Another TikTok ban delay? What are lockable Reels? And did Mosseri just admit that short videos flop on Threads?

Catch up on all the must-know updates from the world of social media in this week's shortlist!

What’s New on TikTok?

The TikTok Ban Saga Continues...

TikTok is still banned... kind of. Technically, the app is banned under the Senate-approved sell-off bill from early 2024. But President Trump has once again suggested he might extend TikTok’s deadline to sell to a U.S.-based company.

Right now, that deadline is set for June 18, but no buyer has stepped up. And with U.S.-China trade tensions escalating, negotiations are effectively on ice.

So where do things stand? Pretty much in limbo. TikTok’s stuck in a holding pattern, and U.S. creators and brands are (once again) left waiting to see what happens next.

As we’ve said many times before — diversify your platforms. Now.

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What’s New on X?

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down – X Gets a Reddit Vibe

X is quietly testing a new engagement format, swapping out the iconic heart for a thumbs-up icon (and potentially a thumbs-down too). If you feel like you already seen this somewhere, yes. This similar "scaling" feature is heavily used by Reddit.

Is it an attempt at algorithmic refinement? Or just another one of Musk's unpredictable aesthetic whims? Either way, it might change how users interact (and engage) with content.

What’s New on Instagram?

Lockable Reels Are Here (If You Know the Code)

After teasing the feature last month, Instagram has officially launched its first lockable Reel via The Weeknds profile. Viewers need a secret code ("ICANTSING", FYI) to unlock the exclusive content.

These lockable Reels open up new doors for creators and brands: think exclusive sneak peeks, gated discounts, or targeted updates for superfans. It's not widely available yet, but the use cases for niche community engagement are very promising.

Reels View Count Is Now Optional

Instagram is testing the ability to hide view counts on Reels. That means your audience can’t judge your creative worth based on numbers alone. Mental health win? Maybe. Engagement metrics dodge? Definitely.

Share Instagram Comments to Thread

You can now share your Instagram comment directly to Threads with a preview and post context. Cross-app synergy, Meta-style.

Edits App Has New Features

Meta's CapCut competitor, Edits, is getting beefier by the week. The newest updates include:

• 50 new animated text effects
• More filters for aesthetic variety
• Safe zone overlays for cross-platform optimization
• Frame rate customization tools
• Auto-captioning for accessibility and engagement

Meta's clearly serious about turning Edits into a top-tier creative suite. Is it better than CapCut? Still up for debate, but it's definitely catching up fast.

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What’s New on Threads?

Threads is Testing Snippets

Threads is reportedly working on snippet creation tools. Think easily shareable, quotable post previews, which might finally give Threads a proper content format of its own.

Video Doesn't Perform on Threads

Mosseri confirmed what many suspected: video content doesn't do so hot on Threads. If you’ve been wondering why your Reels reposts flop, now you know.