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 Shift: X is shifting its algorithm to prioritise "entertaining/informative" content, aiming for a less political feel. This could significantly impact content visibility.

• Creator Revenue: Creators now get paid based on overall value to the platform, not just ad views. This ties into a price hike for X Premium+. 

• Video Gets a Tab: A dedicated video tab is now live (at least in some regions), making video discovery easier. 

Threads Updates

• Custom Display Names: Custom display names are here! Change yours weekly to highlight events, promotions, etc. 

• Profile Cover Images: Profile cover images are being tested, similar to Facebook and X, for more profile flair. 

• Hide Threads Badge: You can now hide the Threads badge on your Instagram profile if you prefer. 

TikTok Updates

AI All the Things: TikTok's going big on AI:

• AI Group Shot: AI creates group photos from individual uploads.

• AI Self: AI-generated avatars, more personalised than ever. 

• Caption Help: AI suggests captions, a time-saver for creators.

• Meme Magic: AI helps generate memes, because why not?

Instagram Updates

• Longer Reels: Reels can now be up to 3 minutes long, giving creators more room to work. 

• Grid Shift: Profile grid now aligns thumbnails vertically, a visual refresh. 

• WhatsApp Links Up: Add your WhatsApp profile to your Instagram Accounts Centre for easier connection. 

• Threads Insights: Threads mobile users get post analytics, finally seeing how their content performs. 

Bluesky Social Updates

• Trending at Last: Bluesky finally has trending topics, just like X and Threads, to see what's hot. 

• User Boom: They've hit 25 million users, showing strong growth in the decentralised social space. 

General Social Media Trends

• Privacy Push: With all the AI stuff happening, platforms are also focusing on privacy. Expect more controls and explanations about how your data is used.

• Shopping Gets Social: Social commerce is still a big deal, with platforms adding features to make it easier to buy things directly within the app.

• Short Video Domination: Short-form video (Reels, TikToks, Shorts) is still the king of content, and platforms are constantly adding new tools and features to support it.