6 Social Media Updates You Might Have Missed This Summer

This summer has flown by in a blur of holidays, events, and some much-needed off-screen time. Meanwhile, social media platforms have been busy rolling out updates that could impact your marketing strategy for the remainder of this year.

To save you time scrolling through endless announcements, we’ve pulled together six of the most important updates from this summer and what they mean for your marketing strategy.

1. Instagram Rolls Out Reels Linking

Instagram has introduced a new “Link a Reel” feature, allowing creators and brands to connect multiple Reels into a series. Think of it like a video playlist, but in Instagram’s signature vertical format.

Here’s how to link a Reel:

1. When uploading your Reel, tap the “Link a Reel” option in the editing screen underneath the caption box.
2. Choose any previous Reel you want to link.
3. Add a title to your linked Reel. This will display for users to click.
4. Publish your Reel. Viewers will now see a clickable link to the video.

This new feature is fantastic for storytelling in short-form video. If you’re explaining a complex topic, running a multi-part series, or sharing behind-the-scenes content, you can now guide viewers through your videos in a logical sequence. It will also help increase watch time on your content and keep viewers engaged with your content.

2. TikTok Limits Hashtags to Five Per Post

TikTok has quietly rolled out a five-hashtag limit for posts, restricting how many topic tags you can include with your videos. Creators began noticing warnings this summer, and it’s now being widely enforced.

This move underlines a broader shift in how platforms are prioritising content discovery over hashtags. Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, has already shared that hashtags are no longer a major growth tactic there, as users increasingly rely on social search instead.

For TikTok, this update encourages creators and brands to be more strategic and intentional. Rather than throwing 10 or 20 generic hashtags onto a video, focus on five highly relevant ones that genuinely describe your content and connect with your target audience.

Focus on choosing hashtags that:

• Match your audience’s interests
• Reflect trends you want to tap into
• Highlight your niche content

3. Facebook’s Professional Dashboard Gets a Revamp

Facebook has recently made some major enhancements to its Professional Dashboard for creators.

The update offers:

• Deeper analytics with advanced trend insights
• A “popular with your followers” feature
• Better monetisation management tools
• Cross-device flexibility for easier content management

If you’re managing multiple Facebook Pages or exploring monetisation opportunities, this is a must-check-out feature. Businesses may see expanded analytics soon, so watch this space.

4. LinkedIn Introduces Post-Level Analytics Notifications

LinkedIn has launched post-level analytics updates to give you more insight into your content’s performance. Expect notifications about:

• Profile visits and new followers driven by a post
• Total impressions and engagement metrics

This is a win for marketers aiming to understand exactly what content resonates. Use these insights to shape your LinkedIn strategy, posting more of what sparks genuine interest.

5. Threads Hits 400 Million Monthly Active Users

Meta’s Threads, launched as a rival to X, has now reached 400 million monthly active users in just two years. X still leads with around 600 million MAUs according to previous statements made by its former CEO, Linda Yaccarino, but Threads is quickly catching up.

If your audience is leaning into Threads, it’s worth testing your brand voice there. Early adopters are shaping the culture, so there’s still time to make a strong impression.

6. YouTube Expands Comment Moderation Tools

YouTube creators now have more control over their comments. The new tools include:

• Bulk reporting and bulk removal options
• The ability to limit comments to subscribers only

For now, this feature is only available per video, but YouTube plans to expand it. If you’ve been overwhelmed by spam or negative comments, these updates could make managing engagement easier.

Final Thoughts

That’s a wrap on this summer’s biggest social media updates. Don’t miss the next wave of trends and be sure to join our September Social Media Update on Thursday 25th September at 12 PM for a live breakdown of what’s coming next.

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