What's New: Competitive Insights, Podcast Tools, and AI Opt-Outs

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

Meta steps on the gas with new analytics tools and AI integration, while YouTube and LinkedIn add ways to drive engagement and leads. With all of the AI integrations, we've also included information about what platforms are attempting to pull user content to train their AI model and how to opt out of that.

Let’s jump in.

👥 Meta (Facebook, Instagram, & Threads)

Instagram Competitive Insights
Instagram is rolling out Competitive Insights inside the Professional Dashboard. You can now compare up to 10 accounts for follower growth, engagement, and posting frequency across posts, Reels, and ads.
Meta AI Data Collection (Dec. 16 Update)
Meta’s AI policy update begins December 16. Despite viral claims, Meta will not “read all DMs.” Only chats that include or interact with Meta AI are used for model training. Standard private messages remain encrypted.
Threads Podcast Promotion Tool
Threads added a Podcast section for profiles. Creators can link their show from Spotify, Apple, or RSS feeds. Posts with podcast links now feature cover art and background colors for better visibility.

💡 What to Do About It

Add 5–10 peers to Competitive Insights and track follower deltas monthly.
Limit Meta AI data use: don’t tag @MetaAI, enable end-to-end encryption, and adjust ad personalization.
Add your podcast link to Threads and post episode previews using the new link format.

🌟 Trend to Try

Run a mini “Podcast Q&A” on Threads and tag your latest episode. Use carousel posts on Instagram showing takeaways from your top competitor analysis.

🎶 TikTok

AI Disclosures and LIVE Tools
TikTok requires AI-generated or heavily AI-edited videos to be labeled. The platform’s detection system adds a “Generated by AI” tag when needed.
New LIVE features include “Tiles” layouts and improved creator safety tools.

💡 What to Do About It

Add AI disclosure checks before posting edited or voice-cloned content.
Test LIVE “Tiles” layout for tutorials, interviews, or behind-the-scenes broadcasts.

🌟 Trend to Try

Host a LIVE “Day in the Life” or “Creator Q&A” using multiple camera tiles for higher engagement.

🎥 YouTube

Hype Feature + Members-Only Filters
YouTube’s new Hype option lets viewers “boost” creators’ videos, increasing visibility and highlighting top supporters. Channel pages now include Members-Only filters to separate public from paid content.
AI Protection Tools
YouTube added a likeness-detection tool that lets creators request removal of AI deepfakes using their voice or face.

💡 What to Do About It

Encourage fans to “Hype” your latest video to build momentum early.
Organize member-exclusive videos using the new filters.
Check for deepfake impersonations monthly and file reports if needed.

🌟 Trend to Try

Run a “Hype Drop” challenge - ask viewers to hype your latest upload and shout out top supporters in your next video.

💼 LinkedIn

Event Integrations + Lead Tools
LinkedIn now integrates with ON24 and Cvent, adding lead generation forms and CRM syncs for event promotion.
AI Training Opt-Out
LinkedIn lets users opt out of generative AI data sharing under Settings → Data Privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement.

💡 What to Do About It

Sync upcoming webinars or events through the new integration.
Disable AI data sharing if your organization has compliance restrictions or you don't want LinkedIn using your content.

🌟 Trend to Try

Use event boost ads with CRM-integrated forms to drive qualified signups for your next event.

🐦 X (Twitter)

AI Training + Ad Policy Updates
X allows users to opt out of Grok training (its AI model) and is testing an “aesthetic” score for ads - rewarding simple visuals and penalizing cluttered posts with excessive emojis or hashtags.

💡 What to Do About It

Go to Settings → Privacy and Safety → Grok & Third-Party AI and uncheck training options.
Use one emoji max per ad and keep copy under 120 characters.

🌟 Trend to Try

A/B test minimalist ad creative and track performance against older high-emoji posts.

📌 Pinterest

AI Visual Search + Canvas Model
Pinterest continues to expand its AI-driven Canvas visual search tool. By default, user content trains the model, but you can toggle this off.

💡 What to Do About It

Review Pins for clarity and ensure alt text matches search intent.
Disable AI training if needed: Settings → Privacy & Data → Use your data to train Pinterest Canvas → Off.

🧭 The Final Swipe

AI is the thread connecting nearly every update this week. Stay alert to new privacy settings, adjust your data-sharing preferences, and focus on using emerging engagement tools - from YouTube Hype to Threads Podcasts - to keep your brand ahead.

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NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

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