Ad spending will surge in 2026 as AI-driven gains and a packed events calendar offset mounting economic strain. Social will lead the way as Meta overtakes Google in net revenues and the wider ad industry closes in on the half-trillion-dollar milestone.

The news: President Donald Trump is expected to sign another executive order extending TikTok’s sale deadline as the current June 19 deadline approaches, marking the third extension since Trump took office. Our take: Trump is likely to continue extending TikTok’s sale deadline—but with each extension, brand confidence plummets further as the platform’s long term sustainability remains shrouded in uncertainty. The brands that will be most successful aren’t those that are crossing their fingers for TikTok’s survival, but those that are investing in contingency plans and platform-agnostic strategies that can pivot quickly.

Major payment players like PayPal and Visa that invested in them are likely celebrating this regulatory movement

Not everyone gets news from creators and influencers. But alternative voices, especially podcasters, hold a lot of sway over key demographics, including Gen Z, men, and consumers who feel marginalized by mainstream media.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how the election influenced consumers' shopping habits, why returns spiked, and some way too early predictions for the 2025 holiday season. Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Senior Analyst Zak Stambor and Analyst Rachel Wolff.

Regulatory clarity should usher in an era of accelerated crypto ownership and payments adoption—although it won’t happen overnight

The free, ad-supported internet runs on consumer data. But privacy legislation is making it harder for advertisers to take advantage of it.

The 2024 general election has been dubbed “the podcast election” due to candidates’ potentially game-changing appearances on some of the biggest podcasts in the US. These appearances illustrate the untapped potential of podcast advertising. “Podcasts may have played a big role in the US election, but they're still getting overlooked by advertisers,” wrote EMARKETER senior vice president of content and executive editor Vladimir Hanzlik on LinkedIn.

His aggressive antitrust approach could delay—or stop—the proposed merger. But his confirmation is a long shot

Financial regulators will undergo major agenda shifts and changes in leadership.

Firms must plan for regulatory changes across areas like BNPL, open banking, crypto, and credit cards

Trump spent less on social media and won anyway: An established political brand and shifting social landscape reduced the need to lean on social platforms.

Meta, TikTok, Snap, and X intensify efforts to counter foreign influence and AI-driven deepfakes. Their ability to protect election integrity faces critical scrutiny.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss what will happen if either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris win the US election and how that will affect inflation, high growth digital advertising channels, and regulatory priorities. Tune in to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman, and Senior Analyst Zak Stambor.

A Trump administration could lead to sweeping changes at the agency

The deal faces an uphill battle no matter who wins, but we think it has better odds under Trump

Harris outspends Trump 20 to 1 on Meta platforms: Though Harris is largely spending on CTVs, millions are going to Facebook and Instagram.

The FTC says ad industry self-regulation has failed: A lengthy report criticizes how advertisers collect and spread user data without proper consent.

Proposed caps from both sides of the aisle have failed to gain traction—they could restrict credit access and raise annual fees