The Instagram Stories - Social Media News

Today the head of Instagram explains why Follower count still matters, the limiting of hashtags to 5, Instagram on televisions and the available data, plus a feature request that already exists in the Edits app.

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Instagram announces that hashtags will be limited to 5 - but don't worry, they weren't helping you get reach anyway. TikTok has been sold! The CEO of TikTok, Shou Chew, sent a memo to employees, which thankfully we have access to. Also the YouTube team is hard at work, rolling out the YouTube Create app for iOS and Nano Banana AI features in YouTube.

Links:

TikTok: TikTok signs agreement to create new U.S. joint venture, memo says (CNBC)

TikTok: The CEO of Instagram on what TikTok does well (Instagram)

YouTube: This Week at YouTube - The Last Newsflash of 2025 (YouTube)

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Instagram announces their TV app is coming to Amazon Fire devices first, the Edits team has a bunch of updates, X (AKA Twitter) makes a separate desktop inbox that Threads needs to add ASAP, and the YouTube team adds images to the Shorts feed. Plus the YouTube team discusses strategic ways to use the new collabs feature and I do Wednesday Waffle.

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Links:

Instagram: Instagram for TV is coming! (Instagram)

Edits: Updates to the Edits app - Effects! (Instagram)

X / Twitter: Desktop Inbox (Chat.X.com)

YouTube: Images coming to Shorts Feed (YouTube Blog)

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Youtube: YouTube Studio features for creators w/ ‪@Andru‬ (YouTube)

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Today on the show, the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, talks about what Creators should focus on in 2026, how to adjust your Instagram algorithm settings, how to Edit a Reel after posting it (hint: you can't!) and the future of the Edits app on the desktop. 

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Today we hear from Mr. Beast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, on which platform is the most important to create content for, and why. If you've ever struggled with this question, and I certainly have, you're going to like this episode. Also the Instagram @creators account explains the analytics stat "when people liked this" for videos, and why it's so important. Lastly the YouTube team explains Brand Partner Video Access via BrandConnect.

YouTube: Sneak Peek: Brand Partner Video Access via BrandConnect (YouTube)

Instagram: Analytics - Using the When People Liked (Instagram)

YouTube: Mr. Beast and the Attention Economy (YouTube)

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Instagram has added Story Re-Sharing - I explain how we all did this before using workarounds, but how businesses and brands can use this new feature strategically. Also Instagram is rolling out Reels topic customization in the USA this week, plus testing Early Access Reels. The YouTube team is has been improving the YouTube Studio Inspiration tab, the Create app and Thumbnail/Title A/B testing. Then after the end music, I do Wednesday Waffle where I talk about an idea for a show that you can definitely steal (or hit me up to collab).

Links:

Instagram: Public Story Sharing (Threads)

Instagram: Control What You See in the Reels Tab (Instagram)

Instagram: Early Access Reels (Threads)

YouTube: Updates to YouTube Create (YouTube)

YouTube: Improvements to the Inspiration Tab (YouTube)

YouTube: Thumbnail and Title A/B Testing (YouTube)

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The Head of Instagram's weekly Ask Me Anything is always packed full of good questions. Today's episode includes answers to questions like "how short is too short for a Reel?", "How long should I try to make new content before moving on if it's not working?", "What counts as a view for photos or a carousel?", and "Does someone viewing my Reel at 2x affect the calculated watch time?"

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People have been writing "Dear Algo" on Threads with requests for how their feed should be different - and now Threads is testing supporting these requests. Additionally, the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri explains why they move the buttons around at the bottom, and YouTube Liaison Rene Ritchie explains how to link from a YouTube Short to a longform video.

Links:

Threads: "Dear Algo" support in testing (Threads)

Instagram: Why Bottom Row Changed (Instagram)

YouTube: Stop Blaming the Algorithm: What Really Drives Views (ft. YouTube’s Rene Ritchie) (YouTube)

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Normally the Head of Instagram answers questions, but today the CEO of YouTube takes over. He answers questions like "What's YouTube going to look like 5 or 10 years from now?" and "How does YouTube help Creators?" Additionally, YouTube announces "Recap", a feature that is exactly like Spotify Wrapped, and the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, explains Notes.

Links:

YouTube: YouTube CEO Neal Mohan Shares How the Platform Innovates: "YouTube is Where Culture is Set" (YouTube)

YouTube: Recap (YouTube)

Instagram: Adam Mosseri Explains Notes (Instagram)

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A listener named Nina left me a lovely review of the show, plus links in Reels isn't news and Lia Haberman of the In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) email newsletter.

Links:

Old News: Links in Reels (Social Media Today)

Interview with Lia Haberman (Video) (Audio)

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