Cost of Living, Spending, and Saving: The Biggest Consumer Trends in Finance for 2025
By Ksenia NewtonMar 12
Last update: March 12, 2025
1. Bluesky debuts Flashes, a new photo-sharing app
Flashes, Bluesky’s latest photo-sharing app, has officially launched and is already gaining traction, with nearly 30,000 downloads in the first 24 hours. As a Bluesky product, posts from Flashes can be shared directly on the platform. The app comes with a portfolio mode, built-in filters, and curated feeds designed for artists.
2. Digg is returning with an AI-powered makeover
Once known as “the homepage of the internet,” Digg is making a comeback in 2025. The platform is being revived by original founder Kevin Rose, along with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, design expert Justin Mezzell, and Twitter co-founder Ev Williams. With a fresh focus on AI, the reimagined Digg isn’t live yet, but eager users can already sign up.
3. Instagram experiments with new ‘Blends’ feature
Instagram is testing a new feature called “Blend,” which lets two users share a customized feed of recommended Reels. Some users can now access Blend via their DM feed and invite a friend to join. Instead of individually sharing Reels, Blend creates a combined stream based on what both users would typically see.
Image credits: @uw.3 on Threads
4. TikTok introduces TikTok One, replacing Creator Marketplace
TikTok is replacing its Creator Marketplace with a new platform called TikTok One. While the service will still connect brands and creators, it will now also offer trend research, AI-powered tools, and expert insights to help creators improve their content. The Creator Marketplace is being phased out as TikTok One rolls out.
5. Threads is trialing ‘interests’ for profile customization
Threads is testing a feature that lets users add their interests to their profiles. In addition to displaying personal preferences, the feature will also direct users to active discussions on related topics. Meta has confirmed that the test is currently limited to mobile users.
Image credit: @faslu_35 on Threads
Last update: February 18, 2025
1. Meta is releasing a new video app
Meta is expanding its video arsenal with Edits, a new short-form video creation app designed for more dynamic and collaborative storytelling. Confirmed by Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, Edits will feature a dedicated inspiration tab, an upgraded camera for higher-quality content, and a unique draft-sharing function that lets users collaborate before hitting publish. The app is available for pre-order in App Store, with a launch expected on March 13.
With Edits, users can record up to 10 minutes of footage, fine-tune clips with a playback timeline, explore trending sounds, and access video analytics. But the standout features are its collaboration tools, allowing multiple users to edit a project together, and AI-powered effects, including the ability to animate still images.
2. Instagram refreshes profile grids
Instagram is shaking up profile layouts by replacing classic square thumbnails with vertical ones. According to Adam Mosseri, the change reflects how most users now engage with the platform. While the update disrupts carefully curated grid aesthetics, Mosseri assures users that enhanced thumbnail customization options are on the way.
3. BuzzFeed teases the launch of its own social media platform
“Why are we doing this? The internet is broken.”
BuzzFeed is exploring the launch of its own social media platform, aiming to create a more positive and engaging digital space. CEO Jonah Peretti has hinted at a platform designed to foster creativity and community, steering away from the algorithm-driven negativity seen on mainstream social networks. While details are still incoming, BuzzFeed is inviting early users to sign up for access, signaling an experimental approach that will evolve based on feedback. The app has been tentatively named Island (because of its website URL).
In their manifesto, Jonah states: “We know we are swimming against the tide, the platforms don't care or understand content, and they have all surrendered to a depressing form of AI-powered recommendation that gives SNARF a structural advantage. But I know we can still have success, and look forward to counter-programming with our human creativity fighting against the machine. The tide is starting to shift and we will benefit from the growing dissatisfaction with the big platforms.”
4. LinkedIn rolls out new video features
LinkedIn is leaning into vertical video, making scrolling feel more familiar—think TikTok and Reels. Videos will now appear in larger frames in the feed, with a tap opening a full-screen player. The platform is also extending its vertical video format to desktop and rolling out new video analytics for deeper insights.
5. Threads introduces a post scheduler feature
Threads now lets users schedule posts and track performance more easily. Announced by Adam Mosseri, the update adds scheduling to the user’s three-dot menu, where they can set a date and time before confirming. Scheduled posts are stored in drafts for editing or deletion before publishing.
Alongside this, Threads has expanded its Insights dashboard, allowing users to analyze trends like views, follower growth, geographic demographics, and interaction types over time.
Last update: 9 January, 2025
1. Instagram introduces ‘trial Reels’
Instagram has rolled out its new “Trial Reels” feature, giving creators the freedom to experiment with video content without the pressure of audience feedback. First tested in May of last year, this tool lets creators publish videos that aren’t visible to followers, rather targeting non-followers, making it easier to try fresh ideas and analyze what resonates best.
2. Bluesky launches trending topics feature
Bluesky, a rising competitor to X (previously Twitter), has introduced a trending topics section across its desktop and mobile platforms. This feature, available globally, focuses on English-language topics for now and automatically excludes muted words or phrases, ensuring a more tailored experience for users.
3. Threads previews custom display names update
Threads is working on a long-awaited feature: custom display names. Users will soon have the flexibility to pick a unique name for their Threads profile, separate from their Instagram handle. Display names can be updated weekly, and the changes will only appear on Threads.
4. Snapchat enhances chat-saving option
Snapchat has extended its chat-saving options, allowing messages to be saved for up to seven days after receipt. This improvement marks a significant upgrade from the previous 24-hour limit, giving users more time to revisit important conversations.
5. Threads rolls out profile collections
Threads has launched a new feature called Profile Collections, designed to help users explore accounts that align with their interests. These curated collections appear during sign-up and are also accessible on the For You feed, making it easier to discover engaging content.
Last update: 12 December, 2024
1. Instagram is moving Story highlights to profile grid
Instagram is shifting Story highlights from the bubbles above profiles to a new tab and the main profile grid. App researcher Alessandro Paluzzi shared a preview of the updated grid back in August, but details on how highlights will appear within it remain unclear.
Image credit: Alessandro Paluzzi
2. Threads rolls out new insights tools
Threads has introduced updates to its insights feature, giving users a clearer view of post performance. Instead of only showing overall engagement, the new tools break down metrics for individual posts, offering a more detailed analysis.
3. Instagram launches live location feature
Instagram now lets users share their live location via DMs for up to an hour. Unlike Snapchat’s Snap Map, this feature works as a temporary check-in feature rather than an on-demand tracker. Initially seen in testing earlier this year, the feature is built to help users meet up with friends and move through busy spots with ease.
4. X introduces label for parody accounts
X (formerly Twitter) is rolling out a new feature to label parody accounts, helping users easily distinguish between genuine profiles and satirical or spoof accounts. Aiming to reduce confusion and prevent misinformation, the platform will require such accounts to explicitly state their parody status or face suspension. This move comes as part of X's broader efforts to improve transparency and clarify the authenticity of its content.
Image credit: @swak_12
5. TikTok faces potential ban in the U.S.
TikTok has been given until January 19 to be sold by its parent company, ByteDance, to a non-Chinese entity or risk being banned across the US The platform warns that small businesses and content creators could lose $1.3 billion in revenue and earnings within just one month if the ban goes into effect.
Last update: 18 November, 2024
1. Instagram puts a stop to unwanted auto-refreshing
Instagram’s latest update is here to make scrolling a little less frustrating. The app will now stop auto-refreshing feeds while you’re mid-scroll, meaning posts you’re interested in won’t disappear before you can view them. Adam Mosseri announced the change, putting the power back in the hands of users to refresh only when they’re ready. Credit: Wes Davis (@_blunderchief)
2. YouTube debuts creator x brand collab feature on Shorts
In an exciting move for creators, YouTube is launching a new feature that lets Shorts creators invite brands to collaborate directly on their videos. If the brand accepts, they’ll be able to track the video’s performance through Google Ads and reuse the content as well. Although there’s no commission involved, this feature gives creators more control, potentially opening doors to paid partnerships down the line.
On their website, YouTube said: “Up until now, creators who featured brands in their content could get individual video linking requests from advertisers via emails from the YouTube main app, and via YouTube Studio notifications, which they then have the ability to accept or decline. Accepting the request allows the advertiser to view the organic video performance in Google Ads, and confirms reuse rights for the advertiser. Now, we’re launching the ability for creators in YPP with more than 4,000 subscribers to send video linking requests for Shorts to advertisers via YouTube Studio.”
3. Instagram launches new DM filtering system
Instagram just rolled out message filters to help users manage crowded inboxes. The new feature lets you sort DMs by categories like follower count, verified accounts, brands, and more—ideal for influencers and creators who receive a high volume of messages and need an easy way to stay organized.
4. YouTube rolls out poll feature to Shorts
YouTube has introduced a poll sticker to Shorts, giving creators a new way to increase engagement. The sticker works like other social media polls, showing real-time results for the most popular choice. YouTube also added new filters to video analytics, letting creators track views by content type, making Shorts a more interactive and data-friendly space.
5. Meta introduces option for brands to close comments on Facebook and Instagram ads
Meta is giving brands more control over their ad interactions with a new feature that allows them to disable comments on Facebook and Instagram ads. According to Meta, this option aims to help brands manage conversations around their content and avoid potential negative feedback. It’s a useful tool for advertisers looking to keep their brand message on track without distractions.
Credit: Matt Navarra
Last update: 8 October, 2024
1. TikTok tests re-editing for published videos
TikTok is rolling out a new feature that lets users delete and re-edit videos even after posting, but this functionality only applies to videos created within the TikTok app, not using third-party apps like CapCut. This means no more having to start from scratch if you spot an error.
Credit: Owen Willis
2. Instagram rolls out public comments on Stories
Instagram has launched comments on Stories, which are visible to any viewer. Unless creators opt to turn off the feature, these comments will appear at the bottom of the frame, providing a new way for audiences to engage.
3. X (formerly Twitter) modifies its block feature
CEO of X, Elon Musk has announced that the platform will be eliminating the block button for public accounts. This change means that blocked users will still be able to view posts from the accounts of people who have blocked them, although they won’t be able to engage with the content. Similar to many of the app's recent changes, this has generated a range of reactions online.
High time this happened.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 23, 2024
The block function will block that account from engaging with, but not block seeing, public post.
4. X (formerly Twitter) launches new TV app
In its push to become a “video-first” platform, X has been experimenting with various features over the past year. The platform has introduced video streaming on Spaces, enabled video calls, and tested video conferencing tools.
Now, X has announced the launch of a new TV app, which will be available on most app stores, with a beta version already accessible on several popular streaming platforms. The TV app aims to showcase videos from a range of organizations, publishers, and creators directly from X.
The X TV app beta is now available on several app stores, with more platforms on the way 📺
— Engineering (@XEng) September 3, 2024
Paired with our upcoming Video Tab, this marks a massive leap forward in transforming X into a video-first platform and unlocking new opportunities for creators, advertisers, and our… pic.twitter.com/1P72feD4Fd
5. Snapchat revives Bitstrips
Snapchat is reintroducing the original format of Bitmoji through its Bitstrips feature. Following the success of Bitmoji Stories, the platform has decided to expand into Bitstrips, which will offer users episodes showcasing their 3D Bitmoji avatars interacting with friends.
On their website, Snapchat said: “Our community has long loved Bitmoji Stories as a way to stay connected with fun, comic-strip style stories. Now, we’re bringing brand-new episodes to Snapchatters featuring our 3D Bitmoji avatar for even more personalized content starring you and your friends.”
Last update: 30 August, 2024
Instagram introduces music to user profiles
In collaboration with singer and actress Sabrina Carpenter, who teased her new single on her profile, Instagram has launched a new feature that allows users to add music to their profiles. By going to the “edit profile” section and searching Instagram’s music library, users can select up to 30 seconds of a song. When others visit your profile, they can click play to listen to the selected track.
LinkedIn launches new video carousels
LinkedIn is introducing its in-feed video carousels, where videos are tailored to each user based on their profile details and in-app activity. When users tap on a video, they’ll be taken to a full-screen video feed.
Instagram experiments with profile cards
Selected creators are being given the chance to try out Instagram's new profile cards. These digital cards offer a two-sided design, with one side displaying an overview of your profile, including your picture, bio, category, and any business links. The other side features a QR code that directly links to your profile.
Credit: @goldiecylon
X rolls out ad-free experience for premium+ subscribers
X is eliminating ads for its Premium+ subscribers. While this tier previously saw fewer ads, the platform now pledges to remove them from most areas, including the “For You” timeline, following timeline, post replies, and profiles.
no more ads, anywhere on X
— X (@X) August 8, 2024
Premium+ is now *fully* ad free
sign up via https://t.co/TJn5WfMiAP
TikTok teams up with Warner Bros.
TikTok’s new “Spotlight” feature is set to revolutionize how users discover movies and TV shows. By partnering with Warner Bros., TikTok will highlight select titles through this feature. Users will be directed to a dedicated landing page with comprehensive details about the movie or show, including short-form content from the creators and where to watch. Videos featured in Spotlight must meet certain view thresholds, and creators involved in these campaigns can enjoy perks like movie tickets, red -carpet access, and exclusive merchandise.
