Summer Social Media Changes Roundup

Q4 is right around the corner, and if you’re a business owner planning to optimize your social media and content strategy, buckle up. The platforms we rely on are rolling out changes, some good, some interesting, some…incredibly mid.

Whether you’re already working with a social media manager or virtual assistant or thinking about hiring one, it’s time to book your holiday sales meeting to rethink your approach this Fall.

Here’s what’s coming and what you need to do to stay ahead without wasting your time or money on heavy ad spend.

Instagram: Making the Grid Work Harder for You…or making you work harder for the grid.

Instagram has always been about visuals, but if you haven’t noticed, it’s about to get even more curated.

The grid? It’s evolving. Instagram head Adam Mosseri confirmed that they’re testing vertical feeds that will change profile grid displays and could affect how your content shows up. If this change goes live, your grid isn’t just for looks; it’ll be about strategy too.

My advice: Start prepping now by using Canva templates specifically designed for vertical layouts. Make sure all your important content appears in that center square. Remember how annoying it was when your Reel cover didn’t show up right in the feed? We’re looking at that situation, times ten. The backlash on this change has been pretty significant so far, so I’m hopeful they will allow you to turn the grid change on when you’re ready, but in case it rolls out automatically, it’s better to be prepared.

As with all meta tests, they may scrap it all-together, but taking up more space with Instagram’s ‘portrait’ templates on Canva has been a strategy already working for some, so it might be worth making the change now anyway.

Instagram Carousel: More Room for Creativity, unless you’re scheduling via Meta.

Speaking of things Adam Mosseri confirmed on Threads, Instagram’s carousels are getting a boost—now allowing up to 20 images per post.

That’s right, double the previous limit!

This is a big win if you’ve got a lot to showcase without spamming your followers’ feeds with multiple posts.

But here’s the catch: this change hasn’t been rolled out via Meta Business Suite just yet as far as I can see. So, if you’re managing your posts through there, you’ll have to wait. For now, you’ll need to direct post if you want to take full advantage of those extra images.

My Advice: This is perfect for businesses that want to tell a more in-depth story or showcase more product details without feeling constrained by the 10-image limit. Direct posting might seem like a hassle, but the ability to add more visuals could make it worth the effort, especially if you’ve got a lot of great content to share. Start brainstorming how you can use this to give your audience a richer experience without overwhelming them with separate posts.

Spotify on Instagram: It’s giving mid-2000s Myspace realness.

Feeling nostalgic for the days of MySpace when you’d post vague lyrics in hopes that your best friend/crush/current sweetheart will notice how you feel? (Uh, yea, me neither 🫣)

Well, Instagram might soon offer a way to add music directly to your profile, giving you a little vibe check right when people click.

It sounds like fun, but it’s more than just a novelty. This could be a creative way to connect with your audience on a deeper, more personal level.

My Advice: Think of it like a subtle shout-out to your audience. If you’re a coach, why not update your profile with a “Monday Hype” song every week? Or if you’re an artist, you could post the current song giving you inspiration. It’s another way to engage without sounding salesy. Plus, it humanizes your brand, which is what everyone’s craving right now. Try it as part of a larger engagement strategy, and keep it fresh!

LinkedIn: More Than Just Boring Business Talk? I wouldn’t jump in just yet.

LinkedIn has decided to hop on the video carousel trend, adding it to your feed. But before you jump ship to go all-in on video on yet another platform, let’s pause for a second.

LinkedIn has always been about professional connections and long-form content. Throwing in a bunch of short-form video feels a little… out of place, doesn’t it?

If your content is mostly educational, this might be a great value fit for your content strategy. It’ll serve your audience without causing your content creation time to skyrocket each month. But if you need to create content specific to the audience that uses LinkedIn? I might hold off unless you’re specifically targeting younger generations on the platform who respond best to short form video.

My Advice: Keep an eye on this one, but don’t throw your whole strategy into video for LinkedIn just yet. If you have the time (and budget), experiment with a few test pieces, but don’t ditch your long-form content entirely. This could turn out to be a fad, like the failed LinkedIn Stories feature, so approach with caution. Focus on authentic connections—what LinkedIn has always done best.

TikTok: AI Voices could make posting easier, but Should You Use Them?

TikTok continues to push boundaries, and now they’re letting you create your own AI voice. Sounds cool, right?

Well, maybe not.

While AI is everywhere these days, letting it speak for you might be taking things too far. Do you really want a copy of your voice out there floating around on the internet? Personally, I’d rather not.

My Advice: Stick to using your own voice in content. It’s tempting to let AI take over, but it comes with risks. Besides, authenticity is what people crave. Your voice makes your brand unique. Keep it that way. (And yes, this counts for the two new AI options Instagram is rolling out as well. If my clients ask for it specifically, I will help them set it up. However, I won’t be doing it for my own brands until there are more protections in place where AI is concerned.)

Meta’s Threads: Crossposting Without the Hassle

Meta’s new crossposting feature between Threads, Facebook, and Instagram sounds great—on paper.

But as with all crossposting, you need to make sure your posts have a purpose. Just because you can post the same content on multiple platforms doesn’t mean you should.

It currently doesn’t work for Reels and you aren’t able to cross post if you’re scheduling in Meta Business Suite (as I do for all my retainer clients), so it would require a specific strategy to make it work.

My Advice: I personally haven’t even bothered with Threads yet. My audience of busy entrepreneurs? They’re not hanging out there, and I’m guessing with their lagging monthly user numbers, yours aren’t either. But if you already have an account and aren’t posting regularly, this crossposting feature could be a quick win. Just make sure you’re using it strategically, not just for the sake of it.

Time to Reevaluate Your Strategy

As we head into the busiest season of the year, it’s the perfect time to shift your social media or content strategy. Whether you’re my current client or someone looking for a fresh perspective, I’m excited to help you navigate these changes and make the most of them.

And for those of you who've been waiting patiently—I’m finally reopening my calendar to new clients! Let’s chat about how we can gear up your business for success this fall.

So, ready to change up your social media strategy? I know I am. Book a time, and let’s make magic happen.