Video summary

Claude is ending Instagram & TikTok in 2026: The future of social media is not what you think

Main summary

Key takeaways

News and Commentary

Episode Thesis

The episode argues that AI—especially Claude—will fundamentally change short-form social media (particularly Instagram and TikTok) and push both creators and audiences toward long-form formats.

Main Claims: How AI Will Reshape Social Media (Instagram/TikTok)

  • Claude makes carousel content easier, which may lead users to lose trust in carousels/clips that don’t clearly look human-made.
  • As AI-edited and AI-generated content becomes more common, the host expects people to increasingly assume that many short-form posts (including podcast clips/ads) are AI.
    • This could make short-form feel less authentic and less worth consuming.
  • The result may be a decline in short-form engagement, as creators see view dips and audiences adjust expectations.

Why This Could Drive Audiences Toward YouTube/Podcasting

  • Social media’s “value” may shift away from tips/information (which AI can already provide) and toward connection—such as:
    • opinion
    • personality
    • personal journeys
  • Long-form is “anti-scroll” (e.g., audio-only podcasts don’t require constant screen time), so the host predicts audiences will flock more to podcasts and YouTube, especially if platforms don’t address authenticity concerns.

Platform Signals Suggesting Long-Form Growth

The host cites changes from major platforms as evidence they anticipate long-form growth:

  • Adam Mosseri (Instagram): references an “algorithm” feature that lets users customize what they see, framed as addressing addiction/mental health and reducing “AI slop.”
  • Instagram: introduces horizontal video for TV viewing, positioned as support for more long-form consumption.
  • TikTok: launches a podcast network (with iHeart), implying a move deeper into podcast/long-form.
  • YouTube: adds the ability to disable Shorts on desktop, interpreted as acknowledging users want less short-form.

Overall thesis: short-form is no longer just being amplified—it’s being “corrected” as AI content floods the feed.

Opportunities for Creators: Adapt Strategy, Not Just Tools

The host argues brands are shifting toward:

  • smaller followings
  • specific niches/interests (“interest media”)

This means creators may not need massive audiences—just the right ones.

Formats that may perform better

  • Video with clearer personality (commentary, distinct opinions)
  • Podcast clips framed as opinion-driven rather than generic “what it is” content
  • Carousels and short-form that don’t look machine-made

Suggested approach

  • Don’t rely on direct TikTok/IG posting as the only growth engine.
  • Instead, create long-form first (podcast/video), then clip it into branded short-form.

Example Tools and Tactics

  • YouTube Studio AI assistant: praised for enabling data-informed decisions, such as:
    • audience watch patterns
    • search behavior
    • comment themes
    • why a video underperforms (retention/click-through)

Creative vs analytical AI (host’s boundary)

  • The host views using AI for creative writing/hooks/titles/thumbnails negatively.
  • Using AI for analysis is viewed positively.

“Content Ideas” Segment

Weekly idea: “Things I didn’t stop doing after the trend ended” (Examples include skincare, workouts, books, mindsets, etc.)

The emphasis is on continuing personal practices to build human connection.

Weekly Community Question (Voicemail Advice)

A voicemail asks how to grow on TikTok/YouTube/Snapchat. The response emphasizes:

  • build a full content strategy + vision (not just chase what performs temporarily)
  • choose what you can create about consistently
  • clarity comes from action and trying
  • do dream/begin strategy planning for the next 6 months for motivation and structure

Presenters / Contributors

  • Tess (host/creator, speaking throughout)
  • Adam Mosseri (CEO of Instagram; mentioned)
  • Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary Vee) (mentioned)
  • Jay Shetty (mentioned)
  • Amy Poehler (mentioned in the context of Spotify podcast clipping)
  • Storm (mentioned regarding a YouTube/AI channel research story; “Storm built this whole AI Claude thing”)
  • Claude (discussed as an AI tool/persona introduced in a metaphorical “office”)

Original video