The Instagram Stories - Social Media News
The ultimate destination for the latest in social media news, focusing on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, and Edits. The show features exclusive audio clips from the voices behind the platforms, giving updates and insider insights. Whether you're a creator, marketer, or social media enthusiast, stay ahead of the curve and on top of social media news with 'The Instagram Stories - Social Media News'. Instagram and the Glyph are trademarks of Instagram, LLC in the U.S. and other countries. The publisher, author, and contributing photographers are independent and not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by Instagram, LLC. Instagram and...
HELP! Accidentally Liked an Old Instagram Post! What happens when I unlike it?
Have you ever experienced the situation when you accidentally like an old Instagram post someone made? If you unlike it immediately, will they know? The Head of Instagram explains the difference between how phone notifications work vs. Instagram in-app notifications. Also, I share my favorite takeaway from the Creator Economy Live event for when an Instagram post flops, the Edits team adds the ability to share directly to Stories, and the musical artist Sombr shares his songwriting process where he only writes song snippets to see what performs well before writing the rest of the song.
Will Adding Multiple Captions to Instagram Carousels Boost Reach?
The Head of Instagram answers questions weekly, and on this show, I dissect the answers. On today's episode, we break down who can see what on Instagram - if someone can tell you viewed their profile, if there's a way to know who saved and shared your post or Reel, and if someone sends you a DM you haven't accepted yet, if they can tell you read it. We'll also get in to some reach related questions, including if having multiple captions on a carousel will boost reach, and if carousels are still valuable. Plus we get into some...
Get the Chronological Instagram Experience Back with the Following Feed
People say all the time how much they wish Instagram could go back to the way it was before the algorithm - back when things were chronological and you saw content from only the people you chose to follow. Instagram lets you do that with the "Following" feed. Also you can remove an Instagram follower without them knowing, and Instagram added the ability to replace the audio on any of your existing posts.
Links:
Creator Live East event - July 29th - NYC (Register) - Use code "INSTASTORIESPOD20" for 20% off!
I...
Advice For When You're Not Adding Followers on Instagram
On Mondays we dive into what the Head of Instagram shared on his weekly Ask Me Anything videos. This week he answers a bunch of questions about Reach, including if removing unwanted followers will help and if turning your account to private temporarily then back to public will help.
Links:
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Connect with me on Threads: @danielhillmedia
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Leave a Re...
Instagram Adds Series and Translations Plus Using YouTube Shorts to Grow Audience
Instagram adds the ability to make a Series, linking videos together, and additional languages that videos can automatically be translated into. The Edits team adds custom font support, lyrics as captions, and the ability to search for effects. In the strategy portion of the episode, we get into how to grow long form YouTube by using YouTube Shorts.
Links:
Instagram Adds Translations (Instagram)
Instagram Adds Series (Instagram)
Edits Adds Custom Fonts Support, Lyrics as Captions and Search for Effects (Instagram)
YouTube: How To Grow Long-Form with S...
Instagram Turns Off the Ability To Use AI With Public Images
Good news - Meta has removed the ability to use AI modify anyone's publicly available Instagram photos! Also the Head of Instagram answers questions about the new AI tools, how to increase reach globally, and how long the shelf life of a Reel is in the recommendations.
Links:
The Instagram Stories - Social Media News - VIDEO VERSION!!! My new YouTube Show! (YouTube)
Instagram: Meta removes Instagram’s AI remix option (SocialMediaToday)
Check out my new YouTube Show! (YouTube)
Links:
<...
Instagram Lets Anyone Generate AI Images From Your Posts and How To Prevent It
Major update - I have launched a video version of this show!
In today's episode, Meta rolled out their latest AI updates but that included the ability for anyone to generate any AI images from anyone's Instagram posts. If you don't want that, I explain how to prevent it by going into the Instagram settings. Additionally the YouTube team has updates for Shorts and Account Status, and the Edits app has the ability to put images and text behind you using layers.
Links:
The Instagram Stories - Social Media News - VIDEO VERSION...
Instagram Rolls Out Muse Image AI and Edits Gets Bilingual Captions
The Meta team announced Muse Image, the company’s first image generation model from Meta Superintelligence Labs. Also the Edits team added the ability to automatically generate bilingual captions, and the Head of Instagram explains how to create a shared collection. In the strategy section of the episode, we get into the value of cross-posting Reels to Facebook and how to use YouTube Shorts to create an engaged community.
Links:
Meta: Introducing Muse Image: Image Generation Built for Your World (Meta)
Edits: Bilingual Captions Now Available (Instagram)
Instagram: Sha...
YouTube Adds Google Profile Pages for Creators
Google adds Search Profiles for creators who have over 100,000 followers, YouTube posts get music, and the YouTube team explains how to get started with YouTube Shorts. Also the Threads team has been improving live chats, and the Head of Instagram explains how to handle a post that doesn't perform well - should you take it down and repost it immediately, or leave it up?
If you are interested in sponsoring the show, send me a DM! I'd love to chat. @danielhillmedia
Links:
YouTube: Google Search Profiles (YouTube)
Threads: L...
Instagram Testing More Ways to Access Your Algorithm
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Today on the show, the Head of Instagram answers questions like "how do I find the setting to add more captions to the carousel?", "how do I know when someone specific posts?" and "do you ever just stop adding features to Instagram and Edits?"
Links:
Instagram: Testing More Ways to Access Your Algorithm (Instagram)
...
Meta's New Smart Glasses and a Guide to YouTube's Ask Studio AI Tool
The CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerburg, announced Meta Ray-Bans - without the Ray-Bans - for $80 cheaper. Also Rene Ritchie from the YouTube Creator Insider team explains how to use the AI tool Ask Studio, and the Head of Instagram explains how long to wait before posting your next video.
Links:
Meta: New Smart Glasses (Instagram)
YouTube: Ask Studio - Getting Started Guide for Creators (YouTube)
Instagram: How Long to Wait Before Posting the Next Video? (Instagram)
Instagram: How to Turn Viewers into Followers (Instagram)
Instagram Adds Multiple Captions to Carousels and Instagram on Samsung TVs
The Head of Instagram announced on Threads that the Instagram app is now available for Samsung TVs. Also, the Instagram team announced on Friday that carousels now support multiple captions - so you can make one caption per slide.
In today's episode, the Head of Instagram answers questions about Reach, Engagement, Stories, and short form vs. long form video.
Links:
Instagram: App Now Available on Samsung TVs (Threads)
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Co...
Snap's New AR Glasses and The Best Time To Post on Instagram
Snap has new AR glasses and they're $2,200. They're also massive. The Head of Instagram explains when the best time to post is, and why you might not want to create a new Instagram account if you pivot to a new topic. Also the Edits team is adding AI to help assist you.
Links:
Snapchat: Snap Unveils Specs Smart Glasses at AWE 2026 (YouTube)
Instagram: The Best Time to Post on Instagram (Instagram)
Instagram: Create a new account or use your existing account? (Instagram)
Edits: Creator-only event with updates on the E...
Instagram CEO Discusses Re-Ordering Grid Plus AI in Edits Like YouTube Studio
The Head of Instagram explains how to re-order your grid, explains that editing a post after publishing does not hurt performance, and explains about the AI they're building in Edits to help you make better videos - and maybe even do the video editing for you. He also answers questions about turning off follower count, and customizing your algorithm to affect the content you see from people you've chosen to follow.
Links:
Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple Podcasts
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Instagram Brings Customization of Your Algorithm to Main Feed
Instagram announced today they are bringing Customization of Your Algorithm to the main feed- you can see the topics Instagram thinks you're interested in, and change them. You can access Your Algorithm by navigating to Reels or Explore and tapping the icon in the upper right corner (the two lines with hearts). Also 3 tips for sharing content on Threads, plus a roundup of the latest YouTube news.
Links:
Instagram: Customization of Your Algorithm to Main Feed (Instagram)
Threads: 3 Things Creators Should Be Doing on Threads (Instagram)
YouTube: Creator R...
Reorder Your Instagram Profile Grid Plus Q&A with Head of Instagram
With the new “Reorder your grid” feature, you can now rearrange content on your main profile grid. It's been a long time coming. Also the Head of Instagram answers questions about creators using Instants, Translation, the sweet spot for length of Reels, and more.
Links:
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Connect with me on Threads: @danielhillmedia
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Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple Podcasts
...
How To Get More Views On Your Content
Today the YouTube team adds the ability to talk to the AI in YouTube Studio and have it remember, Instagram gives more details about Instagram Plus, Adam Mosseri answers why the same Reel posted twice performs differently, and a TikTok creator shares a strategy for getting more views.
Links:
YouTube: AI Labels, Ask Studio History, Nano Banana Effect Maker (YouTube)
Instagram: Instagram Plus (Instagram)
Instagram: Same Reel Performing Differently (Instagram)
Instagram: DM Sticker in Stories (Instagram)
TikTok: How To Get More Views (TikTok)
Instagram Gets Teleprompter and Edits for Desktop is Coming!!
The Head of Instagram announced the teleprompter feature from Edits is now in the Instagram app, then answers questions about when the Edits desktop app is coming, the best times to post, whether or not to have 2 Instagram accounts or just one.
Links:
Instagram: Instagram introduces teleprompter tool (Social Media Today)
Links:
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Conne...
Instagram Launches Instagram Plus for $3.99/month
The Head of Product at Meta, Naomi Gleit, announces new Subscription options at Meta, Rene Ritchie from the YouTube Creator Insider team explains the new AI Remix feature inside YouTube Shorts, and Adam Mosseri explains how to understand Instagram's insights.
Links:
Meta: Subscriptions for Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Meta (Instagram)
Meta: Facebook launches a ‘Plus’ subscription that gives you extra features (The Verge)
YouTube: Gemini Omni in Shorts Remix - Creator Newsflash (YouTube)
Instagram: Insights, engagement rates and connected versus unconnected reach (Instagram)
...
Head of Instagram Answers Why We Can't Tell Who Shared Our Content
The Head of Instagram's weekly Ask Me Anything sessions are always full of great info, and this week is no exception. We talk about how to use Trial Reels, what to do if someone is harassing you by creating fake accounts, and some feature suggestions including a dislike button and why Instagram won't let you see who shared your content.
Links:
Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple Podcasts
Connect with me on Instagram: @danielhillmedia
Connect with me on Threads: @danielhillmedia
Connect wit...
YouTube Introduces Image Posts and Carousels to the Shorts Feed Plus a Co-Viewing Metric
Today's episode is focused on YouTube - they're rolling out carousel posts in YouTube Shorts, plus a new co-viewing metric for YouTube TV watchers. There's also an interview with Daniel Wall of YouTube's Behind the Wall channel, talking about how to know when it's time to hire a team and who to look for. At the end I do Wednesday Waffle where I make a prediction about the item of the summer.
Links:
YouTube: Music for Image Posts and Carousels in the Shorts Feed (YouTube)
YouTube: Unique Reach: A new co-viewing metric i...
Instagram Instants vs. Snapchat vs. Be Real and Turning Off Instants
How does Instagram Instants compare to Snapchat and BeReal? Can you turn off Instants? The Head of Instagram answers those questions plus busts a myth about using DMs to increase reach and more on today's episode.
Links:
SNL - BeReal (YouTube)
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Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple Podcasts
Instagram Rolls Out Instants and Using Edits to Create Links
Instagram rolls out Instants, and I started using it! Mark Zuckerberg announced encrypted AI conversations, plus how to use Edits to link directly to Reels, and advice on the questions to ask when a piece of content does not perform well.
Links:
Instagram: Introducing Instants! (Instagram)
Meta AI: Encrypted AI Conversations (Threads)
Edits: Reels and Account Linking Inside Videos (Instagram)
YouTube: Emmanuel Acho of Speakeasy with Creator Advice (YouTube)
Wednesday Waffle - Download Instagram Content (Save-Free.com)
Leave a R...
Losing Instagram Followers Due to the Purge of 2026
The Head of Instagram explains why you may have lost followers last week, how long a Reel should be, and how to prevent people from leaving your Reels after 5 seconds. He also discusses feature suggestions including a faster, simpler way to organize a carousel, plus Trial Reels being available on desktop (yay!)
Links:
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Connect with me on Threads: @danielhillmedia
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Lea...
Threads Gets DMs on Web and Adam Savage from Mythbusters Talks YouTube Strategy
The Threads team continues to add features, and this one is important - being able to send DMs from your laptop (or desktop). Now you finally can! Also the Edits team has some new features, including one called "Fuse" that I really like, and we get into Edits features to help you with your workflow. Lastly the YouTube Creator Insider team interviews Adam Savage from the TV show "Mythbusters" all about his strategy.
Links:
Threads: DMs from the Web! (Threads)
Threads: Trending Topics Expands to More Countries (Threads)
E...
Memes and Original Content on Instagram, Explained by the CEO
The Head of Instagram does his weekly Ask Me Anything, answering questions like "can I still post memes on Instagram?" and "tips for meme accounts to stay original?". He also talks about the most common traits in successful creators and if Instagram Verification prevents you from having your account suspended.
Links:
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Connect with me on Threads: @danielhillmedia
Connect with me on YouTube: @danielhill.media
Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple P...
Instagram Focuses on Original Content from Creators Plus the CEO of Snap on Stolen Products and Features
The team at Instagram is going to start penalizing aggregators who don't make original content, and just take content from others. Additionally, the team at YouTube is going to stop sending push notifications to subscribers after 1 month of not clicking on them, and will communicate new videos through the YouTube Inbox (the bell!) instead. Also the CEO of Snap, Evan Spiegel, explains what it's like to have Instagram and Meta copy all your ideas.
Links:
Instagram: Everything you need to know about original content (Instagram)
YouTube: Notifications, Generative Instrumentals, Comment Se...
Instagram Adds More Insights and Edits Adds Duplicate Versions
The Instagram team has improved insights, making it easier to find the data you need to figure out how your content is performing. The Edits team has added some improvements, including the ability to duplicate videos so you can A/B test content without needing to remake it.
Links:
Instagram: Updates to Insights (Instagram)
Edits: Updates to Edits (Instagram)
Instagram: How To Keep Followers Engaged (Instagram)
Wednesday Waffle:
Hear Me Out - A Night of Wild Takes (Instagram)
...
Instagram Launches "Instants" - a New App for Low Pressure Content
The Instagram team has launched a new app called Instants in 2 countries, which seems to be remarkably similar to the old Threads app they had for sharing with Close Friends - before they cancelled that app and launched a different app named Threads. (Confused yet?)
We'll get into the AMA the Head of Instagram did last week, answering questions about metrics, translations, trial Reels, and more.
Instagram is rolling out a new app that's a mix of Snapchat and BeReal (Business Insider)
Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple Podcasts
The CEO of YouTube Shares How to Build an Audience on YouTube
The CEO of YouTube shares what he thinks about how to gain an audience on the platform, and where YouTube is focusing to support creators. The Threads team has launched Live Chat, Edits has some audio tricks for voice you might not know about, and I do Wednesday Waffle
Links:
What Is YouTube Doing to Us? We Asked Its CEO. | The Interview (YouTube)
Threads launched Live Chat (Threads)
Edits Audio Tricks for Voice (Instagram)
Find Me Online:
Connect with me on Instagram: @danielhillmedia
Connect...
The CEO of YouTube Shares How to Build an Audience on YouTube
The CEO of YouTube shares what he thinks about how to gain an audience on the platform, and where YouTube is focusing to support creators. The Threads team has launched Live Chat, Edits has some audio tricks for voice you might not know about, and I do Wednesday Waffle.
Links:
What Is YouTube Doing to Us? We Asked Its CEO. | The Interview (YouTube)
Threads launched Live Chat (Threads)
Edits Audio Tricks for Voice (Instagram)
Find Me Online:
Connect with me on Instagram: @danielhillmedia
...Mr. Beast vs. Adam Mosseri Answering "What's the Best Content Format to Invest Time Creating?"
What's the best type of content to focus on creating - carousels, long form videos, short form videos, or something else? Today on the show, the Head of Instagram answers the question but then I play a clip of Mr. Beast answering a very similar question.
Also the Head of Instagram answers questions about how to handle hate, trial reels, and takes feature suggestions.
Links: Instagram: Chart to Explain Difference Between Account Types (Instagram)
YouTube: Mr. Beast and the Attention Economy (YouTube)
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/po...
Mr. Beast vs. Adam Mosseri Answering "What's the Best Content Format to Invest Time Creating?"
What's the best type of content to focus on creating - carousels, long form videos, short form videos, or something else? Today on the show, the Head of Instagram answers the question but then I play a clip of Mr. Beast answering a very similar question.
Also the Head of Instagram answers questions about how to handle hate, trial reels, and takes feature suggestions.
Links:
Instagram: Chart to Explain Difference Between Account Types (Instagram)
YouTube: Mr. Beast and the Attention Economy (YouTube)
Hosted by Si...
Adding Links to Reels by Using Edits and Mark Zuckerburg is Creating an AI Clone
Instagram has expanded "Your Algorithm" to the Explore page, Threads is getting indented replies while the Threads web version is improving with DMs, the Edits app has the ability to add links to Reels, and Mark Zuckerburg is cloning himself so we technically shouldn't need CEOs anymore.
Links:
Instagram: ‘Your algorithm’ feature to the Explore tab (Instagram Blog)
Instagram: Limiting the number of Trial Reels (Threads)
Instagram: Adding GIF notes (Threads)
Threads: Indented Replies (Threads)
Threads: Web Version Update (Threads)
Edits: Add Links to Reels (Instagram)
...
Adding Links to Reels by Using Edits and Mark Zuckerburg is Creating an AI Clone
Instagram has expanded "Your Algorithm" to the Explore page, Threads is getting indented replies while the Threads web version is improving with DMs, the Edits app has the ability to add links to Reels, and Mark Zuckerburg is cloning himself so we technically shouldn't need CEOs anymore.
Links:
Instagram: ‘Your algorithm’ feature to the Explore tab (Instagram Blog)
Instagram: Limiting the number of Trial Reels (Threads)
Instagram: Adding GIF notes (Threads)
Threads: Indented Replies (Threads)
Threads: Web Version Update (Threads)
Edits: Add Links to Re...
Watching Your Own Reel Doesn't Increase Your View Count
Today's episode features questions from the Head of Instagram, where he answers questions like "does watching my own Reel increase my view count?" and "how do we edit comments now?"
Links:
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Follow Me on Threads: @danielhillmedia
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Watching Your Own Reel Doesn't Increase Your View Count
Today's episode features questions from the Head of Instagram, where he answers questions like "does watching my own Reel increase my view count?" and "how do we edit comments now?"
Links:
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts
Follow Me on Instagram: @danielhillmedia
Follow Me on Threads: @danielhillmedia
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Instagram Gets the Ability to Edit Comments and Features You Might Not Know About
The Instagram team has added the ability to edit comments within a 15 minute window! Finally! Also the Head of Instagram reminds us of some features you might not know about, but one of them is Story Highlights, and I hate Story Highlights for so many reasons that I won't go into on this episode because you're tired of hearing me talk about them.
Links:
Instagram: Edit Comments Within 15 Minutes (Threads)
Instagram: Features You Might Not Know About (Instagram)
AI: “Sam Altman Watches Awkwardly As He’s Shown Bizarre ChatGPT Issue: “Uh, Maybe, Uhhh…”...
Instagram Gets the Ability to Edit Comments and Features You Might Not Know About
The Instagram team has added the ability to edit comments within a 15 minute window! Finally! Also the Head of Instagram reminds us of some features you might not know about, but one of them is Story Highlights, and I hate Story Highlights for so many reasons that I won't go into on this episode because you're tired of hearing me talk about them.
Links:
Instagram: Edit Comments Within 15 Minutes (Threads)
Instagram: Features You Might Not Know About (Instagram)
AI: “Sam Altman Watches Awkwardly As He’s Shown Bizarre ChatGPT Issue: “Uh, Maybe...
Record Landscape and Portrait Video At the Same Time with DualShot Recorder
A new app has his number 1 in the Apple App Store, and it allows you to record video in landscape (for YouTube) and portrait (for Instagram/TikTok) at the same time - it's called DualShot Recorder.
Also, the Head of Instagram announced the ability to schedule Trial Reels, plus have affiliate links to sell products from Reels to earn a commission. The YouTube team has improved the Creator Media Kit, and integrated Nano Banana into the YT Create app.
After all that, I get into Wednesday Waffle.
Links:
Dual Shot Recorder (Instagram) (A...
