😱 The algorithm is... under attack?

🔥 Our top 42 Social Media Marketing stories this week

Joshua Parkinson
October 06, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes

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Top Story

Meta is being forced by a Dutch court to offer non-algorithmic feeds. Facebook and Instagram users in the Netherlands must get persistent chronological feed options under EU rules, or Meta faces massive fines.

This could reshape what content people actually see, and how marketers reach them. 😱 ~TWISM

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Instagram

Instagram tests AI rewrite tool for captions. Meta AI can now suggest new text for your posts if you're stuck or need inspiration.

This could save creators tons of time, and cure writer's block in a click! 🤯 ~TWISM

Instagram boss denies using your mic for ad targeting. Adam Mosseri says Instagram's precise ads come from algorithms, not eavesdropping, just as Meta launches new AI-driven ad tools.

Instagram rolls out shareable insights for creators. You can now share your performance data directly with brands and collaborators, making partnership pitches way smoother.

Instagram teases a new possible Stories experience. Instagram is possibly testing a fresh update for Stories, but details are still under wraps for now.

Instagram adds drawing tools to DMs. You can now doodle or annotate images when messaging friends or followers.

Instagram rolls out new mute options. Now you can mute friends' Activity Bubbles, Notes on the map, and Shots for a more tailored feed experience.

Facebook & Meta

Facebook adds option for shorter reels. You can now trim your long Reels into a condensed version, great for repurposing or making faster edits.

Facebook rolls out fan challenges for creators. Assign tasks to your followers and let them submit Posts or Reels using a unique hashtag. Submissions compete on a leaderboard, making it easier to boost engagement and track participation.

Facebook tests 'title' feature for Reels on iOS. Add custom titles to your Facebook Reels to boost clarity and help viewers know what to expect.

Meta plans subscription tiers for verified creators. Get more features and benefits with higher Meta Verified tiers; details coming soon.

Meta will use AI chats to improve ads. Meta will tap user AI conversations to sharpen ad targeting, giving advertisers richer audience insights.

Meta unveils AI-powered tools for ads and shops. Businesses can now add AI chatbots to websites, generate custom music and images for ads, and use virtual try-on for products, all with no coding required. Features start rolling out in the U.S.

Meta unveils huge AI update for ads and creators. New features include AI sales agents and generative video tools to boost marketing and sales efforts.

Just when you thought targeting couldn't get more sophisticated... AI makes it even creepier (but effective). 😳 ~TWISM

Threads

Threads launches Communities feature. Now, anyone can join topic-based groups to share and discover relevant conversations, similar to X's Communities. Your joined groups show up on your profile and the feed, making it easy to connect and promote your interests.

Finally, a real way to build niche audiences on Threads! Curious to see if this steals creators from X. 😏 ~TWISM

Threads highlights "interested in this post" prompts. These prompts now stand out more in your feed, making it easier for users to signal what content grabs their attention.

Threads tests quoting saved or liked posts. Tap the Quote button on iOS, pick any saved or liked post, and instantly share your thoughts with followers.

Threads hides hashtags on Instagram cross-posts. Hashtags on Instagram posts shared to Threads now hide behind a "Show hashtags" button, making them less visible. Meta's focus is on topic tags and communities for discovery, not hashtags.

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YouTube

YouTube lets AI generate alternative endings for Shorts. Update your short-form content with unexpected finales to boost engagement and keep viewers watching.

YouTubers pivot from ads to big brands. Top creators like MrBeast and Emma Chamberlain are making more money from off-platform businesses than YouTube ads.

Social media stars aren't just online; they're building real empires. 🎬 ~TWISM

YouTube TV keeps NBC shows and sports after new deal. Google and NBCUniversal signed a multi-year agreement, bringing back NBCSN and adding Peacock as a YouTube add-on. Univision is still missing from the lineup.

YouTube Live adds a Leaderboard Rankings setting. See real-time participant rankings during livestreams, available right in the app.

YouTube pilots BrandConnect Open Call for creators. Eligible US creators in the Partner Program can submit Shorts for a chance to land brand deals; no need for prior sponsorships. Payouts can reach up to $3,500, and brands can't request edits to submitted videos.

YouTube adds new Select sports ad categories. Now you can target ads to college sports fans and women's live sports viewers using premium placements across live and on-demand games.

YouTube offers two ways to launch your podcast. Start a video podcast from scratch or upload audio via RSS. Both options create "Podcast Playlists" that boost discoverability on YouTube and YouTube Music.

TikTok

TikTok's algorithm pushes porn to teens despite safe mode. Investigators exposed that even 'restricted mode' couldn't stop adult content from reaching fake 13-year-old accounts. Regulators call for urgent action under the UK Online Safety Act.

Okay, folks, this is serious. TikTok MUST do something about this ASAP! 🤨 ~TWISM

TikTok launches new Travel Ads powered by AI. Target travelers with personalized ads for hotels, flights, and destinations using advanced interest-based targeting and in-stream booking pop-ups.

TikTok adds new share sheet controls. Long-press any video for quick access to auto scroll, playback speed, captions, download, Picture in Picture, and more.

TikTok rolls out 160-character profile descriptions on iOS. Personalize your TikTok profile with a short bio to boost your brand or connect with followers.

TikTok adds special effects for "Taylor Swift" searches. Type her name into TikTok's search bar and discover a hidden visual surprise, creating buzz and driving more Swiftie engagement.

LinkedIn launches Career Hub globally with real-time skill insights. The new Career Hub offers AI coaching, skill benchmarks, and HR integration to help guide users' career growth and respond to changing workplace demands.

LinkedIn updates campaign manager terms for ads. "Campaign Groups" will now be called "Campaigns" and "Campaigns" are getting renamed as "Ad sets." The refresh aligns LinkedIn's ad platform language with the rest of the industry and should make it easier for new advertisers to onboard.

LinkedIn rolls out new AI ad tools for SMBs. Access improved auto-targeting, AI-generated ad variations, and data-driven recommendations to streamline campaign setup and boost ROI.

LinkedIn tries to provide new tools for SMBs. Let’s see how this evolves 😉 ~TWISM

X/Twitter

X throttles reach for non-premium users. Buffer's study of 18.8M posts found free accounts typically get under 100 impressions, while Premium users average 600+, and Premium+ can exceed 1,500 per post.

Pay up if you want to be seen or heard! 🤦‍♂️ ~TWISM

X prompts users to update Passkeys. X is rolling out Passkey upgrades, so you'll need to refresh your login details to stay secure for future enhancements.

X lets you sort post likes by relevance. See Likes from mutuals or big accounts first, so you spot important engagement faster. Useful for viral posts or tracking key fans.

Et cetera

Jack Dorsey calls out social media algorithms. The Twitter founder says users aren't just posting, they're unpaid workers training algorithms and filling ad coffers. He now warns that platforms “program you” for profit.

OpenAI's Sora makes deepfakes look real. Sora lets anyone create convincing fake videos of crimes or famous people, and watermarks are easy to remove, making disinfo even harder to spot.

Global social media usage drops 10%. New research shows social media use is down worldwide, especially among younger users. Daily time spent now averages 2h20m, and fewer people log in to socialize or connect.

Spotify lets users exclude songs from the Taste Profile. Choose tracks you don't want affecting your future music recommendations. Finally, you can skip having "Baby Shark" influence your Discover Weekly.

WhatsApp tests song filters for Music sticker. iOS users can soon filter tracks to add the perfect audio to their stories.

Twitch launches Social Media Badge for clip sharing. Share a streamer's clip on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram, track your views, and earn badges based on how much reach you drive. Badges are channel-specific and yours to keep forever.