Meta says shopping is Muse’s primary use case

In its third-quarter earnings transcript, CEO Mark Zuckerberg touted the artificial intelligence agent’s download numbers and outlined its benefits.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 22, 2026

Meta offers insights on individual platform growth

Alongside its third-quarter earnings release, the company revealed usage notes and engagement data for Facebook, Instagram and Threads.  

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 22, 2026

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Top 5 stories from Social Media Today

A look at the recent top stories in social media and what they mean for marketers.

By Social Media Today staff

Meta hit with $25 billion fine over privacy breaches

A New Mexico judge ordered the company to pay damages after a jury found Meta guilty of exposing user data, per Reuters.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 22, 2026

Meta offers creative targeting for ads

The company added a new feature that will allow third-party platforms to tailor age ranges and gender details for different elements in a promotional campaign.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 21, 2026

Meta adds users and revenue as AI costs climb

Revenue rose 26% year over year in the third quarter to nearly $65 billion, but expenses were up 68% due to capital expenditures.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 21, 2026

Australia prepares to sue social platforms over age violations

Bloomberg reported that the government plans to sue Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube for alleged noncompliance with a nationwide ban on teen users.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 20, 2026

Instagram announces next phase of Rings creative talent awards

The promotional event is designed to highlight the app’s top creators and features judges including Donatella Versace and A$AP Rocky.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 20, 2026

Instagram chief says stronger AI slop prevention is needed

The company is actively trying to combat artificial intelligence content replication, Adam Mosseri said in both a weekly Q&A and a separate Threads post.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 19, 2026

Recent mistakes highlight the risks of AI

A series of problems at Meta and X exposed some of the vulnerabilities in artificial intelligence systems.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 19, 2026

Meta outlines Muse AI use cases for businesses

The company shared info on some of the more common business use cases for its Muse tools based on examples it has seen so far.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 18, 2026

Meta updates terms of service amid concerns around data scraping

The company changed the wording of its agreement after some language in the previous provisions exposed potential legal loopholes.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 18, 2026

Meta adds audio links and reference Reels to Edits

The company continues to build out its video editing app with custom kit options and additional insights for creators.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 15, 2026

Meta offers enhanced ad campaign exposure

A trio of ad updates includes a new First Impressions option and expanded Reels services.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 15, 2026

Meta assists with scam crackdown in West Africa

The company joined Google, Microsoft and others in a larger law enforcement effort designed to disrupt criminal networks.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 13, 2026

Meta offers updated ad placement control guidance

The revised overview provides options for enabling some level of ongoing control as the company continues to automate its ad display systems. 

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 12, 2026

Social media platforms have not ruled out execution livestream

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth proposed that a December military execution be livestreamed, and many platforms haven’t yet weighed in.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 11, 2026

There is no viable case for widespread generative AI access

Despite the push to incorporate artificial intelligence into every aspect of social media and online life, the risks far outweigh AI’s narrow use case.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 11, 2026

Meta removes access verification for developers

The company is retiring a separate access review process for third-party apps and will rely on Business Verification and App Review instead.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 11, 2026

AI favors brands with an active social media presence

Social platform links appeared in a majority of Google’s artificial intelligence search results, according to a new study.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 7, 2026

Edits app gets carousel editing tools

Users can apply some of the app’s video editing features to enhance carousel layouts, change fonts and add overlays.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 7, 2026

Meta outlines political ad restrictions

The company once again plans to limit campaign and candidate-related promotions in the week leading up to the U.S. midterm elections.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 7, 2026

Meta introduces new AI-powered tools at Advertising Week

The company is testing importing and creative insight features, as well as improved conversational guidance for its artificial intelligence elements.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 6, 2026

Top social media conferences to watch in 2027

Relevant topics professionals can look forward to include artificial intelligence, influencer marketing and more.

By Sara Karlovitch • Oct. 6, 2026

Instagram tests option to open to Reels

The app has been prioritizing Reels over its main feed for a while and this move suggests a further shift away from Stories.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 5, 2026

Social media platforms resist UK safety disclosures

Meta, TikTok and X are challenging requests from digital regulator Ofcom asking for detailed ​content moderation metrics, per Reuters.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Oct. 5, 2026