Instagram is testing a new Early Access feature that lets creators post a Reel exclusively for their followers for the first 24 hours before it becomes public.

Instagram is rolling out a “New” label that appears on recently uploaded posts, helping users quickly identify the latest content on creator and brand profiles. The feature will become even more valuable once Instagram enables grid post reordering.

Facebook introduced Content Protection, a mobile tool that helps creators safeguard their original Reels. Creators can enroll to automatically protect new Reels and manually add older ones.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts launched Creator Hub, a program for creators with 1,000–30,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok. Participants earn hotel stays, VIP Radisson Rewards, and more in exchange for content.

Instagram updated its Reels camera. Creators can now record up to 20 minutes, use an undo button to remove clips, customize touch-ups, and get a smoother green screen, along with refreshed timer and countdown tools.

Instagram is testing skippable ads on Reels again. These ads include a countdown timer in the top-right corner signaling when an ad is about to start. Once it does, viewers can tap “Skip” to return to the Reel.

Music has become synonymous with the social media experience. It drives trends, fuels engagement, and adds personality to short-form video content, which makes up the bulk of today’s feeds. Whether you are scrolling TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts, chances are the video you are watching is paired with a song. In fact, 85% of videos on TikTok, 84% of videos on YouTube, 58% on Instagram, and 49% on Facebook contain at least 10 seconds of music.

Instagram has crossed 3 billion monthly active users, joining Facebook and WhatsApp at this major milestone. For all the talk about it “dying,” the platform remains deeply embedded in culture and continues to grow.

Instagram will soon launch a new Shareable Insights feature for its video editing app, Edits.

Google is updating the Discover feed in its Search app. In the coming weeks, users will see more creator-driven content, including Instagram posts, X posts, YouTube Shorts, as well as traditional articles and stories. Google says more platforms will be added, with my predictions being TikTok, LinkedIn, and Substack content as next.

Instagram has officially launched a native iPad app, which has long an afterthought for the platform.

Instagram announced a new school experience for US college students. After verifying their student email through UNiDAYS, students can add a school banner to their profile and access a directory of confirmed classmates, organized by graduation year.