TLDR: Social Media Headlines – 26 September 2025

• SAVING TIKTOK FROM GOING DARK: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order saving TikTok from a ban while protecting America’s national security. President Trump has determined that the divestiture outlined in a proposed framework agreement, in which TikTok’s U.S. application would be operated by a new joint-venture company based in the United States, is a “qualified divestiture.” It will be majority-owned by U.S. investors, operated in the U.S. by a board of directors with national security and cybersecurity credentials, and subject to strict rules to protect Americans’ data and our national security. ByteDance will hold less than 20% of the stock as required by law, choose only one director of the seven-seat board, and be excluded from the company’s security committee. Oracle—one of the nation’s leading technology companies—will act as TikTok’s security provider and independently monitor and assure the safety of all operations in the U.S.
• India spinner Kuldeep Yadav has set social media ablaze just before India’s Asia Cup 2025 showdown against Sri Lanka, thanks to a heartfelt photograph with his fiancée Vanshika. The picture, surfacing across fan pages and cricket networks, reveal an intimate chapter in the left-arm wrist-spinner’s life.
• Today, Meta has unveiled its latest AI project, with a custom feed of AI-generated video clips, which it’s calling “Vibes.”
• Facebook remains the top news source, though TikTok and Instagram are rising.
• If you’re a YouTube Premium subscriber, you can, with Premium members now eligible to join its “YouTube Labs” AI testing pool, and try out the latest tools that YouTube thinks might have a future as options within the main app.
• Meta’s expanding its protections for young users, and working with schools on education.
• Target to redesign SoHo store with style focus: The mass retailer will phase in an updated store layout starting this fall, shifting the merchandise assortment from essentials to apparel and beauty.
• Urban Outfitters, Calvin Klein veteran jumps to Chico’s: Trish Donnelly now leads a group of brands that were struggling when Sycamore Partners bought them for $1 billion a couple of years ago.
• Depop debuts Outfits feature for style inspiration: The resale platform aims to make itself a daily destination with a shoppable, in-app collage tool.
• Sephora cozies up to beauty creators with new affiliate program: My Sephora Storefront allows U.S. influencers to build shoppable digital storefronts and arrives as sales from affiliate marketing continue to grow.
• An outlook on consumer holiday shopping trends: This holiday season will see consumers making financial trade-offs — cutting essentials to afford gifts while relying more on credit & price comparisons to navigate spending. Explore what shoppers are looking for in this Trendline.
• Carter’s adopts poison pill after hedge fund amasses nearly 17% of shares: The children’s apparel retailer moved to avert a hostile takeover after an investment firm disclosed its stock purchase to federal regulators.
• OpenAI launches ChatGPT Pulse, a paid feature that generates personalized subject matter briefs for users overnight.
• OpenAI is staffing up to turn ChatGPT into an ad platform: OpenAI’s latest hire hints at a future where advertisers can run campaigns directly in ChatGPT, reaching 700 million weekly active users.
• Google Ads will recommend you link to your Google Analytics account with one click: If Google Ads finds an unlinked and unassociated Google Analytics account, Google may recommend you link it.
• Google Ads updated policies to target dishonest pricing practices: Google Ads Misrepresentation policy will be updated on October 28, 2025.
• AI progress stalls for SEO tasks despite wave of new models: Claude still leads, ChatGPT-5 rebounds, and Gemini rises – but new AI models show limits in handling real-world SEO tasks.
• A WhatsApp feature on iPhone and Android that translates messages into your preferred language has started rolling out.
• OpenAI is launching ChatGPT for teens, with parental controls aimed to enhance online safety.
• The High Seas Treaty – designed to protect marine life and ecosystems beyond a country’s jurisdiction – has received the 60th ratification required for the agreement to be brought into full force.
• A high-tech greenhouse in an Inuit hamlet of Canada’s Arctic is yielding locally-grown fresh produce for the first time.
• Your homepage is like a conversation starter. In just seconds, it needs to capture attention, explain who you are, and encourage the next step without overwhelming the user.
• With the right tweaks your email marketing process, you can double your open rate in 4 weeks while also boosting CTR.
• veryone knows small biz is where the real creativity lives. You don’t need a huge marketing budget for a memorable promotion.
• Even with a new U.S. TikTok deal in sight, marketers feel uneasy.
• TikTok provides tips for luxury brands.
• If the U.S. is getting a new TikTok app, which version will the world use?
• Oracle to recreate TikTok’s algorithm under new deal.
• Apple’s iOS 26 will push most brand SMS into an “Unknown Sender” filter.
• The EU is looking at ways to deal with cookie consent pop-up overload.
• Disney curiously hikes streaming prices before the dust has even settled.
• Aldi’s viral big bags sell out in minutes.
• Tylenol sticks to its guns amid autism broadside from RFK Jr.
• Ben Stiller is launching a soda.
• Chili’s brings back the viral mozzarella-stick costume.
• Stitch Fix dials up personalization to reverse client declines: The number of active clients continues to drop, but the apparel box retailer hopes to win customers with superior experiences, according to CEO Matt Baer.
• Microsoft, Curated for You collaborate on AI-based fashion discovery: Microsoft Copilot can now respond to conversational queries with context-aware, shoppable curations. Retailers like Rent the Runway and Steve Madden are already on board.
• Native Facebook Profile Post Scheduling on Desktop: Ever wish you could schedule Facebook posts from your desktop personal profile—just like you do on Pages? That wish has finally come true, for some of us. Meta has quietly rolled out post scheduling for personal profiles on desktop. Once enabled, it makes planning content ahead of time simpler than ever.
• Zero-click everything: This phenomenon describes how major platforms now keep users within their ecosystems rather than sending traffic elsewhere. When someone performs a search or engages with content on these platforms, they receive answers, entertainment, or information without ever leaving to visit external websites.
• Claude Models Now Available in Microsoft 365 Copilot: Microsoft has integrated Claude Sonnet 4 and Opus 4.1 into Microsoft 365 Copilot, giving enterprise users the option to power productivity tools with Anthropic’s AI models. The Claude models are available in both the Researcher agent and Copilot Studio, where users can build and orchestrate enterprise-grade agents.
• Google Debuts Mixboard, an AI Mood Board Tool for Creative Projects: Google has introduced Mixboard, a new AI-powered mood board app now in public beta in the U.S. via Google Labs. Unlike Pinterest’s collage tools, Mixboard lets users create boards using only text prompts, with help from Google’s Nano Banana image model for advanced edits and combinations. Users can regenerate image ideas, get related visuals, or generate text descriptions from their boards. Designed for creative brainstorming, the app caters to younger users and DIY enthusiasts.
• Instagram Hits 3 Billion Users, Plans Algorithm Tuning for Reels: Instagram has surpassed 3 billion monthly active users, driven largely by the rise of messaging, Reels, and personalized recommendations. In response to growing demand for user control, the platform will soon begin testing a new feature that allows users to shape their feed by adding or removing content topics, starting with Reels. This update aims to balance algorithmic discovery with personalization.
• LinkedIn Unveils Company Intelligence API: LinkedIn has introduced its Company Intelligence API, giving B2B marketers deeper visibility into campaign performance and buyer behavior across the funnel. Early adopters report major improvements in lead quality and reach, alongside reduced acquisition costs. Available through certified analytics partners like Dreamdata and Octane11, the API integrates LinkedIn engagement data into existing dashboards to track pipeline impact and revenue attribution with precision.
• OpenAI Introduces ChatGPT Pulse: OpenAI has unveiled ChatGPT Pulse, a new feature for Pro mobile users that delivers curated, AI-generated updates based on user behavior, preferences, and connected apps. Pulse offers topical visual cards each day, shaped by conversations, feedback, and integrations like Google Calendar. Users can further personalize updates with thumbs-up/down feedback or custom content requests. Pulse represents OpenAI’s first step toward turning ChatGPT into a proactive assistant that works in the background to accelerate daily progress.
• Pinterest Launches Top of Search Ads and Local Inventory Features for Visual Shopping: Pinterest is advancing its visual-first commerce strategy with the rollout of Top of Search ads, now in beta globally. These high-visibility placements appear in the top search results and Related Pins, delivering stronger performance for brands like Wayfair. Additionally, Pinterest has launched local inventory ads to display real-time product availability in nearby stores. These updates aim to better connect intent-rich shoppers with actionable product discovery.
• Snapchat Expands Stickers with iMessage App, Keyboard, and Customoji: Snapchat is making its sticker experience more accessible with the launch of a new iMessage App and Snapchat Keyboard for both iOS and Android. These tools let users share Snap’s full sticker library in any conversation. The update also introduces Customoji, a feature that auto-generates personalized Bitmoji stickers based on typed phrases.
• YouTube Adds End Screen Hide Button, Retires Hover Subscribe on Desktop: YouTube is rolling out a new Hide button that lets viewers dismiss end screens on individual videos for a more focused viewing experience. Additionally, the platform is removing the desktop hover-to-subscribe button from branded watermarks, citing redundancy and low usage. Both changes aim to reduce distractions, and YouTube expects minimal impact to creators, who can still use end screens and watermarks as usual.
• YouTube Studio Adds Comment Tools, Auto Shorts, and Contextual TV Search: YouTube has launched a series of updates aimed at streamlining content management and discovery. Studio now includes responses with new replies filter and a most relevant comment view to help creators prioritize interactions. Mobile users can finally save default comment filters. For livestreamers, YouTube will auto-generate Shorts previews from mobile streams, viewable after each session. Additionally, YouTube TV now supports contextual search that prioritizes channel-specific results.
• Motto by Hilton gives travelers ‘main character energy’ in social series: Inspired by choose-your-own-adventure video games, “Guest Quests” features influencers Hannah Berner, Connor Wood and Kordell Beckham.
• Gen Alpha’s $5.46T economic impact: Here’s what the numbers say: Gen Alpha members increasingly act as a “family CMO,” experts say, and 76% would like brands to gamify their consumer experiences.
• Pinterest mobilizes Gen Z searchers, retail media with new ad offerings: Top of Search ads, currently in beta testing, will appear within the top 10 slots and Related Pins section of search results.
• Essentia pushes past category cliches with its New York takeover: The Nestlé brand’s latest effort includes videos, out-of-home ads, experiential activations, influencer collaborations and a sports partnership.
• DaVinci Resolve 20.2.1 Adds More Consistent Ripple Trim and More.
• Blackmagic has just published six new guides to DaVinci Resolve 20, including the essential Beginner’s Guide to DaVinci Resolve 20. All can be downloaded for free as a PDF or purchased as a printed and bound book on Amazon.
• Transvideo Closes After 40 Years: French Monitor Pioneer in Liquidation.
• Panasonic Announces LUMIX S 100-500mm F5-7.1 Ultra Telephoto Zoom.

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