What AI-powered people search means for social strategy

From smarter discovery on LinkedIn to new creative flexibility on Instagram and TikTok, here’s what’s worth paying attention to as you shape your content and growth strategy for the year ahead.

LinkedIn makes networking feel more human

LinkedIn rolled out a conversational search experience that changes how users find people on the platform. Instead of relying on filters and dropdowns, users can now type natural descriptions of who they’re looking for and get results that reflect intent and context.

This shift lowers friction for relationship-building and makes discovery feel more like asking a trusted colleague for an intro. For founders, recruiters, and sales teams, this could significantly shorten the path from search to conversation. The feature is currently available to Premium users in the U.S., with wider access expected.

A smoother way to sign in to LinkedIn-connected tools

LinkedIn also expanded login options for developer applications by supporting major third-party authentication methods alongside traditional credentials.

For users, this means faster access with fewer passwords to manage. For developers, it creates more flexibility and reduces friction during onboarding. If your tools rely on LinkedIn integrations, this is a quality-of-life update that can improve adoption and retention.

Instagram opens the door to broader Story sharing

Instagram now allows users to reshare any public Story to their own Story feed, even if they were not originally tagged. The original creator is automatically credited, and public accounts can opt out through privacy settings.

This change increases organic reach and makes it easier for content to travel beyond direct mentions. It also rewards Stories that resonate widely, not just those shared within tight networks. You can read more details about this update here.

New metrics help LinkedIn creators measure real value

LinkedIn added two new post metrics that go beyond surface-level engagement.

One tracks how often posts are bookmarked, while the other shows how frequently content is shared via direct messages. Together, these insights offer a clearer picture of what content people find useful enough to save or pass along privately, not just react to publicly.

Longer Reels unlock deeper storytelling on Instagram

Instagram quietly expanded the maximum length for Reels to 20 minutes. This gives creators room for tutorials, long-form education, and product walkthroughs without forcing content into tight edits.

If you’ve avoided Reels because your content needs more time to breathe, this update opens the door to a different kind of video strategy that still benefits from Reels distribution.

TikTok expands monetization through search discovery

TikTok updated its creator payout model to include longer search-based views in its rewards calculation. Views that last at least 30 seconds and originate from supported regions now contribute to qualified earnings.

This reinforces TikTok’s push toward search-driven discovery and makes evergreen, searchable content more valuable for creators focused on monetization.

These updates all point in the same direction. Platforms are prioritizing intent, depth, and usefulness over quick interactions. As you plan for 2026, the brands and creators who win will be the ones who lean into clarity, substance, and content designed to be saved, shared, and searched.