Social media updates and new features to know this week
Including LinkedIn, WhatsApp, TikTok and more.
Hello again, social friends! This week we’re covering new AI integrations into LinkedIn while TikTok is offering greater insights into trending topics. Let’s take a closer look and see where these tools can improve your social media strategy.
LinkedIn has updated its terms and data use policy effective November 3 to automatically incorporate content and profile data from users into the training of its generative AI models that power platform features.
The changes also clarify how data from affiliates may be used.
Users will have the ability to opt out of this AI training data use via their settings, LinkedIn says.
The platform has also rolled out a new feature that lets users showcase verified language proficiency by adding their Duolingo English Test score directly to their LinkedIn profile.
Previously, language skills were self-declared, which often left recruiters uncertain about a candidate’s true fluency, according to LinkedIn.
Instagram Edits users can now turn a main video clip into an overlay, letting creators play another background clip behind it.
There’s also finer control over transitions, specifically fade-ins and fade-outs, so creators can better adjust how clips flow into each other.
Users can now save sound effects, or audio tracks that are used often, or discovered while watching other clips, making them easier to reuse.
WhatsApp has modified its Updates tab, which includes both Status and Channels. This tab is now more of a discovery hub for creators, channels and businesses, per Meta.
Key additions include:
- Channel subscriptions: Users can subscribe to their favorite channels in order to get exclusive updates for a monthly fee.
- Promoted channels: Channel admins and businesses can have their channels promoted to improve visibility in the directory.
- Ads in Status: Businesses can place ads in Status, giving users another way to discover products or services offered.
Meta emphasized that these new advertising and promotional features are deliberately kept separate from personal chats.
Things like end-to-end encryption remain intact for personal messages and calls. Ads are tailored using non-sensitive data like location, language, channels followed, etc., and not by reading private messages or sharing personal information like a phone number, Meta says.
Further, businesses can integrate WhatsApp more closely with Facebook Pages and Meta Ads tools.
For instance, users can connect their WhatsApp business number to their Facebook Page, and then run ads that lead people to WhatsApp once everything is linked and permissions are set. This makes it easier for businesses to use WhatsApp as a destination for ad traffic, according to Meta.
TikTok
TikTok has updated its Analytics tab for creators to see more trending topics related to or based on their content.
Insights are offered with current trending search behaviors and demographic information, according to social media analyst Yasser Masood.
A Create button allows creators to add content based on trending topics, potentially driving more engagement.
X
X is shifting toward a customizable, AI-powered algorithm. The aim is to move people away from mainstream content (like ongoing political arguments or viral noise) and help them build a more tailored, interest-based community, per X.
X said, “You should be able to post about your interests and have friendly, relevant people chime in. If you’re seeing gas station fight videos, your account is not ramped up yet. We are working everyday to fix this.”
X has also rolled out Boost, a paid feature for creators to promote and feature a post to reach more audiences. This is currently available to Premium members using iOS.
YouTube
At YouTube’s 2025 “Made on YouTube” event, several new features were announced to enhance creator tools and viewer experiences.
Among the most notable updates is the integration of advanced AI capabilities into Shorts. Creators can now animate still images, apply artistic styles like pop art or origami and generate entire Shorts using Google’s Veo 3 in-stream technology.
Additionally, the “Edit with AI” feature allows users to transform raw footage into polished clips with automatic music, transitions and voiceovers.
The platform also introduced “Speech to Song,” enabling the creation of AI-generated songs from spoken phrases, and providing AI-generated visuals for audio-only podcasts, which could enhance content accessibility and engagement.
In YouTube Studio, the “Ask Studio” AI chatbot offers personalized insights and strategic advice tailored to individual creators, aiming to streamline content planning and optimization.
Courtney Blackann is a communications reporter. Connect with her on LinkedIn or email her at [email protected].
