Call Her Creator with Katelyn Rhoades

Episode 108: The Weekly Scroll — Early Access Reels, 2025 Search Trends, TikTok’s Nearby Feed + What It Means for Your 2026 Growth

Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Katelyn Rhoades
Theme: Practical insights and actionable strategies for creators to harness the latest in social media trends, deepen audience relationships, and leverage growth levers for 2026.

Episode Overview

Katelyn Rhoades breaks down the most significant social media updates of the week and their impact on creator growth heading into 2026. From Instagram's new "Early Access Reels" feature to key takeaways from Google's 2025 Year in Search and the rollout of TikTok’s regional Nearby Feed, this episode offers both trend analysis and step-by-step strategies for creators looking to capitalize on what's next.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating a Major Milestone & Opening Early Access for Q1 Clients

• [00:00–03:19]
  • Katelyn opens with a personal milestone: her agency, Influence Marketing Studio, just hit its first 10,000 Instagram followers.
  • Quote: "We’re a social media agency. We are so busy growing other people's accounts that we don't really prioritize our own Instagram page. It's definitely like our ugly stepchild..." (A, 00:28)
  • Emphasizes the importance of "showing up consistently" and giving the same energy to your own brand that you do to your clients.
  • Announces early access openings for agency services for Q1 2026: “Now is the time to lock in your spot before we fill up for the quarter.” (A, 02:39)
  • Genuine gratitude to her team and clients for their support.

2. Instagram’s Early Access Reels — Unlocking Loyalty-Driven Growth

• [03:19–07:49]
  • Instagram is testing "Early Access Reels," allowing creators to upload reels that are viewable only by followers before anyone else.
  • Non-followers see a blurred video with a countdown and prompt to follow for early access—creating FOMO and encouraging new follows.
  • Quote: "It’s loyalty-based distribution. Instagram is finally rewarding an engaged audience, not just whoever shows up on the platform that day." (A, 05:15)
  • The feature signals a platform-wide shift from chasing reach to cultivating depth and community.
  • Encouragement to “nurture” your audience now: get active in DMs, reply to comments, run prompts in Stories.
  • Action tip: "Start warming up your audience now. Build your little corner of the Internet like it’s a membership." (A, 07:09)
  • Reminder: not all views are equal—connection drives conversion.

3. 2025 Year in Search — Content Opportunities from Google Trends

• [07:49–13:34]
  • Google’s Year in Search for 2025 reveals what the world cared about—serving as a gold mine for content prompts.
  • “Every question people ask on Google is a content opportunity for you—on Instagram, on TikTok, on YouTube, on your blog, for your website.” (A, 08:35)
  • List of top searches includes everything from “K Pop Demon Hunters” and “iPhone 17” to breakout personalities.
  • Memorable moment: Katelyn’s own take on trending content: “The trending searches—Charlie Kirk, K Pop Demon Hunters, Labubu, iPhone 17... You get the drift. The year in search in 2025—it was pretty crazy to see all of those different searches for the year.” (A, 10:41)
  • Actionable advice:
    • Turn trending searches into content ideas that answer real questions.
    • Adopt explainer videos and signature content series (reference to Episode 99).
  • Social SEO is now many users’ top-of-funnel; younger audiences prefer TikTok over Google for how-to's, discovery, reviews.

4. Reddit’s Growing Influence on Brand Trust and Research

• [14:16–16:02]
  • Reddit has graduated from “fringe Internet” to mainstream influence. Real conversations on Reddit threads shape opinions and drive trust—often trumping brand sites and influencer reviews.
  • Quote: “People trust Reddit threads more than brand websites, more than influencer reviews, more than almost anything else online... This is where trust is built.” (A, 15:00)
  • For brands: Engaging authentically in Reddit communities is a massive opportunity to dissolve buyer objections and build credibility before audiences even see your offer.

5. TikTok’s Nearby Feed — Hyperlocal Discovery for Businesses

• [16:02–18:06]
  • TikTok’s “Nearby Feed,” currently in Europe, will roll out more broadly—surfacing content based on users’ physical locations.
  • Local businesses and creators can reach people in their area without spending on ads.
  • Advice: Tag your location and use geotags for local discoverability. “If you have a local business and you're not creating TikToks, you're... definitely leaving visibility on the table.” (A, 17:28)
  • TikTok is becoming a search and discovery engine, not just an entertainment app.

6. Final Insights & Calls to Action

• [18:06–End]
  • Don’t just consume trends—implement them.
  • “Small, consistent action each week builds massive momentum over time.” (A, 17:56)
  • Reminders:
    • Club Influence: Weekly viral prompts, hooks, scripts, and more for time-saving trend adoption.
    • Influence Marketing Studio: Full-service social media management for Q1 2026 clients.
    • Shout-out to Stan, powering digital offers and creator businesses.

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 00:28 | Katelyn | “We are so busy growing other people's accounts that we don't really prioritize our own Instagram page. It's definitely like our ugly stepchild that is like, okay, who doesn't have something extra on their plate? Can you post for us this week?” | | 05:15 | Katelyn | “It’s loyalty-based distribution. Instagram is finally rewarding, hopefully, an engaged audience... This is also a massive nod towards where social is headed for 2026.” | | 08:35 | Katelyn | “Every question people ask on Google is a content opportunity for you—on Instagram, on TikTok, on YouTube, on your blog, for your website…” | | 15:00 | Katelyn | “People trust Reddit threads more than brand websites, more than influencer reviews, more than almost anything else online. And here's the kicker. This is a gold mine for brands who understand culture.” | | 17:28 | Katelyn | “If you have a local business and you're not creating TikToks, I don't want to say you're leaving money on the table, but you're definitely leaving visibility on the table.” | | 17:56 | Katelyn | “Small, consistent action each week builds massive momentum over time.” |

Timestamped Highlights (Quick Reference)

• [00:00] — Agency milestone: 10K followers, early access for clients
• [03:19] — Instagram Early Access Reels detailed explanation
• [07:49] — Google's Year in Search & actionable prompts
• [14:16] — Reddit’s impact on brand trust
• [16:02] — TikTok Nearby Feed and local strategies
• [18:06+] — Advice for implementing trends & business reminders

Tone & Language

Katelyn maintains her signature, energetic, empowering, and conversational tone throughout. Her advice is practical, backed by real-world examples, and focused on genuine connection over vanity metrics. The language is approachable (“algorithm lovers over here”), encouraging creators to take the leap and feel confident in keeping up with rapid social shifts.

Takeaways for Creators

• Prioritize engagement and loyalty. New tools like Early Access Reels reward creators who nurture relationships, not just chase reach.
• Mine platform trends and annual reports for content inspiration. Google’s Year in Search is a gold mine—every question asked there is a content opportunity for you.
• Be discoverable everywhere. Adapt your brand story across multiple platforms, and don’t overlook newer feed features (like TikTok’s Nearby) or channels of trust (Reddit!).
• Implement consistently, not just occasionally. Momentum is built in small, sustainable actions, not grand one-off campaigns.
• Lean into community and resources. Clubs and agencies can provide done-for-you assets and unified strategy, especially as platforms continue to evolve quickly.

Next Steps:

• Start nurturing your audience today (DMs, comments, stories).
• See what topics are hot by reviewing Google’s top searches of 2025.
• Explore new ways to showcase your expertise—for local businesses, geotag and embrace video platforms.
• Check out Club Influence or reach out to Influence Marketing Studio for tailored support.

For more actionable strategies, follow Katelyn on Instagram (@thekatelynrhoades) and tune in for next week’s scroll!