Social media updates and new features to know this week
Including X, Discord, Instagram and more.
Hello social media enthusiasts! This week brings some significant changes as Discord will now require age-verification for all users. X has changed its API price structure to a usage-based model and Instagram may be testing an AI agent for group chats. Let’s take a closer look and see how these updates affect your social strategy.
X
X has changed its flat monthly API access fees to a usage-based pricing model, which aims to give developers more flexibility and ensure that costs reflect actual usage instead of set tiers.
There’s also a new developer console and interactive cost estimator to help predict charges and manage usage.
X has also said it is continuing to retire older APIs and tighten rules around how its data can be used. This includes stricter policies aimed at cutting down on spam and bot abuse and clearer limits on using X data to train AI models.
Additionally, X is rolling out the feature Collaborative Notes, or a new way for the public to work with AI and each other to make information more accurate.
When someone requests a note, AI drafts an initial version and then the community can refine it together in real time through ratings and suggestions. Users can watch the note improve as people contribute, making fact-checking a more collaborative effort.
X has also launched a new feature that lets users include images in polls. X’s Head of Product Nikitia Bier shared in this example that instead of text-only options, each poll choice can now have a picture attached, giving people more context about what they’re voting on and making polls more eye‑catching in the feed.
Once someone votes, the images shrink so users can see the poll results under the question.
Discord
Discord is rolling out a big update to how accounts work worldwide starting in early March. From next month on, every user’s account will automatically be put into a “teen‑appropriate” mode unless they prove they’re an adult.
To get full access, users will have to go through an age‑verification process. This can be done through a facial age estimation from a selfie, processed on the device or by uploading a government ID, which is checked by a third‑party and then deleted.
People who haven’t verified their age won’t be able to see sensitive content, join age‑restricted servers, use features like “stage” voice chat or modify some communication settings, the app makers say.
Verified adults can change settings that aren’t available in the teen‑default mode.
Discord says these changes are meant to improve safety for younger users everywhere, comply with new laws in the U.K. and Australia and reinforce its focus on keeping teens safer online.
Discord also says alongside this change, they’re launching a Teen Council, or a teen advisory group, to help shape safety based on real teen feedback.
Meta is building an AI assistant just for group chats on Instagram. The bot, called Kai, is designed to sit alongside regular messages and help with things like summarizing what happened while you were away, finding specific mentions or details in the conversation, or suggesting content for you.
Instead of scrolling back through a long thread to catch up, the bot pulls out the key points of a group chat.
The app makers did not provide a timeline or release date for this feature.
YouTube
YouTube is upgrading its AI‑powered auto‑dubbing feature to make it easier for people around the world to watch videos in languages they understand.
The system now supports 27 languages overall, and YouTube has introduced something called “Expressive Speech” in eight major languages, including English, French, Spanish, Hindi and others, so that dubbed audio captures more of the original speaker’s emotion and tone instead of sounding flat or robotic.
Users can set a preferred language in Settings and allow YouTube to auto‑dub audio in that chosen language.
YouTube also said it’s testing lip‑sync technology to better match a speaker’s mouth movements with translated voices. This includes improved filters to avoid dubbing videos where it doesn’t make sense, like music‑only or silent videos. Creators can also upload their own dubs or turn the feature off completely.
Reddit has introduced a new ad format called Reminder Ads that’s currently in beta testing with selected advertisers.
These ads include a “Remind Me” button that people can tap when they see an ad for something happening in the future (like a product launch, event, AMA or another major announcement).
When someone taps the button, they’re signed up to receive a push notification and an inbox reminder on Reddit on the day of the event, helping advertisers drive more “timely engagement” rather than just one‑time impressions.
Courtney Blackann is a communications reporter. Connect with her on LinkedIn or email her at [email protected].
