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Hayley Peters
Meta Lead Ads Just Got Smarter

April Digital Updates: Meta Ads Just Got Smarter

Digital Updates

May 6, 2025

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You know that feeling when a lead lands in your inbox and actually wants what you’re offering? This month’s headline? Meta lead ads just got a glow-up worth talking about. Meta’s latest lead ad upgrades could be the Cupid’s arrow your funnel’s been waiting for. 💘 This month’s updates include lead quality improvements from Meta, fresh Reels tools on Instagram, smarter insights from Google, and a win for accessibility (and SEO!) on TikTok. Let’s decode what’s really worth your time.

What’s new with Meta?

🔥 11 New Lead Ad Features You’ll Want to Test Immediately

Meta has quietly dropped 11 new features inside Lead Ads—and for service-based businesses, this is a big deal. From customising autofill behaviour to toggling SMS verifications and adding context cards, these updates are designed to help you attract better-quality leads, not just more of them.

💡 Key features:

  • Turn off autofill (finally!) to avoid spammy entries.
  • Add a verification layer (via SMS or email) for stronger lead intent.
  • Form delivery enhancements: send instantly or on a delay.
  • Context cards to pre-qualify leads with more info before they opt in.

For professional services, where lead intent and quality matter more than volume, these changes can help reduce wasted sales calls and increase your conversion rate from day one.

✨ Bonus: Improved reporting on where leads are converting—on your website vs instant forms—means clearer attribution and more accurate ad ROI.

📔 Other noteworthy updates from Meta this month:

  • Meta has introduced a new incremental attribution comparison feature to better assess ad impact. More here.
  • Meta now offers AI-generated branding tools in Ads Manager, letting you customise your ad visuals and copy. Read more.
  • You can now track whether your conversions came from instant forms or your website, thanks to Meta’s updated conversion location reporting. Details here.
  • Facebook Messenger has increased its file-sharing limit to 100MB, making it easier for businesses to exchange contracts, proposals, or reports directly through chat. Read more
  • Meta has rolled out upgrades to the Instagram Creator Marketplace, giving brands better tools to find and connect with relevant creators based on detailed filters and past performance. This can streamline partnerships for service-based brands running influencer or UGC campaigns. Full update

👀 Tests Spotted on Meta this week:

  • Meta is experimenting with a standalone AI-powered social chat app that shares user prompts publicly. View source.

Ready to refine your lead gen strategy? Our Paid Ads package has you coveredenquire now

What’s new with Instagram?

🔥 Instagram Launches ‘Blend’ Reels Sharing Feature

Instagram’s ‘Blend’ is bringing a dose of friendship to your Reels feed. It’s a shared playlist feature that curates Reels based on what you and a friend both enjoy—inside your DMs.

For brands, this could be a new way to encourage engagement and content sharing among community members or clients. It’s not a direct content discovery tool yet, but it shows Instagram’s ongoing push for more intimate, curated experiences.

Think: relationship-based visibility, not just algorithmic reach.

🔥 New Feature Spotlight: Instagram’s Full Reels Editing Suite

Instagram has rolled out a major upgrade to its Reels editing experience, bringing it closer to pro-level video software—without leaving the app. This isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about making content creation feel faster, easier and more expressive for brands and creators alike.

💡 Key features:

  • Animate: Turn still photos into dynamic clips using AI.
  • Voice Effects: Add unique audio filters for mood or drama.
  • Extract Audio: Grab sound from any video clip in your timeline.
  • Music Library: Access saved audio or browse trending music.
  • Green Screen: Swap backgrounds with more flexibility.
  • Timeline Editor: Precision-edit your clips in one place.
  • Projects & Auto-save: Manage and resume multiple Reels drafts.
  • Inspiration Tab: Browse and save trending Reels for future use.

For service-based businesses, this is a goldmine for building visibility without leaving Instagram. You now have in-app tools to film, brand, personalise and publish—fast.

👀 Tests spotted on Instagram this week:

  • Instagram is testing filters that allow users to sort their Reels feed by different categories. Check it out.
  • A new group storyline feature for event-based storytelling is currently being tested. Read more.
  • Instagram may finally be working on a dedicated iPad app, a long-requested feature for creators and marketers who manage content on larger screens. This could improve workflow and content review for professionals using tablets. Read more

Want to connect more deeply with your audience? Book your free 30-minute call here.

What’s new with Google?

🔥 AI-Powered Insights Come to Google Analytics

Time to say goodbye to guesswork. Google Analytics has launched AI-generated insights designed to surface trends, anomalies and suggestions without requiring a data deep-dive. Think ChatGPT, but for your GA reports.

For pro-service businesses, this means:

  • Faster client reporting with less manual analysis
  • Easier campaign audits
  • Smarter decision-making based on predictive trends

While still early-stage, this can dramatically reduce time spent in spreadsheets—and free up more time for strategy.

📔 Other noteworthy updates from Google this month:

  • Google unveiled Veo 2, an upgraded AI-powered video generation tool. Explore more.
  • Google’s AI-powered Search Mode has been expanded to more users, offering more conversational experiences. See details.
  • Performance Max campaigns now feature enhanced reporting capabilities. More info here.

Want smarter insights from your site? Book your Digital Marketing Playbook with a free 30-minute call here.

What’s new with TikTok?

🔥 TikTok Adds ALT Text to Photo Posts

TikTok has quietly introduced ALT text support for still images in posts. That means more accessible content and a potential SEO boost.

This could become a smart move for brands focused on organic visibility. For service-based biz owners sharing graphics, text overlays or testimonials, it’s worth testing descriptive alt tags to make your content clearer and more searchable.

Want your content to do more for you? Ask us about social SEO strategies. Book a 30-minute call with Founder Katy here.

What’s new with LinkedIn?

🔥 LinkedIn Expands ‘News’ Banner to More Profiles

LinkedIn’s ‘News’ banner—previously limited to select profiles—has started rolling out more broadly. It displays curated headlines above user profiles to boost platform time and spark conversation.

For service-based leaders positioning themselves as thought leaders, this offers a chance to tap into trending topics and be part of relevant conversations organically.

Our tip / key features:

  • Pair with your content strategy by reposting timely takes or publishing your own insights aligned with top stories.

Position yourself as a go-to expert. Our Playbook helps you map your content to your goals. Check it out here.

📔 Other noteworthy updates or tests:

  • Canva released new AI-powered tools inside its platform to streamline design workflows. What’s new on Canva
  • ChatGPT is expanding into ecommerce, adding shopping features to help users discover and purchase products directly. More from SMK
  • OpenAI is exploring a potential social platform of its own, hinting at future community features. Via SMT

💘 Final Thoughts

This month’s updates aren’t just digital noise—they’re packed with real opportunities to refine your marketing strategy, cut down on time-wasting tactics, and connect more meaningfully with your audience. Whether it’s Meta’s smarter lead tools, Instagram’s evolving Reels, or TikTok’s accessibility improvements, the platforms are making moves that service-based brands can (and should) leverage.

Still unsure where to start or what’s actually worth testing? You don’t have to figure it out alone. We’re here to help you map these updates to your goals, stay ahead of the curve, and keep your strategy feeling like a perfect match.

Let’s make your next move the smartest one yet. 💘

Feel free to sign up for our weekly updates here (plus so much more hot goss) so you never miss the best updates. AND don’t forget, if you do miss out you can always go back to last weeks blog posts here.

XOXO

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