Subscribe now to our weekly social round-up
Latest News
📈 LinkedIn hits 1.2 billion members
If you thought LinkedIn was peaking, think again. The professional network has just reported its latest numbers, and they are huge. LinkedIn now boasts 1.2 billion members, adding roughly 70 million new sign-ups since November.
Engagement is also climbing, with “sessions” up 12% and video views jumping a massive 40% year-over-year. Revenue increased by 11%, driven by a surge in Premium subscriptions. Whether those new members are all real people or AI bots is up for debate, but the platform’s growth engine is definitely humming.
👉 Crunch the numbers at Social Media Today.
✅ Meta Verified: One sub to rule them all?
Collecting blue checks just got easier (and slightly cheaper). Meta is testing a new subscription bundle that allows users to purchase Meta Verified for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp all at once.
Previously, you had to subscribe separately for each app. This new bundled option simplifies the process and offers a discount compared to buying them individually. It’s a clear push to get more users paying for identity protection and those exclusive support features across the entire Meta ecosystem.
👉 Read about the new bundle at Mashable.
🤝 Meta’s new AI tools for brand deals
Finding the right influencer used to be a manual slog. Meta is trying to fix that with new AI-powered tools for Instagram’s Creator Marketplace.
The update introduces semantic search, allowing brands to search for creators based on the content of their photos and videos, not just their bio keywords. They are also rolling out a “Creator Testimonial” feature for Partnership Ads, letting creators explain why they love a product directly in the ad copy to boost authenticity.
👉 See the new tools in action at Meta for Business.
🇳🇱 ACM launches investigation into Roblox
Roblox is under fire in the Netherlands. The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has officially started an investigation into the platform due to concerns about child safety.
The regulator is looking into whether Roblox is doing enough to protect underage users from hidden advertising, financial schemes, and inappropriate interactions. The ACM warns that the line between gaming and gambling is blurring, and clearer rules may be needed to keep the digital playground safe for Dutch kids.
👉 Read the full report (in Dutch) at Nu.nl.
🤖 OpenAI wants $20k for ChatGPT ads
Ads are coming to ChatGPT, but only if you have deep pockets. Reports indicate that OpenAI is pitching advertisers on a new “research phase” for ads within the chatbot, but there is a catch: they are asking for a minimum commitment of $20,000.
While details on the exact ad format are scarce, it signals that OpenAI is serious about monetizing its massive user base beyond subscriptions. For now, it seems this is an exclusive club for big brands willing to experiment with AI-driven advertising.
👉 Check the price tag at Social Media Today.
🗓️ Newsjacking opportunities
Opportunities to celebrate this week:
- Wed 4 Feb – World Cancer Day🎗️
- Thu 5 Feb – World Nutella Day🍫
- Fri 6 Feb – Start Olympic Winter Games🏅
- Sat 7 Feb – Ice Cream for Breakfast Day🍨
- Sun 8 Feb – World Marriage Day💍
- Mon 9 Feb – National Pizza Day🍕
- Tue 10 Feb – Umbrella Day☂️
And next…
- Wed 11 Feb – Make Friends Day🧑🤝🧑
- Thu 12 Feb – Hug Day🤗
- Fri 13 Feb – World Radio Day📻
- Sat 14 Feb – Valentine’s Day❤️ / Start Carnaval🎊
- Sun 15 Feb – World Whale Day🐋
- Mon 16 Feb – Innovation Day🤖
- Tue 17 Feb – Chinese New Year🏮 / Start Ramadan🌙
Anything else you would like to discuss and see for next week’s social newsflash? Just share it with me via e-mail or slide in my LinkedIn comments or DM.
And don’t forget to subscribe to our Weekly Social Round Up newsletter so you get this delivered directly into your inbox each week!
Until the next one. XoXo, Erik 👋
Subscribe to our Weekly Social Newsletter and receive the weekly trend straight to your email.
