81% of US Instagram users watched Reels, but only 39% uploaded content to Reels, according to an April report from Morning Consult.
On today's podcast episode, we discuss the biggest gaps between where Americans spend their time and where advertisers spend their money. We explore the disconnect in social media, the imbalance in subscription OTT, and why digital audio continues to be a dark horse. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Principal Forecasting Writer Ethan Cramer-Flood and Senior Director of Forecasting Oscar Orozco. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
Advertisers who block news content are missing opportunities to reach engaged, high-value audiences while inadvertently undermining the financial foundation of quality journalism. “Advertisers are allergic to the news, oftentimes for the wrong reason,” said Michael Weaver, senior vice president of business development and growth at Al Jazeera Media Network during EMARKETER’s Reframing Brand Safety in News Environments event last week. “But it's so neglected as a category, it's easy for a brand to distinguish itself when it really leans into the news.”
Consumers are collecting memberships much faster than they're building habits. The average consumer now belongs to 17.4 loyalty programs, up 60% over the past decade, according to Upside’s “Escaping the loyalty plateau” report. But active participation has risen just 8% over the same period, to 8.4 programs.
Accounts opened in-person last longer, and strategic investment can turn new locations into durable acquisition engines.
TikTok's biggest US audience isn't Gen Z: 36.5 million visitors ages 25 to 34 came to the platform in May 2026, compared with 24.5 million ages 18 to 24, according to a May survey from Comscore.
Apple's Services miss highlights its core ad dilemma: Despite its billions of users, Apple has to compete with the apps it hosts.
AI answers now drive more brand searches: Marketers should watch citation share and search lift, not just page views.
Improving sentiment and a focus on value suggest the cyclospora outbreak's impact on traffic may prove short-lived.
Chase leads new accounts, but fintechs still convert prospects at far higher rates once shoppers engage.
Early banking gains support its all-in-one finance plan, but execution will decide whether engagement lasts.
Existing members drove 51% of new product signups in Q2, reinforcing the power of cross-selling.
Digital audio is quietly restructuring the listening landscape. Ad-supported streaming music is taking share from radio, podcasts are reaching record audiences, and Gen Z spends more time in Spotify's app than YouTube's. For advertisers, audio offers trusted voices and habitual daily attention at prices below video. This FAQ covers where listening is moving, why audio earns budget, and how to plan the channel in 2026.
Mobile-first travel booking is on the rise, but AI-forward booking may surge faster.
Higher prices reshape travel habits without derailing demand.
Despite macroeconomic uncertainty, consumers demonstrated resilience.
Record demand lifted revenues, while the company bets its marketing spend will strengthen long-term brand appeal.
Amazon keeps widening its lead: Delivery speed, AI tools, and advertising are driving growth while reinforcing customer loyalty.
Such financial sacrifices underscore relentless demand despite high costs.
Insurers can reach SMB customers earlier by offering advice and pricing before shoppers compare providers.