Meta updates parental supervision tools

New controls in the company’s Family Center dashboard will build on Instagram’s existing Your Algorithm option, and additional alerts will provide more oversight.

By Andrew Hutchinson • May 12, 2026

Instagram tests captions on each post within carousels

The option would give users more opportunity to add context and potentially generate more engagement with their carousel updates.

By Andrew Hutchinson • May 11, 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

Is Meta really dying?

The New York Times recently published an opinion piece suggesting that the company is at the beginning of the end, but it’s more complicated than that.

By Andrew Hutchinson • May 10, 2026

Instagram eyes long-form content on CTV

Tessa Lyons, Instagram’s vice president of product, told audiences at Scalable Summit that short-form videos may not “be enough to succeed on TV,” per ICYMI.

By Andrew Hutchinson • May 10, 2026

Meta announces AI support for SMBs and rural companies

Joel Kaplan, Meta’s chief of global affairs, said the initiatives were part of a broader push to help U.S. entrepreneurs use artificial intelligence tools.

By Andrew Hutchinson • May 7, 2026

Meta challenges latest legal penalties

The Facebook and Instagram owner is trying to have U.K. fines recalculated and a U.S. verdict overturned, per Reuters.

By Andrew Hutchinson • May 7, 2026

Meta is preparing to launch AI agents to undertake tasks for users

Meta's agentic tools would introduce users to a new phase of automation, in which AI tools can act on their behalf.

By Andrew Hutchinson • May 6, 2026

Meta implements more protocols to detect underage users

New tools include artificial intelligence-powered visual analysis systems that estimate a user’s age based on height and bone structure.

By Andrew Hutchinson • May 5, 2026

Meta threatens to withdraw its apps from New Mexico

The move comes in response to proposed state regulatory measures designed to protect minors from accessing harmful content within the company’s apps.

By Andrew Hutchinson • May 4, 2026

Instagram adds AI Creator labels

The feature is rolling out for accounts that post artificial intelligence-generated content, and the labels will appear on profiles and content.

By Andrew Hutchinson • May 4, 2026

Instagram tests option to swap out text in someone else’s Reels

An explainer article appeared and then disappeared in the app’s Help Center, suggesting this feature is still a work in progress.

By Andrew Hutchinson • May 3, 2026

Meta launches AI ad connectors that work with outside chatbots

External providers will be able to plug data into another system, such as Claude or ChatGPT, without using API setups or developer credentials.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 30, 2026

Instagram updates algorithm to benefit original creators

The app said it will no longer recommend photos and carousel posts from aggregator accounts and profiles that focus on reposting.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 30, 2026

Meta’s daily active user count declined in Q1 2026

The Instagram and Facebook owner saw its first decline in daily active usage ever, which it claims is due to new restrictions in some regions.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 29, 2026

Meta assists FBI in major scam center crackdown

The U.S. Department of Justice reported that the social media giant was among several groups that contributed to the international operation.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 29, 2026

EU Commission says Meta’s age restriction systems are inadequate

Preliminary findings indicate the company was unable to prevent children under the age of 13 from accessing Facebook and Instagram.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 29, 2026

Life stage matters more than age for in-app brand promotions

A new study from Meta found that behaviors such as “digital pebbling” are prevalent across every generation, and expert knowledge matters more than fame.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 28, 2026

Meta announces plans to collect solar energy in orbit

A new partnership with Overview Energy will reduce downtime for solar facilities, while a deal with Noon Energy is designed to expand storage capacity.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 27, 2026

China blocks Meta’s Manus acquisition

The National Development and Reform Commission ruled that the $2 billion deal was invalid, and ordered the companies to unwind.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 27, 2026

Instagram brings simplified AI video to Edits

A new in-stream option will allow users to generate artificial intelligence clips from text prompts, pictures or user videos and add them to posts.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 26, 2026

Instagram improves Insights UI, adds new metrics

The updated elements provide a simpler way to access key performance data for posts and Reels.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 26, 2026

Meta expands Instagram management APIs

The updates include additional support for the partnership ad label, enhanced third-party capabilities and new metrics for developers and brands.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 23, 2026

Meta will let parents see their teens’ AI queries

The company updated its teen supervision tools to provide broad category overviews of the types of questions being asked, though not specific content.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 23, 2026

Meta Accounts Center now includes more apps and devices

An updated login location allows users to access Threads, Meta AI, glasses and Quest headsets, as well as managed teen accounts.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 23, 2026

Meta expands access to AI business assistant

The chatbot will now be available across major global markets and feature enhanced local language support, making it more accessible for creators and advertisers.

By Andrew Hutchinson • April 22, 2026