The latest social media updates you need to know
Author: Emily Rock
Social Media Executive
We’re back with some more social media updates… they just keep coming!
From new features to algorithm changes, we need to adapt the way we are engaging on social media and adhere to what the platforms want if our content is to be seen.
Grab a coffee and keep yourself in the know!
Instagram seems to be going mad with the updates recently, and October is no exception!
- Firstly, if you’re an iPad user, the Instagram app is FINALLY available in an optimised format. This means you can scroll until your heart is content, just like you would on your phone. Worth noting when planning your social content that part of your audience could be viewing on this device, so ensure your posts are optimised and high quality.
- One of our favourite new features… reposting! You can now repost content shared by other creators. It’s really a win-win – you’re expanding the reach of your dental practice or personal brand and engaging with other accounts to hopefully encourage new followers.
- You may have noticed some peculiar dimensions of posts on your feed. There was a flitting trend of 5120 x 1080 px… very strange. This trend seems to have disappeared, so don’t stress about adding it to your upcoming content calendar!
- And the final update, Instagram Reels can now be up to 20 minutes long. It’s interesting to see the platform now pushing longer form content like YouTube, so make sure to test this in your strategy and see if it resonates with your audience. This video length could be particularly good for longer patient reviews, how-to content, or podcast features.
There aren’t too many major updates from Facebook this month, but a couple of small changes are worth noting.
- Facebook is officially phasing out Community Chats, a feature originally designed to help users and groups connect in real time. While it never gained the traction Meta hoped for, its removal signals a continued shift toward simplifying the user experience.
- Facebook Reels are getting a social twist! You’ll now start seeing Reels that your friends have liked, adding a more personalised and community-driven feel to the feed. It’s another sign that Facebook is leaning into social discovery and keeping users engaged through shared interests and interactions. Another opportunity for your dental practice to broaden your audience pool!
Conclusion
We’ll keep you updated on any new features or developments in the world of social media, but always keep your eyes peeled and let us know if you spot anything!
As always, our team of social media experts are on hand to help so feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need some advice.