Podcast Summary: Call Her Creator – Ep. 116 "The Weekly Scroll: Big Instagram Shifts for 2026: AI Content, Reels Auto-Scroll & Carousel Changes"

Host: Katelyn Rhoades
Date: January 8, 2026

Episode Overview

In this fast-paced, actionable episode of Call Her Creator, host Katelyn Rhoades delivers the latest major social media platform updates for creators—putting a strong focus on Instagram’s big shifts for 2026. She unpacks how AI-generated content is challenging authenticity, details changes to Reels and carousel posts, and highlights new strategies to stand out in an AI-dominated feed. Facebook and YouTube updates also get concise coverage, rounding out a must-listen for creators intent on growing and monetizing their presence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Instagram’s AI Content Surge & Authenticity Crisis

[02:30–12:00]

• Instagram chief Adam Mosseri’s statement: AI is making content indistinguishable from human work, shifting “authenticity” from a human attribute to something that’s "infinitely reproducible."

  • Quote:

    "AI content is quickly becoming indistinguishable from human made content. I really hate this." (Katelyn, 03:15)

  • Personal stories now used as “proof of authenticity”—more unedited, raw videos are appearing for this reason.
  • Instagram admits it can’t label all AI content; instead, it will focus on verifying and highlighting authentic creators.
  • Platform’s bottom line: Creators must “get better at originality in an AI heavy world.”

• Katelyn’s interpretation:

  • Instagram is not shielding creators—it’s “justifying the flood of AI content” because more AI equals more engagement and profits.
  • Real creators will need to fight harder for visibility, possibly gaining “ranking advantages” through verification and transparency.
    • Quote:

      "Verification may matter more this year too…maybe if you’re verified on Meta, you might get a little bit more leadway in the newsfeeds." (Katelyn, 09:45)

• Actionable Advice:

  • Generic, easily replicated content will disappear faster.
  • Trust and visible human stories become essential.
  • Strategic challenge: Show up in photos and videos, use lived experiences, and implement daily engagement tactics (such as Katelyn’s 28-day engagement challenge).
    • Quote:

      "The only way to really not blend in and to stand out is going to be showing up as your most authentic self and just being human." (Katelyn, 11:20)

2. Instagram Reels: Widespread Auto-Scroll

[12:15–18:00]

• Rollout: Auto-scroll for Reels (no manual swipe needed) now available to more users.

• Impact for Creators:

  • Comment and conversion friction: If your reel lacks a stopping point or clear CTA, viewers skip to the next video.
  • Short, punchy Reels benefit most—tight edits and bingeable series work particularly well.
    • Quote:

      "If someone isn’t hooked by the end…then they’re gone and you’ve probably lost them forever." (Katelyn, 15:10)

• Key Tips:

  • Open strong and close with clear, urgent CTAs.
  • Link relevant reels together to retain viewer attention.
  • Emphasis on “completion rate”—if viewers drop off or auto-scroll, your Reel’s performance suffers.

• Trend strategy:

  • Use trending Reels and tailor them with specific actions for your audience.

3. Instagram Carousels: Now Loop Automatically

[18:15–23:20]

• Change: Swiping past the last slide loops instantly to the first, instead of requiring manual scrolling back.

• Potential Effects:

  • Increased time on post? Could boost engagement if users cycle through carousels repeatedly—or have the opposite effect if they exit faster.
  • Carousels now more “Reels-like” in how engagement is measured.

• Best Practices:

  • First slide is critical: May be seen multiple times, so make it save-worthy and attention-grabbing.
  • Educational and storytelling carousels stand to benefit.
  • Designing for loops: Consider crafting last slides to tease back to the first, encouraging re-reads.
    • Quote:

      "Maybe you design carousels to loop on purpose…end the last slide with like a teaser that leads back to the beginning slide." (Katelyn, 21:05)

4. Facebook: Visual Platform Transformation & Algorithm Updates

[23:30–27:00]

• Feed changes:

  • Multi-photo posts now appear in a grid.
  • Double-tapping likes images directly in carousels.
  • Tapping expands posts fullscreen; search adopts a visual grid.
  • Pin comments and friend recommendations now based on shared interests.

• Meta's intention: Reengage users with immersive, visual-first experiences, imitating Instagram and TikTok behaviors.

  • Quote:

    "I treat Facebook like Instagram and it performs pretty well." (Katelyn, 25:45)

• Recommended tactics:

  • Use carousels, short-form video, and image-led storytelling.
  • Optimize the first image of multiphoto sets for conversion.

5. Meta's AI-Driven Editing Tools

[27:10–29:00]

• Object segmentation:

  • Target AI effects (blur, highlight, sparkle, tag) to specific objects or people in videos—Meta’s Segment Anything Model (SAM) powers this.
  • Add public Reels to edit projects; word-level caption styling; 150 new sound effects; expanded font presets.
  • App currently free, but Meta hints paid features are on the horizon.

• Katelyn’s tip:

  • "Use it now while it’s free before they start charging us." (Katelyn, 28:45)

6. YouTube Shorts: Image Carousels Test

[29:10–31:00]

• Major update: Creators can test posting up to 10 images as a “Short,” appearing in the YouTube Shorts feed (like TikTok and Instagram carousels).
• Implications:
  • Lower barrier for creators who prefer photos over video.
  • Early adoption could win big; more competition for Shorts attention.
  • Opportunity to expand cross-platform reach seamlessly.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "[On AI content] It's like, okay, we're trying, but at the same time, I don't know. Instagram's also hinting at more emphasis on verified creators, which I'm really thankful for, that more visibility into who's behind an account and then potential ranking advantages for real humans." (Katelyn, 07:40)
• "If you're just using generic stuff and, you know, just going with the flow, you're going to blend in and you're going to get left behind—and that's just not what we're going to do in 2026." (Katelyn, 10:54)
• "Reels are now going to be competing back to back so your content is immediately followed by someone else. No breath, no decision point." (Katelyn, 16:40)
• "Tighten that first slide hook because people may see it twice. Make sure it’s a bold statement." (Katelyn, 22:35)
• "Treat Facebook like a visual platform again…starting with that first video or photo, that’s the beginning of your story." (Katelyn, 25:45)

Section Timestamps

• Instagram AI Content & Authenticity: 02:30–12:00
• Instagram Reels Auto-scroll: 12:15–18:00
• Instagram Carousel Loops: 18:15–23:20
• Facebook Feed & Algorithm: 23:30–27:00
• Meta AI Editing Tools: 27:10–29:00
• YouTube Shorts Carousels: 29:10–31:00

Takeaways for Creators

• Double Down on Human Signals: Be visible, personal, and original.
• Optimize for Instant Engagement: First slides and first seconds matter more than ever.
• Strategically Embrace New Features: Early adopters often see outsized rewards.
• Tighten Every CTA: Don’t let your content be a passive scroll—drive actions.
• Use AI Tools Now, but Get Ready to Pay Later: AI effects and automation are here, but monetization is coming.
• Cross-Platform is Easier Than Ever: Repurpose carousels for both Instagram and YouTube Shorts as new features roll out.

For continual tips and trend insights, Katelyn’s Club Influence membership and her 28-day engagement challenge are linked in the show notes.

“Love you. I’m cheering for you—and I will see you next scroll.” (Katelyn, 31:15)