Let's face it – keeping up with social media trends can feel like trying to drink from a firehose, right? One minute you're on top of the latest Instagram feature, and the next, TikTok's thrown a curveball that has everyone scrambling.

But don't worry, we've got your back!

We're rolling out this nifty little resource that we'll update every single week. Think of it as your cheat sheet to the social media marketing world. We'll sift through all the noise and bring you the juicy bits – you know, the stuff that actually matters for your marketing game.

No fluff, no filler, just the need-to-know updates that'll help you stay ahead of the curve and maybe even impress your boss (or clients) with your trend-spotting superpowers.

So, bookmark this page, set a reminder, or tie a string around your finger – whatever works for you. Just make sure you drop by each week for your dose of social media marketing news.

October 21- October 25

1. Instagram Reveals 2024's 'Creators of Tomorrow' Across Five Categories

Instagram's annual "Creators of Tomorrow" program spotlights 25 influential creators across five categories, including AI innovators and content curators. 

The selected creators will receive expanded platform opportunities throughout the year, showcasing emerging trends and creative approaches in social media content.

The five categories for 2024 are:

• “The Creator’s Inspo” – Extremely creative creators who’re using latest editing tools and tricks
• “AI Accelerators” – Creators who are using the latest AI tools to great effect
• “IG Besties” – Creators that make you think “you’re so real for this” whenever they share content.” 
• “DM-Worthy Icons” – Creators who post some of the most shareable content
• “The Vibe Curators” – Creators who “set the vibe, take you on a journey and spark emotion.”

2. YouTube Expands Shorts Features and Updates Ad Management Tools

YouTube introduces poll stickers for Shorts engagement, new format-specific view metrics, and Super Chat goals for live streams. 

The platform also simplifies ad category blocking at channel level. These updates respond to Shorts' growing popularity, now generating 70 billion daily views.

3. WhatsApp Status Now Features Private Mention Capability for All Users

WhatsApp has introduced Private Mentions for its Status feature globally, enhancing user engagement with its Stories-like temporary updates. 

Users can now tag up to five people in their Status posts, with tagged users receiving private notifications rather than public mentions. 

The feature works across all WhatsApp users, not just contacts, and tagged individuals can view the Status even if they're not in the poster's regular audience.

While this tool offers new engagement opportunities, particularly for brands and influencers, there are concerns about potential notification fatigue.

4. Snapchat Rolls Out Halloween Features and New Navigation Tools

Snapchat introduces seasonal updates including Halloween-themed Lenses and Bitmoji costumes, featuring collaborations with Paramount for Mean Girls and Yellowstone character outfits. 

The platform also launches "Footsteps," a personal tracking feature on Snap Map that shows users' travel patterns in shaded areas, visible only to the individual user. 

Additionally, iOS 18 users can now set Snapchat as their default camera app via lock screen integration, marking an interesting development in Snap's relationship with Apple.

October 14- October 18

1. X Updates Terms: Users' Posts Now Fair Game for AI Training

X's latest Terms of Service, effective November 15th, 2024, explicitly allows user content to be used for AI training. 

While EU users are exempt, others can't opt out. The update also permits third-party data sharing and extends data retention periods beyond the previous 18-month limit.

2. Instagram Tests 'Social Library' Feature to Organize Shared and Saved Content

Instagram is developing a new "Social Library" feature to help users track their shared, liked, and bookmarked content. 

The tool addresses the growing trend of DM-based content sharing, reflecting a shift from personal updates to meme-sharing and small group interactions. Launch timeline remains unconfirmed.

3. Instagram Rolls Out Digital Profile Cards with Built-in QR Codes

Instagram launched customizable digital profile cards featuring two-sided designs: a QR code for instant connections and a profile overview with bio and business links. 

Despite previous attempts with similar features since 2018, the platform hopes this global rollout will finally catch on with users.

4. Instagram Unveils Spooky Season Features for Halloween 2024

Instagram introduces seasonal features including DM animations triggered by Halloween-related keywords, themed chat backgrounds, and five new "Add Yours" Story templates. 

The platform also adds a Halloween font and text effects, while promoting Meta AI for themed content creation.

October 07- October 11

1. Meta Previews AI Video Creation Tool—Movie Gen

Meta has revealed "Movie Gen," a new AI video creation tool soon to be available in its apps. This technology allows users to generate videos from text prompts or enhance existing videos with AI-generated elements. While it showcases impressive technological advancement, the article questions its value in social media contexts. 

However people are debating that with so much AI generated content floating around, clearly defeats the purpose of having authentic content on social media. Despite Meta's enthusiasm, exemplified by CEO Mark Zuckerberg's demonstrations, people have their doubts about user adoption, citing previous unsuccessful AI integrations like chatbots in Messenger and celebrity-based AI chatbots.

2. Meta Shares Holiday Season Tips For Everyone

Meta has released new advertising guides ahead of the holiday season, with a focus on Reels ads. The company highlights that half of all time spent on Instagram is now devoted to watching Reels, emphasizing the format's potential for promotions. Meta's 19-page Reels ads guide offers practical tips for maximizing ad performance, including creative best practices and technical setup instructions. You can download the guide here.

The guide stresses the importance of entertaining content, visual appeal, and clear messaging. This resource is part of a larger set of materials released following Meta's Agency Partners Summit, aimed at helping advertisers leverage Meta's evolving ad tools effectively.

3. TikTok Launches Automated Targeting Options For The Holiday Season

TikTok has introduced new automated ad targeting options for the holiday season. The core feature is "Smart+," a fully automated ad solution that handles ad creation, placement, and bidding. Smart+ offers four campaign formats and has shown a 52% improvement in return on ad spend for web campaigns. Additionally, TikTok launched "GMV Max," which automates TikTok Shop campaign creation to increase gross merchandise value. GMV Max simplifies ad operations, reducing campaign setup time by half and allowing sellers to reach audiences across various shoppable placements on TikTok. These automation tools aim to maximize advertiser interest and efficiency during the holiday shopping period.

4. Is Free Speech on Social Media At Risk?

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned on CNN that social media platforms must take responsibility for content moderation or risk losing "total control." 

This comment came during a discussion about her new book "Something Lost, Something Gained," which partly focuses on children's technology use, a topic of interest among federal lawmakers. 

And with this the audience is quite in a frenzy with a thought provoking question: is free speech being threatened by the government now? What do you think?October 01-04

5. Instagram Chief Says ‘Following’ Feed Option Won’t Work

If you remember a few of us got this feature on our Instagram feeds where we can switch between a general feed and following only feed. If I were you, I wouldn't get too attached to that feature. 

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri has confirmed that a 'following only' feed option won't be implemented anytime soon. Despite user requests, data shows that this feature leads to decreased engagement and user satisfaction over time. Instagram, like other social platforms, is moving towards algorithm-defined, recommendations-based feeds, following TikTok's successful model.

This approach increases user engagement and time spent in the app, allowing platforms to show more ads and generate more revenue. While Instagram continues to explore options to help users access content from their connections quickly, the focus remains on AI-driven content recommendations, which now account for 50% of users' feeds.

6. Simon Property Group Leverages Influencer Marketing To Attract GenZ to the Mall

Simon Property Group has launched "Meet Me @themall," a new advertising campaign targeting GenZ consumers. 

The campaign leverages '80s and '90s nostalgia, reworking a popular song to promote malls as fun destinations. Simon is partnering with over 250 influencers to drive engagement across various streaming and social media platforms. 

The strategy aims to celebrate mall culture and strengthen connections with younger consumers, capitalizing on Gen Z's desire for in-person experiences and social connections. 

This move is seen as a smart investment in customer relationship management, potentially creating early consumer loyalty and offering an omnichannel retail experience. The campaign responds to Gen Z's interest in physical shopping experiences and social interactions.

7. Can You Really Stop Meta from Using Your Data With Just an Instagram Story?

The short answer is no!

A viral Instagram Story post claiming to prevent Meta from using personal data for AI training is circulating again. 

Such posts are completely ineffective and have no legal standing. Meta has already stated it will use public posts for AI training, as agreed to in the terms of service. Private messages and posts remain protected. 

Only EU users can opt out of AI training data usage. Sharing such misinformation could potentially mark users as targets for scammers. It urges users to research and understand platform policies instead of spreading unverified claims.

8. Instagram Launches ‘Best Practices’ Tips Section

Instagram is launching a new "Best Practices" section within its Professional Dashboard to help creators optimize their content strategy. This feature will offer tips and insights based on research, including recommendations like posting 10 Reels per month.

While the advice aims to boost creator success, there are some questions about platforms encouraging frequent posting for their own benefit. 

The tips provided range from general engagement advice to more specific, account-based recommendations. Instagram is also adding explainer Reels featuring popular creators and staff. The effectiveness and value of this new feature remain to be seen as it rolls out to creators.

9. You Will Have To Say Goodbye to That Old Way of Getting LinkedIn Top Voice Badge

LinkedIn is retiring its "Top Voice" gold badges for contributors to Collaborative Articles, effective October 8th, 2024. These badges, which were automatically awarded to users who frequently contributed to AI-prompted articles, will expire within 60 days of being earned. 

LinkedIn cites challenges in maintaining quality standards as the reason for this change, as the automatic awarding system led to concerns about the credibility of some badge holders. 

This move is expected to significantly reduce engagement with Collaborative Articles, which have been a popular content format on the platform. The change doesn't affect LinkedIn's invitation-only Top Voice (blue badge) program.

10. YouTube Extends the Duration of Shorts to 3 Minutes Long

If you always wanted YouTube to increase their duration of YouTube shorts, this news is for you. YouTube is extending the maximum duration of Shorts to 3 minutes, effective October 15. 

This highly requested feature aims to provide creators with more flexibility for storytelling. The change applies to square or vertical videos uploaded after the implementation date, not affecting previously uploaded content. YouTube plans to improve recommendations for longer Shorts in the coming months. 

Additionally, recent updates to the player have streamlined its appearance, putting creators' content at the forefront and enhancing the viewing experience. 

This move reflects YouTube's commitment to evolving its short-form video platform to meet creator and viewer needs.