On today's podcast episode, we discuss whether Bluesky can sustain this user growth momentum, how much of a threat it is to X (Twitter), and if in fact it is Threads that is actually about to snatch the microblogging crown. Tune in to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman, and Analyst Daniel Konstantinovic.

Consumers are exploring AI-driven shopping tools, but interest varies by application. Image-based item searches and holiday deal assistance are gaining traction, but trust issues and preferences for human customer service agents still pose challenges. Brands must ensure their AI tools address consumer needs, provide transparency, and enhance personalization to build trust and drive adoption.

Bluesky drives three times more publisher traffic than Threads, some report: its open link-sharing policies offer an engaging alternative to restrictive platforms.

Carriers keep hiking up shipping costs: Rates are up nearly 26% since 2021, and that’s before factoring in holiday surcharges that will further eat into retailers’ margins.

Amazon, Target, and malls were among this year’s Cyber Five winners: Roughly 197 million people shopped this year’s sales, leading to a surge in online and in-store spending.

Shein and Temu delivery providers face barrage of lawsuits regarding labor practices: Several have been accused of underpaying workers, misclassifying them as independent contractors, and failing to provide overtime.

The company used its two-sided network to capitalize on the holiday weekend

But the payment method’s volume grew slower than overall retail sales, suggesting providers need to do more to amp up growth

The buy button has been on a growth tear since Shopify opened it up to enterprise customers outside of its ecosystem

Walmart’s advertising business gets a boost: The retailer closed its Vizio acquisition, giving it inroads into the lucrative CTV market.

Consumers are shopping online more for health and wellness: We explore which health product categories US consumers are flocking to online and examine how in-store retailers can respond.

Ozempic is becoming cheaper for Medicare beneficiaries: Falling prices are welcome news for seniors’ wallets. But a new proposal to expand access to GLP-1s for Medicare members could threaten the federal health insurance program itself.

Lawmakers criticize HHS plan to regulate healthcare AI: Their position stands in stark contrast to physicians, who could refuse to use the tech if it’s not properly vetted.

Declining revenue, data breaches, and user mistrust jeopardize its future, leaving its vast genetic data trove in limbo as the company struggles to pivot.

The holiday box office competes with the couch: Audiences are returning to theaters, but Netflix is offering blockbuster content.

China’s digital ad sector grows 12.1% in 2024: Economic slowdown shifts ad dominance to platforms like Tencent and Pinduoduo.

With Gelsinger out, Intel faces strategic crossroads—divest, restructure, or merge—all while navigating a leadership vacuum that could stall its AI pivot and attract opportunistic bids.

Its errors show the dilemma of curbing misinformation while protecting users’ rights, especially as pressure mounts under new US leadership.

With Meta and Google building private subsea cables, they’re bypassing telecom giants, ensuring faster services and reshaping how the internet reaches developing regions.

On today's podcast episode, why X is continuing to lose users, if they can turn their ad revenue fortunes around, and what the social media platform might morph into next year. Tune in to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman, and Analyst Daniel Konstantinovic.