Agencies are increasingly acting as commerce media guides, helping brands move past outdated structures, sort through measurement standards, and bring AI into their planning. While commerce media networks (CMNs) have expanded to capture more than just retail media dollars, the silos between brand, retail, and sales teams make integration a challenge.

The news: Skylight is a new short-form video app like TikTok, but instead of using algorithms to decide what videos users see, it lets real people create and share their own video feeds, similar to Pinterest’s curation model. Built on Bluesky’s decentralized and open protocol, Skylight has clocked 240,000 downloads and 100,000 video uploads since April, per TechCrunch. Our take: Skylight’s reliance on creator-led feeds gives marketers a glimpse at what post-algorithm engagement could look like. But it remains to be seen if users take to an alternative way of consuming short-form video.

The news: Openvibe, an aggregator for social networks including Threads, Mastodon, and Bluesky, is broadening its scope, giving brands and publishers a fresh channel to build visibility without relying on algorithms or paid reach. The ad-free platform is adding support for RSS, a web standard that lets users subscribe to updates from blogs, news outlets, and other publishers in real time. This opens the door to tracking sources like Substack, Medium, and other independent media, all in one place. Our take: With no algorithm to boost weak or low-signal content, publishers should write strong and descriptive headlines to encourage engagement. Brands should consider publishing blog versions of social media and newsletter content to get on more RSS feeds and cross-post across social networks to maximize reach.

As the ban deadline nears, creators are diversifying fast—but juggling platforms with different audiences and monetization tools poses operational hurdles.

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

It urges stricter rules to protect minors from overspending in games like Fortnite and Minecraft.

The prototype AI search engine could reshape search dynamics by offering a more conversational and customizable user experience.

Insurtechs that rely heavily on AI have been struggling to stay afloat—let alone disrupt the insurance model—when they lack the data to build better models.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the details and regulatory headaches surrounding Microsoft’s attempts to acquire the video game company Activision Blizzard. "In Other News," we talk about how Meta is allowing EU users to turn off their algorithms, and YouTube’s current issues around violating children’s privacy through tracking-based advertising on "made-for-kids" content. Tune in to the discussion with our guest host Bill Fisher and analysts Daniel Konstantinovic and Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf.

Big Tech vs. SCOTUS: Social media regulation goes before the Supreme Court, with a lawsuit against Google in focus. Rulings could have major implications for user content on the internet.

Researchers are using NIH funding to see if Apple Watch app algorithm can prevent strokes. We wonder if doctors will trust the data.

EU tightens grip on Big Tech: Consumers will get sweeping data protection and sovereignty, while tech monoliths could be fined or banned unless they adhere to regulations.

‘Green’ energy targets Greenland: Billionaire-backed KoBold Metals begins mining operations in Greenland to secure minerals for EV batteries. But the advent of new battery technologies might make the venture unnecessary.

Reddit gets its own AI content recommendation page: The new Discover tab will look a lot like Instagram’s Explore page, surfacing photos and videos from communities that users aren’t yet subscribed to.

On today's episode, we discuss what's next for Google Search, what it would take for advertisers to leave Facebook, regulating algorithms, how advertisers can get into gaming, restaurant robots, how to run better meetings, fun with flags, and more. Tune in to the discussion with eMarketer principal analyst Suzy Davidkhanian, analyst Blake Droesch, and director of forecasting at Insider Intelligence Oscar Orozco.

Dynamic creative optimization (DCO) uses multiple data feeds to create a personalized ad experience. To get the most out of those feeds, marketers can employ artificial intelligence (AI) to automate multiple facets of DCO. Prajwal Barthur, InMobi's director of products for advertising platforms, talked to eMarketer's Nicole Perrin about how marketers can take advantage of AI as they rely more on DCO for more personalized ad campaigns.