It's here! So much social media news! 😭

It’s here! Your favorite social media roundup of the week (am I biased? Potentially, but it’s my newsletter after all!). 

This week has been a bit quiet, and I’m a bit nervous about what thing Instagram or TikTok is going to drop on us next. 

😭

Until then, let’s enjoy the semi-relaxed week of social media news and get into it!

With its 75-day extension almost to an end, TikTok is doing everything possible to ease concerns about potential national security risks for the US.

In a recently published overview, TikTok highlights the variety of measurements it has taken to make sure that US users’ data is separate and stays in the USA.

What are some ways TikTok has ensured it’s protecting data and, as it claims, “gone further than any other app in protecting US user data”?

Here's what they claim to have done:

• Protected US user data is stored in the Oracle Cloud, with controlled and monitored getaways that only approved USDS personnel have access to.

   

• Oracle has conducted an ongoing analysis of TikTok’s platform and has found no issues with the systems.

• It provided Transparency Centers where third parties could manually inspect code and algorithms.

• Stopped syncing US data outside of the US.

While this all seems great, there was the little moment of TikTok’s CEO admitted that Chinese staff could still access US data.

Eeek.

The app is still technically banned in the US, with App Stores not allowing users to download the app or even update the app, and seems to have a little ways to go to prove to Americans that it’s safe to use.

• Instagram is working hard on creating Pals for Stories—an AI animal people can play within your Story. Why? No idea.
  
  

• Are hashtags going to be more of a thing on Threads?
  
  

• Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, says that yes, likes still matter A LOT on Instagram.
  
  

• He also explains shadow banning and what to do if you think your account is banned.
  
  

• TikTok has added an events calendar for all live events.
  
  

• Oof. Elon Musk is expanding his lawsuit over advertisers boycotting buying ads on X. 
  
  

• Snapchat has been working hard on adding new features to kick off 2025.

• Ew! Instead of watching YouTube videos yourself, you can now have Google’s Gemini do it for you!
  
  

• The countdown is on! You can now add a timed poll to your Reels.
  
  

• *cries* Instagram is turning more and more into TikTok with its new layout.
  
  

• Community Notes are available to all users on X now.
  
  

• Threads get 73.6% more engagement than X—no one tell Elon.
  
  

• That took them long enough! You can now add text to your IG Reel covers.
  
  

• Wee! New fonts are coming to Instagram!
  
  

• Social media may soon be panned to those under 13 in the USA.
  
  

• Creating Reels is becoming easier than ever with this new editing feature.
  
  

• Woof. Canada is looking to ban X.
  
  

• Instagram keeps nudging people to use disappearing chats in DMs.
  
  

• Communities are growing to more users on YouTube!
  
  

• Video uploads to LinkedIn have increased 36%. 
  
  

• Have you created a custom feed on Threads that others would like? You can now share it!

Ready. Set. Content creation in 3 minutes!

Yes, I am being serious. 3 whole minutes.

Meet Iris, your new AI Social Media Marketing Bestie.

Iris will help you:

✨ Planning and creating 75% of your social media marketing content

✨ Create weekly or monthly social media plans based on your biz

✨ Design and create graphics in your brand’s style

✨ Discover viral content to create tailored to your brand

✨ Turn any media you have into engaging posts

✨ Optimize and schedule your content

And that’s just the start. Start your FREE trial of Flick and Iris today!

With video increasing by over 36% over the last year on the platform, LinkedIn is putting all of its eggs in its video basket. 

And what do I mean by that? Well, it’s creating way more tools for creators to continue making videos and get discovered by the content they’re making. 

• Full-screen experience: Viewers can access full-screen mode by tapping any video in the feed and swiping (yes, just like Reels and TikTok!)
• Profile preview: When you view a video in full-screen, viewers will be able to see a snapshot of the creator’s profile—without leaving the video player.
• An easier way to follow: A more prominent follow button (huzzah!) to help viewers stay up-to-date and engaged. 
• Average watch time: Look at that! New metrics so you can figure out what part of your video your audience liked the most.
• LinkedIn Learning courses: Yes, LinkedIn has made some easy-to-follow video creation courses to help creators effectively make engaging videos.

Have you started making videos on LinkedIn? What’s your take about what was once a job website turning into a full social media platform?

Want to get your brand or business in front of 80,000+ marketers, small business owners and entrepreneurs? 

Click here to learn more about sponsoring Talk Social To Me and getting your brand in front of an engaged audience that actually want to know about your brand!

The top trending sounds and songs you need to use to go viral this week. 

😬 What an offer!: Use this audio to share something you would never in a million years accept if someone offered to you. 

🤪 You're So Funny: This is a great and funny way to share something either funny, haunting, traumatic, and anything in between that happened to you to make you become the person you are today.

👎 Do not come to my town: Use this audio to describe a relatable situation where you want to avoid someone.

Want more trends? Get daily notifications on trending audios with our AI Assistant, Iris. Start a free trial today!

Struggling to comment under a photo of your BFF that isn’t, “you look amazing!”? We’ve got the comments for you!

Have the dreaded Action Blocked notification on Instagram and want to know how to fix it? Take a look at these quick tips and tricks!

About     Support

© Flick.Tech LTD
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Plexal, Here East, London E20 3BS

The email was sent to . To no longer receive these emails, here.