Welcome to the first of many social media updates of 2025! Below, some news from the social apps that you might have been missed due to the holiday hubbub.

Bluesky Continues to Expand

Bluesky, the ever-growing competitor of X, reached 25.9 million users in December. Though this number barely scratches the surface of the active user base on Threads (another X competitor), Bluesky notes that about half its users joined in just the last month and a half of 2024, and that engagement improved up to 10 times for some users.

The app introduced a trending topics feature just before Christmas, allowing users to tap in to what others are talking about. Expect more announcements from Bluesky in the coming months.

Threads Tops iPhone Downloads

Threads was the most downloaded iOS app in November, just as it had been in October, according to AppFigures. Along with Bluesky’s growth, this news suggest that people are indeed striving to find an alternative platform to X to settle into.

Many social media experts remain doubtful that any of X’s competitors have a real shot at outpacing the app formerly known as Twitter, but data such as this indicates there’s a chance they could.

Instagram to Add AI-Generated Video

If you’re a ’Grammer who didn’t use AI to turn yourself into something fun during the holiday season, give it a try in the new year—Instagram’s AI prompt lets users imagine themselves as everything from cartoons to pop stars to sun-soaked tourists on the beach.

And get ready for AI-related video elements coming to the platform soon. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri recently shared a look at the new features.

Through an integration with Meta’s Movie Gen engine, Instagrammers will be able to create wholesale edits of their video clips in-stream, allowing them to change their backgrounds, outfits, and even versions of themselves (Muppet you, anyone?).

AI skeptics, beware: This future seems to be coming a mile a minute, with no slowing down. You still may be figuring out exactly how to make the best use of AI for business, but if you’re a jeweler, a cartoon version of yourself wearing jewelry you created or sell might not be a bad start.

“To SMBs, With Love” From TikTok

Now on to the next holiday: TikTok is offering a guide for small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) to make the most of their time on the platform as Valentine’s Day approaches. A combination of content inspiration and strategy tips, the guide is available for download here.

(photo: Getty Images Plus/pressureUA)

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