top of page
Search

What’s New in Social Media This Month (December 2025): Quilting Business Edition

This monthly report highlights social media platform changes that rolled out or surfaced in December 2025, to help quilt pattern designers, quilt teachers, and longarm service providers prepare their marketing strategies for January.


Social platforms often test features quietly at the end of the year, then expand or adjust them in the new year. This post breaks down what changed in December, why it matters for creative businesses, and what you can thoughtfully test or plan for as you head into January.



Facebook: Testing Paid Access for Sharing External Links

What changed? Meta has been experimenting with limits on how often Pages and some users can share external links on Facebook unless they subscribe to paid products like Meta Verified. This is currently a test, not a universal requirement.


Why it matters

Many quilting businesses rely on Facebook to share blog posts, class registrations, pattern sales pages, or email sign-ups. If link sharing becomes increasingly pay-to-play, businesses that rely on Facebook as a primary traffic source may feel pressured to spend money just to send followers off-platform. That’s a major shift — and understandably frustrating for businesses that invested time there to avoid ads.


What to try (January)

  • Reduce reliance on Facebook as your only traffic driver.

  • Focus more on native posts (photos, text posts, discussions) that build trust and engagement.

  • Use a pinned post with a link hub (e.g., Linktree, Beacons, or create your own link page on your website, like mine!) so you share the one link that matters most.

  • Encourage audiences to visit your Instagram or Pinterest, where link restrictions aren’t as severe.

  • Use Facebook to support relationships, not necessarily to drive every click.

  • Strengthen other platforms that send traffic more reliably, like Pinterest, YouTube, and email.



Instagram: Engagement Strategy Shifts and Expanded Viewing Options

What changed? Instagram has been testing engagement-focused algorithm adjustments, particularly around Reels and longer-form video viewing — including expanded options for watching Instagram content on TVs and larger screens. This is mainly to re-engage teen audiences. I don't see this as a main factor for the quilting industry, but it's good to be aware of.


Why it matters

Instagram continues to prioritize video and time-spent-on-content. For quilting businesses, this reinforces that process videos, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes content remain valuable — especially as people return to routine and learning mode in January.


What to try (January)

  • Review which Reels performed best in fall and early winter.

  • Plan educational Reels for January: techniques, quilting tips, class previews, or project walkthroughs.

  • Experiment with slightly longer videos that feel more instructional than promotional.



YouTube: New Creator Tools and Short-Form Enhancements

What changed? YouTube introduced new creator tools, including expanded AI-assisted creation features, image carousels within Shorts, and improved tools for sponsored content partnerships.


Why it matters

YouTube remains one of the strongest platforms for long-term discovery and trust-building. January is historically a strong month for tutorial content as people start new projects, learn new skills, and search for guidance.


What to try (January)

  • Create one YouTube video that answers a common question for your niche or audience (like "do I need to tip a Longarmer?" or "what stabilizer goes on the back of shirts for a t-shirt quilt?").

  • Repurpose that content into Shorts using image carousels or short clips. Click here for a blog post to help.

  • Use comments and voice replies to deepen engagement with viewers.



TikTok: Regulatory Awareness and Brand Safety Trends

What changed? There were no major TikTok feature launches in December, but ongoing global conversations around online safety and age restrictions continue to influence platform direction. They are also preparing TikTok for 'new management' as Oracle Corp and its consortium take over Jan 22nd. There are a lot of theories and conspiracies surrounding this transfer. One thing theorists agree on is that the algorithm on TikTok will shift and it will most likely take months, possibly a few years, to see the impact on the platform.


Why it matters

Even if regulations don’t directly affect U.S.-based quilting businesses right now, platforms are increasingly prioritizing content clarity, transparency, and responsible messaging.


What to try (January)

  • Keep TikTok content educational, welcoming, and clearly positioned.

  • Focus on process, learning, and storytelling rather than trends alone.

  • Make it easy for viewers to understand who your content is for.

  • Watch for news on how the business transfer is affecting the platform



Pinterest: Continued Stability as a Discovery Platform

What changed? Pinterest continues to position itself as a discovery-based platform and remains unaffected by many social-media-specific restrictions being discussed globally. In December, they came out with their 2026 Trend report. View it here.


Why it matters

Pinterest remains one of the strongest platforms for quilting businesses when it comes to search-driven discovery, long content lifespan, and sending traffic to websites. Knowing what is trending and using the keywords where they fit in your business will help more people find you.


What to try (January)

  • Refresh boards with winter, skill-building, and “new project” themes.

  • Read through the trends and note anything you can apply to your business for the coming 2026 year.

  • Create pins that link to blog posts, tutorials, or class pages.

  • Prioritize clear titles and descriptions over trendy captions.



Trend Watch: What’s Shaping Social Media Heading Into January

  • Video continues to outperform static content across platforms

  • AI tools are becoming more integrated into content creation and scheduling, learn to use them for your main social media platform.

  • Social listening and community feedback are replacing vanity metrics (this is a good thing!)

  • Platforms reward consistency and clarity more than volume (quality over quantity)



Summary Table

Platform

December Change

January Focus

Facebook

Testing paid link sharing

Reduce reliance on outbound links

Instagram

Video engagement emphasis

Educational Reels and longer content

YouTube

New creator & Shorts tools

Tutorials and searchable content

TikTok

Regulatory influence

Brand-safe, clear positioning

Pinterest

Stable discovery platform

Traffic-driving pins

Monthly Action Plan (January Preparation)

  • Identify one platform you want to prioritize in January.

  • Plan one educational video or tutorial.

  • Reduce dependency on Facebook for outbound traffic.

  • Refresh Pinterest boards with seasonal projects.

  • Repurpose one long-form video into short-form clips.

  • Review fall content performance and repeat what worked.

  • Strengthen your email list as a traffic safety net.


If you’d like help turning these platform changes into a clear, realistic plan for your quilting business, you can book a free 30-minute strategy session. We’ll focus on what actually makes sense for your time, audience, and goals.


This report is generated using AI and reviewed and edited by Tori. Social media platforms change frequently, and no specific outcomes or results are guaranteed.


Sources & Further Reading


Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet
Add a rating
bottom of page