Social media updates and new features to know this week
Including YouTube, LinkedIn, Threads and more.
YouTube has declined to join Meta’s $18 billion settlement over alleged harms to young social media users.
Meta agreed in August to pay more than $18 billion to settle claims brought by 29 state attorneys general that its platforms contributed to harms among young users, the outlet said.
The agreement includes restrictions for users under 18, including a two-hour daily usage limit and a default block on Facebook and Instagram between midnight and 6 a.m.
CNN reports YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said that the company will not participate in Meta’s proposed restrictions, arguing that YouTube is different from Meta’s platforms and already has protections in place for younger users.
Mohan said YouTube has invested heavily in its own youth safety tools, including parental controls and time-management features, and plans to continue taking its own approach.
Here’s what else is new.
YouTube
YouTube is trying out more episodic short-form content.
The platform launched Shorts Series, a new way for creators to organize Shorts into seasons and episodes with custom thumbnails and playback. The feature is rolling out across mobile, web and TV.
YouTube is also giving people more control over what its algorithm shows to them.
A new Custom Feeds feature will let users create separate homepage feeds by describing what they want to watch with prompts. For example, podcasts might be one choice for a commute to work or longer documentaries for evenings.
Creators are also getting several new production tools, including expanded video and thumbnail testing and a conversational editing tool that trims speech, rearranges clips, syncs music or adds text.
LinkedIn is expanding its verification system for confirming a user’s identity.
The platform is testing a feature that asks verified users to confirm the work or education history of people they have actually worked with to build greater trust and credibility. Once a person receives enough confirmations, LinkedIn can add a verification badge to that experience.
Companies are also getting more control over inaccurate employment associations. Admins of verified company pages can remove known imposter accounts from appearing under the company name, LinkedIn says.
Threads
Threads is continuing to separate itself from Instagram on the business side.
Social Media Today reports businesses no longer need a matching Instagram account or username to advertise on Threads. Companies without an Instagram presence will also be able to run Threads ads from their Threads profile.
The outlet also says that businesses are getting Threads-specific access controls in Meta’s business tools, allowing companies to give employees permission to manage Threads without also handing over access to Instagram.
Snapchat
Snapchat is adding more AI tools for Lens+ subscribers.
Users can now press and hold a chat message and turn it into a short AI-generated song. They can choose a musical genre, preview the result and send it directly in their conversations.
Lens is also adding tools to enhance existing Snaps, remix stickers and create custom caption fonts, the platform says.
X
X has rebuilt its livestream API to give creators and third-party streaming platforms greater control over broadcasts.
The new system allows users to schedule streams, create and monitor broadcasts, read and respond to live chat and moderate viewers.
The platform is also providing users with more information about restrictions that may affect the reach of their posts or profiles.
Its expanded “Under the Hood” reporting provides more detail about labels or penalties tied to platform rules or local laws that could reduce distribution.
