Social Media Updates: May 2025

1. Broadcast Channels Are Open to All Creators

Broadcast Channels, Instagram’s one-way group chats for updates, polls, and behind-the-scenes voice notes, are now available to anyone with a creator account.

Why it matters:

Instead of hoping your most loyal followers catch your posts in the feed, you can now directly update them through a dedicated channel—no fighting the algorithm.

Try this:

Create a VIP customer channel and share sneak peeks, product drops, or special discount codes.

2. New ‘Blend’ Feature for Reels

Instagram just launched a feature called Blend, allowing two users to “blend” their Reels into a shared feed experience.

When two people agree to a Blend, Instagram automatically curates a private feed of Reels it thinks they’ll both like, based on their past activity.

Why it matters:

It taps into relationship-driven discovery and could open up new ways for your content to get seen by people outside your immediate followers—especially if your audience shares your Reels in their Blend groups.

Try this:

Encourage followers to “blend” with you by posting a CTA like “Blend your feed with ours and discover exclusive Reels first!”

3. Storylines: Collaborative Stories Are Coming

Instagram is testing Storylines, a new way for multiple users to contribute to a shared Story experience, building an ongoing narrative together.

Why it matters:

If rolled out widely, this feature could allow brands to build community campaigns, customer highlights, or team takeovers in one seamless Story thread.

Try this:

Start brainstorming collaborative Story ideas now—think customer appreciation Storylines, behind-the-scenes event coverage, or “team favorites” product features.

4. Expanded Reel Insights

New Reel metrics are now available, including:

• Rewatch rates (how often viewers rewatched)

• Average watch time

• Follower vs. non-follower breakdowns

Why it matters:

Understanding rewatch behavior and average watch time helps you create stickier content that people come back to.

Try this:

Identify your highest rewatch Reels and brainstorm how to turn them into mini-series, sequels, or expanded topics.

5. Paid Partnership Tag Updates

Paid Partnership tools now allow:

• Up to three collaborators to be tagged per post

• Easier backend access to performance data for brand collabs

Why it matters:

More visibility and data-sharing = better results when partnering with creators or when you’re tagged in user-generated content.

Try this:

If you work with influencers, encourage them to use the new collab tags so your posts show up in multiple feeds.

6. Meta Verified Updates for Businesses

Meta’s Verified program is expanding—and it’s not just for creators anymore.

Businesses on Instagram and Facebook can now pay for verification, gaining access to exclusive support, increased brand trust (the blue check), and special discovery boosts.

Why it matters:

Customers are more likely to trust Verified accounts, especially when shopping or booking services online.

Try this:

If you sell through Instagram or Facebook Shops—or rely heavily on social DMs for sales—it might be worth considering Meta Verified to strengthen trust signals.

7. Algorithm Shift: Prioritizing Saveable & Searchable Content

Instagram’s latest algorithm adjustments are rewarding:

• Educational content

• Tip lists

• How-to’s

• Searchable captions with keywords

Why it matters:

Posts that get saved or found through search have a longer lifespan than posts that rely solely on likes or quick reactions. This means your best content can continue bringing you new followers, leads, and engagement days—or even weeks—after you post it. Focusing on saveable and searchable content helps you build sustainable, lasting visibility instead of chasing short-lived viral moments.

Try this:

Use keywords your audience would naturally type when searching (e.g., “easy skincare tips” or “affordable home decor ideas”) inside your captions—not just in hashtags.

Quick Wins You Can Implement This Month

- Launch a Broadcast Channel for your most loyal customers

- Start planning a collaborative Storyline idea

- Pin fresh content to your top grid spots

- Audit your Reels for rewatch-worthy themes

- Sprinkle SEO-friendly keywords into your captions

- Consider Meta Verified if building consumer trust is key to
your sales