This week, Meta is taking a page out of Reddit’s playbook with the official launch of its new standalone app, Forum. Meanwhile, YouTube is upgrading its search bar with a clever new AI companion, and TikTok is teaming up with Universal Music Group to bring your favourite tracks back to your feed.
In other news, Harry Styles fans are taking over the FYP (again), TikTokers are heading out on much-needed mental health walks, and everyone is trying to guess each other’s “colour vibes.” Read on for more social media news.
Meta launches new app: ‘Forum’
Reddit is becoming increasingly influential and Meta wants in on the action. The Facebook parent company announced the launch of “Forum” – a stand-alone app for Facebook Groups. It describes the app as a “dedicated space built for deeper discussions, real answers and communities you care about.”
YouTube upgrades search bar with ‘Ask YouTube’ feature
Google is bringing its AI-driven search overhaul to YouTube with the introduction of “Ask YouTube.” This new feature allows users to type complex, natural-language queries, and ask follow-up questions to refine their results. According to YouTube, with the feature you can “ask more complex search queries, such as wanting tips on how to teach your kid to ride a bike, or finding creator reviews of cozy games to play before bedtime.”
Universal Music Group and TikTok have signed a new multi-year licensing agreement. The partnership focuses on enhanced marketing, e-commerce, and promotional tools for artists and songwriters. Both companies have committed to protecting human artistry by working together to remove unauthorised, AI-generated music and improve proper attribution.
