It’s already halfway through September, and the social platforms have been busy rolling out new tools, features, and updates. Whether you’re a creator, marketer, or just love testing what’s new, here’s a roundup of the biggest releases you’ll want to know about.

Instagram’s New Edit App

Instagram has launched a brand new standalone editing app designed specifically for Reels creators. With it, you can:

• Use advanced transitions and effects
• Access pro-grade templates
• Review your Reel performance and analytics more easily

This is a game changer for creators who want more flexibility without juggling multiple third-party editing tools.

Picture in Picture Reels

Multitaskers, rejoice. Instagram now lets you keep a Reel playing in the corner of your screen while you check emails, send messages, or browse other apps. This Picture in Picture (PiP) feature makes it easier for viewers to stay engaged with your content while doing other things on their device.

Reposts, Maps, and the Friends Tab

Instagram is also testing new ways to help users feel more connected:

• Reposts: Share content directly into your friends’ feeds
• Friends Tab: See what your friends are liking, commenting on, or sharing
• Maps: Share opt-in locations and discover what’s trending nearby through interactive maps

Together, these tools aim to make Instagram feel more community driven and interactive.

Retention Charts for Reels

Want to know exactly where viewers are dropping off your Reels? Instagram has added retention charts within Reels insights. These charts, along with skip rate data, show how well your content is keeping attention until the very last second and where you might be losing your audience. Perfect for fine tuning your short form video strategy.

LinkedIn x CapCut Partnership

LinkedIn has teamed up with CapCut, making it easier for professionals to bring high quality videos to the platform. Now, you can:

• Export videos directly from CapCut to LinkedIn
• Have your content featured in LinkedIn’s new Video Trends experience
• Display a “Made with CapCut” badge (on mobile), linking viewers back to the editing app

This is LinkedIn’s way of leaning further into video first content while keeping things creator friendly.

TikTok Hashtag Limit

TikTok has quietly capped hashtags at a maximum of five per post. This means strategy is more important than ever. You’ll need to be intentional with the tags you choose to ensure your content still reaches the right audience.

New Instagram Engagement Features

A few smaller but impactful IG updates have also dropped:

• You can now pin your own comment on posts
• Reels can be linked to other Reels, giving you creative ways to chain content together and encourage binge watching

Final Thoughts

From better editing and analytics to new engagement tools, September has been a month of steady improvements across platforms. If you’re a content creator or business, these updates open up new opportunities to connect with audiences and get more from your posts.