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Social media is constantly being updated—so you should be, too. Here are 5 of the top social media news stories from this week that you don’t want to miss.

1. Tik-Tok hits 1.5 billion downloads
Tik-Tok’s rise has been on everyone’s lips this year. It’s now the fourth most downloaded non-gaming app, largely driven by Indian uptake. And despite experiencing its first growth setback a couple of months ago, it has just hit the 1.5 billion download mark. The app coupled the announcement with new monetization features such as the option to add links into user bios, and eCommerce URLs into uploaded videos. Only available in the US just now, Tik-Tok says the two new features are experimental and designed to “improve the user experience”.

2. Check out Whale, Facebook new memes app
A meme is worth a thousand words…eye-rolls…snide inferences…pop culture bonding moments – you name it. That’s why we love them. So naturally, Facebook is looking for a piece of the action with its new Whale app. The app is part of the experimental app division, NPE, and is currently being tested in Canada only. You can create memes with the help of templates, text, design and effect tools without any additional subscription. You start by selecting a photo from your personal library or a stock photo, and then you can add text, emojis, and filters. Will Facebook’s latest play pan out?

3. WhatsApp launches new Business Catalog
WhatsApp expansion into the ads realm just passed a new milestone with the new Business Catalog. This allows WhatsApp business users can now showcase their products or services in what amounts to an in-app digital store. The feature is currently available in the US, Brazil, Germany, India, Indonesia, and the UK. If that’s where you are you can set up and customize the catalog via Setting > WhatsApp for Business > Catalog. What’s next for WhatsApp? WhatsApp Pay, currently available in India.

4. Facebook dynamic ads get a boost
Dynamic ads are not new to Facebook but now machine learning can now customize users’ experience at scale. This opens the door to delivering a specific ad to different users based on their activity or preferences. How does this work? It’s basically a combination of data, signals, and insights from Facebook and the advertisers. This will include Dynamic Format & Ad Creative, delivering content in different formats based on users’ behavior. If that’s not enough, Multiple Text Optimization allows you to customize your Facebook ads’ main text, headline, and description fields. It doesn’t stop there: the new auto-translating feature will allow you to reach out to users based on their local language.

5. Pinterest is out to help you cope with negative emotions
Social platforms play a big role in our lives and are frequently blamed for exerting a negative influence. Pinterest is out to turn that around. Now, if somebody searches for terms related to mental health issues, Pinterest will serve up content designed to help. For example, “if someone searches for a term related to self-injury, they’ll find ten new coping exercises that can help them work through difficult emotions and feelings, ” said a spokesperson from Pinterest. This initiative-for-good has been developed in collaboration with The Stanford Lab for Mental Health Innovation, Vibrant Emotional Health, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

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