Row of people holding smartphones with social media reaction emojis around the screens
parallax background

May 2025 Social Media Platform Updates

Thursday 5th June 2025

Blog Author Beth Perrin by Beth Perrin

Share
Button
Button
Button

Plenty of new features and updates were released by all of our favourite social media platforms throughout May, which will not only help brands improve their marketing strategies but will also make it easier for casual users to connect with their friends and family members. Let’s take a look at a selection of them below so you can decide which ones will be beneficial to you or your business this summer.

 

Instagram ‘Edits’ Updates

Instagram started the month by launching a handful of updates for its new video editing app ‘Edits’, which was released in April and is a useful accompaniment to the main app for creating eye-catching Reels.

• Apply all

You can now apply your desired filters, effects, transitions and adjustments to every clip in a sequence, meaning you won’t have to duplicate them manually across each clip anymore.

• New fonts

125 new fonts have been added to the app, allowing for more creativity and fun text options.

• Voice effects

15 vocal effects are now available for your voiceovers.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Instagram’s @Creators (@creators)

 

LinkedIn Embedding Improvements

LinkedIn introduced some improvements to its post embedding process, including a cleaner visual design, a compact preview option, and clearer recognition that the content has come from LinkedIn. A new ‘video only’ option has also been added, so now when you embed a LinkedIn video post on your website, you can choose to just embed the video on its own without the rest of the post if you prefer.

 
 

TikTok Livestream DMs

TikTok has added a new way for creators to generate direct leads and spark more interest from their livestreams, with the ability to switch on DMs during a broadcast. A button labelled ‘LIVE setup for client acquisition’ will now appear within the livestream settings, which, when activated, will add a message CTA button to any future broadcasts, allowing viewers to quickly and easily get in contact with the creator during their streams.

This could be especially useful for creators who often showcase products and other shopping elements in their Live content, as prospective customers will be able to ask questions about each item straight away, helping to speed up the purchase process.

 

 
 

AI-Powered Job Search on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is rolling out a new AI-powered job search process that will enable users to describe their dream job in basic terms and conversational language, which LinkedIn’s system will then use to match that person to real roles and career opportunities available on the platform.

According to LinkedIn: “Finding the right role is often the biggest hurdle - especially when you don’t know what keywords to use, what titles to search for, or how to express what you really want. That’s why we’ve built a new search experience that lets members describe their goals in their own words and get results that truly reflect what they’re looking for - even roles they didn’t know existed.”

The company hopes that this tool will make the jobseeking process less daunting and difficult, as: “While traditional job search tools are bounded by predefined filters and keywords, AI Job Search more closely mirrors a discussion with a career advisor or a trusted colleague.”


 
 

More ‘Edits’ Updates

Instagram released another round of updates to its ‘Edits’ app halfway through the month, giving Reels creators even more new ways to express themselves and showcase their ideas.

• Text animations

You can now choose from 50 dynamic text animations to make your text more lively and eye-catching.

• Safe zones

Yellow markers will now appear during the creation process to show you which areas of your video will be fully visible when posted.

• Transitions

30 new transitions have been added for you to apply between clips.

• Filters

30 different filter options have been added to give your videos a unique look and feel.

• Automatic captions

To make your videos more accessible, you can now apply automatic captions in 11 different text styles.

• Frame rate

You can now convert your video into a different frame rate, allowing you to enhance playback smoothness.

• Beat markers

Auto-detected beat markers will help you align your video clips to the rhythm of your chosen audio track.

• Video effects

You can now apply a mix of preset animations and visual effects to your clips.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Instagram’s @Creators (@creators)

 
 

Add Multiple Links to Your Threads Bio

In order to enhance its appeal to bloggers, podcasters and other creators with content on external platforms they might want to promote, Threads has introduced the ability to add up to five links to your bio. This will be a handy addition for anyone using Threads to boost their business and generate direct leads - especially as the platform is also currently rolling out a range of new link analytics tools that will allow you to easily see how many clicks your links are generating.

 

 
View on Threads

 
 

Animate Static Images on TikTok

In order to bring photos to life in the app, TikTok has launched a brand new tool called ‘AI Alive’, which allows users to transform static images into animated short-form videos that combine movement with creative effects.

To try it out, open the Story camera by tapping the blue “+” on the top of the inbox page or profile page, then choose a single photo from your Story album. The AI Alive icon will appear on the right side toolbar on the editing page, where you can then animate your image. After creating and posting your AI Alive story, other users can then view it on the For You page, the Following feed, or on your profile page.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by TikTok (@tiktok)

 
 

Create Threads Feed Ads with Meta’s Marketing API

Meta recently opened up Threads ads to all advertisers, and now it’s also expanding its marketing API to support them too, enabling third-party platforms to facilitate the creation of Threads ads. This will make it much easier for social media management platforms and ad networks to offer Threads ads within their ad creation tools, while the ‘Threads feed’ placement will provide a new way for advertisers to expand their campaigns using their existing image assets.

Ads on Threads will appear between organic content in the home feed, and the objectives available will be Reach, Traffic and Website Conversions. Advertisers will of course require a Threads profile in order to run ads on the platform.

 
 

New Options for X’s Grok Chatbot

Two new abilities have been added to X’s Grok chatbot, which the platform describes as “your truth-seeking AI companion for honest answers and insightful analysis”.

• Data charts

You can now upload a dataset and Grok will turn it into a chart for you, making it easier to visualise and share your data.

• Draw a sketch

If you’re struggling to communicate what you mean, you can now draw a basic sketch in order to communicate your ideas to the bot.

 

 
 

WhatsApp Audio Chats for All Groups

Previously, WhatsApp audio rooms were only available only for large groups, but thanks to a recent update, members of group chats of any size can now start a voice chat by going to the bottom of the conversation, swiping up and holding for a few seconds. Voice chats are different from regular calls, as they don’t notify or call anyone when started, however people within that group can simply join and leave the hangout whenever they like. Sharing examples of when the feature might come in handy, WhatsApp noted that it will be ideal for: “a nail-biting football game, a dramatic season finale or sharing some big news”.

 

 
 

AI Assistant for TikTok Sellers

TikTok has added an AI-powered chatbot called ‘Seller Assistant’ into its Seller Centre product management platform, which is where brands can go to find information regarding the promotion and sale of products in the app. The assistant will offer real-time guidance, tailored recommendations and interactive support, enabling sellers to complete time-sensitive tasks without having to wait to get in contact with a real support agent or search through lengthy help articles.

The Seller Assistant uses AI to offer personalised and contextual recommendations based on each seller’s shop activity - for example, when it comes to launching new products, a seller can ask the bot for tailored insights about current trends and why they’re relevant to their business specifically.

 
 

WhatsApp for iPad

Following years of requests and anticipation from fans, WhatsApp has finally unveiled its long-awaited iPad app, giving tablet users a new way to access their chats and calls. According to the platform: “WhatsApp for iPad brings all your favourite features to a larger screen and makes keeping in touch with friends and family even easier. Make video and audio calls with up to 32 people, share your screen, and use both front and back cameras.”

Multitasking features such as Stage Manager, Split View and Slide Over will allow users to view multiple apps at once, meaning they can send messages while browsing the web, or research options for a group trip while on a call together.

 

 
 

WhatsApp Status Updates

WhatsApp has added some new ways for users to express themselves via their Status, which is essentially the app’s own version of Stories.

• Layout

You can now turn up to six photos into a collage, using a range of editing tools to lay them out exactly how you want.

• More with music

Share a Status post focused entirely on a particular song, or use a music sticker to share the song that best sets the vibe you’re looking for.

• Photo stickers

You can turn a photo into a sticker, edit it to make sure it’s the right size and shape, and add it to your status.

• Add yours

Use the ‘Add yours’ sticker to invite friends to respond to your prompt, after which they can share it to their own status and hear what their community has to say as well.

 

 
 

Summary

It’s been another busy month in the world of social, with AI-based tools continuing to be a popular choice among the top platforms. Which of these updates have you already tried out and which ones have you found useful so far? Find us on X @3sixfivepro to share your thoughts about all the latest releases and let us know which new features you’re planning to check out over the coming weeks, whether that’s for your personal use or for marketing purposes.


 
Back to the blog