At the end of every year, Jen Lehner and I discuss social media and tech - the biggest fails, the best new features, and make predictions for the next 12 months. In today's episode, we get into the biggest social media fail of the past 12 months, our favorite new Instagram features, and our favorite new apps and platforms.

Every year around this time, Jen Lehner and I talk about our favorite social media moments of the year, the biggest fails, the best new features, and make predictions for the next 12 months. In today's episode, we start by talking about the predictions we made for 2025, then get into our favorite social media news story of the year and our favorite TikTok trend of the year.

Today the head of Instagram explains why Follower count still matters, the limiting of hashtags to 5, Instagram on televisions and the available data, plus a feature request that already exists in the Edits app.

Instagram announces that hashtags will be limited to 5 - but don't worry, they weren't helping you get reach anyway. TikTok has been sold! The CEO of TikTok, Shou Chew, sent a memo to employees, which thankfully we have access to. Also the YouTube team is hard at work, rolling out the YouTube Create app for iOS and Nano Banana AI features in YouTube.

Instagram announces their TV app is coming to Amazon Fire devices first, the Edits team has a bunch of updates, X (AKA Twitter) makes a separate desktop inbox that Threads needs to add ASAP, and the YouTube team adds images to the Shorts feed. Plus the YouTube team discusses strategic ways to use the new collabs feature and I do Wednesday Waffle.

Today on the show, the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, talks about what Creators should focus on in 2026, how to adjust your Instagram algorithm settings, how to Edit a Reel after posting it (hint: you can't!) and the future of the Edits app on the desktop.

Today we hear from Mr. Beast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, on which platform is the most important to create content for, and why. If you've ever struggled with this question, and I certainly have, you're going to like this episode. Also the Instagram @creators account explains the analytics stat "when people liked this" for videos, and why it's so important. Lastly the YouTube team explains Brand Partner Video Access via BrandConnect.

Instagram has added Story Re-Sharing - I explain how we all did this before using workarounds, but how businesses and brands can use this new feature strategically. Also Instagram is rolling out Reels topic customization in the USA this week, plus testing Early Access Reels. The YouTube team is has been improving the YouTube Studio Inspiration tab, the Create app and Thumbnail/Title A/B testing. Then after the end music, I do Wednesday Waffle where I talk about an idea for a show that you can definitely steal (or hit me up to collab).

The Head of Instagram's weekly Ask Me Anything is always packed full of good questions. Today's episode includes answers to questions like "how short is too short for a Reel?", "How long should I try to make new content before moving on if it's not working?", "What counts as a view for photos or a carousel?", and "Does someone viewing my Reel at 2x affect the calculated watch time?"

People have been writing "Dear Algo" on Threads with requests for how their feed should be different - and now Threads is testing supporting these requests. Additionally, the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri explains why they move the buttons around at the bottom, and YouTube Liaison Rene Ritchie explains how to link from a YouTube Short to a longform video.

Normally the Head of Instagram answers questions, but today the CEO of YouTube takes over. He answers questions like "What's YouTube going to look like 5 or 10 years from now?" and "How does YouTube help Creators?" Additionally, YouTube announces "Recap", a feature that is exactly like Spotify Wrapped, and the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, explains Notes.

A listener named Nina left me a lovely review of the show, plus links in Reels isn't news and Lia Haberman of the In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) email newsletter.

YouTube tests a new custom feed just like Instagram and TikTok, Shorts AI Creation Tools get updates, and I experiment with speeding up Lauren to see if that helps. Also the Head of Instagram stops by to explain that reposting your own content to Feed really won't do much, and the team at TikTok shares some stats around using Creators to make content for brands. After the music, I do Wednesday Waffle talking about a book I read recently.

Thank you to everyone who filled out the listener feedback survey! If you haven't had a chance to do that yet, you still can - using the link here! Instagram announced 20 minute Reels, so we get Adam Mosseri's take on how they fit into the Instagram landscape. We also discuss Carousels vs. Reels, Trial Reels, and more.

The Listener Survey is still open! The first 10 people who submit responses to the survey get a $20 Amazon Gift Card. Today on the show we dive into a clip from the Head of Instagram explaining the algorithm and how your content gets shared, plus an explanation of collab posts and how to game the system for more reach. Additionally the TikTok team rolls out the ability to adjust how much AI content you get in your For You feed, the YouTube team rolls out a speech to song feature I think is cool, plus Wednesday Waffle.

Today on the show, I announce a new survey, where you give your input so I can improve the show. The first 10 people who fill out the survey get a $20 Amazon Gift Card! Also, I share Adam Mosseri's recent Ask Me Anything, including questions about how to get more reach, and some Instagram features you might not know existed.

In this episode, I chat with @KristenBousquet a creator monetization coach who helps content creators and influencers build profitable businesses. Kristen shares her journey from starting her business during the pandemic to creating a thriving membership community that combines the intimacy of one-on-one coaching with comprehensive educational resources. Kristen started her company after selling her first business for $100k at 25 years old, and since then has been able to generate over $450k in her creator business as a microinfluencer. Soulcialmate’s goal is to educate entrepreneurial creators on how to turn their online influence into a profitable, self-sustaining business through " Soulcial Scoop" podcast, creator membership ("Soulcial Suite"), and coaching programs all while keeping the "soul" in "soulcial media". We dive into her podcast, Social Scoop, where she discusses social media news and offers actionable tips for creators. Kristen also shares her innovative "anti-pitch" method for connecting with brands—focusing on relationship building over cold pitching. She offers insights on identifying your unique value proposition and why it's crucial for standing out in a crowded space.

The Threads team rolls out support for direct podcast linking, the Edits team adds lip sync, reverse, and bulk caption editing, the Instagram team improves analytics in the Professional Dashboard with a monthly recap, the Head of Instagram talks about scheduling trial Reels, Diego from the Buffer team talks about the importance of replying to comments and announces a new tool in Buffer to help you manage comments for free. After all that, Rene Ritchie from the YouTube team busts the myth about keeping your videos private for 24 to 48 hours before making them public.

The Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, answers questions like "what's a remix on Instagram", and "are hashtags still a thing?" Plus we get into content recommendations and how it works for meme and aggregator accounts.

The YouTube team has rolled out the ability to live-stream horizontally and vertically at the same time, plus Lauren from the YouTube team explains how organic reach will not be impacted by advertising. Also the Motion Picture Association writes Meta a "cease and desist" letter for using the term "PG-13", and the Head of Instagram gives 5 tips for how to increase reach.