In a video- and image-centric world, SEO is still the key to allocating marketing budgets, and Google has already done much of the research for you. “Every time Google shows a search result, they are displaying billions of dollars in R&D to understand the customer,” said Wil Reynolds, VP of Innovation at Seer Interactive, speaking at the Paid Search Association annual conference. “Billions that I don't have.”

The creator economy could be a more than $100 billion industry, but market sizing is difficult

TikTok still won’t give clear info on creator payouts: Its new Creativity Program promises higher revenues but conveniently skirts around the specifics.

The “de-influencing” influence: The new trend of creators recommending what not to buy reflects a tough economy, disdain for fakery.

Big Tech tries cooperation, not combat, with EU regulators: Platforms are trying to adapt to new norms around data privacy and advertising.

US consumers spent $2.17 billion on social media apps in 2022, nearly half a billion more than the year before, according to data.ai. Worldwide, social app spend hit $7.28 billion last year, up from $6.32 billion in 2021.

Millennials are parenting. Gen Z is entering the workforce. And the never-ending wheel of time has spun a new generation for marketers to watch: Generation Alpha. The oldest members of this digitally native, pandemic-influenced generation are tweens now, and marketers need to pay attention to how today’s children differ from their Gen Z older siblings.

Instagram is shutting down its livestream shopping business: The move is the latest sign of US shoppers' disinterest in livestream commerce.

On today's episode, we discuss why some folks think digital ads are getting worse, whether things are looking up for Uber, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance challenging Meta on VR, why Warner Bros. Discovery will continue Discovery+, the Grammys rebounding from the pandemic's effect on viewership, the surprising most littered plastic item in the US, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our vice president of Briefings Stephanie Taglianetti and analysts Suzy Davidkhanian and Max Willens.

While overall social network user numbers are rising slowly in the UK, there’s much greater movement in terms of the platforms being used.

Just as Facebook became the platform that defined millennials’ social media experience, TikTok is cruising toward a similar status for Gen Z—but it’s taking a different route.

Among the major global platforms, Facebook and Instagram will remain firmly at the top in both total revenues and user base, and TikTok will once again be the fastest-growing platform in both areas

As social media grows more “lean-back” than “lean-in,” it’s settling into an era of more modest growth defined by short-form video consumption, stabilizing time spent, and ongoing challenges with Apple’s AppTrackingTransparency.

Musk says Twitter will share ad revenue with creators: There’s a catch—they have to subscribe to Twitter Blue first.

The social audience remains massive: This year, for the first time, roughly two-thirds of the US population will use a social network at least monthly, per our estimates

Pinterest’s shopping strategy addresses many social commerce pain points: But sluggish user growth may hinder its ability to increase its share of the market.

On today's episode, we discuss the significance of Facebook's 2 billion daily active user milestone, what's contributing to continued negative growth, and what to expect from the metaverse this year. "In Other News," we talk about how much Reels and YouTube Shorts are creeping up on TikTok's short video lead and how Americans feel about where social media is headed. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Debra Aho Williamson.

TikTok’s future is anything but guaranteed: While the app remains king of video for now, Meta and Google are making strides to steal market share.

Gen Alpha is still a nascent generation, but technology is already a constant in their lives: 36.0 million US children are active internet users, exceeding teen internet users by 11.4 million, per our forecast. This is the data you need to understand the future Gen Alpha.

Meta’s vow of efficiency marks renewed optimism: Meta shares rally after analysts upgrade stock due to Meta’s new, leaner direction. Meanwhile, the company continues to spend billions on an unrealized metaverse pivot.