Honestly? This week is stacked with content. I went into the DEPTHS of the internet to find you all the best stuff and, to toot my own horn here, I did pretty well. Toot toot. I've got the Meta trial. I've got new features. I've got new tools. I've got fun articles. And a brand new newsletter you're going to love filled with trending audios to help you go viral. You ready to get started? Let's do it. |
Unlockable Reels have arrived 🔐 |
It was being tested in the wild last month, and now it is officially here: Unlockable Reels.
Wait, wut.
The new feature enables creators to share Reels that can only be viewed by those who have a code.
According to IG:
“The new hidden reels feature lets you unlock content with a password. Instagram is testing this new feature as a way to let creators build excitement and buzz around exclusive content, and to help people connect over shared interests and entertaining content in a new, IYKYK, way.” The Weeknd was the first person to create an Unlockable Reel, where he hid a clip of his new song.
I feel as if this is a cool way to engage your audience, really lean into community, and make those who already have a parasocial relationship with you feel even closer to you.
It feels very similar to Close Friends stories, but living on the feed.
What do you all think? Good idea? Or another feature that you won’t be using or wanting to participate in? |
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Top social media highlights from the week 🗞️ |
If you advertise on Meta, there are so many new ad features you can start playing around with.
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WhatsApp is becoming more and more of a social media app, especially with these new features.
Could Meta’s encryption be causing a significant drop in child abuse reporting? Apparently so.
No, Reddit’s old layout isn’t going anywhere … for now.
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Instagram keeps working on a new Story feature called “story chains,” and no one really understands the point.
Crypto could be coming back to Meta to pay creators.
Oh, no! Netflix is adding a TikTok-style video feed to its app.
Snapchat now lets users log in to multiple accounts.
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You can create 90-second video status updates inside WhatsApp (does anyone use this feature?!)
New Zealand is the next country on the list wanting to ban social media for under-16s.
Reddit is the next company to use AI for age verification.
Chat rooms are coming to TikTok.
Meta’s Smart Glasses are getting a lot smarter next year with AI commands, facial recognition, and so much more. The future really is here.
Pinterest has added AI to make finding and discovering pins so much easier.
A Support section is coming soon to Facebook Pages.
All Reels now include an instant copyright check.
Ugh, Instagram has rolled out view counts on all posts on your profile. WHY?!
Instagram has launched an affiliate program.
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If your strategy is to post videos on Threads, you’re doing it wrong. At least, according to the Head of Threads, Adam Mosseri.
X is adding a thumbs-down button.
Seems like all the social media platforms are upgrading their ad options. TikTok has added new tools and placements to its platform.
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Threads is bringing video ads to the platform. Yes, the same Threads that said videos don't perform well on the app.
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Making work so much easier |
Apps I am loving this week (and always) |
VEED
The amount I love this app should be studied. It’s the easiest way for me to create bite-sized clips from long-form YouTube videos for clients. Plus, it’s newest feature, where it finds the best and most engaging part of a long-form video and CREATES A REEL/TIKTOK/SHORT FOR YOU? Life-changer.
Hubspot
Hubspot’s SMS marketing is one of my favorite tools to use for new launches, quick updates, and getting new leads through the door for clients. It’s so easy to use, and one of the best ways to connect with your audience in 2025!
Beehiiv
If you’re looking for new ways to monetize your newsletter this year, or just new ways to share your thoughts out into the world, I am living for Beehiiv. Free to use. Easy to grow. And you can earn some serious cash when you start getting more and more subscribers!
Supermetrics
Love data? You’re gonna love Supermetrics. Oh, goodness, that was so cheesy, but as someone who has had a tough time liking data (I am a creative at heart!!!), Supermetrics has made me enjoy it so much more. You can import all of your platforms, track metrics, track leads, traffic referrals, and absolutely everything you need.
Ahrefs
The way I use Ahrefs every single day. I keep track of how my clients’ websites are doing in terms of keywords and SEO, and see if there are any low-hanging fruit (aka easy keywords I can rank on) to add to websites and social media. Plus, I love spying on the competition and seeing what I can do to be better than them. 💅
*Affiliate links |
Love my sweet little life |
Viral audio to use this week 📈 |
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Web series are back in a major way 🎥 |
If you are as old as I am, you might remember the web series lonelygirl15 on YouTube from the mid-2000s. Well, they are back, BABY! And on TikTok this time around. It seems like the Internet can’t get enough of the casual, FaceTime-style videos where it feels like you’re hanging out with a friend who is telling a weird, epic, romantic, wild, or anything in-between story. They are captivating. They are wonderful. And I am so glad they’re back. |
Favorite read of the week |
Creators Are Building Their Own Supersized Studio System As Hollywood Cuts Back |
I’ve been seeing it more and more, the shift of movies and TV series having “online personalities” in them. It’s even been said by Maya Hawke that most people can’t even get into an audition room without having 1 million followers on Instagram.
Now, it seems the shift has been complete with the rise of digital media allowing writers, directors, and producers to bypass traditional studios and create their content, and Hollywood just not being the thing it once was.
I loved reading all about the shift in the studios in this piece and where we see the industry headed in the next few years. |
Adam Mosseri has taken the stand 🤪 |
The FTC trial against Meta is still underway, and last week, Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, took the stand.
And boy, oh boy, did we get some GOSSIP! -
Instagram’s founder left because of Mark Zuckerberg. I mean, is this much of a surprise? According to Mosseri, Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger were not very happy with The Zuck and the strategy changes around their app. It ended up getting so bad that the pair ended up leaving the company, and Mosseri took over the app.
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TikTok scares them. A lot. According to Mosseri, Instagram had a 23% decline in time spent on the app in the US, and 40% of Instagram’s year-over-year decline was all due to TikTok.
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Mosseri’s biggest mistake at Instagram was making Reels into a Story-only feature. It flopped. Hard. Same with IGTV. Once it decided to pivot and make Reels its own feature, it finally saw some traction against TikTok. But Mosseri admits that Instagram should have been quicker to take TikTok seriously.
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Meta has spent a billion or two on content creators. Yes, a billion or two. With Instagram trying to compete with TikTok, the company has been trying new initiatives to boost revenue for content creators to help steal them away from TikTok.
I can’t wait for more of this trial, and trust me, I will be bringing it all to you. Let’s hope Mosseri gets called to the stand once more and drops some other little gems — although I did miss his gold chain on the stand. |
We're all in this together! |
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A song I am loving this week |
Get you through your week 🎶
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Podcasts, playlists, music, and all the little things I am enjoying that are helping me through my work week.
This week, I cannot stop listening to Chloe Qisha. Especially her song Sexy Goodbye. It’s an absolute BOP, and I will scream it from the rooftops. It’s a song that will instantly put you in a good mood and sometimes, I’m not afraid to admit, I’ll have a little boogie at my desk to get me through the day.
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