Social Media

Threads struggles to engage Gen Z: Meta faces challenge against the dominant TikTok.

On today's episode, we discuss how a new era of social media is rising, whether folks want to pay for things with their hand, when the best time to email your co-worker is, how Walmart+ is getting on, what AI in the home might look like, the most popular cars in the US, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Ross Benes and Blake Droesch and forecasting director Oscar Orozco.

The definitive guide to finfluencers: The quieter summer news cycle gave us time to do a deep dive into how and why “finfluencers” came into the world, what’s the secret behind their appeal to the TikTok generation, why investment advisors kind of hate them—and what financial services marketing teams can learn from them.

Reels, TikTok, and Shorts are not the same: Despite sharing many features, each platform is developing a reputation and niche of its own.

Meta is trying to sweeten the deal with European regulators: The company could soon let EU users opt in to ads as it tries to put an end to years of conflict.

Gen Z’s entry into adulthood will be the main source of growth in US social media users over the next five years. While there are some parallels with millennials, this is a generation that has long been immersed in social media and has come up with its own rules to navigate it. They are self-aware, quick to adapt, and ready to push back on the standards set by their predecessors.

Gen Z women trust beauty influencers: Roughly eight in 10 Gen Z women shop for creators’ beauty and personal care recommendations.

Is X Blue a scarlet letter? Platform allows subscribers to hide their checkmarks amid verification criticism.

On today's episode, in our "Retail Me This, Retail Me That" segment, we discuss what TikTok's flywheel looks like, its latest efforts to build out its own shopping platform, and what the social network has that Meta doesn't. Then, for "Pop-Up Rankings," we rank our top four existing TikTok copycat apps. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts analysts Sky Canaves and Jasmine Enberg.

What were the three biggest ad-related takeaways from Meta’s stellar Q2 2023 earnings report? Reels’ revenues, AI ad products, and a return to ad growth in Europe.

Meta brings generative AI to Instagram users: Popular instances of consumers using AI for amusement make the app the perfect testing ground.

Meta accounts for 19.5% of US digital ad spend, despite US adults spending only 7.6% of their time with digital media on the platform, according to our forecasts.

Why Threads is stumbling to rise above Twitter’s fall: Meta might be succumbing to Twitter’s lower social media standards under Musk. User experience and compelling features are the solutions.

Meta's strong earnings boost stock by 6%, owing to efficient cost-cutting measures, rebounding online ads, increased Reels engagement, and successful AI integrations.

On today's episode, we discuss what to make of Twitter changing its name to X, whether Walmart is crushing Amazon in the grocery wars, what a billboard in your living room would look like, what Gen Z has done to the purchase funnel, why Airbnb doesn't have a loyalty program, what the most popular museums around the world are, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our vice president of content Suzy Davidkhanian and analysts Blake Droesch and Carina Perkins.

Meta is one of the two most successful ad publishers in history (along with its duopoly rival, Google), but its ad dominance does not come in tandem with an equally dominant hold over consumers’ time. In fact, Meta’s share of ad revenues is surprisingly out of step with how much time people actually spend on its platforms, particularly when compared with competitors like YouTube and TikTok

Meta’s Q2 points to continued rebound: An 11% revenue increase shows that new products and advertising offerings are helping right the ship.

On today's special episode, we continue our monthly show where we discuss the biggest trends of the moment and the newest research, sprinkle in some analysis, and bundle it up into a quiz. Every month, three of our analysts representing their respective coverage area teams compete against each other. (We also encourage you to play along at home.) We keep a running score and will crown a winning team at the end of the year. Today, we cover how much the world is traveling again, how Amazon Prime Day did, the staying power of Threads, and more. Tune in to the discussion with this month's contestants: our analysts Carina Perkins, Max Willens, and Yory Wurmser.

Hollywood's strikes have stirred conflict for digital influencers: It's a choice between leveraging the situation for personal gain or showing solidarity with the unions.

Snap has weaker Q2 but makes progress: The company posts a smaller loss, demonstrates a 14% increase in DAUs, and sees strides in innovation.