Pssst… Heard about the social media shakeup no one’s shouting about?
Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok just rolled out changes most businesses haven’t even noticed yet.
But these shifts will mess with how people find your posts, how you make money, and whether your content even stays up.
If you don’t act fast, your reach could tank, your ad cash could dry up, and your videos might vanish without warning.
Here’s the lowdown, straight from the inside, on the three moves you need to know before your competitors do.
1) Instagram’s new friend-focused play
Forget chasing viral hits. Instagram just launched reposts, a Friends tab, and a friend map last month (Instagram, July 2025). Meta’s own numbers show posts shared in close circles now get 3x more engagement.
If your content isn’t sparking small-group chats, you’re invisible.
What to do: Drop 2–3 posts a month that beg to be shared: polls, behind-the-scenes clips, local shoutouts. Make your followers want to tag their crew.
2) Facebook’s video money shakeup
Meta’s Q2 earnings call confirmed it: by August 31, all videos go into Reels only, and bonuses vanish (Meta, August 2025). Creators are already reporting income drops as high as 40% switching away from bonuses (Social Media Today, August 2025).
If you relied on payouts, start hustling on sponsors, affiliates, or your own offers.
What to do: Pick your top 3 long videos and chop them into punchy Reels. Include one clear call-to-action sending viewers off-platform to your site or email list.
3) TikTok’s no-nonsense ad rules
TikTok updated its Creator Portal in July, tightening branded content rules (TikTok, July 2025). Videos missing disclosures or proper music rights are getting pulled fast. AdWeek reports a 25% spike in takedowns since (AdWeek, August 2025).
Slip up and TikTok pulls your videos — no questions asked.
What to do: Revise your influencer agreements. Add lines for music permissions, on-screen ad disclosures, and fast approvals.
Why it matters
People discover content through their friends, not random scrolls.
Platform payouts are drying up.
The rulebook just got heavier.
Small teams win by focusing on shareable content, building income beyond platform checks, and locking down creator contracts.
Your August action list
- Post two “share-with-friends” pieces each week: polls, questions, or local shoutouts.
- Create three short Reels from your best-performing content with one clear call-to-action.
- Update your influencer briefs to include music rights, on-screen disclosures, and approval deadlines.
Want to skip the headache?
For $100/month, our Social Media Sprints handle all this. Posts, Reels, influencer briefs — planned, made, scheduled. While others scramble, you’re already owning the feed. Book a quick call with our CEO, David, and see how fast you can take the lead.