HIGH LEVEL UPDATES TO NOTE:

Instagram is removing the option to follow hashtags. To counter spam and improve content relevance, Instagram is removing the ability to follow hashtags. Spammers have targeted trending hashtags, adding to irrelevant posts in order to get more reach. Hashtags will still remain searchable by users.
Deepen friendships in DMs with new Nicknames feature. Instagram announces a new way to customize DMs—setting nicknames in DM chats.
Instagram adds collage feature to Stories. A new option allows users to select multiple images from their camera roll to create a collage image. This feature is more flexible than the previous layout option, and aligns with Meta’s strategic approach of copying popular features from one app to the next.
WHAT’S TRENDING
Meta expands penalty avoidance education to Instagram creators.

Introducing new features for Messenger calling. Facebook has introduced AI backgrounds, HD video calls, noise suppression, and more to enhance the calling experience.
Meta Ads introduces a new sharing feature. Meta Ads has introduced Quick Views; a feature that allows users to create, edit, and share customized ad reporting views. Users can configure and share various aspects of their view, including view name, description, columns, sorting, attribution settings, breakdowns, and filters.
Meta Ads introduces new templates for creative optimization. Meta Ads introduced Safe Zones; a template to streamline the creative optimization process by allowing advertisers to create a single design that fits multiple ad placements. This template features a central square safe zone, ensuring that key content is visible across different aspect ratios, thereby reducing the need for multiple versions of ads.
Facebook introduces a new tag for unedited images in stories. Meta is testing a new “No Edit” tag for Stories, allowing users to indicate that images have not been altered within the app, as a potential mark of authenticity.
WHAT’S TRENDING
What Meta saw on our platforms during 2024’s global elections.

LinkedIn introduces a rotating slideshow. Premium Business subscribers can now create a revolving slideshow for their profile banner images, enabling them to showcase multiple aspects of their professional brand in a dynamic and visually appealing way.
LinkedIn is retiring live audio events. LinkedIn is phasing out its dedicated live audio events feature, and will instead integrate audio capabilities into its existing event and meeting tools.
WHAT’S TRENDING
LinkedIn adds ‘Open to Volunteer’ option.

TikTok
TikTok files emergency motion for injunction. On December 9th, the platform filed an emergency motion for an injunction to stop the TikTok ban from taking effect on January 19, 2025 until their appeal is heard by the US Supreme Court.
WHAT’S TRENDING
Year on TikTok 2024: A little creativity sparks a lot of impact.
TikTok Shop: A home for inspiration this holiday season.
Harnessing the power of TikTok this #GivingSzn to drive meaningful impact.

YouTube
YouTube TV to hike its price. YouTube TV announced a $10 increase to its base plan, bringing the monthly cost to $82.99. The price hike reflects rising content costs and operational expenses, continuing a trend of increasing prices since its 2017 launch at $35 per month.
YouTube adds a new auto-dubbing feature. YouTube’s new auto-dubbing feature allows creators to automatically offer videos in multiple languages. It supports dubbing between English, French, German, Hindi, and more.
New UI updates come on YouTube. The YouTube’s Android app is gaining a translucent bottom bar, marking a departure from the current solid-colored bottom bar, while the YouTube website is also gaining a similar tweak for the top bar.
WHAT’S TRENDING
BuzzFeed sells “Hot Ones” studio in $82 million deal.

X
X updates its terms of service. The revised terms allow Musk to use usergenerated content to train artificial intelligence, including tweets and images from private accounts. Users must consent to this use without compensation, and the platform reserves the right to alter or repurpose content while disclaiming responsibility for its accuracy.
X updates requirements for creator revenue share program. X’s creator revenue share scheme enables users to make money from their content, based on engagement with their posts from verified users. Originally, the program was based on ads shown to verified users within their post replies.
