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Hello, geeks!
Has hell frozen over?
Instagram is finally letting you add links in post captions!
Credit: @itsatravelod
But because its a Mark Zuckerberg production, of course, there’s a catch.
It’s currently only a test with a select group of Instagram users. But more importantly, you have to be a Meta Verified subscriber.
In addition, it looks like the number of posts you can publish with links in captions is limited per month, based on your Meta Verified subscription tier.
Keep scrolling for my take on 2026’s biggest Instagram plot twist so far.
Coming up in this week’s Geekout:
🔗 Instagram’s testing clickable links in captions… but is it long overdue or a really bad idea?
-🤖 Mark Zuckerberg just acquired MoltBook… but what will he do with the viral social network for AI bots?
-⚖️ Social media addiction lawsuit climax… closing arguments made. But what will be the jurors verdict?
-😮 9 new emojis are coming soon… but one of them is already going viral. And brands can’t stop using it.
Plus over 33 new platform features on TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads have been spotted in the wild this week.
But before we dive in… 👇
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YouTube surpasses Disney to become the world’s largest media company [DISRUPTING]
UK MPs reject social ban for under-16s but didn’t kill the idea completely [RESISTING]
Meta acquired Moltbook, the viral social network for AI bots [HARVESTING]
X agrees to alter blue check verification system in Europe after EU fine [COMPLYING]
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Click here? Instagram tests caption links
Something most of us had assumed would NEVER happen has happened, and it could change the feel of Instagram forever… or will it?
As first shared by Andrea Valeria on Threads, Meta is testing the ability to add a link to a post caption on Instagram.
There are caveats: you have to be a Meta Verified subscriber, and it appears you can only publish 10 posts with links in captions per month.
I suspect Meta may decide to limit the number of posts with links in captions based on your Meta Verified subscription tier, which is what it currently does for links in Reels. 👇
Credit: Meta
But still, this is wild because platform boss Adam Mosseri previously said that allowing links in post captions was unlikely to happen, as it would change the dynamic of Instagram.
Mosseri feared they would become spammy by becoming a vector for abuse by bad actors.
So why now?
It’s probably as simple as Meta wanting to grow its subscription business. Giving people what they want is a good way to do that.
Limiting links per month is a good way to minimise the risk of spam, and Instagram has probably factored in AI-powered improvements in moderation efficiency and feed ranking to make sure the app doesn’t become a swamp of ‘click here!’ trash. Meta has also just introduced enhanced scam protections that better detect malicious links.
Instagram has been shuffling this way for a while. It already allows multiple ‘links in bio’, and as I mentioned, Meta Verified users can already put a limited number of links per month in Reels captions.
And the brutal truth is that posts aren’t as big a part of Instagram as they used to be. The app has been largely about shoving Reels into your face for months now. The speed at which it turned into a different flavour of TikTok has been striking.
In that context, adding links to post captions just feels like a natural evolution, and I’d be surprised if it causes any of the problems Mosseri used to worry it would.
But what do you think? Is this change long overdue, or will it turn Instagram into a link-spam nightmare?
Meta
/ Facebook
Meta’s new advanced scam protection in Messenger | Credit: Meta
Meta is introducing new anti-scam protections across Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger
Meta launched mini games for its Ray-Ban Display smart glasses
Meta’s deepfake moderation isn’t good enough, its Oversight Board says
Meta has delayed the launch of its new AI model ‘Avocado’ over performance concerns
Meta is preparing to deploy 4 new homegrown chips to handle AI
Meta argued that uploading pirated books via BitTorrent qualifies as fair use, in an AI training lawsuit 🤨
Meta is updating how it measures and attributes ad clicks to better align with third-party tools
Meta wiped out more than 150,000 scam-linked accounts across its platforms in a joint operation with Royal Thai Police
Meta hired the team behind AI startup Gizmo, which lets people create and share interactive content, like mini apps or games
Meta will now charge advertisers new “location fees” to cover digital taxes in several European countries.
Facebook launched an affiliate partnerships hub for creator monetisation
Facebook is working on reducing notifications from Pages by prioritising more relevant updates
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Instagram
Instagram added ability to edit comments | Credit: piunikaweb.com
Instagram is finally working on the ability to edit comments after you post them (wild this wasn’t already possible!)
Instagram profiles for notable people are showing up prominently in Google searches as part of a new test
Instagram added a new option to hide all activity bubbles in the feed and Reels (I know this one will please a lot of people!)
Instagram has been spotted introducing voice effects in DMs (sadly, no Mosseri voice effect yet)
Instagram is testing a new Shuffle icon for songs added to reels
Instagram is working on a big UI update for the Saved Posts section
Apple launched a new @helloapple account on Instagram
Instagram Edits added freeze frame, a voiceover teleprompter, and curated sound effects
Instagram Edits added ‘Optimize for Faster Editing’, which slightly reduces video quality while editing, without affecting export quality.
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WhatsApp
/
Threads
WhatsApp’s new parent-managed accounts for under-13s | Credit: Mata
WhatsApp is now letting under-13s use the platform, with new parent-managed accounts
WhatsApp is testing rounded chat bubbles, replacing the classic speech-bubble design
WhatsApp Channels now lets you add music to your posts to share tracks directly with your followers
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that shows how many times any channel update has been forwarded
WhatsApp’s multiple accounts feature appears close to launch, as the Settings tab has been renamed to ‘You’
WhatsApp added support for another third-party messaging platform in the EU, Haiket
WhatsApp has been spotted re-ordering its tabs again
Threads now lets users manage their Meta Verified subscription directly within the app
Threads now supports the iOS 26 keyboard and Liquid Glass UI
Threads looks set to use a larger font for posts that contain just a single emoji
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X / Twitter
X’s new product mention link ad format | Credit: X
X is testing new ad format that includes product mention links. X’s head of product said X is “trying to make an ad product that isn’t an ad.”
xAI’s Grok generated offensive posts about football disasters and religions, causing outrage in the UK. Liverpool FC and Manchester United have already complained
X could be breaching US sanctions on Iran, a watchdog has warned
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TikTok
Apple Music / TikTok Introduce New 'Play Full Song' Experience | Credit: TikTok
TikTok officially added two new music features. Apple Music subscribers can now play full songs without leaving the app. There’s all a new ‘Listening Party’ feature
TikTok now lets you post Stories exclusively for your subscribers
TikTok is launching TikTok Radio from iHeart, a live audio channel that will blend content from creators with music
TikTok is introducing Live Talent, a new feature for livestream creators
TikTok is aggressively targeting advertising budgets—especially those currently spent on Meta
TikTok can continue its operations in Canada after agreeing to enhanced security measures
TikTok now includes a Campaign Reminders feature designed to help you avoid missing opportunities
TikTok launched an in-app Oscars hub to power awards night conversation
An official #BookTok chart combining retail sales and TikTok engagement data will launch in the UK
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YouTube
YouTube’s AI deepfake detection tool | Credit: YouTube
YouTube is expanding its AI deepfake detection tool to politicians, government officials and journalists
YouTube rolled out unskippable 30-second ads on connected TV apps worldwide (eww… thanks Google!)
YouTube now remembers how you like your videos sorted
YouTube is investing $20 million in a new global digital literacy program for teens
YouTube launched ‘Top Podcasts Lineup’ to sell premium podcast ads
YouTube for Android TV now shows Premium family plan members at account switcher
Google invested $1 million in AI animation studio Animaj, which makes kids’ videos for YouTube
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LinkedIn
/
Snapchat
/
Pinterest
LinkedIn launches new AI feed ranking system | Credit: LinkedIn
LinkedIn is clamping down on engagement-bait “comment yes!” type posts, engagement pods, automated comments, and recycled thought leadership content
LinkedIn is testing a new Interest Picker feature to personalize feeds faster for new users
Bluesky’s CEO Jay Graber has stood down as the company chases growth
Snapchat revealed the full list of nominees for its first Snappy Awards to celebrate top creators. DJ Khaled will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award
Discord launched ‘Discord Official’ to verify game servers and profiles
Twitch is testing Gift ‘Em All, a feature that gifts subscriptions to every viewer in a stream
Pinterest and Amazon have launched an integration letting creators link Amazon Storefronts to profiles
Signal issued scam warnings to users after hackers targeted officials
Substack launched a built-in podcast recording studio
Tinder is trying to beat swipe fatigue with IRL events, video speed dating and AI matching
X has quietly added an option to block Grok from editing uploaded media.
The change follows the recent global backlash over sexualised AI deepfakes generated using Grok.
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Also spotted this week…
LinkedIn is testing an AI interviewer that screens candidates before human job interviews
Reddit is now the most cited source in AI summaries and Chatbot responses …but LinkedIn is rising fast
LinkedIn also launched a new AI feed ranking system for smarter content recommendations
X introduced a Grok-powered audio feature that reads long-form articles aloud
xAI’s Grok app now has a new image settings menu
Meta is adding new AI tools that auto-generate Facebook Marketplace listings, suggest prices from photos, draft responses for buyers and more
Meta’s Manus AI now has an Instagram connector allowing users to publish Posts, Stories and Reels
WhatsApp is rolling out a dedicated Meta AI tab to centralise all AI-powered features in one place
WhatsApp is working on higher-tier subscription plans for Meta AI, with increased usage limits and more.
OpenAI’s Sora video generator is reportedly being built into ChatGPT
CapCut introduced a new tab for its AI features called AI Lab
Adobe now lets you ask an AI assistant in Photoshop to edit images for you
Canva unveiled Magic Layers, a tool that transforms flat images into layered, editable designs
Bumble launched ‘Dates’, a new AI assistant designed to act like a personal matchmaker
Closing arguments began this week in the landmark social media addiction trial.
The plaintiff says YouTube, Instagram engineered addictive features that harmed her mental health.
Her lawyer said social media apps are “Trojan horses” designed to capture attention.
__________
Also in court this week:
Meta and Google presented their defence in US trial over alleged social media addiction. They argued family turmoil and school stress caused the plaintiff’s anxiety, depression, body-image struggles.
What it was like to watch grieving parents stare down Mark Zuckerberg in court
Elon Musk’s legal team has requested a mistrial in the Twitter shareholder fraud case. This follows a problem of too many potential jurors hating him
Elon Musk’s spam frustration was ‘confusing’ to ex-Twitter executives, former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and CFO Ned Segal testified in the court case over Musk’s tweets during deal negotiations
I gave my thoughts to BBC News about Ofcom’s deadline for tech giants to to toughen up age checks for under-13s
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Get ready to see this bug-eyed little guy everywhere…
With Apple’s latest emoji designs unveiled, the new “Distorted Face” is already being hailed as the defining reaction emoji of 2026.
Its design mirrors Gen Z-style “deep-fried” reaction emoji memes used to show shock or disbelief.
Early reactions online suggest it could quickly become one of the internet’s most-used emojis.
And brands are already getting in on it…
__________
__________
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More viral news this week:
AI-generated war content is flooding X during the Iran conflict
TikTok’s “mystery scoop” trend sells surprise merch revealed through charm scoops
Gen Z is logging books, films and podcasts to escape doomscrolling habits
Brands are increasingly mocking rivals in ads and social media to grab attention.
Just look at how Burger King and Wendy’s roasted McDonald’s after CEO Chris Kempczinski’s awkward burger video.
Also, Pepsi revived the Pepsi Challenge, using Coca-Cola’s polar bear mascot.
Experts say rivalry marketing fuels engagement… but it risks a backlash.
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More brand news and views:
Instagram’s Close Friends feature is emerging as a powerful marketing tool for brands
Brands are building in-house entertainment studios to create original shows and content
Apple is promoting the new super-cheap MacBook Neo with intentionally weird TikTok videos
Marketing chief Annie Barrett has a playbook to ensure Adidas Originals is always part of the conversation
Domino’s has launched a social-first campaign turning influencer pizza orders into ‘celebrity meals’
Podcasters signing with Netflix face new rules on YouTube and TikTok clips
Why is Pinterest losing advertiser interest?
"We have so many people who hate him [Elon] so much"
__________
Also quoted this week:
“When you’re making money off of kids, you have to do it responsibly.”
- Mark Lanier, the attorney representing the plaintiff in the big LA social media addiction trial
__________
“We’ve never had young adults that were VR native… I suspect that they remain a core group of players, nut the games they play are going to change, and the amount of money they’ll have to spend will change too.”
- Meta VR games director Chris Pruett hopes teen VR players stick around to support the struggling field as they get older
“YouTube Face” — exaggerated facial expressions in thumbnails — is everywhere these days.
MrBeast’s growth popularised the tactic through heavy thumbnail optimisation. Data-driven A/B testing proved expressive faces boost clicks and retention.
This article takes a deep dive into the “Beastification” of YouTube.
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Also:
Why brands spamming Reddit for AI citations is a risky strategy
If you’re the type of person who likes tinkering with the technical side of social, this could be the perfect project for you…
Periwinkle allows you to set up a social media account entirely under your own control, not hosted by a central platform. But compatible with Bluesky and other social apps that use the AT Protocol. 🤓 🙌
Social media can turn absolutely anything into a viral scandal… even if it’s entirely made up.
AI-made “red v blue” posters calling for school fights appeared on TikTok and Snapchat in mid-February.
Schools in London cancelled detentions and police deployed officers in preparation for violence.
But no violence occurred…
Experts say the real viral driver was worried parents in WhatsApp groups, amplifying the meme into a phantom social media panic!
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More WTF this week:
Influencers are flooding TikTok and X with videos defending Dubai’s safety during missile attacks in the region (some of which have been aimed right at Dubai)
…and Dubai authorities are threatening fines on people who share war footage from the city
Chatbots encouraged ‘teens’ to plan shootings, in a study of 10 major AI tools
Researchers have built an AI system that can unmask anonymous accounts by analysing writing patterns and clues
‘Age Verification’ could force trans people to out themselves to use the internet
Snapchat refused to remove a 14-year-old’s illegal account in Australia because it listed its age as 25
AI-generated influencers are promoting supplements on Instagram and TikTok without clear disclosure
The White House posted a TikTok video promoting ‘justice the American way’ featuring Hollywood characters it didn’t have permission to use. Stars like Ben Stiller pushed back
Keir Starmer was accused of ‘mimicking Trump’ with a Middle East crisis TikTok post which has since been taken down
Meta AI was one of five AI chatbots found to recommend illegal online casinos when prompted.
Along with Google’s Gemini, it even offered advice on how to bypass UK gambling and addiction checks 😳
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More fails:
Discord has fixed a bug that stored users’ private messages in local log files
What numbers should you care about on TikTok in 2026?
Hootsuite’s got you covered with this guide…
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More pro tips:
LinkedIn busted a few myths by confirming (again) that links, hashtags, posting frequency, boosting posts, or using third party tools do NOT trigger it to downrank your posts in feed.
LinkedIn shared tips on optimising post content for citations by AI chatbots
A new 22-page report examines Reddit’s role in the “hidden” B2B buyer journey
$40.4 BILLION
More stats:
LARRY’S BILLIONS: Oracle disclosed its TikTok investment is worth roughly $2 billion in a new financial filing
BIG BLOX: Roblox paid $1.5 billion to creators last year, with top developers averaging $1.3 million
REBEL REBEL: Around 20% of Australian teens still use TikTok and Snapchat despite a national under-16 social media ban.
ROASTED: Google’s AI Overviews are 44% more likely to talk smack about brands than ChatGPT (Google thinks the study is flawed)
BAN-HAMMER: X suspended 800 million accounts in one year amid ‘massive’ scale of manipulation attempts
OLD SCHOOL: 79% of Gen-Z say they miss the TikTok’s earlier, less branded content, and 41% feel nostalgic for a time when TikTok had fewer ads and brands
PAYING BLIND: 49% of marketers don’t know how much they pay influencers, as agencies bundle fees
EMBARRASSING: 88% of respondents in an online poll by Elon Musk said X ads never led them to buy anything
FEELING SOURCE-Y: Reddit appears in 23% of AI citations, beating Wikipedia (18%) and GitHub (12%) combined
WOMEN OF THE WORLD TAKE OVER: On TikTok, #WomenInSTEM and #WomenInFashion communities have grown 47% and 56% YoY
YouTube’s on top of the world these days…
And according to reports this week, YouTube now generates more annual ad revenue than Disney, Netflix, and all other global media businesses.
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More charts:
SOURCE-RY: The top domains where AI finds its answers
GAINING INFLUENCE: LinkedIn’s growth as a source of info for AI chatbots
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Also spotted this week…
Australian teens are bypassing the country’s under-16 social media ban using VPNs and tricks to fool age verification. [Bloomberg $$$]
New US child-safety laws are pushing mandatory online age verification across platforms. [CNBC]
Ministers must act more quickly on deepfakes to protect women and girls, the UK technology secretary says. [The Guardian]
Creators in Europe have cheered a new AI copyright framework while the tech industry warns of costs. [Deadline]
Spain launched an AI tool to track hate speech on social media. [Politico]
Indonesia will ban 'high risk' social media for under-16s. High-risk platforms include TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X and Roblox. [Variety]
India’s Karnataka state plans to ban social media for users under 16. [TechCrunch]
Here’s an updated list of the countries moving to ban social media for children. [TechCrunch]
Roblox launched new Incubator and Jumpstart programmes to help creators build new games. [Roblox News]
YouTube suspended the ‘Jeopardy!’ host John Roderick’s podcast after flagging a 2019 episode for hate speech. [The Daily Beast]
TikTok will resume sponsoring events in Canada again after gaining permission to remain in the country. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Russian government hackers are targeting Signal and WhatsApp users, Dutch intelligence services have warned. [TechCrunch]
TikTok named Stephen Sanchez as the guest for episode three of TikTok In The Mix. [TikTok Newsroom]
Snap has turned portrait art into an interactive AR experience at SXSW. [Snap Newsroom]
Snapchat has launched ‘Cricket in a Snap,’ an ad suite targeting IPL conversations among Gen Z in India. [Fortune India]
Meta explained how its Advanced Browsing Protection (ABP) in Messenger detects malicious links while preserving privacy. [Engineering at Meta]
New features and tests:
Threads is now in Meta Account Centre, along with a revamped Settings menu. [@oncescuradu]
Threads has added a shortcut to manage your Meta Verified subscription. [@theahmedghanem]
TikTok revamped its Balance section with a new UI update. [@theahmedghanem]
Disney+ launched a TikTok-style vertical video feed called “Verts”. [The Hollywood Reporter]
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Also worth a read this weekend:
AI incites a new wave of grieving parents fighting for online safety
On Facebook, it now pays to post about politics
The mysterious case of the DHS white supremacist memelord
How Roblox is minting teen millionaires
It turns out that if you’re fancily-dressed young man in the world of high-end banking, you don’t get a free pass to parade yourself as an influencer in a swish photo shoot.
“When four ‘finance boys’ went viral last week for their Loro Piana- and Hermés-studded photo shoot, they violated more than the sacrosanct rule of not outdressing your boss.
“They brought Wall Street banks into the memeosphere, attracting publicity that has clashed with the hush-hush world of high finance.”
That’s all folks. You social media debriefing for this week is done.
A couple of quick reminders before you go…
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NEW EPISODE: Channel 4’s Battle of the Brands
The second episode of Channel 4’s ‘Battle of the Brands’ is now available to watch. (Use a VPN if you’re not in the UK)
My face briefly pops-up again to talk about Aldi’s battles with rival M&S on social media.
Here’s a quick clip:
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Geekout x Instagram Edits Exec Q&A
This might be your last chance to send me questions you’d like me to ask Instagram Edit’s Director or Product Management, Matt Simari.
The best 5 questions will WIN an Instagram Merch Bundle.
Hit reply and send me your questions now.
Goodbye, geeks!
P.S. This newsletter is edited by Martin SFP Bryant
