Throughout the rapidly changing state of the industry and the relentless chase with contenders, one thing is certain: There’s no rest for the weary on social media.

Digesting all the newsworthy online updates from September reveals that vertical video is the ‘new black’, social commerce's arrival turned out to be a bit of a dud across the Meta borders, and social media conglomerates are racing to add more paid features — but they’re going local too.

We’ve sifted through the social media headlines of September and picked out all the juicy bits for you in this article. Happy reading!

Meta

  • Plans to expand more paid features to Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
  • Rolls out ‘Collaborative Ads’ to help local brands reach a broader customer base.
  • Launches ‘Make-A-Video’, a new AI generator that turns text and images into videos.
  • Introduces digital collectibles and NFT display options to Instagram and Facebook.
  • Moves to the next stage of its end-to-end encryption for Instagram DMs, group chats, and calls.

Instagram

  • Adds ‘Not Interested’ control for suggested posts as it continues to subtly push forward in its TikTok mimicry war.
  • Allows creators to post 60-second Stories in one seamless slide, instead of chopping up videos into condensed 15-second chunks.
  • Tests a 'Topics' option that creatives and brands can use to match their Reels content with user interests while maximizing visibility and familiarity.
  • Works on adding a ‘Repost’ feature on Instagram, allowing users to re-share other people’s content on their own feed.
  • Tests a new nudity exposure protection feature for Direct Messages.
  • Considers abandoning its 'Shop' tab and replacing it with 'Tab Lite' instead.
  • Adds a ‘Public’ DM tab where users can share their latest posts with their followers.

Twitter

  • Gradually rolls out its ‘Edit Tweet’ button.
  • Allows users to pin specific replies so they can maximize exposure.
  • Launches ‘Circles’ to all users allowing them to tweet to a select set of people.
  • Adds a WhatsApp share icon for users in India.
  • Tests a TikTok-like video feed where users can scroll through different videos and discover engaging ones.

LinkedIn

  • Introduces its own in-stream version of post-scheduling.
  • Partners up with Meta, Oracle, IBM, and others to provide devoted certifications and learning programs.
  • Introduces ‘Document Ads’ allowing users to peruse documents and read reports from the comfort of their newsfeed.

TikTok

  • Adds ‘TikTok Now’, a daily treat for users who want to connect more with their friends and social circle.
  • Introduces a ‘Downvotes’ option allowing users to dislike comments.
  • Increases the video description character limit from 300 to 2,200.
  • Increases the number of Livestream guests to five.
  • Adds a #BookTok feature that will allow users to integrate book-linking tags in their videos.

Snapchat

  • Adds a range of new Fall features, such as chat shortcuts, ‘Question Stickers’, and lock screen widgets for iOS users.
  • Expands its web version’s access to all users.

YouTube

  • Tests having five unskippable ads.
  • Implements more personalization options to enhance the Channel layout and experience, separating the tabs for Videos, Shorts, and Live clips.
  • Announces sharing 45% off Shorts’ revenue with content creators.
  • Allows users to reply to comments with a Short clip.
  • Experiments is an option that automatically reformats landscape video ads into square or vertical formats.
  • Introduces ‘Player for Education’ that shows some education apps’ content without distractions.
  • Experiments adding a new ‘Promotions’ tab within YouTube Studio that will make buying ads easier for creators.

Google

  • Adds ‘Exploration’ option that will display search results in a continuous scroll of audiovisual card-style blocks mostly sourced from TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts.
  • Introduces ‘Neighborhood Vibe’ to Google Maps, allowing users to preview the most popular landmarks based on local reviews.
  • Announces nine new features designed to provide an immense shopping experience with more visual and experiential modes to shop.