The Final Scroll of 2025

This Week's Social Media Updates You Should Know

It’s the final Scroll Down of the year. Before we log off, power down, and pretend notifications do not exist, here’s what shifted across platforms since last week. These updates close out 2025 and set the tone for how content, links, search, and commerce will behave in 2026.

Let’s jump in.

👥 Meta (Facebook, Instagram, & Threads)

Facebook Link Limits for non Meta Verified Business Pages
Facebook is testing limits on how many links business Pages and professional accounts can post unless they subscribe to Meta Verified. Some accounts report a cap as low as two link posts per month for non-verified users.
Instagram Posts Now Showing in Google Searches
Instagram is expanding search transparency for creators by surfacing clearer indicators tied to search discoverability. This follows earlier updates making professional content indexable on Google and other search engines.
Instagram's Your Algorithm Rolling Out
Instagram’s “Your Algorithm” controls continue rolling out, giving users more power to shape what appears in their feeds based on interests and feedback.

💡 What to Do About It

Audit how often you rely on link posts for Facebook Pages. If links drive core traffic, start testing alternatives like pinned comments, link stickers, or paid placements.
Treat Instagram content like searchable content. Optimize captions, names, and on-screen text with keywords people actually search.
Watch engagement closely. As users gain more feed control, relevance matters more than volume.

🌟 Trend to Try

Shift link-heavy Facebook posts into value-first native posts. Use education, storytelling, or carousels first. Move the link to the comments and track performance changes.

🎶 TikTok

Add Fundraising Links to Content
TikTok is rolling out the ability to add fundraiser links directly inside videos, expanding donation tools beyond bios and stickers.
TikTok Restructured It's E-Commerce Product & Data Teams
TikTok continues expanding Shop features and restructuring internal ecommerce teams after strong holiday performance, signaling long-term investment in social commerce.

💡 What to Do About It

If you work with nonprofits or cause-driven campaigns, test in-video fundraiser links instead of sending users off-platform.
For brands, watch TikTok Shop updates closely. Product discovery and checkout are becoming one experience. Content strategy and sales strategy are merging fast.

🌟 Trend to Try

Create short, creator-style videos that introduce a cause or product first. Add the fundraiser or Shop link only after context is set. Soft asks outperform hard sells here.

🎥 YouTube

YouTube Tests Still Image Carousels in Shorts Feed
YouTube is testing still image photo carousels that appear directly in the Shorts feed, allowing creators to post image-based content alongside video Shorts.

💡 What to Do About It

Start thinking about Shorts as a mixed-media feed, not video-only. Static visuals, screenshots, quotes, and step-by-step frames now have a place. This is a signal that YouTube wants faster, lighter content creation options to compete with Instagram.

🌟 Trend to Try

Repurpose high-performing Instagram carousels into YouTube image Shorts. Keep text large. Keep frames simple. Test reach before overproducing.

💼 LinkedIn

LinkedIn Launched Year in Review
LinkedIn launched its annual Year in Review experience, giving users a personalized recap of their activity, engagement, and network growth over the past year.

💡 What to Do About It

Use your LinkedIn Wrapped as content. Screenshot insights, reflect on growth, or share one takeaway about what worked for you this year.
This is an easy engagement win before year-end without creating something from scratch.

🌟 Trend to Try

Post a short reflection tied to one data point from your Year in Review. Keep it human. Skip the hustle tone. People respond better to honesty here.

2025 Patters to Carry into 2026

Platforms want you to stay put. Native posts outperform links across Meta, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Expect more friction when sending people off-platform.
Search is social now. Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all lean into search behavior. Captions, names, and on-screen text matter as much as hashtags ever did.
Feeds reward relevance, not volume. User-controlled algorithms mean weak content loses visibility faster. Strong signals win.
Static content is back. Carousels, image posts, and text-forward formats are gaining reach as platforms compete with each other’s strengths.
Commerce and content are merging. TikTok leads here, but Meta and YouTube are close behind. Selling looks more like storytelling than ads.
Subscriptions are creeping in everywhere. Pay-to-play is no longer limited to ads. Verified tiers and premium tools will keep expanding.

If you plan for these now, January feels a lot less chaotic.

🎄 Holiday Prep Checklist Reminders

It's officially almost time to log off for the holidays. Use this checklist to wrap up loose ends so you can step away without stress and actually enjoy time off.

What to do before your holiday break:

Finish December content
Schedule posts, ads, Stories, and emails through the end of the year
Lock in any gift guides, year-end roundups, and recap posts
Test UTM links
Review all ad budgets and adjust pacing
Update landing pages for accuracy
Prep out-of-office replies for your team
Confirm holiday support hours and publish them
Flag campaigns that need real-time monitoring
Collect final analytics for year-end reporting
Draft January content so you start the year strong not scrambling

If you handle multiple clients, run this list for each account to avoid scrambling before the break.

That’s a wrap for the year. Platforms are tightening link control, pushing native behavior, and blending search, content, and commerce into one system. None of this slows down in January.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and scrolling with us this year. Wishing you a happy holiday, a safe New Year, and some real time away from the feed. We’ll see you in 2026.

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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.