Nearly three-fourths of Gen Zers discover new media content on social media (72%) and on YouTube (71%), according to December 2024 data from Toluna, Coraly Partners, and Halford Media Advisory.

Amid dizzying policy unpredictability and a grab bag of unpleasant economic possibilities, precise ad spend forecasting is challenging. A scenarios-based approach can help clarify potential outcomes.

Social sharing aims to boost usage, yet without real-time info or buzz, it may struggle to stick

Spotify is scaling video podcast monetization fast: A YouTube-style model and creator tools are fueling the shift.

Pitching itself as a collaborator, Substack empowers major outlets like The New Republic and smaller creators to expand their reach.

YouTube tests new AI features: The updates, including video carousels in search results and AI video summaries, promise innovation but require adaptation.

Google’s core businesses remain strong in Q1: Browser scrutiny and AI search shifts could test the foundation of its power

Multiview, voice replies, and AI music tools mark YouTube’s pivot from mobile-first to TV-native and raise the bar for creators and advertisers alike.

YouTube’s journey from zoo clip to video empire: A short upload about elephants was the starting domino in the rise of the internet’s most powerful platform.

Australia will exempt YouTube from its under-16 social media ban: The promise is receiving backlash from Meta and TikTok, and will require brands to adapt.

In light of rising watch time on YouTube and a booming podcast ad market, video podcasts could be Netflix’s next frontier for new content.

Updates to YouTube’s “Inspiration” tab: The changes will allow videos to be transferred from TikTok are part of YouTube’s push to secure marketing dollars.

YouTube shows virtual influencers are gaining traction: While the technology promises innovation, not all consumers are buying in.

Podcast ad revenues surpassed $2 billion in 2024: As revenues maintain consistent growth, advertisers must tap in to meet audiences where they’re at.

YouTube ad growth is strong, but concentrated funding and economic uncertainty mean only the most distinct startups may thrive.

This is the Q1 2025 installment of our quarterly “Ad Spending Benchmarks” series, which helps ad buyers and sellers calibrate their spending and revenue mix against the market.

YouTube’s Shorts push favors quick hits over deep engagement, leaving influencers to balance reach with revenue in an uncertain ad economy.

The 2024 US presidential election ushered in a new normal in brand safety, with prominent social media companies such as X and Meta shifting the burden of content moderation from internal teams and contractors to users.

The FTC’s challenge to Meta’s deals could fracture the social media giant's empire and signals that no acquisition, no matter its age, is safe from antitrust scrutiny.

Netflix’s AI search test takes aim at content fatigue: By letting users search more intuitively, Netflix hopes to edge out rivals and helps viewers navigate its library.