037-ac38-6d104ec96c8b/image.png?t=1769705836) Caption: ### …TikTok US’s rocky first week -------------------- TikTok users “absolutely justified” in fearing MAGA makeover, experts say: (https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/01/tiktok-claimed-bugs-blocked-anti-ice-videos-epstein-mentions-experts-call-bs/) -------------------- As the deal to create a separate entity to run TikTok in the USA was finally signed off late last week, there were [celebrations](https://www.businessinsider.com/read-tiktok-ceo-memo-closing-a-deal-avoid-a-ban-2026-1) at the company’s American HQ. But they didn’t last long. Let’s set aside the question of [whether or not the deal is even legal](https://www.theverge.com/news/866977/tiktok-deal-congress-china). As Adam Presser, previously TikTok’s head of operations, was appointed[CEO of TikTok US](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/22/tiktok-forms-us-joint-venture-names-a-ceo.html) and the weekend rolled around, the platform was in for a nightmare few days that would have staff and users alike worried. There were severe tech problems lasting [the best part of three days](https://www.theverge.com/news/868679/tiktok-down-outage-us-usds). TikTok US blamed them on a [data centre power problem](https://www.theverge.com/news/867873/tiktok-down-outage-us-data-center-power-outage), which turned out to be caused by the new co-owner of TikTok US, [Oracle](https://www.theverge.com/news/869037/oracle-admits-it-broke-tiktok). Embarrassing! TikTok [warned advertisers](https://www.adweek.com/media/read-email-tiktok-advertisers-screwup/) the failure caused missing ads, broken reporting, and monetisation glitches. Major agencies saw severe under-delivery, forcing brands to shift spend, which spiked CPMs on Meta and YouTube. Some campaigns auto-ended early, worsening performance. Yikes. A few technical issues are to be expected after a major change, perhaps. But there was more. Long before the deal closed, there had been concerns that a bunch of Trump-approved rich folk taking over TikTok’s algorithm in the US could [tighten Trump’s cultural grip](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/23/how-the-tiktok-deal-could-tighten-trumps-cultural-grip-00744497) on the app, and the country for widely. In the first few days of TikTok US, those fears seemed to have been made real, with users reporting censorship of posts about [ICE](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/01/26/tiktok-censorship-ice-shooting/) and [Epstein](https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/tiktok-epstein-trump-censorship-ice-b2908309.html#Echobox=1769516546). TikTok said this was [not intentional](https://www.npr.org/2026/01/27/nx-s1-5689104/tiktok-epstein-direct-messages), but that didn’t stop California governor Gavin Newsom accusing TikTok of suppressing content critical of Trump. He [pledged to investigate](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/27/gavin-newsom-tiktok-content-critical-of-trump). Whether or not TikTok suppresses anti-Trump content, the fear that it might is completely justified in a country where the President sues media outlets he thinks are unfair to him. I suspect TikTok US will find itself having to justify every pro-Trump moderation decision to users in the future. Meanwhile, TikTok users freaked out over app’s ‘[immigration status](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/23/tiktok-users-freak-out-over-apps-immigration-status-collection-heres-what-it-means/)’ collection. It turns out that’s some legal box-ticking the previous version of the app also had. But in the context of ICE roaming around the US and rounding people up, it’s understandable that users were worried. It’s also understandable that advertisers might worry that these policies could put users off the app. Competing apps like [UpScrolled](https://www.theverge.com/news/867958/tiktok-upscrolled-app-us-takeover) and [Skylight](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/26/tiktok-alternative-skylight-soars-to-380k-users-after-tiktok-u-s-deal-finalized/), which saw a boost this week in the US, will no doubt be hoping TikTok’s new American owners screw up spectacularly. They certainly have so far… -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e58c3d88-7b1d-42ef-89b7-40b3992f7148/image.png?t=1769705262) Caption: _**…**__**Platform news you need to know this week…**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/69d96d44-5168-41ea-8027-c6f9087ec646/image.png?t=1769775640) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUGLhtsivE-/facebook-marketplace-turns-into-bridgertons-ton-with-real-props-up-for-grabs) Caption: Facebook Marketplace launches Bridgerton shop | Credit: Meta / Netflix * **Facebook** has a new [Bridgerton Marketplace page](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUGLhtsivE-/facebook-marketplace-turns-into-bridgertons-ton-with-real-props-up-for-grabs), where fans of the Netflix show can buy props, signed merch, and enter themed giveaways (US-only) * **Meta** has [blocked teens](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/23/meta-pauses-teen-access-to-ai-characters-ahead-of-new-version/) from accessing AI characters as it rebuilds a safer system * **Meta** will [scale back Horizon Worlds](https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/meta-quest-horizon-worlds-and-game-development-changes-jan-2026) VR and prioritise mobile and third-party titles * **Meta** and Ray-Ban smart glasses partner **EssilorLuxottica** are being [sued](https://www.engadget.com/wearables/a-rival-smart-glasses-company-is-suing-meta-over-its-ray-ban-products-205000997.html) by rival brand Solos, alleging patent infringement * **Meta**'s Creator Marketplace now [auto-populates](https://x.com/peterczepiga/status/2016508083585929632) a list of all the influencers who follow your brand on social media * **Meta**’s new wristband lets paralysed users [move virtual hands](https://www.meta.com/en-gb/blog/university-of-utah-accessibility-research-meta-neural-band/) * **Meta **has spent [more than $6M ](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/technology/meta-data-center-ads.html)on TV ads in state capitals + Washington, to try to make data centres more popular with politicians and the public * **Meta** is now blocking links to ICE List, [a wiki that names agents](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-blocks-links-to-ice-list-a-wiki-that-names-agents-231410653.html) * **Meta** is being [probed by Ofcom](https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/23/ofcom_probe_whatsapp/) over WhatsApp info it was legally required to provide * **China** ordered a [deeper review](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-23/china-deepens-review-of-meta-s-landmark-2-billion-manus-buyout) of **Meta**’s acquisition of Chinese-founded AI startup Manus * **Meta **teased [Super Bowl ads](https://www.meta.com/en-gb/blog/oakley-meta-ad-campaign-spike-lee-marshawn-lynch-ishowspeed/) for its Oakley smart glasses * **Facebook **Dating launched “[Free to Date](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUGLC8oCkIw?xmt=AQF0divezE1ofalfi4nedKMAECdOWpLbEzeNVAVgZvzNcw),” its first-ever ad campaign targeting young adults * **Facebook** has added a [WhatsApp sticker](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUIQz2EjEOM?xmt=AQF049TWwiJ_E7IDKs9Q3xP323vTC4yc9C2_Tpoy2zD1HA) for Pages * **Facebook** is testing a new [More button](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUIkGq2jMhp?xmt=AQF0-ncCoZu_XovXFyzYy87k5wQfGAQaDOB03I4OriuFXQ) for the options available for comments left on posts **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/84dbd275-11d6-401b-992c-ea0901ecd049/image.png?t=1769775887) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUIUSFvjMk5?xmt=AQF049TWwiJ_E7IDKs9Q3xP323vTC4yc9C2_Tpoy2zD1HA) Caption: Instagram is making it easier to DM friends about posts they liked | Credit: @theahmedghanem * **Instagram** plans to test a [paid subscription with premium perks](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/26/meta-to-test-premium-subscriptions-on-instagram-facebook-and-whatsapp/), incl. unlimited audience lists, seeing who doesn’t follow you back, and viewing Stories anonymously * **Instagram** has made it easier—and more private—to start conversations with friends [based on posts they’ve liked](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUIUSFvjMk5?xmt=AQF049TWwiJ_E7IDKs9Q3xP323vTC4yc9C2_Tpoy2zD1HA) * **Instagram Edits** now has [simplified](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/edits-gets-simplified-copy-and-paste-improved-track-linking/810642/) copy and paste and improved track linking * **Instagram Edits** has [moved](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUIRurHDCvl?xmt=AQF049TWwiJ_E7IDKs9Q3xP323vTC4yc9C2_Tpoy2zD1HA) the creation button to the Projects tab, making it larger and placing it at the top of the page. * **Instagram** is testing a new way to display post dates by showing the [exact posting date](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUISv9yDCYD?xmt=AQF049TWwiJ_E7IDKs9Q3xP323vTC4yc9C2_Tpoy2zD1HA) instead of a day count * **Instagram** now labels sponsored ads simply as [“Ad”](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUISPylDM2W?xmt=AQF049TWwiJ_E7IDKs9Q3xP323vTC4yc9C2_Tpoy2zD1HA) * **Instagram** has started displaying a count of [Story reshares](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUISAA5jGW1?xmt=AQF049TWwiJ_E7IDKs9Q3xP323vTC4yc9C2_Tpoy2zD1HA) within the Story views section * **Threads** made improvements to its [post markup](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DT2t89mDMAc?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q) feature * **Threads** is widely rolling out the ability to [invite a user to a group](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUIjvGjDJiM?xmt=AQF0-ncCoZu_XovXFyzYy87k5wQfGAQaDOB03I4OriuFXQ) with a link **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/00a852f3-1de4-4137-819b-a65a59b67394/image.png?t=1769776331) Follow image link: (https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/27/whatsapp-launches-new-anti-spyware-mode-for-improved-security/) Caption: WhatsApp’s new ‘Strict Account Settings’ option | Credit: Meta * **WhatsApp** announced new [anti-spyware](https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/27/whatsapp-launches-new-anti-spyware-mode-for-improved-security/) security improvements with a ‘Strict Account Settings’ option * **WhatsApp** is building a [paid subscription](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-4-8-whats-new/) with exclusive customisation perks like premium stickers, app themes, extra pinned chats, custom ringtones, and new app icons * **WhatsApp** will now [charge AI chatbots](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/28/whatsapp-will-now-charge-ai-chatbots-to-operate-in-italy/) to operate in Italy * **WhatsApp Channels **now [faces stricter regulation in Europe](https://www.euronews.com/next/2026/01/26/whatsapp-faces-new-user-protection-obligations-under-the-eus-toughest-digital-rules) after being categorised as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the EU’s toughest digital rules * **WhatsApp **is rolling out Questions to more Broadcast Channels and testing a new [Music feature](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUIp-YeDM0O?xmt=AQF053Delb9_4xcpHCT_mRhq4YnRRkKXaoGr5eK2NItYYQ) that lets creators such as musicians share music directly with subscribers * **WhatsApp** is rolling out its [chat history sharing](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DT6obc-iKp-?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q) feature for new group members * **WhatsApp **has been [accused of lying](https://uk.pcmag.com/security/162799/lawsuit-alleges-that-whatsapp-has-no-end-to-end-encryption) about having end-to-end encryption. Meta (and some experts) says the plaintiffs are talking nonsense * **WhatsApp **is working on a feature that allows users to [share status updates](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DUCXWx8CLbg?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q) from their channels * **WhatsApp** is testing a new [Recent searches tab](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DT27gWWjBbM?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q) **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6b240da3-2c3b-491a-9f3c-f6d6258f0229/image.png?t=1769776842) Follow image link: (https://www.businessinsider.com/x-elon-musk-twitter-articles-feature-content-million-dollars-2026-1) Caption: X’s $1 million Article contest is producing a lot of junk | Credit: X * **X**, xAI, and SpaceX could all be [merged into one big company](https://www.theverge.com/tech/870380/elon-musk-space-x-xai-merger) to float on the stock market (or SpaceX could merge with Tesla instead) * **X**’s $1M contest for the most viral article is resulting in [a lot of crap](https://www.businessinsider.com/x-elon-musk-twitter-articles-feature-content-million-dollars-2026-1) * **37+ US attorneys general** are [taking action](https://www.wired.com/story/the-state-led-crackdown-on-grok-and-xai-has-begun/) against **xAI **after people used its chatbot, Grok, to generate a flood of sexualised images * **X** launched ‘[Brand Ranx](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-launches-brand-ranx-super-bowl-ads-tracker/810646/)’ to measure Super Bowl ad response * **X**’s Grok is the [most antisemitic chatbot](https://www.theverge.com/news/868925/adl-ai-antisemitism-report-grok-chatgpt-gemini-claude-deepseek-llama-elon-musk), according to the ADL * **X** users claimed Grok leaked [hidden moderation metrics](https://www.vice.com/en/article/has-grok-been-tricked-into-revealing-what-it-really-thinks-of-your-x-account/) for how offensive you are from 1-100… but X hasn’t confirmed if it’s real or a hallucination. Here’s [how to get your X Hostility Score](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DT3ILRWisWb/how-to-get-your-x-account-hostility-score-and-discover-if-x-is-restricting-or) * **X** now lets you [add images to polls](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUAx6Q6iVhV?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q) * **Two UK Royal Colleges** have quit **X** because of “[harmful content and abusive behaviour](https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s185.full)” * **X** may be considering [shutting down Communities](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUIa2AHjP4M) **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1a7aa901-e6a5-4fdb-89ab-ebc92a2ffb57/image.png?t=1769777201) Follow image link: (https://variety.com/2026/digital/global/keke-palmer-demi-lovato-tiktok-global-live-fest-1236644450/) Caption: TikTok launches Global LIVE FEST event | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** will host its [Global Live Fest](https://variety.com/2026/digital/global/keke-palmer-demi-lovato-tiktok-global-live-fest-1236644450/) on 12 February at Planet Hollywood with Emmy winner Keke Palmer hosting * **TikTok **added video and photo templates for [Valentine’s Day](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/reposts) in the Create tab * **TikTok** is introducing [Smart Split](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUIgGk7DFq-?xmt=AQF0-ncCoZu_XovXFyzYy87k5wQfGAQaDOB03I4OriuFXQ) in TikTok Studio on desktop, designed to create viral clips * **TikTok **now automatically [adds links](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DT_U_1bjC0g?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q) to movies or TV shows on posts talking about them * **TikTok **is rolling a new design for app buttons in the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners [‘squircle’](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUIlW1xDN5f?xmt=AQF0-ncCoZu_XovXFyzYy87k5wQfGAQaDOB03I4OriuFXQ) * **TikTok**’s moderation shifts have left [major news creators](https://digiday.com/media/tiktok-moderation-has-pushed-some-news-creators-to-the-limit/) struggling with severe instability, with some quitting the platform entirely * **TikTok** now allows users to add nearby friends [using Bluetooth](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUIgZkfjClY?xmt=AQF0-ncCoZu_XovXFyzYy87k5wQfGAQaDOB03I4OriuFXQ) * **TikTok** has added new settings to toggle [alt text](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/reposts) on/off for text and image posts * **TikTok **spotlighted creators at [Sundance](https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/tiktok-puts-creators-hollywood-spotlight-sundance-fest-rcna255793), sending 10 top creators to produce festival content * **TikTok US** will [force](https://www.adweek.com/media/tiktok-shop-to-end-independent-shipping-us-logistics/) all brands to use platform-run shipping for Shop sales… …and some sellers plan to [scale back products](https://digiday.com/marketing/some-tiktok-shop-sellers-pull-back-as-the-platform-moves-to-end-independent-shipping-in-the-u-s/), discounts or exit **TikTok **Shop as a result **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/16dbfc8b-8886-4422-ba42-b11235862f9c/image.png?t=1769777872) Follow image link: (https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-premium-playback-speed-experiment-3635209/) Caption: YouTube prompts users to subscribe to Premium for faster playback speeds | Credit: Android Authority * **YouTube** says it’s [not planning to paywall](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-premium-playback-speed-experiment-3635209/) all playback speed control options, after users spotted prompts suggesting it might. * **Google AI **overviews cite **YouTube** [more than any medical site](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/24/google-ai-overviews-youtube-medical-citations-study) for health queries, a new study suggests * **YouTube** has been criticised by advertisers and after [pulling out ](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/28/youtube-criticised-pulls-out-uk-tv-audience-ratings)of UK TV audience measurement, making it harder to compare viewing figures with other channels. * **YouTube has been hit **by annoying [‘content unavailable’ errors](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-content-unavailable-bug/) * **YouTube** has wiped [4.7 billion+ views](https://www.theverge.com/news/869684/youtube-top-ai-channels-removed-kapwing) worth of AI brainrot **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1f861406-b576-481b-8329-4b7f55850d5b/image.png?t=1769778332) Follow image link: (https://www.engadget.com/ai/linkedin-will-let-you-show-off-your-vibe-coding-expertise-140000776.html) Caption: LinkedIn’s new verified AI coding skills certification | Credit: LinkedIn * **LinkedIn** now issues verified [AI coding skill certificates](https://www.engadget.com/ai/linkedin-will-let-you-show-off-your-vibe-coding-expertise-140000776.html) based on real usage data from Replit, Lovabl, Descript, and Relay. app * **LinkedIn **shared how it is [cracking down on fake job listings](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-outlines-measures-to-combat-scam-job-listings/810921/) and scam recruiters * **Pinterest** is [laying off 15%](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/27/pinterest-layoffs-stock-ai.html?irclickid=2ax0S1VbJxycWVU1Ilw2pzP6UkpS77We5QfN3g0&irpid=2605817&irgwc=1&afsrc=1) of its workforce in a push toward AI roles and teams * **Pinterest **added a [media planner](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-adds-media-planner-to-help-you-manage-your-ad-campaigns/810438/) to help you manage your ad campaigns * **Snap** is spinning its smart glasses team out into its own company, called [Specs](https://www.theverge.com/news/869210/snap-specs-smart-ar-glasses-new-subsidiary) * **Snap** previewed its new ‘[Shared Experiences](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-previews-shared-ar-experiences-in-specs/810880/)’ tech for its AR Specs * **Snap** is being [sued by YouTubers](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/26/youtubers-sue-snap-for-alleged-copyright-infringement-in-training-its-ai-models/) for alleged copyright infringement in training its AI models * **Bluesky** teased its [2026 roadmap](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/27/bluesky-teases-2026-roadmap-a-better-discover-feed-real-time-features-and-more/), including a better Discover feed, real-time features, and more * **Twitch** launched Bloxfest, a three-week Roblox festival with a [$300,000 prize pool](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/01/28/twitch-roblox-festival-bloxfest-rivals-prizes/) * **Spotify** rolled out [group chats](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/spotify-rolls-out-group-chats/) letting up to 10 people discuss music, podcasts, and audiobooks. **__________** -------------------- 🔥== ====**Want to see more hot NEW features**==== spotted in the wild this week?== ==Just head to the ====[‘](#more-news)====**[More news’ section](#more-news)**==== below!== -------------------- ## 🤖 SOCIAL AI _**The newest social media AI features spotted this week:**_ -------------------- As **Meta** looks to build AI into pretty much everything it does, it’s building [shopping assistants](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/28/zuckerberg-teases-agentic-commerce-tools-and-major-ai-rollout-in-2026/) that search products for you and suggest better deals. They are slated to launch this year. Zuckerberg teases agentic commerce tools and major AI rollout in 2026: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/28/zuckerberg-teases-agentic-commerce-tools-and-major-ai-rollout-in-2026/) -------------------- _** __________**_ _**Also spotted this week **_👀 * **Meta** says 2026 will bring even [deeper AI features](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/01/2026-ai-drives-performance/), boosting engagement across Facebook, Instagram, Threads * **Meta** added [two new AI models](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUA4m8UDFWZ?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q) in Meta AI’s mobile apps, Fast and Thinking * **Instagram** is working on adding [a shortcut to Manus AI](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DT2duPHDfP3?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q) (recently acquired by Meta) in the settings page * **WhatsApp** is working on a feature that enables [reasoning capabilities](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DT9NO-zCM5Q?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q) for Meta AI * **X** could add [labels marking edited images](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/28/elon-musk-teases-a-new-image-labeling-system-for-xwe-think/) as manipulated… it’s unclear if this is for AI visuals, Photoshop, or something else, though * **xAI** has extended video creation in the Grok app to [10 seconds](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DUDhDnKiQ3m?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q) * **X** has quietly added support for [Apple Intelligence](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUIRTFGDFgi?xmt=AQF049TWwiJ_E7IDKs9Q3xP323vTC4yc9C2_Tpoy2zD1HA) writing tools * **OpenAI** is quietly building a [biometric-verified social network](https://www.forbes.com/sites/annatong/2026/01/28/openai-wants-to-create-biometric-social-network-to-kill-xs-bot-problem/) to eliminate bots via Face ID and World’s iris-scan orb tech * **Adobe Photoshop**’s AI tools now offer [higher resolution output](https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/27/photoshops-ai-tools-now-offer-higher-resolution-output-fewer-artifacts-more-control/), fewer artifacts, and more control -------------------- ## 💰 QUARTERLY RESULTS _**Highlights from the latest social media company earnings reports**_ -------------------- 5 of the biggest takeaways from Meta's Q4 2025 earnings call: (https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-q4-2025-earnings-ai-investments-capex-2026-1) _** __________**_ * **Meta’s apps are now used **by [nearly half the planet](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-posts-increases-in-users-and-revenue-in-q4/810801/) with 3.58 billion daily active users across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Threads View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/cda4a09d-125d-4124-8f00-0fafc7e1a0c5/image.png?t=1769778548) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-posts-increases-in-users-and-revenue-in-q4/810801/) Caption: Meta’s Q4 Family Daily Active People Insights | Credit: Meta * **Meta** says [nearly 10%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUGKWfOijIl?xmt=AQF0divezE1ofalfi4nedKMAECdOWpLbEzeNVAVgZvzNcw) of the Reels people view each day are now created in its Edits app * **Meta** [revealed](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUGKWfOijIl?xmt=AQF0divezE1ofalfi4nedKMAECdOWpLbEzeNVAVgZvzNcw) 75% of recommend content on Instagram are original posts. * **Facebook** is now surfacing over [25% more](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUIUH9nil3N?xmt=AQF049TWwiJ_E7IDKs9Q3xP323vTC4yc9C2_Tpoy2zD1HA) same-day Reels compared to Q3 2025 * **Meta will spend **as much as [$135 billion on AI infrastructure](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn8jkyk78gno) in 2026, nearly twice last year’s $72 billion outlay * **Mark Zuckerberg claims** AI glasses will become mainstream, calling today’s moment comparable to [smartphones overtaking flip phones](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/28/mark-zuckerberg-future-smart-glasses/) * **Mark Zuckerberg says** Meta’s Reality Labs will [(eventually) stop losing so much money](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mark-zuckerberg-says-reality-labs-will-eventually-stop-losing-so-much-money-222900157.html) * **Meta has warned** of potential [“material loss” from trials](https://deadline.com/2026/01/meta-q4-earnngs-warns-potential-material-loss-trials-1236700389/) around youth related issues **LinkedIn Q4 Results** * **LinkedIn now has 1.3 billion members**, though actual active users are probably closer to [around 450 million](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-continues-to-add-users-revenue/810894/) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c26e0-a38f-41c6-a15d-77c6337b565b/image.png?t=1769778677) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-continues-to-add-users-revenue/810894/) Caption: LinkedIn’s latest global map of active users | Credit: LinkedIn * **LinkedIn has topped $5 billion** in [quarterly revenue ](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUF8FOLiuVg?xmt=AQF0divezE1ofalfi4nedKMAECdOWpLbEzeNVAVgZvzNcw)for the first time * **LinkedIn’s** TikTok-inspired short-form video push [**spiked paid video ads 30%**](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-continues-to-add-users-revenue/810894/) YoY. -------------------- ## 💬 YOU CAN QUOTE ME ON THAT _**When I’m quoted in the news, you’ll find it here:**_ -------------------- What does a new **US TikTok deal** mean for users? I spoke to **BBC News** about [what might happen next](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5yynydvgzo)… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/438bbc47-22ce-4282-9831-e75ca604d637/BBC_News_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra.png?t=1769770756) Follow image link: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5yynydvgzo) Caption: **__________** **Also this week:** * I spoke to **Vogue Business** about what an Americanised TikTok [means for brands and creators](https://archive.is/vUq6s) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/08528419-a1d5-4350-ac22-ad2e5c821f08/Vogue_Business_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra.png?t=1769771779) Follow image link: (https://archive.is/vUq6s) Caption: * **The Times **asked me about British Prime Minister [Keir Starmer's TikTok strategy](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUGumy-is64?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q), as his digital team invites creators into No 10 to reach young voters who avoid traditional news channels… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d14ab475-4f9f-4d55-b3aa-fb5e82f37d1d/The_Times_Quote_-_Matt_Navarra.png?t=1769771848) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUGumy-is64?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q) Caption: -------------------- ## 💀 LOL -------------------- We’ve all had days on LinkedIn that leave you feeling a bit.. 💀 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3678ff02-7c9c-4417-8cfe-0bf634172b02/lotterylol.jpg?t=1769769863) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DT088cikmJb/) Caption: -------------------- ## 🔥 MEMES -------------------- With news that the FBI was investigating Signal chats between Minnesota residents in case they were plotting against ICE, [gallows humour kicked in](https://mashable.com/article/signal-alternative-meme-jokes) on Bluesky and fun memes ensued…. (PSA: we have **no reason **to think Signal is actually compromised, but you can always try your Samsung Smart Fridge as an alternative) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e1e547a6-4f0c-4bfc-9621-2604db3014de/Signal_meme_1.jpg?t=1769770088) Follow image link: (https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2yhglxsi2owchryafic2gmr3/post/3mdeyxckp4s26) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8d1279b0-12c2-4c8d-9234-172830903b5d/Signal_meme_2.jpg?t=1769770232) Follow image link: (https://bsky.app/profile/amandabf.bsky.social/post/3mdeo55pskk2p) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/db15fe66-23ce-4c25-84e7-5fddfcc30beb/Signal_meme_3.jpg?t=1769770462) Follow image link: (https://bsky.app/profile/darklaughtertdb.bsky.social/post/3mderljq2wc2m) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7dd7d7ba-69bf-4b80-941e-d317763330ad/Signal_meme_4.jpg?t=1769770563) Follow image link: (https://bsky.app/profile/vincempls.bsky.social/post/3mdeu3ung2s2p) Caption: -------------------- ## 🌡️ VIRAL -------------------- **Weather influencers **seem to be increasingly popular… But algorithms are increasingly putting entertainment above the facts… -------------------- Weather influencers are going viral. How much should we trust them?: (https://www.npr.org/2026/01/23/nx-s1-5685033/weather-influencers-winter-storm) -------------------- **__________** **Also going viral this week: **🔥 * **TikTok is blowing up** with creators filming their awkward, funny [cold calls](https://www.fastcompany.com/91480562/cold-call-with-me-the-new-tiktok-trend-built-on-phone-call-awkwardness) * **TikTok users have adopted** a [doomed penguin](https://eu.usatoday.com/story/tech/2026/01/26/nihilist-penguin-mountain-meme/88363211007/) as the mascot of overload * **Australian plumber Bruce** has become an unlikely YouTube star by [cleaning horrific drains](https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/01/australian-plumber-is-a-youtube-sensation/) -------------------- ## 🪧 BRANDS -------------------- Following on from last week’s news about** Dr Pepper **using a **TikTok creator’s jingle** for a big TV ad spot… Brands like **Denny’s**, **Popeyes**, and **Welch’s **want to get in on the act, and** ** [flooded the creator’s comments](https://www.fastcompany.com/91480175/dr-pepper-used-a-tiktok-creators-jingle-now-everyone-wants-to-get-in-on-the-act) begging for their own jingles Dr Pepper used a TikTok creator's jingle. Now everyone wants to get in on the act: (https://www.fastcompany.com/91480175/dr-pepper-used-a-tiktok-creators-jingle-now-everyone-wants-to-get-in-on-the-act) **__________** **More brand news:** * **YouTube** and **the NFL** have teamed up for a [star-packed Super Bowl LX flag football game](https://deadline.com/2026/01/youtube-nfl-super-bowl-lx-flag-football-game-1236699559/) on 7 February * **Warner Bros. Discovery** has [partnered with X and TikTok](https://deadline.com/2026/01/warner-bros-discovery-partners-x-tiktok-winter-olympics-1236699994/) for **Winter Olympics** coverage -------------------- ## 👀 MY FAV READS -------------------- Welcome to “desocialized media”… Platforms built to connect people are now doing the opposite as it all becomes about performing for algorithms. A great read about the increasingly splintered social media and internet culture landscape Instagram Reels and the New Era of Desocialized Media: (https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/instagram-reels-and-the-new-era-of-desocialized-media.html) -------------------- ## 🙊 WHAT DID YOU SAY?! -------------------- **– **[**Internal message from a Meta employee**](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/01/tiktok-settles-hours-before-landmark-social-media-addiction-trial-starts/) that may doom **Meta** at upcoming social media addiction trial **__________** **Also overheard this week: 👂** * _“We started with text, and then moved to photos when we got phones with cameras, and then moved to video when mobile networks got fast enough. Soon, we’ll see an explosion of new media formats that are more immersive and interactive, and only possible because of advances in AI.”_ - – **Mark Zuckerberg **on where social media, and Meta, [is going next](https://www.theverge.com/news/869882/mark-zuckerberg-meta-earnings-q4-2025) - * _"Maybe try not tweeting 'SEEMINGLY' racist stuff next time"_ - – **Tech investor Vinod Khosla** [called out](https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-vc-founder-vinod-khosla-argue-racism-maga-2026-1) Elon Musk’s racism this week, leading to a spat with the X boss * _“We assess a lot of AI chatbots at Common Sense Media, and they all have risks, but Grok is among the worst we’ve seen.”_ - – **Robbie Torney**, head of AI and digital assessments at Common Sense Media after [investigating child safety](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/27/among-the-worst-weve-seen-report-slams-xais-grok-over-child-safety-failures/) across AI platforms * _"I believe that competition and innovation could help better protect young people, without denying them the benefits of communication and sharing responsibly. There is so much we could do, if the regulatory framework was a partner rather than a cudgel.”_ - – **Bluesky CEO Jay Graber **says banning under-16s [won’t fix social media](https://www.ft.com/content/c6980fc4-97b6-40bf-a3d0-c40c3a6cac56) * _“We didn't start talking about masculine corporate energy when that was popular”_ - – **OpenAI boss Sam Altman **in an apparent [dig at Mark Zuckerberg](https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-dig-mark-zuckerberg-masculine-energy-2026-1) * _“TT is under new ownership and we are being completely censored and monitored. I’m unable to upload anything about even after I tried to trick the page by making it look like a comedy video. Let’s delete the app love you!”_ - – **Actor Meg Salter **[reacts](https://deadline.com/2026/01/meg-stalter-leaves-tiktok-censorship-anti-ice-posts-1236697154/) to TikTok’s glitchy first week under new US control - she wasn’t the only one to think the ‘censorship’ was deliberate. -------------------- ## 😮 WTF?! -------------------- **An AI-generated schoolgirl** named **Amelia** has become a far-right viral sensation. Originally created for a **UK Government counter-extremism game**, she’s been widely subverted online. Far-right networks amplified her rapidly, spawning memes, merchandise and even cryptocurrency. Her racist, sexualised iterations now flood X, rising from 500 to 11,000+ daily posts. -------------------- Meet ‘Amelia’: the AI-generated British schoolgirl who is a far-right social media star: (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/25/ai-generated-british-schoolgirl-becomes-far-right-social-media-meme) -------------------- **__________** **Also WTF this week: **👀 * **Two heads, three boobs: **The AI babe meta [is getting surreal](https://www.404media.co/two-heads-three-boobs-the-ai-babe-meta-is-getting-surreal/) * **Facebook AI slop has grown so dark** that [you may not be prepared](https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/facebook-ai-slop-dark) * **ChatGPT is pulling answers** from Elon Musk’s Grokipedia, [tests reveal](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/24/latest-chatgpt-model-uses-elon-musks-grokipedia-as-source-tests-reveal) * **No, the Freecash app won’t pay you** [to scroll TikTok](https://www.wired.com/story/no-the-freecash-app-wont-pay-you-to-scroll-tiktok/) * **Influencers are pushing **suspicious peptides. — [How much are you willing to risk](https://www.theverge.com/column/866577/optimizer-peptides-compounding-pharmacies-glp-3-retatrutide-influencers-wellness-wild-west)? * **The UK may ban children from using VPNs** under a new amendment [closing Online Safety Act loopholes](https://mashable.com/article/uk-government-ban-vpns-for-children) -------------------- ## 🪦 RIP _**Social media features heading to the grave:**_ -------------------- **BBC News** is shutting down its **BBC Trending unit**… 📉 The closure cuts four roles amid broader £6 million savings at the BBC World Service. BBC Trending exposed AI Holocaust scams and Down’s syndrome deepfakes. Some staff aren’t happy about losing a unit crucial during rising global disinformation. BBC News Closes Social Media Investigations Unit After 13 Years: (https://deadline.com/2026/01/bbc-news-closes-bbc-trending-1236698116/) **_________** **Also:** * **YouTube is killing** [background-play loopholes](https://9to5google.com/2026/01/28/youtube-background-playback-workarounds-not-working-third-party-browsers/) in a range of web browsers, unless you’re a Premium subscriber -------------------- ## 👔 YOU’RE HIRED! _**Hot new social media jobs worth checking out this week:**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ca1fbf0f-f8db-4a8e-a164-21b40de3b5a4/LA28.png?t=1769771712) Caption: **The LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games** needs a [Senior Coordinator, Social Media Marketing](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/sr-coordinator-social-media-marketing/) _[Remote, USA]_ -------------------- **__________** **More top social media jobs spotted this week **💼 * **Canon **is looking for a [Social Media Content Creator Programme Specialist](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-creator-programme-specialist/) _[London, UK]_ * **BBC Children’s & Education** requires a [YouTube Channel Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/youtube-channel-manager/)_ [Salford, UK]_ * **Toronto Police Service** is hiring a [Social Media Specialist](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-specialist-3/) _[Toronto, ON, Canada]_ -------------------- ## 👌 PRO TIPS -------------------- The team at **Buffer** has put together this useful guide to the benefits of engaging with your own content on **Instagram**. -------------------- Replying to Your Instagram Comments Can Boost Engagement by 21%: (https://buffer.com/resources/instagram-comments-engagement/) -------------------- **__________** **More NEW pro-tips worth checking out this week **✨ * **10 things you need to know** about the [Threads algorithm](https://buffer.com/resources/threads-algorithm/) (according to the **Threads **team) * **TikTok** published a 23-page guide detailing how to run [AI-powered Smart+ campaigns](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-publishes-new-guide-to-its-ai-powered-campaigns/810439/) * **LinkedIn** shared tips on [how to boost organic posts](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-shares-tips-on-how-to-boost-organic-posts-infographic/810559/) * **LinkedIn** offered help with maximising [presence in AI search](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-shares-tips-for-maximizing-presence-in-ai-search/810781/) -------------------- ## 📊 SOCIAL STATS -------------------- **– How much TikTok celeb Khaby Lame** sold [a stake in his business](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/tiktok-creator-khaby-lame-deal-brand-1236486046/) for this week -------------------- **__________** **Even more social stats: **📈 * **TIK-ED OFF:** The daily average of US users deleting the TikTok app increased [nearly 150%](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/26/tiktok-uninstalls-are-up-150percent-following-us-joint-venture.html) in the past week * **STAYING AWAY: **[One third](https://news.sky.com/story/us-plans-to-check-tourists-social-media-putting-people-off-travel-13500216) of international travellers may avoid the US under new social-media screening rules * **BIG LEAK:** [149 million](https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/149-million-logins-passwords-exposed-outlook-gmail) usernames and passwords have been exposed, covering Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Roblox, X, and more * **THREADS:** Meta’s X rival is predicted to [grow its audience 19.6%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUD-hPnCiMO?xmt=AQF0divezE1ofalfi4nedKMAECdOWpLbEzeNVAVgZvzNcw) in 2026 * **SORA’S FALL:** OpenAI’s Sora app exploded at launch but downloads fell 32% in December, then [45%](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/openais-sora-app-is-struggling-after-its-stellar-launch/) in January -------------------- ## 📈 CHARTED -------------------- **Meta's **massive (money printing machine) ad business [keeps growing](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUGEfP7Ckpt?xmt=AQF0divezE1ofalfi4nedKMAECdOWpLbEzeNVAVgZvzNcw)… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/36692597-39c6-4465-8b0a-031ffb521487/Meta_ads_growth.jpg?t=1769772149) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUGEfP7Ckpt?xmt=AQF0divezE1ofalfi4nedKMAECdOWpLbEzeNVAVgZvzNcw) Caption: -------------------- **__________** **Even more social charts: **📈 * **A REAL LOSS:** Charting Meta Reality Labs’ [quarterly losses](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUGEJtBCmxz?xmt=AQF0divezE1ofalfi4nedKMAECdOWpLbEzeNVAVgZvzNcw) since 2020 * **A REEL SHIFT:** Instagram advertisers are [shifting spend to Reels](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUDzaUFioYN?xmt=AQF0divezE1ofalfi4nedKMAECdOWpLbEzeNVAVgZvzNcw) * **SOCIAL SHOPPING:** Instagram tops [social shopping choices](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DUDy8yKCilm?xmt=AQF0divezE1ofalfi4nedKMAECdOWpLbEzeNVAVgZvzNcw) for US adults -------------------- ## 💥 EVEN MORE SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS & UPDATES French MPs take first step towards banning social media for under-15s: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c07x003vx0yo) **_________** **Also this week… **🚨 * **Canada is considering** banning social media for kids under-14 as part of new online harms laws. [[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/23/canada-teen-social-media-ban-00744939)] * **Indian states **are weighing an Australia-style ban on social media for children. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/27/indian-states-weigh-australia-style-ban-on-social-media-for-children/)] * **Meta is in talks **about restoring news to Facebook in the Canadian state of Ottawa. [[The Globe & Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ottawa-in-talks-with-meta-about-restoring-news-to-facebook/)] * **Malaysia has lifted** its ban on Elon Musk’s Grok after reviewing new safety measures. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-23/malaysia-lifts-ban-on-musk-s-grok-after-safety-measures-added)] * **A woman who went viral **for texting and driving is suing YouTube and Meta. [[TubeFilter](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/01/27/woman-who-went-viral-for-texting-and-driving-is-suing-youtube-and-meta/)] * **TikTok and FIFA** have partnered to fill feeds with behind-the-scenes World Cup content. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jan/24/influencer-world-cup-fifa-tiktok)] * **Millions are creating **deepfake nudes on Telegram as AI tools drive global wave of digital abuse. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jan/29/millions-creating-deepfake-nudes-telegram-ai-digital-abuse)] * **UK ministers accepted** $1 million from Meta to fund placing four AI experts inside government shaping defence, policing, and transport. Critics aren’t impressed. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/27/uk-ministers-accept-1m-from-meta-amid-social-media-ban-consultation)] * **Meta’s Reality Labs cuts **have sparked fears of a ‘VR winter’. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/24/metas-reality-labs-cuts-sparked-fears-of-a-vr-winter.html)] * **Schools in England** should be phone-free all day, the UK education secretary says. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jan/26/education-secretary-mobile-phone-ban-england-schools-ofsted)] * **A class-action suit** in California says OnlyFans uses bait-and-switch tactics by advertising “full access.” [[Mashable](https://mashable.com/article/onlyfans-subscription-class-action-lawsuit)] * **Meta signed** a deal to pay Corning up to $6 billion for fibreoptic cables in AI data centres. [[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/27/apple-supplier-corning-wins-6-billion-from-meta-for-ai-optical-fiber.html)] * **Former Paramount co-CEO** Brian Robbins’ new entertainment company will bet on YouTube’s ability to build “awareness and fan love”. [[TubeFilter](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/01/27/brian-robbins-new-entertainment-company-will-bet-on-youtubes-ability-to-build-awareness-and-fan-love/)] **New features and updates:** * **Meta started** requesting additional information from WhatsApp Business users to verify their accounts for Meta Verified. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DUIQHnMDGyp?xmt=AQF049TWwiJ_E7IDKs9Q3xP323vTC4yc9C2_Tpoy2zD1HA)] * Messenger is now suggesting music and emojis for notes. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUIr4tSDMWW?xmt=AQF053Delb9_4xcpHCT_mRhq4YnRRkKXaoGr5eK2NItYYQ)] * **TikTok updated **the main profile page with a new UI oriented to the left. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DUDvJbMjGYT?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q)] * **Bluesky added **a new post composer at the top of the Following and Discover feeds. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DT5e4xnjBXB?xmt=AQF0CTsHiUBgmTUHFVqZR9tLCV_kxxl9ew_7fdZaBGC77Q)] -------------------- ## 📰 WEEKEND READS _**Geekout’s pick of the best longer reads to sink into over the weekend:**_ -------------------- This is a must-read: _“Molly Russell was just 14 when she took her own life in 2017, and an inquest later found negative online content was a significant factor. _ _With many people now pushing for teenagers to be kept off tech platforms, her father explains why he backs a different approach.”_ -------------------- Life after Molly: Ian Russell on big tech, his daughter’s death – and why a social media ban won’t work: (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/26/molly-ian-russell-big-tech-daughter-death-social-media-ban) -------------------- **__________** **More great weekend reads:** * **Inside ‘The Com’, **a shadowy network where [child-on-child abuse becomes social currency](https://news.sky.com/story/gamifying-abuse-the-sadistic-online-groups-where-children-trade-harmful-content-for-status-13499988) * **2026 is the year** of [social media’s legal reckoning](https://www.theverge.com/policy/867830/social-media-trials-product-liability-school-districts) * **Redditors are mounting** [a resistance against ICE](https://www.wired.com/story/redditors-are-mounting-a-resistance-against-ice/) * **Are social platform subscriptions** [becoming more accepted?](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/are-social-platform-subscriptions-becoming-more-accepted/810538/) * **Age verification is reaching a global tipping point**. [Is TikTok’s strategy a good compromise?](https://www.wired.com/story/age-verification-is-reaching-a-global-tipping-point-is-tiktoks-strategy-a-good-compromise/) * **TikTok-like microdramas are going to make billions this year**, even though [they kind of suck](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/23/tiktok-like-microdramas-are-going-to-make-billions-this-year-even-though-they-kind-of-suck/) * **Is Australia’s teen social media ban** [actually working?](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/is-australias-teen-social-media-ban-actually-working/810674/) -------------------- ## 😳 AND FINALLY… -------------------- This is one smart sheep…** **🐑 A 10-day-old lamb in China went viral for “playing dead” when buyers approach. Video views have passed 10 million and fans have offered **up to $19,000** to buy the lamb 💰💀 China ‘drama queen’ lamb goes viral for playing dead when buyers approach: (https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339987/china-drama-queen-lamb-goes-viral-pretending-be-dead-when-potential-buyers-approach) -------------------- ## 📅 BACK NEXT WEEK… -------------------- Your weekly social media debriefing is done. ✅ Help out a fellow social media geek… Share Geekout with the rest of your social team, your boss, “thought leaders” on LinkedIn etc. [Just copy / paste / share this link.](https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/at-least-zuck-isnt-doing-an-onlyfans-yet) Sharing Geekout = New subscribers New subscribers = More sponsors More sponsors = I can keep giving it to you for free. And before you go… Did you spot the refreshed Geekout section headers? 👇 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/277d9acb-fd48-4303-a649-653087316720/image.png?t=1769780741) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/04fcdc96-b731-43d5-894e-7bd909fe50f2/image.png?t=1769780721) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ae818596-ccc3-4314-afde-071dbbe1ed19/image.png?t=1769780732) Caption: I felt it was time I made things a little more professional. And hopefully improve your reading experience. More tweaks and polish will be added soon. Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _P.S. This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/at-least-zuck-isnt-doing-an-onlyfans-yet

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/af0f9682-756f-4b35-94a2-3004acc590cd/Geekout_230126.jpg?t=1769175220) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Get up to 30% OFF Geekout ads in 2026 **👉 ****[Request More Info](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com)** -------------------- **Collaborate with Matt Navarra** Consulting, Brand Collabs, Keynotes **[Watch Clips](https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18136187482403001/)**** / **[Get in Touch](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) -------------------- _**For the **___**BEST**___** Geekout experience**_ 👇 _T__ap this button 👇_ **⚡️ Optimise Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/teens-fleeing-the-uk-to-use-snapchat-will-buy-inflight-wifi) -------------------- #### **Hello, geeks!** It’s been a week full of controversy (Hootsuite), clap-backs (Ryanair vs Elon Musk), and conclusions (TikTok’s US deal). This week’s main characters include: Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, Elon Musk, and of course, Victoria + Brooklyn Beckham. To kick things off… **Hootsuite’s hellweek** Pour one out for Hootsuite’s social media team. They’re dealing with a shitstorm of backlash after it was revealed the company has controversially [struck a deal with U.S immigration services (ICE).](https://betakit.com/hootsuite-dhs-contract/) Reactions to the news from top social media industry pros has [been brutal on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/michaelrichardcorcoran_first-things-first-hootsuite-is-an-overpriced-activity-7419842903411433473-9XP6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADGnL8BvPe8qPV1pJn-bZJQfObBttsMY7s). Some are urging people to boycott using the company’s tools. Hootsuite frequently leans on influential social media professionals to promote its products and industry reports. With this latest controversy hanging in the air, [securing future collabs is going to be tricky](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/anniemaihodge_yikes-hootsuite-x-ice-i-would-urge-activity-7420033781945962496-gb2O?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADGnL8BvPe8qPV1pJn-bZJQfObBttsMY7s). We’re going to dig into both these stories in a moment, plus: * **TikTok’s US Deal with China is finally done**, but what happens next? * Why a **UK teen social media ban** looks set to become a reality * How **RyanAir’s CEO** gave the world a **masterclass in trolling Elon Musk** * Why **Instagram** is testing a **new definition of ‘Friends’ ** * The most savage **Victoria Beckham wedding dance memes** * **30+ new Instagram, TikTok, Threads, YouTube, X features **spotted in the wild. Let’s go! 👇 -------------------- ### Want to get the most out of ChatGPT? View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/467ac88c-2121-445f-9117-a8ae8ecd5215/CNN_Creative_Refresh_4B.jpg?t=1768433225) Follow image link: (https://offers.hubspot.com/using-chatgpt-at-work?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_campaign=creator&utm_content=beehiiv&utm_term=version-r&_bhiiv=opp_bfa14c26-1076-438c-89fa-680df5a5a2fe_b942af4d&bhcl_id=543f53bb-b49d-48cd-bd9e-6944e7494f84_8b6aada6-7495-4d35-bc5d-0f0ec9b8993b_e3a5a5c0-b543-4080-a229-3fc6b3593f2c) Caption: ChatGPT is a superpower if you know how to use it correctly. Discover how [HubSpot's guide to AI](https://offers.hubspot.com/using-chatgpt-at-work?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_campaign=creator&utm_content=beehiiv&utm_term=version-r&_bhiiv=opp_bfa14c26-1076-438c-89fa-680df5a5a2fe_b942af4d&bhcl_id=543f53bb-b49d-48cd-bd9e-6944e7494f84_8b6aada6-7495-4d35-bc5d-0f0ec9b8993b_e3a5a5c0-b543-4080-a229-3fc6b3593f2c) can elevate both your productivity and creativity to get more things done. Learn to automate tasks, enhance decision-making, and foster innovation with the power of AI. [Download the free guide](https://offers.hubspot.com/using-chatgpt-at-work?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_campaign=creator&utm_content=beehiiv&utm_term=version-r&_bhiiv=opp_bfa14c26-1076-438c-89fa-680df5a5a2fe_b942af4d&bhcl_id=543f53bb-b49d-48cd-bd9e-6944e7494f84_8b6aada6-7495-4d35-bc5d-0f0ec9b8993b_e3a5a5c0-b543-4080-a229-3fc6b3593f2c) ⚡️Get FREE ChatGPT Prompts⚡️ (https://offers.hubspot.com/using-chatgpt-at-work?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=7U1DQVWSR3&utm_campaign=creator&utm_content=beehiiv&utm_term=version-r&_bhiiv=opp_bfa14c26-1076-438c-89fa-680df5a5a2fe_b942af4d) -------------------- ## 🔥 GEEKOUT HOT 5 _**Geekout’s pick of the hottest headlines in social this week:**_ -------------------- TikTok closes deal to split US app from global business: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3edd1l328lo) -------------------- 2. **UK launched consultation on a social media ban** for under 16s [[DEBATING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm4xpyxp7lo)] 3. **Ryanair boss thanked Elon Musk for 'boost' in ticket sales **after online row [[TROLLING](https://archive.is/N6z5Q/again?url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/21/ryanair-elon-musk-airline-x-fight/)] 4. **FTC appealed ruling in Meta antitrust case** over Instagram and WhatsApp deals [[APPEALING](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/ftc-announces-appeal-in-meta-antitrust-case/810059/)] 5. **TikTok quietly launched a dedicated app for microdramas** in the US and Brazil [[APP-EALING](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-launches-a-new-micro-drama-app-called-pinedrama-2026-1)] -------------------- ### 🚨 EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT Will the UK follow Australia with a teen social ban? -------------------- How quickly could the UK ban teenagers from social media?: (https://news.sky.com/story/how-quickly-could-the-uk-ban-teenagers-from-social-media-13497587) -------------------- Love it or loathe it, Australia’s idea is [spreading](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-europe-countries-move-curb-childrens-social-media-access-2025-12-09/) around the world. And this week, talk has rapidly accelerated about the possibility of the UK introducing a social media ban for under 16s. The pressure is on to do this quickly. After the recent Grok scandal brought the issue to front of mind, the government [announced a consultation](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm4xpyxp7lo) on the possibility of the ban ([here’s a reminder](https://news.sky.com/story/what-uk-social-media-ban-on-children-could-look-like-as-government-considers-action-13496437) of what that entails). More than 60 Labour MPs [urged](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/18/labour-mps-starmer-under-16s-social-media-ban) Starmer to back the ban and names like Hugh Grant [signed a letter](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/20/hugh-grant-esther-ghey-letter-under-16s-social-media-ban) urging the policy. But a consultation would take as long as a year before legislation could be considered. The opposition Conservative party want Starmer to [go faster](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/21/britain-parent-conservative-social-media-ban-children-kemi-badenoch), and they might get their wish. The House of Lords has [backed](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz0pnekxpn8o) a ban - meaning it could possibly happen far more quickly. But ‘act in haste, repent at leisure’ is a phrase the government should keep in mind. Labour peer Harriet Harman has branded the government’s social media plan a “[shambles](https://news.sky.com/story/harriet-harman-why-labours-shambles-social-media-plan-wont-be-fixed-by-ban-13497710)” lacking coherent legislative coordination. Other voices are against the idea. The Liberal Democrats propose [film-style age ratings](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e5149egl2o) for social media apps instead, for example. Meanwhile, Meta’s position on all this is pretty clear. This week it blasted teen safety lawsuits as [cherry-picked narratives](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/01/metas-record-protecting-teens-supporting-parents/) that distort realities of teen well-being. It says it regulates itself by launching protections like suicide tools, Teen Accounts, AI guardrails, and the like. So expect pushback in the UK as there was in Australia. And with tech companies’ access to UK ministers [dwarfing](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/17/tech-companies-access-to-uk-ministers-dwarfs-that-of-child-safety-groups) that of child safety groups, they’ll certainly get a chance to put their case across. When it comes down to it, if social media truly is harmful to under 16s, a ban makes sense. But the science is FAR from conclusive. Some recent research suggests [the panic could all be overblown](https://www.techdirt.com/2026/01/21/two-major-studies-125000-kids-the-social-media-panic-doesnt-hold-up/). And with kids kept indoors far more than they used to be in the past, social media is the only social life some of them have. What harm will taking it away do to them in the long run? Perhaps [testing](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/20/uk-study-examine-effects-restricting-social-media-children) that _before_ introducing a kneejerk ban to get a boost in the polls might be the best idea? -------------------- ## ✨ NEW & NOTEWORTHY _**Everything else you need to know from the past seven days…**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/bd462d64-ca22-41a4-882b-ebde1088e31e/IMG_0647.jpg?t=1769177184) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTxWlbmjOXw?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) Caption: Facebook’s refreshed design for profiles * **Facebook** has tweaked the design for [public profiles](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTxWlbmjOXw?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) featuring a posts count. You can also now display your interests, promo links, and a link to your media kit * **Meta **has been accused of [routinely overlooking](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-19/meta-overlooks-ads-from-illegal-gambling-sites-says-uk-watchdog) ads from unlicensed gambling operators on Facebook and Instagram * **Meta** has asked its Oversight Board to establish definitive rules for [permanently banning](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-looks-to-establish-definitive-rules-on-banning-public-figures/810025/) public figures * **Meta**'s new AI team delivered its [first key models](https://www.reuters.com/technology/metas-new-ai-team-has-delivered-first-key-models-internally-this-month-cto-says-2026-01-21/) internally this month, CTO Andrew ‘Boz’ Bosworth says * **Facebook** Live now lets you [boost your live videos](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DTsWq9PCdWx?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) for greater reach * **Facebook **is testing a new way to [view Stories](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTxhsezjBvS?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) by pulling down on the screen to reveal them (it’s annoying) * **Facebook ** has been spotted showing a profile’s total [number of posts](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DT2l94AiVHp?xmt=AQF0FEzhRlXy5sQ-bi1zrWaOE_gMTyyYfBczoXtqFyD6TA) * **Facebook **is testing moving the [settings menu](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DT0H9RCjNXy?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) to the left side of the header near the app logo **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a5c90dd1-f8d8-48e7-a12c-fa6688742226/Screenshot_2026-01-23_at_12.22.46.png?t=1769170980) Follow image link: (https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-testing-new-definition-of-friends-following-count-2026-1) Caption: Instagram testing ‘Friends’ count on profiles | Credit: @oncescuradu * **Instagram** has a [new definition of ‘friends’.](https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-testing-new-definition-of-friends-following-count-2026-1) It’s testing [replacing ‘following’ counts on profiles](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTzwJ_nCvuS), with 'friends' counts, showing mutuals only… **…Instagram** is also [labeling some content](https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-testing-new-definition-of-friends-following-count-2026-1) in the feed as "friends" instead of "posts" or "following." * **Instagram **now lets you select multiple photos and videos and turn them [into one video](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DTxI7lzCaJx?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) * **Instagram**’s [Early Access](https://www.threads.com/@lindseygamble_/post/DTwZADzjfXb?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) feature appears to be rolling out to more creators * **Instagram** has renamed Shots to [Instants](https://www.threads.com/@ihammod_oh/post/DTz3SGqiLMN?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) * **Instagram** seems to have quietly discontinued the ability to [rearrange your profile grid](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTsPlT6DDMs?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) * **Instagram** is testing a new [minimal colour scheme](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTsN57JDMUl?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) for Story creation icons * **Instagram** has added a prompt [encouraging you](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTxjV6hDJAe?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) to follow a creator’s broadcast channel to see more of their content * **Instagram **now lets you [reshare](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTnNf8UDIxW?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) Stories from your archive directly within Story creation mode * **Instagram **has a new [‘Highlight’ sticker](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DTlWyldE_KO?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/897a423c-ef39-4c04-9fd6-1ca548323a01/Screenshot_2026-01-23_at_12.28.28.png?t=1769171650) Follow image link: (https://app.beehiiv.com/posts/153d883d-320d-44b4-a5cb-c436c9efbb77/edit#:~:text=https%3A//www.threads.com/%40%E2%80%A6) Caption: Threads’ testing new in-app browser | Credit: @oncescuradu * **Threads **is following X’s lead with an updated [in-app browser](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTxYEwKDP0o?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) on iOS. When tapping a link in a post, the new browser keeps the original post and engagement buttons visible. * **Threads** is rolling out [ads worldwide](https://www.facebook.com/business/news/ads-on-threads-one-year-in). Ad formats available include 4:5 aspect ratio, carousel format, Advantage+ catalog and app ads * **Threads** is now [more popular than X](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTsLmyVilP0?xmt=AQF0nk09ywCKDH2_S6s5zNMz_ZsC7Uc5TooNpvN58IJ2iw) on mobile, but X still dominates on the web. * **Threads** might show a clever ‘edit your post to make it better for Threads’ [prompt](https://www.threads.com/@cmcalgary/post/DTxKqecFFXH?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) when you cross-post from Instagram * **Threads **may soon let you add animated [stickers](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DT0legLjSmO?xmt=AQF0g18L6_nF-VTH0lM51YFmlgOEGvvxoEYYecZvOh0ktw) to your posts * **Threads** has added a new [animated effect](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTxjv4rjO0U?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) to the posting progress bar **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ac541fa7-736a-4da1-9110-3362d17d2b05/image.png?t=1769171986) Follow image link: (https://www.androidpolice.com/cover-photos-are-coming-to-whatsapp/) Caption: WhatsApp testing Facebook-style cover images for profiles | Credit: WABetaInfo * **WhatsApp** is testing Facebook-style [cover photos](https://www.androidpolice.com/cover-photos-are-coming-to-whatsapp/) to personalize user profiles * **WhatsApp **has started notifying users that [ads are coming](https://www.threads.com/@nuurrianti/post/DT0BRcTjn1a?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) to Status and Channels, as previously announced * **WhatsApp** on the web will finally get [voice and video call](https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/19/whatsapp-web-voice-video-call-support-for-group-chats/) support for group chats * **WhatsApp **is testing [replacing Tenor](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DTmCElQCH2C?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) with the Klipy as the app’s GIF provider * **WhatsApp** is testing an [easier way](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DTtw_00CO5h?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) to join the app’s beta programme **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/65108908-d179-42ab-9df5-72e19b538198/image.png?t=1769172170) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-starter-packs-topic-based-follow-lists/810192/) Caption: X’s new Bluesky-like ‘Starter Packs’ launched | Credit: X * **X **has copied **Bluesky** with a [‘Starter Packs’ feature](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-starter-packs-topic-based-follow-lists/810192/) that helps you find top accounts to follow in various niches * **X** has publicly released its [ranking algorithm](https://x.com/XEng/status/2013471689087086804), revealing how posts surface, spread, and earn momentum across the feed …but **Elon** says “it sucks” as **X**’s updated algorithm is reportedly flooding user’s feeds with [irrelevant junk](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTu3Z_ziKlH?xmt=AQF0kAM6YpkY_STx1E-cYV-8Po03h6lDRqzxMMcwUiSkLg) * **California’s AG** ordered** xAI **to [halt](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/california-ag-sends-musks-xai-a-cease-and-desist-order-over-sexual-deepfakes/) deepfake and CSAM generation immediately * **X**’s XChat can now be installed as a [standalone web app](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTxi5exjLU-?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) * **X**’s XChat has new [message organisation](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DTz7uHOCQc_?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) options * **X** is experimenting with [paid promotion tags](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DT2TB_uimul?xmt=AQF0Yh-JZxgivP0z_uHNKpSldjKzalb53Hr8cdLA8glyAw) in-stream * **X** has launched a [$1 million contest](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-offers-million-dollar-prize-best-article-long-form-post/809930/) to lure writers into posting long-form articles. But it will likely reward the wrong sort of creators. * **X **has added a new section in the feed that prompts users to [revisit](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTsOPynjCgh?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) their saved bookmarks. * **X’s Grok** is still accessible in Malaysia and Indonesia despite a ban as [VPNs let users straight in](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/18/grok-x-ai-tool-still-accessible-malaysia-despite-ban-vpns) **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/274e1cf6-3d7c-434d-ad16-64bdfed9145d/image.png?t=1769172618) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-launches-new-ad-options-for-streaming-providers/810163/) Caption: TikTok’s new ‘Streaming Ads’ launched | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok**'s new ‘Streaming Ads’ and ‘New Title Launch’ ad options help movie studios and streaming services convert [movie fan interest](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTxubUSiF5w?xmt=AQF0kAM6YpkY_STx1E-cYV-8Po03h6lDRqzxMMcwUiSkLg) into ticket sales and subscriptions… …and **TikTok** also announced more [big ad platform upgrades](https://ads.tiktok.com/business/en/blog/tiktok-product-preview) for 2026 * **TikTok** is introducing [stricter age detection](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-adds-teen-safety-measures-in-eu-outlines-economic-contribution/809942/) across Europe to curb under-13 access * **Sacked TikTok workers** in the UK have launched [legal action](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/16/sacked-tiktok-workers-uk-legal-action-union), accusing the company of ‘union busting’ * **TikTok **says it will offer creators [up to 90% revenue share](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DT2kGcRCTe9?xmt=AQF0FEzhRlXy5sQ-bi1zrWaOE_gMTyyYfBczoXtqFyD6TA) from next month * **TikTok** now adds a [‘Frequently watched’ badge](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTxtJNAjBPE?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) to content from accounts you engage with most often through likes, shares and comments. * **TikTok** Shop has introduced [Shoppable Photos](https://www.lindseygamble.com/blog/tiktok-shop-expands-to-shoppable-photos) for carousel-style, product-tagged posts * **TikTok** unveiled a pixel-powered tool to measure [off-platform sales](https://www.adweek.com/media/tiktok-shop-off-site-performance-pixel-tracking/) * **TikTok** can [continue operating](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/21/canada-tiktok-court-ruling-00739237) in Canada for now, after a federal judge overturned a ban * **TikTok **now lets you quickly [save stickers](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTvM8SBDDAi?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) posted as comments * **TikTok** now supports posting [Live Photos](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTxhSbfDNlq?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) * **TikTok **added new options to the [discard button](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTnOR1NjCso?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg), allowing you to save a post as a draft or send it directly to a friend. * **TikTok **is rolling out more widely the ability to [add fundraisers](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTxmI9TDNwT?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) in posts **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1b5a5ee5-6a49-4b1f-933e-9d9438f9ed58/image.png?t=1769172949) Follow image link: (https://variety.com/2026/tv/global/bbc-confirms-landmark-youtube-deal-1236636483/) Caption: BBC confirm landmark content deal with YouTube | Credit: BBC / YouTube * **The BBC** has confirmed its landmark **YouTube** deal, including [new channels](https://variety.com/2026/tv/global/bbc-confirms-landmark-youtube-deal-1236636483/) for kids and young adults, and Winter Olympics coverage * **YouTube **is redesigning mobile video management to [reduce clutter](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-updates-video-management-options-on-mobile/810030/). ‘Manage videos’ is removed, with ‘Your videos’ now the main hub. * **YouTube TV** will [launch](https://www.theverge.com/news/864566/youtube-tv-custom-multiview-channel-packages) custom multiview and channel packages ‘soon’ * **ICYMI: YouTube **[subtly changed ](https://design.google/library/youtube-new-red-color)its iconic red brand colour, to a softer shade, last year. Technical issues, screen burn-in, and harshness of the previous red drove the update. **…YouTube’s** icons [also got a dynamic upgrade.](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTzx2BxEYWv/video-you-tube-is-moving-away-from-its-iconic-shade-of-red-you-tube-is-subtly) **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a4973c36-f347-44c5-9ffd-848055fd8fce/image.png?t=1769173324) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/22/snapchat-gives-parents-new-insights-into-teens-screen-time-and-friends/) Caption: Snapchat rolling out upgraded Family Center parental tools | Credit: Snap * **Snapchat** upgraded its [Family Center tools](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/22/snapchat-gives-parents-new-insights-into-teens-screen-time-and-friends/), enabling parents to view how long their child spends using different parts of the app. Parent’s will also be able to view additional details about the friends they add * **Snapchat** is replacing ‘Crystals’ with creator rewards displayed [directly in US dollars](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DT2krY0iVky?xmt=AQF0FEzhRlXy5sQ-bi1zrWaOE_gMTyyYfBczoXtqFyD6TA) * **Snap **has unexpectedly settled a major [teen addiction case](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62ndl2ydzxo) just days before trial. Snap CEO Evan Spiegal will now no longer have to testify in front of a jury. * **Substack **launched a beta [TV app](https://on.substack.com/p/introducing-the-substack-tv-app-now) for Apple TV and Google TV, extending creator video to living rooms. * **LinkedIn** now lets you search for jobs by [describing](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTnd9ftDNCK?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) the job you want * **CapCut **is introducing [Tasks](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTnQz63jF3g?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) that allow users to earn free credits by completing them. **__________** -------------------- 🔥== ====**Want to see more hot NEW features**==== spotted in the wild this week?== ==Just head to the ====[‘](#more-news)====**[More news’ section](#more-news)**==== below!== -------------------- ## 🤖 SOCIAL AI _**The newest social media AI features spotted this week:**_ -------------------- Someone’s been taking ideas from OpenAI’s Sora… **YouTube** will soon let creators make Shorts using [AI replicas of themselves](https://www.theverge.com/news/864610/youtube-shorts-ai-likenesses-neal-mohan-2026). YouTubers will be able to make Shorts with their own AI likenesses: (https://www.theverge.com/news/864610/youtube-shorts-ai-likenesses-neal-mohan-2026) -------------------- _** __________**_ _**Also spotted this week **_👀 * **Facebook** and** Instagram** have got AI-powered [translations](https://about.fb.com/news/2025/10/discover-reels-around-world-meta-ai-translation/) for Reels in five more languages * **Meta’s AI** **app** now lets you [create a voice model](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DTxY-Q2CeAU?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) from your own voice * **Instagram Edits** added a new Tag effect that uses Meta AI to [identify people](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTxiplDjG5o?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) and let you tag anyone directly within the clip you’re editing. * **TikTok’s AI-chatbot** **Tako** now has the ability to generate AI images for [restyling, creating and editing](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DTxgdIlCVMt?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg) * **TikTok** added ‘Auto-select’, letting Smart+ AI ad campaigns [analyse existing ads](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-adds-more-control-options-to-smart-campaigns/810168/) and recommend winning creatives. * **Adobe Premiere **added powerful new AI masking tools for [faster editing workflows](https://www.engadget.com/ai/adobe-unveils-new-ai-powered-video-editing-tools-for-premiere-140000970.html) * **Adobe Acrobat** now uses AI to turn your PDFs into [podcasts or presentations](https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2026/01/21/work-smarter-acrobat-turn-docs-presentations-podcasts-edit-pdfs-ai) -------------------- ## 💬 YOU CAN QUOTE ME ON THAT _**When I’m quoted in the news, you’ll find it here:**_ -------------------- **Elon Musk’s** latest feud is an idiotic mudslinging match with a budget airline! 🍿 I spoke to **The Washington Post** about **Ryanair’s** [latest social media stunt ](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/21/ryanair-elon-musk-airline-x-fight/)that generated headlines (and a 2-3% flight bookings boost!)… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/00c2aa31-a7fa-4edc-ab47-597239968e93/Washington_Post_Quote.png?t=1769165733) Follow image link: (https://archive.is/KYMQF) Caption: -------------------- ## 💀 LOL -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8aa59de8-540f-4be5-8e4c-3460927a23e4/Rangel_2016.jpg?t=1769166938) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_working-in-social-media-in-2016-vs-2026-activity-7417958831546359808-QCH6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/315cdf3c-4add-4ea0-9c77-14781115542c/toddlers.jpg?t=1769167114) Follow image link: (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2026/jan/20/ella-baron-keir-starmer-donald-trump-social-media-ban-cartoon) Caption: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DTkwLKUDqwC/) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8b5e3e75-08be-4599-b431-d2068f3c261b/Screenshot_2026-01-23_at_13.07.13.png?t=1769173650) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-managers-this-post-is-gonna-activity-7419408370492862464-zi7k?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADGnL8BvPe8qPV1pJn-bZJQfObBttsMY7s) Caption: -------------------- ## 🔥 MEMES -------------------- It’s been a week for the **Beckhams**… again. This week’s very public family feud drama on Instagram between Brooklyn Beckham and his parents was a force of intense meme energy. And one of Brooklyn’s many accusations sparked the most wild meme responses… His Mum (Victoria Beckham) hijacking the first dance at his wedding with some very “inappropriate’ moves. We might have already just witnessed the best memed moment of 2026… 💃🏻 😳 😵 The Memes About This One Wild Detail In The Beckham Family Drama Are So Good: (https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/beckham-family-drama-memes) TikTok Video: (https://www.tiktok.com/@crochetwithjojox/video/7597474648443473174?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d0c54adc-b1aa-4341-b9b6-2ef3d3c9ba0e/Beckham_DM.jpg?t=1769167861) Follow image link: (https://x.com/Wigan_Steven/status/2013350291278565584) Caption: Tweet: (https://twitter.com/superkeara/status/2013427681484849630) Tweet: (https://twitter.com/vitt2tsnoc/status/2013560010681249833) Find _many_ more Beckham memes [here](https://in.mashable.com/culture/104923/victoria-beckham-becomes-meme-material-after-brooklyn-beckhams-viral-wedding-post), [here](https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/brooklyn-beckham-memes-b1267227.html), and [here](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15479893/Victoria-Beckhams-never-met-dancefloor-doesnt-like-tweet-resurfaces-internet-EXPLODES-hilarious-memes-Brooklyns-claim-mother-danced-appropriately.html). -------------------- ## 🌡️ VIRAL -------------------- **TikTok's** new deeply silly trend is… **impersonating owls**. TikTok’s newest absurdist obsession features creators delivering **wildly hyper-specific owl impressions.** Celebrity-styled hoots include **Jennifer Coolidge, Shakira-hip owls, and Drag Race backstage birds.** The **#owl **tag has been used on over **561,000 videos** as the trend soars like an owl that has just plucked a mouse from the ground. -------------------- TikTok's new deeply silly trend? Impersonating owls.: (https://mashable.com/article/tiktok-impersonating-owl-trend) -------------------- **__________** **Also going viral this week: **🔥 * **An alarming bus detour** went viral [in real-time on Bluesky](https://dailydot.com/passenger-documented-best-us-detour-on-bluesky) * **Why “vagueposting” exploded** on social media and [why people already want it gone](https://dailydot.com/what-is-vagueposting) * **TikTok is drooling **over this massively viral [two-ingredient “Japanese cheesecake”](https://dailydot.com/japanese-cheesecake-tiktok-trend) -------------------- ## 🪧 BRANDS -------------------- Most brands would quiver in fear if **Elon Musk** trained his bile on them, but **Ryanair** is no ordinary brand. We had a few days of **insults being flung between** **Musk** and **airline boss Michael O’Leary**, after Ryanair said it would not add Starlink-powered wifi to its planes as it was too expensive and passengers wouldn’t pay…. **Musk said he wanted to buy Ryanair **and let someone called Ryan run it… And then **the airline ramped up the trolling way beyond X posts **and got a day of good PR as a reward… Why is Ryanair fighting with Elon Musk?: (https://news.sky.com/story/elon-musk-vs-ryanair-could-tech-billionaire-actually-buy-budget-airline-and-what-started-online-spat-13497018) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2f07e3d7-dda8-4675-9260-1f9df6631a7e/Ryanair.jpg?t=1769168435) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTxTQ_NihZE?xmt=AQF0kAM6YpkY_STx1E-cYV-8Po03h6lDRqzxMMcwUiSkLg) Caption: Tweet: (https://twitter.com/Ryanair/status/2013655641600987263) **__________** **More brand news this week:** * **Dr Pepper **turned viral creator **Romeo Bingham’s TikTok jingle** into [a hit TV ad](https://adage.com/brand-marketing/food-beverage/aa-dr-pepper-jingle-football/) * **A new US influencer certification** has launched, aiming to help creators [master FTC disclosure requirements](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/center-industry-self-regulation-launches-150000615.html) for brand collabs * **YouTube has developed** a new programme to [pitch brands on top creators’ shows](https://digiday.com/future-of-tv/future-of-tv-briefing-youtube-develops-new-program-to-pitch-brands-on-top-creators-shows/) * **TikTok **is launching [Project Horizon](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/tiktok-plans-big-shopping-push?rc=kmaysd) to attract major brands to its US Shop, already using other platforms like Amazon and Shopify * **YouTube, TikTok, and Adobe** are all bringing creators to the [Sundance Film Festival](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/01/21/youtube-tiktok-adobe-sundance-film-festival-creator-schedule/) -------------------- ## 🙊 WHAT DID YOU SAY?! -------------------- **– ****Elon Musk **[isn’t a fan](https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-makes-part-of-x-algorithm-open-source-says-it-sucks-2000712201) of X’s current algorithm. Well, you’re the boss, Elon… **__________** **Also overheard this week: 👂** * _“The rise of AI has raised concerns about low-quality content, aka ‘AI slop.’ As an open platform, we allow for a broad range of free expression while ensuring YouTube remains a place where people feel good spending their time…. But with this openness comes a responsibility to maintain the high quality viewing experience that people want.”_ **– YouTube CEO Neal Mohan** on [balancing](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/youtube-ceo-neal-mohan-2026-letter-ai-slop-1236479185/) the competing pressures on a video platform in the AI age * _“We’re still continuing to invest heavily in this space, but obviously, VR is growing less quickly than we hoped” _ **– Meta CTO Andrew ‘Boz’ Bosworth** on the company’s [downsizing at Reality Labs](https://sources.news/p/why-meta-did-its-big-metaverse-layoffs) * _"Meta heavily subsidizing their own (with money, marketing, placement, etc) at the expense of core technical progress and platform stability doesn't make sense… Crowding out the rest of the entire ecosystem, even less so."_ – **Oculus founder Palmer Luckey** thinks **Meta** [made a mess](https://www.businessinsider.com/palmer-luckey-meta-vr-layoffs-fix-deeper-industry-problem-2026-1) of his creation * _“We must start a proper dialogue with social media companies about the ways their platforms are being used to spread lies from abroad and undermine our democracy. And we need to do it urgently,” _ - – **Emily Thornberry**, Labour chair of the UK foreign affairs select committee, wants to [get tough](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/18/uk-politics-constantly-suffering-from-online-disinformation-says-labour-mp-emily-thornberry) on disinformation in UK politics * _"I do not."_ - – **Reddit co-founder (and new Digg co-founder) Alexis Ohanian** uses [just three words](https://www.businessinsider.com/alexis-ohanian-reddit-cofounder-doesnt-miss-leadership-digg-2026-1) to answer an AMA question about whether he misses running Reddit -------------------- ## 📲 NEW APP -------------------- This handy new app from **Signal’s** founder is worth a look if you’re worried about who might be listening in to your chats with AI… Worried about AI privacy? This new tool from Signal's founder adds end-to-end encryption to your chats: (https://www.zdnet.com/article/signal-founder-debuts-private-ai-chatbot-confer/) -------------------- ## 😮 WTF?! -------------------- Spare a thought for **Hootsuite’s** social media team this week… The company has been revealed to be providing [“social listening” services](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-hootsuite-canada-vancouver-ice-social-media-contract/) to **US Homeland Security**. And given the behaviour of ICE agents across the US, and particularly in Minnesota lately, a big chunk of the public is NOT happy with Hootsuite. Do a search for Hootsuite + ICE on X, Bluesky, or Threads to see what the people at the frontline on the company’s social media have to deal with. Six years ago, Hootsuite cancelled an ICE contract amid public blowback. In 2026, cancelling would likely generate just as much blowback as accepting the contract, from the other side 😬 -------------------- Hootsuite could receive up to $2.8 million USD for contract with US immigration enforcement: (https://betakit.com/hootsuite-dhs-contract/) -------------------- **__________** **Also WTF this week: **👀 * **The White House added **[AI-produced tears](https://mashable.com/article/white-house-posts-ai-altered-image-minneapolis-church-protester) to image of an arrested protestor. Officials said the manipulation was intentional, noting that “the memes will continue" 🙄 * **The gloves are off **in the feud between [Sam Altman and Elon Musk](https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-elon-musk-feud-escalates-autopilot-deaths-chatgpt-safety-2026-1) * **AI-slop NFL pages** on Facebook are duping fans with [fabricated stories and synthetic images](https://gizmodo.com/nfl-related-accounts-on-facebook-are-posting-some-of-the-most-shameless-ai-slop-yet-2000711584) * **Tech leaders thirsty for social media fame** pay LinkedIn ghostwriters [up to $100K a year](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/tech-leaders-thirsty-social-media-fame-hiring-linkedin-ghostwriters?rc=kmaysd) * **Creators are using Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses** to [harass strangers for content](https://mashable.com/article/meta-ray-ban-glasses-are-making-it-easier-to-film-strangers-for-content) * **Roblox users are tricking** the age verification process with [“old people makeup”](https://dailydot.com/roblox-age-verification-trick-old-people-makeup) * **ICE has become** Bluesky’s [third most-blocked account](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/20/ice-becomes-one-of-the-most-blocked-accounts-on-bluesky-after-its-verification/) after receiving official verification * **Social media addiction's surprising challenger?** [Anti-doomscrolling influencers](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people-instagram-tiktok-social-media-kyle-b2902628.html) * **Storm-chasing creators have sued Meta. **They say the company dismissed hundreds of specific claims and favoured large accounts that [siphoned billions of views](https://torrentfreak.com/storm-chasers-sue-meta-for-ignoring-repeat-infringements-of-popular-accounts/) * **TikTok influencers** are pushing testosterone tests [convincing healthy young men](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/22/manosphere-influencers-testosterone-tests-young-men) there’s something wrong with them -------------------- # 🤦‍♂️ FAIL -------------------- **Disney deleted a Threads post **because people kept replying with anti-fascist quotes from its movies. Kind of waters down the messages of the movies, if the company doesn’t stand by them! Disney deleted a Thread because people kept putting anti-fascist quotes from its movies in the replies: (https://www.theverge.com/news/863980/disney-deleted-anti-fascist-thread) **_________** **Also this week:** * **YouTube** [removed support](https://9to5google.com/2026/01/20/youtube-removes-custom-captions/) for popular SRV3 caption tools - apparently due to bugs. There is no news on a fix. -------------------- ## 👔 YOU’RE HIRED! _**Hot new social media jobs worth checking out this week:**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7fa9fa9a-323a-46a0-82db-34fa44f08cf2/LBG.png?t=1769171064) Caption: **Lloyds Banking Group **is hiring a [Social Media Lead](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-lead-2/) _[Multiple locations, UK]_ -------------------- **__________** **More top social media jobs spotted this week **💼 * **Penguin Books** needs a [Head of Social Media (12m FTC)](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/head-of-social-media-12m-ftc/) _[London, UK]_ * **HarperCollins Publishing** is recruiting an [Asst Manager, Social Media (Marketing)](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/asst-manager-social-media-marketing-2/) _[Toronto, ON, Canada]_ * **Slice** is looking for a [Social Media & Community Lead](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-community-lead/)_ [Remote, USA]_ -------------------- ## 👌 PRO TIPS -------------------- What works to **drive sales on TikTok Shop **has changed: reuse proven formats, re-push converting products, and depend heavily on bundles. Top TikTok Shop creators have shared what is driving millions of $’s in sales on the platform in 2026… -------------------- What works to drive sales on TikTok Shop has changed, creators say: (https://www.glossy.co/fashion/what-works-to-drive-sales-on-tiktok-shop-has-changed-creators-say/) -------------------- ## 📊 SOCIAL STATS -------------------- **– The number of YouTube channels **[using AI tools daily](https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/youtube-channels-using-ai-tools-reduce-slop-neal-mohan-letter-1236636548/), according to the platform -------------------- **__________** **Even more social stats: **📈 * **REEL ADS:** More than half of all ads on Instagram [ran in Reels in 2025](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/20/most-of-instagrams-ads-ran-on-reels-in-2025-data-shows.html), up from 35% in 2024 * **REEL TIME: **US users spent [46%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTu5dHPCCC7?xmt=AQF0kAM6YpkY_STx1E-cYV-8Po03h6lDRqzxMMcwUiSkLg) of Instagram time on Reels in 2025 * **CREATOR GAP:** Creator income inequality is rising as top influencers rake in big paydays from brands. The top 1% earn [21% of payments](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTk8S11CiU0?xmt=AQF0nk09ywCKDH2_S6s5zNMz_ZsC7Uc5TooNpvN58IJ2iw), up from 15% in 2023 * **NO AI PLEASE: **[36% of consumers](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTxtFH5ikPY?xmt=AQF0kAM6YpkY_STx1E-cYV-8Po03h6lDRqzxMMcwUiSkLg) say AI-generated brand videos lower overall brand perception. -------------------- ## 📈 CHARTED -------------------- This week saw news that Meta’s plucky Twitter rival Threads is now solidly in the lead over X when it comes to mobile app usage. X still leads on the web, though. **How Threads **[overtook Elon’s X](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTsLmyVilP0?xmt=AQF0nk09ywCKDH2_S6s5zNMz_ZsC7Uc5TooNpvN58IJ2iw) on mobile… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/25f71738-001b-403c-a312-6dbe312b7cde/618873424_17936189799117490_2059538730155942189_n.jpg?t=1769171513) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTsLmyVilP0?xmt=AQF0nk09ywCKDH2_S6s5zNMz_ZsC7Uc5TooNpvN58IJ2iw) Caption: -------------------- **__________** **Even more social charts: **📈 * **TOP OF THE GROKS: **How Grok image generation [surged](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTz4vLfCrOh?xmt=AQF0kAM6YpkY_STx1E-cYV-8Po03h6lDRqzxMMcwUiSkLg) amid the scandal this month * **TIKTOP:** Sensor Tower’s State of Mobile 2026 report reveals [TikTok dominating](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTz0Gb5iud2?xmt=AQF0kAM6YpkY_STx1E-cYV-8Po03h6lDRqzxMMcwUiSkLg) while AI apps surged * **I KNOW YOU WANT IT:** The [blurred lines](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTu0yjVCLjY?xmt=AQF0kAM6YpkY_STx1E-cYV-8Po03h6lDRqzxMMcwUiSkLg) between how people use job search apps and dating apps * **NOT SOARING:** How OpenAI’s Sora app downloads have [plateaued](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTsSiIXCohN?xmt=AQF0nk09ywCKDH2_S6s5zNMz_ZsC7Uc5TooNpvN58IJ2iw) * **RISE OF THE BOTS:** Growth in generative AI [charted](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTsSJ8disYX?xmt=AQF0nk09ywCKDH2_S6s5zNMz_ZsC7Uc5TooNpvN58IJ2iw) -------------------- ## 💥 EVEN MORE SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS & UPDATES Meta Seeks to Bar Mentions of Mental Health—and Zuckerberg’s Harvard Past—From Child Safety Trial: (https://www.wired.com/story/meta-child-safety-trial-ask-judge-bar-mental-health-harvard/) **_________** **Also this week… **🚨 * **The EU is accelerating** efforts to ban nudification tools after Grok flooded X with intimate deepfakes. [[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-looks-ban-nudification-apps-under-blocs-ai-law/)] * **Experts warn of threat to democracy** from ‘AI bot swarms’ infesting social media [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/22/experts-warn-of-threat-to-democracy-by-ai-bot-swarms-infesting-social-media)] * **Meta has unveiled** AI Glasses Impact Grants to support organisations applying wearables for societal benefit. [[Meta Newsroom](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/01/ai-glasses-impact-grants-wearable-technology-for-good/)] * **Pinterest is reportedly **launching a shoppable TV partnership with streaming platform Roku. [[PYMNTS](https://www.pymnts.com/news/social-commerce/2026/pinterest-delves-into-shoppable-tv-with-roku-partnership/)] * **Fortnite has blocked** creators from selling prize wheel spins. [[The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/news/863597/fortnite-creators-steal-the-brainrot-prize-wheel-spins-block)] * **US Senate Democrats **host first creator summit on 11 February at the US Capitol to strengthen their digital strategy. [[Scalable](https://scalablepod.com/p/scoop-senate-democrats-to-host-creator-summit)] * **Malaysia could tighten **social media laws after the Grok scandal this month. [[The Straits Times](https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-weighs-social-media-rule-change-after-grok-ai-uproar)] **New features and updates:** * **Instagram now lets **Android users add a camera shortcut in the lockscreen. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DT2dgQxDPAH?xmt=AQF0FEzhRlXy5sQ-bi1zrWaOE_gMTyyYfBczoXtqFyD6TA)] * **TikTok has been spotted **offering an accessibility feature for photo posts that highlights the ‘last read’ words from the description. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTvOFT-DDRo?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg)] * **Netflix is testing **a TikTok-style vertical video feed on mobile. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/netflix-testing-vertical-video-features-for-mobile-1236479365/)] * **Clubhouse has launched **a Plus subscription plan with additional paid features for people who seemingly still use the app. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTnN6x-DDQF?xmt=AQF0rlSKd0CLJ6IF1jF0yIXk-5-C-xIx0KTY6fknRFrQLg)] -------------------- ## 📰 WEEKEND READS _**Geekout’s pick of the best longer reads to sink into over the weekend:**_ -------------------- The nostalgic throwback **2016 viral trend** has left many people confused… For a year that many regard as **not especially memorable**, why are so many people viewing it as such a pivotal year? **TechCrunch’s Amanda Silberling **has some answers… _“At the time, people felt like 2016 was cursed — but at least we did not yet have a word for ‘doomscrolling.’”_ -------------------- We're not nostalgic for 2016 — we're nostalgic for the internet before all the slop: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/21/were-not-nostalgic-for-2016-were-nostalgic-for-the-internet-before-all-the-slop/) -------------------- **__________** **More great weekend reads:** * **Why nobody’s** [stopping Grok](https://www.theverge.com/podcast/865275/grok-deepfake-undressing-elon-musk-content-moderation) * **Well, there goes** [the metaverse](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/19/well-there-goes-the-metaverse/)! * **Under Elon Musk**, [the Grok disaster was inevitable](https://www.theverge.com/column/863502/grok-deepfake-musk) * **Is Instagram’s top boss missing the point** [about AI on the platform](https://www.theverge.com/tech/864768/instagram-adam-mosseri-ai-content-algorithm)? * **How Reddit, TikTok, and AI **are changing the game for [substance use researchers](https://www.fastcompany.com/91474911/reddit-tiktok-ai-changing-the-game-substance-use-researchers) * **Cosmos, the hit Pinterest alternative,** is [still deciding what AI should be for](https://www.fastcompany.com/91476491/cosmos-the-hit-pinterest-alternative-mulls-what-ai-should-be-for) -------------------- ## 😳 AND FINALLY… -------------------- Oh lord… **Elon Musk’s xAI** is testing AI “human emulators”… They are convincing enough that coworkers are mistaking them for real employees, as [The Information](https://www.theinformation.com/newsletters/applied-ai/xai-plans-automate-white-collar-workers?rc=kmaysd) reports. And they’ve created as many problems as they have solved. If this is the future of AI, I’ll stick with the humans 🫠 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4099fe2f-cf71-4c95-b402-bea67fddd6ab/TI_quote.jpg?t=1769101287) Follow image link: (https://www.theinformation.com/newsletters/applied-ai/xai-plans-automate-white-collar-workers?rc=kmaysd) Caption: -------------------- ## 📅 BACK NEXT WEEK… -------------------- That’s a wrap on this week’s edition of Geekout. But before you go…. **Geekout Newsletter’s website has had a glow-up…** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f0ecc03b-135b-4ab7-b095-2d0279ec3b21/Screenshot_2026-01-23_at_13.57.16.png?t=1769176695) Follow image link: (https://app.beehiiv.com/posts/153d883d-320d-44b4-a5cb-c436c9efbb77/geekout.mattnavarra.com) Caption: The update adds a refreshed design, with new [Advertise](https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/advertise), [About Geekout](https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/about), and [Archive](https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/archives) pages. A big thanks to Geekout friend and [top web designer Ryan Downie](https://ryandownie.com/), who has been working on it over the Christmas break. Check out the [NEW Geekout homepage.](http://geekout.mattnavarra.com) **Next up:** A mini-makeover of the newsletter itself. The goal is to make subtle changes that improve readability… …With a few fun added design touches to give it some polish. __________ Alrighty… I’m heading off to practice my Victoria Beckham-style moves for an upcoming family birthday party. TikTok Video: (https://www.tiktok.com/@big_badge/video/7597486088332135702?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc) Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _P.S. This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/teens-fleeing-the-uk-to-use-snapchat-will-buy-inflight-wifi

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/28732e72-3d91-48d3-9fa3-0b1dc631a4db/Geekout_160126.jpg?t=1768570332) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Get up to 30% OFF Geekout ads in 2026 **👉 ****[Request More Info](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com)** -------------------- **Collaborate with Matt Navarra** Consulting, Brand Collabs, Keynotes **[Watch Clips](https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18136187482403001/)**** / **[Get in Touch](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) -------------------- **_For the _****__BEST__****_ Geekout experience_** 👇 _T__ap this button 👇_ **⚡️ Optimise Geekout ⚡️** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/there-are-no-bikinis-in-this-url) -------------------- #### **Hello, geeks!** - It’s been a helluva week (again) for Elon Musk and xAI. The **global outrage about Grok’s alarming nudifying capabilities** has been unrelenting. Governments, regulators, and the world’s media have piled on the pressure, whilst Musk (unsurprisingly) has denied responsibility for the hot mess. If you’ve been wishing for a shitstorm that strikes a damaging blow to Musk’s rage-baiting empire, this might just be it. That’s if those with the power to do so keep him in their crosshairs and finally pull the trigger. Also this week… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d5f02d1a-11c0-41eb-93ef-a22db2299349/ChatGPT_Image_Jan_16__2026__01_33_42_PM.png?t=1768570436) Caption: Credit: ChatGPT **‘2026 is the new 2016’,** as a throwback trend that has been bubbling up for a short while, went viral globally. You know when something has gone mega-viral when Instagram Press Office emails you about it. They fired out an email about the trend to journalists, influencers, and media commentators (including me) this week. What were my memories of 2016…? SCROLL to the bottom of this week’s Geekout to see some wild 😲 (and very random) photos found on my iPhone from that year. Let’s go! 👇 But first, don’t miss these: **3 cool things** * 🙏 The _‘WTF Does This Mean?’_ era of social reports is _finally_ over, thanks to this new [social intelligence service](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special). [ad] * 🤪 Make your inbox a little less professional… [I LOVE this newsletter](https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=b@email.gomodulr.com&_gl=1*gt6yur*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjM0ODIxNTEuQ2p3S0NBaUF6X0RJQmhCSkVpd0FWSDJYd0x1QmVVNG03OVZlMThHa3dXZDRVVzZKQmdIVHd5WUJQNEZnVlozbU95eC1OM1RHcW5iak1ob0NCekFRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NjU2Mjc5Mjc4LjE3NjE3Mzc4NzUuMTIyNTYxMzk5NS4xNzY3OTY3NjAzLjE3Njc5Njc2MDk.*_ga*MTQzODIzMDI3NS4xNjYwNjYwODAy*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*czE3Njg0ODkwMzQkbzQ3OCRnMSR0MTc2ODQ5MTY3NiRqNDQkbDAkaDkzODcxOTg3). * ❤️ This [FREE Daily Briefing](https://www.stackedmarketer.com/sm-daily-signup/?utm_source=geekoutnewsletter&utm_medium=january2026) is read by 60,000+ top social pros, including me. -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c51a29d1-1a36-4795-9b97-36c1b6655d3d/Geekout_January.png?t=1768491742) Follow image link: (https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special) Caption: -------------------- If you’ve ever looked at your social analytics and thought: _“Cool… but what does this mean?!”_ This is for YOU! **Measure Studio** just launched [**Social Media Intelligence Services**](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special) A white-glove social media intel service for brands who’ve outgrown flashy dashboards and surface-level stats. This isn’t just another tool — it’s like hiring a 24/7 social analyst who actually knows WTF they’re doing! **You’ll get…** * 🔍 **Real-time content performance insights** (_finally_ make sense of what’s working — and why!) * 🧠 **Competitor breakdowns** (see exactly what they’re winning with) * ✅ **Next-step action plans** (without piling more on your team) **It's perfect for…** * 🎨** Creative teams **who need deeper insights * 💼** Executives** who want to break through the noise * **💰 Commercial teams** looking for intel to power deal making * 📈** Paid and organic teams **looking for unified performance reporting In 2026, brands are drowning in dashboards, but starved of actionable insights… **Measure Studio** serves up what _actually_ matters — on a silver platter! 🔥** Check it out today! **→ **[Unlock](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special)**[ ](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special)**[Social Media Intelligence](https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special)** **P.S. **Mention Geekout to get a cheeky discount! 📈 Get Your Social Intel (https://www.measure.studio/geekout-special) -------------------- ## 🔥 GEEKOUT HOT 5 _**Geekout’s pick of the hottest headlines in social this week:**_ -------------------- Elon Musk's X to block Grok from undressing images of real people: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8gz8g2qnlo) -------------------- 2. **Grok is still undressing real people, **even** **after xAI ‘fix’ [[FIXATING](https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musks-grok-undressing-problem-isnt-fixed/)] 3. **Meta cuts around 10% **of employees in its Reality Labs division as budgets shift towards AI [[PIVOTING](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/technology/meta-layoffs-reality-labs.html)] 4. **Everyone’s posting about 2016 **as nostalgic throwback trend goes viral [[TRENDING](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy1e605dvgo)] 5. **British PM now open to a teen social media ban** in the UK, following Grok controversy [[U-TURNING](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/13/keir-starmer-tells-mps-he-is-open-to-australian-style-social-media-ban)] -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/36af8737-5e2f-4fc2-860c-405d6015c96d/gd_promo.png?t=1768494071) Follow image link: (https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=b@email.gomodulr.com&_gl=1*w96ha8*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjM0ODIxNTEuQ2p3S0NBaUF6X0RJQmhCSkVpd0FWSDJYd0x1QmVVNG03OVZlMThHa3dXZDRVVzZKQmdIVHd5WUJQNEZnVlozbU95eC1OM1RHcW5iak1ob0NCekFRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NjU2Mjc5Mjc4LjE3NjE3Mzc4NzUuMTIyNTYxMzk5NS4xNzY3OTY3NjAzLjE3Njc5Njc2MDk.*_ga*MTQzODIzMDI3NS4xNjYwNjYwODAy*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*czE3Njg0ODkwMzQkbzQ3OCRnMSR0MTc2ODQ5MTY3NiRqNDQkbDAkaDkzODcxOTg3) Caption: -------------------- **Garbage Day** is the 🏆 [award-winning newsletter](https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=b@email.gomodulr.com&_gl=1*w96ha8*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjM0ODIxNTEuQ2p3S0NBaUF6X0RJQmhCSkVpd0FWSDJYd0x1QmVVNG03OVZlMThHa3dXZDRVVzZKQmdIVHd5WUJQNEZnVlozbU95eC1OM1RHcW5iak1ob0NCekFRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NjU2Mjc5Mjc4LjE3NjE3Mzc4NzUuMTIyNTYxMzk5NS4xNzY3OTY3NjAzLjE3Njc5Njc2MDk.*_ga*MTQzODIzMDI3NS4xNjYwNjYwODAy*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*czE3Njg0ODkwMzQkbzQ3OCRnMSR0MTc2ODQ5MTY3NiRqNDQkbDAkaDkzODcxOTg3) from tech reporter **Ryan Broderick.** **Three times a week** (give or take), Garbage Day stuffs as much internet junk as possible into one email. So you don't have to go find it yourself. **Memes, weird viral videos, internet drama**, whatever the heck is happening with AI — it's all there. **Make your inbox a little less professional** and remember what it was like to have fun online again! [**Check out Garbage Day**](https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=b@email.gomodulr.com)… Today! 🤪 Send me Garbage (https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/cc1a45b3-0b3e-458a-b560-de940fc053f2?email=b@email.gomodulr.com&_gl=1*gt6yur*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjM0ODIxNTEuQ2p3S0NBaUF6X0RJQmhCSkVpd0FWSDJYd0x1QmVVNG03OVZlMThHa3dXZDRVVzZKQmdIVHd5WUJQNEZnVlozbU95eC1OM1RHcW5iak1ob0NCekFRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NjU2Mjc5Mjc4LjE3NjE3Mzc4NzUuMTIyNTYxMzk5NS4xNzY3OTY3NjAzLjE3Njc5Njc2MDk.*_ga*MTQzODIzMDI3NS4xNjYwNjYwODAy*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*czE3Njg0ODkwMzQkbzQ3OCRnMSR0MTc2ODQ5MTY3NiRqNDQkbDAkaDkzODcxOTg3) -------------------- ### 🚨 EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT Wishing it was 2016 again… -------------------- Is 2026 the New 2016? All About the Throwback Trend Taking Over the Internet : (https://people.com/2026-is-new-2016-trend-explained-11885444) -------------------- With millions of posts across TikTok and Instagram, it seems the hottest trend this month is… wishing it was 10 years ago. 2016 nostalgia is in, in a big way. People are posting personal memories, old memes (Harambe, anyone?), beauty aesthetics, and hit songs from the year. As [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy1e605dvgo) explains: _“TikTok says searches for "2016" surged by 452% in the last week, and more than 55 million videos have been created using the app's filter named after the year.” _ Instagram’s PR team told me this week that it’s the same on their platform, with lots of popular creators posting 2016 photo dumps. The BBC’s report features Radio One DJ Lauren Redfern, who was a teenager in 2016, enthusiastically recounting all the hot music from that year that people love looking back to. But the big question to ask is… 2016?! REALLY?! In 2016, lots of things happened that I’d think most people would want to forget. Remember how David Bowie died in January and then it seemed like another beloved superstar died every week or two throughout the year, right up until the one-two punch of George Michael and Carrie Fisher at the end of December? Or how about the way the world we knew turned into chaos as Leave won the Brexit referendum and Trump was elected in the US, and the entire political establishment fell apart with no idea how to react? 2016 was a [ROUGH](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/2016-nostalgia-trend-tiktok-instagram-b2900333.html) year when following the news was exhausting. Maybe it’s the fact that many people celebrating 2016 today were too young at the time for any of that stuff to really hit them. To them, the Chainsmokers and Pokémon Go were far more important than seismic political shifts and middle-aged celebrities dying before their time. Or maybe there’s bleak humour in trying to add a nostalgic sheen to a year that was an emotionally rough ride for many people at the time. Either way, you probably have a few more days to ride the 2016 wave on your platform of choice before the spell breaks and the social media zeitgeist snaps back to 2026. -------------------- ## ✨ NEW & NOTEWORTHY _**Everything else you need to know from the past seven days…**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/afff04d8-1cd4-4b2a-b76f-671b3241fe20/image.png?t=1768564661) Follow image link: (https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-glasses-get-conversation-focus-early-access/) Caption: Meta’s Ray Ban Smart Glasses ‘Conversation Focus’ Feature | Credit: Meta * **Meta **is rolling out early access to [Conversation Focus](https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-glasses-get-conversation-focus-early-access/), an accessibility tool for its Ray Ban smart glasses giving users ‘perceptual superpowers’ * **Meta** revealed how it [improved Reel’s recommendations](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/metas-outlines-how-its-improved-its-reels-recommendations/809804/) with in-feed surveys, to correctly predict your interests 70% of the time. * **Meta** closed [three VR studios](https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/meta-has-closed-three-vr-studios-as-part-of-its-metaverse-cuts-202720670.html) as part of its metaverse cuts * **Meta **plans to double Ray Ban Smart Glasses production, after seeing a huge [surge in demand](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-13/meta-said-to-discuss-doubling-ray-ban-glasses-output-after-surge-in-demand) * **Meta** secured [naming rights to UFC Apex facility](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/meta-apex-ufc-naming-rights-deal-las-vegas-1236473244/) in Las Vegas, it will become the Meta Apex * **Meta **hired a [former Trump advisor](https://www.axios.com/2026/01/12/meta-dina-powell-mccormick-president-vice-chairman) and powerhouse banker as its new president and vice chairman * **Facebook **has been spotted rolling out [Community Notes](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTWpiiGDMR6?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) beyond the US **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c34963d6-b207-4e1b-90f8-150834fac97f/image.png?t=1768564779) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-rolls-out-algorithm-control-option-to-all-english-speaking-users/809524/) Caption: Instagram’s ‘Your Algorithm’ controls | Credit: Meta * **Instagram **is rolling out ‘[Your Algorithm’ controls](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-rolls-out-algorithm-control-option-to-all-english-speaking-users/809524/) to all English-speaking users, letting you add and remove interests to shape recommendations directly * **Creators** say **Instagram **likes have [fallen off a cliff](https://www.dailydot.com/news/instagram-likes-recession-2026/). The algorithm now rewards shares, burying posts reliant on fan likes * **Instagram Edits **has added [links](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTf4UumiqXx?xmt=AQF0GCu0J46cGu7krlAFs3hGKshD3eTxbYy0FlBG_Y3S3g), a weekly updated ideas feed, new video effects, and more * **Instagram Edits** is testing a [new UI](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTWt4itDO_j?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) for the bottom menu bar * **Instagram’s** Threads badge now indicates when you have [a new mention on Threads](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSqosxDFzJ?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e7fa3fdb-1872-4d21-b883-a93557a693d5/image.png?t=1768565094) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSrXBAjBz2?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) Caption: Threads’ ‘Ghost Posts’ on profiles | Credit: @theahmedghanem * **Threads **has begun [displaying](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSrXBAjBz2?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) ‘Ghost Posts’ on profiles, similar to how Instagram shows Notes * **Threads** could soon allow you to create [ghost posts from replies](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTWGh8_jDLZ?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) * **Threads** now lets you [import followers from X](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTWFtt1DICO?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) * **Threads** now displays a message [encouraging you](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSrE4djJxQ?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) to edit posts cross-posted from Instagram by adding a topic * **Threads** is more widely rolling out its [Communities feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTim3K2jD5P?xmt=AQF0cBKN38h_fEzBlTmSeKSqWQtbfSON7E9kAKQWGSpaYA) alongside some newly established communities **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6456af7b-16d1-4fde-b298-69577ad4625c/image.png?t=1768565342) Follow image link: (https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/12/whatsapp-testing-emoji-based-sticker-suggestions-on-ios/) Caption: WhatsApp testing emoji-based sticker suggestions | Credit: @WAbetainfo * **WhatsApp** is testing emoji-based [sticker suggestions](https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/12/whatsapp-testing-emoji-based-sticker-suggestions-on-ios/) * **WhatsApp** could be given ‘[very large platform](https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-considers-designating-whatsapp-very-large-platform-spokesperson-says-2026-01-09/)’ status in the EU following its latest user numbers * **WhatsApp** will allow rival chatbots again… [but only in Italy and Brazil,](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/15/after-italy-whatsapp-excludes-brazil-from-rival-chatbot-ban/) as local regulators investigate whether Meta’s ban on AI rivals is anticompetitive * **WhatsApp** is working on the need to enter a [username key](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DTbu5FJCNu1?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) when starting a chat for the first time * **WhatsApp **is rolling out a feature that displays [clearer link previews](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DTg4ewCCEKt?xmt=AQF0cBKN38h_fEzBlTmSeKSqWQtbfSON7E9kAKQWGSpaYA) to make links easier to read * **WhatsApp** is working on [cover photos](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DTUAgTVCMxP?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) for personal profiles **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/be9a7dd2-31a3-419e-af02-4268d130c808/image.png?t=1768565822) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-updated-notifications-tab-improved-cashtags-user-counts/809300/) Caption: X adds new ‘Priority Notifications’ tab | Credit: X * **X** added a [‘Priority notifications](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-updated-notifications-tab-improved-cashtags-user-counts/809300/)’ tab and upgraded cashtags, as it (questionably) claims record engagement * **X**’s UK revenues have [dropped nearly 60%](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/09/x-uk-revenues-drop-nearly-60-in-a-year-as-advertisers-pull-out-over-content-concerns) in a year as content concerns spook advertisers * **X** has triggered an international flashpoint by [swapping Iran’s emoji flag](https://blog.emojipedia.org/x-expected-to-update-its-iranian-flag-emoji-design/) for the opposition-linked Lion-and-Sun * **X**’s global ads boss says 97 of X’s top 100 advertisers have [resumed buying ads](https://digiday.com/marketing/more-focused-on-advertising-than-ever-before-nearly-all-of-xs-top-100-advertisers-returned-ads-boss-claims/) on the platform, some surpassing former budgets. Data from Sensor Tower suggests that’s an exaggeration * **X** is making changes to [tackle AI slop and ‘reply spam’.](https://decrypt.co/354736/elon-musks-x-bans-access-infofi-crypto-projects-ai-slop-backlash) It will no longer allow apps that reward users for posting on X, and is revoking access to its Enterprise API for apps that do. * **Elon Musk** claims **X **will open-source its entire [ranking and ads algorithm](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-to-release-algorithm-code-public-open-source/809301/) by the weekend * **X** is [suing](https://www.theverge.com/news/860013/x-nmpa-music-publishers-dmca-antitrust-lawsuit) 18 music publishers and an industry body, alleging illegal collusion to force industrywide licensing **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d683f642-3ae1-4b48-a278-0e89afda9936/image.png?t=1768566585) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/introducing-tiktok-next-2026-our-trend-forecast-for-marketers-for-the-year-ahead?lang=en) Caption: TikTok NEXT marketing trends report just dropped | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok **dropped** **its [latest TikTok NEXT report](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/introducing-tiktok-next-2026-our-trend-forecast-for-marketers-for-the-year-ahead?lang=en), exploring the platform’s marketing trends forecast for 2026. It predicts the end of passive consumption as users embrace discovery-driven, emotionally motivated engagement * **TikTok** **Shop** is launching a new [Account Health Rating](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTfsi9sinm2?xmt=AQF0GCu0J46cGu7krlAFs3hGKshD3eTxbYy0FlBG_Y3S3g) in the UK. Shops on TikTok get a 0–1,000 score based on fulfilment performance, policy breaches and listing quality * **TikTok** is rolling out new EU-wide [age verification tech](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/16/tiktok-to-strengthen-age-verification-technology-across-eu) predicting accounts belonging to users under 13 * **TikTok**'s new [‘For You’ Calendar](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktoks-new-for-you-calendar-helps-families-connect-and-build-positive-digital-habits?lang=en) aims to spark weekly family check-ins * **TikTok** now encourages you to [share a copied link](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTfW5gcDOst?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) with your friends * **TikTok** launched ‘Footy Corner’, a [new hub for football fans](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/introducing-footy-corner?lang=en-GB) in the UK on TikTok LIVE **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e74e7ba0-9461-45b5-aba8-232b70de682b/image.png?t=1768566766) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/youtube-now-has-a-way-for-parents-to-block-kids-from-watching-shorts/) Caption: YouTube rolls out new Shorts feed parental controls | Credit: YouTube * **YouTube** now has a way for parents to [block teens](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/youtube-now-has-a-way-for-parents-to-block-kids-from-watching-shorts/) from watching Shorts * **YouTube** made UK ratings history by [beating the BBC](https://deadline.com/2026/01/youtube-beating-bbc-barb-viewing-ratings-1236680843/) on audience reach …and the **BBC** is set to produce original programmes that [premiere](https://www.ft.com/content/cdcfbec7-1472-4161-a29f-71426333bd40) on **YouTube** before its own iPlayer 🤯 * **YouTube **is now the largest digital library of [Sesame Street content](https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/sesame-street-now-streaming-on-youtube-and-youtube-kids/) * **YouTub**e added [interest targeting](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-adds-more-promote-targeting-options-image-to-video-ai/809671/) to Promote, helping creators reach specific communities fast * **YouTube **updated its ad-placement rules to allow full monetisation of [non-graphic dramatisations](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-updates-ad-placement-rules-related-to-dramatic-content/809515/) involving acts it previously banned * **YouTube** TV has rolled out a [Live Guide redesign](https://9to5google.com/2026/01/11/youtube-tv-live-guide-redesign-2/) on Android and iOS * **YouTube** is testing a [bold red](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-comments-red-3632195/) comment-submit icon, replacing the basic black-and-white arrow **__________** * **LinkedIn **comments are a new venue [to spread malware](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/convincing-linkedin-comment-reply-tactic-used-in-new-phishing/) - be careful out there * **Reddit** added a ‘[Recent searches](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTWHFP0DPi4?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw)’ section for Reddit Answers on iOS * **Bluesky** can now show a [‘Live Now’ badge](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/blueskys-live-now-badge-is-available-to-everyone-223335221.html) if you’re streaming on Twitch * **Google** is now [prioritising YouTube and X](https://pressgazette.co.uk/platforms/google-prioritising-youtube-and-x-over-publishers-on-discover/) over publishers in its Discover feed * **Apple** is [taking on Adobe](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/13/apple-creator-studio/) with a monthly subscription app bundle for Creators. It includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Keynote, Pages, Numbers, and later Freeform * **Pinterest has predicted** [2026’s hottest colour hues](https://newsroom.pinterest.com/en-gb/news/from-cool-blue-to-persimmon-meet-the-2026-pinterest-palette/): Cool Blue, Jade, Plum Noir, Wasabi and Persimmon **__________** -------------------- 🔥== ====**Want to see more hot NEW features**==== spotted in the wild this week?== ==Just head to the ====[‘](#more-news)====**[More news’ section](#more-news)**==== below!== -------------------- ## 🤖 SOCIAL AI _**The newest social media AI features spotted this week:**_ -------------------- YouTube’s latest AI-powered feature, ‘Ingredients’, lets you add up to three images that can be merged into a short eight-second video clip. YouTube Adds New Image-To-Video AI Tool For Creators: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-adds-more-promote-targeting-options-image-to-video-ai/809671/) -------------------- _** __________**_ _**Also spotted this week **_👀 * **Instagram** is working on [AI voice filters](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DTSzZFwjX51?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) * **Instagram** now properly [labels Reels](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTfXc6sjOpm?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) that have the ‘Translate with Meta AI’ feature enabled. * **Meta** launched [Spatial Lingo](https://www.roadtovr.com/metas-language-learning-app-quest-3-mixed-reality/), an open-source language-learning app using mixed reality and AI * **Meta **launched new [Meta Compute](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-compute-ai-data-centers-infrastructure-2026-1) initiative to build AI infrastructure * **Meta **is paying up for[ ‘enterprise’ access to Wikipedia](https://www.theverge.com/news/862109/wikipedia-microsoft-meta-perplexity-ai-training-wikimedia-foundation) to assist its AI training * **TikTok**’s AI chatbot Tako showed up on [my account in the UK](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTiqgz2Ck-M?xmt=AQF0cBKN38h_fEzBlTmSeKSqWQtbfSON7E9kAKQWGSpaYA) for the first time yesterday * **TikTok** LIVE now generates AI [summaries](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DTcnrLKiVRM?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) of the last 10 mins of your LIVE plus your past four streams * **TikTok** is rolling out its AI-generated [post captions](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTgCjqgjMW_?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) feature more widely * **TikTok Shop **has added new [power tools for sellers](https://seller-uk.tiktok.com/university/essay?btm_pre_unit_params=%7B%22outreach_task_id%22:%222859340813079%22,%22outreach_channel_type%22:3,%22outreach_message_category_type%22:3020000,%22outreach_message_mapping_id%22:%22b08a6d6b-bbe4-4efa-aa00-5e3176ceed7b%22%7D&course_type=1&from=search&identity=1&knowledge_id=1137001592260374&role=1) like and AI fashion tool, auto-dubbing, and ‘list-with-AI’ listing creation * **xAI **is rolling out a new [SuperGrok](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DTfb-eYiaJc?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) with a seven-day free trial that renews at $50/month * **X** added an option to generate a [profile summary](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSsFJJDECy?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) using Grok -------------------- ## 🔥 X-RATED _**All the latest from Elon’s Grok AI controversy**_ -------------------- The global outrage over Grok’s undressing of real people, including children, has continued to spiral over the past seven days. Here’s a round-up of the most noteworthy developments, as government’s, regulators, and critics pile on the pressure to hold Elon Musk and xAI to account. Elon Musk denies Grok generates illegal content: (https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-denies-x-grok-generates-illegal-content/?reg-wall=true) * **The UK Prime Minister **threatened to 'control' Grok if [Elon Musk's X keeps creating sexual images](https://news.sky.com/story/starmer-threatens-to-control-grok-if-elon-musks-x-keeps-creating-sexual-images-13493537) * **The UK ramped up** pressure on Elon with a [formal investigation](https://news.sky.com/story/ofcom-investigating-x-after-reports-ai-chatbot-grok-used-to-create-sexualised-images-of-children-13493370) **…but can X actually be banned **under UK law and [what are the other options](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/13/can-x-be-banned-uk-law-ofcom-options-grok)? * **The UK brought forward** a nudification app ban to this week. But [Grok isn’t covered ](https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-nudification-app-ban-wont-apply-to-elon-musks-grok/)as it’s not built solely for that purpose 🙄 * **The UK seemed to relax slightly** amid reports X was [addressing Grok deepfakes](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqz7pyd303o) and offered a “[qualified welcome](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqz7pyd303o)” of the supposed block on generating the images. The Ofcom investigation [continues](https://news.sky.com/story/ofcom-welcomes-grok-sexualised-image-restrictions-and-says-investigation-ongoing-13494532). **… but the US State Department** has [threatened the UK](https://www.politico.eu/article/us-state-department-threaten-uk-probe-elon-musk-x-grok/) over probe into Elon Musk’s X * **Ashley St. Clair**, mother of one of Musk’s sons, has [filed a lawsuit](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/15/mother-of-one-of-elon-musks-sons-sues-over-grok-generated-explicit-images) claiming Grok generated sexualised deepfakes of her, including as a minor. * **The US Senate** has passed the Defiance Act for a second time to address Grok deepfakes, [letting victims sue](https://www.engadget.com/ai/senate-passes-defiance-act-for-a-second-time-to-address-grok-deepfakes-212151712.html) deepfake creators and hosting platforms * **US senators** have [urged Apple and Google](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/senators-urged-apple-google-remove-x-grok-app-stores-rcna253048) to remove **X **and Grok from app stores over sexual deepfakes * **California is investigating** xAI over the sexualised [images](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/technology/grok-ai-x-investigation-california.html) **…even US Vice President JD Vance** is [concerned](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/10/ai-generated-sexualised-images-x-jd-vance-grok) about **X**’s images * **Fix Grok or else**, the [EU’s tech chief](https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-grok-eu-tech-chief-tells-x/) told X. The bloc [wasn’t satisfied](https://www.politico.eu/article/not-over-regulators-tell-grok-elon-musk-deepfakes-nude-non-consensual/) by the restrictions X added this week. A UK-style ban on nudification apps [could follow](https://www.politico.eu/article/european-parliament-lawmakers-call-for-full-ban-on-ai-nudifying-apps/) * **Indonesia and Malaysia** became the [first countries](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/10/indonesia-blocks-musks-grok-chatbot-due-to-risk-of-pornographic-content) to block **X**’s Grok over deepfakes * **Australian politicians** are condemning X and Grok, so [why won’t they leave the platform](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jan/13/grok-x-anthony-albanese-australia-politicians-condemn-post-platform)? **….and despite all this**, the Pentagon is [embracing Grok](https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-pentagon-hegseth-musk-7f99e5f32ec70d7e39cec92d2a4ec862) as Defense/War Secretary Pete Hegseth tries to be as “anti-woke” as possible. -------------------- ## 💀 LOL -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/24edcb66-9430-4eac-ba3d-074ce8189bf7/Rangel_160126.jpg?t=1768562568) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_social-media-managers-when-they-see-an-instagram-activity-7417234240838320129-ai72?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d7c2a928-d4b9-4a4a-8b4f-a3c59d667900/Chadvertising_1601026.jpg?t=1768562757) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DTdU_WSFOcC/?img_index=8) Caption: Bluesky is sassy over on X… Tweet: (https://twitter.com/bluesky/status/2011835223521038558) Check its profile pic, too 😆… View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c85dec12-23b2-451e-a84b-fa2907218f11/BS_PP.jpg?t=1768562837) Follow image link: (https://x.com/bluesky) Caption: -------------------- ## 🔥 MEMES -------------------- **Awards ceremonies** are an excellent spawning ground for **memes**, and the **Golden Globes** this week did not disappoint. Witness the birth the latest **Leonardo DiCaprio** meme. [Read more here](https://dailydot.com/leonardo-dicaprio-making-faces-at-golden-globes-meme). Tweet: (https://twitter.com/kylebuchanan/status/2010543294447812968) Tweet: (https://twitter.com/internetarchiva/status/2010763292667756688) Tweet: (https://twitter.com/sbodrojan/status/2010739898068926752) **Also:** * This [‘Avengers: Doomsday’ meme creator](https://gizmodo.com/this-avengers-doomsday-meme-creator-is-too-much-fun-2000709984) is too much fun. -------------------- ## 🌡️ VIRAL -------------------- **The most popular app in China right now** is a bleak comment on the fact that so many young people there live alone. As **BBC News** explains: _“You need to check in with it every two days – clicking a large button – to confirm that you are alive. If not, it will get in touch with your appointed emergency contact and inform them that you may be in trouble.”_ -------------------- 'Are You Dead?': The viral Chinese app for young people living alone: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3381r5nnn6o) -------------------- **__________** **Also going viral this week: **🔥 * **Why “becoming Chinese”** is [taking over social media](https://www.fastcompany.com/91474875/why-becoming-chinese-is-taking-over-social-media) -------------------- ## 👀 MY FAV READS -------------------- **The rise of YouTube** has been written about extensively recently… But a growing number of creators are sounding the alarm over what has been coined the **YouTube ‘Vibecession’.** _“By the numbers, everything is going great for creators. So why are so many of them scared it’s all about to fall apart?”_ The YouTube Vibecession: (https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/the-youtube-vibecession.html) -------------------- ## 🙊 WHAT DID YOU SAY?! -------------------- **– ****Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary **[doesn’t mince his words](https://www.theverge.com/news/863120/ryanairs-ceo-i-would-pay-no-attention-to-elon-musk-hes-an-idiot) (←worth watching the full clip 👌) **__________** **Also overheard this week: 👂** * _"The internet is a wild west, social media in particular. We don’t think children should be on there.”_ - – **UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch **[ramps up pressure](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTaMoanipSs?xmt=AQF0GCu0J46cGu7krlAFs3hGKshD3eTxbYy0FlBG_Y3S3g) for an Australia-style teen social ban * _“If X cannot control Grok, we will — because if you profit from harm and abuse, you lose the right to self-regulate”_ - – **UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer** was increasingly [talking tough](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTcqtm0CjUh?xmt=AQF0GCu0J46cGu7krlAFs3hGKshD3eTxbYy0FlBG_Y3S3g) on Elon’s negligence as the Grok controversy dragged on * _“They want any excuse for censorship”_ - – **Elon Musk **[dismisses](https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2009714966169870804?s=20) UK government talk of blocking X -------------------- ## 📲 NEW(-ISH) PLATFORM -------------------- **Digg **is back from the grave, opening its Reddit rival to everyone with communities, comments and “diggs.” Original **Digg founder Kevin Rose **and** Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian** have teamed up to fix social media toxicity and beat the bots, through trust signals and privacy-preserving verification. Users can now create niche communities, not just browse 21 defaults. Weekly feature drops, AI-powered podcasts and better moderator support are planned. Digg launches its new Reddit rival to the public: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/digg-launches-its-new-reddit-rival-to-the-public/) -------------------- ## 😮 WTF?! -------------------- **Looking for a date? **Best make sure your **LinkedIn** profile is in order… “LinkedIn is supposed to be a place to find a job. But people are using the social media app to look up exes and screen potential romantic interests.” -------------------- How LinkedIn became the ultimate date screening tool: (https://www.businessinsider.com/linkedin-love-people-stalking-exes-screening-dates-job-market-careers-2026-1) -------------------- **__________** **Also WTF this week: **👀 * **The new UK Home Office** TikTok account ‘[turning migration raids into clickbait](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/home-office-tiktok-migrants-secure-borders-uk-b2899371.html)’ * **And across the Atlantic:** ‘It’s a war’: [Inside ICE’s media machine](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2025/ice-social-media-blitz/) **… Also: **Inside [the White House shitposting machine](https://www.theverge.com/column/861476/trump-memes-venezuela-ice-shooting) * **Grok is being used to mock **and strip [women in hijabs and saris](https://www.wired.com/story/grok-is-being-used-to-mock-and-strip-women-in-hijabs-and-sarees/) * **TikTok Shop is surfacing** [Nazi-coded search suggestions](https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-shop-nazi-symbolism/) from innocuous jewellery queries * **Remember that viral Tea app? **The controversial ‘dating safety’ platform [is back](https://www.fastcompany.com/91475169/tea-app-back-viral-controversial-dating-safety-women-new-website) -------------------- # 🤦‍♂️ FAIL -------------------- Despite a report that 17.5 million Instagram accounts had been exposed, **Instagram** says not to worry if you received a password reset email **Meta** insists no data breach occurred. Instagram Says There Was No Data Breach Over the Weekend: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-says-there-was-no-data-breach-over-the-weekend/809302/) **_________** **Also this week:** * **Advertisers avoiding X** are being routed there anyway [through Google’s programmatic ecosystem](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/411872/) * **Roblox’s AI age verification** is [misclassifying children as adults](https://www.wired.com/story/robloxs-ai-powered-age-verification-is-a-complete-mess/) and adults as kids -------------------- ## 🪦 RIP _**Social media features heading to the grave:**_ -------------------- As part of its cutback on metaverse projects, **Meta** is killing **Horizon Workrooms**, its once-flagship “metaverse for work” on 16 February. The company is also ending all enterprise Quest sales, marking a major collapse of its VR business push. Zuck’s pivot from the Metaverse to AI and Smartglasses is laid bare… Meta has discontinued its metaverse for work, too: (https://www.theverge.com/tech/863209/meta-has-discontinued-its-metaverse-for-work-too) -------------------- ## 👔 YOU’RE HIRED! _**Hot new social media jobs worth checking out this week:**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d0706c98-8374-408b-8624-bb43923ea031/1280px-Virgin-logo.svg.png?t=1768564564) Caption: **Virgin **is hiring a [Social Media Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-producer-and-brand-partnerships-manager-to-sam-branson/) for Richard Branson’s youngest child, Sam. _[Remote, UK]_ _“This is a hands-on, creative role supporting Sam Branson across everything he does — from his personal profile to his music project Waves Rush In and Nag Shampa Private Estate in Bali.”_ -------------------- **__________** **More top social media jobs spotted this week **💼 * **Tinder** is recruiting a [Director, Social Media](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/director-social-media/) _[Los Angeles, CA, USA]_ * **The UK’s Department for Work and Pensions **needs a [Senior Social Media Marketing Manager](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/senior-social-media-marketing-manager/) _[London, UK]_ * **Forbes** is looking for a [Social Video Producer & Editor](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-video-producer-editor/) _[Remote, USA]_ -------------------- ## 🧪 SOCIAL SCIENCE -------------------- Amid all the talk of **teen social media bans**, this study is worth a look: Social media time does _not_ increase teenagers’ mental health problems, say researchers… Social media time does not increase teenagers’ mental health problems – study: (https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/14/social-media-time-does-not-increase-teenagers-mental-health-problems-study) -------------------- ## 👌 PRO TIPS -------------------- If getting results on **Facebook** is part of your job, you need to check out this in-depth guide to the algorithm as it stands in 2026… -------------------- Inside the Facebook Algorithm in 2026: All the Updates You Need to Know: (https://buffer.com/resources/facebook-algorithm/) -------------------- **__________** **More NEW pro-tips worth checking out this week **✨ * **Instagram** tip: Creating or editing videos in other editing apps like CapCut or InShot [won’t affect their reach](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTS6hGJjMdW?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) on Instagram unless they have watermarks from the app you used * **An ‘authentic’ guide** to [what’s in and out for creators in 2026](https://digiday.com/media/digidays-extensive-guide-to-whats-in-and-out-for-creators-in-2026/) * **7 digital marketing trends** [to watch for in 2026](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/7-digital-marketing-trends-to-watch-for-in-2026/809170/) * **Pinterest**’s 2026 Planning Guide outlines all major [cultural, personal, and global moments](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-launches-2026-planning-guide/809772/) to target. * **X published** [revamped ad guidance](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-provides-ad-campaign-tips-app-sales/809539/) to reclaim brands fleeing nonstop platform meltdowns. -------------------- ## 📊 SOCIAL STATS -------------------- **– The number of social media accounts blocked **after Australia’s under-16 ban came into force, [according to](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTiQQV_ivff?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw) the country’s Prime Minister -------------------- **__________** **Even more social stats: **📈 * **CLOSING LOOPHOLES:** Meta alone blocked [544,052](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTaLyuxCiNU?xmt=AQF0GCu0J46cGu7krlAFs3hGKshD3eTxbYy0FlBG_Y3S3g) accounts in the first days of Australia’s under-16s social media ban * **CLOSE ENOUGH?:** Meta says Instagram's new Reels algorithm predicts your interests with [71.5% accuracy](https://engineering.fb.com/2026/01/14/ml-applications/adapting-the-facebook-reels-recsys-ai-model-based-on-user-feedback/) * **ORGANISED PUSH:** More than [100,000](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTijjDoiqYG?xmt=AQF0cBKN38h_fEzBlTmSeKSqWQtbfSON7E9kAKQWGSpaYA) people have urged MPs to ban social media for under-16s in the UK -------------------- ## 📈 CHARTED -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/49d49e85-7a9c-4819-ab11-9dec2a04a778/LI_citations.jpg?t=1768565319) Caption: **LinkedIn** articles are increasingly being [named in citations](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/llms-citing-linkedin-more-4x-3-months-jan-2026-michael-hermon-vmkrf/) by LLMs. That means if you want to get talked about by ChatGPT etc, posting content to LinkedIn could be a very good idea. -------------------- **__________** **Even more social charts: **📈 * **BEEB BEATER:** YouTube [beat the BBC](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTdCFPHClbo?xmt=AQF0GCu0J46cGu7krlAFs3hGKshD3eTxbYy0FlBG_Y3S3g) in Barb’s monthly 3-min views reach measurement for first time * **SO SOCIAL:** Social media still [dominates](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTdDhFeimuv?xmt=AQF0GCu0J46cGu7krlAFs3hGKshD3eTxbYy0FlBG_Y3S3g) marketers' priority lists * **ANTISOCIAL MEDIA:** How social media has [become less social](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTiEiD7ivqe?xmt=AQF0GCu0J46cGu7krlAFs3hGKshD3eTxbYy0FlBG_Y3S3g) * **TIKTOK SHOPPING:** Millennial TikTok users are the platform's [most active shoppers](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTfnlLOiiN0?xmt=AQF0GCu0J46cGu7krlAFs3hGKshD3eTxbYy0FlBG_Y3S3g) -------------------- ## 💥 EVEN MORE SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS & UPDATES Parents say their children died taking part in viral trend - now they're set to face TikTok in court: (https://news.sky.com/story/youre-not-allowed-to-grieve-these-five-parents-are-taking-on-tiktok-over-their-childrens-deaths-13494777) **_________** **Also this week… **🚨 * **Reform UK MPs **have been called on to donate income from X to charity amid the Grok row. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/09/lib-dems-call-on-reform-mps-to-donate-x-income-grok-row)] * **One of the UK’s biggest** teaching unions has demanded a statutory under-16 social-media ban. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/11/ban-social-media-for-under-16s-top-teaching-union-urges-uk-government)] * **UK health secretary **Wes Streeting has asked US teen social ban advocate Jonathan Haidt to brief officials as the UK seriously considers a teen social media ban. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/14/wes-streeting-asks-expert-jonathan-haidt-address-officials-social-media-ban-for-under-16s)] **…but some Labour MPs** predict an under-16s ban will be viewed as yet another politically embarrassing U-turn for the government. [[Sky News](https://news.sky.com/story/labour-mps-anticipate-politically-inept-u-turn-on-social-media-ban-13494732)] * **Meta has shaken up **its review system with 'stronger rewards for top performers'. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-performance-review-system-stronger-rewards-top-performers-2026-1)] * **Meta has struck** deals with three nuclear start-ups to help meet its AI power demands. [[Financial Times $$$](https://www.ft.com/content/17058252-3dd9-48f8-9e0c-455bbac9aa4a?desktop=true)] * **Media Matters will stop **posting on X as new terms take effect. They say ay Musk tailored the change to weaken their lawsuit over X’s ad-placement and moderation failures. [[The Bulwark](https://www.thebulwark.com/p/media-matters-says-its-ending-its-presence-on-x-twitter)] * **Dubai is deepening** its $40.8 million creator-attraction strategy through a new Amazon partnership. [[TubeFilter](https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/01/12/dubai-amazon-creators-foundry-ecommerce-sales-partnership/)] * **Pinterest is positioning itself** to marketers as a hub for Gen Z’s attention. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-says-that-gen-z-users-are-finding-themselves-in-pins/809382/)] * **Alix Earle has launched **a YouTube interview series ‘Get Real With Me’. [[Variety](https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/alix-earle-youtube-series-get-real-with-me-1236632125/)] **New features and updates:** * **Instagram is adding **an icon to label Broadcast Channels, making them easier to identify in your inbox. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTgFeiSDDIh?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw)] * **Instagram is working on **the ability to log in via a QR code on tablets. [[@alex193a](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DTWTUC6DYbA?xmt=AQF0QHt0WByTQQKMqhrc8otalE-wFA6VBj8jR9mx9AP4Qw)] -------------------- ## 📰 WEEKEND READS _**Geekout’s pick of the best longer reads to sink into over the weekend:**_ -------------------- **New Yorker **published a great long-read about birth of **WhatsApp**. It explores how a scrappy side project quietly became one of the most powerful messaging apps on the planet. This isn’t just platform history; it’s a deep dive into how a messaging app ended up shaping politics, commerce, relationships, and daily life for half the world. If you’ve ever wondered how something so “simple” gained so much influence, this one’s unmissable. -------------------- How WhatsApp Took Over the Global Conversation: (https://archive.is/5IgYP) -------------------- **__________** **More great weekend reads:** * **How two YouTubers became **[the creator industry’s secret weapon](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/colin-samir-creator-industry-youtube-lighthouse-1235498923/) * **Washington’s new lobbyists: **[Paid online influencers with few rules](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/washington-lobbyists-paid-online-influencers-few-rules-69eccd13) * **Australia banned social media for under 16s **a month ago — [here’s how it’s going](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/15/australias-social-media-ban-for-teens-how-its-going.html) -------------------- ## 😳 AND FINALLY… -------------------- Some people (and bots!) will do anything for a bit of engagement... AI-generated influencers on Instagram are posting fake sex scenes with celebrities — including **LeBron James, iShowSpeed**, and even **Venezuela’s deposed president Maduro** — to farm viral attention 😳 Instagram AI Influencers Are Defaming Celebrities With Sex Scandals: (https://www.404media.co/instagram-ai-influencers-are-defaming-celebrities-with-sex-scandals/) -------------------- ## 📅 BACK NEXT WEEK… -------------------- Welcome to the end bit of Geekout, which confirms your weekly social media debriefing is done. I’m heading off to review my life in 2016. I’m not sure it’s a year worthy of a reboot, despite this viral spotlight! Here are a random collection of photos on my iPhone from that year: * When I got invited by **The White House** to cover **Former US President Barack Obama** speaking at **SXSW** in Austin, Texas View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/83203b45-39af-4e23-a04a-5ef4383b2fc5/IMG_7149.JPG?t=1768569147) Caption: When I bumped into **Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick** at **TNW Conference** in Amsterdam. (He was super arrogant. And a bit of a dick). View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/80b84de6-7adc-446a-bf9a-54d3665378b4/IMG_8590.JPG?t=1768569168) Caption: When I hung out backstage with **Gary Vaynerchuk** at** TNW Conference** to make content. (He’s a genuinely a top bloke. Super friendly). View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/87f5c196-90c8-4f49-be88-66f784e3bbe5/IMG_8665_2.JPG?t=1768569180) Caption: Goodbye geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _P.S. This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/there-are-no-bikinis-in-this-url

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/dcc85abb-7a96-4cda-8d13-0a3a085b7161/Geekout_090126.jpg?t=1767961179) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout in 2026** Prev sponsors incl: Semrush, VEED, TikTok **[Request More Info](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com)** -------------------- **Collaborate with Matt Navarra** Consulting, Brand Collabs, Keynotes **[Watch Clips](https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18136187482403001/)**** / **[Get in Touch](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com) -------------------- _For the ___BEST___ Geekout experience_ 👇 _T__ap this button 👇_ **Read Geekout Online ** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/who-will-stop-this-evil-slop) -------------------- #### **Hello, geeks!** -------------------- Welcome back to a double-stuffed edition of Geekout. I hope you all had a digitally detoxed and enjoyable Christmas break. I know I did. And boy, did. I need it! However, I found myself mostly building flat-pack Ikea furniture, and preventing my teenage son and daughter from fighting over literally everything! 🙄 As we stride into 2026, news headlines and chatter amongst social media geeks has mostly been dominated by two stories over the past couple of weeks: 1. **Instagram** bossman **Adam Mosseri’s** post signalling that the authenticity aesthetic is dead as AI takes over. AI images (and slop!) are a fact of life now, and we all need to adjust accordingly. I liked [Rachel Karten’s take](https://www.milkkarten.net/p/instagram-is-betting-on-the-momentum) on what this means for creators in 2026, and beyond 2. **Elon Musk’s Grok** becoming a child sexual abuse image generator. Seriously, WTAF, Elon?! If governments and regulators are serious about wanting to protect children from the harms of social media, this is their moment to say enough is enough, and finally take enforcement action (looking at you Ofcom). Apple and Google should also remove Grok from their App Stores, pronto. It’s staggering that Elon’s toxic swamp X hasn’t been drained and fenced off by those who have the power to do it. **__________** **Coming Soon… Geekout’s 2026 Mini Glowup** I’m just adding the finishing touches to a revamped homepage for Geekout Newsletter. Along with a 2026 design refresh for the newsletter itself. The redesign aims to improve readability with better spacing and formatting, and a few slick tweaks to give Geekout a fresh skin for 2026. **__________** **3 cool things…** 🔥** **[How to win social in 2026 using comedy](https://www.creatoros.xyz/landing/creatoros-brand-webinar-sign-up?utm_source=matt_navara_newsletter)**[.](https://www.creatoros.xyz/landing/creatoros-brand-webinar-sign-up?utm_source=matt_navara_newsletter)** HIGHLY recommend checking this out. 🤯 This is SO good. [The 10 Dark Arts of TikTok](https://www.creatoros.xyz/resources/creatoros-10-dark-arts-of-tiktok)**, **revealed. 💰 How much should you _REALLY_ be paying creators for collabs in 2026? Check this [FREE cheatsheet](https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/how-to-compensate-creators?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=jan9)** **[ad] -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/784a8c82-66c2-4ce0-bfc7-b9c323b97ac5/CreatorOSMattNavara2000x1000.jpeg?t=1767887288) Follow image link: (https://www.creatoros.xyz/landing/creatoros-brand-webinar-sign-up?utm_source=matt_navara_newsletter) Caption: -------------------- **Humour is now the #1 lever for making content feel personal** and relevant to your audience_ (TikTok / WARC study)._ But **85% of brand managers** feel they don't have the right tools or insights to deliver funny content _(Oracle)._ **CreatorOS** has partnered with **TikTok comedy greats**; **Jack Joseph **+ **Isaac HP**, to create your first must-attend workshop in 2026.** ** **Jack and Isaac** will reveal their playbooks and techniques for how to use comedy to optimise content views on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and more. **What you'll learn:** * 🔥 How top creators **optimise their content **output with comedy * 🤣 How brands can think like comedians to **level-up performance** * 🤝 How to **write better briefs** for collabs with top comedy creators * 📈 How to better connect with your audience to **boost engagement** **When:** * Monday 26 January 2026 @ 9 a.m. ET / 2.00 p.m. UK [**Request your FREE invite**](https://www.creatoros.xyz/landing/creatoros-brand-webinar-sign-up?utm_source=matt_navara_newsletter) to one of the most useful (and funniest!) webinars you’ll attend in 2026. ⤷ **Can't wait til then? **—** **Download **[The 10 Dark Arts of TikTok](https://www.creatoros.xyz/resources/creatoros-10-dark-arts-of-tiktok)****. 👈 **_Seriously smart insights here!_ ✨ Request FREE Invite ✨ (https://www.creatoros.xyz/landing/creatoros-brand-webinar-sign-up?utm_source=matt_navara_newsletter) -------------------- ## 🔥 GEEKOUT HOT 5 _**Geekout’s pick of the hottest headlines in social this week:**_ -------------------- Elon Musk's X faces probes in Europe, India, Malaysia after Grok generated explicit images of women and children: (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/05/india-eu-investigate-musks-x-after-grok-created-deepfake-child-porn.html) -------------------- 2. **TikTok’s future hangs again** as China signals “not so fast” on US sell-off [[STALLING](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/chinese-officials-weigh-us-tiktok-proposal/808691/)] 3. **Instagram boss says authenticity is dying** as platform prepares creators for major AI content shift [[ERA-ENDING](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-chief-outlines-the-challenges-of-ai-content/808674/)] 4. **Meta’s new privacy policy** opens up AI chats for targeted ads [[HARVESTING](https://gizmodo.com/metas-new-privacy-policy-opens-up-ai-chats-for-targeted-ads-2000704852)] 5. **Meta created ‘playbook’** to fend off pressure to crack down on scammers, leaked docs show** **[[PROFITEERING](https://www.reuters.com/investigations/meta-created-playbook-fend-off-pressure-crack-down-scammers-documents-show-2025-12-31/)] -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/30bbf351-94ce-425c-92e8-3498520ff2c0/image.png?t=1767889043) Follow image link: (https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/how-to-compensate-creators?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=jan9) Caption: -------------------- **Figuring out ****_what_**** and ****_how_**** to pay creators** is one of the trickiest parts of building campaigns. **Pay too little **= quality drops. 📉 **Overpay and scale** = quickly over budget. 💸 If you’ve ever played **guesswork with creator rates** or **struggled with usage rights convos**… This is your cheat code. **Insense** just dropped a** ****[FREE Cheatsheet](https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/how-to-compensate-creators?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=jan9)**** **that breaks it all down: * 📊** Creator pay benchmarks** for 2026 * **💰 How to price UGC** vs. influencer deliverables * 📈** Flat fee vs. performance payouts** — when each works **Grab it now.** Avoid the budget regret later! 🔥** ****[Download FREE Cheatsheet ](https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/how-to-compensate-creators?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=jan9)**** ** **P.S. Did you know…? **Insense helps brands like Wonderskin & DRMTLGY run end-to-end collabs with top creators… …Including: Setting up product seeding, as well as TikTok Shop, Meta Partnership Ads, and TikTok Spark Ads. **⤷ BONUS: **[**Book a FREE strategy call **](https://insense.pro/lp/matt-navarra?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=jan9)with Insense by January 23, 2026…** **Get $200 towards your first campaign. 📱 Book FREE Strategy Call (https://insense.pro/lp/matt-navarra?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=jan9) -------------------- ### 🚨 EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT Elon does nothing as Grok serves up appalling filth -------------------- Grok Is Generating About 'One Nonconsensual Sexualized Image Per Minute': (https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/grok-ai-deepfake-porn-elon-musk-1235494809/) -------------------- Close watchers of X and Grok will have sadly not been surprised in the slightest that Elon Musk’s AI has been happily [creating](https://news.sky.com/story/illegal-child-abuse-material-generated-by-xs-artificial-intelligence-grok-says-uk-watchdog-13491658) sexualised images of women _and children _all week (and that’s [just the start of it](https://www.wired.com/story/grok-is-generating-sexual-content-far-more-graphic-than-whats-on-x/)). [TV presenters](https://deadline.com/2026/01/love-island-maya-jama-elon-musk-grok-deepfakes-1236675945/) are among those who have complained about being ‘undressed’ by Grok. Even the mother of one of Elon Musk's children says Grok [won't stop creating sexualised images of her](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/elon-musk/mother-one-elon-musks-children-says-ai-bot-wont-stop-creating-sexualiz-rcna252416). It’s [infuriated policymakers](https://www.theverge.com/policy/857924/x-grok-ai-chatbot-bikini-images-regulators-congress) around the world. A spokesperson for UK prime minister Kier Starmer [called it](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/07/commons-women-equalities-committee-stop-using-x-ai-altered-grok-images) “a disgrace… completely unacceptable”. But here’s the thing… X has done nothing about it. Today, Grok has (very much [kind of](https://www.theverge.com/news/859309/grok-undressing-limit-access-gaslighting) but not really) limited image generation [to paid users](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/09/grok-image-generator-outcry-sexualised-ai-imagery), but that’s at best just a way to make more money from some of the sleaziest behaviour we’ve seen from Musk yet. And it’s not the grovelling apology and instant block on such images that most people would expect. It [should be simple](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/01/grok-assumes-users-seeking-images-of-underage-girls-have-good-intent/). What we have here really is a test for regulators. Do they have any true power to stop Elon Musk doing anything? This is particularly true [in Europe](https://www.politico.eu/article/grok-nude-test-europe-resolve-us-tech-elon-musk/), where the US government has defended its companies against what it sees as unreasonable treatment by regulators. The EU has seemingly already [somewhat relented](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/big-tech-spared-strict-rules-eu-digital-rule-overhaul-sources-say-2026-01-08/) on its plans. X parent xAI announced this week that it has a new [$20 billion funding round](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/06/elon-musk-xai-investment-grok-backlash). But it sadly seems unlikely Musk will be spending all of that on paying fines and settling lawsuits. How far can you go when Elon Musk doesn’t want to be regulated? Even if regulators fine him, will he pay? And if he does, will it really hurt him or stop him? X could be banned in some countries, but will governments want to risk enraging the US? Something has to change, but too many people are too deeply committed to their old Twitter accounts to leave. Even [under pressure](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/07/commons-women-equalities-committee-stop-using-x-ai-altered-grok-images) to do so, the UK government won’t leave as there’s still an audience there. The [BBC won’t quit](https://deadline.com/2026/01/bbc-facing-pressure-remove-elon-musk-x-tim-davie-1236675998/) because it would mean ceding ground to disinformation. Apple and Google have [done nothing](https://www.wired.com/story/x-grok-app-store-nudify-csam-apple-google-content-moderation/) either. They could remove X from app stores, but again, they probably want to stay out of trouble with the US government. At least this episode should get a few more people to see that Elon Musk is the closest the world has to a cartoon vision of an ‘evil billionaire’, and maybe they’ll realise that’s not a good thing… …although even the authors of the darkest graphic novels would probably think an oligarch who happily distributes on-demand sexualised images of children to a global audience would be a little far fetched. -------------------- ## ✨ NEW & NOTEWORTHY _**Everything else you need to know from the past seven days…**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/01d6c77f-a98f-433e-8e62-99fdd9a49b2f/image.png?t=1767960250) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-acquires-ai-chatbot-company-manus/808675/) Caption: Meta acquires Chinese-founded AI startup Manus | Credit: Meta * **Meta** acquired Manus, a Chinese-founded AI agent startup, in a deal reportedly topping [$2 billion ](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-acquires-ai-chatbot-company-manus/808675/) …but China might [put the brakes](https://www.ft.com/content/62f8f2c5-95c7-4437-b0f1-b8ecd507c330) on the deal * **Meta **is adding a [teleprompter and virtual writing](https://www.theverge.com/news/856422/meta-ray-ban-display-emg-handwriting-teleprompter) to its Ray-Ban Display glasses …but **Meta** has [paused](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-has-delayed-the-international-rollout-of-its-display-glasses-120056833.html) the global rollout of the Ray-Ban Display glasses, citing “unprecedented demand and limited inventory” * **Meta** Rights Manager is testing [copyright management ](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DSfZ3KvDKSM?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw)support on Threads and WhatsApp channels * **Meta** continues running [illegal online gambling ads](https://restofworld.org/2026/meta-online-gambling-ads/) despite bans across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East * **Meta** has been [sued](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/meta-is-sued-by-us-virgin-islands-over-ads-scams-dangers-children-2025-12-30/) by the US Virgin Islands over ads for scams and dangers to children * **Meta **demonstrated Neural Band controls inside Garmin’s concept car, enabling [pinch-and-swipe infotainment](https://www.engadget.com/wearables/metas-emg-wristband-is-moving-beyond-its-ar-glasses-120000503.html) input * **Meta Business Suite** now allows you to post stories [directly to your Page](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSntxIjLgW?xmt=AQF0_H_2BUfbgSEV3ZOcfyVVL6boGRl-yubvfP8NlPd4oA) by long-pressing on the media within the selection section * **Facebook** now allows Page admins to link [up to 50 WhatsApp numbers](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSoom5DD71?xmt=AQF0_H_2BUfbgSEV3ZOcfyVVL6boGRl-yubvfP8NlPd4oA) to a Page * **Facebook** is rolling out the [Fan Challenge](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSl1VMDDEa?xmt=AQF0cvKvr2n6lEoeE_M0COY4HgQFqPFNku6Tw7dSkcDJZg) feature widely for Pages * **Facebook **has added an option for Pages to decline collaboration invites and [block all future invites](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSpigwjC2Q?xmt=AQF0SvgIBd5RX2G037qRSzn89OzMbCxgFABfm-pYnxVUuw) from the account tagging them. **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/702ab317-c404-4055-babb-14673a83d0c6/image.png?t=1767960117) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@ihammod_oh/post/DSxds28CPwT?xmt=AQF0rp4i9XFoWv0PC7jYvikhcs7FoFsiBktW2TJGRLGESw) Caption: Instagram testing ‘Top 5’ feature for Stories | Credit: @ihammod_oh * **Instagram **is testing a [‘Top 5’ feature](https://www.threads.com/@ihammod_oh/post/DSxds28CPwT?xmt=AQF0rp4i9XFoWv0PC7jYvikhcs7FoFsiBktW2TJGRLGESw) for Stories: share your story with your five besties only * **Leaked docs** show** Instagram** spent years obsessing over [reversing teen decline](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/12/26/meta-instagram-teen-strategy/) despite major safety lawsuits * **Instagram** has been spotted [hiding](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DS2blpJjAR1?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) the ‘Story Highlights’ section * **Instagram **is widely rolling out a [new UI](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DS3grcRDBRh?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) for the desktop login page * **Instagram** now has a [10K followers](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DSvd4TijKIS?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) filter for DMs * **Instagram Edits** added the ability to [link an account](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DTNe8uKCbIz?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) * **Instagram** is testing a new option to [start a conversation](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSm144jNxS?xmt=AQF0lw7seO1TAbxYrEBzwRW0IUFS1E7Ft2lKUKqIJAd1Mw) with anyone who liked your story, directly from the notifications tab * **Instagram** is working on options to [share profile links](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSoAomjGRu?xmt=AQF0_H_2BUfbgSEV3ZOcfyVVL6boGRl-yubvfP8NlPd4oA) in bulk * **Instagram **is testing a [redesigned](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSpxhtDGbE?xmt=AQF0AbSNbN9QhSZNAbeyCDSgX4HurYDXFq21GkFeLbT07A) Monetisation page **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/d8930594-36c2-4b92-9fd7-505cebe0088a/Screenshot_2026-01-09_at_12.11.57.png?t=1767960734) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/06/threads-is-developing-in-message-games/) Caption: Threads’ developing mini-game for DMs | Credit: @alex193a * **Threads** is developing [in-message games](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/06/threads-is-developing-in-message-games/), starting with a swipe-to-shoot basketball mini-game * **Threads** is working on a new feature for Communities: [Live Chat](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DTGS6F0jY4Y?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) * **Threads** is working on a new ‘[Tangle](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DTF3K2iDRn2?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw)’ attachment option for posts 🤔 * **Threads** is rolling out [podcast preview clips](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-22/meta-s-threads-makes-a-play-for-podcasters-and-their-rabid-fans?sref=YURDD6is) to position itself as the default hub for episode discussion * **Threads** added another way to [quickly repost](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DSfCG7iDK-k?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) an image or a video via a new button in the share sheet **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6dc6fc67-5e23-4dd5-bc2e-3e27551e8418/image.png?t=1767960782) Follow image link: (https://about.fb.com/news/2026/01/whatsapp-group-chats-member-tags-text-stickers-event-reminders/) Caption: WhatsApp launches member tags, text stickers for Group chats | Credit: Meta * **WhatsApp** added member tags, text stickers, and event reminders [for group chats](https://about.fb.com/news/2026/01/whatsapp-group-chats-member-tags-text-stickers-event-reminders/) * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability for users to [share their chat history](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DTJtU4eiB_i?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) with new group members * **WhatsApp **is testing adding @usernames to [replace phone numbers](https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-username-development/) on contact screens * **WhatsApp **is working on [quiz-based interactions](https://9to5mac.com/2025/12/22/whatsapp-working-on-quiz-for-channels/) for channels * **WhatsApp** is testing a new [Peripherals section](https://9to5mac.com/2025/12/24/whatsapp-to-show-connected-peripherals-improve-chat-storage-management/) showing linked Apple Watches + last active times * **WhatsApp** is testing a [contact info page](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-for-android-2-25-37-76-whats-new/) for group chat members * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability for admins to [share a channel invite](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DStYk-1iBNq?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) with their contacts * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability to filter stickers and [create custom text stickers](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DTB_e2oCExv?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) * **WhatsApp** is working on additional [disappearing message timer](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DTHIh4TCJj4?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) options * **WhatsApp** is working on controls to help parents [manage secondary accounts](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DTMSHoEiM0a?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) with limited features **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2cfb8780-874a-4436-849d-6ba401fcf845/image.png?t=1767961004) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-launches-creator-studio-on-mobile/808459/) Caption: X launches Creator Studio hub on mobile | Credit: X * **X** plans to [boost creator payouts](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-wants-to-get-journalists-back/809015/) to lure authoritative writers back onto the platform. * **X** added a new [Creator Studio hub ](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-launches-creator-studio-on-mobile/808459/)on mobile * **X** added a new ‘Filter by Country’ option, letting you view [top posts from specific regions](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DSckfZsCXVV?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) * **X** added a new ‘[Flag as spam](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DSkWnAoDPfE?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw)’ feature on iOS * **X** now lets you [write articles](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DTNTQ_CiUMz?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) without Premium+, you now only need Premium. * **X** now tells you how many [ads you’ve avoided](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DSmIbEfCeKE?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) with a Premium account **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/4d28d6f4-f6d1-497b-9833-a6c92834feab/image.png?t=1767961284) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-fifa-reach-preferred-platform-agreement?lang=en) Caption: TikTok signs fWorld Cup Preferred Platform deal with FIFA | Credit: TikTok * **TikTok** has become FIFA’s first Preferred Platform for [World Cup 2026 coverage](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-fifa-reach-preferred-platform-agreement?lang=en). The partnership brings a new in-app World Cup hub featuring live match footage, custom stickers and filters, and a new creator collaboration program. * **TikTok** is [jumping into micro dramas](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-jumps-into-micro-dramas-buzzy-bite-sized-soaps-2025-12), the surging bite-sized soaps that have caught Hollywood's eye. It has rebranded ‘Series’ to ‘[Mini Drama](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DTKx3a3iSe2?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw)’ in-app * **TikTok** is tightening its ad rules with [mandatory verified accounts](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktoks-phasing-out-its-custom-identity-option-for-advertisers/809002/) due this year * **TikTok** **Shop** has introduced [digital gift cards](https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/22/tiktok-shop-launches-digital-gift-cards-to-challenge-amazon-and-ebay/), escalating its challenge to Amazon and eBay * **TikTok** **Shop** is offering new US sellers [perks](https://digiday.com/marketing/tiktok-shop-offers-incentives-to-new-sellers-as-u-s-uncertainty-is-finally-over/) including $6,000 coupons * **TikTok** added a new [Collage feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DSsmqFojLjP?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) for photo posts * **TikTok** now lets you use [avatars in Thoughts](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DSjhSlNCf4r?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) * **TikTok** is [cracking down](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-takes-more-action-to-protect-shoppers-from-fraud/808690/) on counterfeits as global shop sales double * **TikTok** is splitting its US staff [into different companies](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-splitting-us-staff-entities-divestment-ecommerce-tt-commerce-global-2026-1) as it prepares for a sale **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/cfb42f4f-fa18-4c72-aef6-43083a882ea2/image.png?t=1767961687) Follow image link: (https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-shorts-dislike-button-vanished/) Caption: YouTube testing UI change hiding Dislike button behind menu | Credit: Android Police * **YouTube** is making it harder to dislike Shorts, by testing a UI change that [hides](https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-shorts-dislike-button-vanished/) the Shorts dislike button in a menu * **YouTube **added a new “[Search with [Google] Lens](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DSk5TalDPcG?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw)” button for some Shorts * **YouTube** is now showing photo-only [carousel posts](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTF1U8-DPuk?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) in the Shorts feed * **YouTube** is revamping its [search filters](https://9to5google.com/2026/01/08/youtube-search-filters/), adding a Shorts category and refining durations. **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ca99ddb1-0c5d-4b81-b79e-38ccc56d48a2/image.png?t=1767961826) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reports-suggest-that-openai-may-be-looking-to-acquire-pinterest/808773/) Caption: Open AI reporedly interested in acquiring Pinterest | Credit: Social Samosa * **OpenAI **is reportedly interested in [acquiring](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reports-suggest-that-openai-may-be-looking-to-acquire-pinterest/808773/) **Pinterest**, in a deal that could boost its ChatGPT shopping tool and future revenue opportunities * **Reddit** has [overtaken TikTok in UK](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/03/reddit-overtakes-tiktok-uk-search-algorithms-gen-z) thanks to search its Google deal and Gen Z habits * **Spotify** is finally bringing your friends’ [Listening Activity](https://www.theverge.com/news/857404/spotify-listening-activity-mobile) to mobile. A new feature lets Premium users sync listening, co-queue songs, and chat * **Roblox **is now enforcing [mandatory age estimation](https://www.theverge.com/news/856696/roblox-age-check-estimation-chat) for chat access across all regions **__________** -------------------- 🔥== ====**Want to see more hot NEW features**==== spotted in the wild this week?== ==Just head to the ====[‘](#more-news)====**[More news’ section](#more-news)**==== below!== -------------------- ## 🤖 SOCIAL AI _**The newest social media AI features spotted this week:**_ -------------------- **Snapchat**’s new ‘Animate It’ AI Lens generates bespoke video animations from text prompts, ranging from reactions to mini-movies. Snapchat Adds Custom AI Lens Feature: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-adds-custom-ai-lens-feature/808544/) -------------------- _** __________**_ _**Also spotted this week **_👀 * **Instagram** is working on AI [transitions for photos](https://www.threads.com/@alex193a/post/DTElrFiCAP_?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) in Stories * **Meta** AI’s app is expanding availability of the option to create an [AI selfie ](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSmPGHDLG7?xmt=AQF0cvKvr2n6lEoeE_M0COY4HgQFqPFNku6Tw7dSkcDJZg) * **LinkedIn** expanded its AI [job search](https://www.fastcompany.com/91467930/linkedin-ai-powered-job-search) to all English users and five major languages * **LinkedIn** now sometimes displays an [AI-generated title](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTDma3TjE_X?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) when a non-logged user is viewing a post * **Reddit **launched Max Campaign, an [AI-powered ad buying tool ](https://www.adweek.com/media/reddit-max-campaign-media-buying-ces/)targeting performance ad budgets * **WhatsApp** is testing AI-powered [Imagine capabilities for status updates](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-ios-25-37-10-73-whats-new/) * **TikTok** is adding a control to [enable or disable](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSncyIjCxl?xmt=AQF0_H_2BUfbgSEV3ZOcfyVVL6boGRl-yubvfP8NlPd4oA) Display Object Tags, which allow TikTok’s AI to automatically identify objects * **X** is widely rolling out its AI-powered [community notes](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DS-bpk-DMEn?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) * **X** now lets you [edit your profile picture](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DS2ahXkDFHD?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) with Grok AI * **X** added a new [Ask Grok feature](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DSmvFLWjB8P?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) for sent or received messages via X Chat * **xAI** now allows Grok users to [edit or animate an image](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTQ2KT5jEfS?xmt=AQF08bMPhBwIlcJe5F7CTivqU-W633qZ-WL6FQTRKbH6_A) straight from the post composer available in the Imagine section * **YouTube Music** has upgraded its lyric-sharing tool with [Gemini-generated backgrounds](https://9to5google.com/2026/01/05/youtube-music-lyrics-ai-share/) * **xAI **launched Grok [Business and Enterprise](https://x.ai/news/grok-business) tiers, with team licensing, admin tools, SSO, analytics, and a high-security Enterprise Vault * **Telegram** added its first AI-powered feature based on the decentralised network Cocoon, [daily AI summaries](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTEDRV8DND2?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) * **ChatGPT’**s WhatsApp number will be [discontinued](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DQJEaneDJN9?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw) after 15 January, due to Meta’s new policy -------------------- ## 💀 LOL -------------------- Painfully true 😆 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f1fcb6b4-d465-4bb9-8c68-1c42e7118db7/HNY1.jpg?t=1767953287) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jrangel_them-wont-people-be-expecting-a-happy-activity-7412160739240488961-cvPK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: The client never forgets 😳 Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DTNh2ulgG8t/) -------------------- ## 📈 MEMES -------------------- **Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella** thinks people are being unfair when they call AI ‘slop’. But so much of it IS SLOP. Bring on the ‘Microslop’ memes… "Microslop" memes take over social media after Microsoft CEO pushes back on "the arguments of slop": (https://www.dailydot.com/news/microslop-memes-microsoft-ceo-pushes-back-on-ai-slop/) Tweet: (https://twitter.com/jadel4w/status/2007147144306929887) Tweet: (https://twitter.com/messeduppcs/status/2007797667523436690) -------------------- ## 🌡️ VIRAL -------------------- One button for every day of the year… That’s the (slightly odd) idea behind the first big viral sensation on TikTok in 2026. The 365 buttons meme, explained: -------------------- "It only has to make sense to me": The 365 buttons meme, explained: (https://www.dailydot.com/memes/365-buttons-explainer-tiktok/) -------------------- **__________** **Also going viral this week: **🔥 * What is the [yellow font trend](https://www.creativebloq.com/design/fonts-typography/what-is-the-yellow-font-trend-and-why-is-is-all-over-tiktok), and why is is all over **TikTok**? -------------------- ## 🪧 BRANDS -------------------- **Vaseline** is having an unlikely moment of success on TikTok. Is it the ultimate lifehack? -------------------- ‘Social listening’: Unilever seeks to capitalise on Vaseline’s TikTok moment: (https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/02/unilever-ad-strategy-vaseline-tiktok-social-media) -------------------- **__________** **More brand news this week: **👀 * How **Vaseline** parent company **Unilever**'s huge bet on influencers led to a [creator economy gold rush](https://www.businessinsider.com/unilever-20x-influencer-mandate-sparks-creator-marketing-gold-rush-2025-12) * **Advertisers** warn that any hit to **TikTok**’s user experience in the US following its acquisition deal could [rapidly redirect brands’ budgets](https://digiday.com/marketing/after-watching-xs-ownership-issues-play-out-marketers-brace-for-tiktok-whiplash-in-2026/) elsewhere -------------------- ## 👀 MY FAV READS -------------------- _“I think that 2025 was the year where the algorithm completely took over, so followings stopped mattering entirely”_ Social media follower counts have never mattered less, creator economy execs say: (https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/29/social-media-follower-counts-have-never-mattered-less-creator-economy-execs-say/) -------------------- ## 📺 MUCH WATCH -------------------- **Semafor** has done a deep-dive interview with **Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, **and it’s well worth a watch. He says changing audience habits might mean Instagram embraces long-form or premium video, despite years of rejecting the idea. Deeper, hands-on algorithm shaping is also on the way but could take years to fully materialise. Youtube: Adam Mosseri on Instagram, Algorithms, & How To Beat TikTok (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7afTeh_PQus) -------------------- ## 🙊 WHAT DID YOU SAY?! -------------------- **– ****UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer **[warns Elon Musk](https://news.sky.com/story/get-a-grip-on-grok-starmer-tells-x-after-ai-tool-is-used-for-child-sex-images-13492111) to get a handle on Grok’s child images problem **__________** **Also overheard this week: 👂** * _“Authenticity is becoming a scarce resource, driving more demand for creator content, not less. The bar is shifting from "can you create?" to "can you make something that only you could create?"… _ _“Relatively quickly, AI will create any aesthetic you like, including an imperfect one that presents as authentic. At that point we'll need to shift our focus to who says something instead of what is being said.”_ - – **Instagram boss Adam Mosseri** on [human creators in an AI world](https://www.instagram.com/p/DS7pz7-DuZG/) * _“I have quite a lot of pressure to remove the BBC from X… That is not what I will be doing.Because we need to be on these platforms, we need to give quality information onto the social media platforms and bring people onto them.”_ - – **BBC director general Tim Davie** explains why the corporation [won’t quit Elon Musk’s X](https://deadline.com/2026/01/bbc-facing-pressure-remove-elon-musk-x-tim-davie-1236675998/) * _“The results were fudged a little bit… Mark was really upset and basically lost confidence in everyone who was involved in this. And so basically sidelined the entire GenAI organisation. A lot of people have left, a lot of people who haven’t yet left will leave.”_ - – **Yann LeCun**, former **Meta AI** research chief, [spills tea](https://www.ft.com/content/e3c4c2f6-4ea7-4adf-b945-e58495f836c2) about the company’s flop Llama 4 model * _“People [are] doing it just because it worked for Nutter Butter, there’s no natural tie-in…. I just feel like we’re going to see a brand like Palantir get in on it, or we’re going to see something dystopian, and then everyone’s going to be like, “We’ve had enough.” I don’t think we’re there yet, but I feel like we’ve been bordering on it._ - – **The man behind Nutter Butter’s unhinged social strategy** says the approach has [very nearly played out](https://www.fastcompany.com/91464170/is-brain-rot-tiktok-cringe) * _"It's much easier to build businesses when you have a hyper-niche, scaled audience because the product makes a lot more sense."_ - – **MrBeast's former manager, Reed Duchscher **says social media mega stars will be replaced by [hyper-niche creators](https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-former-manager-says-age-of-social-giants-is-fading-2025-12) who have an easier time monetising a smaller audience -------------------- ## 😮 WTF?! -------------------- The rubicon has been crossed… The top streamer on **Twitch** was generated by AI 😳 -------------------- It's happening: An AI is now the most subscribed to "streamer" on Twitch: (https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/01/05/neuro-sama-vedal987-most-subscribed-hype-train-record/) -------------------- **__________** **Also WTF this week: **👀 * **A Reddit post **claiming a food-delivery app used “desperation scores” and **rigged systems amassed 86,000 upvotes** before it turned out to be [a massive hoax](https://www.platformer.news/fake-uber-eats-whisleblower-hoax-debunked/) * **Vietnam** has capped unskippable ads on **YouTube** and similar platforms at [just five seconds](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-unskippable-ads-rules-vietnam-3630307/) * **Hundreds of people** waited at the **Brooklyn Bridge** for [fireworks that never came](https://www.dailydot.com/news/brooklyn-bridge-fireworks-disappointment/), all because of **AI slop** * **US work permits** are increasingly being awarded on basis of online reach, [favouring content creators](https://www.ft.com/content/8816fcec-4148-4cda-be7f-fc59d5bcbf59) – because it’s easier to quantify reach and engagement than talent * **Creators** have been using **Meta smart glasses** to film [POV clips of strangers without consent](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/we-were-secretly-filmed-manchester-33107667) * **Fraudsters** have deployed **AI deepfakes of Spain’s Princess Leonor** on **TikTok**, luring users with [fake cash-offer schemes](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/06/tiktok-scam-warning-ai-videos-princess-leonor-spain) requiring upfront payments * **TikTok** removed **AI weight loss ads** from a [fake Boots account](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c997lkdjdy5o) -------------------- # 📲 NEW PLATFORM -------------------- **Twitter co-founder Biz Stone** and **Pinterest co-founder Evan Sharp** have launched **Tangle**, designed as [an antidote to social media’s harms](https://www.ft.com/content/6a33af09-99a3-49c2-be50-4cc47656903f). It’s currently invite-only and focused on intentional living over algorithmic engagement. Tangle prompts you with daily intentions and reflective goal-sharing. Tangle : (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tangle-life-on-purpose/id6596770837) **Also:** * **NEW PRODUCT: **This haptic wristband pairs with **Meta** smart glasses to [decode facial expressions](https://www.engadget.com/wearables/this-haptic-wristband-pairs-with-meta-smart-glasses-to-decode-facial-expressions-214305431.html) -------------------- ## 👔 YOU’RE HIRED! _**Hot new social media jobs worth checking out this week:**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a6b9ef07-d274-4ebb-9dd2-9c4e80900422/Beehiiv_logo.png?t=1767958040) Caption: **Beehiiv** (the platform we use to bring you Geekout!) is looking for a [Social Media Lead](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-lead-global/)** **_[Remote, worldwide]_ -------------------- **__________** **More top social media jobs spotted this week **💼 * **BBC News** is recruiting an [Assistant Editor, BBC News Social](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/assistant-editor-bbc-news-social/) _[Multiple locations, UK]_ * **Amnesty International **needs a [Social Media Content Producer](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-content-producer/) _[London, UK]_ * **Lloyds Banking Group** is hiring a [Social Media Lead](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-lead-3/)_ [Multiple locations, UK]_ -------------------- ## 👌 PRO TIPS -------------------- This new guide is (understandably) **Reddit** focused… But the fact is you absolutely have to think about how LLMs surface information about the brands you work with… -------------------- The Secret to Brand Visibility in the LLM Era: (https://www.adweek.com/media/the-secret-to-brand-visibility-in-the-llm-era/) -------------------- **__________** **More pro-tips worth checking out **✨ * **Hubspot** published a guide to** Reddit **[marketing for B2B brands](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/hubspot-publishes-new-guide-to-reddit-marketing-for-b2b-brands/808779/) * **LinkedIn **answered creators’ biggest questions about [feed engagement](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-linkedin-feed-questions-2025-gyanda-sachdeva-anl2e/) * **LinkedIn **shared new insights into how SMBs can [maximise their success in the app](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/how-smbs-can-build-their-brand-on-linkedin-infographic/808460/), by building a credible, trusted presence * **LinkedIn** shared best practices for [Thought Leader ads](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/best-practices-for-linkedin-thought-leader-ads-infographic/808811/) * **TikTok** launched [2026 regional event calendars](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-launches-regional-event-calendars-for-2026/808887/) for marketers * **TikTok** launched new [resources for sports organisations](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-launches-new-resources-for-sports-organizations/808676/) to build their presence on the platform * **X** launched a [2026 marketing calendar](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-launches-2026-marketing-calendar/808449/) mapping major cultural, sports, and global events marketers can tap into. -------------------- ## 📊 SOCIAL STATS -------------------- **– The number of messages sent** on **WhatsApp** [on New Year’s Day](https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapps-festive-touch-additions/), the app’s biggest day of the year -------------------- **__________** **Even more social stats: **📈 * **NEWSTOK:** TikTok is now the top news source for U.S. adults aged 18–29 at [43%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTKsVi_ClBP?xmt=AQF0o9az_mG7Er-H7rtc1VrATtM7QIUpy6OPpQ0eyW764g) * **BIG SHOP: **TikTok Shop now hosts [200,000+](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTKvxBdiv4Q?xmt=AQF0o9az_mG7Er-H7rtc1VrATtM7QIUpy6OPpQ0eyW764g) UK small businesses plus major brands like M&S, Samsung, and Sainsbury’s * **BUYING INFLUENCE:** [More than £500,000](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTKvfZCillg?xmt=AQF0o9az_mG7Er-H7rtc1VrATtM7QIUpy6OPpQ0eyW764g) has been spent on influencers by the UK government since 2024 * **YOUNG PINS:** Gen Z now accounts for [50%](https://www.businessinsider.com/pinterest-gen-z-aesthetic-interview-fit-2026-1) of Pinterest’s 600 million MAUs, driving shifts in search behaviour * **SLOPPY:** [More than 20%](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/27/more-than-20-of-videos-shown-to-new-youtube-users-are-ai-slop-study-finds) of videos shown to new YouTube users are ‘AI slop’, a study has found * **AD DODGERS: **A new survey found a Premium subscription is the most popular way of Android users dodging ads on on YouTube, at [31%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTKugmFio1m?xmt=AQF0o9az_mG7Er-H7rtc1VrATtM7QIUpy6OPpQ0eyW764g) of respondents * **MIAMI AMORE:** New research shows [6,000 major creators](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTNO1VmCgDX?xmt=AQF0o9az_mG7Er-H7rtc1VrATtM7QIUpy6OPpQ0eyW764g) based in Miami, a city of just 6.4 million people. * **SEEING RED:** Reddit’s UK audience has [surged 88%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTIfRGwCusY?xmt=AQF0rp4i9XFoWv0PC7jYvikhcs7FoFsiBktW2TJGRLGESw) in two years * **FEELING FESTIVE:** TikTok reported a [100%](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/20/tiktok-90s-christmas-trend-tinsel-home-alone) year-on-year rise in Christmas décor posts over the festive period, fuelled by nostalgia culture. * **NOT STRANGE:** Stranger Things was the most talked-about TV show on X in 2025, with [12.4 million](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTIwON4itmK?xmt=AQF0o9az_mG7Er-H7rtc1VrATtM7QIUpy6OPpQ0eyW764g) posts -------------------- ## 📈 CHARTED -------------------- **The 10 most used emojis **in social posts in 2025, [according to Buffer](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTLEwKPinIc?xmt=AQF0o9az_mG7Er-H7rtc1VrATtM7QIUpy6OPpQ0eyW764g)… Which ones were you guilty of over-using last year? ✨👉🔥 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/17d070a0-cf87-44f5-b123-3f890f2fba57/Emoji_graph.jpg?t=1767958653) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTLEwKPinIc?xmt=AQF0o9az_mG7Er-H7rtc1VrATtM7QIUpy6OPpQ0eyW764g) Caption: -------------------- **__________** **Even more social charts: **📈 * **BIG RED:** Reddit is now the [fastest-growing US ad channel](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTIh9U2incx?xmt=AQF0RS-ajxgv8Z9MvcDQuAPaB3-k_X8xf6vPjkJhJA6W-A) * **BRANDED:** Creators prioritise [brand quality and shared values](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTIpwk5Ciul?xmt=AQF0RS-ajxgv8Z9MvcDQuAPaB3-k_X8xf6vPjkJhJA6W-A) in partnerships * **MORE IMPACT:** What could make thought leadership posts more impactful? [Marketers weight in](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DTLB39nCnHP?xmt=AQF0o9az_mG7Er-H7rtc1VrATtM7QIUpy6OPpQ0eyW764g) -------------------- ## 💥 EVEN MORE SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS & UPDATES New York to require social media platforms to display mental health warnings: (https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/new-york-require-social-media-platforms-display-mental-health-warnings-2025-12-26/) **_________** **Also this week… **🚨 * **X parent xAI **announced a new $20 billion funding round led by major global investors. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/06/elon-musk-xai-investment-grok-backlash)] * **Big Tech has reportedly been spared **strict rules in an EU digital regulations overhaul [[Reuters $$$](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/big-tech-spared-strict-rules-eu-digital-rule-overhaul-sources-say-2026-01-08/)] * **Facebook was slow** to act on posts celebrating Bondi beach massacre, an anti-hate group says. [[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/30/facebook-slow-to-act-on-posts-celebrating-of-jews-anti-hate-group-says)] * **The US has issued **travel bans on five EU regulators and researchers, accusing them of driving “foreign censorship” of American speech via EU DSA enforcement. [[Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/us-bans-former-eu-commissioner-and-others-over-social-media-rules-121804097.html)] * **US Immigration agency ICE** is spending $100 million to target Gen Z with hyper-personalised digital recruitment ads. [[Mashable](https://mashable.com/article/ice-recruiting-social-media-influencers-leaked-document)] * **Poland asked** the European Commission to probe TikTok** **after a spike in AI-generated videos urging Poland to leave the EU. [[Euractiv](https://www.euractiv.com/news/poland-asks-commission-to-investigate-tiktok-over-ai-disinformation/)] * **Meta's CTO is calling** the 'most important' meeting of the year for the Reality Labs division, urging employees to show up in person. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-cto-andrew-bosworth-reality-labs-all-hands-meeting-2026-1)] * **Meta appointed **former Trump U.S. Trade Representative C.J. Mahoney as chief legal officer. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-appoints-legal-expert-with-ties-to-trump-to-key-role/808893/)] * **Meta hired** the former top lawyer for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency as a lobbyist. [[Bloomberg Law $$$](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/tech-and-telecom-law/meta-hires-former-doge-trump-election-lawyer-as-lobbyist)] * **France is drafting** a nationwide ban blocking children under 15 from social media. [[Semafor](https://www.semafor.com/article/01/02/2026/france-weighs-social-media-ban-for-under-15s)] * **Italy’s antitrust regulator** ordered Meta to suspend WhatsApp terms that block rival AI chatbots. [[Reuters $$$](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/italy-watchdog-orders-meta-halt-whatsapp-terms-barring-rival-ai-chatbots-2025-12-24/)] * **TikTok Shop plans **to boost local mall brands with over 1,000 livestreams in 2026. [[Says](https://says.com/my/tech/tiktok-shop-all-star-live-session-2026)] * **TikTok’s global creator** chief Kim Farrell is leaving amid a sweeping content-division restructuring. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-global-head-creators-leaving-company-amid-reorg-2026-1)] * **Spotify is cutting **video-podcast monetisation thresholds to three episodes, 2,000 hours watched, and 1,000 engaged listeners. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/07/spotify-lowers-monetization-threshold-for-video-podcasts/)] * **Mark Zuckerberg**'s nonprofit has cut ties with the immigration advocacy group he co-founded, his latest move to align with the Trumpy times. [[Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/mark-zuckerbergs-nonprofit-cuts-ties-with-the-immigration-advocacy-group-he-co-founded-183447900.html)] * **The Tribeca Festival** expanded its NOW category to include creators from TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. [[The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/tribeca-festival-tiktok-instagram-creators-new-online-work-1236453775/)] * **Pinterest has unveiled** a six-episode CTV series, Bring My Pinterest to Life, debuting on Roku. [[Social Media Today](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-announces-new-ctv-show/808902/)] **New features and updates:** * **Instagram added** a new label for broadcast channels in the shape of a square with a white crown inside. But why? [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DS-82T_jBCv?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw)] * **Instagram now organises** accounts you can access in the account-switching sheet into two groups: accounts linked to your Account Center, and “Other profiles” [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSoXZVjC_u?xmt=AQF0_H_2BUfbgSEV3ZOcfyVVL6boGRl-yubvfP8NlPd4oA)] * **Instagram Edits is testing **the addition of new options within the project rename menu. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSlhJ6DFSp?xmt=AQF0cvKvr2n6lEoeE_M0COY4HgQFqPFNku6Tw7dSkcDJZg)] * **Facebook added **a new “Edits” shortcut in the main app menu. [[@oncescuradu](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DTDJ3mRDAiz?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw)] * **Snapchat+ added **an “Add to Your Wish List” option. [[@jonahmanzano](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DSdRs_Gkzte?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw)] * **TikTok now labels** when a user whose Bulletin Board you are viewing is currently live streaming. [[@theahmedghanem](https://www.threads.com/@theahmedghanem/post/DTSpRkujHrw?xmt=AQF0CdNrVYzQZzyc3n0xW_K7eqWZo-wTaUT2vUhhwjZL-g)] * **TikTok’s Creator Search Insights** are now easier to access. [[@jonahmanzano](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DS401kiCT5g?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw)] * **WhatsApp is working** the ability to manage notifications for voice and video calls on the web [[@WABetaInfo](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DS1G9jLCObp?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw)] * **WhatsApp is working on **bringing the Updates tab to the web client. [[@WABetaInfo](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DS3rwcLiNS8?xmt=AQF0_seXyHN3YKkvK5U7xuSRDc-BCuWmjtP5rwEPdhpqVw)] * **Disney+ is rolling out** a vertical short-form feed this year, chasing TikTok-level engagement. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/08/disney-is-launching-short-form-videos-this-year/)] -------------------- ## 📰 WEEKEND READS _**Geekout’s pick of the best longer reads to sink into over the weekend:**_ -------------------- **YouTube** is the new daytime TV… “_YouTube’s big streaming lead over Netflix and other competitors stems in large part to its dominance during daylight hours.”_ -------------------- YouTube Has a Firm Grip on Daytime TV: (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/business/media/youtube-has-a-firm-grip-on-daytime-tv.html) -------------------- **__________** **More great weekend reads:** * **Pinterest CEO Bill Ready** is [taking big swings to win Gen Z](https://www.vogue.com/article/pinterest-ceo-bill-ready-is-taking-big-swings-to-win-gen-z) * **LinkedIn scams are surging globally**, exploiting [cultural pressures and economic desperation](https://restofworld.org/2025/linkedin-job-scams/) * **How Meta’s Reels **became a [$50 billion business](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-reels-revenue-ade4179e?st=b8s2C2) * **For platforms**, here’s what’s [NOT going to happen in 2026](https://digiday.com/marketing/for-platforms-heres-whats-not-going-to-happen-in-2026/) * **Pinterest users are tired** of [all the AI slop](https://www.wired.com/story/pinterst-ai-slop-content/) * **Why Hollywood is paying this 17-year-old up to $20,000** to [boost film trailers with TikTok edits](https://www.businessinsider.com/hollywood-trailers-tiktok-edits-teen-viral-cartel-2025-12) * **The relentless rise** [of YouTube](https://www.ft.com/content/9e75eeb8-b6e6-4a90-b015-2732fa9a8774) -------------------- ## 😳 AND FINALLY… -------------------- What **new emojis** might we see rolling out in 2026? The draft list of candidates has been revealed, and it includes: * a squinting face * two new thumb sign gestures * a pickle * and a lighthouse… Which one will become your go-to emoji this year (if added)? Draft Emoji List for 2026/2027: (https://blog.emojipedia.org/draft-emoji-list-for-2026-2027/) -------------------- ## 📅 BACK NEXT WEEK… -------------------- And that’s your New Year edition of Geekout, done. ✅ I’m heading off to check which (if any) country has grown a pair, and _finally_ taken steps to pull the plug on the shitshow that is X. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9289c843-a40e-4ac5-b17b-ba8c165bc8be/image.png?t=1767964295) Caption: Image: ChatGPT Goodbye, geeks! View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _P.S. This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/who-will-stop-this-evil-slop

---------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/456a2d7f-bbf5-442a-afe5-0132b78209ec/Geekout_191225.jpg?t=1766148724) Caption: -------------------- **Advertise in Geekout** Prev sponsors incl: Semrush, VEED, TikTok 2026 ad discounts now available **👉 ****[Request More Info](mailto:matt@mattnavarra.com)** -------------------- **_For the _****__BEST__****_ Geekout experience_** 👇_ T__ap this button 👇_ ✨** Optimize Geekout **✨** ** (https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/sorry-mark-the-link-is-in-the-comments) -------------------- #### **Hello, geeks!** -------------------- Welcome to the final edition of Geekout for 2025. And what a year it has been! It’s rather ironic that the biggest news story in this final edition of Geekout for 2025, is the conclusion to the top story at the very start of the year! **Geekout - January 24, 2025:** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b13f3bf6-0e3f-4187-8445-9b69863c1341/Screenshot_2025-12-19_at_11.06.34.png?t=1766143260) Caption: We’ll dig into everything you need to know about TikTok’s U.S. sale deal in a moment. As well as everything else that went down in social over the past 7 days. Before we get into it… **__________** **3 cool things **👇 👀 📊 **This is a must-read…** The most comprehensive **[2026 social media study](https://metricool.com/social-media-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20251219_matt-navarra_geekout-2026-study-2_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q3)** of the year. Based on data from 39M posts, across _every_ major platform. c 💰 **Bookmark this…** Not sure what to pay creators in 2026? This **[FREE Cheatsheet](https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/how-to-compensate-creators?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=dec19)** breaks it down —incl. 2026 Creator Pay Benchmarks. - 👀** I used this to optimise Geekout…** Track your performance across Google AI search + chatbots like ChatGPT. Uncover keyword + competitor opps to turn insights into powerful optimizations. **[Try for FREE](https://semrush.sjv.io/c/6077336/3367878/13053)** [ad] **__________** **P.S.** **Geekout’s taking a Christmas break…** The first edition of Geekout for 2026 will land in your inbox on _Friday 9 January._ -------------------- -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a4dae435-e95b-4064-8f67-6aa6ab0b8820/matt_navarra_banner_v4.jpg?t=1766075211) Follow image link: (https://metricool.com/social-media-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20251219_matt-navarra_geekout-2026-study-2_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q3) Caption: -------------------- **39 Million Posts**… _Every_ Major Platform… **Metricool’s** _[largest ever](https://metricool.com/social-media-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20251219_matt-navarra_geekout-2026-study-2_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q3)_[ social media study](https://metricool.com/social-media-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20251219_matt-navarra_geekout-2026-study-2_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q3) just dropped! Take a look at the wild insights that drove this year’s social strategies. And discover where brands should focus in 2026. **Here’s a Sneak Peek of the Insights**: 👀👇 * 📈 **YouTube Video Views surged** **76%** views increase, reminding us that YouTube still remains a leading video platform. - * 📌 **Pinterest engagement up 26%** Even as impressions and interactions fell, **each view counted more**—letting creators and brands reach a smaller, more connected audience. - * 📉 **LinkedIn Impressions are slipping** Impressions dropped **23%, **signaling a tougher fight for visibility as competition increases - * 👀 **Instagram Carousels quietly won** Over **3x the interactions** compared to single image posts, yet they remained the least used format It’s one of the _most comprehensive_ social media studies of the year! 🔐 **[Unlock The BIG 2026 Social Media Study](https://metricool.com/social-media-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20251219_matt-navarra_geekout-2026-study-2_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q3)**** **— 60+ slides of data, insights, and pro-tips! **Download 2026 Insights **📈** ** (https://metricool.com/social-media-study/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20251219_matt-navarra_geekout-2026-study-2_en&utm_content=newsletter&utm_term=q3) -------------------- ## 🔥 GEEKOUT HOT 5 _**Geekout’s pick of the hottest headlines in social this week:**_ TikTok signs deal for sale of U.S. unit after yearslong saga: (https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/tiktok-sale) 2. **Facebook tests charging monthly subscription** for sharing links [[LINK-TAXING](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp9kv3lezgro)] 3. **YouTube signs deal to stream the Oscars** exclusively from 2029 [[AWARD-WINNING](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/oscars-bolt-from-abc-to-youtube-starting-in-2029-1236453188/)] 4. **Instagram is testing a TV app** to bring Reels to your big screen [[IGTV-VIBING](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/instagram-reels-tv-app-launches-meta-connected-tv-1236451339/)] 5. **Parents of sextortion victims** **sue Meta **for alleged wrongful deaths [[PROSECUTING](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/17/parents-of-sextortion-victim-sue-meta-for-alleged-wrongful-death)] -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/eda8fc3b-c141-45d7-8de7-4b451e896959/MattNavarra3.jpeg?t=1766069325) Follow image link: (https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/how-to-compensate-creators?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=dec19) Caption: Figuring out _what_ and _how_ to pay creators is one of the trickiest parts of building campaigns. Pay too little = quality drops. 📉 Overpay and scale = quickly over budget. 💸 If you’ve ever played guesswork with creator rates or fumbled through usage rights convos… this is your cheat code. **Insense** just dropped a [FREE Cheatsheet](https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/how-to-compensate-creators?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=dec19) that breaks it all down: * 📊** Creator pay benchmarks** for 2026 * **💰 How to price UGC** vs. influencer deliverables * 📈** Flat fee vs. performance payouts** — when each works It is built for brands running UGC at scale, not one-off collabs. Grab it now. Avoid the budget regret later! ✨** **[**Download FREE Cheatsheet **](https://insense.pro/ebooks-guides/how-to-compensate-creators?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=dec19)** ** **P.S. Did you know… **Insense helps brands like Wonderskin & DRMTLGY run end-to-end UGC collabs with top creators. **⤷ BONUS: **[**Book a FREE strategy call **](https://insense.pro/lp/matt-navarra?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=dec19)with Insense by Dec 31…** **Get $200 towards your first campaign. 🔥** Download Cheatsheet **🔥 (https://insense.pro/lp/matt-navarra?utm_campaign=matt_navarra&utm_source=email&utm_medium=dec19) -------------------- ### 🚨 EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT Facebook tries breaking the core deal of social media A Facebook test makes link-sharing a paid feature for creators: (https://www.engadget.com/social-media/a-facebook-test-makes-link-sharing-a-paid-feature-for-creators-224632957.html) As I [revealed](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSXCACNirEt?xmt=AQF0bTHi_skXHf7GXA6z-K2NWZ8ACQisn1l0N-BAAtd3Ig) earlier this week, Facebook is taking a step many people think is a step too far… charging to share links. Yep, if you have a Facebook Page or a professional account, Facebook thinks there’s a chance it can make a business out of forcing you to pay up for a Meta Verified account to post more than a small number of links per month. It’s important to note that as I understand it, this is “a learning experiment” rather than a permanent change. It’s focused on a small group of users to see how it changes their behaviour. Platforms run tests on small numbers of users all the time. But while something like a short-term limit of three hashtags per post on Instagram might be a small inconvenience, it’s something you can work around. This time it’s different. The challenge Meta has here is that even if this link-charging test disappears, social media managers will likely be left with less confidence in Facebook as a platform. Link posts have typically ranked poorly for a few years now, but unverified gossip on the grapevine talks of improved performance for link posts lately, perhaps as a precursor to this test? Users creating content for platforms to monetise is the main deal at the heart of social media. Charging users to create content takes things into uncharted territory that will make many pros uncomfortable. But hey, we’ve still got that inelegant workaround known as “Link in comments”… For now, at least. _________________ ### TikTok is FINALLY ready to sell its US arm to Trump’s buddies TikTok U.S. Deal to Close Next Month: Oracle and Silver Lake Confirmed in Buyer Consortium: (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/tiktok-sale-done-oracle-silver-lake-buyers-1236454493/) Can you believe that the ‘ban or sale’ TikTok saga in the US has been going on for OVER FIVE YEARS?! It was first [floated](https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/7/21316062/tiktok-ban-app-mike-pompeo-government-china-bytedance-communist-party) in July 2020, during the first Trump presidency. And now, in a pre-Christmas miracle, a deal is done and due to close on 22 January. The Hollywood Reporter says that the deal includes _“_**_retraining the content recommendation algorithm on US user data_**_ to _**_ensure the content feed is free from outside manipulation_**_,” Oracle overseeing data protection, and specifying that “ultimate decision-making authority for reviewing and approving all content moderation and related policies within the United States.”_ ByteDance still retains a stake in TikTok US but the key point to note is that Oracle and Silver Lake, two of the main investors in the consortium buying control, are Trump-friendly outfits. Critics will no doubt be keeping a close eye on how Trump-friendly the new US algorithm is when it launches. As we’ve seen with X, an owner’s political views can easily and quickly skew a platform’s vibe. Keeping the US President happy without scaring off advertisers and creators is a challenge I see in TikTok’s near future. One small mercy: unlike with X, a more MAGA TikTok is something everyone else around the world won’t need to deal with 😆 -------------------- ## ✨ NEW & NOTEWORTHY _**Everything else you need to know from the past seven days…**_ View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b705408c-1765-4a95-a1a8-6148544e21aa/image.png?t=1766146535) Caption: Image: Meta * **Meta **has started [using your chats](https://www.vice.com/en/article/meta-to-use-interactions-to-train-ai/) with Meta AI to shape ads and content, after a low-key announcement in October * **Meta** tolerates [rampant ad fraud](https://www.reuters.com/investigations/meta-tolerates-rampant-ad-fraud-china-safeguard-billions-revenue-2025-12-15/) from China to safeguard billions in revenue, according to leaked internal docs * **Meta** paused its third-party [Horizon OS](https://www.roadtovr.com/meta-horizon-os-third-party-headset-cancelled-asus-lenovo/) programme, sidelining Asus and Lenovo headsets indefinitely * **Meta **is adopting an [‘AI-first’ strategy](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-ai-tools-internal-google-gemini-openai-chatgpt-llama-claude-2025-12) by offering staffers access to a growing list of AI tools from Google and OpenAI * **Meta** adopted a new [age-check system](https://archive.is/ZyajL) to meet global child safety laws * **Meta** Ray-Ban Display glasses will get virtual handwriting and Instagram [Reels support](https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/meta/meta-ray-ban-display-glasses-will-get-virtual-handwriting-based-on-neural-signals) in 2026 * **Meta** Quest now supports [Disney+](https://www.meta.com/en-gb/blog/disney-plus-meta-quest-launch/), with a giant virtual cinema screen * **Facebook **wants you to know who is making [more new friends than you](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSKNfnnirBB?xmt=AQF0SpVZxKmLbTO6D81KbJbgzjDmTGhxVpGOjUNICn9gPw) (thanks FB 😏) * **Facebook** has been spotted with a [new app dock](https://www.threads.com/@deniseayn_/post/DSWg_RNEdXd?xmt=AQF0OzNLRgu0FBFYkzZ6v9VETpHxPCXIMGCtp_lcW3-8OQ) **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/375c0895-5b78-47bb-af90-7177569dff19/image.png?t=1766146296) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-adds-custom-effects-for-new-years-celebrations/808177/) Caption: Instagram rolls out special features for New Years celebrations | Image: Meta * **Instagram** is rolling out [New Year features](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-adds-custom-effects-for-new-years-celebrations/808177/), including new fonts and text effects, hidden Easter eggs, special Add Yours stickers, and Seasonal AI restyle modes * **Instagram Edits** is getting new [object-targeting effects](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-adds-new-features-to-edits-including-ai-segmentation-of-objects/808174/), letting you tag, blur, pixellate, scribble on, or add sparkle to specific objects in a video (these are pretty cool!) * **Instagram** has quietly rolled out [looping carousels](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSaFArYEdUD?xmt=AQF046uq7WKi1lIUouafdNRJzM7H4NdcZHtumBMLuYOMjw), which may help boost views (have you got this yet?) * **Instagram** has increased its [limit on hashtags](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagrams-implementing-new-limits-on-hashtag-use/808309/) to 5, after briefly reducing it to 3, but Mosseri is still reminding people hashtags won’t boost reach (booooo!) * **Instagram**’s [Auto-Scroll](https://www.threads.com/@lindseygamble_/post/DSKju74DUYI?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) feature has rolled out to more people * **Instagram** has been spotted offering [‘Shop the Look’ buttons](https://www.threads.com/@lindseygamble_/post/DSXz1-RkZVZ?xmt=AQF0OzNLRgu0FBFYkzZ6v9VETpHxPCXIMGCtp_lcW3-8OQ) on Reels * **Instagram** is promoting [playable games](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DSZczhCiaWW?xmt=AQF0OzNLRgu0FBFYkzZ6v9VETpHxPCXIMGCtp_lcW3-8OQ) in its app, redirecting users to Meta Horizon experiences * **Instagram** now lets you add a [Taylor Swift song](https://www.threads.com/@instagram/post/DSLKV3kiWS_?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) to your Notes or profile to get a matching theme for the era **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6dee6cf8-e948-460b-b95c-d7edfa8d5ed9/image.png?t=1766146105) Follow image link: (https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/threads-adds-new-communities-tests-badges-for-highly-engaged-members/) Caption: Threads new Community Champion and Flair tags | Image: Meta * **Threads** added new communities and is testing new [Champion badges and Flair tags](https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/threads-adds-new-communities-tests-badges-for-highly-engaged-members/) * **Threads** has put its fediverse support in ‘[maintenance mode](https://www.theverge.com/column/847806/head-of-threads-interview)’. It’s not a priority for Meta anymore * **Threads** has a [new-look watermark](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DSQYa1xjJSW?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) for screenshots of the app * **WhatsApp **is working on a feature that lets channel admins [create and show a profile](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DSL6P56CCZ8?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) * **WhatsApp** faces [big headaches in India](https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/14/whatsapps-biggest-market-is-becoming-its-toughest-test/) over new rules that force it to log desktop app and web users out every six hours * **WhatsApp** is testing a new ‘[Invite followers](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DSKlJ6jDGdP?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA)’ feature for broadcast channels * **WhatsApp **is testing the ability for channel admins create [quiz-based updates](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-beta-for-android-2-26-1-14-whats-new/) * **WhatsApp **added Happy New Year [sticker packs](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DSW1epnidVb?xmt=AQF0OzNLRgu0FBFYkzZ6v9VETpHxPCXIMGCtp_lcW3-8OQ) * **WhatsApp** is widely rolling out the ability to [display a custom tag](https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-for-ios-25-37-74-whats-new/) in their group chats * **WhatsApp** is testing the ability to let channel admins [reach out to their contacts](https://www.threads.com/@wabetainfo/post/DSYyOXLiMbD?xmt=AQF0OzNLRgu0FBFYkzZ6v9VETpHxPCXIMGCtp_lcW3-8OQ) with follow requests * **WhatsApp** is testing a [redesigned attachment menu](https://www.ubergizmo.com/2025/12/whatsapp-faster-photo-access/) for quicker sharing **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/41e72465-416b-481f-a1be-3fbdad05dc40/Screenshot_2025-12-19_at_12.04.56.png?t=1766145909) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-launches-ratio-counter-app/808330/) Caption: X’s new ‘Ratio Finder’ tool launched | Image: X * **X **launched a “[Ratio Finder](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-launches-ratio-counter-app/808330/)” ranking the platform’s most disagreed-with users, or “ratio victims” (oh boy 🫩) * **X** is testing a “Seen” tab to help you revisit previously watched videos * **X** is [suing](https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/16/x-updates-its-terms-files-countersuit-to-lay-claim-to-the-twitter-trademark-after-newcomers-challenge/) the startup that tried to take over the Twitter trademark, and updated its ToS to say it owns the name * **X** reported $752 million in Q3 revenue, marking its [strongest quarterly growth](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-sees-higher-revenue-in-q3/807851/) since Elon Musk’s takeover * **X** wins appeal to [lift a block](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/17/elon-musks-x-wins-appeal-to-lift-block-on-australians-seeing-charlie-kirk-shooting-footage) on Australians seeing footage of Charlie Kirk’s killing * **xAI **is [struggling](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/xai-uphill-battle-selling-grok-businesses?rc=kmaysd) to sell Grok to businesses, given the bot’s dodgy reputation * **X** has launched new [lock screen widgets](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-new-widgets-ios/807852/) for iOS * **X** is offering [40% off annual plans](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DSUtGKoCdUJ?xmt=AQF0VsJdD0QfBG1uDT34jyWzrICYv8nHFNv3a6N49a9wZQ) for Premium Business if you subscribe before 20 December. **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9dd16971-047f-4625-97fd-65b30a935884/image.png?t=1766145653) Follow image link: (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/introducing-the-winners-of-the-tiktok-awards-us-2025-new-era-new-icons?lang=en) Caption: TikTok’s U.S Award Show Winners Revealed | Image: TikTok * **TikTok** hosted its first [US Awards](https://deadline.com/2025/12/tiktok-awards-2025-winners-list-1236653353/) in LA, celebrating platform-defining creators. [Winners included](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/introducing-the-winners-of-the-tiktok-awards-us-2025-new-era-new-icons?lang=en) Keith Lee and Paris Hilton * **TikTok** has been accused of aiding the spread of [AI-generated fraudulent advertising](https://www.cryptopolitan.com/tiktok-accused-of-aiding-fake-ai-ads/) on its platform * **TikTok** has released its [2025 recap template](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DSKPURbCcqp?xmt=AQF0VsJdD0QfBG1uDT34jyWzrICYv8nHFNv3a6N49a9wZQ) * **TikTok** has been [accused](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/tiktok-monitored-grindr-activity-through-third-party-tracker-privacy-group-2025-12-17/) of accessing users’ Grindr activity, LinkedIn interactions and shopping behaviour * **TikTok** is rolling out the ability to [link fundraisers](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DSUIFtfiWNG?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) directly within the app * **TikTok** is rolling out new [accessibility settings](https://www.tiktok.com/accessibility/en) for users with neurological and visual sensitivities * **TikTok** has partnered with **Disney** to launch a first-of-its-kind [Avatar: Fire and Ash hub](https://newsroom.tiktok.com/celebrating-avatar-fandom-on-tiktok?lang=en) * **Spotted** a [red person icon](https://www.dailydot.com/news/tiktok-red-person-icon/) on **TikTok**? It’s not a stalking alert, it just appears next to names you’ve manually searched or clicked * **TikTok** will mandate [five-day office returns](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-is-planning-a-big-return-to-office-rto-push-2025-12) for US staff starting September 2026 **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/2f7b9759-bf53-46c9-8925-05e8d20ec28d/image.png?t=1766145589) Follow image link: (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-voice-replies-superchat-goals-ai-creation-tools-and-more/808322/) Caption: YouTube’s voice replies feature rolling out to more users | Image: YouTube * **YouTube** is expanding access to [voice replies](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-voice-replies-superchat-goals-ai-creation-tools-and-more/808322/), smarter auto-dubbing controls, and more * **YouTube** is [pulling its data](https://mashable.com/article/youtube-billboard-music-charts-withdraw) from Billboard charts over “unfair” stream weighting * **YouTube** Communities are adding a [Channel Guidelines](https://www.threads.com/@lindseygamble_/post/DSaLfzmDkg3?xmt=AQF0OzNLRgu0FBFYkzZ6v9VETpHxPCXIMGCtp_lcW3-8OQ) feature * **YouTube** is testing [still-image carousels](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-tests-still-image-carousels-within-the-shorts-feed/808094/) inside the Shorts feed * **YouTube** was forced to remove AI-generated [videos of Disney characters](https://variety.com/2025/film/news/google-removes-ai-videos-disney-characters-cease-desist-1236608015/) following a cease-and-desist letter * **YouTube** has reworked its [sponsored content tools ](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-looks-to-streamline-sponsored-content-partnerships/807855/)to reduce friction between creators and brands. * **YouTube** made its video player [easier to navigate](https://www.theverge.com/news/843412/youtube-watch-screen-tv-app-update) on TVs * **YouTube** now lets US creators [receive payouts](https://fortune.com/2025/12/11/youtube-paypal-google-stablecoin-payouts-pyusd/) in PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin * **YouTube **shut down [two channels that were using AI](https://deadline.com/2025/12/youtube-terminates-screen-culture-kh-studio-fake-ai-trailer-1236652506/) to create fake movie trailers generating over 1 billion views **__________** View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6e0054b4-d6fa-44b2-9945-d57026b8f193/Ellissas-Featured-Images-2025-12-18T122058.850-940x480.png?t=1766145288) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mattnavarra_yearinreview-activity-7407052564984180736-vkxU?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADGnL8BvPe8qPV1pJn-bZJQfObBttsMY7s) Caption: LinkedIn launched its own version of Wrapped | Image: The Tab * **LinkedIn** launched [its own ‘Wrapped’](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mattnavarra_yearinreview-activity-7407052564984180736-vkxU?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADGnL8BvPe8qPV1pJn-bZJQfObBttsMY7s) so you can rewind your 2025 on the platform (spoiler: a LOT of people’s wrapped told them they were in the [top 5 or 10% of users](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeremyboissinot_linkedin-rewind-in-a-nutshell-jokes-aside-activity-7407100554847596544-EAMK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADGnL8BvPe8qPV1pJn-bZJQfObBttsMY7s) 🤔) * **Reddit**’s volunteer moderators are being [overwhelmed](https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2025/10/ai-generated-content-triple-threat-reddit-moderators) by AI-generated content, according to new research * **Bluesky** launched a new contacts-matching feature it claims is far more [privacy conscious](https://www.theverge.com/news/846175/bluesky-find-your-friends-privacy) than similar features elsewhere * **Snapchat** launched its [personalised 2025 recap](https://newsroom.snap.com/snapchat-recap-2025) highlighting memories, chats, and stories * **Snapchat **is adopting Apple’s [Age Range](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchats-using-apples-age-range-measure-to-restrict-underage-users/808194/) feature to filter underage users from its app. * **Telegram** added passkeys and scam-proof [gift purchases](https://telegram.org/blog/passkeys-and-gift-offers) * **Google Maps **has [dropped X](https://www.seroundtable.com/google-maps-share-buttons-updated-40583.html) and added **Reddit** and **Facebook** as native share options **__________** 🔥== ====**Want to see more hot NEW features**==== spotted in the wild this week?== ==Just head to the ====[‘](#more-news)====**[More news’ section](#more-news)**==== below!== -------------------- ## 🤖 SOCIAL AI _**The newest social media AI features spotted this week:**_ -------------------- **Meta AI’s latest Vibes **is building upon **OpenAI’s** **Sora **and its ‘Cameos’ feature On Vibes, you can also now [place yourself](https://www.threads.com/@lindseygamble_/post/DSY4a2GDSzO?xmt=AQF0OzNLRgu0FBFYkzZ6v9VETpHxPCXIMGCtp_lcW3-8OQ) into images and videos or even generate entirely new ones from scratch View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/61cbf90d-095e-4e40-ad3a-05976bce9b42/Meta_AI_you.jpg?t=1766142879) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@lindseygamble_/post/DSY4a2GDSzO?xmt=AQF0Huh3q-2IWTKbIxG1kLNGh_7XqdS1zL12z_cSpOlcAg) Caption: -------------------- _** __________**_ _**Also spotted this week **_👀 * **YouTube **is letting creators [make playable games](https://www.engadget.com/ai/youtube-is-letting-creators-make-playable-games-with-a-gemini-3-tool-195500318.html) with a Gemini 3 powered tool * **YouTube** is launching new AI ‘Portraits’ for [interactive conversations](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-tests-ai-chatbots-based-on-popular-creators/808093/) with popular creators * **Meta** AI glasses now offer [Conversation Focus](https://l.threads.com/?u=https://www.theverge.com/tech/845540/meta-ai-glasses-conversation-focus-spotify&e=AT1z_3O9KxJJrWivHRp9S8boqmiiMO-N1oD3L5ufg_eH1xvlX66DF-se2VfzWCbgqygmpquTDew2_xaQY2qk1n_qi6IsNZV56fsVzIxCCAFdUozcNOLESj0NDSH5gjZ182FN2l4ub98z), which dials up the voice of the person you’re speaking to and drowns out the chaos around you * **Meta **unveiled SAM Audio, an AI model that [isolates any sound instantly](https://about.fb.com/news/2025/12/our-new-sam-audio-model-transforms-audio-editing/) * **Meta** is building Mango, an [image and video model](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/meta-developing-new-ai-image-and-video-model-code-named-mango-16e785c7?st=BwUmJw) pegged for release in early 2026 * **TikTok** is rolling out AI Canvas, letting you use AI to generate text and automatically [create engaging layouts](https://www.threads.com/@jonahmanzano/post/DSUuVSzib3Q?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) using your photos. * **Reddit** launched its AI-powered [search engine](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DSKdmUejFKc?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) in more regions * **CapCut **now allows Android users to [edit photos](https://www.threads.com/@oncescuradu/post/DSSwGwrDEw1?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) with Google Nano Banana Pro * **Adobe Firefly** now offers [prompt-based video editing](https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/16/adobe-firefly-now-supports-prompt-based-video-editing-adds-more-third-party-models/) and advanced timeline control tools -------------------- ## 💬 YOU CAN QUOTE ME ON THAT _**When I’m quoted in the news, you’ll find it here:**_ -------------------- Earlier this week, I spotted **Facebook experimenting with charging users to post links**, by making it a Meta Verified subscription perk. When i first heard about it, I was sure it was fake news. I’ve seen countless scare-mongering, baseless rumours about this for years. I dropped an email to my contacts at Meta to check if it was fake news. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/01044bdf-0118-4f17-90e6-24a04d044d40/image.png?t=1766147487) Caption: Facebook’s new test charging users to post links | Image: Meta But to my surprise, it turns out, this time, it’s true. Wild! **Meta confirmed the test was indeed very real**, and gave me an official comment which I shared online. Since then, I’ve spent all day today (Thu 18 Dec) fielding **calls and emails from news publishers around the world**, asking for my thoughts on Meta’s surprising (and quite frankly, ballsy!!) move. View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/98c1a9d1-1ac6-473a-a823-d5a6214a457f/BBC_News_-_Matt_Navarra_on_Facebook_s_Link_Post_Charging.png?t=1766147269) Follow image link: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp9kv3lezgro) Caption: **Read my analysis** featured in: * [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp9kv3lezgro) * [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/12/18/facebook-to-charge-people-to-post-links/?icid=return_to_article) * [The Nation](https://www.thenationalnews.com/future/technology/2025/12/18/facebook-link-policy-meta-verified/) **Also this week**: * I spoke to **BBC News** about how AI and social media [pose a new kind of behavioural influence](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2epm9z9kkvo#:~:text=Psychology%20professor%20and,and%20emotional%20states.%22). -------------------- ## 💀 LOL -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/40274106-6a77-4884-8868-a3a67092c16e/Agency_probs.jpg?t=1766143116) Follow image link: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DSXkjGkAP7M/?img_index=3) Caption: So many people (including me!) were named a _‘Top 5% catalyst’_ in **LinkedIn’s **version of Spotify Wrapped! In fact, [some people think](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tasbober_everyones-excited-about-the-linkedin-year-activity-7407167610468929536-JY9l?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) **everyone got the same data** 😱 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/943e8e84-d475-41bb-8823-01dc02242a93/LinkedIn_top_5.jpg?t=1766143240) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeremyboissinot_linkedin-rewind-in-a-nutshell-jokes-aside-activity-7407100554847596544-EAMK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: -------------------- ## 🌡️ VIRAL -------------------- **The killing of Rob and Michele Reiner** shocked the world, but perhaps not as much as Donald Trump’s response [angered](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/white-house-social-media-retweets-trumps-vile-rob-reiner-post_n_69403c41e4b02a9ef51775d9) people from all corners of politics and entertainment. But this is a guy who likes to go viral whatever the reason, so I’m sure he’s happy with the reaction to his post… Tweet: (https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/2000591435393876228) Tweet: (https://twitter.com/RepThomasMassie/status/2000597616674193616) -------------------- **__________** **Also going viral this week: **🔥 * **Sumo has become a British hit** [thanks to TikTok](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/dec/17/very-tiktok-able-sumo-wrestlings-unlikely-british-boom) * **How the Jon Hamm TikTok meme** turned **Kato**’s 2009 EDM track into [a global viral hit](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tiktok-jon-hamm-scene-kato-edm-song-viral-1235486349/) -------------------- ## 🪧 BRANDS -------------------- How much is **Boxbollen **spending on influencer marketing?!? Snoop Dogg, Will Smith, The Kardashians, Jay Shetty, Bill Gates, Jessica Simpson and [loads more big names](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSLr60HCrOr?xmt=AQF0SpVZxKmLbTO6D81KbJbgzjDmTGhxVpGOjUNICn9gPw) have been promoting it across their social accounts! -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f66484dd-f44f-49ad-8c72-0d1b8c4213be/Boxbollen.jpg?t=1766144909) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSLr60HCrOr?xmt=AQF0SpVZxKmLbTO6D81KbJbgzjDmTGhxVpGOjUNICn9gPw) Caption: -------------------- **__________** **More brand news this week: **👀 * **TikTok** is going to push new **Supergirl** trailer to [every user](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/supergirl-takes-over-tiktok-1236449772/) in the US and 13 other territories * How brands like **Chewy**, **JCPenney**, **Mattel**, **Target** and **Walmart** are [showcasing creators](https://blog.youtube/creator-and-artist-stories/how-brands-lit-up-the-holidays-with-youtube-creators/) as high-impact retail partners on YouTube * Inside **TikTok’s** [fan-edit frenzy](https://adage.com/social-media/tiktok/aa-fan-edits-gen-z-pepsico-lionsgate/)—and how brands like **Doritos** and **Lionsgate** are using it to reach Gen Z * Inside the agency building **Keir Starmer** [a TikTok army](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2025/12/reelpolitik-inside-labours-influencer-agency) … Also, “In a shocking twist, **Keir Starmer**’s TikToks are [borderline competent](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/12/keir-starmer-tiktoks-borderline-competent)” ( 👈 take a look 👀 -------------------- ## 👀 MY FAV READS -------------------- An interesting read about how **TikTok’s** **algorithm** takes users down a ‘mental health rabbit hole’: _“TikTok’s algorithm favours mental health content over many other topics, including politics, cats and Taylor Swift, according to a Washington Post analysis.”_ TikTok’s mental health ‘rabbit hole’? It’s not in your head.: (https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2025/tiktok-algorithm-mental-health/) -------------------- ## **🗓️ BEST OF 2025** _**Looking back at the year:**_ -------------------- Of all the words-of-the-year we’ve seen from dictionary publishers in the past couple of weeks, **Merriam-Webster** is the one that has nailed it: Merriam-Webster’s 2025 word of the year is ‘slop’: (https://www.theverge.com/news/844640/merriam-webster-ai-slop-word-of-the-year-2025) **Also:** * **The 50 most amusing Bluesky posts** of 2025, [according to The Poke](https://www.thepoke.com/2025/12/17/our-50-favourite-funny-bluesky-posts-of-2025/) -------------------- ## 🙊 WHAT DID YOU SAY?! -------------------- **– ****Meta CTO Andrew ‘Boz’ Bosworth **[pushes back](https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-cto-responds-to-speculation-vr-is-not-dead/) against reports the company is deprioritising VR **__________** **Also overheard this week: 👂** * _“Every country takes very seriously the way that it protects its borders and makes sure that it has a grip on people who come into the country that are aligned with its own values and principles.”_ - – **UK Trade Secretary Peter Kyle **[shrugs off concerns](https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-relaxed-about-donald-trump-social-media-checks-for-tourists-peter-kyle/) about the US wanting to probe tourists’ social media histories -------------------- ## 😮 WTF?! -------------------- How did this streamer end up with a **live feed on the White House website** last night?! As this newsletter goes out… no clue! 🤷‍♂️ -------------------- Mystery Video Stream Appears on White House Website: (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-19/mystery-video-stream-appears-on-white-house-website?sref=YURDD6is) -------------------- **__________** **Also WTF this week: **👀 * **A hacker gained control** of a 1,100 mobile phone farm powering [covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok](https://www.404media.co/hack-reveals-the-a16z-backed-phone-farm-flooding-tiktok-with-ai-influencers/) * **This Chrome Extension **turns LinkedIn posts about AI into facts about another AI: NBA legend [Allen Iverson](https://www.wired.com/story/chrome-extension-linkedin-allen-iverson/) 😆 -------------------- # 🤦‍♂️ FAIL -------------------- Are we surprised? **Grok **[spread false claims](https://www.theverge.com/news/844443/grok-misinformation-bondi-beach-shooting) about the Bondi Beach shooting, because of course it did. It’s par for the course these days…. Grok is spreading misinformation about the Bondi Beach shooting: (https://www.theverge.com/news/844443/grok-misinformation-bondi-beach-shooting) **More fails:** * **Pinterest** warned users of a [data breach](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSUyXFniguw?xmt=AQF08Cpg2cuzvC4C_e2wNxCnkP7253PKIBlxObcoZPZo1A) impacting its Shuffles app * **Instagram** notifications were [out of control](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSaawzRitaT?xmt=AQF0OzNLRgu0FBFYkzZ6v9VETpHxPCXIMGCtp_lcW3-8OQ) for some users yesterday -------------------- # 🪦 RIP _**Social media features heading for the graveyard:**_ -------------------- It’s goodbye to **YouTube**’s annual **Rewind** videos. YouTube has unlisted all YouTube Rewind videos dating back to 2011. They’re now hidden unless accessed via direct links or playlists. The platform says the tradition is over as it shifts to personalised year-in-review formats. YouTube makes all its past YouTube Rewinds unlisted: (https://mashable.com/article/youtube-unlists-all-previous-youtube-rewind-videos) **Also:** * **X **has blocked installation of its [iPad app on Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2025/12/18/x-drops-support-for-installing-its-ipad-app-on-the-mac/), effectively ending native Mac support for the platform * **RIP** **to Messenger for macOS**, which was [killed off this week](https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/12/15/facebook-messenger-for-macos-departs-the-desktop) -------------------- ## 👔 YOU’RE HIRED! _**Hot new social media jobs worth checking out this week:**_ -------------------- View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/73c8e7e0-9eed-4269-a9e4-3ab53d6fcb8f/Hilton_For-The-Stay_Logo_RGB_Vertical.png?t=1766145663) Caption: * **Hilton** needs a [Social Media Manager (Contract)](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-manager-contract/) _[Remote, USA]_ -------------------- **__________** **More top social media jobs spotted this week **💼 * **Kit **is hiring a [Social Media Manager for the CEO – Contract](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-media-manager-for-the-ceo-contract-2/) _[Remote, worldwide]_ * **KwikFit **is looking for a [Digital & Social Media Marketing Executive](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/digital-social-media-marketing-executive/) _[Letchworth, England, UK]_ * **LNER** is recruiting a [Social Content Executive](https://www.samssocialmediaclub.com/job/social-content-executive-2/) _[York, England, UK]_ -------------------- ## 📲 NEW APPS -------------------- Crazy that it took so long, but **YouTube Create** has finally landed on iOS. YouTube Create App : (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/youtube-create/id6476327393) **__________** **Also**: * **Snapchat** launched its own video-editing app, [Quick Cut](https://newsroom.snap.com/snap-quick-cut) * **X** launched a [standalone desktop Chat app](http://X Launches Standalone Chat App on Desktop) for DMs -------------------- ## 🧪 SOCIAL SCIENCE -------------------- Analysis of **756 million social media profiles** reveals **older generations** fuel most online **political polarisation and conspiracy theory engagement**. Older users show high interaction with conspiracies like flat Earth and UFOs, while also being prone to misinformation. Gen Z, meanwhile, focuses more on activism and identity than partisanship. Older Americans driving polarization, online conspiracy theories, study finds: (https://nypost.com/2025/12/17/us-news/older-americans-driving-polarization-and-online-conspiracies-study-finds/) -------------------- ## 👌 PRO TIPS -------------------- **Threads **recommends going [all-in on replies](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSXTBQtisiS?xmt=AQF0VsJdD0QfBG1uDT34jyWzrICYv8nHFNv3a6N49a9wZQ) to boost reach… plus more tips…. Via the always awesome [Link-in-Bio newsletter](https://www.milkkarten.net/) (Rachel Karten) View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/304bfea5-37c1-4f6d-973d-5f44a4ac9312/Threads_tips.jpg?t=1766146046) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSXTBQtisiS?xmt=AQF0VsJdD0QfBG1uDT34jyWzrICYv8nHFNv3a6N49a9wZQ) Caption: Threads posting tips | Image: Link-in-Bio newsletter -------------------- **__________** **More pro-tips worth checking out **✨ * How to create [scroll-stopping](https://buffer.com/resources/youtube-thumbnails/) **YouTube** thumbnails * **How to craft** **Reels** that [stop the scroll](https://www.facebook.com/business/news/the-science-of-the-hook-how-to-supercharge-your-reels-performance), according to **Meta** * **LinkedIn** shared a new [guide to video ads](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-shares-video-ad-tips-infographic/807856/) * **Meta** dropped a new playbook to help VR developers [monetise faster](https://developers.meta.com/horizon/blog/cut-your-time-to-first-dollar-meta-horizon-launch-features/) on the Horizon Store -------------------- ## 📊 SOCIAL STATS -------------------- **– The number of hours **podcasts were watched [on TV via YouTube](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSacFeTigkB?xmt=AQF0OzNLRgu0FBFYkzZ6v9VETpHxPCXIMGCtp_lcW3-8OQ) in October, that’s up from 400 million a year earlier -------------------- **__________** **Even more social stats: **📈 * **STARMER HARMERS:** YouTube channels spreading fake, anti-Labour videos viewed [1.2 billion times](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSSQrxxitUl?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) in 2025 * **X HIT:** Despite growth this year, X’s revenue is still roughly [35% below](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSSSkyCihGn?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) Twitter’s pre-acquisition peak * **YOUTHQUAKE:** LinkedIn reports 18–24 users now form [20.5%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSUjjJUCnb3?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) of its fast-shifting base this year * **NOT SO TOXIC:** Americans overestimate online toxicity by [up to 13 times](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSZ5qqfCn5X?xmt=AQF046uq7WKi1lIUouafdNRJzM7H4NdcZHtumBMLuYOMjw). Just 8.5% of Facebook users spread misinformation, not 47% as believed * **BRANDED: **[94%](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DScNd2ailfI?xmt=AQF0Xo1FstQ3Gnq1QYBj3drLY5Xsos9ja3AgrolLdlasFg) of respondents in a Snap study welcome brand outreach across emails, SMS, DMs, and chat alerts -------------------- ## 📈 CHARTED -------------------- **There’s no escaping** the [rapid rise](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSS6TnjCosX?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) of AI chatbots View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/e3edebec-c36b-4cf7-9537-d836f0f419a6/Rapid_Rise_of_AI_chatbots.jpg?t=1766146380) Follow image link: (https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSS6TnjCosX?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) Caption: The Rapid Rise of AI Chatbots | Image: Sherwood News -------------------- **__________** **Even more social charts: **📈 * **BRANDED:** Creators are putting [brand quality](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSSViHMiiQW?xmt=AQF0V7i8n6GTqDH1tWg-3GKnnNFXfmVdeXvvteZfTYmfvA) at the top of their partnership wish list * **TOUGH STUFF:** The biggest challenges facing [social marketers](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSXagkNinrw?xmt=AQF0bTHi_skXHf7GXA6z-K2NWZ8ACQisn1l0N-BAAtd3Ig) * **IN POD WE TRUST:** Podcast listeners [trust their host](https://www.threads.com/@mattnavarra/post/DSZ8Z11iuIM?xmt=AQF046uq7WKi1lIUouafdNRJzM7H4NdcZHtumBMLuYOMjw)s more than any other influencer type -------------------- ## 💥 EVEN MORE SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS & UPDATES **UK Parliament has rejected** calls to repeal the Online Safety Act, and backed tougher rules. The UK Government (and Ofcom’s) next target…? VPNs. Teens have swarmed to them as a tool to work around age verification rules. These may soon be locked down as well. To repeal or not repeal: UK Parliament discusses the Online Safety Act: (https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/to-repeal-or-not-repeal-uk-parliament-discusses-the-online-safety-act) **_________** **Also this week… **🚨 * **Australia’s under-16** social media ban is driving teens toward obscure and emerging platforms. [[Financial Times $$$](https://www.ft.com/content/c901bac6-6b7f-4e7b-85e3-93df19f9270b)] * **The US has threatened **penalties against European tech companies amid a fight over regulation. [[New York Times $$$](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/business/economy/us-eu-tech-penalties.html)] * **The Trump administration** has launched US Tech Force to recruit around 1,000 staffers from the likes of Meta, xAI, and others. [[Nextgov](https://www.nextgov.com/people/2025/12/trump-admin-launches-us-tech-force-recruit-temporary-workers-after-shedding-thousands-year/410159/)] * **LinkedIn Verification **is surging in India, its fastest-growing market. [[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/18/linkedins-profile-verification-push-is-accelerating-and-india-is-leading-the-charge-in-2025/)] * **MrBeast plans to launch** a YouTube channel focused on finance and investing. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-planning-youtube-channel-focused-on-finance-and-investing-2025-12)] * **TikTok Shop has reorganised** its global e-commerce product and data science teams. [[Business Insider $$$](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-shop-restructured-its-global-ecommerce-product-and-data-teams-2025-12)] * **The Golden Globes** have announced their first-ever podcast category for 2026. [[Variety](https://variety.com/2025/awards/news/golden-globes-best-podcast-nominations-alex-cooper-amy-poehler-smartless-1236602050/)] * **LinkedIn has unveiled** 20 ‘Big Idea’ predictions for 2026 across tech, health, and culture. [[LinkedIn News UK](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20-predictions-define-2026-linkedin-news-uk-bupac/)] * **Malaysia will place **major platforms under national law automatically beginning January next year. [[Bloomberg $$$](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-16/social-media-giants-subject-to-malaysian-laws-from-next-year)] **New features and updates:** * **Meta**’s latest update for Quest brings major upgrades to hand-tracking. [[Road to VR](https://www.roadtovr.com/quest-update-upgrades-hand-tracking-v83/)] -------------------- ## 📰 WEEKEND READS _**Geekout’s pick of the best longer reads to sink into over the weekend:**_ -------------------- This is a fun read: _‘Track Star’ is the YouTube series that brings out the music lover in celebrities and civilians alike._ -------------------- How Track Star Became a YouTube and TikTok Music Phenomenon: (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/arts/music/track-star-youtube-music-game.html) -------------------- **__________** **More great weekend reads:** * **Companies are racing to hire “storytellers”** as controlling their narratives [becomes a corporate obsession](https://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-are-desperately-seeking-storytellers-7b79f54e) * **Inside Meta's 'year of intensity'** as its [AI overhaul, culture wars, and crackdowns collide](https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-ai-overhaul-mark-zuckerberg-year-intensity-2025-12) * **OK, what’s going on** [with LinkedIn’s algo](https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/12/ok-whats-going-on-with-linkedins-algo/)? * **Will other countries follow** Australia’s [social media ban for under-16s](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/13/will-other-countries-follow-australia-social-media-ban-under-16s)? -------------------- ## 😳 AND FINALLY… -------------------- Tap through below to watch a very amusing marketing spin on the classic Christmas movie **Love Actually**. Introducing… Marketing Actually! 🤣 👇 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/a3dce8f3-b72b-45c0-9be2-068a99f8d5af/Marketin_Actually.jpg?t=1766143744) Follow image link: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/henry-hayes-235028104_love-actually-but-for-marketers-the-thing-activity-7404079334715531264--rO6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIbwP4BqThO9G3cPbvC0bYcsMd-3yvz4cE) Caption: -------------------- ## 📅 BACK NEXT WEEK… -------------------- That’s a wrap on _Geekout_ for 2025! ✅ Thanks for sticking with me this year — whether you’ve read every word, or just scrolled to the spicy bits each Friday. I appreciate you. Before I log off, shut down my inbox, and pour my first festive drink... **One last (wild AI) thing…** I thought I’d share this random wild thing that happened to me yesterday. After doing a load of media interviews about Facebook’s link post charging drama… I Googled “Facebook Navarra” to quickly find how the reporters quoted me in their articles… Here’s what Google’s AI summary spat out: View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/c9179658-1553-46d7-9809-ada2f8ce2170/IMG_0428.PNG?t=1766149657) Caption: A pretty useful real-time Google AI summary result! Then I got curious about just how much Google’s AI knew about me. I asked if it knew who i’m dating. And it’s response was scarily accurate. 😲 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/52ba4554-3e32-449c-a970-be243aecb050/IMG_0430.PNG?t=1766149701) Caption: It knew all the details! Including the specifics of my Ibiza proposal. But then Google’s AI went massively off track and lost the plot completely. Apparently, Sarah has a wild career history, including working for the Royal Family. She’s still waiting on the pay rise.: 🤣 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8d241e0f-38fc-4a8f-8c3a-abce1d7e62fc/google_ai_summary.png?t=1766150100) Caption: Whilst it’s very flattering, it’s also totally hallucinated and 100% incorrect! I’m just glad Google’s AI isn’t telling people anything disturbing and false about me. Yet. Merry Christmas, geeks! 🎄 🎉 View image: (https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/847c3b26-7e46-45ac-9d60-9e39f333fa3d/Matt_Signature_-_Transparent.png) Caption: _P.S. This newsletter is edited by __[Martin SFP Bryant ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjbryant/)_ ---------- ——— You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/p/sorry-mark-the-link-is-in-the-comments

### ****🤓 ******It's Official... You're a Geek! ** Thank you for subscribing to Geekout! You will now receive my free weekly newsletter in your inbox EVERY FRIDAY. Everything new in the world of social media... All in one place. You can read ALL [previous editions of Geekout here](https://elink530.mattnavarra.com/ss/c/u001.0p4Qn5uSbM3HwKoN02GsAWmN_4NeqaPGydS_yVWgANsANR2maMnMdo492gXbvYpiNDudrhpr_Is7jSuHqo4-OBuEY9oddIngzPjqRSMLi66xjhHtSEaC4eOapfjHe0GVQO8BpMR0K_yMUjLjeTOrvoJGuK_hvjHEZN4KnTXnk0u6KOESMxNFcghrvhDWloMcS0-J4upX17dR8xoM1t1Emw/4mk/7WThLzpDQ420zaMwEOMYpA/t0/h001.xNRhjs5vKi1bQpKKDuBra9Jzoxu-H6YbuZyJdj-qvJU ### **❤️ Love reading newsletters…? ** This is [the BEST app for newsletter reading](https://elink530.mattnavarra.com/ss/c/u001.Gl8CW8jos-XzVRMePjFEiEiZAGuSFh0uLRgqoWNMfM4EATVRw_VYvr9phsXdqWgG/4mk/7WThLzpDQ420zaMwEOMYpA/t1/h001.IgJXvynEfFCgdMY8nlN6nrDXrBGUFoeTRRXHm-EKdJY It’s 100% FREE! ### ****🚀 Become a Social Media VIP... Join ******Geekout PRO!** Have you checked out **[Geekout PRO](https://elink530.mattnavarra.com/ss/c/u001._wGyhIIZ7Oupb-Ett-TMSxo_V_5OVaP1ty1dYRzjXd4Jun3AW4x2CRFtm5tv1ILdy76SgsJcUS_snSCYFUqZsa1l1G3GpnfWiy_266yUlg0/4mk/7WThLzpDQ420zaMwEOMYpA/t2/h001.YMjgqMj_bmh7q9ySb4QqtapDWKMmM5R7qe8ZVfqj_AM My PREMIUM Geekout experience for social media VIPs | **[Learn more about Geekout PRO](https://elink530.mattnavarra.com/ss/c/u001.pcK8mQBAUwWOAi_EsW5v8TRTdsSBsYn79gK4LvuWD18ttPs4hhb1yERWu2Qz8PFq/4mk/7WThLzpDQ420zaMwEOMYpA/t3/h001.wudW3L_L9FvgTYEHzGgq2ZLj2k9an4kZSx_-RE9RioM ⭐️** View image: (https://elink530.mattnavarra.com/ss/c/u001.1nRfauWAQxVQV79___hLPCjA7w-vVYMW-SRW2c7KM33dhj8Xw7U4JVm-HnjMCyZ812snofjshopw7fUxYUrNOHYPjkmVkei083aB84gRt3RBsyVbKh-EsmGz5OG_66I7P0dhtSX2zKWgnjg3OVu86VSCIA7NW3_NCsNw1nTNzwU0f4FIQyB4UDxbsYmDhqsGxytafCBEBqrBZ61-xdxFfOnyVXOlN8Lk6kCfPBzGhBEGKREvuSuBKaL_41NKSLs29i2J6AisKJ8CabVdwVHJSA/4mk/7WThLzpDQ420zaMwEOMYpA/t4/h001.ZgF_G_C4bAMzwBN29QXf0iQgC8SuhM3C2_dHAFsForU Follow image link: (https://elink530.mattnavarra.com/ss/c/u001.pcK8mQBAUwWOAi_EsW5v8Sul--nt6OBONjPswGgTDos/4mk/7WThLzpDQ420zaMwEOMYpA/t5/h001.amogKV2B7QR668kYhCE5AvrhGAm6ZaJdtHXDjxO7C0A Caption: 700+ people have already joined and are LOVING it! ❤️ View image: (https://elink530.mattnavarra.com/ss/c/u001.1nRfauWAQxVQV79___hLPCjA7w-vVYMW-SRW2c7KM33dhj8Xw7U4JVm-HnjMCyZ812snofjshopw7fUxYUrNOHYPjkmVkei083aB84gRt3RBsyVbKh-EsmGz5OG_66I7P0dhtSX2zKWgnjg3OVu86YDoXiuNzLC6SN_OWjtZD8VcmjiTQ2lNI8cHrB0lNZVZ--eBFFP-lAIeTU2lDHebU875kBf_yvRU7lzrLV9uQ9I/4mk/7WThLzpDQ420zaMwEOMYpA/t6/h001.HLgUOdV3ytzVD2LNY6vIo8f_UKndIiKmG9GS9aBVns8 Caption: It you want to part of a VIP community of social media professionals**, ****[Join Geekout PRO](https://elink530.mattnavarra.com/ss/c/u001.pcK8mQBAUwWOAi_EsW5v8TRTdsSBsYn79gK4LvuWD18ttPs4hhb1yERWu2Qz8PFq/4mk/7WThLzpDQ420zaMwEOMYpA/t7/h001.BTObB0vyY1wXqxfsyTz66KV_HqP-k2RvtiA6U66vcAY ✨** ——————————————————————————— ### 🎁**** More FREE Stuff!**** * **[JOIN the Geekout Group for social media pros](https://elink530.mattnavarra.com/ss/c/u001.Gl8CW8jos-XzVRMePjFEiMxIdgBoWP6LdoWyjaqTxhXouJC0BOpl_V6MtEZKIw1CgzH2kJzIWUFAamxTjMjiHA/4mk/7WThLzpDQ420zaMwEOMYpA/t8/h001.3f7ZtWvzzlv5k1I0ukbaK7y_5rR5aKSbh2FBwv37WoE on Facebook (35,000+ members) * **[CONNECT with me on LinkedIn](https://elink530.mattnavarra.com/ss/c/u001.Gl8CW8jos-XzVRMePjFEiKae5c-olffBlC2vLCgCioIwGNK4_ORU4Nj2lQoVIEi9jBdUWf1CGr7__FQjJxqLhg/4mk/7WThLzpDQ420zaMwEOMYpA/t9/h001.WqKeD2qx4JUFAuTUANn234AjkPfS3C2CPqViUvXtbAQ for exclusive Geekout updates (70,000+ followers) ——————————————————————————— ### **❗️ BEFORE YOU GO ** ✨** PRO TIP:** Replying to this email prevents Geekout going to your spam folder. Reply to this email to tell me: * _What’s your FAVOURITE social network?_ Thanks for joining the Geekout community of social media pros. You are now **ONE OF US! **👊 View image: (https://elink530.mattnavarra.com/ss/c/u001.1nRfauWAQxVQV79___hLPCjA7w-vVYMW-SRW2c7KM33dhj8Xw7U4JVm-HnjMCyZ812snofjshopw7fUxYUrNOHYPjkmVkei083aB84gRt3RBsyVbKh-EsmGz5OG_66I7P0dhtSX2zKWgnjg3OVu86TZxoI25_9B-ZFoQlIrLSHmr8xYC-F7-qK-ozZz3u0n5SE0k6vP7gERvVIf0U1tIAgZQol3XqSb-atrzZV9HS_2Y9rm_UfLrahZcxJ1G7FoF0IPO0XI58RfXk_qCVQD1yQ/4mk/7WThLzpDQ420zaMwEOMYpA/t10/h001.SwJUGsZxL1icowRSKmvW2x6IvwvsR2tZ-HepMKwnMM8 Caption: ### Matt