
Social media updates and new features to know this week
This week, TikTok made waves by launching its Campus Verification feature, a bold step that transforms the platform from a content hub into a networking tool for college students. By allowing users to add their school and graduation year to their profiles, TikTok is tapping into the desire for real-world connections, reminiscent of Facebook's original mission. The feature requires verification through an academic email address, ensuring authenticity and fostering a trusted community.
![15 Social Media Marketing Trends for 2026 [Infographic]](https://storage.perfectcdn.com/iru7pq/lbsjnbxdggx7tnmq.png)
15 Social Media Marketing Trends for 2026 [Infographic]
Artificial intelligence is transforming every facet of social media marketing, moving from a supportive tool to the core engine of strategy. In 2026, AI won't just generate captions or suggest hashtags; it will power hyper-personalized content streams, manage proactive community interactions, and even introduce AI-powered profiles designed to boost platform engagement. The shift means marketers can focus on big-picture creativity and emotional resonance while AI handles the scalable, data-driven tasks.

TikTok Expands Affiliate Marketing Program
TikTok is supercharging the creator economy with a significant expansion of its affiliate marketing program, streamlining how influencers post links and earn commissions. This updated process moves beyond clunky bio links to enable seamless product tagging and in-app purchases, turning every video into a potential storefront. The platform's shift from pure entertainment to a commerce powerhouse is driven by user behavior, with 45.5% of U.S. TikTok users projected to make at least one purchase on TikTok Shop in 2025, highlighting the immense opportunity for monetization.

YouTube Adds AI Audio Replacement Options, Tests ‘Hype’ Purchasing
YouTube is revolutionizing how creators handle audio copyright issues with new AI-powered recommendations in its "Replace Song" function. This update allows for seamless audio replacements, keeping videos active and monetizable without the hassle of manual edits.

Getting Started: Your two paths to a YouTube Podcast
At the heart of YouTube's podcasting system lies a deceptively simple idea: your show is a playlist that you designate as a podcast. This isn't just a label; it's a technical trigger that unlocks a suite of features designed specifically for episodic content. When you set a playlist as a podcast, YouTube activates a dedicated "Podcasts" tab on your channel, makes your episodes eligible for the YouTube Music app, and prioritizes them in podcast-specific discovery algorithms. This foundational shift from a simple video upload to a structured, serialized container is your first step to success.

TikTok Affiliate Marketing Guide 2025
TikTok has evolved from a short-video platform into a thriving marketplace where creators can turn engagement into income. With TikTok Shop at its core, affiliate marketing allows you to promote products and earn commissions on every sale driven by your content.

Kirby Smart Reacts to Viral Video Taking Over UGA Social Media
In the age of social media, few things spread faster than a heartwarming or hilarious sports moment, and the video of a young Georgia fan refusing to sing "Rocky Top" has become a cultural phenomenon. Garnering over 4.6 million views on a single Twitter post within days, this clip has transcended typical fan content to capture the essence of rivalry and loyalty in college football. It's not just a viral video; it's a statement that resonates deeply with the Georgia Bulldogs community and beyond.

Tesla's comeback, Zuckerberg's Threads vs. Musk's X, and Apple AirPod cameras: Tech news roundup
In a twist that caught Wall Street off guard, Tesla roared back in the second quarter of 2024 with approximately 444,000 vehicle deliveries, surpassing the tempered expectations of around 438,000. This performance marks a significant moment for the electric vehicle giant, which had faced lowered forecasts amid industry-wide headwinds.

TikTok Shop’s LIVE Snowglobe Studios at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2024
As the festive lights twinkle over Hyde Park, TikTok Shop is orchestrating a retail revolution with its first-ever Snowglobe Studios at Winter Wonderland 2024. This two-day LIVE shopping showcase isn't just another pop-up; it's a bold reimagining of how we discover, engage with, and purchase products, seamlessly stitching the digital marketplace into the fabric of a beloved physical event.

Instagram Announces Major Update Affecting Public Profiles
Instagram has just unleashed a transformative update that redefines how users interact with public profiles. The platform now allows anyone to reshare public Stories to their own feed, even without being tagged—a significant departure from the previous tagging-only restriction. This move expands on existing repost tools for Reels and feed posts, creating a more fluid content ecosystem where amplification meets proper attribution.