13 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Your Instagram ‘Link in bio’ can now have up to five linksYour Instagram ‘Link in bio’ can now have up to five links
Social media is doomed to die

After seven years at Snapchat, I finally learned the truth about why our most important apps seem destined to disappoint us.

Ellis Hamburger
Instagram is adding TikTok-like Reels updates for editing and discoveryInstagram is adding TikTok-like Reels updates for editing and discovery
How two insurgents are taking on TwitterHow two insurgents are taking on Twitter
New Arkansas bill to keep minors off social media exempts most social media platformsNew Arkansas bill to keep minors off social media exempts most social media platforms
In celebration of the dumb phone, a rare sanity-saving gadgetIn celebration of the dumb phone, a rare sanity-saving gadget
Instagram now lets you save posts into collections shared with friendsInstagram now lets you save posts into collections shared with friends
Hipstamatic’s new social network looks like an Instagram throwbackHipstamatic’s new social network looks like an Instagram throwback
Instagram has started putting ads in search resultsInstagram has started putting ads in search results
Facebook and Instagram’s paid verification launches in the USFacebook and Instagram’s paid verification launches in the US
Meta is laying off 10,000 more employees in a series of cutsMeta is laying off 10,000 more employees in a series of cuts
Meta gives up on NFTs for Facebook and InstagramMeta gives up on NFTs for Facebook and Instagram
Mark Zuckerberg says Meta now has a team building AI tools and ‘personas’Mark Zuckerberg says Meta now has a team building AI tools and ‘personas’
Here’s what Messenger’s BeReal-ish ‘Roll Call’ looks likeHere’s what Messenger’s BeReal-ish ‘Roll Call’ looks like
Jon Porter
Jon Porter
Hardcore content moderation.

No, Meta isn’t welcoming PornHub’s official account back onto Instagram. Although its page was reinstated over the weekend, it was quickly re-banned.

“This was done in error,” a Meta spokesperson tells Variety. “We permanently disabled this Instagram account for repeatedly violating our policies.” Violations include breaking Instagram’s rules about sexual solicitation.

PornHub’s Instagram account was first removed in early September. A permanent ban was confirmed later that month.

Instagram Briefly Reinstates Pornhub Account ‘in Error,’ Then Shuts It Down Again

[Variety]

Facebook and Instagram are testing selling you blue checks for $12 a monthFacebook and Instagram are testing selling you blue checks for $12 a month
Meta is copying Telegram channels in InstagramMeta is copying Telegram channels in Instagram
Mia Sato
Mia Sato
Goodbye, Instagram shopping tab.

Instagram announced last month that the reshuffled homepage was coming, moving the new post button back to the bottom of the app where it was before.

It’s part of a larger move away from shopping features at the company — it said today it was also getting rid of live shopping features.

Instagram is getting rid of live shopping

Jay Peters
Instagram is getting rid of live shoppingInstagram is getting rid of live shopping
Instagram’s co-founders are back with Artifact, a kind of TikTok for textInstagram’s co-founders are back with Artifact, a kind of TikTok for text
Instagram’s AIM-like text status feature is expanding to Europe and JapanInstagram’s AIM-like text status feature is expanding to Europe and Japan
Meta allows Trump back on Facebook and InstagramMeta allows Trump back on Facebook and Instagram
Jay Peters
Jay Peters
Meta kinda sorta wants you to show off your Bitmoji-like avatar on Instagram.

You can now add your avatar as a secondary Instagram profile pic, though people will have to know they can tap your standard pic to be able to see it. It’s a little thing, but indicative of Meta’s broader efforts to encourage people to use its avatars in its apps and in the metaverse.

Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Britain’s prime minister was fined because of this Instagram video.

There’s a long history of internet posts getting people into legal trouble, but this entry is unusual because it’s Britain’s prime minister Rishi Sunak.

This promotional video on his Instagram showed him riding in a car without a seatbelt on. The New York Times reports that violation can result in a fine of up to £500 (about $620 US), and said Sunak’s office confirmed he would pay without specifying an amount.

Instagram showed people too many videos last year, admits Adam MosseriInstagram showed people too many videos last year, admits Adam Mosseri
Meta’s bundling your Instagram and Facebook account settings in one placeMeta’s bundling your Instagram and Facebook account settings in one place
Climate change denial is making a ‘stark comeback’ on social media, study findsClimate change denial is making a ‘stark comeback’ on social media, study finds
Instagram now lets you pause notifications with Quiet ModeInstagram now lets you pause notifications with Quiet Mode
Meta sues surveillance company for scraping data with fake Facebook accountsMeta sues surveillance company for scraping data with fake Facebook accounts
How to mute people on InstagramHow to mute people on Instagram
Sheena Vasani
Meta is further limiting how advertisers can target teens on Facebook and InstagramMeta is further limiting how advertisers can target teens on Facebook and Instagram
Instagram is kicking the shopping tab out of the home feedInstagram is kicking the shopping tab out of the home feed
Instagram is littered with bright-as-hell HDR videos, but it didn’t have to be this wayInstagram is littered with bright-as-hell HDR videos, but it didn’t have to be this way
In 2022, cozy games went from niche to video game fixtureIn 2022, cozy games went from niche to video game fixture
TC Sottek
TC Sottek
Is Instagram’s Notes feature already dead?

I don’t know if it actually ever got off the ground or if I just know a bunch of millennials who wanted to briefly re-live the glory days of AIM away messages, but my Instagram friends have pretty much all stopped posting notes within a week of launch. I don’t know about you, but I just can’t stand having to go to the DMs section to see them.

Are your buddies still using notes? Let us know in the comments.

Lionel Messi beats an egg on InstagramLionel Messi beats an egg on Instagram
Mitchell Clark
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Ripping off AIM away messages is the best feature Instagram has added in a long, long time.

If you’re old enough to remember the words “via Hiptop,” then you’ll recognize that instead of being tweet-like, the new Instagram Notes feature takes inspiration from Twitter’s predecessor — AOL Instant Messenger away messages.

The pop-up statuses are hidden away (for now) in the Instagram messages window, but for the Elder Millennial / Young Gen X generation, it’s a return to the days of flirting via vague but also specifically targeted song lyrics.

Instagram launches new tool to help hacked users regain account accessInstagram launches new tool to help hacked users regain account access
Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
Instagram now lets you send short Notes to your friends — in tiny bubbles.

You can send 60-character notes on your chat Inbox that will appear at the top of the page — if your friends know to look for them. We tried them out to find out how IG’s new Notes actually work.

How to use Instagram’s new Notes feature

Barbara Krasnoff
How to use Instagram’s new Notes featureHow to use Instagram’s new Notes feature
Barbara Krasnoff

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