The biggest shifts in social aren’t always happening in public feeds. This month, we’re seeing consumers gravitate towards private communities, creators gain more control over their content, and simple formats outperform highly produced posts. Here’s what marketers need to know from June.
TL;DR: June 2026 at a Glance
- WhatsApp is becoming the new community platform for Gen Z, with young Australians using Communities, Channels and Status updates to connect in smaller, more private groups.
- Instagram is giving creators more control, with profile grid reordering, carousel editing and scheduled Trial Reels.
- Instagram Plus signals Meta’s continued investment in premium creator tools and audience insights.
- The Jujutsu Kaisen Trend proves simple storytelling still wins on social.
- The Scribble Trend is spreading across categories thanks to its native, low-fi feel.
1. The Private Social Media Shift
While marketers continue to focus on Instagram and TikTok, many younger consumers are building communities elsewhere.
WhatsApp is increasingly becoming a private social network for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Rather than broadcasting content publicly, young users are creating smaller, interest-led communities where conversations feel more authentic and personal.
Communities Over Followers
WhatsApp Communities allow users to organise multiple groups around a shared interest, whether that’s gaming, fashion, sport, local events or social causes.
It’s another sign of a broader shift we’ve been talking about for some time: consumers are moving from audiences to communities.
Channels Become an “Inner Circle”
WhatsApp Channels are also growing in popularity as a way to follow creators, musicians, athletes and brands.
Unlike Instagram, updates feel less polished and more personal. For brands, this presents opportunities to share exclusive content, product drops, event invitations and behind-the-scenes updates in a more intimate environment.
Why Marketers Should Care
The future of influence isn’t necessarily bigger audiences, it’s smaller, highly engaged communities built around shared interests and trusted relationships.
As social platforms become increasingly crowded, private communities are emerging as some of the most valuable places for brands to build trust and advocacy.
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2. Instagram Is Giving Creators More Control
Instagram has rolled out several updates this month, all centred around one theme: helping creators optimise content after it’s been published.
Rearrange Your Profile Grid
Creators can now reorder posts within their profile grid, allowing them to curate their profile and showcase their strongest content without reposting. For brands, this means campaign content can remain visible long after it has gone live.
Rearrange Carousel Posts After Publishing
Instagram is also introducing the ability to reorder carousel slides after publishing. Since the first slide often determines whether someone stops scrolling, creators can now optimise performance without losing engagement or reach.
Trial Reels Can Now Be Scheduled
Trial Reels, which allow creators to test content with non-followers before sharing it with their audience, can now be scheduled.
The update reinforces a growing trend: creators are increasingly approaching content with a test-and-learn mindset rather than relying on guesswork.
Instagram Plus Is Rolling Out
Instagram has also begun rolling out Instagram Plus, a new paid subscription that provides access to premium features including enhanced insights, additional profile customisation and greater audience controls.
While availability is still rolling out globally, it signals Instagram’s continued investment in helping creators operate more like professional publishers.
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3. Trend Watch: The Jujutsu Kaisen Trend
A dramatic audio clip from Jujutsu Kaisen has become one of the most popular formats on TikTok and Reels.
Creators start with an ordinary situation before revealing an unexpected win, achievement or chaotic moment as the music builds.
The trend has spread across finance, fitness, fashion, food and business content because it’s easy to adapt and highly engaging.
Brand Opportunity
The format works particularly well for:
- Product transformations
- Before-and-after results
- Customer success stories
- Business milestones
- Unexpected product benefits
Sometimes the simplest storytelling formats are the most effective.
@jessie.shenresultado da trend jutsu de comida ✨😋♬ som original – Jessie
4. Trend Watch: The Scribble Trend
One of the fastest-growing creative trends this month is the Scribble Trend. Creators draw rough scribbles over the screen before revealing a product, outfit, makeover or transformation underneath. Originally popular in food content, the trend is now spreading into beauty, fashion, interiors and retail.
Why It Works
The scribble creates anticipation and encourages viewers to watch through to the reveal. More importantly, it feels completely native to the platform. It doesn’t look like an ad, which is exactly why audiences engage with it.
Brand Opportunity
Perfect for:
- Product reveals
- New packaging launches
- Fashion styling transformations
- Beauty demonstrations
- Retail campaigns
@nathanpiland Ran out of groceries so I had to draw my lunch today 😋🥪 ##art##foodart ♬ Idyllic jazz bossa nova with piano and guitar(1298871) – TAKANORI ONDA
What Marketers Should Take Away
The biggest theme this month is control. Consumers are taking greater control over where and how they interact online, increasingly favouring private communities over public audiences. At the same time, platforms like Instagram are giving creators more control over how content is tested, optimised and presented. For brands, the lesson is simple: the future belongs to those who build genuine communities and create content that feels native to the platform, not like advertising.