Previously, it was only possible to use a recording from the uploaded video as a thumbnail. Now creators can upload an extra image, which is then displayed as the cover image of the video on the profile.

Instagram has made it its primary task to encourage users to share content with their friends via DMs. For example, some users have swapped the “Create +” button with the message button to put the latter in the spotlight.

Creators globally can now add up to 20 tracks to a single Reel.

Creators on YouTube can now easily remove any copyrighted music from their videos without affecting any other audio such as dialogues or sound effects.The new tool uses an AI-powered algorithm to specifically detect and remove that song without impacting other audio in the clip.

From now on, Instagram will prioritize “shareable” content from creators. Likes & comments will therefore take a back seat, while shares will become increasingly important. Content that is shared a lot with others is more likely to be played out by the algorithm.

Instagram is testing the public display of how often a post has been shared. This metric is to be displayed alongside likes and comments.

Previously, it was not possible for users to save videos from the platform without a watermark. However, TikTok now offers the option of downloading videos without the watermark.

TikTok is introducing Yelp-like features with new location pages for food, hotels and shopping.
Users have been able to share their location for some time, but now the company appears to have revamped the landing pages for some cities.
Clicking the “Explore more places” button opens an Apple Maps integration that displays a map of nearby businesses that have been tagged in TikTok posts.

It is now possible to add music to carousel posts with videos. Previously, this was only possible for carousel posts with images.

Over one million copyright-free songs and sounds from TikTok’s commercial music library are now also available in the app.

The basic display provides a quick overview of:
– Follower growth
– Accounts reached
– Engaged accounts

All metrics displayed are for the last 30 days, so it’s easy to get an estimate of how active each account has been.

Before publishing a reel, users on Instagram can now send a draft to friends via DM to get their opinion on the reel.

As on Snapchat, TikTok is now testing so-called “streaks”. These are created when users send each other messages every day. If they do so, both users collect flames that only disappear if no further messages are sent within 24 hours.

Creator posts that clearly encourage a form of engagement (e.g. commenting) (e.g. with an emoji or a number) will be restricted by Instagram in the future and will not receive the platform’s maximum reach.

Creators can now place text over images and videos in carousel posts.

What’s new…
IG Live: Run IG Live broadcasts for channel members only
Custom Themes: Add any picture you want as a background for your chat
⁠Emoji Moderation: Choose which emojis your community can react with
QR Codes: Create channel QR codes to connect people back to your channel

“Ad breaks are a new way of seeing ads on Instagram. Sometimes you may need to view an ad before you can keep browsing,” the feature’s description reads.

Creators will be able to manage all aspects of their TikTok presence, including video uploads, editing, performance analytics, and more.
All of the tools available in the new platform have been around for a while, they’re now just easier to get to in one place.

Instagram is testing a new editing function for Instagram Reels that allows users to insert memes.