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Social Media Updates You Need To Know: April 2025 Edition
Jazz Jackson
May 01, 2025
Hey UNE INSIDERS
Welcome to our April 2025 Social Media Update Newsletter! This month brings several game-changing updates across major platforms that could significantly impact your social media strategy.
The digital landscape continues to evolve at breakneck speed, and staying informed about the latest features is crucial for maintaining engagement and growing your audience. From exclusive content options to enhanced creator tools, April's updates offer exciting new ways to connect with your followers.
In this edition, we'll break down the most important platform changes, provide actionable implementation strategies, and help you leverage these features for maximum impact. Let's dive in!
Table of Contents
INSTAGRAM UPDATES
New "Locked Post" Feature
Instagram is currently TESTING its much-anticipated "locked post" feature, allowing creators to gate content behind access codes. This represents a major shift in how exclusive content can be distributed on the platform.
What it is: Locked posts will appear your regular feed but require viewers to enter a specific code to view the content. A lock icon and customizable teaser text appear instead of the actual content for those without access.
How it works:
Create a post as usual
Toggle the "Lock Content" option before publishing
Set your access code (8-20 characters, alphanumeric)
Create a custom message for non-authorized viewers
Publish and share your access code through your preferred channels
How we would implement it?
Membership perks: Reward paying subscribers with exclusive content
Lead generation: Offer access codes in exchange for email sign-ups
Event exclusivity: Share behind-the-scenes content only for event attendees
Premium content: Create a tiered content strategy with free and premium posts
Feed Repost Functionality
After years of users relying on third-party apps, Instagram has finally introduced native reposting functionality, allowing users to share others' content directly in their feeds.
Feature overview: The new repost button appears alongside the like, comment, and share options. Reposted content displays the original creator's username and a "Reposted by [your username]" tag. Note: This new feature is still rolling out to accounts globally so if you don’t see this one yet, don’t be alarmed!
How we would implement it?
We encourage aiming for a 70/30 balance—70% original content, 30% reposts to not overwhelm your audience with frequent posts
Create themed days for reposts (e.g., "Feature Fridays")
Use reposts to foster relationships with complementary brands and creators
Leverage reposts to fill content calendar gaps without sacrificing quality
2x Video Playback Speed
Instagram has finally caught up with other platforms by introducing variable playback speeds for videos, allowing users to watch content at up to 2x the original speed.
Feature details:
Available for all video content (Reels and feed videos)
Accessed by press on the right side of your screen (video) to active 2x speed setting
How we would implement it:
Consider providing timestamps for key points in longer videos
Speak slightly slower in instructional content, anticipating for any speed adjustments
Add on-screen text for critical information / talking points that might be missed at higher speeds
Test future videos at various playback speeds before publishing
LINKEDIN UPDATES
Creator Toolkit Launch
LinkedIn has consolidated its creator tools and introduced several new features in its comprehensive Creator Toolkit, designed to help professionals and businesses build stronger presences on the platform.
New tools overview: LinkedIn's Creator Toolkit centralizes how to use it's various creator tools, platform best practices for creating impactful content, and educational learning materials all in one place. The toolkit represents LinkedIn's strongest push yet to position itself as a content creation platform rather than just a networking site.
These tools position LinkedIn as a serious competitor to other content platforms by providing specific features that are catered to the businesses and professional creatives. If you’ve missed the wave of Linkedin Creators and industry thoughtleaders creating magic with brands and businesses on the platform, trust us it’s the perfect time to get started on the platform!
YOUTUBE UPDATES
YouTube Shorts Strategy Guide 2025
YouTube Shorts continues to evolve rapidly, with significant algorithm and feature changes in April 2025 that creators need to understand.
We recommend YouTube as a platform of high opportunity for nearly all of our clients across different businesses, niches, and verticals. We love Shorts for many reasons, including the ability to monetize Shorts along with your long-form video content on the platform making YouTube the best platform today for sustainable revenue sharing opportunities and the ability to diversify your income streams.
BIG Monetization opportunities:
Shorts Revenue Sharing program has expanded eligibility to creators with just 500 subscribers (down from 1,000)
Product tagging feature now includes affiliate commission options
Virtual tipping during Shorts Live sessions
Membership-exclusive Shorts option for channel members
Brand collaboration marketplace now includes a "Shorts Creator" category
UNE INSIDERS RESOURCES
UNE's All Things Social Livestream: In our latest livestream, we dove deeper into each feature! Check out the full replay [HERE] and join us biweekly on Wednesdays at 12PM PST. We'll see you next Wednesday 05/07.
Have a question or topic you want us to cover next? Send us a friendly DM on socials or respond to this newsletter with your thoughts.
One-on-one Strategy Session: Are you an artist, creative, or innovative brand that is ready to supercharge your creative vision?
Book a 60-minute strategy session with our Founder/CEO Jazz Jackson to get personalized advice on implementing these new features or to chat about any of your social or marketing questions, challenges, and areas of opportunity to elevate your social media strategy to the next level. [Book now]
Applied knowledge is POWER
Don't forget to experiment with these new features and check out the resources linked in today's newsletter. At UNE we don't only give our clients the tools but we help you take the next steps to implement them, to ensure you have an up-to-date pulse of the social media evolution.
Test these out (we've been using the 2x speed on Instagram a little too much). Share your results and feedback with us on socials!