Social Media Buzz Weekly: Roundup of Social Media Updates

Welcome to Social Media Buzz Weekly, your weekly bulletin of the latest social media updates. With the social media landscape evolving with each passing day, it can be challenging to keep a tab on the rapid developments. Well, not anymore, as we have taken it upon ourselves to keep you abreast of every happening in the social media space.

So, without any further ado, let’s look at some of the most significant developments from the last week in the world of social media.

1. Meta Begins Training Its AI Tools on EU User Data

https://thehackernews.com/2025/04/meta-resumes-eu-ai-training-using.html

Meta is taking another step forward with its AI tools in Europe, with an expansion of its AI training to posts shared by EU users.

The move is especially significant, given the various delays and challenges that Meta has faced in gaining approval for EU data usage, under the region’s more stringent data privacy rules. But now, it seems that Meta will be able to move ahead, though somewhat cautiously, as it eyes broader AI deployment. The challenge that Meta has faced with its AI development in Europe is that the region’s more specific data controls have made it harder for Meta to roll out large-scale data collection for AI training purposes.

2. Meta Chief Mark Zuckerberg Testifies at Landmark US Antitrust Trial

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g2z80e2kjo

Meta Platforms chief and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg took the stand in a landmark US antitrust trial in which his social media juggernaut stands accused of abusing its market power to acquire Instagram and WhatsApp before they could become competitors.

The start of the trial in a Washington federal court dashed the hopes of Zuckerberg that the return of Donald Trump to the White House would see the government let up on the enforcement of antitrust law against Big Tech. The Meta case is being made by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the powerful US consumer protection agency, and could see the owner of Facebook forced to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, which have grown into global powerhouses since their buyout.

3. TikTok Adds More Ad Placement Controls, New Guide to Brand Safety Tools

https://searchengineland.com/tiktok-ads-exclusion-lists-454355

TikTok has announced an expansion of its brand safety and verification partnerships, while it’s also launched a new Brand Safety and Suitability Playbook, which provides more insight into its suite of verification and safety solutions to help advertisers manage their TikTok ads.

TikTok is adding two options to verify your TikTok ads performance, with Video Exclusion Lists and Profile Feed Exclusion Lists. As per TikTok, TikTok Video Exclusion List enables advertisers to exclude specific video IDs from appearing next to their ads, offering near real-time exclusions and more granular control over ad adjacency and suitability. TikTok Profile Feed Exclusion List allows advertisers to exclude specific profile pages (by username) from serving adjacent to their Profile Feed ads, helping brands maintain alignment with their messaging and brand identity.

4. TikTok Launches Expanded Creator Incentive Program To Fend Off Advances From Instagram

https://www.socialdiscoveryinsights.com/2025/04/10/tiktok-expands-creator-incentive-program-to-retain-top-spot/

TikTok is looking to retain them via a new, invite-only “Specialized Rewards Program”, which will provide additional monetization opportunities for selected creators in the app.

TikTok is now alerting selected users to its new incentive program. The program will provide “additional rewards” on top of the regular Creator Rewards Program earnings, which will give TikTok an additional lever to pull to pay more money to top stars in selected niche areas.

5. Snapchat Shares Data on How Happiness Drives Snap Ads Response

https://forbusiness.snapchat.com/blog/happy-audience-high-attention

Snapchat has published a new study, in conjunction with IPG Mediahub and Amplified Intelligence, which looks at how happiness drives engagement in social apps, and what that means for brand promotions on Snap.

Snap says that it used eye-tracking technology, as well as machine learning-based “emotional detection” to get a measure of response from study participants. Snap and its partners then showed a selection of social media users four different ads each, from Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

6. Snapchat Will Now Enable Brands to Sponsor Its Creator Education Events

https://passionfru.it/snap-creator-education-162329/

Snapchat is rolling out a new ad option which will enable brands to sponsor Snap’s own creator education events.

The new option will enable brands to sponsor “Snap Schools,” which are educational events for Snap creators. Snap Schools are fun and interactive workshops, hosted in-person or via webinar, where creators can learn the latest Snapchat best practices, connect with peers, and deepen their engagement with the Snapchat app. As explained by Snapchat, it’s already run an initial trial of this offering with Clinique, which saw the beauty brand sponsor two Snap School events.

7. Snapchat Shares Research into Travel Purchase Influences

https://www.netinfluencer.com/snapchat-study-reveals-the-new-trinity-reshaping-travel-purchases-in-2025/

Snapchat has shared a new report into the latest consumer travel trends, and how Snap ads can help you connect with travelers ahead of the Summer season. The report, conducted in partnership with Publicis Media and NRG, looks at how different ad approaches can help to engage travel shoppers, along with the specific elements that drive purchase decisions.

The report shows that more people are now using advanced experiences within their travel discovery process, including things like virtual tours and AI-powered recommendations. The study data also shows that 73% of travelers first learn about new travel ideas on social platforms, while Snapchatters in particular are 3.1x more likely to make travel-related purchases via links sent by friends and family (or shared by creators).

8. X Announces NBA Portal To Encourage Sports Engagement

https://frontofficesports.com/x-twitter-launching-new-nba-portal-ahead-of-playoffs/

X has announced a new NBA Portal activation, an in-app destination where basketball fans will be able to keep up to date on the latest league news and headlines, just in time for the playoffs.

Essentially, the NBA Portal is similar to the NFL Portal that X launched last November, providing a centralized space to keep up with league news. As with the NFL version, the NBA Portal will include a live feed of the latest posts about the NBA, as well as dedicated tabs for in-progress games, standings, and stats.

9. Canva Adds LinkedIn Video Creation Templates

https://www.businesstechweekly.com/pending/canvas-new-linkedin-video-templates-boost-engagement-with-trending-video-content/

As part of Canva’s broader app redesign, it’s also added new LinkedIn video templates, which will make it easier to create engaging video content for the app.

The new video templates will provide simple overlays and effects that are aligned with LinkedIn’s trending video themes. Canva now provides a range of LinkedIn video templates, which include on-screen graphics, prompts, frames, and more, which you can choose from when creating your video for the app. And with video watch time in the app up 36% year-over-year, and video content generating 1.4x more engagement than other formats, it’s definitely worth considering.

10. LinkedIn Expands Its Top-Of-Feed News Banner to More Regions

https://markedium.com/linkedin-expands-real-time-news-banner-to-boost-global-engagement-and-topical-discussions/

LinkedIn is expanding its top-of-feed news banner to more regions, as it looks to drive more topical engagement within the app.

Launched earlier this year in selected markets, LinkedIn’s news banner provides a rotating headline summary of trending news stories of the day, as chosen by LinkedIn’s editorial team. Tap on any headline and you’ll be taken to a listing of relevant articles and LinkedIn posts about that topic, so you can engage with other LinkedIn members about the news of the day.

11. LinkedIn Launches New Mini-Site of Posting Tips

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/linkedin-launches-new-creator-hub-with-content-strategy-tips/544421/

LinkedIn has launched a new “Create on LinkedIn” mini-site, which includes a range of posting tips, best practices, examples and more.

The mini-site includes a general overview of the “why” of LinkedIn posting, along with links to more specific sections that focus on each element. There’s a range of posting tips, including key fundamentals of engaging LinkedIn content. There’s also a section focused on video specifically, including performance tips, notes on ideal length, and an overview of LinkedIn video specs.

Wrapping Up

And that was a wrap of this week’s Social Media Buzz. We’ll be back next week with more news and updates for you from the social media world. Till then, stay tuned!

If you want to read more on the latest developments taking place in the social media space, take a look at ClickInsights’ Social Media Buzz, wherein we bring to you monthly reports on everything going on in social media, ranging from platform updates to policy changes that influence the way we market.