Restricting affiliates’ use of AI may protect credibility but limit exposure.

As social networks lean into the roles they play in the ecommerce journey, they are flooding their pipes with commerce content they hope will help them in the emerging agentic era.

For years, AliExpress has competed in the US largely on one promise: low prices. But its recent Summer Sale suggested the company is looking to broaden that proposition.

This summer, Banana Boat rolled out a creator-led campaign to shine some light on consumer attitudes and to promote its “Sheer Sensitive” sunscreen line with social media, retail media networks, and Major League Baseball media channels.

YouTube eases moderation: AI sorts comments by meaning, topic, and emotion, helping creators engage larger communities without added resources.

The next wave of retail growth is coming from younger shoppers. They blend stores, social commerce, and AI with ease. But rising expectations around trust, transparency, and control are reshaping the path to purchase.

New tools turn barista content into scalable advertising.

Gen Alpha is entering its teen years just as scrutiny of social media intensifies. Their habits are taking shape amid new rules, safety concerns, and shifting expectations. And that’s creating fresh challenges for platforms, parents, and marketers.

TikTok Shop is settling into a new phase as uncertainty about its future fades. Social commerce is maturing fast, but rising competition, shifting consumer habits, and tighter expectations are raising the stakes for brands.

After years of uncertainty, TikTok is regaining momentum with efforts in commerce, creators, and entertainment. But rising competition, regulatory pressure, and changing user behavior threaten its next phase of growth.

Creator content is shaping how AI answers questions. But content that’s good at engaging audiences isn’t always what AI surfaces. That’s forcing brands to rethink their creator strategies and content formats so they can show up in AI tools.

This FAQ covers affiliate market size, publisher types, AI disruption, and what marketers should prioritize in 2026.

Replying to comments is the favorite way US creators engage with their audience at 29%, nearly six times the rate of in-person meetups and events (4.9%), according to a January survey from Influencer Marketing Factory.

The creator economy is now a core part of the digital marketing landscape. In this video, Principal Analyst Max Willens explains why creators are essential to marketers’ strategies, and how brands can set themselves up for success.

Snapchat’s young audience and distinct ad products keep it relevant, even as usage slips and regulatory pressure builds. Marketers should use it with strategies built for messaging, creators, and commerce.