Instagram & Meta Updates You Need to Know
There have been lots of Instagram changes lately…. Let’s Dig In!
The social media landscape is constantly evolving, and staying up-to-date with the latest platform updates is essential for educators, marketers, and communicators alike. This week brings a wave of exciting changes to Instagram and Meta that could significantly impact your content strategy. Let's dive into what's new!
Share Public Stories to Your Own Story
Instagram has rolled out a game-changing update that allows users to reshare any publicly posted Story to their own Stories feed, even if they weren't tagged in the original post. Previously, the "Add to Your Story" feature was limited to Stories where you were explicitly mentioned. Now, this friction has been removed, making it easier than ever to amplify content you love.
When you share a public Story, the original creator is credited, ensuring proper attribution. For content creators, brands, and school districts, this opens new opportunities for community engagement and content amplification. Creators can also control this feature through their privacy settings by toggling "Allow Sharing to Story" on or off.
Click to learn more: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/you-can-now-re-share-public-stories-on-instagram/807364/
Instagram Testing 3-Hashtag Limit
In what could be a major shift for content creators, Instagram has begun testing a restriction that limits posts to just three hashtags. Reports from multiple users on Reddit and social platforms indicate that some accounts are now receiving error messages when trying to add more than three hashtags to their captions.
This experiment marks a significant departure from the long-standing 30-hashtag limit, signaling Instagram's shift toward algorithm-driven discovery rather than user-generated categorization. Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, has previously noted that hashtags have a limited effect on reach, serving more as tools for content organization than as drivers of audience growth.
What this means for you: Focus on using highly relevant, specific hashtags rather than quantity. Invest in strong captions with natural keywords, as Instagram increasingly relies on AI to understand content context.
Click to learn more: https://www.planoly.com/blog/instagram-is-limiting-hashtags
Links in Reels—But Only for Meta Verified Subscribers
Meta-verified Instagram users can now add clickable links directly to their Reels, creating new opportunities for driving traffic from video content. However, there's a catch—this feature is tied to Meta's paid verification tiers.
The pricing structure is as follows: the standard Meta Verified plan, at $14.99 per month/month offers no clickable links; the $44.99/month tier allows two links; the $119.99/month tier grants four links; and the highest tier, at $349.99 per month/month permits six clickable links per Reel.
This pricing model has sparked debate, with some creators appreciating the added functionality while others question the steep costs for scaling up link availability.
Click to learn more: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-elements-verification-business-subscription-package/715464/
Instagram Now Supports 20-Minute Reels
Instagram has introduced a significant update to its Reels camera, now allowing users to record videos up to 20 minutes long directly in the app. This extension from previous limits offers creators more flexibility for tutorials, storytelling, behind-the-scenes content, and even mini-documentaries.
The update also includes other improvements, such as a dedicated "Undo" button for multi-clip projects, an updated green screen feature with reduced flickering, and customizable touch-up controls with an adjustable slider.
Important note: While you can now create longer Reels, Instagram has repeatedly stated it prioritizes recommending Reels under three minutes. Shorter videos still tend to perform better in terms of reach and engagement, so use the extended length strategically for content that truly benefits from more time.
Click to learn more: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-update-reels-camera-with-improved-functions/806247/
Meta Launches Content Protection Tool
Meta has introduced a powerful new content protection tool designed to help creators safeguard their original Reels across both Facebook and Instagram. The tool scans both platforms for reposts of your videos, including partial matches, and alerts you when someone uploads the same content.
When a match is detected, creators have several options: track the matching Reel while staying informed about its performance, make the copied content unavailable, add attribution links that mark it as "original" and guide viewers back to your profile, or release the claim entirely if you want the repost to stay up.
This feature is currently available to creators in Facebook's Content Monetization program who meet integrity and originality standards, as well as those already using Meta's Rights Manager. The tool represents Meta's continued effort to prioritize original content over low-effort reposts and aggregator accounts.
Click to learn more: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-launches-content-protection-for-creators/805714/
These updates reflect broader trends in social media, including a shift toward algorithm-driven discovery, an increased emphasis on original content, and new monetization pathways through paid features. For school communicators and educational marketers, the ability to reshare public Stories and protect original content is a particularly valuable tool for fostering community engagement and building brand awareness.
Stay tuned for more social media tips and updates! As always, the key to success is adapting your strategy to leverage these new features while staying true to your authentic voice and mission. Here's to growing together, one week at a time.
Be on the lookout, tips drop every Monday!
