Social platforms evolve fast, and the features that once felt optional now shape what your audience actually sees. If you lead a school, community program, family brand, or small business, using the right new tools at the right time can mean the difference between scrolling past and stopping to engage. Use this guide to prioritize what’s worth testing in %%current_year%% and turn fresh features into measurable wins.
How to Choose Which Features to Test First
- Match feature to goal: awareness (reach, views), consideration (watch time, saves, clicks), or conversion (shop taps, sign-ups).
- Follow your audience: pick the features that show up where your people already spend time, not where you wish they were.
- Start small: ship one high-quality test per platform, then scale what works.
- Measure what matters: define success metrics and a time window before you post.
- Protect capacity: choose formats your team can sustain weekly without burnout.
15 New Social Media Features to Try in %%current_year%%
1) Social Watching Evolved: Facebook Watch and Reels
Originally framed as “Social Watching,” Facebook’s video experience has shifted from watch parties (retired) to personalized discovery through Watch and Reels. Today, recommendations heavily reflect what your friends, Groups, and followed Pages are engaging with. Use that signal to publish short, topical videos that your community will want to share into Groups and chats.
- Best for: Community updates, event recaps, short explainers
- Where to find: Facebook Watch tab and Reels feed
- Setup time: 30–90 minutes per video
- Metrics to watch: 3-second views, average watch time, shares to Groups
- Pro tip: Post to your Page, then reshare into relevant Groups you manage to trigger social discovery.
Lean into captions, clear hooks in the first three seconds, and group-focused topics to ride the social graph.
2) Collaborative Stories in Facebook Groups and Events
Facebook now supports Stories in Groups and Events, so members can contribute quick vertical updates that expire after 24 hours. This creates low-pressure, in-the-moment storytelling around school functions, fundraisers, and family events. Admin tools allow approvals and safety controls so you keep contributions on-brand and age-appropriate.
- Best for: Community takeovers, field trips, game days
- Where to find: Group or Event Story tray
- Setup time: 10–20 minutes per Story
- Metrics to watch: Views, replies, contributor count
- Pro tip: Post a visual prompt and theme (for example, “Show your team spirit”) to curate better contributions.
Rotate “host” roles to different volunteers or student leaders to deepen participation.
3) Meta Sound Collection: Free Music and SFX for Facebook and Instagram
Facebook’s original “royalty-free voice collection” is now the Meta Sound Collection, offering free music and sound effects that are cleared for use on Facebook and Instagram videos and Reels. This keeps your content safe from takedowns while making short videos more engaging.
- Best for: Reels, highlight videos, behind-the-scenes clips
- Where to find: Meta Sound Collection in Creator Studio or within Reels editor
- Setup time: 10–30 minutes to browse and sync
- Metrics to watch: Completion rate, Reels plays, saves
- Pro tip: Filter tracks by mood and length, then cut scenes to the beat to increase retention.
Keep volumes balanced and always add captions for accessibility.
4) Instagram Stories Highlights (Modernized)
Stories Highlights still prevent your most useful Stories from vanishing after 24 hours, but they now act like evergreen mini-collections on your profile. Organize Highlights by need-to-know topics like Admissions, Calendars, FAQs, or Parent Resources, and brand the covers for clarity.
- Best for: Evergreen info, guides, campus tours
- Where to find: Instagram profile Highlights row
- Setup time: 30–60 minutes to curate and design covers
- Metrics to watch: Profile visits, Highlights taps, follows after view
- Pro tip: Place your most critical Highlight first and update it monthly so it stays relevant.
Link Stickers within Stories can point to sign-ups, donations, or policy pages before you archive them into Highlights.
5) Instagram Live Rooms and Dual Live
Going live in split-screen has grown into Live Rooms (up to four participants) plus moderation and scheduling tools. Co-host with a teacher, coach, or alum to host Q&As, auditions, and virtual office hours. Lives generate notifications to followers and can be saved for on-demand viewing.
- Best for: Live Q&A, performances, interview series
- Where to find: Instagram Live, add guests
- Setup time: 15 minutes to schedule; 20–40 minutes live
- Metrics to watch: Concurrent viewers, comments, replays
- Pro tip: Publish a countdown Sticker and collect audience questions in advance for smoother flow.
Assign a moderator to manage comments and pin key info during the stream.
6) Snapchat Lenses with Link Attachments
Snapchat’s sponsored Lenses and Filters can include swipe-up or tap attachments that route to a site, form, or Lens landing. Even without paid campaigns, schools and local brands can experiment with AR via Lens Web Builder for seasonal frames and lightweight try-ons.
- Best for: Event promos, spirit weeks, community challenges
- Where to find: Lens Web Builder, Ads Manager for attachments
- Setup time: 1–3 hours per Lens
- Metrics to watch: Plays, shares, attachment clicks
- Pro tip: Keep branding subtle and focus on a fun action that makes users want to send the Lens to friends.
Use geotargeting around campuses or venues to increase relevance and efficiency.
7) X (Twitter) Longform Posts and Articles
Twitter’s 280 characters unlocked years ago; in %%current_year%%, X supports longform posts and Articles for Premium tiers, letting thought leaders publish full-length explainers without a blog. For public institutions and educators, this can centralize announcements and position staff as expert voices.
- Best for: Policy updates, op-eds, research summaries
- Where to find: X compose window (longform) or Articles for eligible accounts
- Setup time: 30–90 minutes per piece
- Metrics to watch: Reads, read time, reposts, link clicks
- Pro tip: Lead with a crisp summary card post, then thread key takeaways to boost distribution.
Add alt text and clear subheads to keep longform skimmable and accessible.
8) LinkedIn Video, Live, and Document Carousels
LinkedIn’s video tools now include native captions, Live events, and document carousels that behave like slideshows. For schools, nonprofits, and edu brands, this is a reliable B2B channel for hiring, partnerships, and thought leadership that reaches families and professionals alike.
- Best for: Hiring, program spotlights, donation drives
- Where to find: LinkedIn post composer (Video, Live, Document)
- Setup time: 30–120 minutes depending on format
- Metrics to watch: Completions, reactions, shares, click-through
- Pro tip: Turn one webinar into three assets: a Live recording, a short highlight reel, and a document carousel overview.
Post during weekday mornings for higher professional engagement.
9) LinkedIn Career Advice and Collaborative Articles
LinkedIn’s classic “Career Advice” features evolved into mentor signals, “Open to” settings, and AI-assisted Collaborative Articles that invite experts to contribute insights. Encourage staff and alumni to participate and tag your Page, creating credible visibility for your programs.
- Best for: Mentorship, alumni relations, professional development
- Where to find: Profile settings and Collaborative Articles prompts
- Setup time: 15–45 minutes to contribute
- Metrics to watch: Profile views, connection requests, Page mentions
- Pro tip: Publish a monthly prompt and invite your network to add their perspectives for compounding reach.
Curate the best answers into your Page posts and newsletters.
10) Instagram Broadcast Channels
Broadcast Channels let creators and organizations send one-to-many updates via chat that followers opt into. It’s perfect for important reminders, casting calls, and limited-time opportunities that might get missed in the feed.
- Best for: Announcements, deadlines, scholarship alerts
- Where to find: Instagram profile “Message” area, Channel invite
- Setup time: 10 minutes to launch
- Metrics to watch: Follows to channel, open rate, reactions
- Pro tip: Offer channel-only perks (early registration windows) to encourage opt-ins.
Keep messages brief and valuable so subscribers stay engaged.
11) TikTok Shop and Live Shopping
TikTok’s Shop integrates product listings, affiliate tools, and Live Shopping. For family brands and school stores, this can turn short videos into instant purchases, especially when paired with creators or student ambassadors who already have trust.
- Best for: Spirit wear, merch, ticket sales, fundraising items
- Where to find: TikTok Shop tab, Product links in posts and Lives
- Setup time: 1–3 hours to set up Shop and link catalog
- Metrics to watch: Product clicks, add-to-carts, conversion rate
- Pro tip: Use creator affiliates with trackable links; spotlight one product per video with a clear CTA.
Pin key comments during Lives so viewers can check out without leaving the stream.
12) YouTube Shorts with Shopping and Remix
Shorts now support product tagging and easy Remix tools to respond or collaborate. Schools can remix trending education prompts, while brands can attach products to Shorts for frictionless viewing-to-buying.
- Best for: Quick tips, lab demos, gear spotlights
- Where to find: YouTube app, Shorts camera and editor
- Setup time: 20–60 minutes per Short
- Metrics to watch: Views, percentage viewed, product clicks
- Pro tip: Recut long videos into three Shorts with distinct hooks; title for curiosity, not just keywords.
Always include captions and a compelling first frame.
13) Threads by Instagram: Low-Friction Public Conversations
Threads offers a calmer, text-first space connected to your Instagram account. It’s useful for lightweight announcements, quick reflections, and student or parent shout-outs without the noise of heavier networks.
- Best for: Quick updates, community discussions, micro-blogs
- Where to find: Threads app; cross-post from Instagram
- Setup time: 5–15 minutes per thread
- Metrics to watch: Replies, follows, profile taps
- Pro tip: Cross-post your best Threads to Instagram Stories to pull existing followers into the conversation.
Use consistent series formats (for example, “Teacher Tuesday”) to build habit.
14) WhatsApp Channels and Communities
WhatsApp Channels let you broadcast important updates, while Communities group related chats (for example, grades, teams, clubs) under one umbrella. For families, this is one of the most reliable ways to reach people on the move.
- Best for: Urgent notices, weather closures, schedule changes
- Where to find: WhatsApp Updates tab (Channels), Communities in chat list
- Setup time: 15–30 minutes to organize
- Metrics to watch: Follows, reactions, tap-throughs on links
- Pro tip: Pair a concise text update with a one-page PDF flyer for details to keep messages scannable.
Set clear posting schedules and rules for moderators to prevent notification fatigue.
15) Pinterest Idea Pins and Collage Tools
Pinterest’s Idea Pins (multi-page, video-friendly) and collage features help you showcase step-by-step projects, class crafts, or dorm setup ideas. Because Pinterest is search-driven, these pins keep working long after the first week.
- Best for: Tutorials, checklists, inspiration boards
- Where to find: Pinterest create flow (Idea Pin)
- Setup time: 30–90 minutes per Pin set
- Metrics to watch: Saves, outbound clicks, follows
- Pro tip: Add text overlays with keywords students and parents actually search; link to a full guide on your site.
Refresh seasonally to catch back-to-school and holiday planning windows.
Make These Features Work Together
- Create once, adapt many: A long LinkedIn Live can become Shorts, Reels, Threads highlights, and a Facebook Group recap.
- Use consistent CTAs: One campaign goal per week across platforms simplifies testing and improves signal.
- Build a content ladder: Tease on Stories, deliver on Live, archive in Highlights, and index with YouTube.
Measurement, Accessibility, and Safety
- Set weekly scorecards: reach, watch time, saves, DMs, clicks, conversions.
- Prioritize accessibility: captions, alt text, readable color contrast, and clear audio.
- Protect minors: disable DMs where needed, moderate contributors, and secure permissions for student images.
- Watch fatigue: track unsubscribe or leave rates in Channels and Communities.
Original List (Updated for %%current_year%%)
Social media platforms are constantly evolving, offering new features and tools to keep users engaged. As a savvy social media marketer, it’s important to stay updated with the latest trends to get the most out of each platform. Here are nine top trends you can spot in social media this year, refreshed with %%current_year%% guidance:
Social Watching (Facebook) The “Watch” experience now centers on Facebook Watch and Reels, where you’ll increasingly see videos friends and Groups are engaging with. While Watch Party has been retired, expect ongoing global availability of Watch and heavier distribution for Reels that spark comments and shares.
Collaborative Stories in Groups (Facebook) Facebook enables Stories in Groups and Events, so you can share Stories specific to your community spaces and foster more engaging, real-time conversations with member controls and safety settings.
Free Voice Collection (Facebook) Create engaging social videos with Meta’s royalty-free Sound Collection. Access a wide range of music and SFX to enhance the appeal of your video content on Facebook and Instagram without rights issues.
Stories Highlight (Instagram) Instagram’s Stories Highlights let you curate and showcase your best Stories so they don’t disappear after 24 hours. Your most valuable Stories can have a permanent, organized place on your profile with branded covers.
Broadcast Live in Split Screen (Instagram) Go live on Instagram in split-screen or Live Rooms. Invite guests to co-host your live broadcast, schedule sessions, and save replays to create dynamic and interactive content.
Sponsored Filters and Lenses Link (Snapchat) For brands, Snapchat’s Lenses can include link attachments. Add a link to your sponsored Lens or Filter so users can swipe or tap to access it, with performance tracking available in Ads Manager.
Extended 280-character Story (X/Twitter) The original 280-character limit expanded to longform posts and Articles for eligible accounts. Create more detailed, creative stories on the platform and thread them for reach.
LinkedIn video (LinkedIn) LinkedIn accepts native video, Live streams, and document carousels, enabling you to showcase expertise and engage your professional community with captions and event tools.
Career Advice (LinkedIn) Connect with other professionals through mentor signals and Collaborative Articles. This networking layer opens doors to mentorship, visibility, and growth in your field.
Stay ahead of the social media game in %%current_year%% by trying out these features across platforms. Whether it’s Facebook Watch and Reels, Instagram Stories Highlights, or LinkedIn’s collaborative tools, each offers unique ways to engage your audience and improve your strategy.
