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Hello, geeks!
What’s this? Instagram has launched a new app?!
Say hello to Instants. Meta’s latest attempt at making “authentic sharing” happen (again).
Because apparently what the world really needed… was another Snapchat/BeReal clone.
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The app lets you can send unedited, one-tap photos to friends… that disappear after one view or within 24 hours.
No filters. No camera roll uploads. No second chances.
In other words: less “curated grid”, more “accidental double chin at 11:47pm”.
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Meta’s pitch is “Real life, real quick.”
The reality is another swing at recapturing private, low-pressure sharing… as public feeds get increasingly polished, performative, and filled with AI slop.
And if this all feels a bit… familiar, you’re not alone.
The early reactions to Instants on my Threads post is basically all:
“Didn’t we already have this?”
“Why is this a separate app?”
“So… Snapchat. Again.”
What do you think…? Do you see yourself actually using Instants?
Or is this just another app you download, try once… and forget exists by next week?
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A BIG thanks to WhatsApp 👊
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A couple of weeks ago, WhatsApp announced a global partnership with Arsenal F.C.
As a lifelong Gunners fan, I dropped a cheeky line in Geekout when i mentioned the news a couple of weeks ago:
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I didn’t expect anyone at Meta to actually spot it!
Then this landed in my inbox last week. WTF 😮 👇 [pinch to zoom in]
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Not only that—WhatsApp invited me for a private tour of the Emirates Stadium.
Genuinely blew my mind.
And with the title race going down to the wire—Arsenal level on points with Man City at the top of the table…
…This Fulham match is going to be massive.
Safe to say… I’m very excited to be going. Huge thanks to WhatsApp 🙌
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Meta to cut 10% of its workforce as AI spending grows to $135B [COST-CUTTING]
X makes it 1,900% more expensive to post links via the API [EXTORTING]
Meta now tracks workers' mouse movements, keystrokes to train AI [HARVESTING]
WhatsApp is testing a Snapchat+ style Premium paid plan [MONETISING]
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Metricool’s BIG 2026 LinkedIn Study just dropped…!
Backed by data from 673,658 LinkedIn posts across 63,108 accounts.
And what’s driving results on LinkedIn isn’t what most marketers expect.
Metricool’s 2026 LinkedIn Study breaks down what’s really driving performance. And where marketers should focus next.
Here’s a SNEAK PEEK of the Study’s Insights: 👀
📈 LinkedIn engagement is up 14% — Driven by clicks and “invisible interactions,” not just likes
💬 Personal profiles lead conversations — 63% higher engagement and 238% more comments than company pages
❓Asking questions boosts commenting… a lot! — Posts that include a question get 77% more comments
📣 Carousels are underused but overperforming — Carousels get 17x more interactions vs. images, yet images are still posted 6x more than carousels
⏱️ Content on LinkedIn has a short lifespan — 50% of Impressions happen in the first 48 hours
The big takeaway? The metrics most marketers track aren’t the ones driving results.
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✨ Do links actually tank your reach?
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You’d have to really LOVE WhatsApp to buy the Premium version
Hot on the heels of the paid subscription for Instagram we saw a few weeks ago, Meta is back at it - this time testing a premium version of WhatsApp.
As with Instagram, this subscription is very much a consumer-focused offering. You’d have to be really enthusiastic about WhatsApp to want to pay for features like pinned chats, custom lists, and new chat themes, even if the pricing spotted so far falls around the pocket-money €2.49 mark.
The move to try direct consumer monetisation of its most popular apps comes at a difficult time for Meta.
After Reuters reported this week the company was planning to lay off 10% of the workforce (around 8,000 people!), it was forced to admit to employees that yes, it was true… but the layoffs won’t be happening just yet.
In the meantime, employees get a few weeks of looming dread that they might lose their jobs, coupled with their computer activity being recorded to train AI… which might well eventually replace some of the people who aren’t laid off.
The layoffs come, Meta has suggested, because of the amount of money the company is spending on AI. It needs to save cash elsewhere, and hey, people are expensive!
AI is transforming software development, speeding up work massively and requiring smaller teams. Meta is no exception to this. But there are risks.
Meta is a company that has always traded on bringing humans closer together. It’s also a company that has been ruthlessly guided by data and a thirst for profit. For the most part it has made the right trade-offs and corrected course when it needs to, letting it balance these two sides of its identity.
But if Meta increasingly leans on AI, that balance could be harder to keep, with employees less connected to the product they’re responsible for, and the users they rely on.
In this rapidly changing landscape, where shareholders, and the competition, demand ever increasing AI usage in building apps, Mark Zuckerberg will have to hope he can keep Meta a human enough company that users still love its apps enough to spend €2.99 a month on a few bells and whistles for WhatsApp.
Meta
/ Facebook
Image: Meta
Meta is introducing a new centralised Meta Account to simplify access across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, replacing Accounts Centre
Meta is going to let parents view the topics their teens are discussing with its AI assistant
Meta Quest now has a DIRECTV app, bringing live TV to VR for the first time
Meta faces a new lawsuit accusing it of allowing scam ads on Facebook and Instagram
A Meta contractor in Kenya has laid off 1,000+ workers after it lost its contract following the recent scandal over staff watching smart glasses videos
Messenger is testing a ‘Moments’ feature on Android
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Instagram
Image: Instagram
Instagram Edits has introduced improved captions, enhanced effects customisation, and smarter memory tools
Instagram has updated profile banners with a new design that makes them more visible, along with an option to add a new one directly from the profile
Instagram has again hinted at future paid premium Edits tiers as rising AI costs push monetisation strategy (as first raised during my interview recently)
Instagram has added a new way to start a Blend or share a post directly from suggested posts within a shared message
Future Instagram Edits features in development include bilingual captions, advanced editing tools, personalised quick setups, pinned tools, and more complex templates
Instagram’s API now supports Paid Partnership labels and additional metrics to show up in third-party apps, like reposts, saves, and shares
Instagram is testing an Auto Translate feature for Broadcast Channels
Instagram could add a built-in voice-over feature for stories, Adam Mosseri says
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Threads
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WhatsApp
Image: Meta
Threads is ramping up efforts to kill of Elon Musk’s X by introducing ‘live chats,’ a new feature for real-time, event-focused conversations
Threads now lets you create a shareable views count card…
… And Threads now lets you show off your total post views from the past 30 days—right on your profile
Threads now lets you more easily quote-post one of your old posts to add more thoughts on the same topic
WhatsApp has added prepaid phone recharges in India as its payments usage still lags
WhatsApp is working on making it easier for users to stop receiving messages from businesses
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that lets users quickly create and copy stickers from images
WhatsApp is working on notification bubbles to improve how conversations appear on Android
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X / Twitter
Credit: @nikitabier on X
Elon Musk ignored a summons for questioning by French authorities over alleged child abuse images, holocaust denial, and more on X
….and the US DoJ has refused to help France, calling the probe “politically charged”
X rolled out a ‘Snooze Topics’, option letting you mute unwanted content in your For You feed
…you can also Snooze videos
X pushed back the launch of the X Chat app again, this time to 27 April. Believe it when we see it?
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TikTok
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YouTube
Credit: TikTok
US lawmakers have written an open letter to TikTok US CEO Adam Presser urging the platform to enforce stricter age verification measures
TikTok now lets you post content exclusively to your Friends circle
TikTok’s child skincare boom is facing regulatory scrutiny, but it’s in a legal grey area
TikTok UK and Visa have launched a ‘Creator Card’ for influencers to have quicker access to earnings from TikTok LIVE gifts, brand partnerships, and payouts.
YouTube expanded its parental control tools as screen time concerns surge, including time limits for Shorts
YouTube is now muting push notifications from channels you haven’t watched in a month 🙌
YouTube added Voice Boost for clearer dialogue in videos you watch, and ‘experience points’ to help channels identify active community members
YouTube confirmed that election ads are exempt from placement rules, but they still must follow full Google Ads policies and pass verification
YouTube signed SiriusXM as exclusive US audio ad partner, launching fall 2026.
YouTube TV’s fully customisable multiview has finally started rolling out
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Snapchat
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Bluesky
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Telegram
Image: Snap
SnapChat’s Snap Map has a new Place Loyalty feature, a bit like old-school Foursquare mayorships
Mastodon says its flagship server was hit by a DDoS attack. This follows a similar attack on Bluesky last week
Telegram is being investigated in the UK over child abuse content concerns
Telegram will now keep inactive accounts alive for two years instead of one
Telegram now lets you customise the app’s share sheet
Bluesky upgraded its image quality with increased file size limits and sharper resolution.
Beehiiv, which powers this newsletter, has rolled out new creator tools, including webinars and customisable paywalls
X has introduced Grok AI-powered Custom Timelines
Users can follow and pin feeds across 75 different topics.
Grok AI powers the personalized feeds based on user interests and engagement.
The feature replaces Communities, which will be discontinued on May 6 due to low usage.
Custom Timelines will roll out first to X Premium subscribers on iOS, with Android coming soon.
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Also spotted this week…
TikTok is experimenting with an AI “Remix” tool that transforms posts into shareable memes. But creators are worried because it has to be manually turned off on a post-by-post basis
YouTube is expanding its AI deepfake detection tool widely to creators, celebrities, and Hollywood stars
WhatsApp is working on the ability generate private summaries of your unread chats
Instagram has added its AI-powered search shortcut to the end of captions
Meta expanded its AI business assistant globally
Facebook is using AI to improve search results in Groups
LinkedIn's new Crosscheck feature lets premium subscribers test competing AI models for free
xAI introduced new APIs, pricing updates, and tools to expand use cases and revenue
xAI’s Grok now has a Threads account
I spoke to The Times about UK Green Party leader Zack Polanski met with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s social team to replicate his viral TikTok campaign success.
I explained how winning attention now requires TikTok-first storytelling, not traditional political messaging…
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Tim Cook announced this week he will be standing down as Apple CEO later in the year, to be replaced by John Ternus.
Cue the memes…
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Remember when Trump called Tim Cook “Tim Apple”?
Want more Tim Cook memes…? Head to Business Insider.
Over on Threads, everyone was talking about paper planes.
I first noticed after the platform’s official account published this.
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This was in response to other users sharing this little tidbit and it taking off like crazy (or like a paper plane).
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I have no idea whether this was a real thing or not, but a long press has only ever opened the share sheet for me. Either way, it turned into a meme for no apparent reason, helped by Threads’ own algorithm.
Users’ feeds were filled with paper planes chat for about a day.
Sometimes the dumbest things go viral and no-one can really figure out why 🤷♂️
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Tinder Swindlers
A viral video this week claimed to reveal how scammers bypass Tinder’s Face Check using one real image. 😬
Tinder says it is tightening checks with stricter photo consistency and review systems.
RIP unhinged brands?
What goes up must come down…
Duolingo is scaling back its “unhinged” TikTok marketing after reach has declined.
The brand is now shifting toward a more balanced, less shock-driven tone.
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More brand news and views:
Warner Bros. says creator content beats traditional ads 3:1 in performance
Marketers say brands can’t control culture—communities and creators do.
"This company has become obsessed with AI”
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Also quoted this week:
“I know this is unwelcome news and confirming this puts everyone in an uneasy state, but we feel this is the best path forward, given the circumstances. We’re doing this as part of our continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments we’re making.”
- Meta’s Chief People Officer, Janelle Gale explains to employees why thousands of them are about to be laid off. Employment in Silicon Valley is a precarious thing these days as big tech chases AI supremacy.
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“It is absolutely galling for social media giants to say their platforms are not addictive. Parents, experts, whistleblowers, even users, are all aware of the dangers posed by social media. The platforms are the only ones still in denial, spouting claims which have zero credibility.”
- Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden reacts after Meta, Roblox, and TikTok told her their platforms are not addictive.
Bond is a new social media platform that wants to use AI to help you kick your doomscrolling habit.
Users upload “memories,” which train AI to suggest real-world activities and experiences. The app removes feeds and ads, focusing on private archives and discovery.
Future plans include users licensing their data for AI training or commerce integrations.
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Also this week:
SaySo is a new short-form video app that aims to restore users’ trust in news
Frequent social media use has been linked to weaker reading and vocabulary in teens in a new study.
Hundreds of AI-generated pro-Trump influencers are flooding TikTok, Instagram, Facebook before the US midterm elections.
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More WTF this week:
X has been accused of throttling TBPN clips after the tech podcast was acquired by xAI rival OpenAI
A hacker avoided jail after accessing US government data and posting it on Instagram
AI safety groups are recruiting influencers to warn AI could threaten humanity
Did Instagram make you think there was something wrong with your eyes this week?
A bug turned some users’ HDR photos black and white after they were uploaded, but it’s been fixed now and full colour is restored.
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More fails spotted:
YouTube is losing track of where to start videos after you're done watching ads, thanks to a bug with preroll ads
X rushed out a fix after its Android app failed to open links and notifications
Zoom is hiring a Social Media Manager [Remote, Worldwide]
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More social media jobs:
Greenpeace needs a Social Media Specialist [Hybrid, London, UK]
E.ON is recruiting a Social Media Specialist [Nottingham/Solihull, UK]
Bitly is looking for a Social Media and Community Manager [Remote, USA]
X is killing off its Communities feature. Apparently they were barely used… except by spammers.
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Also this week:
WhatsApp will no longer let users create new avatars, but your existing avatar stickers will still be available to use.
$117 BILLION
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More social stats:
BIG AI BUCKS: Meta has disclosed it paid Broadcom $2.3 billion in 2025 to design custom AI chips
SO MANY EDITS: Instagram Edits shipped 130+ new features in its first year 🤯
SPAM CENTRAL: X’s Head of Product Nikita Bier says the soon-to-be-dead Communities feature drove under 0.4% of usage but 80% of spam reports on the platform
YouTube crushes rivals as US kids’ top creator platform across every demographic.
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Also spotted this week…
Meta, TikTok, and Roblox executives told UK MPs their platforms are not “addictive by nature.” [The Guardian]
Mobile phones will be banned in schools in England under new plans. [The Guardian]
Turkey has passed a law to restrict social media access for under-15s. [AP]
Norway plans to ban social media use by children under 16. [Reuters $$$]
TikTok US has gained security infrastructure certification confirming its systems meet global information security standards. [Social Media Today]
TikTok has selected Sienna Spiro as the first British artist in its “Behind the Breakthrough” campaign. [TikTok Newsroom]
TikTok partnered with Noah Kahan for an intimate NYC fan event tied to his album The Great Divide. [TikTok Newsroom]
New features and tests:
Instagram is testing a new splash screen for Reels shared with other users via a link. [@oncescruadu]
Instagram is widely rolling out the ability to earn money through affiliate programmes with products tagged in Reels. [@oncescuradu]
TikTok has been spotted sporting an updated share sheet. [@theahmedghanem]
Google has expanded its Demand Gen tools to drive faster YouTube ad conversions. [Search Engine Land]
Is that popular clip really viral, or has been artificially shoved in your face until you like it?
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Also worth a read:
Bluesky set out to fix social media. Now it’s running into familiar problems
War memes are turning conflict into content
Why more creators are holding IRL events to own their audience
TikTok’s biggest star watched his $975 million AI deal fizzle out. What happened?
It’s no surprise that there’s a subreddit for bald people. After all, there’s a subreddit for everything.
But if you feel the world’s a bit bleak these days, this is a great read to restore your faith in humanity…
…And in bald people being nice to each other in a world that has never really made hairlessness cool. 🥚
And on that warm fuzzy ending… It’s time to cut you loose.
You have completed this week’s Geekout.
I’m heading off to prepare for my teen daughter’s house party to celebrate her 16th birthday.
She says she’s only invited “around 30” to the house party at my place.
In teen maths that means… 60. Minimum.
I’m locking down the house in preparation for the carnage it will likely escalate into.
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Clouds of vape smoke.
Drunk teens vomiting on my patio.
Neighbours threatening to call the police if we don’t shut it down.
Pray for me… Goodbye, geeks!
P.S. This newsletter is edited by Martin SFP Bryant
