BOOM Scroll: Instagram Hits 3B, Threads Checks X, and LinkedIn Goes All-in (on Video)

News and Insights

BOOM Scroll: Instagram Hits 3B, Threads Checks X, and LinkedIn Goes All-in (on Video)

October 21, 2025

Need to speed-read your social feed? Here's the social intel from last month you definitely need to know.

#1 Instagram hits 3 billion!

Instagram just hit 3 billion monthly active users-that's more than a third of everyone on the planet. They're marking the milestone with a wave of new features.

The Boom

• Video banners (horizontal reels) are live for testing.
• Reposts have finally arrived.
• Algorithm controls will let users customize their feeds to match their preferences.

Our take

Instagram is growing faster than Facebook, fueled by constant feature drops. If your brand isn't on Instagram yet, now's the time. Keep your content strategy flexible to test against each new update: Growing with the platform is how you win.

#2 LinkedIn goes all-in on video

LinkedIn's Senior Director just dropped stats on short-form video growth that should get your attention.

The Boom

• Members are watching 40% more videos than last year.
• And time spent watching them is up 2.2x.
• Creators utilizing videos see 3x follower growth compared to those who don't.

Our take

Short-form video on LinkedIn isn't optional anymore. Optimize with quick hooks and dynamic visuals like B-roll or scene changes to stand out in the feed.

#3 Threads goes head-to-head with X

Threads now matches X's daily active user count, and on some days it even beats it.

The Boom

• Both platforms hover around 150M daily active users (iOS and Android combined).
• Data comes from Similarweb extrapolations, so it's not definitive.
• X still pulls ahead via web traffic, where Threads lags.

Our take

If you're on X, you should be on Threads, period. Threads keeps climbing while X declines. Start by cross-posting your X content on Threads too, and see what sticks.

#4 Pinterest: holiday shopping season starts now

Someone searches for a gift on Pinterest every six seconds between October and December. Have you started your holiday campaigns yet?

The Boom

• Pinterest recommends starting campaigns early.
• Personalization drives results.
• Design for saves, not just clicks.

Our take

Pinterest is a major holiday shopping destination, and early searches often lead to purchases. Get your content up now to capture those "saves" before the competition does.

#5 Facebook: poke is back, like it or not

Facebook is bringing back Pokes… and tbh no one knows why. Our guess? Zuck is chasing younger users.

The Boom

• Back in March, Meta promised to revive "several OG Facebook experiences.".
• You can now Poke friends from their profile or in Messenger.
• Track your Poke count with each friend.

Our take

This feels more like a pet Zuck project than an audience-driven move. But it could be Meta's attempt at a "Snapchat streak" gamification play to hook Gen Z. Will it work?

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