Why creator monetization matters: As influencer marketing spending grows, platforms that offer consistent payouts will retain creators who provide valuable ad space.

Meta may consider ad-free subscription offer for the UK: While the company settled a suit with a UK citizen, a similar offering in the EU has faced pushback.

Last week, Best Buy Ads launched Social+, an offering that allows brands and agencies to leverage Best Buy’s first-party data for social media campaigns. The tool is currently only available for Meta campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, but will expand to other social media networks in the future, per a press release.

Meta introduces new AI ad capabilities: The changes include more investments in Andromeda, new tools for Advantage+, and more genAI use cases.

While handy for creators and multilingual users, bot-written comments might alienate users in Meta’s already delicate social ecosystem.

Advertisers are stepping back from TikTok: CPMs fell significantly YoY, but advertisers should focus on diversification, not total abandonment, for the best results.

Perplexity’s new ad makes Google a target: The company’s biggest ad yet, led by “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae, could continue the push toward a more divided AI market.

Meta’s new Stories payout model drops view minimums, aiming to reengage influencers and win back young users.

Marketers can use this to recognize high growth areas of investment strategies and acknowledge the uncertainty shown in TikTok investments as a potential nudge to diversify their social ad spend.

Despite climate pledges, Amazon, Google, and Meta could face opposition to their nuclear plans—raising questions about readiness to support AI with sustainable infrastructure.

The model, based on X’s Community Notes, may reduce bias but could leave misinformation unchecked when users can't agree on polarizing content.

Threads tests feature allowing users to select interests: The move could help the platform address its retention problem and draw creators.

Shoppers worldwide are flocking to online marketplaces and social commerce for convenience, variety, and competitive pricing. While price remains key, brand trust is becoming a major factor in certain markets. As these platforms drive discovery and sales, brands must adapt to stay competitive. Here are three ways digital shopping habits are evolving among consumers worldwide.

Category leaders go beyond traditional data, using consumer intelligence to predict behavior rather than just react. By tapping into unconventional insights like culture, entertainment, and social trends, brands can build more dynamic, human-centric strategies.

Wearables will surpass 100 million users this year as AI advancements push adoption to nearly 40% of adults, marking a shift from niche tech to mainstream.

While teens retain digital habits from childhood (such as a strong preference for YouTube), their newfound independence and desire to connect with peers has led them to new habits.

Digg makes a comeback 12 years after it was sold: While the revival promises “good vibes” and a community-first focus, how they’ll monetize is unclear.

Microsoft brings AI ad features to Copilot: It’s vying for ad dollars in an increasingly competitive chatbot space.

25% of US adults consider Facebook the most influential social media platform for purchasing decisions, putting it just ahead of TikTok (21%) and Instagram (20%), according to Relex.

Meta, TikTok under fire for data usage practices: The social media giants are facing lawsuits that could have long-term consequences.