New Zealand introduces teen social media restrictions

A new ban would require platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook to confirm that users are over 16 years old, per Bloomberg.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Aug. 24, 2026

X launches MCP server

The system allows advertisers to connect their campaigns to the artificial intelligence tool of their choice and use it to guide their promotions.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Aug. 23, 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

How social platforms measure video views

Brands and marketers may need to reconsider what counts as engagement right now in order to ensure accurate campaign reach and audience interest.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Aug. 19, 2026

X offers $175K for Grok-generated versions of The Odyssey

Platform owner Elon Musk voiced a personal dislike of director Christopher Nolan’s recent film and asked creators to reinterpret the story using artificial intelligence.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Aug. 18, 2026

X Chat updates composer

Features include a simplified interface, new voice message gestures and improvements to message drafts.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Aug. 17, 2026

X algorithm insights highlight key posting strategies

A report from Business Insider outlined what the app’s recent source disclosures mean and how to work within the system.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Aug. 17, 2026

X adds video overlays

The feature allows iOS users to add text and emojis over clips, bringing the platform’s editing capabilities more in line with other social media apps.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Aug. 16, 2026

X shares new insights into transparency and shadowbanning

The platform released an update to its code display on GitHub that allows users to check their content for any potential restrictions.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Aug. 13, 2026

X updates creator revenue share parameters

The new program is designed to reward original creators and disincentivize aggregators as the company works to improve its content stream.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Aug. 8, 2026

Head of product at X steps down

Nikita Bier is leaving after just over a year, but said in a post on the app that he’s staying on as an advisor.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Aug. 6, 2026

Can the apps stop AI slop?

Social platforms have been overwhelmed by artificial intelligence-generated content, but companies encourage AI use even as they try to stem the tide.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Aug. 5, 2026

Meta ads introduces stablecoin payment options

Following the demise of its ill-fated Libra experiment, the company is offering third-party cryptocurrency options for creators and advertisers.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Aug. 4, 2026

How to build a brand on X

The platform formerly known as Twitter has more than 550 million monthly active users and is still an important online space for discussion and marketing opportunities.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 30, 2026

Meta still has widest social media reach

Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp each have more than 3 billion users, giving the platforms’ owner a clear lead in the digital community landscape.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 26, 2026

Can social media platforms survive the flood of AI content?

A recent report from Pangram estimated that 41% of posts on LinkedIn show signs of AI generation, highlighting a growing problem across all apps.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 20, 2026

X adds Grok-powered insights to Ads Manager

The move represents the platform’s latest artificial intelligence advancement and could eventually lead to full advertising automation.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 16, 2026

X updates its engagement bait detection

The platform is using Grok’s artificial intelligence system to remove accounts that solicit engagement from its creator revenue share program.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 16, 2026

Elon Musk says he will open-source X codebase

The platform’s owner has previously promised to share algorithm and code data, but earlier offers of transparency fell short.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 15, 2026

X offers Mention Boosts to Premium Business subscribers

The feature allows brands to amplify organic customer call-outs and reviews, converting those posts into promotional campaigns.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 15, 2026

X boosts the posts of users’ mutuals

The move will help people see more updates from profiles they follow after X admitted some missing data affected its algorithm.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 13, 2026

X will DM users about Community Notes updates

Elon Musk announced the news in a recent post, but it appears to replicate an existing procedure on the platform.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 8, 2026

SpaceX rebrands as SpaceXAI

The combined company now encompasses SpaceX, xAI and X.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 7, 2026

X rolls out updated video editor, including green screen recording

The company also launched multi-language captioning as part of a wider feature rollout.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 6, 2026

X launches livestream studio to simplify live broadcasts

The updated livestreaming platform on desktop will provide more options for live video creators. 

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 1, 2026

Social media is the leading source of news, per Reuters

The 2026 Digital News Report found that people rely on social media for news more than TV or news websites.

By Andrew Hutchinson • June 16, 2026