YouTube ad growth is strong, but concentrated funding and economic uncertainty mean only the most distinct startups may thrive.
Finding the right creators remains the biggest hurdle for brand marketers, with 43.9% citing it as their top challenge despite 77.7% saying they increased their creator marketing budgets this year. That’s a key finding of new research from Spotter and EMARKETER on brands’ approaches to long-term partnerships.
OpenAI is floating a social app: The move would place the company in direct competition with X and Meta, but will require a unique value proposition to pay off.
Meta defends past acquisitions in FTC trial: The case could force Instagram and WhatsApp divestitures, disrupting ad buying and reshaping tech merger norms.
Snap study shows the power of positive ads: Consumers reported higher brand recall when seeing ads that sparked "joy."
With TikTok in limbo, Neptune is pitching itself as a mental-health-conscious, creator-first alternative, but it’ll need more than good vibes to scale
Sports remains a profitable ad opportunity: Two-thirds of Americans are sports fans and over half have made a purchase based on audio ads.
The FTC’s challenge to Meta’s deals could fracture the social media giant's empire and signals that no acquisition, no matter its age, is safe from antitrust scrutiny.
TikTok builds its creator offerings while revenues thrive: While ByteDance is seeing notable growth, the tide could turn with an impending US ban.
Snap doubles down on immersive brand tools: AI Lenses, creator events, and AR vending machines highlight its experiential marketing push.
BeReal launches its US ad business: The platform is looking to capitalize on TikTok’s uncertain future in the US.
Shopping mall mainstay Claire’s balances being on trend for Gen Alpha with being a nostalgic brand for parents by leaning into pop culture, putting the right messaging on the right platforms, and staying in constant contact with core consumers.
30% of chief financial officers worldwide anticipate passing 91% to 100% of tariffs along to their customers, while nearly as many (29%) anticipate passing on less than 10%, according to March 2025 data from Gartner.
With content quickly buried and inactive users penalized, the platform is reworking search to give creators a longer runway and more consistent reach.
Meta under fire on multiple fronts: Teen-targeting claims, a high-stakes FTC trial, and Chinese advertiser pullback could reshape the company’s ad model.
Marketers struggle with shrinking returns on social media ad spend: A new study found diversification without divestment is key to staying afloat.
38% of US enterprise marketers say the majority of their influencer marketing budget goes to paid amplification, up from 34% in 2023, per an October 2024 Linqia report.
Sports discussions see growth on Threads: The shift indicates that the platform could be closer to outpacing X than initially thought.