Okay, I have to say: I tried the “Blend” feature this week for the first time on Instagram and … I don’t get it. If you use this a lot, or even a little, can you explain to me? Kthankusomuch.

Outside of my Blend confusion this week, there have been a lot of new features, updates, and beta testing across all the platforms. Instagram is trying stuff (like always!); X is asking people to fill out surveys (I guess to keep people interested); YouTube is annoying users (le sigh). 

And that’s just the start. Let’s dive into it all. 

Should you start a whole new account on Instagram if you want to switch up your content?

According to Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, no.

• Instead, post about how you’re going to switch up your content.
• Test our trial Reels before you pivot to see if the new content resonates with people.
• Archive your old posts so it’s not confusing to your audience.

That way, you maintain your followers and let Instagram know what type of content you’re interested in, so the platform can help you grow over time. 

Last week, Meta filed for its court case to be thrown out on the basis that the FTC has provided no evidence for Meta being a monopoly. 

Womp womp.

In a pretty scathing filing, Meta explained there has been no evidence proving the company doesn’t have competition, and that they will present their “case to show what every 17-year-old in the world knows: Instagram competes with TikTok (and YouTube and X and many other apps.” 

Yeesh.

And, yes, while that is true, it can also be said that Meta has done a fairly good job at buying up other companies that have directly impacted them previously. 

Not to say that they are entirely a monopoly, but it’s pretty clear to most people how much Meta hates the competition and wishes it could buy them all up and destroy them.

At the moment, the trial is still moving forward, and all (social media) eyes are waiting to see what happens next.

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Poor Max. I mean, HBO Max. It really doesn't know who it wants to be, but for now, the memes have been elite.

• X’s Grok went rogue last week, and people have some questions.
  
  

• Ugh! It looks like Instagram is testing moving Stories to a new dedicated Reels tab.
  
  

• Cool. Meta is ignoring the EU and using users’ data to train its AI. Sigh.
  
  

• Instagram Edits is getting more and more updates. Because it needs to if it wants to compete with CapCut.
  
  

• YouTube has launched its own podcast charts, showing the top 100 podcasts on YouTube.
  
  

• Could the looming TikTok ban finally be over? It seems possible.
  
  

• TikTok added meditation prompts, apparently to support mental health services and stop young users stop scrolling. Sure, Jan. That’s going to help.
  
  

• Uh … Meta wants to scan your facial expressions and small talk to train its AI. And it’s paying $50/hour to do so. Terrifying.
  
  

• More and more accessibility features have been added to TikTok!
  
  

• WhatsApp is testing a feature to share and forward status updates … because that’s what people want.
  
  

• Want your Facebook post to get more reach? Apparently you should post photos.
  
  

• You can hide videos from your TikTok profile and only post them to your feed. Yes, just like on Instagram.
  
  

• Photo messaging could soon come to TikTok DMs despite lots and lots of concerns.
  
  

• Meta is making its Ray-Ban Meta glasses more accessible.
  
  

• These are the most visited websites in the world … and to no one’s surprise, Google rules the world.
  
  

• About damn time! Threads is no longer punishing posts with links in them to help creators expand their reach.
  
  

• TikTok has added a new AI tool to animate still images.
  
  

• 70% of YouTube channels are uploading Shorts.
  
  

• Photo collages have been introduced to Facebook Stories.
  
  

• Oh, love this! You can now see exactly when someone liked your Reel. 
  
  
• See what your profile links will look like on your Instagram profile before making them live.
  
  

• Want to start a new Instagram account to get better reach? That might not be a good idea.
  
  

• YouTube really wants people to buy YouTube TV, and with its exclusive NFL partnership, it might be getting more and more people on board.
  
  

• TikTok allows creators to enable DMs during a livestream to help generate leads.
  
  

• Is this what we call a monopoly? Google is planning to roll out its very own Pinterest.
  
  

• Hot dang! 1 million users are now contributing to Community Notes on X.
  
  

• Not surprising. 70% (!!) of new advertisers on Facebook are promoting scams, illicit goods, or “low quality” products.
  
  

• *screams* YouTube is making ads even more annoying to get you to buy YouTube Premium.

Slowly
This is a recent discovery, but one that I absolutely love the idea behind it. As we all know, social media is a quick hit to the system and is all about consumption. Slowly is an app that connects you with penpals all over the world, where you write letters to each other and genuinely connect. There are no profile photos, no instant messaging, just long-form written letters to someone else looking for a connection, too.

VEED* 
The amount I love this app should be studied. It’s the easiest way for me to create bite-sized clips from long-form YouTube videos for clients. Plus, it’s newest feature, where it finds the best and most engaging part of a long-form video and CREATES A REEL/TIKTOK/SHORT FOR YOU? Life-changer.

Unfold
I feel like this app is a major throwback, but I rediscovered it over the weekend and, honestly? It’s still epic. If you’re looking for a way to create cool and engaging Instagram Stories, Reels covers and more, I recommend downloading Unfold. You can quickly drag and drop content into its templates and have a beautiful content in seconds. 

Beehiiv*
If you’re looking for new ways to monetize your newsletter this year, or just new ways to share your thoughts out into the world, I am living for Beehiiv. Free to use. Easy to grow. And you can earn some serious cash when you start getting more and more subscribers!

*Affiliate links

Want access to even more trending audio and Reels each month, plus step-by-step guidance on how to use them for yourself or your brand?

I'm launching a dedicated newsletter just for trending audios called Social Sound Report! Every week, you'll receive a curated list of the hottest audio trends on Reels and TikTok, along with detailed insights on how to use them effectively.

You'll learn:

• How to adapt each trend for your personal brand or business
• Which types of businesses each audio works best for
• How popular each trend is right now
• Whether it’s time to jump on it immediately or watch it build

…and so much more.

Click the link below to subscribe and stay ahead of the trends!

Launches tomorrow, May 21.

If you read my newsletter last week, you'll know about the rise of the web series.

And I, for one, have officially gone down the rabbit hole of Raegan Lynch’s series of starting her life over after a breakup. Girlie has moved to a new country, is meeting new friends, and taking everyone with her along the way. It’s captivating. It’s fun. It feels … like a shared experience we’ve either all been through, or something we’ve all wanted to do after a breakup—run far, far away and start our entire lives over.

When India banned TikTok, YouTube quickly rolled out YouTube Shorts in the country. And now with a possible ban happening in the USA, Shorts is hoping to entice TikTok’s audience over to their side vs. Instagram Reels.

This interview with the Shorts product lead, Todd Sherman, is a fascinating insight into how YouTube launched its newest feature, how working with creators (and listening to them!) is the ultimate strategy, and how challenging it is to perfect the algorithm.

Yikes, TikTok. 

According to the European Commission, TikTok has gone against EU rules and is about to get a massive slap on the wrist. 

And by slap on the wrist, I mean a pretty hefty fine, if they can’t agree. 

The EU states that TikTok failed to disclose sufficient information about advertising on the platform.

According to the Commission, TikTok didn’t “provide the necessary information about the content of the advertisements, the users targeted by the ads, and who paid for the advertisements.” 

While TikTok denies any wrongdoing or anti-transparency, it is working hard on figuring out a solution with the EU. And I would also be finding a solution quickly as not to be fined 6% (!!!!!) of my annual global revenue. 

Woof. 

This is why we follow rules, kids. 

Looking to connect with other social media managers, marketing gurus, and small business owners? Join our Facebook group where we share insights and social media news first (yes, even quicker than this newsletter!), host chats with social media experts, current trends, and so much more.

Be part of a group of over 6,000 people who are learning and growing just like you!

If you’re not new to Talk Social To Me, you’ll know how much I love Katelyn Rhoades. Big #1 fan girl energy over here!!

Her podcast, Call Her Creator, is one of my all-time favorites, and her latest episode, The Power Content Formula That’s Outperforming the Algorithm (oof mouthful!), was full of secrets hacks for Instagram that I hadn’t heard before. And trust me, as someone who is chronically online for her job, I thought I’ve heard them all!!!

I highly recommend listening to the episode if you’re looking for new ways to grow this year, and also listening to some of her interviews recently because they are suh gewd.

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