Judicial blow to Facebook and Instagram

-Legal sanction against Meta: A Madrid court has ordered Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) to pay €479 million for alleged unfair advertising advantages based on the use of users’ personal data.

-Booming Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI continues to be a transformative force. Instagram, for example, has introduced generative AI features like «Restyle» for Stories. Platform algorithms are also increasingly relying on advanced deep learning models to maximize user engagement.

-Dominant short-form video content: Short-form, vertical videos (Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts) remain the most popular and effective content type for reach and growth on social media in 2025.

-Focus on authenticity and community: As users seek more genuine and personal interactions, brands and content creators are focusing on building authentic communities, engaging directly with their audience, and showcasing their human side.

– Slowing user growth: While overall social media adoption continues to increase, annual growth has slowed compared to previous years, reaching approximately 65% ​​of the global population by early 2025.

– New platforms and privacy features: New platforms and features focused on privacy and security continue to emerge. WhatsApp, for example, has implemented an improved anti-spam mode to protect users from fraud.

– Social commerce: The ability to buy and sell products directly through social media platforms is a key trend for 2025, with platforms adding tools to facilitate this process.

– Mental health concerns: Excessive social media use continues to be linked to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, a topic of ongoing debate in society.

Source: www.hateltech.com