Social media platforms have wasted no time rolling out new features this summer, with July bringing a wide range of updates focused on content discovery, creator tools, AI-powered functionality and platform growth. From Instagram’s long-awaited profile grid rearranging feature to Threads reaching 500 million monthly active users, the latest social media updates signal a continued shift towards personalisation, creator empowerment and more sophisticated advertising solutions.
Here’s everything marketers, creators and brands need to know about the social media updates from July 2026.
Grab a coffee we have a lot to get through!
Missed last month’s roundup? Catch up on the June 2026 social media updates here.
Instagram rolls out profile grid rearranging
Image: Mashable
The social media update social media managers and creators have been waiting for! Instagram has officially launched profile grid rearranging, allowing users to manually reorder posts on their profile and highlight key content without deleting or reposting. For brands and creators, this provides greater control over profile presentation, making it easier to showcase campaigns, products and evergreen content.
Connect through Whatsapp without phone numbers
On WhatsApp, you can create a unique username (for example, @Name123) to keep your phone number private. The feature is rolling out gradually over the coming months and will officially launch later in 2026.
Instagram expands ‘Your Algorithm’ controls to the main feed
Image: Social Media Today
Instagram has extended ‘Your Algorithm’ feature beyond Reels, giving users more control over the content they see in their main feed. Users can now adjust topic preferences based on their interests, helping Instagram deliver more personalised recommendations. For marketers, this is another sign that audience interest signals are becoming increasingly important for content discovery.
Instagram continues its push into search and SEO
Instagram has strengthened its search capabilities, with continued improvements to content discovery and topic-based recommendations. The platform has shifted away from relying solely on hashtags, instead focusing on keywords, captions and user intent to surface content. For brands, this reinforces the importance of social media SEO. Optimised captions, descriptive profile information and keyword-rich content are becoming more valuable for visibility.
This update is a big step for Instagram as both a brand awareness and commercial channel. Content will no longer be limited to the feed or Explore page. With the right strategy, it can help brands reach more people organically, show up in search and drive stronger intent to buy.
Instagram brings teleprompter functionality into the main app
Instagram has expanded its teleprompter feature from Edits into the main camera experience. The tool allows creators to add a scrolling script while recording, helping them stay on message without memorising lines or repeatedly checking notes. The update should prove particularly useful for educational content, brand messaging and creator partnerships.
Edits is coming to desktop with AI-powered assistance
Meta has announced that its Edits video editing platform is getting a desktop version, alongside a new AI-powered production assistant. The assistant will offer content suggestions, workflow support and performance insights, while desktop access will make it easier for social media teams to incorporate Edits into their existing production processes. For marketers managing multiple campaigns and channels, the update could help streamline content creation.
TikTok launches branded minidramas
Image: Social Media Today
TikTok is expanding its Growth Max promotion offering with branded minidramas, giving businesses the opportunity to promote their own episodic short-form series in the app. The move builds on the growing popularity of soap opera-style microseries, which are designed to keep viewers engaged through short, serialised episodes. With the format generating significant revenue and TikTok already investing in a dedicated Minis section and its standalone PineDrama app, the new feature gives brands another way to connect with audiences through storytelling.
Instagram launches Instagram Plus subscription
Did you see this coming? Instagram CEO, Mosseri has officially confirmed the launch of Instagram Plus, a new premium subscription offering additional features for users. The package includes tools such as Super Hearts, Story Spotlights and enhanced profile customisation options. While Instagram remains free to use, the move reflects the platform’s growing interest in premium experiences and subscription-based features.
LinkedIn tests collaborative posts
LinkedIn has begun testing collaborative posts, allowing creators and brands to co-author content directly within the platform. Users can invite individuals or company pages to collaborate on posts through a new Add Collaborators option. The feature could help brands expand reach, strengthen partnerships and improve engagement by bringing multiple audiences into a single conversation.
LinkedIn expands support for creator monetisation
LinkedIn continues to invest in its creator ecosystem, with new initiatives designed to help creators build audiences and strengthen brand partnerships. The platform has been steadily introducing features that support newsletters, thought leadership content and professional influence. As LinkedIn grows its creator offering, B2B marketers should continue exploring opportunities to partner with industry voices and employee advocates.
Is there a best time to post on Instagram?
Social media managers keep asking the same question…when is the best time to post? Unfortunately, there is (still) no universal answer. As Instagram CEO Mosseri has pointed out, audience behaviour varies significantly between accounts, industries and regions. The good news is however, is that you do not have to guess anymore. Instagram Insights shows when your followers are online each day of the week, giving brands a clearer view of when their own audience is most likely to be active.
LinkedIn launches AI training courses for marketers
LinkedIn has partnered with Adobe to introduce a new series of AI-focused learning courses for marketers. The programme aims to help professionals develop practical artificial intelligence skills, covering key marketing disciplines and workflows. The launch comes as demand for AI expertise continues to grow across the marketing industry.
Threads reaches 500 million monthly active users
Threads has reached a significant milestone, surpassing 500 million monthly active users. The achievement puts the platform in direct competition with X. For brands, the milestone signals that Threads is becoming an increasingly important platform for real-time conversations and community engagement.
Threads have introduced new engagement and community features
Alongside its audience growth, Threads has continued to roll out features designed to improve conversations and user engagement. The platform has been refining recommendation systems, community tools and interaction features as it works to increase retention and participation. As user numbers continue to rise, brands may find more opportunities to engage audiences through timely and conversational content.
TikTok launches a dedicated events app
Image: TechCruch
TikTok has introduced TikTok Pro Events, a standalone app designed to deepen engagement around major cultural moments and live events. Users can take part in daily challenges, earn rewards and unlock exclusive experiences through participation. The launch highlights TikTok’s continued focus on community-driven engagement and fan culture.
Reddit research highlights growing influence on purchase decisions
New research from Reddit and WPP has explored how users rely on communities when researching products and brands.
Key findings include:
77% of Redditors visit two or more communities before making a purchase decision
63% say they trust purchasing decisions informed by Reddit discussions more than those influenced by other social platforms.
58% say they are more likely to trust a brand that responds directly to customer questions within a thread
The findings highlight Reddit’s growing role in the customer journey and the importance of authentic brand participation.
Meta provides AI glasses to visually impaired veterans
Image: Military
Meta has announced a new initiative that will provide AI-powered smart glasses to more than 130,000 legally blind veterans in the US. The glasses offer features such as document reading, scene description and real-time language translation. While not a traditional social media update, we thought it was too good not to share!
UK government outlines plan for teen social media restrictions
The UK government has announced plans to explore stricter social media restrictions for under-16s, drawing lessons from similar proposals in Australia. Find out ‘What the UK’s under-16 social media ban means for brands, creators and communities’.
Snapchat introduces AI-powered ad creation tools
Image: Snapchat Business
Snapchat has unveiled new AI-powered advertising features, including a chatbot assistant within Ads Manager. Advertisers can describe campaign objectives and receive tailored guidance on setup, optimisation and performance improvements. The platform has also expanded its creator partnership tools through the Snap Creator Network.
Meta expands livestream shopping features
Meta has announced several updates to its livestream shopping capabilities, including wider availability of live video ads and new affiliate opportunities. The company is also working with additional live commerce partners to support shopping-focused broadcasts. The updates reflect Meta’s continued investment in social commerce and live shopping experiences.
Reddit launches new ad formats
Reddit has introduced a range of new advertising options, including free-form ads, updated shopping formats and Redditor Highlights.
The new formats are designed to better mirror the organic content users engage with across the platform.
For advertisers, the changes offer more flexibility to tell stories, showcase products and participate in community conversations.
From new creator tools and AI-powered advertising features to platform growth and evolving content discovery, July has brought plenty for brands and marketers to keep an eye on.
We’ll be back next month with another roundup of the latest social media news, platform updates and marketing trends. In the meantime, follow Brandnation for more social media insights, industry news and digital marketing updates.
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About the author
Niamh Conneely | Junior Account Manager
With experience across beauty, lifestyle, and tech, working with both B2B and B2C brands, Niamh is passionate about all things social and loves turning strategy into engaging campaigns.
