📈 Instagram Just Changed (Again)

The latest updates, algorithm secrets, and fresh Reels ideas to level up your strategy this season

November 12, 2025

We’re cruising into mid-November, which means the peppermint mochas are flowing and the marketing season is officially in full swing. This week’s MRKT has everything you need to stay ahead of the scroll and in the holiday spirit. Here’s what’s inside:

  • 2026 Social Media Predictions - Get ahead of the trends, and maybe your competition, with next year’s marketing forecast.

  • Instagram’s Newest Tools - From Competitive Insights to upgraded Edits, here’s how to make your content shine.

  • 2 Reels Trends to Try - Fresh formats, funny takes, and easy ways to boost engagement before year’s end.

  • Instagram’s Algorithm Leak - Meta’s latest update reveals what the platform actually wants from Reels right now.

  • Calling All Creators: Be a Vendor at CiderCon® 2026 - Providence is set to host the world’s biggest cider event, and local makers can apply for a booth at the brand-new Artisan Marketplace.

2026 Social Media Playbook, Simplified

2025 is coming to an end, which means it’s almost time for planning season. We read Andrew Hutchinson’s “36 Predictions for Social Media Marketing in 2026” so you don’t have to.

Facebook

Chronological feed trials may expand. Watch reach swings.
Rhody rec: Pin a weekly “What’s new” post and boost only top performers. Layer a lead form for gift cards or bookings.

Smart glasses content gets a boost.
Rhody rec: Shoot 15–30 second POV clips from staff perspective. Add subtitles and a single CTA button.

Instagram

Reels could become the default open.
Rhody rec: Record one core Reel, trim three versions, test three hooks. Post at consistent times and pin the winner.

Edits app likely adds a paid tier.
Rhody rec: Budget a low monthly tool line. The time you save pays for itself in two posts.

Simplified boost packages for creators.
Rhody rec: Boost only when saves hit 5 percent or shares hit 1 percent. Keep daily caps tight.

Stronger AI labels.
Rhody rec: Disclose clearly. Human-led behind-the-scenes still wins trust.

Threads

Likely to pass X for actives.
Rhody rec: Start a daily “Open thread” at 9 a.m. Ask one specific question and reply to every comment within one hour.

Better trend surfacing.
Rhody rec: Create two weekly series: “New this week” and “Customer spotlight.” Consistency beats virality.

TikTok

Live shopping accelerates.
Rhody rec: Run a 30-minute live sale every other week with three price points and free local pickup.

Mini programs and gaming push.
Rhody rec: If mini apps land, pilot ticketing or preorder snacks and measure add-to-cart speed.

AI avatars for livestreams.
Rhody rec: Use a virtual host after-hours to answer FAQs and collect emails.

Instagram Levels Up: Smarter Insights, Sleeker Edits

If you have ever wondered how your Instagram stacks up against others in your niche, the new Competitive Insights feature has arrived to satisfy that curiosity (and maybe light a friendly fire).

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Under your Professional Dashboard → Competitive Insights, you can now compare your account to up to 10 similar profiles — from follower growth and posting frequency to Reels performance and boosted posts. Think of it as your built-in competitor check without needing a spreadsheet marathon.

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Rhody Rec: Use this tool to track three local competitors and two national brands in your category. Pay attention to posting cadence and content mix, not just follower count. Consistency still beats vanity metrics every time.

🎬 Meanwhile, over in Edits…

Instagram’s standalone video app just got a major glow-up. The Edits app now includes:

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  • Custom animated captions (yes, you can finally make text dance),

  • Color correction with full hue, saturation, and luminance control,

  • 28 new video effects like Super Zoom and Tunnel Vision, plus all the fun extras added since launch — teleprompter, beat markers, keyframes, and noise reduction.

Whether you’re posting Reels or building full campaign clips, this update makes polishing your content easier — and a little more addictive.

Rhody Rec: Spend 20 minutes a week mastering one new Edits feature. Pick a consistent look and save those settings as your brand’s “signature style.”

💡 Reel Inspo: Animated, Topical & Cozy…Oh My!

Instagram’s creative energy is off the charts this month, and these three Reel trends are serving major inspo for brands, creators, and small biz owners who want to stay fresh, fun, and totally on-trend.

Animated carousels are having their glow-up moment. They make your feed feel dynamic, boost time-on-post (aka reach!), and add a polished, professional touch.

The best part? You can create them right in free Canva. Here’s how 👇

  1. Set up your slides: Start a design and duplicate it for each carousel “frame.”

  2. Design each slide: Add your headline, image, color block, or icon — anything that fits your brand. Each slide should flow into the next like a mini visual story.

  3. Add animations: Click on an element (text, photo, icon), then hit the Animate tab. Choose subtle effects like Fade, Pop, Rise, or Slide to give motion to individual pieces.

  4. Apply transitions between slides: Between pages, tap the little transition icon and pick Dissolve, Slide, or Clock wipe for a seamless flow.

  5. Set timing: Adjust how long each slide appears (2–3 seconds works nicely). Make sure animations and transitions don’t overlap — smooth is key.

  6. Preview + adjust: Hit Play to see your creation in action. Tweak timing or motion if anything feels too fast or chaotic.

  7. Export as video or GIF: Go to Download → MP4 video or GIF. Upload as a Reel, Story, or Carousel post — wherever your audience scrolls most.

Rhody Rec: Turn your next product launch, event recap, or “3 ways to style it” post into a moving carousel. It’s the perfect blend of visual storytelling. See an example here:

💬 Trend 2: “The Topic Is…”

It’s time for a hot take, and Instagram’s latest trend wants to know what gets you fired up. The setup is simple: dramatic reactions, exaggerated facial expressions during a convo, and that oh-so-relatable overline text that reads, “POV: the topic is ____.” It’s witty, personal, and ridiculously shareable.

🎥 What You Need to Shoot:
Grab a friend, a snack, and your sassiest facial expressions. Film yourself (or your team) at a table, coffee shop, or desk — somewhere casual and real. The magic comes from your reactions: eye rolls, knowing smirks, or exaggerated nods that perfectly capture the mood. Add the text overlay with your “POV” line, and voilà — you’ve got a trending Reel ready to post.

💡 Small Biz Tip:
Pick a topic that hits home in your niche — the kind of thing your audience laughs (or groans) about too.

  • Cafes: “POV: the topic is seasonal drinks.”

  • Stylists: “POV: the topic is box dye at home.”

  • SMMs: “POV: the topic is bought followers.”

  • Therapists/Coaches: “POV: the topic is toxic positivity.”

Keep it short, punchy, and true to your brand voice – bonus points for using trending audio or clinking glasses in the background for that “over brunch” energy.

✨ Pro Tip: The more unfiltered your reactions, the better. It’s like a meme, but starring you. See an example here:

⚡ The Algorithm Glow-Up: What Instagram Actually Wants Now

Instagram just updated its algorithm and let’s just say, your old playbook might not make the cut anymore. Meta quietly dropped new details about what it’s prioritizing for Reels, and the focus is officially shifting from pretty posts to powerful storytelling. Here’s the breakdown straight from the scroll trenches ⤵️

1. Powerful Hooks
You’ve got two seconds to make someone stop scrolling — use it wisely. Start your Reel with a strong visual or question (“Wait, did you know…?” works wonders).

2. Visual Retention
Forget over-edited transitions. Instagram wants content that keeps eyes on the screen like quick cuts, movement, and real faces,

3. Content Series
The algorithm loves consistency. Build a recurring series (“Coffee Chats,” “Local Finds,” “Behind the Biz”) to keep people coming back — it signals reliability and boosts your average session time.

4. Real Storytelling
Authenticity is having a comeback. Reels that make people feel something – laugh, nod, or share – outperform perfectly polished clips. Narrate, show behind-the-scenes, or share your “why.”

🚫 What’s Not Working (Anymore):


❌ Hashtags (minimal impact)
❌ Complex edits (hurt retention)
❌ Viral sounds (loss of authenticity)
❌ Long captions (low readership)
❌ Reels over 30 seconds (drop-off city)

Rhody Rec: If you’re a small business, think “mini storytelling.” Keep Reels under 25 seconds, open with movement, and end with a warm call-to-action. Example: “See you at the market this weekend?” feels way more clickable than “Shop now.”

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🍎 Local Makers, This One’s For You

Here’s your sign to grab a booth and a cider (or two). CiderCon®, the world’s biggest celebration of all things craft cider, is pouring into Providence February 3-5 and this time, Rhode Island’s makers get to take center stage.

Hosted by the American Cider Association, CiderCon® draws cider pros, orchardists, and beverage enthusiasts from around the globe for three days of tastings, workshops, and networking that buzzes with creativity and collaboration.

✨ New this year: the Artisan Marketplace, a curated section of the trade show floor dedicated to local artists and small businesses. Think handcrafted jewelry, pottery, textiles, prints, and cider-inspired creations, all showcased to an audience ready to sip, shop, and connect.

For small businesses, this is your chance to take your craft from local favorite to global spotlight. Vendors will be featured in the official program and online directory, connecting their work with cider lovers and industry pros from around the world.will be featured in the official program and online directory, connecting their work with cider lovers and industry pros from around the world.

Vendor applications are open now through January 1, 2026, but space is limited. Apply online at ciderassociation.org and be part of the event that’s set to make Providence the apple of the craft world’s eye.

That’s a wrap (for now)! We’re halfway through November, which means the peppermint mocha era has officially begun and your content calendar’s about to need its own caffeine boost. So before the inbox floods and the lights go up, take a moment to plan, post, and play.