New social media features and updates to know this week
AI continues to invade social apps this week as X updates its DMs, Meta incorporates the tech into its risk assessment and LinkedIn adds new analytics tools. Here’s what you need to know.
socials
Data shows that longer clips are gaining traction on TikTok
So by “longer short†videos, we’re not talking about a shift back to long-form content of 5 minutes or more. Consumers are now more willing to engage with 3-minute-long videos.
Forget ChatGPT: Why agentic AI is the next big retail disruption
There’s been a lot of talk recently about agentic AI and its potential to transform industries. AI, combined with autonomy, is likely to reshape the way we live, work, and do business.
YouTube to make mid-roll ads less interruptive
Starting May 12, YouTube will show viewers more mid-roll ads at natural break points, “like pauses and transitions,†and fewer ads “in the middle of a sentence or action sequence,†where they may feel interruptive or cause viewers to abandon the video they are watching.
Microsoft quietly tests ‘AI search mode’ for Bing
Microsoft has quietly been testing a feature for Bing, calling it an AI search mode that will look different than Copilot, yet similar to Google’s AI search with summarized results.
P&G eyes $700m advertising savings and efficiencies
Procter & Gamble says it has “runway†for annual savings and efficiencies in its advertising budget of between $500m and $700m, and it expects to reinvest that in media reach, advertising and effectiveness.
Barb to start reporting TV set viewing of YouTube channels
Barb is incorporating viewing of YouTube channels into an expanded measurement initiative for YouTube content viewed on TV sets, in what the joint industry currency (JIC) claims is a world-first.
MrBeast could help buy TikTok US
The YouTube star, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is part of a group of American investors assembled by tech entrepreneur Jesse Tinsley that is vying to buy TikTok’s US business before a possible ban.
Apple the world’s most valuable brand… again
According to Brand Finance’s research, four out of the five most valuable brands in the world are technology brands.
5 Bold predictions for social media in 2025
Success in this new era will require platforms to balance innovation with responsibility, growth with safety, and engagement with well-being.