According to new research released by GoDaddy, nearly half of all small businesses now run primarily online. These businesses use websites, marketplaces, and—most heavily—social media to reach their customers. That sounds impressive on paper. But behind the scenes, many entrepreneurs are hitting a wall. [Read more…]

SOCi, a leader in localized marketing solutions, has just released findings that challenge how brands think about customer trust and discovery. According to its 2025 Consumer Behavior Index (CBI), consumers may be open to using AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini for initial research—but they’re not buying based on what AI tells them. [Read more…]

 

Influencer marketing may be losing its grip. A new report from Typeform, titled Get Real: The Data on Influencer Marketing, suggests consumers are tuning out flashy content and turning up their skepticism. The report blends survey data and video responses from over 1,300 influencers, marketers, and consumers.

The findings paint a clear picture: connection beats curation. Flashy aesthetics and high follower counts no longer hold the weight they once did. People want truth over polish, and authenticity over algorithms. [Read more…]

 

Influencers Are Fueling Positive Change Across America

A new Mintel report has unveiled a striking trend: 41% of U.S. consumers now say social media influencers inspire them to make positive life changes. That figure marks a sharp 24% rise since 2022, when the number stood at just 33%.

The increase is even more pronounced among younger generations. Sixty percent of Gen Z (ages 18–28) and Millennials (ages 29–45) report feeling inspired by influencers. This generational breakdown highlights how social media platforms are no longer just entertainment hubs but active spaces for shaping personal development. [Read more…]

Nearly All Brits Struggle to Unplug on Holiday, New Survey Finds

New research from travel insurance provider InsureandGo reveals that nearly every British holidaymaker finds it difficult to put down their phone—even while trying to relax. According to the survey, 98% of UK adults admit to using their phones on holiday, with many checking messages, social media, bank accounts, and even work emails from their sun-loungers. [Read more…]

Startup Led by AI Veteran Introduces a Social Network Where Bots Do the Work

A new AI startup wants to make bots do more than just answer questions or recommend playlists. Socontra, launched this week by AI researcher and entrepreneur Dr. Don Perugini, is building a network where AI agents interact directly with one another—no human input required. The idea is to automate everyday tasks, especially online shopping. [Read more…]

The Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) has released its 2025 Digital Terror and Hate Report Card, revealing widespread corporate failure to combat online hate, antisemitism, and extremist propaganda. Presented at events with the New York City Council and the California State Legislature, the findings offer a bleak assessment of how major platforms are handling harmful content. [Read more…]

 

In a market where digital platforms often rely on algorithms to steer engagement, Aha Community is taking a different route — and it is paying off in spades. [Read more…]

A new survey from LifeStance Health has revealed how deeply social media is influencing mental health behavior across the U.S. The data shows that many Americans—especially younger generations—are turning to platforms like TikTok and Instagram not just for entertainment or connection, but for self-diagnosis, therapy language, and emotional validation. [Read more…]

A new tool called CLR:SKY is now available for users on Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform. Its purpose is simple but significant—offer real-time feedback on the tone of a post before it’s published. Instead of removing harmful posts after damage is done, this tool aims to stop them before they ever go live. [Read more…]

It’s been a long wait, but the payments from the Facebook Internet Tracking Settlement are finally being distributed—nearly three years after claims were first submitted. If you were part of this class action lawsuit and selected PayPal as your payment method, you may have already received your funds today, April 10, 2025. [Read more…]

Update April 10, 2025

The payments for the Facebook Internet Tracking Settlement are being sent out, and if you chose PayPal to receive your payment, then you may have been paid today. I received payment today, April 10, 2025. Below is a screen capture of part of the PayPal email I received.

Here is the original post, originally posted June 24, 2022. Yes, it really has taken almost 3 years to receive payment

Posted June 24, 2022:

If you were a Facebook User (had a Facebook account) and used that account between April 22, 2010 and September 16, 2011 and visited a non-Facebook website that displayed the Facebook button, you may be eligible for a payment from a Facebook Internet Tracking class action lawsuit. I know that sounds complicated, but here’s a shorter version: If you had a Facebook account between April 22, 2010 and September 16, 2011, and visited websites such as a blog that had the Facebook Like button on it (to like the URL), then you are probably owned money. [Read more…]

 

Beacons, the AI platform already used by over 7 million creators, just launched something that might actually make influencer marketing easier—for both sides. It’s called Beacons for Brands, and it comes with an affiliate marketplace that puts data front and center. Finally. [Read more…]

If your thumb moves faster than your brain can handle, you’re not alone. The constant barrage of heated takes, breaking news, and doom-laced updates on your social feeds may be affecting your mental bandwidth more than you think. And now there’s a name for that creeping tension: Feedxiety. [Read more…]

HilltopAds has rolled out a new wave of updates, and anyone earning ad revenue online should take notice. The London-based ad network has made several feature changes in 2025 that target a persistent issue for publishers and advertisers alike: how to make better money from social media traffic with less friction. [Read more…]

The creator economy isn’t slowing down. In fact, it’s on track to nearly double—from $250 billion to $480 billion—by 2027. And as that pie grows, so does the need for clear insight into how creators think, spend, and plan. [Read more…]

LinkedIn isn’t just for job seekers anymore. It has become the go-to platform for executives, thought leaders, and influencers looking to build their credibility and shape industry conversations. But while some leaders rack up engagement, others struggle to make an impact. So, what’s the secret? [Read more…]

Social media has long been a battleground. Outrage fuels engagement. Misinformation spreads faster than facts. Bad actors thrive while reasonable voices get drowned out. Sez Us is stepping in with a different approach—one that rewards thoughtful discussion and holds users accountable for how they interact. [Read more…]

A group of Ontario school boards just won a big legal victory against some of the biggest names in social media. Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok tried to shut down a lawsuit that accuses them of harming students’ education, but the courts weren’t buying it. On Friday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Janet Leiper ruled that the case has merit and will move forward. [Read more…]

Kevin Rose and Alexis Ohanian, two of the biggest names in early social media, are making headlines again. The former competitors—Rose, who founded Digg, and Ohanian, who co-founded Reddit—have bought back Digg and have a bold plan to reshape how people connect online. [Read more…]

Women are logging off. A recent study found that nearly half of women have abandoned at least one social media platform in the past year. Safety, privacy, and the exhausting flood of negativity have driven many to hit the delete button. But where do they go next? [Read more…]

A major shakeup in social networking is underway. Project Liberty and Free Our Feeds are making sure that control over online conversations doesn’t stay locked in the hands of a few powerful companies. [Read more…]

 

Social media has a habit of making people feel worse. From endless comparison to mindless doom scrolling, many platforms thrive on negativity. But a new app called Take The Win™ is flipping the script. [Read more…]

Big moves are happening in digital media, and this one could reshape the podcast industry. All Entertainment Media Group (AEMG) has officially acquired The Global Podcast Network (GPN) in a deal that’s set to rewrite the rules of business-driven podcasting. [Read more…]

Companies use social media for marketing and customer engagement, but many overlook its potential for HR. A newly updated guide from McLean & Company, a global HR research and advisory firm, emphasizes why HR should play a leading role in shaping a company’s social media presence. [Read more…]

DICK’S Sporting Goods Opens Influencer Program to the Public—And You Can Apply

Turning Social Media Into a Paycheck

DICK’S Sporting Goods is opening the doors to a unique opportunity for sports enthusiasts and content creators. What started as an internal initiative is now a full-fledged public influencer program, and applications are officially open. [Read more…]

The battle for TikTok’s future has taken an unexpected turn. A new movement, Own the Creative, has emerged to challenge the looming billionaire takeover of the platform. Spearheaded by Adam Juegos, an NYU alumnus and early YouTube influencer, this initiative aims to shift ownership to the very creators and users who make TikTok thrive. [Read more…]

According to Omdia’s latest consumer survey, TikTok and YouTube are the top video platforms for 18-35-year-olds in the USA. These platforms have outperformed Instagram, Facebook, and Netflix, cementing their leading positions in the video space. [Read more…]

In the bustling digital landscape, social media platforms have become a staple of daily life, connecting people worldwide. However, these platforms often thrive on controlling algorithms and exploitative economic models. Enter WeAre8, the new social media platform that’s changing the game by putting people at the center of its mission. [Read more…]

A new wave of change is sweeping through Gen Z, the so-called “TikTok Generation.” According to Raptive’s latest research, “DECODING GEN Z: The New Rules of Digital Trust and Influence,” this demographic is shifting gears, favoring credible, expert-driven content over the quick entertainment found on platforms like TikTok. [Read more…]

VideoShops, a newly launched social commerce platform, is poised to revolutionize how people engage in affiliate retail. Unlike traditional systems, VideoShops empowers users to shop, share, and sell products effortlessly through their personalized digital storefronts. With its game-changing approach, the platform ensures users get paid the same day they make a sale, bypassing the cumbersome pre-approval processes typical of other affiliate programs. [Read more…]

Project Liberty has officially submitted a proposal to ByteDance to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations, presenting a vision that aims to reshape the social media landscape. This ambitious bid, led by Project Liberty Founder Frank McCourt, promises to transition TikTok onto a new, American-developed digital infrastructure that prioritizes user control and data privacy. [Read more…]

Quickplay is making waves in the streaming industry with the launch of “Shorts,” a game-changing tool designed to meet the growing demand for short-form content. Announced at CES 2025, Quickplay Shorts is set to redefine how media companies and streamers engage with younger audiences, especially the ever-influential Gen Z. [Read more…]

BingX, a cryptocurrency exchange with a global footprint, has unveiled its CreatorX Program—a bold initiative designed to redefine how content creators engage with blockchain and cryptocurrency. By offering structured rewards, extensive exposure, and opportunities for collaboration, BingX is giving creators the tools they need to excel in a fast-paced and competitive environment. [Read more…]

Canadians might not see themselves as influencers, but their social circles tell a different story. According to a new Léger study commissioned by Heylist, while 92% of Canadians deny being influencers, 74% admit to purchasing products based on recommendations from friends, family, or acquaintances on social media. [Read more…]

NeoReach, a prominent player in the Creator Economy, has made a major move to boost opportunities for digital creators. On December 3, 2024, the company announced its acquisition of Influencers.com, a domain that will anchor a revamped platform packed with tools to help creators thrive. At the same time, NeoReach revealed a strategic partnership with Blueberry AI, a leader in artificial intelligence for lead generation. Together, they’re rolling out solutions aimed at simplifying content management and maximizing revenue potential for creators worldwide. [Read more…]

 

Kevin Brilliant left behind a coveted role as a behavioral scientist with the Chicago Bulls to tackle something even bigger: the mental health crisis. Inspired by his personal struggles and a career spent studying behavior, Brilliant is set to launch Take The Win™, the world’s first Social Gratitude™ platform. [Read more…]

The holiday season is here, and TikTok is proving to be much more than a dance video haven. A new survey from marketing agency MGH shows the platform is playing a massive role in shaping holiday gift ideas. Over half of the respondents (55%) admitted to finding gift inspiration while scrolling, and 39% actively searched for gift ideas on TikTok. [Read more…]

The digital marketing playbook just got a new chapter for community banks and credit unions. Social Assurance, a trusted name in marketing and compliance software for the financial sector, announced a major update: support for Threads. This integration opens doors for over 1,500 financial organizations across the U.S., enabling them to manage Threads alongside other social media platforms seamlessly. [Read more…]

Yubo has unveiled its latest tool, SafeBlur, a feature aimed at protecting users from inappropriate content in direct messages. SafeBlur, powered by AI, automatically identifies and blocks harmful images and messages, offering a much-needed shield for Yubo’s 80 million Gen Z users worldwide. [Read more…]