New social media features and updates to know this week
X, Meta, LinkedIn and more.
AI continues to invade social apps this week as X updates its DMs, Meta incorporates the tech into its risk assessment and LinkedIn adds new analytics tools. Here’s the latest about what you need to know in social media.
X
Elon Musk recently announced the launch of XChat, the social app’s updated direct messaging system, which is being beta tested now.
On June 1, Musk said on X: “All new XChat is rolling out with encryption, vanishing messages and the ability to send any kind of file. Also, audio/video calling. This is built on Rust with (Bitcoin style) encryption, whole new architecture.”
Some questions remain about the new tool’s security features, however.
According to TechCrunch: “Ahead of this launch, X said it was pausing work on encrypted DMs, presumably because XChat would soon replace the older system.
“In order to set up your new chat profile, you’ll need to create a four-digit code, adding another safety barrier,” according to
“The added security points to DMs become the focus of X’s coming in-stream payments push, providing more assurance for users who may be looking to share money in the app.”
X additionally launched XOriginals, a new platform for original content series where users can watch and engage with top content producers across sports, business and pop culture, like Khloe Kardashian.
Meta
Meta will begin incorporating AI to assess product risk, according to NPR.
“In practice, this means things like critical updates to Meta’s algorithms, new safety features and changes to how content is allowed to be shared across the company’s platforms will be mostly approved by a system powered by artificial intelligence — no longer subject to scrutiny by staffers tasked with debating how a platform change could have unforeseen repercussions or be misused,” according to the outlet.
The change will allow product developers to release “app updates and features more quickly,” according to the news outlet.
But some have criticized the ethical dilemma of allowing AI to make risk decisions, which can be somewhat murky.
In a statement, Meta stood behind its decision by saying that it invests millions of dollars into user privacy.
“Today, there are hundreds of data protection laws around the world. Our ability to compete and innovate hinges on how fast we adapt to the everchanging mosaic of legal requirements. That’s why we continue to work closely with regulators, policymakers and other experts to make sure our practices uphold the highest standards of data protection globally.”
Meta additionally added updates to its Marketing API, Graph and Ad Copies API, including content monetization to help streamline ads.
From the company: “We’re introducing a new insights metric, content_monetization_earnings,for Creators onboarded to Content Monetization. This new metric displays their earnings at a page or post level over a customizable time period. For page-level earnings, an additional breakdown is available for the content types that contributed to the overall earnings.”
LinkedIn has added new analytics so users can see how their posts are driving engagement and interactions.
“We often hear our members ask for more insight into how professionals are engaging with their content beyond likes or views,” LinkedIn said in a statement. “Starting today, we’re rolling out new post analytics to help you efficiently connect your content to meaningful outcomes. You’ll now see when a post drives profile viewers and new followers (available to all members), and clicks to your Premium custom button (like your website or newsletter) if you’re a subscriber. These signals reflect how your content is sparking interest, growing your presence, and motivating your audience to take action.”
YouTube
YouTube is beta-testing a live video engagement leaderboard.
YouTube announced that “viewers earn points for engaging with streams and will see a crown icon at the top of the chat with the points they’ve earned from engaging on the creator’s live streams.
“When they click on the crown icon, they’ll be taken to the leaderboard to see the top 50 most engaged viewers on that channel. The top three viewers on the leaderboard will earn a badge, which appears next to their name on live streams.”
Viewers can opt out of being shown publicly through their dashboard settings.
The app has also revamped how ads appear, making them less disruptive to livestreams and regular videos.
“The ad will run alongside the livestream within the video player,” YouTube explained in a video. “The audio of the stream will be muted while the audio from the ad plays, then the video player will expand back, and the audio of the stream will be restored when the ad break has ended or the ad has been skipped.”
The video also explained an expansion of Google Lens for Shorts. Essentially, users can pinpoint a fixture in the Short, pause the video, click on the object of interest and learn more about it.
For example, the video mentions that if a user were to see a content creator in a really interesting place, the user could pause the video, click on a fixture in the background and learn more about that region or destination spot.
Instagram has reformatted images to be compatible with 3:4 ratios. This small change means that images posted to the app will no longer be distorted and instead reflect a more accurate, original image.
The app developers also noted that 1:1 and 4:5 ratios will still be available. But the improvement could still be beneficial to content creators whose main focus is visuals.
The app creators also announced additional comment filtering for users with over 100,000 followers. Users can sort comments by newest comments, top comments and follower count. This helps users see interactions in a more clear, organized manner.
WhatsApp has added more features to Status, or its messaging version of stories.
WhatsApp is “adding new music sharing options, including the ability to turn a song into a music sticker, and add it to a separate status post: like a selfie, for extra pizzazz,” according to Social Media Today.
The update also includes new layouts with its option to make a collage, or add up to six images into one photo.
Bluesky
Bluesky has updated its profile verification to include “all notable users.”
Per Social Media Today: “After launching its own form of in-app verification checkmarks last month, Bluesky is now expanding the roll-out of its verification ticks to more users, which will enable trusted, authoritative sources ensure gain more recognition in the app.”
Courtney Blackann is a communications reporter. Connect with her on LinkedIn or email her at [email protected].
