Digg makes a comeback 12 years after it was sold: While the revival promises “good vibes” and a community-first focus, how they’ll monetize is unclear.
Pinterest will start labeling AI-generated images: The change is likely an attempt to maintain the platform’s user base without sacrificing the lucrative potential of AI.
Medical misinformation ‘infodemic’ on social media: Influencers are promoting misleading information about medical tests. Here’s what healthcare and pharma brands should be doing to combat it.
Rising Airbnb rentals and Tinder’s weak ID verification create unchecked spaces for misuse. Colombia’s tourism boom worsens the problem as traffickers exploit platform anonymity and operate freely.
Meta, TikTok under fire for data usage practices: The social media giants are facing lawsuits that could have long-term consequences.
Over half of Gen Zers discover products primarily on TikTok and Instagram: Google’s relevance is fading as social search takes over.
Nextdoor bets on AI-driven content to fuel long-term growth: The platform’s NEXT initiative will transform past user discussions into monetizable recommendations, prioritizing engagement over short-term ad revenues.
This week, new advertisers enter the podcast space, consumers discourage brand desperation, and brands take notes from Netflix.
Reels may get its own app: Instagram is reportedly exploring a standalone platform as it vies to draw attention away from TikTok.
A dedicated Instagram Reels app could give Meta an edge over TikTok—or fragment its audience. If users resist another app, Instagram’s video dominance could take a hit.
"You're spending a lot of money. Do you know where your ads are?'" Jonah Goodhart, co-founder and CEO of Mobian, said on our "Behind the Numbers" podcast, evoking the classic PSA. Meta announced in January it would replace fact checking with Community Notes, worrying advertisers about brand safety.
YouTube strives to make ads less disruptive: The platform is changing its approach to mid-roll ads to appease viewers, creators, and brands alike.
The uncertain future of TikTok and the changing social media landscape has made complicated partnerships and engagement measurement in the creator economy. But creators are ready.
Snapchat enhances brand safety features: The changes stand in contrast with Meta scaling back its brand safety commitments.
Instagram introduces Testimonials: The addition to Partnership Ads lets creators get paid for sponsored comments to boost Instagram’s influencer marketing ecosystem.
While retail media networks (RMNs) sell brand safety and predictability to marketers, influencer marketing boasts direct access to loyal audiences. Pairing these two channels together, experts stress, can drive significant growth for brands. Nine in 10 US marketers plan to promote their creator partnerships via RMNs in 2025, according to an October 2024 LTK survey.
X adds automated, AI-generated ad creation: The move is another attempt for X to win back brands the platform lost.
On today’s special edition podcast, we talk about how brands are rising to the challenge of finding the right influencers and creators for campaigns. Listen to the discussion with Senior Analyst, Minda Smiley, as she hosts N’Yaisha Aziz, Global Social Media Lead at Uber, and Rodney Mason, the Head of Marketing and Brand Partnerships at LTK. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
Shoppable beauty ads lose luster: Industry KPI engagement data suggests the sector’s social commerce wave is slowing.
A lot happens in a week, so every Friday we're going to analyze all the new data and provide you with some of the key takeaways. Welcome to Friday 5.