Hey there, 👋🏼

While social media had always been a busy place, the good thing is the voice of reason, aka the audience is now being heard and taken note of. Privacy concerns have taken a centerstage and social media platforms like Meta are understanding the fact that though adoption and usage has been easy to garner, loyalty is another ball game altogether. Usernames for Whatsapp users, letting Facebook reels creators keep a tab on if their content is being reused and how, and helping TikTok users control how much AI generated content they see on their feed by using a slider. There are some interesting things happening in this realm, and I have the perfect scoop for you.

This week’s social media updates

📍 1. Meta

Update: Meta is pushing further into the metaverse with new generative‑AI creative tools, tied into its VR/AR ecosystem. (Social Media Today)
Why it matters:

• Meta’s vision now leans heavily into “creation” in virtual spaces: enabling non‑technical users to build, design and interact in immersive environments.

• For brands and creators, this signals a shift: social platforms aren’t just about feeds anymore, they’re about spacesand experiences.

• If you’re thinking content strategy for 2026+, consider the metaverse not as sci‑fi but as an ecosystem in which you should hold creative agency.

Takeaway: Don’t just post—design environments. Shift from “what message” to “what space” you’re inviting people into.

📍 2. WhatsApp

Updates:

• WhatsApp revived the “About” / activity‑note feature: users can share short profile updates with optional expiry. (Social Media Today)

• WhatsApp is rolling out (or planning) username functionality, decoupling identity from phone numbers. (Yahoo Tech)

Why it matters:

• These are subtle but meaningful shifts toward richer profile expression and privacy options. The activity‑note is akin to a micro‑status update, which nudges WhatsApp from purely private chat toward more ambient presence.

• Usernames give you separation between identity and phone number: important for creators, community builders, freelancers who want WhatsApp use without exposing personal contact details.

Takeaway: Your conversational infrastructure matters. If you use WhatsApp in your business—client communication, groups, broadcast lists; these updates mean you can finesse identity and visibility more precisely.

📍 3. Facebook (via Meta)

Updates:

• Facebook launched a new “Content Protection” tool to help creators protect original Reels: detect reuse, block or mark properly. (Social Media Today)

• According to recent data, Facebook (and YouTube) continue to dominate as the most popular social apps in the U.S. (House of Marketers)

Why it matters:

• For creators, this is a meaningful guardrail, original content is more likely to be credited and monetised. If you invest in video content, this update helps protect that investment.

• Popularity data re‑emphasises that legacy platforms still matter: emerging networks may grab headlines, but the eyeballs, especially in professional / non‑fast‑trending niches, still live here.

Takeaway: Protect your creative capital. If you’re producing video, map your platform mix: don’t ignore Facebook just because it feels “old”.

📍 4. TikTok

Update: TikTok is testing a slider control inside Manage Topics that lets users choose how much AI‑generated content they see. It’s also adding better labelling of AI‑content. (TechCrunch)

Why it matters:

• This is an algorithmic transparency move: instead of you being passive, you can now tweak your feed’s AI vs human content mix. For marketers and creators, that shifts the game: less “how to beat the algorithm” and more “how to align with user‑controlled preferences”.

• AI‑generated content is both opportunity and risk. TikTok giving the user control may mean audiences become more sensitive to “bot vs human” content, thereby raising the bar for authenticity.

Takeaway: Let authenticity lead. If you’re thinking of using AI‑tools for content generation, frame it as augmentation, not substitution. Audiences and algorithms both reward the human edge.

📍 5. Snapchat

Update: Snapchat launched “Topic Chats,” public group chat rooms organised around trending topics, events, interests, letting users join broader public discussions. (Social Media Today)

Why it matters:

• Snapchat traditionally emphasised private, ephemeral sharing. This marks a push toward more open, interest‑based community building within the app.

• For brands and creators, there’s a potential engagement layer: not just one‑to‑many broadcasting, but many‑to‑many conversation within a quasi‑public space.

• But that also means moderation, context, safety matter more especially if using these spaces for branded engagement.

Takeaway: Community, not just content. Think of chats as forums where your community gathers not just where you push content.

This week’s SaaS recommendation:

Must read this week

Till I see you next!

Cheers,

Proma Nauutiyal

Founder & Marketing Expert, DigiWitch