Google and Meta landed slightly below expectations in Q3, allowing a collection of hungry competitors to inch ahead. But overall, the ad industry remains healthy. Sports events drove streaming and CTV to record gains, and retail media continues to be the sector’s fastest-growing ad channel.

What will the reaction to Sponsored Snaps be? The new ad type’s first partner is “Wicked,” but users may not like the aggressive format.

As marketers attempt to piece together a full, nuanced picture of how their paid media affects outcomes, old-fashioned measurement tactics are coming back into vogue, and new players are rising to prominence.

Snap introduces Sponsored Snaps: Full-screen vertical ads now appear in users' chat inboxes as part of Snap’s efforts to grow its ad business.

Automated moderation systems on Instagram and Threads are deactivating accounts and mislabeling content, sparking user frustration.

“[Last-click attribution is] the devil marketers know,” said EMARKETER’s vice president of content Paul Verna. “It falls well short of representing what’s really going on.” Because it doesn’t paint a full picture, it doesn’t accurately reflect marketing’s impact on conversions.

Platforms must brace for regulation of algorithmic content: EU regulators are widening their net, which could restrict advertisers’ ability to target teens.

Platforms owners like Meta and Snap face scrutiny over data exploitation and child privacy laws. Regulatory action could disrupt their ad-based profits.

We spoke with four CMOs on their approaches to data management, communication, and fostering a culture of innovation to maximize marketing effectiveness.

The collaboration aims to stop harmful posts from spreading across platforms and protect against legal risks.

Senate ramps up social media regulation for teens: Two landmark bills that require more protections for minors will move to the House.

The Surgeon General’s plan to protect kids, backed by state attorneys general, could change how platforms and advertisers engage users.

Gen Z’s complicated path to purchase leans heavily on digital platforms and channels. But offline resources still play a key role.

TikTok’s group messaging feature aims to capture more of Gen Z’s attention from Instagram and Snap. But TikTok will need to find a way to attract users from those platforms.

Social media platforms focus on outcomes: Executives cite pressure to deliver for advertisers as Q2 earnings reports approach.

“What will happen next?” That’s the big question marketers have following the signing of a potential TikTok ban into law, according to Liz Cole, chief social officer at VML. While marketers don’t know if parent company ByteDance will sell TikTok, shut the platform down in the US, or find a way to fend off the legislation in court, they can prepare now for what’s to come.

Snapchat has found its groove again: The company’s Q1 earnings beat expectations, with strong revenue and subscription growth.

Here’s what a TikTok-less America would look like for marketers, users, and creators, based on our latest forecasts.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss why TikTok might not actually be a social media platform, how much young people use it to search for things, and whether TikTok Shop is ruining TikTok. "In Other News," we talk about the battle between Threads and X (formerly Twitter), as well as whether Snap distancing itself from social media will work and start a trend. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Jasmine Enberg and director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman.

US political ad spending will hit new highs amid the 2024 presidential election, with connected TV (CTV) driving the biggest gains. Despite the digital shift, traditional TV—long a mainstay of political advertising—will hold its own.