September Social Media Trends & Algorithm Updates
Social media isn’t exactly known for being calm and reasonable. But September 2025? It’s giving... plot twist. From TikTok behaving like a responsible adult to Meta channeling Wikipedia editors, things are getting weird, in a good way.
So, whether you’re a marketer, content creator, or someone who once tried to go viral with a cat in a cowboy hat (no judgment), here’s what you need to know this month.
1. TikTok Wants You to Curate Your Chaos
Yes, TikTok is finally letting users tame their For You page. Think of it as Marie Kondo-ing your algorithm. New features include:
Picking topics you *don’t* want to see (Goodbye, unsolicited finance bros).
Blocking keywords with the help of AI (So long, "hustle grind mindset").
Getting little pop-ups explaining why you’re being shown yet another slow-mo dog video.
**Translation**: TikTok wants to be transparent and responsible. Weird, right? But if you're a brand, take note: *relevance beats randomness* now.
2. Meta Fires Fact-Checkers, Hires the Internet Instead
Meta is ditching official fact-checkers for a "Community Notes" model. Because nothing says trustworthy like crowdsourced moderation by your uncle Gary and 12 strangers with usernames like @MemeLord3000.
Early results? Mixed. It's a little like Wikipedia if everyone was mildly caffeinated and half-paying attention.
**What this means**: Brands, you might get fact-checked by the public. Or memed. Or both. Buckle up.
3. Prosocial Media is Having a Moment
Imagine a world where social platforms *don’t* make you feel like you just lost a debate you weren’t even in. That’s what "prosocial design" is about.
Bluesky is letting users build their own algorithms. Like Netflix profiles, but for vibes.
Threads is moving toward less drama and more... harmony? (We’ll believe it when we see it.)
TL;DR There’s a growing push for platforms that feel more like a book club and less like a street fight.
4. Bluesky Is Basically the Cool New Kid in Class
Bluesky is out here handing out features like Oprah:
You get a custom feed!
You get a 3-minute video limit!
You get trending topics that aren't just 17 versions of the same meme!
They’re also adding anti-toxicity tools so your replies don’t devolve into comment section warfare.
**In other words**: Personalization + peace = the new gold standard.
5. The Rise of AI Slop (a.k.a. Content Junk Food)
Congratulations! Your feed is now 40% AI-generated nonsense.
There’s a new breed of content designed to manipulate algorithms with things like oversaturated thumbnails and robotic voiceovers that sound like a sleep-deprived Siri. And it's working.
**What to do**: Be a human. Sound like a human. Win like a human.
Takeaways:
TikTok wants you to control your feed like a Netflix queue.
Meta wants you to fact-check your neighbor.
Everyone wants platforms to stop making us sad.
AI wants your attention, but please don't give it away for free.
Final thought: If your social strategy still includes "just post more!" and "follow the trend!", it might be time for a reboot. The platforms are evolving. Get on board, or be left behind with the bots and rage comments.
And remember: in a world of algorithms, realness is your superpower. Here at Knack Social, we are doubling down on human being and creating content that humanizes the brands we represent.