What’s new on TikTok?

Enhanced Sound Picker

TikTok is testing two upgrades to its Sound Picker tool on iOS:

• A new “Hot” tab for trending songs by country and globally
• A new volume mixer that lets you adjust music and voiceover levels independently

💡 What it means for you:
You’ll be able to hop on regional trends faster and make sure your voice isn't drowned out by the music. More control means better storytelling, especially in voice-driven content.

“New Posts” Label in Search

A new label is being tested that highlights “New posts” for user accounts in TikTok search results.

💡 What it means for you:
Profile visits could go up for brands and creators with fresh content. It’s a subtle nudge to publish consistently and stay top-of-mind in search.

What’s new on Instagram?

Major Editing Updates for Edits

Instagram just added three new features for Reels editing:

• Color correction with HSL and white balance tools
• Custom caption animations (iOS only)
• 28+ video effects, including zooms, distortions, and more

💡 What it means for you:
No need to rely on external apps for fine-tuning. You can now polish your content natively and speed up production without sacrificing visual quality.

Picture-in-Picture for Reels

A new PiP feature lets users minimize a Reel while browsing the app.

💡 What it means for you:
Your Reel could stay visible for longer, increasing total watch time even if it’s not being actively viewed. More screen presence equals more chances to engage.

Skippable Reels Ads (Test)

Instagram is testing skippable ads in Reels. A countdown appears before the ad starts, and once it does, users can tap “Skip.” Currently, no revenue sharing is available for creators during this test.

💡 What it means for you:
This format might improve user experience, but creators won’t benefit financially yet. Keep an eye on performance metrics if you're testing this format in ads.

New Fonts: Comic and Retro Chrome

Two new text styles have been added to Instagram’s font family:

• Comic
• Retro Chrome

💡 What it means for you:
Easy ways to match visuals with tone, whether you're running playful Halloween content or leaning into vintage vibes.

Mosseri’s 5 Instagram Growth Tips

Adam Mosseri shared five actionable ways to grow your reach!

💡 What it means for you:
It’s all about showing up. These small, consistent actions still drive the biggest gains over time.

What’s new on Threads?

“Review and Approve Replies”

This feature, now available in the EU, allows users to manually approve replies to their posts before they go live.

💡 What it means for you:
Brands get more control over public discourse. This is especially useful during campaigns, launches, or when handling sensitive topics.

What’s new on YouTube?

Edit With AI for Shorts

YouTube has launched a new AI-powered editing tool inside the YouTube and YouTube Create apps. Users can select videos or photos from their phone, pick an editing style, and the AI will generate a draft Short. Final edits can be made before publishing.

💡 What it means for you:
This helps brands and creators crank out more Shorts with minimal effort. If you’re strapped for time or repurposing content, this is your fast lane to relevance.

What’s up with the TikTok ban?

TikTok US Deal Still Stuck

Despite public optimism from Trump and some progress in trade talks with China, the Chinese government hasn’t approved the proposed TikTok sale. Both sides have issued vague statements about continued dialogue.

💡 What it means for you:
No change yet. TikTok remains fully functional in the US for now, but marketers should stay alert for platform policy shifts or regional changes in access.