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Meta is developing Instants, a standalone Instagram app similar to Snapchat, which lets users send photos that automatically delete after viewing. Reportedly, Instants will be an evolution of the Shots feature already being tested in Instagram DMs. The new disappearing photo app is being internally tested as both companies gear up for competing AR glasses launches. Snapchat is preparing to release its next model of AR glasses, while Meta is developing its own AR glasses called Orion. This follows a pattern of Meta borrowing from Snapchat, having previously cloned Stories in 2016 and, more recently, real-time location sharing with Friends Map.
Instagram is testing a design overhaul that would make Reels the default opening experience, alongside a new "Your Feeds" center giving users more control over how they browse content. The update signals a deeper shift toward short-form video as Instagram's core focus, something brands should factor into their content strategy on the platform. In late 2024, PPC Land reported that Instagram users were sharing 3.5 billion Reels a day, and that 50% of all time spent on the app was dedicated to Reels. Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri has continuously assured users that photos and the main feed on Instagram will remain a large part of the experience, but with users spending more time on Reels, it seems that the app will continue to adapt.
Short dramas are gaining serious traction on TikTok, with the format estimated to have generated $1.3 billion in the US in 2025. Instagram is now looking to create its own dedicated Short Drama feature, following TikTok's lead as the format's addictive, cliffhanger-driven structure proves to be a powerful engagement tool. App researcher Alessandro Paluzzi posted on Threads that creators will be able to lock their episodes behind a subscription paywall, enabling users to stay up to date on the latest episodes of their favorite short dramas for a fee. The feature is in early testing and not available to the public yet.
TikTok has launched Local Feed, which surfaces nearby content from creators and small businesses. The location-based feature is designed to help people stay connected to their community and “live like a local”. With Local Feed, you can rediscover your own neighborhood or explore a new city, getting the inside scoop on the best restaurants, museums, and events from creators in your area. According to a 2025 Oxford Economics report, these businesses support more than 28 million workers, proving that when a business can grow on TikTok, it can fuel the economy. Features like Local Feed further bridge the gap between digital and physical landscapes by driving online audiences to the brick-and-mortar locations.
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TTikTok has rolled out several new tools for Shop sellers, headlined by wider access to its AI-powered Seller Assistant chatbot, which gives sellers real-time support and performance insights without leaving the admin screen. A new automated sample approval workflow makes it easier to get products into creators' hands by skipping manual review for those who meet pre-set criteria. TikTok is also introducing Creator Picks, a tag that surfaces recommended creators for brand collaborations based on audience and performance data. On the live-stream side, a new Auto-post feature automatically clips high-performing moments from broadcasts in real time, helping sellers repurpose content and drive more viewers with less effort. The updates come as TikTok Shop's momentum continues to build, with the platform reportedly doubling its gross merchandise volume to $130 billion in 2025.
Canva has acquired motion design tool Cavalry and AI platform MangoAI, marking a huge step in its evolution from a beginner’s graphic design tool into a full professional creative suite. With Cavalry onboard, Canva is now offering professional designers an end-to-end toolkit spanning photo, vector, layout, and now motion editing. MangoAI brings data intelligence and reinforcement learning capabilities, using real-world results to continuously improve content. The acquisition also brings new top talent to Canva, including former Netflix VP of Data Science Nirmal Govind, who joins as Canva's first Chief Algorithms Officer. Together, the two acquisitions signal Canva's ambition to build a full-stack creative platform where AI systems and professional-grade tools work hand in hand and rival top competitors.
LinkedIn is cracking down on automated comments posted via third-party tools, removing them from the default "Most Relevant" comments view so they generate significantly less reach. VP of Product Management, Gyanda Sachdeva, posted an update that said the platform may also limit these comments to only the poster's direct network, basically neutralizing the benefit of using engagement pods or auto-comment scripts. Repeat offenders risk having their accounts restricted entirely. It’s a clear signal that LinkedIn is getting serious about cleaning up artificial engagement and engagement pod activity on the platform.
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