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The Social Media Tea - Updates You Need to Know for August 2026
Updated: Aug 15
Heading into August, we're back with another round of The Social Media Tea...
Grab your coffee (or tea) because, as we all know, social media doesn't exactly like to sit still.
Every month, the major platforms roll out new features, test new ideas, and make changes that can impact the way businesses show up online. Some updates are worth paying attention to... others, not so much.
That's why we've rounded up the biggest social media updates from July that we think are actually worth your attention. From new features and changing user behaviors to platforms testing new ways to connect people with content, we'll break down what's new, why it matters, and what it could mean for your marketing.
Let's spill the tea! ☕️
Reorder your profile grid
Instagram has officially started rolling out one of its most requested features: the ability to rearrange your profile grid.
Until now, if you wanted to change the order of your posts, your only options were to archive, delete, or repost them, which often meant losing engagement and disrupting your analytics. Other than pinning up to three posts, there wasn't much control over how your profile looked.
Now, you'll be able to move existing posts around your profile without affecting the original post. Your likes, comments, shares, and performance data all stay exactly the same, but you have much more flexibility in how your profile is organized.
Why does it matter?
Think of your Instagram profile as your digital storefront. It's often one of the first places someone visits before deciding if they want to follow your business, explore your services, or make a purchase. This update gives you more control over that first impression.
With the new feature, you can…
Highlight your most important products or services.
Group similar posts together for a cleaner, more cohesive look.
Refresh your profile for a new season or campaign without creating new content.
Bring evergreen or top-performing posts back into the spotlight.
Better align your profile with your current brand messaging and marketing goals.
This update gives you more control over how your brand is presented. As more people discover your business through Reels, search, and recommendations, having a well-organized profile can make a stronger first impression and help turn profile visitors into followers and, ultimately, customers.
AI Is Taking on a Bigger Role in Meta Ads
Throughout July, Meta continued rolling out new AI-powered advertising tools designed to make campaign management easier. Instead of manually creating and testing dozens of versions of an ad, advertisers can now use AI to generate different headlines, ad copy, images, and creative combinations. Meta can then automatically test those variations and prioritize the ones performing best.
The platform is also using AI to provide more recommendations around audience targeting, placements, budgets, and campaign optimization, helping advertisers spend less time making manual adjustments.
Why does it matter?
There's no question that AI is becoming a bigger part of advertising on Meta, but it doesn't replace good marketing.
The businesses getting the best results are still the ones with a clear strategy, strong creative, and a solid understanding of their audience. AI can help speed up testing and optimization, but it still needs good ideas to work with.
As these tools continue to improve, expect it to become even easier to…
Test multiple versions of your ads
Optimize campaigns with less manual work
Discover what's resonating with your audience faster
Spend more time focusing on strategy instead of making small campaign adjustments
The biggest takeaway is that AI is becoming a powerful assistant for advertisers, but your strategy is still what drives results. The better your messaging and creativity are, the more effective these tools can be.
Suggested feeds are being tested
LinkedIn is testing Suggested Feeds, a new way for users to discover content based on specific professional interests instead of just the people they follow. The platform is currently experimenting with feeds dedicated to topics such as…
Marketing
AI
Leadership
Sales
Small Business
Technology
And other industry-specific subjects
This update could make it easier for businesses and creators to reach people who are genuinely interested in their area of expertise, even if they aren't already connected. It also reinforces the value of consistently creating content around a few core topics. The clearer your niche, the more opportunities you may have to be discovered by the right audience as LinkedIn continues expanding topic-based content discovery.
TikTok
A new way to get discovered on TikTok
Instead of only showing videos based on your interests, TikTok is beginning to surface content from local businesses, restaurants, events, and creators in your area. It's another step toward making TikTok a place people go not just for entertainment, but for recommendations on where to shop, eat, and explore.
Why does it matter?
This is a big opportunity for local businesses, as more people are using TikTok to search for local recommendations instead of starting with Google. As the Nearby feed expands, businesses that consistently post authentic, location-based content have another opportunity to get in front of potential customers right in their community.
If you own a local business, now is a great time to start treating TikTok like a local search engine instead of just another social media platform. Videos that showcase your team, your work, your community, and what makes your business unique could help more local customers discover you.
What should businesses take away from this month's updates?
While each platform rolled out something different, they all point to the same bigger picture: social media is becoming more personalized, more searchable, and more powered by AI.
Rather than trying to chase every new feature, focus on these three things:
Make your profile work for you. First impressions matter, so take advantage of tools that help showcase your business and your best content.
Create content people can discover. Platforms are finding more ways to connect users with content based on their interests and location.
Use AI to work smarter, but not replace your strategy. AI can help you create, test, and optimize your marketing more efficiently, but your creativity, expertise, and understanding of your audience are still what set you apart.
We'll keep sorting through the updates, testing the new features, and, of course, spilling The Social Media Tea... so you don't have to! ☕️
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