This fortnight, social media platforms have rolled out updates that sharpen user control, creative expression, and engagement across messaging, feeds, and immersive experiences. YouTube has tested new feed customization tools, improved timestamp management, and expanded AI-powered reply suggestions, giving creators and users more precise ways to interact with content. WhatsApp has reintroduced activity notes on user profiles, allowing contacts to see dynamic updates at a glance, while Threads has added group chat invites and podcast previews to foster more interactive and community-driven conversations.
Meanwhile, Meta has advanced its creative toolkit for the metaverse, providing new 3D effects and collaborative experiences for Indian creators. Google has launched agentic AI shopping tools, letting users ask conversational questions and receive product suggestions, enhancing online shopping interactions. Collectively, these updates provide Indian users and creators with smarter messaging, feed control, monetisation insights, and opportunities for immersive content creation, reflecting the ongoing shift toward AI-driven, user-centric digital experiences.
YouTube
New Feed Control via Conversational Prompts
YouTube is testing a “Your Custom Feed” option, where users can refine their recommendation algorithm by typing simple conversational prompts. This gives more control over what shows up on their Home feed.
Insight: Indian viewers can tailor their YouTube experience to see more of what they actually want, reducing unwanted algorithm surprises.
Improved Timestamp Controls & AI Reply Suggestions
YouTube is rolling out a drag‑and‑drop timestamp editor for creators, so they can place or adjust timestamp markers precisely. They’re also expanding AI-powered comment-reply suggestions across languages, making engagement more accessible.
Insight: Indian creators can better highlight key moments in their videos and respond to audience comments more efficiently and in regional languages.
Hype Posts & Members‑Only Content Filters
YouTube is adding “Hype” posts and membership-only content filtering, designed to boost engagement among paying subscribers.
Insight: Indian creators with subscriber programs can use these tools to deepen connection with their top fans and drive loyalty.
Threads
Group Chat Invites for DM Discussions
Threads now lets users create group chats with invite links. Admins can generate links, people can join, and group discussion becomes easier to scale.
Insight: Indian creators and communities can more easily build topic-based group conversations, increasing engagement and interaction on Threads.
Podcast Integration & Profile Previews
Threads is integrating podcasts into profiles: users can link their show, and the app will include thumbnails and preview links when someone shares the podcast.
Insight: Indian podcasters can drive discoverability through Threads, reaching audiences who prefer social listening.
Activity Notes / “About” Feature Revived
WhatsApp has reintroduced the “About” section on profiles — short notes that users can set to expire after a day or stay longer. Contacts can also reply to these Notes directly.
Insight: Indian users can share quick status updates (like what they’re up to) effortlessly, helping friends stay in sync without long messages.
Meta
New 3D Creative Tools for Metaverse Environments
Meta is advancing its metaverse roadmap with creative AI tools: SAM 3D can generate 3D objects from images, and Hyperscape lets users scan real spaces to re-create them in VR. You can invite others into these spaces via a shareable link.
Insight: Indian creators and brands can now build immersive digital environments, expanding their presence beyond social media and into virtual spaces.
Agentic AI Shopping Tools for Conversational Queries
Google’s AI now enables “agentic” shopping: you can ask for products via natural language, and the AI will pull up results, check inventory, and even handle checkout based on user rules.
Insight: For Indian consumers and D2C brands, this could transform how people discover products — making shopping feel like a conversation, not a search.
