Okay, can we talk about how wild social media was in 2025? If it feels like everything changed every 10 minutes, you’re not imagining it. AI started writing posts, Threads suddenly found its personality, and Reels somehow made their way onto our TVs like they’re the next Netflix original. Meanwhile, LinkedIn quietly turned into a content machine and yes, they finally made ads a little easier to run. Between new platforms popping up, algorithms shifting, and organic reach falling off a cliff, 2025 was a full-on rollercoaster. So, before we jump headfirst into 2026, let’s take a breath and break it all down. I pulled together a quick, friendly recap of what’s new this week and the big changes that actually mattered this year what worked, what didn’t, and what’s worth paying attention to next. Whether you’re a marketer, creator, business owner, or just trying to keep up with the madness, this one’s for you.
Threads Launches Topic-Based Communities And It Might Just Be the Glow-Up It Needed
After a quiet (okay, kinda awkward) start, Meta’s Threads app is finally stepping into its own and this week’s update might be its most promising move yet. Threads just rolled out topic-based communities, giving users the ability to join and follow conversations centered around specific interests. Think of it like Reddit, but a bit more polished. Or like Facebook Groups, but without your aunt posting Minion memes. So instead of scrolling through a chaotic feed of random updates, you can now dive into curated spaces focused on topics you actually care about whether that’s marketing tips, travel hacks, AI news, or Taylor Swift theories (no judgment here). Why This Matters for Brands and Creators: This is a big deal especially if you’ve been struggling to cut through the noise on other platforms. With these new communities, Threads is giving brands and creators a chance to re-engage with niche audiences organically without having to fight against the unpredictable chaos of X (formerly Twitter) or the comment-section drama on Reddit. And since Threads is built by Meta, there’s a solid chance these communities will soon tie into your broader Instagram presence, which could make content distribution and engagement even smoother down the line. For now, this is your moment to claim your space early in relevant communities, start conversations instead of just broadcasting, buildtrust with people already interested in your niche. Whether you’re a small business, a content creator, or a social media manager trying to convince your boss Threads isn’t dead it might be time to give it another look. Let’s be honest: Threads didn’t exactly explode out of the gate. But with this pivot toward structured, interest-based engagement? It just might become the digital hangout spot we didn’t know we needed in 2026.
LinkedIn Just Dropped a New Ads Guide And It’s Actually Helpful
If you’ve been staring at LinkedIn Ads wondering where to even begin or if they’re even worth the spend good news: LinkedIn just released a brand-new, super practical guide to help brands get started. This isn’t one of those fluffy “how to be inspiring” PDFs. It’s a hands-on, step-by-step playbook covering the basics of LinkedIn advertising, including:
- How to define your campaign objectives
- How to set your targeting (hello, decision-makers!)
- What kind of content performs well
- How to manage budgets without wasting dollars
- Tips for creatives that actually stop the scroll
Why This Matters (Especially for B2B Brands) LinkedIn has been quietly glowing up in 2025, leaning hard into original content, thought leadership, and now, easier ad access. And if you’re in the B2B space, this is where your people are. Decision-makers. Industry experts. Professionals who are actually in a work mindset when they log in. But here’s the catch: a lot of brands haven’t tapped into LinkedIn Ads yet not because they don’t want to, but because they’ve been overwhelmed by the setup or unsure how to measure ROI. This new guide lowers the barrier to entry in a big way. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a growing business, or part of a larger marketing team, the guide walks you through the setup process without assuming you’ve got a six-figure ad budget or a full media team. And let’s be honest LinkedIn ads may not be the flashiest, but when done right? They convert, especially if your audience is more “boardroom” than “bedroom dance challenge.”
Instagram Reels Are Now Streaming on Your TV And That’s a Big Deal
That’s right Instagram Reels have officially made the leap from your phone screen to your living room TV. Thanks to updates in the Instagram TV app, Reels are now rolling out globally on smart TVs and streaming devices, meaning short-form content is no longer just something you scroll through while waiting in line or procrastinating at work. It’s now full-blown living room entertainment. This might sound like a small tweak, but it signals a major shift in how audiences are consuming content and how creators and brands should be thinking about their video strategy. We’re entering an era where Reels aren’t just quick, vertical clips made to grab attention they’re becoming part of the lean-back viewing experience, like YouTube and Netflix. That opens the door for longer watch times, higher production quality, and storytelling that feels a bit more elevated. It also means your content could now be seen by a whole room of people instead of just one person scrolling solo. For marketers and creators, this is a chance to experiment with how you present your message: can your Reels capture attention on the big screen? Are your visuals sharp enough for a 55-inch display? Are your stories compelling enough to keep someone watching from the couch, not just the commute? In short: Reels aren’t just for phones anymore and that changes everything.
2025: The Year That Reshaped Social Media
Beyond the latest weekly updates, it’s worth zooming out and looking at the bigger picture because 2025 wasn’t just another year of social media tweaks. It was a full-blown transformation. From the rise of AI to big shifts in content consumption, platform behavior, and audience expectations, this year forced brands and creators to rethink how they show up online. Let’s break down the big moments that actually moved the needle this year.
AI Became a Content Partner (and a Gatekeeper) This was the year AI officially became part of the team for better or worse. All the major platforms, from Meta to LinkedIn to TikTok, rolled out their own AI tools to help users generate posts, suggest captions, moderate comments, and even write ad copy. It sounded great in theory (and honestly, sometimes it was great who doesn’t want faster workflows?). But there was also a dark side: a wave of generic, templated, and frankly soulless content flooded feeds. The brands that stood out in 2025 weren’t just the ones who used AI they were the ones who used it well, pairing it with human insight and authentic voice. AI saved time, but authenticity still won. The key was in letting AI support creativity, not replace it.
Threads Reinvented Itself Remember Threads? At first, it felt like Meta’s rushed response to X (formerly Twitter), and to be honest, it didn’t land with much excitement. But Threads found its groove in 2025 by pivoting to topic-based communities and that changed everything. Instead of trying to be Twitter 2.0, Threads became a place for focused, moderated conversations built around shared interests. Think Reddit meets Facebook Groups, but sleeker and less chaotic. Brands started experimenting in these communities, finding more meaningful engagement than in the open firehose of traditional feeds. And with Facebook Groups on the decline, Threads may have just filled a much-needed gap.
Organic Reach Declined (Again… Sigh) If it felt like your posts were getting fewer likes, comments, and reach this year you weren’t imagining it. Organic reach took another hit across Meta platforms, TikTok, and even Instagram. The algorithm gods tightened things up (again), making it harder for unpaid content to get seen. In response, short-form video continued to dominate, micro-influencers proved their value with niche audiences, and brands had to lean more heavily on paid strategies to scale. The lesson? Organic still matters but only when paired with smart content, community engagement, and a realistic ad budget.
LinkedIn Doubled Down on Original Content Meanwhile, over on LinkedIn, things got interesting. The platform leaned hard into original content and thought leadership, rolling out better analytics, upgraded newsletter tools, and AI features that helped users write smarter posts. In 2025, thought leadership wasn’t a “nice to have” it became essential for professionals and B2B brands alike. If you had something insightful to say, LinkedIn gave you the tools and the reach to say it at scale. Brands that invested in storytelling, industry insights, and helpful content saw serious engagement gains.
Reels & Shorts Hit the Big Screen One of the biggest shifts in content behavior this year? Short-form video made the jump to TV. Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all rolled out updates that let users stream Reels and Shorts on their smart TVs transforming what used to be thumb-scrolling content into full-on living room experiences. This changed how creators and marketers had to think: framing, pacing, and visual quality suddenly mattered a lot more. Your content wasn’t just being seen on a tiny screen it was now potentially front and center on a 65-inch TV. That meant more opportunity for attention… but also higher expectations from viewers.
Social Commerce Finally Clicked After years of hype and half-baked experiments, social commerce finally worked in 2025. TikTok and Instagram both refined their in-app shopping features, making it easier than ever for users to discover, browse, and buy without ever leaving the app. Gen Z led the charge, proving that yes, people will absolutely shop directly from their feeds if the experience is seamless and the content feels natural. Brands that leaned into native-style content and optimized the checkout flow saw real, trackable conversions. Social commerce isn’t a trend anymore it’s a viable sales channel.
Regulation Got Real Lastly, 2025 was the year the legal side of social media caught up with the tech. Governments in the U.S., EU, and beyond introduced new rules around AI transparency, data privacy, and digital advertising. Platforms were forced to update their policies, and brands had to pay a lot more attention to how they collect data, label AI-generated content, and disclose paid partnerships. For marketers, this meant working more closely with legal teams and being way more intentional about compliance. Ignorance wasn’t an excuse anymore. The brands that adapted quickly protected themselves and gained trust with their audiences.
So… What Now? If 2025 was the year of the “Great Social Reset,” then 2026 is shaping up to be the year of refined strategy and deeper connection. It’s no longer about chasing every trend or flooding every platform. It’s about showing up intentionally, knowing where your audience is, and delivering content that feels real, helpful, and aligned with your brand voice. And hey if this all still feels overwhelming? That’s what we’re here for. At Michigan Splash Marketing, we help businesses make sense of the chaos, build smart strategies, and show up online in ways that actually work. Let’s make 2026 your strongest year yet.
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