Social Scoop Unplugged #18
Want to stay ahead in the social media game? This week’s updates bring exciting changes: Instagram’s new AI video tools, screenshot blocking for view-once media—privacy just levelled up! Meta’s testing ‘Avatar Quests,’ taking us closer to the Metaverse. Plus, updated affiliate link displays make selling smoother. Trump files Supreme Court bid to save TikTok, while Snapchat offers streamlined monetization for creators. LinkedIn tests larger in-stream video displays—because bigger is better, right?
Instagram rolls out screenshot blocking for view-once media. Privacy just levelled up!
Meta’s Testing ‘Avatar Quests’—A Step Closer to the Metaverse
Meta’s updated affiliate link displays in posts and comments make selling smoother.
Snapchat’s Streamlined monetization options for creators = more ways to get paid.
LinkedIn Testing larger in-stream video displays—because bigger is better, right?
Instagram’s New AI Video Tools
Meta is doubling down on AI, weaving it deeper into the social media experience—whether we’re ready for it or not. Instagram’s head honcho, Adam Mosseri, just gave us a sneak peek at some fresh AI video features coming soon.
Through Meta’s Movie Gen engine, Instagram will let you fully transform your video clips with AI-powered edits. Think: switching backgrounds, and outfits, and even creating Muppet-style versions of yourself. It’s intriguing and might inspire new creative trends.
But here’s the catch: while these tools offer fun, creative possibilities, they edge away from the human connections that make social media social. AI-generated elements don’t reflect lived experiences—they’re manufactured, not meaningful. Sure, editing your video content with AI enhancements could boost your storytelling game, but let’s be real: swapping your real-world moments for AI-generated scenarios might miss the mark.
Social media is built on shared stories, authentic experiences, and emotional connections. AI tools might help you polish your visuals, but they can’t replace the heart of storytelling.
So, will these tools be groundbreaking or just another novelty? That all depends on how they’re used. If they elevate human stories and connections, they could be a game-changer. But if it’s just flashy effects with no real substance, they risk falling flat.
Instagram rolls out screenshot blocking for view-once media. Privacy just levelled up!
Instagram’s stepping up its privacy game. As of now, screenshots are officially blocked for all DMs sent in Vanish Mode or when using the View Once setting for content.
Spotted earlier this year by app researcher Radu Oncescu, the platform is introducing in-app alerts to let users know about this new feature. It’s a solid move to give people more confidence when sharing sensitive content, especially in those fleeting “View Once” moments.
Quick refresher: Vanish Mode (Instagram’s take on Snapchat’s disappearing messages) lets your chats self-destruct after the recipient leaves the thread. Pair that with the View Once setting for images and videos, and you’ve got extra control over your shared content.
Previously, Instagram would notify you if someone screenshotted your disappearing media. But now? It’s a hard “no”—screenshots just won’t work. While it’s not 100% foolproof (hello, second devices), it’s a step forward in protecting user privacy.
This update comes at a crucial time for Instagram, which has faced criticism for its impact on teen mental health, from negative comparisons to DM-related bullying. Moves like this are part of Instagram’s broader effort to create safer online spaces, particularly for younger users.
It’s not a magic fix, but it’s a clear signal that Instagram is taking privacy concerns seriously.
Meta’s Testing ‘Avatar Quests’—A Step Closer to the Metaverse
Meta’s big bet on the metaverse isn’t over—it’s just evolving. The latest? “Avatar Quests,” an experimental feature that could bring a more interactive twist to how we use avatars.
Spotted by app researcher Radu Oncescu, these Avatar Quests look like a way to explore digital worlds or participate in interactive games using your virtual persona. If this sounds like a preview of Meta’s broader metaverse vision, that’s because it is.
Let’s be honest: Meta’s 2021 metaverse rebrand may have been a little… premature. The tech they promised—immersive VR worlds driven by avatars—was always going to take years to develop. But Meta’s still working behind the scenes, and avatars are at the heart of their long-term strategy.
For now, Meta is doubling down on making avatars more lifelike, customizable, and usable across their platforms. They’re playing the long game, slowly introducing features like these Avatar Quests to get users comfortable with the idea of digital interaction on a whole new level.
It’s all part of the bigger picture: bridging the gap between how younger generations already use avatars in gaming and how we might eventually interact in the metaverse.
While it’s early days for Avatar Quests, don’t be surprised if you see more avatar-driven features popping up on Instagram and Facebook. They’re laying the groundwork for a more immersive, avatar-centric future.
Meta’s updated affiliate link displays in posts and comments make selling smoother
Meta’s makes it easier for creators to earn from affiliate links on Facebook. They’re giving these links a more prominent place in Reels, videos, photos, and text posts, so your affiliate content gets the attention it deserves.
Here’s what’s new:
• More Visibility: Affiliate links now show up at the bottom of Reels, as well as in text posts and comments, making them impossible to miss.
• Auto-Detection: When Meta spots an affiliate link, it’ll remind you to add the “paid partnership” label and pre-populate the link info for you.
• Better User Experience: This update makes the whole process smoother, so you can focus on creating while boosting your earnings.
Before this, affiliate links were tucked away as simple URLs in captions. Now, they’re getting the real estate they need to stand out and convert.
If you’re looking to make the most of this, now’s the time. Meta’s rolling these changes out globally to Pages and Professional Profiles, just in time to give your affiliate sales a boost before Christmas!
Here’s how to add your affiliate links:
• Reels and Videos: During the publishing flow, tap on “earn money,” select “add product links,” and fill in the details.
• Photo or Text Posts: Go to Post Settings, tap “earn money,” then select “add product links.”
This could be a game-changer for creators and businesses alike—get ready to make those links work harder for you!
Trump Files Supreme Court Bid to Save TikTok
As TikTok faces an impending exit from the U.S., with just 22 days remaining before the deadline, President-elect Donald Trump is stepping in with a bold move to try and save the app. It seems like he’s aiming to deliver on his campaign pledge to keep the popular platform accessible for Americans—at least for now.
Trump’s transition team has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, calling for a stay of execution for TikTok. This gives Trump some breathing room to negotiate a deal that could preserve the app’s future in the U.S. If granted, it could be a game-changer, especially with the deadline looming large.
A Mandate to Protect Free Speech
Trump argues that his historic win in the 2024 election gives him a clear mandate to protect the free-speech rights of all Americans—including the 170 million people who use TikTok. He points out that, as the only elected officials who represent all U.S. voters, both he and the Vice President are uniquely positioned to handle this issue. Trump positions himself as one of the most influential users of social media in history, with a massive 14.7 million followers on TikTok.
For Trump, this isn’t just about protecting a popular app; it’s about defending freedom of expression and ensuring that platforms like TikTok can remain an outlet for political discourse.
Revisiting the Oracle/Walmart Deal
Back in 2020, Trump pushed for TikTok to sell off its U.S. operations to Oracle and Walmart to shield American data from Chinese control. While that deal was never finalized under the Biden administration, Trump’s return to office might mean the opportunity to revisit it. Could this be his plan to save TikTok once and for all? The details are still unclear, but Trump wants to find a solution before the clock runs out.
The Clock Is Ticking
The Supreme Court is set to hear TikTok’s final appeal against the sell-off bill on January 10th. If Trump gets his request, the app may remain available for U.S. users a little longer. Whether or not Trump can orchestrate a deal to save the platform remains to be seen, but his move gives him a chance to leverage his deal-making reputation and try to turn the tide.
Snapchat’s Streamlined monetization options for creators = more ways to get paid
Snapchat has just made it a whole lot easier for creators to get paid for their content! Starting in February 2025, the platform is integrating its monetization options for Stories and Spotlight videos into one streamlined process. So, whether you’re posting a Story or a Spotlight video, you’ll be able to make money from both.
Snapchat launched its Stories revenue share program back in 2022, which allowed eligible creators to earn income from mid-roll ads placed between Stories. Last year, Snapchat made it. Easier for more creators to join by lowering the eligibility thresholds. Now, Spotlight videos will also be part of the same program, making it even simpler to cash in on your content.
Here’s the deal:
From February 1, 2025, creators with at least 50k followers, 12,000 hours of cumulative view time per month, and who post frequently will be able to monetize both their Stories and Spotlight videos. Snapchat is trying to help creators maximise their income by streamlining the whole process, making it easier to get rewarded for your efforts.
However, there are some specific requirements for Spotlight creators, including:
• Posting at least 25 times per month
• Having at least 10 million Snap views or 1 million Spotlight views (or hitting the 12k hours total watch time) in the past 28 days
• Posting to either Spotlight or Public Stories on at least 10 of the last 28 days
It’s a pretty big commitment, but if you’re already investing time and effort into building your presence on Snapchat, it makes sense to monetise your work.
This move also signals the end of Snapchat’s Spotlight Bonus program, which was originally giving away a million dollars a day for the best-performing clips. The program evolved, and many creators found it hard to keep up as the payouts started shrinking. Now, with the new unified program, Snapchat is offering a more sustainable and equitable way to help creators make money.
With Snapchat’s Spotlight feed still pulling in 500 million monthly active users (compared to the app’s total 850 million), the potential for creators and brands is growing. This integration could give both sides even more opportunities to connect and thrive on the platform. Plus, with more creators posting exclusive content more often, Snapchat could see even more engagement from its audience.
LinkedIn Testing larger in-stream video displays—because bigger is better, right?
LinkedIn is taking video content to the next level with a brand-new, larger video display in the main feed. The platform is testing out a more prominent format that will showcase videos in bigger panels, giving them more room to stand out as you scroll.
The new design also features rounded corners, which adds a sleek touch and makes video clips even more eye-catching—especially on mobile. This update is all about making video content pop, with the aim of grabbing your attention as you browse through your feed.
When you tap on any video, you’ll be taken to LinkedIn’s TikTok-style immersive video feed, which has seen impressive growth this year—up 36%! Video content is undeniably the most engaging format across social media, and this approach is already proving successful on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.
This shift makes sense, especially as younger users are increasingly joining LinkedIn and bringing their TikTok-inspired preferences with them. As they enter professional spaces, LinkedIn is looking to meet them where they are by offering this more dynamic video experience.
That said, there’s still a question of whether the TikTok-style format truly aligns with LinkedIn’s professional tone. A lot of the videos I’ve seen on the platform are basic tips and advice from self-proclaimed influencers, which doesn’t always fit with the more business-focused content we typically expect. But trends are trends, and LinkedIn is clearly eager to keep up
So, as we head into 2025, it might be a good time to rethink how you approach video on LinkedIn. With video getting so much attention on the platform, it could be a great opportunity to boost your presence and tap into this growing trend.
LinkedIn is currently testing this new format with iOS users, so keep an eye out for updates. And if you’re looking to improve your video game on LinkedIn, they’ve just released some fresh video tips to help you get started.
That wraps up this week’s Social Scoop Unplugged! 🚀 Remember, the world of social media never stops evolving, and neither should your strategy. Stay curious, keep experimenting, and don’t forget to adapt to these exciting updates as they unfold.
If you’ve found this helpful, share it with your network or drop me a message with your thoughts and feedback. Until next time, keep shining and be creative online!
Natty Bernasconi | Instagram Expert & Educator
Social Media Strategy for Lifestyle Businesses & Creators
Empowering brands with tailored Instagram strategies and aesthetic-driven insights. Follow for weekly tips, industry updates, and coaching designed to elevate your brand’s online presence—making it as captivating as it is strategic.