It's been a busy fortnight in the social media world! Here's a rundown of the biggest updates you might have missed:

X (formerly Twitter) Updates:

• Algorithm Tweaks: X is adjusting its algorithm to give priority to content that's entertaining or informative, which could mean less prominence for political chat. 

• Creator Payment Overhaul: Creators will now be paid based on their overall contribution to the platform, rather than just ad views. This comes alongside a price hike for X Premium+. 

• Dedicated Video Section: A separate video tab has been rolled out, making it easier for users to find and watch video content. 

Threads Updates:

• Personalised Usernames: Users can now customise how their display name appears. 

• Profile Picture Backgrounds (Trial): Threads is currently testing the introduction of cover images for profiles, similar to Facebook and X, to make profiles look a bit smarter.

• Hiding the Instagram Link: Users now have the option to hide the Threads badge that appears on their Instagram profiles. 

TikTok Updates:

• AI-Powered Features:

  • AI can now help create group photos from individual uploads (AI Group Shot). 

  • Users can create more personalised avatars using AI (AI Self). 

  • AI is offering suggestions for captions to help creators save time. 

  • An AI tool is now available to assist with creating memes. 

Instagram Updates:

• Longer Video Length for Reels: Reels can now be up to 3 minutes long, giving creators more scope for their content. 

• Vertical Thumbnail Layout: The profile grid now displays thumbnails in a vertical arrangement, giving a cleaner, more modern look. 

• Connecting WhatsApp to Instagram: Users can now link their WhatsApp profiles to their Instagram Accounts Centre.

• Analytics for Threads: Mobile users can now access data on how their Threads posts are performing. 

Bluesky Social Updates:

• Trending Topics Launched: Bluesky has introduced a trending topics feature, much like X and Threads, so users can easily see what everyone's talking about. 

• Significant User Increase: The platform has now gained over 25 million users, showing strong growth in the decentralised social media space.

General Social Media Trends:

• Growing Use of AI: Artificial intelligence is being integrated into more and more features across different platforms. 

• Continued Focus on Video: Video content remains a top priority for platforms, with new tools and formats being introduced. 

• More Support for Creators: Platforms are making changes to better support content creators, including revenue sharing models and new creation tools. 

Important Note: The world of social media moves quickly. For the very latest updates, always check the official news sources for each platform.