January Digital News

Instagram introduces an important update to hashtag management: only up to five hashtags per post will be taken into account for content distribution. The goal is to reduce spam and encourage the use of more targeted and relevant hashtags, rewarding quality over quantity. For brands and creators, this means rethinking their Instagram SEO strategy and focusing on truly relevant keywords for their audience.

Instagram is also testing Instagram Friends, a feature that changes how profiles are displayed by more clearly distinguishing between one-way follows and mutual relationships. Following makes way for Friends: not a new type of connection, but a different way to highlight real relationships, shifting the focus from quantity to quality.

Meta has rolled out a series of updates on Facebook focused more on user experience than visibility. The feed has been optimized to highlight relevant content and interactions, while AI is increasingly used to personalize recommendations and support users. At the same time, in Europe, users are gaining more control over ads and data, signaling a stronger focus on quality, usefulness, and responsibility.

WhatsApp introduces new features designed to make chats and channels more interactive and customizable. Updates include greater privacy control, advanced tools for group management, and improvements to content sharing—moving toward a more complete, user-centric messaging experience.

Threads is testing animated stickers in posts, a feature aimed at making content more expressive and engaging. Stickers add a visual and emotional layer to conversations, bringing Threads closer to a more creative and less text-driven language. The test aims to encourage more spontaneous and dynamic interactions on the platform.

X introduces Starter Packs, themed collections of accounts designed to help users discover relevant profiles from their very first interaction. The goal is to simplify onboarding and foster more meaningful connections, improving both the initial experience and feed quality.

Google introduces Personal Intelligence in AI Mode, an evolution of artificial intelligence designed to deliver increasingly contextual and personalized responses. The AI considers searches, habits, and user preferences to provide more useful and relevant results—moving decisively toward a search engine that acts as a personal assistant.

In Europe, TikTok is updating its age-verification systems to make platform access more reliable. The aim is to better identify underage users and adapt content and user experience accordingly, aligning with regulatory requirements. This move reinforces the platform’s growing focus on safety and digital responsibility.

Spotify is working on a new integration between audiobooks and physical books, aiming to create a smoother, more continuous listening and reading experience. The idea is to let users switch between formats without losing their place, bridging the physical and digital worlds and strengthening Spotify’s vision as a 360-degree audio platform.