Your Weekly Scroll Down is Here!

👋 Welcome back to The Scroll Down, your weekly for social media shifts, feature rollouts, and updates that matter to communicators, creators, and brands.

Another week, another wave of updates worth scrolling through. Meta’s shaking things up (again), TikTok just handed creators new AI tools, and LinkedIn quietly made a change that might affect your data.

Let’s jump in.

👥 Meta (Facebook, Instagram, & Threads)

Instagram Algorithm Guide: Adam Mosseri shared new insights on how Instagram’s different algorithms work across Feed, Stories, Reels, and Explore. Key signals: saves, shares, and relationships matter more than likes.
Locked “Secret Code” Reels: Instagram is testing gamified “locked” Reels that followers can unlock using hints or codes.
Teen Safety Controls: Meta is introducing PG-13-style filters by default for users under 18, limiting exposure to mature or risky content.
Threads Ad Expansion: Meta’s updated Marketing API adds new creative variations, aspect ratios (4:5, 9:16), and placement options for Threads ads.
Meta AI Targeting Update: Meta will soon use user interactions with its AI chatbot to personalize ads (excluding sensitive topics).

💡 What to Do About It

Audit your Meta mix: Make sure content is optimized separately for Feed, Reels, and Stories - each has its own ranking rules.
Segment youth content: If your audience includes teens, review captions, visuals, and tone for compliance with the new under-18 filters.
Prep ad creatives for Threads: Check your Meta library for tall assets (4:5, 9:16) and short copy that fits Threads’ style.
Test conversational content: Use Messenger or Threads replies intentionally, knowing Meta AI could use that context for ad signals.

🌟 Trend to Try

Instagram: “Raw Reels” - unfiltered, in-the-moment storytelling outperforms polished videos right now.
Facebook: Host a live or group AMA; engagement spikes from community-led questions.
Threads: Share brief opinions + follow-up replies keep conversations in the algorithm’s spotlight.

🎶 TikTok

Generative AI creation tools are rolling out globally, adding text-to-video, image-to-video, and AI transition effects directly inside the TikTok app composer. These tools aim to simplify content creation and expand what users can do without leaving the app.
TikTok also shared new data on AI adoption among businesses, noting rapid growth in AI-assisted creative production across brands.

💡 What to Do About It

Start experimenting with TikTok’s in-app AI creation tools for quick concept tests - they’re designed for speed, not perfection.
Use AI transitions or text prompts to reimagine existing content (like turning a blog post headline or product photo into a short-form clip).
Keep monitoring AI labeling requirements on TikTok - branded content may need disclosure if heavily AI-generated.

🌟 Trend to Try

“AI Reimagined” trend: creators are posting two versions of a clip - one human-edited, one AI-generated - and asking viewers which they prefer.
“Visual Glow Ups,” where static product shots or old campaign images are turned into motion clips using TikTok’s new AI image-to-video tool.

💼 LinkedIn

AI data training opt-out: LinkedIn quietly updated settings allowing user content to train generative AI unless toggled off.

💡 What to Do About It

Head to Settings → Data Privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement and toggle it off.
Post a PSA-style update to your network explaining how to do the same — it builds trust and visibility.

🌟 Trend to Try

#HonestLinkedIn posts are trending: open, first-person reflections on work, boundaries, or burnout perform best.

📌 Pinterest

AI-personalized boards: Pinterest introduced smarter “Make it Yours,” “More Ideas,” and “All Saves” tabs.
AI tuner: Users can now fine-tune how much personalization they want in their feed.

💡 What to Do About It

Refresh your seasonal boards (holiday, gifting, lifestyle) using the AI “More Ideas” suggestions for faster curation.
Update board titles and descriptions with trending search terms to match current user intent.

🕵️‍♀️ RUMOR WATCH

(Unverified but Worth Watching)

Instagram removing “Share to Facebook”: Some users report the option is missing or renamed to “Recommend to Facebook.”
Follow-to-auto-DM feature: No verified rollout; only third-party automation tools exist.
Native Story scheduling: Still not available within the app - Meta Business Suite remains the workaround.
Expanded carousels and links in Reels: Limited creator testing noted, no official confirmation yet.

🧭 The Final Swipe

Platforms are pivoting toward AI, personalization, and interaction over perfection. Stay nimble, keep testing, and remember: strategy > speed.

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NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

You’re not the only one. Platforms change faster than most teams can keep up with, and it’s easy to feel like you’re always two steps behind. The truth is: you don’t need to chase every new feature or stress over every algorithm tweak. You need a strategy that helps you focus on what matters most for your brand and your community.

That’s where we come in. At 989 Creative Group, we help mission-led businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs cut through the noise with:

📌 Clear strategies tailored to your goals

📌 Content that actually connects with people (not just feeds the algorithm)

📌 Ongoing support so you can stop guessing and start growing

👉 Whether you need a one-time reset or a long-term partner, we’ll help you stay confident, consistent, and ahead of the curve. Schedule a call with us today to learn more.