I feel like I say this every week…but I REALLY mean it this week. It was NOT a good week for Meta.
Law suits, acquisition blocks, user decline…I almost had to agree with Zuck when he complained that they were being singled out amongst all the platforms who are equally at fault.
But well, my sympathy ends there.
Is the end for the platform? No, that’s dramatic. But the hole they’re digging themselves in just keeps getting deeper.
On other positive notes, Vine is back (with a new name), Netflix is making an interesting play at show discovery, and TikTok’s new Campus Hub feature is actually really cool.
But I’ll stop there to let you read it for yourself! ✨⬇️
Wait, this stuff is really happening?
The New Mexico case against Meta enters Phase Two. $375 million in civil penalties already dealt. Court mandated platform changes to ensure teen safety are on the docket next. Meta’s response? Threatening to cease all operations in the state if an agreement isn’t made—a blackout that would impact 2.5 million people 🌶️
The irony of all this is that Meta JUST launched a beefed up version of it’s “age assurance technology”—a move likely ignited by all the judicial pressure. The update includes AI activity analysis that scans “entire profiles for contextual clues” (think comments, tags, bios) and AI visual analysis to assess a user’s age from posted photos & videos (they literally stated “height and bone structure” as examples) 🤯 Is it enough to end this case? Well, UK teens are drawing on mustaches to bypass other verification tools so….time will tell.
Vine is back baby! The Jack Dorsey-backed revamp, coined “Divine,” rolled out to the general public this week. It features 500k videos from Vine’s back catalogue and is pushing hard against AI slop—allowing users to only create via the in-app camera or go through a verification process to confirm it’s human. Will you try it?
Netflix launches “Clips” tab, a TikTok-style feed of show clips to help users discover their next favorite binge. An interesting spin on the “vert” trend. It’s not trying to be microdramas, but it is trying to keep you binging in app. I am intrigued (even if I refuse to watch Netflix on my phone).
China blocks Meta’s Manus acquisition‼️ Meta acquired the AI chatbot company back in January and has since begun implementing the tech on the consumer side. While the platform operates in Singapore now, it was originally founded in China…allowing China to block the deal via its strict cybersecurity laws. Honestly, I am surprised this isn’t getting more coverage.
The French are going after Elon…officially. Prosecutors formally move forward with charges against X for a laundry list of accusations including…🥁 ”child sexual abuse images on the platform, deepfakes, disinformation and complicity in denying crimes against humanity by the platform’s artificial intelligence system, Grok.” Yikes.
Turkey joins the list, banning social media access for under-15s.
The Latest and Greatest 🔥
Platform updates and new features
Meta is quietly working on Hatch, a new “OpenClaw-inspired” AI agent that can shop on behalf of users. Guessing this is because Manus didn’t pan out so well…
Instagram expands “originality guidelines” to deprioritize reposts in photos & carousels (not just Reels). Goodbye aggregator accounts 👋
xAI gives ElevenLabs a run for its money, announcing custom voice cloning. Upload just a few seconds of your voice, create endless audio bites.
X rolls out a completely rebuilt ad platform powered by the latest xAI models. The announcement memo features a lot of fluff that means nothing, but we’ll see how it stacks up in practice over the coming weeks.
YouTube expands its music generation tools to allow US-based creators to replace copyrighted songs directly in app.
LinkedIn launches a new Ad Agency Certification program to make it easier to find platform-specialized ad agencies. The platform owning the agency list…smart move.
Months after rolling out campus verification for college students, TikTok announces their Campus Hub feature where users can connect to campus group chats & view geo-gated content feeds. We had YikYak when I was in college. This would’ve been dangerous.
Best Content I’ve Seen this Week 🎥
Let this pique your curiosity.
I hope your algorithm isn’t like mine and only serving you Hantavirus updates…in case it is, queue up one of these winners to reset it!
I am a sucker for these new social shows…but the @1minutetalkshow is just absurd and every time I think it won’t go there, it does.
And that’s how to use factory footage for your brand and still keep it interesting 👏
I will say nothing else but this trend makes me cackle every time I get served one.
Disabled Cool Girls Guide to LA hot spots. I hope this creator blows up because her content deserves it!
I will forever stan local restaurants and cafes making unhinged content.
Not only is the art itself incredible, but the planning & intention that had to go into making this progress video is just mind blowing 🤯
Question of the Week 🧐
Things taking up space in my brain.
Today’s topic ➡️ How will AI impact social media?
When it comes to AI and the future of social media, two realities exist at the same time…
And if you gave me 30 seconds with your phone, I could tell you exactly which one you believe is happening.
On one hand you have the Claude stans harping that the future of social media org charts are small, agile, and driven by AI content generation.
That you can grow your social following from 0 to 20k in 30 days if you “just follow their Claude prompts.”
And that the white collar workforce will be wiped out, so you might as well enter entrepreneurship if you’re going to survive out there.
On the other hand, you have companies (like Dicks Sporting Goods, Click Up, and Bilt) going the complete opposite direction—investing in literal "studio builds," hiring professional writers & actors, and leaning into premium (and generally not cheap) content strategies.
I even see it in my client inquiries.
50% want help with AI workflow build outs.
50% want guidance in scaling a YouTube production studio & setting up a post-production team.
Two realities exist at the same time.
But what feels real for you is whatever side of the algorithm you are on.
The algorithms are set up to keep us coming back, not to give us truth.
I say all this to remind people that the actual reality is likely somewhere in the middle...
Where brands will have to make a conscious choice in where they fall on the AI spectrum.
Some will intentionally go human-led and invest in larger marketing org charts as a differentiator in their segment (Apple is a great example of this right now).
Others will stay lean, build agents, & aim for higher margins (I’m looking at you tech).
Regardless, don't let the hype on social media fool you.
Nothing is EVER that black and white.
And remember, if anything makes you feel emotionally charged, fearful, or reactive, it was engineered to do so.
That doesn’t make it fact.
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And that’s all for today folks!
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You all are the best.
-Caley
Content by Caley, Inc
Social Media Consulting
Los Angeles, CA
Website | Work with Me
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