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Weekly Marketing Rundown - November 13, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! 🚀 We're diving into the latest news you need to know, including fake police takedown notices, Meta's new account system, changes to TikTok ads, Google's ad surcharge changes, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Fake Police Notices Tried to Remove Free-Speech Groups From X X told an Indian court that takedown requests targeting two free-speech groups' accounts came from someone impersonating the Delhi Police. X did not remove the accounts and filed a police complaint to identify the impostor. For Mission Teams Bad actors can impersonate officials to get accounts shut down, posing a real risk to ministries operating in places where Christian content is unwelcome. Teams should treat their domains, brands, and platforms as temporary assets, maintain backups of their content and contact lists, and approach any "official" removal demand with caution until its authenticity is verified. https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/x-take-down-notice-india-free-speech-groups-b3080408.html Meta Is Moving Users to a New "Meta Account" Meta is automatically transitioning Accounts Center, where people link their Instagram, Facebook, and Threads profiles, into a single "Meta Account" with one login. Users cannot opt out, and WhatsApp will remain separate unless it was already linked. For Mission Teams Linked profiles will share one login and a common set of ad preferences, meaning a team member's personal and ministry profiles could become more closely connected. Teams should review which profiles are linked in Accounts Center and keep ministry or pen-name profiles in separate accounts. https://ppc.land/meta-forces-users-onto-meta-accounts-with-no-opt-out-offered/ https://www.meta.com/account/ Updated YouTube Descriptions May Help Videos Show Up in AI Search In a small test conducted by Peec AI, about 60 YouTube videos received more detailed descriptions, and AI tools such as Google's AI Overviews picked them up 359% more often afterward. Videos that were left unchanged saw only a 17% increase. However, the test was too small to prove that the new descriptions caused the jump. For Mission Teams As more people use AI search tools, clear descriptions could help your existing videos appear in AI-generated answers. Teams can test this by updating a few older videos with descriptions that include the video's topic, the questions it answers, and clearly labeled timestamps. https://searchengineland.com/youtube-description-updates-ai-retrievals-study-500845 TikTok Search Ads Work Differently Than Google Ads TikTok's search ads have settings that don't match Google Ads, including Automated Keywords that are turned on by default for small business accounts. TikTok also won't block misspellings or plural forms of a negative keyword unless you add each one yourself. For Mission Teams A ministry running TikTok search ads could end up showing ads on unrelated search terms without knowing it. Teams should check their Automated Keywords list and add common misspellings and plural forms to their negative keyword lists. https://www.searchenginejournal.com/tiktok-search-ads-are-becoming-real-search-advertising/596016/ TikTok Expands Its AI Video Ad Tools TikTok's Symphony tool can now create AI video ads up to 30 seconds long using up to 50 reference images, videos, or audio clips. Advertisers outside North America can also buy access to ByteDance's newest video models through BytePlus, ByteDance's business tech arm. For Mission Teams Small teams could produce more video ads for less money, which may help them test more messages with seekers. AI-made visuals still need careful review to make sure they represent the gospel accurately and fit the local culture. Security Disclaimer Symphony runs on ByteDance's systems, so anything you upload is handled under ByteDance's data practices. Do not upload footage of real team members, seekers, or locations, and keep this work on an account and device separate from sensitive ministry data. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-updates-its-ai-video-ad-tools/874209/ Google DeepMind AI Mathematically Verifies Key Parts of the Signal Protocol Google DeepMind used an AI tool called AlphaProof Code to mathematically verify that key parts of the Signal encryption protocol work as intended. The project was a four-week test that found no new problems in the parts examined. However, it did not cover the entire Signal app. For Mission Teams This provides additional confidence in the security of the Signal protocol. That said, it doesn't guarantee security, and it doesn't protect against risks such as phone seizure, weak passwords, or unsafe sharing habits. Teams should continue using strong device security and exercising caution when communicating with contacts in restricted areas. https://www.wired.com/story/a-new-ai-tool-from-google-deepmind-formally-verified-the-signal-protocol/ WhatsApp Events Can Now Invite People Without WhatsApp WhatsApp is updating its Events feature so people can create events, send invitations, and manage RSVPs in one place called Events Home. Invitations can now reach people who do not have WhatsApp, and they can see details and RSVP through a link without downloading the app. For Mission Teams Teams can use event links to invite seekers to in-person or online gatherings and manage RSVPs in one place. However, teams operating in restricted areas should plan carefully, as shared event links and RSVP lists may reveal who is attending. According to Meta, phone numbers are hidden from guests who are not in a person's contacts, and the event address is shown to non-WhatsApp guests only after they RSVP. Teams should therefore consider keeping sensitive meeting locations off the event page and sharing them privately. The update is rolling out to everyone over the coming weeks, so availability may initially vary. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/11/whatsapp-events-brings-people-together-beyond-the-group-chat/ Google Changes Ad Surcharges for Italy, France, and Turkey in 2027 Starting January 1, 2027, Google will change the Regulatory Operating Cost added to ad invoices in three countries: Italy: 2.5% → 3.0% France: 2.0% → 3.0% Turkey: 4.5% → 2.25% For Mission Teams Teams running Google Ads, YouTube Reservation, or Display & Video 360 campaigns in these countries should update their 2027 budgets, since costs will rise in Italy and France and fall in Turkey. https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/9750227 Meta Ads Creative Enhancements: What They Do and When to Turn Them Off Meta's 47 AI-powered Creative Enhancements can change everything from text placement and ad formatting to video colors. They are designed to help marketers diversify their creative content, but their outputs and adjustments are not always ideal. For Mission Teams Mission teams should review the enhancement settings for each ad and turn off any features that change their message, destination, or images in ways they have not approved. These may include Optimize Website Destination, Landing Page Experience, AI-generated people in videos, Translation, and AI answers to viewer questions. Teams should also have translated text reviewed by a native speaker before running ads with sensitive content. Meta may also apply features still in testing to up to 5% of your ad impressions unless you uncheck "Test New Creative Features" in Advertising Settings. Teams should clearly define their branding, use previews where available, and monitor ads for changes that no longer align with their approved wording. See Jon Loomer's full list of Creative Enhancements and his suggestions in the article below: https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-ads-creative-enhancements/ OpenAI Launches Business Profiles and Mention Tracking in ChatGPT OpenAI has started a beta test called Businesses in ChatGPT. Companies can claim a profile, correct what ChatGPT says about them, and see mentions, profile views, and website clicks. For Mission Teams Ministries registered as businesses may be able to claim a profile and correct how ChatGPT describes them. However, the beta is initially available only to eligible ecommerce and online service businesses in the US. The data shows totals but does not reveal the questions people asked, and smaller accounts may have access to very little data. Verification is done by phone call, text message, or DNS record. Teams operating in restricted countries should carefully consider the risks of publishing contact details and website links. They should also continue tracking seeker engagement on their own websites, since this tool can show that their ministry was mentioned but not explain why. https://www.thestateofbrand.com/news/chatgpt-business-hub-brand-mentions-clicks Fewer Meta Ad Sets May Lower Your Cost Per Result Meta says each ad set needs about 50 conversions a week to learn well. Meta's own analysis found that ad sets below this level cost about 28% more per purchase. For Mission Teams Check how many conversions each ad set generates per week. If an ad set generates fewer than 50 conversions a week, consider consolidating your budget into fewer ad sets so that each desired action, such as a sign-up or message start, generates more data for optimization. Use Meta's formula (weekly budget ÷ (cost per result × 50)) to estimate how many ad sets your budget can support. Consider adding a second ad set only when you are generating around 100 conversions per week and have a clear reason to split your campaign. Note that the 28% figure applies to purchases. Small teams optimizing for lower-volume events, such as Bible study sign-ups, should treat this figure as a guideline rather than a guarantee. https://pubcast.jonloomer.com/your-extra-ad-sets-are-costing-you-28-more/ Google Ads Changes How It Handles Language, Scheduling, and AI Labels Google Ads has removed the manual language setting from Search campaigns. Google now determines who sees an ad based on the language used in the ad text and landing page, as well as what it knows about the languages a person understands. As a result, ads may still reach people searching in another language if Google determines they can understand the ad. Google does not translate ads, and advertisers still cannot exclude specific languages. Asset scheduling now allows advertisers to group days, such as weekdays or weekends, when scheduling headlines, images, and other ad elements. However, scheduling ads to run on fewer days does not automatically reduce monthly spending. Google can still spend up to 30.4 times your average daily budget over the course of a month, meaning daily spending may be higher on the days your ads are active. Google has added California, South Korea, and Vietnam to the list of locations where ads created or edited with AI must display a visible label. These join the European Union, India, and New York. For Mission Teams Write each ad group in a single language, and give each language its own landing page URL so Google can direct your ads to the right seekers. If you limit ads to the hours when your responders are online, keep an eye on your budgets. A restricted ad schedule no longer automatically limits your monthly spending. Be careful when using AI-generated content in sensitive locations such as Vietnam. A visible AI label draws attention to how an ad was created, and anyone can view the disclosure in the ad's "How this ad was made" panel. In sensitive locations, consider using non-AI assets. Where AI content is used, disclose it properly to avoid rejection. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-45-adriaan-dekker-uonse/ Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Jon Ralls' new book: Check out The Reluctant Whisper on Amazon, where he reframes evangelism from a sales pitch into an authentic act of presence—sharing faith through story, not scripts! Check it out here. Ad Resource Store: Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates, and more! Confused by digital strategy? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Church GAP Analysis Tool: Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or nonprofit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today. Kavanah Analytics: How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Learn More Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights on digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Jon Ralls, Cody A., and Cherry Messimer Article Published: November 13, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - November 6, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! 🚀 We're diving into the latest updates you need to know including Meta's AI bots overloading small websites, a new WhatsApp photo suggestion feature, Reddit's first search ads, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta's AI Crawlers Are Overloading Small Websites Some small website owners say Meta's AI crawlers, bots that copy web pages to train AI, are using so much bandwidth that their sites slow down or crash. One designer found that 97.6% of her site's data traffic over four weeks went to Meta's bots. For Mission Teams Teams should be cautious when seeing traffic boosts as it may be bot traffic. Ministry websites on small hosting plans could face slowdowns, outages, or extra fees if these bots hit them hard. Teams could consider checking their site traffic for "Meta-ExternalAgent" and "Meta-WebIndexer" and asking their web host about blocking them, since some owners found robots.txt rules alone did not stop them. https://www.fastcompany.com/91633357/meta-web-crawlers-crash-small-business-websites-ai-bots-surge WhatsApp Now Suggests Your Latest Photo in Chats WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that shows your newest photo, video, or screenshot as a suggestion when you open a chat. Nothing sends automatically, and tapping the suggestion opens an editor so you can review it first. For Mission Teams While this feature could make sharing relevant screenshots even easier a suggested screenshot could show private details, like a seeker's message, a contact list, or a location, and it is easy to share it in the wrong chat by mistake. Those with concerns should turn this off under Settings > Chats > Recent media suggestions. https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-media-suggestions-on-android-and-ios/ Reddit Tests Ads in Search Results Reddit is testing ads on its search results pages for the first time, with ads matched to users' search queries. For now, only a small group of selected advertisers have access to the feature. For Mission Teams People often search Reddit with honest questions about life and faith, so search ads could someday help teams reach seekers at the moment they are looking for answers. Most teams can't join this early test yet, but if the testing is successful Reddit could become a even more viable platform for digital engagement. Those already running Reddit ads should watch for wider access. https://redditinc.com/news/we-are-testing-ad-placements-in-reddit-search-pages Turn On MFA, Passkeys, and Security Keys Now Several Kavanah Media partners recently had work accounts and their personal email accounts taken over by attackers, which put many connected accounts and contacts at risk. Personal email is often used to reset work passwords, so one weak account can open the door to a much bigger breach. For Mission Teams Everyone should turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA, a second step after your password) for all work email, personal email, social media, and ad accounts, etc.. Use passkeys or a hardware security key such as a YubiKey wherever you can, because unlike text-message codes, they will not work on fake login pages. Teams should also exercise caution when opening emails or clicking links from untrusted or unfamiliar sources. When in doubt, they should contact the senders through a separate communication channel to verify the legitimacy of any suspicious emails. Google Tests A/B Experiments for Asset Groups in Performance Max Campaigns Google/YouTube Google is testing a new tool that lets advertisers compare two sets of ad assets within a single Performance Max asset group. Advertisers can choose how to split traffic and which metrics to measure, such as conversions, value, or clicks. For Mission Teams Teams running Google Performance Max campaigns can test two sets of images, videos, or text to see which drives more visitors to a response page. However, this is a beta feature and may not be available in every account or region. Plan to run the test for at least 4 to 6 weeks, as Google recommends, and choose one clear success metric, such as conversions, to determine which message leads to more meaningful interactions. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-44-adriaan-dekker-vxzve/ Google Says AI Chatbots Are Cutting Into Its Search Ad Revenue Google said more people are using AI chatbots and its own AI search tools, and this is hurting its search ad business. Search volume grew 12% in Q3, slower than earlier quarters, and search revenue was flat. For Mission Teams Google says it is expanding ads in AI Overviews and AI Mode to more users and search queries, including in international markets. Teams running search ads should monitor these new placements and consider testing them with small budgets. As more people turn to AI chatbots for answers, teams should ensure their content is clear and accurate. The article also reports that up to 10% of AI Overviews were found to contain incorrect information, so teams should check how their ministries are described in AI-generated responses. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/google-says-ai-chatbots-are-hurting-its-bottom-line/873401/ Meta Now Suggests Lookalike Audiences for Leads Campaigns Meta is showing a new message in Leads campaigns suggesting that using a lookalike audience could lower the cost per quality lead by 11%. The author has seen this message only in Leads campaigns, so it does not appear to be a change affecting all campaign types. For Mission Teams If your team receives many low-quality sign-ups or leads, consider building a custom audience from people who have completed your follow-up process. You can then turn it into a lookalike audience and add it as an audience suggestion in a single ad set. Avoid creating multiple ad sets for different audience suggestions, as they may compete against each other. However, keep in mind that, according to the author, it is difficult to prove whether these suggestions actually help, and Meta often ignores them. Test carefully, and when handling contact lists, protect the privacy of seekers, especially in countries with restricted access. Additionally, if you use a CRM system and sign-up forms hosted on your own website rather than Meta's platforms, this strategy may not work due to Meta's Religious Data Restrictions. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/lookalike-audience-suggestions-leads-campaigns/ Meta Expands Creator Assistant Into a Content Planning Tool Meta has updated its Creator Assistant chatbot to help people plan and improve content on Facebook and Instagram. It can point out trends, build storyboards and shot lists, review drafts, and write comment replies for you to check. For Mission Teams Teams can use it to identify trending topics, plan short-form videos, and draft replies to comments. However, every reply should be reviewed by a person to ensure the tone and message are appropriate for seekers. Additionally, since it is unclear how Meta handles the data users enter, avoid sharing sensitive ministry details, contact names, or security-related information. Note that the tool is designed for creators and is now available on the web through the Creator Dashboard, as well as on mobile. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-updates-creator-assistant-chatbot/873524/ Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement  Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Jon Ralls' new book–  Check out The Reluctant Whisper on Amazon, where he talks of evangelism from a sales pitch into an authentic act of presence—sharing faith through story, not scripts! Check it out here. Ad Resource Store- Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates and more! Digital Strategies got you confused?- Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Church GAP Analysis Tool- Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or non-profit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today.  Kavanah Analytics- How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Learn More Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Jon Ralls, Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: November 6, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 30, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! We’re diving into the latest updates you need to know including a Signal security patch, Meta's latest advice regarding ad performance, Google's new Translate Ad feature, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta Says to Stop Changing Ad Campaigns So Often Meta says each ad set needs about 50 conversions per week for its system to learn whom to show ads to. Before reaching that threshold, any edits to a campaign or its targeting are merely guesswork. According to Meta’s analysis, ad sets below that threshold paid about 28% more per purchase, and frequent edits make it harder to reach that level. For Mission Teams Small ministry budgets may make reaching 50 conversions a week challenging, but volume is key. If an ad does not seem to be performing well, teams should consider increasing the ad budget to generate more conversions rather than over-tweaking the creative. A/B testing can help provide the algorithm with clearer signals, but simply leaving things alone for a while and giving the algorithm time to work often proves fruitful. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-says-advertisers-should-let-campaigns-gather-data/833906/ Advertisers Now Responsible for Meta’s AI Changes Starting October 30, Meta’s new ad terms say advertisers are “solely responsible” for anything Meta’s AI creates or changes in their ads. Some advertisers have found AI-added images, translations, and links in live ads they never approved. For Mission Teams An automatic translation or AI-generated image could alter a gospel message in ways that are inaccurate or culturally offensive, and your ministry would be held responsible. Teams should review every Advantage+ creative output before publishing ads and turn off any tools that produce awkward or inaccurate creative content. https://www.adweek.com/media/advertisers-pull-meta-ads-that-had-unwanted-ai-glow-ups/ Facebook Limits Link Posts for Some Nonprofit Pages Facebook is testing a limit of two link posts per month for some Pages, with paid plans starting around $50 a month for more. Meta says nonprofits should not be affected, but several charities and a public library were limited anyway. For Mission Teams Ministry Pages that share links to websites, Bible resources, or donation pages could suddenly hit this cap. To avoid it, make sure your Page category lists “nonprofit,” since Meta says that is how its system decides who is exempt. https://www.engadget.com/2295422/meta-is-charging-government-and-nonprofit-pages-to-post-links-on-facebook/ Discord Public Chats Coming to Web Search Starting November 16, Discord will create public web pages for large “Discoverable” servers, featuring AI-generated summaries of public channel conversations. Starting in mid-December, messages from public channels may also appear in web search results, without usernames or profile pictures. For Mission Teams Teams that run or participate in large public Discord servers should check which channels will be visible, as conversations could become searchable even without names attached. Admins can opt channels out under Server Settings > Web Presence, while members can turn off sharing in their Data and Privacy settings. https://discord.com/blog/making-content-from-discoverable-servers-easier-to-discover Critical Signal Bug Could Keep Calls Open After Hanging Up A critical flaw in Signal’s calling system could let a caller keep a call running after you think you have hung up. The bug could leave your microphone, and possibly your camera, active, but it has been fixed in the latest version of the app. For Mission Teams Many teams rely on Signal for sensitive calls, so this flaw could expose private conversations about seekers, partners, or locations. Every team member should update Signal on their phones and computers right away and avoid discussing sensitive topics immediately after a call ends until they have updated the app. https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/10/21/signal-bug-could-keep-your-mic-and-camera-on-after-hangup/5304528 AI Email Summaries and Reader Engagement Email apps are now using artificial intelligence to read your newsletters and create short summaries for your subscribers. This means a machine might replace your subject line and decide which parts of your message are most important. For Mission Teams This shift impacts digital engagement because seekers will likely read a machine-generated summary first, requiring your primary discipleship message, missionary newsletters, or support raising campaign emails to be obvious from the start. https://www.audiencebridge.io/p/your-newsletter-has-two-readers-now?utm_source=tldrmarketing Meta Advertising Features Explained Meta recently introduced three new ad features: “Ads Super Burst,” which offers category-exclusive ad windows that other advertisers cannot book; “First Impression Ads,” which places an ad at the top of the feed; and “Aggregated View Time,” which measures total weekly video views. While the first two are likely aimed at big brands with large budgets, the new video metric will affect how all advertisers track their performance. For Mission Teams While large-scale burst features might not fit typical budgets, ministries or projects with larger budgets could use them to have ad spot exclusivity for events or launches. Additionally, First Impression ads could ensure your ads have the first ad serve, but this will likely come at a higher price tag. Understanding the shift toward aggregated video metrics is critical for digital evangelism. It implies that consistent, engaging video content over time will be key to safely connecting with seekers and guiding them into online discipleship pathways. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/ads-super-burst-first-impression-ads-aggregated-view-time/?utm_source=video_alerts&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10262026&inf_contact_key=02839d451437ea562610e3da8a639abe7e470d92b8b75168d98a0b8cac0e9c09 ChatGPT Ads Creative Enhancements OpenAI is turning on a feature that automatically lets AI rewrite your ad headlines, change images, translate text, and switch destination URLs in ChatGPT Ads without your approval. Advertisers who want to keep control over exactly what their ads say must manually opt out in their account settings before October 30. For Mission Teams This automation could inadvertently alter your carefully written messages, which might change the tone or direct seekers to the wrong online resources. To keep your digital outreach secure and accurate, you should review these settings and opt out if you need strict control over your discipleship materials and landing pages. https://mean.ceo/tpost/chatgpt-ads-creative-enhancements Google Ads AI Campaign Localization Tool Google has a new tool that can quickly duplicate a Search campaign and translate its keywords, text, and landing pages into ten different languages. However, you must carefully review the translations before starting the campaign because the AI might misinterpret brand names, legal terms, or numbers. For Mission Teams This translation feature makes it easier to reach non-English speakers, allowing you to share the gospel with diverse communities more efficiently. However, you must have a native speaker review the translated ads to ensure the theological message is accurate and culturally appropriate before launching the campaign. https://miraflow.ai/blog/google-ads-ai-campaign-localization-tool-search-2026 AI Max in Google Ad Grants Google is automatically turning on a feature called "AI Max" in some Ad Grants accounts, which helps campaigns spend more by showing ads in AI search overviews and expanding keyword matches. This feature gives the AI more freedom to decide where and how your ads appear, including showing ads for different pages on your website than you originally chose. For Mission Teams While this tool can expand your digital ministry’s reach by finding new ways to spend your grant money, it could also display your ads to irrelevant audiences or direct users to unintended pages. You should monitor your Ad Grants account closely and turn off AI Max if you need precise control over which seekers see your ads and which pages they are directed to. https://support.google.com/nonprofits/community-video/406833041/ai-max-in-google-ad-grants?hl=en Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement  Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Jon Ralls' new book–  Check out The Reluctant Whisper on Amazon, where he talks of evangelism from a sales pitch into an authentic act of presence—sharing faith through story, not scripts! Check it out here. Ad Resource Store- Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates and more! Digital Strategies got you confused?- Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Church GAP Analysis Tool- Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or non-profit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today.  Kavanah Analytics- How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Learn More Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Jon Ralls, Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: October 30, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 23, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! We’re covering the latest updates you need to know: a critical PHP security update, recent changes to Meta ads, new recommendations for ideal video length and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Critical PHP Security Updates Required to Prevent Server Hijacking Security experts discovered critical flaws in PHP that allow hackers to take over websites without needing a password. Server administrators must update their PHP software immediately to block these dangerous attacks. For Mission Teams Outdated PHP versions leave your website open to attacks that can expose the private contact details of seekers who reach out through your social media ads and landing pages. If your team manages a website, update its PHP version right away. If you can’t update it immediately, take the site offline until you can. https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2026/10/psa-php-security-updates-available-for-two-critical-vulnerabilities-update-now/ Meta's New Feature for Ad Targeting Meta is launching a feature that lets you choose the audience for each individual ad creative. Instead of creating separate ad groups for different audiences, you can now set age and gender targets directly on each ad. For Mission Teams This update changes the way audiences can be targeted. It’s also important to note that this does not override Advantage+ targeting, and Meta’s algorithm will still show ads to people who might convert, even if they fall outside a team’s target persona. However, it could be a useful way to match different ads to different audiences, rather than relying on ad set–level targeting alone. Teams that have access to this new feature are encouraged to test its functionality and see how it affects ad engagement. https://www.jonloomer.com/choose-an-audience-for-each-ad-creative/ Meta's Future Automations In a recent podcast, Nik Ketkar, Director of Product Management at Meta, laid out upcoming changes to ad defaults and automated media buying. Meta is building automated tools so advertisers spend less time setting up campaigns and more time focusing on overall strategy. While artificial intelligence will suggest ad adjustments and create materials, human advertisers will still retain final approval over all decisions. These updates will automatically turn on in late October and alter how ads direct users unless advertisers choose to opt out. For Mission Teams Mission teams must review these new defaults as they roll out and test them to ensure continued ad performance. Several teams around the world have had difficulty getting good engagement from their desired target audiences with Meta's Advantage+ tools when they were rolled out previously, however, the automations that change brought also made it easier than ever to build ads. It is yet to be seen how these future changes will further affect digital engagement work. As always, testing is encouraged. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BNAIirKUZs Ideal Length for Social Media Videos A recent study of millions of videos shows Instagram Reels under three minutes perform best, while TikTok favors longer videos between three and ten minutes. However, the most important factor is keeping your videos engaging regardless of length. For Mission Teams You can use these time limits to design better short-form videos that catch the attention of seekers scrolling on social media. Making your videos the right length for each platform helps your digital campaigns reach more people so you can connect with them and make disciples. https://virev.ai/blog/how-long-should-a-reel-be?utm_source=tldrmarketing Meta Pauses AI Sharing Feature Over Major Privacy Leak Meta paused the sharing feature in its new Muse AI assistant after researchers discovered that shared links leaked private user conversations online. The web addresses included chat titles directly in the link, allowing anyone to easily search for and read confidential personal notes. For Mission Teams Using automated AI tools without strict privacy controls can inadvertently expose sensitive conversations and personal information shared by online seekers. Teams should exercise caution when using AI tools such as Muse, particularly when granting them access to files, systems, and data. https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/10/meta-muse-exposes-users-personal-and-business-secrets-when-they-share-conversations/?utm_source=tldrinfosec Google Ads Introduces Stricter Verification and Promotes AI Campaign Creation Google Ads now prioritizes an AI-driven campaign builder by default, while requiring a second official document like a utility bill to verify advertiser addresses in select locations. Users who prefer hands-on campaign management must click a less prominent manual setup link, and failing to verify your address will prevent ads from running. For Mission Teams Google has rolled out a requirement for a second verification document in South Sudan and says other countries may soon follow. Account verification is required to advertise on the platform. Separately, new AI features can help marketers build ads, but marketers should always check AI-generated content for accuracy. https://adriaan-dekker.nl/google-ads-can-now-ask-for-a-second-document-to-verify-your-address/ ChatGPT Expands Ad Formats and Shifts Web Traffic Attribution OpenAI is testing larger visual ads and clickable buttons in ChatGPT while adding new measurement tools to track campaign results. At the same time, recent tracking changes mean web visits from ChatGPT may now mistakenly appear as direct traffic instead of referral clicks. For Mission Teams Monitoring these analytics changes ensures your team accurately tracks how seekers discover and access your digital ministry platforms. Experimenting with these new visual formats and call-to-action buttons can help you engage more seekers and guide them toward becoming disciples. https://adriaan-dekker.nl/google-ads-can-now-ask-for-a-second-document-to-verify-your-address/ WhatsApp Tests In-App Browser for Chat Links WhatsApp is developing a built-in browser that allows users to open any shared web link directly inside their chats. This update keeps people inside the messaging app while browsing, though users can still switch to an outside browser and clear their stored data. For Mission Teams Meta uses in-app browsing to support user retention and collect tracking telemetry. This means that visits to external websites still consume standard mobile data under free carrier plans, but the in-app browsing environment could improve ad engagement tracking. Teams running traffic or sales campaigns for Bible orders or similar offerings may see improved tracking metrics; however, they may still face challenges due to Meta’s restrictions on religious data. https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-testing-an-in-app-browser-for-chats-on-ios/ X Plans to Ban Low-Quality and Misleading Advertisements Elon Musk announced that X will ban advertisers who post ugly, loud, or misleading ads. The platform is asking users to report bad promotions, but it has not yet explained the exact rules for judging them. For Mission Teams Teams using X for digital engagement should create clear, honest digital ads to reduce the risk of sudden account suspensions. Producing high-quality visuals can also help campaigns remain active across social media platforms. https://www.theverge.com/news/1013118/elon-musk-says-he-wont-allow-ugly-ads-on-x Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement  Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Jon Ralls' new book–  Check out The Reluctant Whisper on Amazon, where he talks of evangelism from a sales pitch into an authentic act of presence—sharing faith through story, not scripts! Check it out here. Ad Resource Store- Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates and more! Digital Strategies got you confused?- Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Church GAP Analysis Tool- Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or non-profit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today.  Kavanah Analytics- How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Learn More Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Jon Ralls, Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: October 23, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 16, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! We’re diving into the latest updates you need to know including changes to Google Ads and Tag Manager, a warning about fake GPT tools, Meta's Tiktok ad ban and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Kavanah Analytics- Webinar You're invited to a free online webinar introducing Kavanah Analytics on October 20, offered at two times to fit your team's schedule: 8:00 AM Eastern and 8:00 PM Eastern.  If your team is using digital tools to reach the lost, you already know the hard part isn't running an ad or posting a video. It's answering the questions that matter: Who responded? Did that conversation lead to a Bible study, a baptism, a disciple? Kavanah Analytics is a free tool built specifically for mission teams that automatically pulls your Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads, messaging, and follow-up data into one clear picture, so you can see the whole journey from first click to real spiritual conversation without stitching together spreadsheets or paying for enterprise software. In this one-hour session we'll show you how it works, walk through a live team dashboard, and explain how to get your own team set up at no cost.  Bring your questions, and bring whoever on your team is asking "is this actually working?"  Register at https://forms.gle/d2mLocY1MrcsazA28 and join us on October 20. kavanahanalytics.com WhatsApp AI Privacy Rumors and Group Security Members of the Kavanah Media team noticed a message circulating around several missions circles claiming that artificial intelligence will automatically read all WhatsApp chats unless admins change their privacy settings. According to Meta's own documentation your group messages remain encrypted and private and are not automatically scraped by Meta's AI systems. However, it is true that individual group members could still use AI to generate summaries of group chats and more. Turning on Advanced Chat Privacy remains a helpful way to block chat exports and disable AI features in the room. Additionally, Meta is changing the name "Advanced Chat Privacy," to "Restricted Chat." It is still recommended to turn this feature on and teams that previously had Advanced Chat Privacy enabled may have to manually turn on Restricted Chat after the change rolls out. For Mission Teams For online churches, discipleship groups, mission teams, and others leveraging WhatsApp Groups, Meta states that their conversations remain secure and are not being secretly scanned by AI. However, mission teams should still turn on Advanced Chat Privacy or Restricted Chat in sensitive groups to prevent chat histories from being exported or summarized by AI for users. See Meta's actual documentation below: https://faq.whatsapp.com/715385484388016 Meta's TikTok Ad Ban Turns Platform Rivalry Into a Traffic Fight Meta has reportedly stopped accepting ads from TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, and may also be blocking third-party ads that link to TikTok or other ByteDance properties. This means that brands running campaigns on Facebook or Instagram can no longer use those ads to direct traffic to TikTok creators, product pages, or accounts. For Mission Teams While this change may not directly affect teams leveraging digital engagement, it does highlight the importance of not relying too heavily on one platform to drive traffic to another, as platform rules can change quickly. Mission teams should consider building independent websites or using platform-native features to ensure their digital evangelism campaigns remain accessible and effective. https://wersm.com/meta-tiktok-ad-ban-platform-rivalry-traffic-fight Fake ChatGPT Tools Trick Users into Downloading Malware Cybercriminals are creating fake ChatGPT websites and AI tools that imitate legitimate services. Some scams target Windows users by directing them to fraudulent security pages and persuading them to copy and run malicious commands on their computers. For Mission Teams Mission teams should be cautious when trying unfamiliar AI tools or clicking on sponsored search results for ChatGPT and AI summaries. Sponsored results are not necessarily malicious, but scammers can use online advertisements to promote fraudulent websites. Be especially alert if a website or tool instructs you to open Command Prompt, PowerShell, or another terminal and paste or run commands. https://www.esecurityplanet.com/news/news-chatgpt-clickfix-malware-windows/ The Impact of Call-to-Action Buttons on Ad Performance Teams using Meta for ads may start seeing a flag at the ad level, in the Call to Action section, suggesting that switching the button to “See Details” could improve engagement by around 2.3%. This suggests the button label can affect ad performance, but its impact is small compared to other factors. For Mission Teams For mission teams running digital evangelism ads on Meta, small adjustments like this can improve engagement, and small gains add up over time. Still, not all of Meta’s recommendations carry equal weight. They’re worth testing, but don’t obsess over them. The difference between button labels is usually minor compared to your creative, audience and messaging. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/cta-button/ Google Ads Rolls Out Five Updates to Engagement, Tracking, Video, and AI Tools Google Ads made four changes this week. A video now has to be watched for at least ten seconds, up from five, before it counts as an engagement, so reports may show fewer engagements even when viewer behavior hasn't changed. Google Tag Manager now starts containers automatically and logs setup commands as new data events, which could fire tracking tags you didn't mean to fire. Demand Gen videos now get automatic text overlays pulled from your ad assets. This is on by default, but you can turn it off in video optimization controls. Google also launched AI Asset Studio, which creates text, images, and video from your brand guidelines. In the European Union, any ad changed by AI will now carry an AI label. For Mission Teams Teams may see a drop in their engagement metrics with this change. Be sure to grab a seeker's attention in the first few seconds of a video so it holds them for the full ten. Check your Tag Manager settings to protect seeker privacy and keep your analytics accurate. Also, be sure to test automatic text overlays and check if they would cover gospel visuals or captions. AI-generated ads are worth testing, but think about how the AI generated content might appear in different languages and formats and be received by the intended audience. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-41-adriaan-dekker-asfwe/ Turkey Bans Social Media for Young Teenagers Turkey passed a new law banning social media for all children under the age of fifteen. Existing under-15 accounts must be closed by March 31, 2027. Platforms must now use a government system to check ages and block targeted ads for older teenagers. Breaches risk 3% global-revenue fines, ad bans, and internet throttling. For Mission Teams Most mission teams already target ads to adults 18 and older, but it is worth double checking ad targeting to ensure compliance. This is also a good reminder that even massive social media platforms are beholden to the actions and decisions of local governments. Teams should assess their platforms for compliance to local regulations to help prevent fines, restrictions, and more. https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-bans-social-media-for-kids-under-15/ Meta Updates Ad Placement Controls for Advertisers Meta is slowly removing the ability for advertisers to choose exactly where their ads appear, such as in search results or between Reels. The company wants advertisers to trust its artificial intelligence to automatically decide the best places to show ads to get the most people to click. For Mission Teams As Meta takes over ad placement decisions, mission teams will be forced to trust the platform's artificial intelligence (labeled as Advantage+) to find seekers across different locations on Facebook and Instagram. Many of the targeting parameters marketers once had are mere suggestions now, but you can still guide the system by testing different images and videos, so focus your effort on creating strong visual messages that invite people to connect. As always, testing is recommended.  https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-offers-updated-ad-placement-control-guidance/832791/ https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1546753450586085/ WhatsApp Introduces Free Guest Video Calls WhatsApp now allows anyone to join free video calls through a web browser without needing to create an account. These secure meetings can host up to thirty-two people and include helpful tools like screen sharing and waiting rooms. For Mission Teams This update makes it easier to host online discipleship groups with seekers who are hesitant to share personal information or download new apps. Because guests can join without seeing other participants’ phone numbers, leaders can host meetings while protecting everyone’s privacy. However, this is a double-edged sword: anyone with the link could join anonymously, which raises security concerns. Leaders should still manage call access carefully, verify who is participating, and avoid sharing sensitive information in the group. https://blog.whatsapp.com/now-you-can-invite-anyone-to-a-whatsapp-call-no-account-needed-no-cost-no-time-limit Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement  Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Jon Ralls' new book–  Check out The Reluctant Whisper on Amazon, where he talks of evangelism from a sales pitch into an authentic act of presence—sharing faith through story, not scripts! Check it out here. Ad Resource Store- Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates and more! Digital Strategies got you confused?- Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Church GAP Analysis Tool- Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or non-profit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today.  Kavanah Analytics- How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Learn More Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Jon Ralls, Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: October 16, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 9, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! We're diving into the latest updates you need to know, including Meta's Muse fix, tips on using YouTube video descriptions for AEO(Answer Engine Optimization), Apple video podcasts and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Kavanah Analytics- Webinar You're invited to a free online webinar introducing Kavanah Analytics on Monday, October 20, offered at two times to fit your team's schedule: 8:00 AM Eastern and 8:00 PM Eastern.  If your team is using digital tools to reach the lost, you already know the hard part isn't running an ad or posting a video. It's answering the questions that matter: Who responded? Did that conversation lead to a Bible study, a baptism, a disciple? Kavanah Analytics is a free tool built specifically for mission teams that automatically pulls your Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads, messaging, and follow-up data into one clear picture, so you can see the whole journey from first click to real spiritual conversation without stitching together spreadsheets or paying for enterprise software. In this one-hour session we'll show you how it works, walk through a live team dashboard, and explain how to get your own team set up at no cost.  Bring your questions, and bring whoever on your team is asking "is this actually working?"  Register at https://forms.gle/d2mLocY1MrcsazA28 and join us on October 20. kavanahanalytics.com Google Ads Introduces A/B Testing for Performance Max Campaigns Google is updating its advertising tools to let users test different headlines, images, and videos against each other within Performance Max campaigns to see what works best. This new feature helps advertisers determine exactly which elements of their ads attract the most attention. For Mission Teams This tool makes it easier to safely test different messages and see which ones perform best within Performance Max campaign asset groups. To leverage the new feature, click the toggle for “Save and test asset group changes” and follow the on-screen prompts. https://searchengineland.com/google-ads-brings-a-b-testing-to-performance-max-asset-groups-493229 Apple Plans Broad Block on Advertising Data Companies in iOS Apple's recent iOS update introduced hidden features allowing it to silently block hundreds of marketing and data companies from gathering user information on its devices. This change gives Apple the power to instantly cut off these companies without needing to issue a new software update, which could significantly disrupt online advertising. For Mission Teams This massive privacy update from Apple could make it harder for teams to accurately target and track Apple users via digital ads. Teams should adjust their platforms accordingly and should expect a drop in traffic from iOS devices if these changes are rolled out. https://www.adexchanger.com/privacy/apple-has-far-reaching-plans-to-block-hundreds-of-programmatic-data-companies-from-ios/ Search Engine Optimization Impact on AI Recommendations This article explores whether businesses can use traditional search engine optimization (SEO) tactics to make artificial intelligence systems recommend their products more often. The author’s experiments showed that AI typically relies on its original training data rather than searching the web. This means SEO may have very little short-term effect on what AI recommends, even when the author intentionally manipulated search results to heavily favor specific products. For Mission Teams While AI-powered search is changing how people find information, trying to optimize SEO specifically for AI may not be effective. A better long-term strategy for reaching digital seekers is to consistently create valuable, authentic content that naturally builds trust over time. This increases the likelihood that our message will eventually be reflected in AI systems’ training data. We can also leverage paid advertising through platforms such as Meta, Google, or even ChatGPT to help ensure our content gets in front of digital seekers. https://www.joe-shirey.com/2026/10/02/seo-for-ai-agents.html?utm_source=tldrmarketing ChatGPT Ads See Rapid Adoption Among Tech Companies ChatGPT's new advertising platform has quickly gained popularity, with 15,000 early adopters largely consisting of software and tech companies. The data shows growth-stage businesses in the U.S. are adopting these ads much faster than smaller startups or traditional industries. For Mission Teams This rising trend suggests a new and rapidly growing digital space where people may search for answers. ChatGPT has also opened its marketing platform to a broader range of marketers. Teams are encouraged to experiment with the platform to assess its viability as a channel for digital engagement. https://bloomberry.com/blog/whos-buying-chatgpt-ads-i-analyzed-15k-advertisers/ Rapid Growth of Meta's New AI Agent Meta recently launched a new artificial intelligence tool named Muse that is growing very fast. In just three weeks, more than three million people have started using it every week to help with tasks. For Mission Teams As millions of people begin using this new tool, we must explore how to safely engage these users without compromising team security. While Meta addressed the significant vulnerabilities present in Muse at launch, there are still concerns about granting an AI agent high-level access to devices. Teams are encouraged to use the tool with caution, consider using it on separate devices, and closely monitor the data it can access. https://archive.is/Q2Txb WhatsApp Hides Private Conversations from Linked Devices WhatsApp is adding a new "Restricted Chat" feature that keeps private messages strictly on your primary phone. It completely removes these sensitive conversations from linked web browsers and blocks features like media saving or exporting chats. For Mission Teams This enhanced privacy setting provides a safer way for field workers to hold sensitive online conversations with seekers in high-risk regions. By preventing data leaks across linked devices, teams can more easily protect senstiive conversations and information. https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-restricted-chats-on-android-beta/ YouTube Focuses on Original Content in Shorts YouTube is changing its rules to stop people from just copying and pasting other people's videos without adding new ideas. This means accounts that don't add their own creative spin or meaningful commentary to their short videos will likely be seen by fewer people. For Mission Teams This rule change means teams sharing content on YouTube must ensure their short videos offer fresh perspectives or stories, rather than just reusing existing clips. Mission teams leveraging premade content such as LUMO or Share the Story might see a drop in engagement and should consider adapting their video strategies to be more original content if possible. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-updates-shorts-algorithm-to-put-more-focus-on-original-content/831976/ YouTube Introduces A/B Testing for Video Edits YouTube is launching a new tool that lets creators test up to three different versions of the same video. The platform will then track viewer habits and automatically pick the version that holds people's attention the longest. For Mission Teams This new feature allows teams to safely test different video styles to see which messages connect best with audiences. Understanding exactly what keeps a seeker watching can greatly improve our strategies for making disciples on digital platforms.  https://www.theverge.com/news/1004021/a-new-youtube-feature-could-get-confusing Meta Expands AI Tools and Automation in Ads Manager Meta is adding smart AI tools to its Ads Manager to build campaigns and create video ads automatically. Marketers can now describe their ideal audience in plain language to target new people quickly. For Mission Teams These automated tools let teams quickly build targeted campaigns to reach seekers with tailored gospel content. However, teams must closely monitor AI choices to ensure that the content it generates is viable. Members of the Kavanah Media team have noted incorrect translations, awkward formatting, and more from AI generate content in Ads Manager. https://www.facebook.com/business/news/advertising-week-new-york-2026 Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement  Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here. Jon Ralls' new book–  Check out Jon Ralls' new book The Reluctant Whisper on Amazon, where he talks of evangelism from a sales pitch into an authentic act of presence—sharing faith through story, not scripts! Check it out here. Ad Resource Store- Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates and more! Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Church GAP Analysis Tool- Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or non-profit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today.  Kavanah Analytics- How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Learn More Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Jon Ralls, Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: October 9, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 25, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! We're diving into the latest updates you need to know, including Meta's Muse fix, tips on using YouTube video descriptions for AEO(Answer Engine Optimization), Apple video podcasts and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Kavanah Analytics- Webinar You're invited to a free online webinar introducing Kavanah Analytics on Monday, October 20, offered at two times to fit your team's schedule: 8:00 AM Eastern and 8:00 PM Eastern.  If your team is using digital tools to reach the lost, you already know the hard part isn't running an ad or posting a video. It's answering the questions that matter: Who responded? Did that conversation lead to a Bible study, a baptism, a disciple? Kavanah Analytics is a free tool built specifically for mission teams that automatically pulls your Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads, messaging, and follow-up data into one clear picture, so you can see the whole journey from first click to real spiritual conversation without stitching together spreadsheets or paying for enterprise software. In this one-hour session we'll show you how it works, walk through a live team dashboard, and explain how to get your own team set up at no cost.  Bring your questions, and bring whoever on your team is asking "is this actually working?"  Register at https://forms.gle/d2mLocY1MrcsazA28 and join us on October 20. kavanahanalytics.com Meta Muse Flaw Exposed Mac Users Meta fixed a security issue in its Muse AI assistant that allowed local malware to take control of the app. This meant bad software already on a user's Mac could use the permissions the user gave to the AI, like accessing files or cameras. For Mission Teams When using AI tools for digital evangelism, it is crucial to manage app permissions carefully to avoid accidental access to sensitive outreach data. Missionaries must ensure their devices are secure so that local malware cannot hijack AI assistants to disrupt their ministry efforts. https://www.esecurityplanet.com/news/news-meta-muse-ai-agent-security-flaw/ McDonald's New Marketing Model McDonald's is changing how it markets by testing a new media network to show ads on its app and in stores, aiming to make more money from its loyal customers. By using information about what people buy, it can create ads that match what customers want. For Mission Teams Why does this matter for marketing and mission teams? It is easy to focus on the big platforms such as Meta, Google and TikTok, but every app, company and platform out there is a potential opportunity for marketing and digital engagement. Teams are encouraged to think outside the box: identify the popular sites, apps and platforms in their fields of work, then explore whether digital marketing is possible on the platform itself, through alternative ad brokers, or even through Google's or Meta's own networks. https://www.marketingdive.com/news/inside-mcdonalds-new-marketing-model-as-it-enters-media-network-fray/831170/ Meta Ads Performance Benchmarks Released: How Do Your Ads Stack Up? A new report by WordStream analyzed over 1,800 Facebook ad campaigns to show average performance numbers across different industries. It tracks important metrics like click rates, costs and conversions to help organizations see if their ads are succeeding. For Mission Teams Religious organizations were not included in the evaluation, but these benchmarks still give teams a baseline to compare their own ad performance against. For example, the average CTR for the Traffic objective across all industries was 1.93%. If a team's ads are comparable, there is a higher likelihood they can be counted as a success. Note, however, that digital engagement is a very different game than standard marketing, and there are countless variables to account for, especially when marketing in different locations and languages around the world. These metrics should not be taken as gospel truth, only as points of comparison. If an ad performs poorly against these benchmarks, it may merit a closer look. https://www.wordstream.com/blog/facebook-ads-benchmarks-2026 Understanding the X Platform Ranking Algorithm This article explains the rules X uses to decide which posts people see. One of the most important: getting users to share a link or reply to your post is worth much more than a simple like. For Mission Teams For teams using X in their digital engagement work, understanding this algorithm could help your content get the engagement you want. To see all of the author's recommendations, follow the link below: https://johnjwang.com/post/2026/09/25/how-xs-ranking-algorithm-works Optimizing YouTube Descriptions for AI Search GEO researcher David Konitzny showed that when people use tools like ChatGPT to search for videos, the AI reads your YouTube description instead of listening to the video or reading its transcript. To help the AI understand your content, clearly describe what your video is about in detail and use specific timecodes in the description box. For Mission Teams By writing detailed descriptions with timecodes, you can help AI tools correctly share your gospel videos with spiritual seekers looking for answers online. Always be careful not to include any private information in these public descriptions, to protect the digital security of your ministry and audience. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/davidkonitzny_chatgpt-reads-your-youtube-description-not-share-7510237770435616768-sxNC/ Back to Basics: Creating a Meta Campaign in 2026 To run successful ad campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, advertisers must provide multiple image sizes and text options rather than just one version. This lets the advertising system automatically mix and match the best words and pictures to reach the right people. For Mission Teams Using multiple ad formats helps your ministry reach spiritual seekers more effectively by adapting to how they view social media. Key principles from the article: Multiple Formats and Placements: Do not rely on just one ad format; allow your ads to appear across all available placements. Appropriate Aspect Ratios: Use the correct image and video sizes for different spots, such as tall videos for Reels and square images for the main feed. Maximize Text Options: Write up to five unique headlines and primary text variations so the system can test different combinations. Use Felt Needs: Address specific pain points and offer clear solutions tailored to different personas. However, be careful not to assert personal attributes, as that is against Meta's advertising policies. Prioritize Uniqueness: Create distinct copy and visuals for different ads instead of copying and pasting the same text. Quality Landing Pages: Make sure the website you send people to works well, matches your ad's messaging, and looks professional to build trust. https://www.jonloomer.com/fundamental-principles-creating-meta-ads/ Elementor WordPress Security Flaw A serious security issue was found in Elementor, a popular WordPress tool, that allows hackers to take over a site if an administrator clicks a malicious link. The flaw affects millions of websites running specific versions of the tool, but a fix has already been released. For Mission Teams Ministries using WordPress and Elementor should update to version 4.3.2 immediately to prevent hackers from taking over their websites. Keeping your website secure protects the spiritual seekers who visit it and keeps your digital evangelism efforts from being disrupted by cyberattacks. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/elementor-wordpress-flaw-lets-attackers-create-admin-accounts/ OpenAI Updates ChatGPT Ads and Expands to New Markets OpenAI updated its ChatGPT Ads platform to help advertisers manage product campaigns faster and track conversion results. The platform also expanded ad availability into several new countries across Southeast Asia and Taiwan. For Mission Teams These new advertising tools let mission teams reach spiritual seekers across the newly expanded regions in Southeast Asia. Teams are encouraged to experiment with the platform in their context. https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-ads-expands-southeast-asia-taiwan/ Apple Podcasts Introduces Exclusive Video Features Apple is adding a new feature that lets podcast creators share exclusive videos with their paying subscribers. Creators can offer ad-free videos, bonus content and early access all in one place. For Mission Teams This new video feature gives ministries a creative way to share deeper discipleship content with a dedicated audience. When using premium subscriptions, teams must carefully protect the personal and financial data of their supporters. https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/23/apple-podcasts-will-soon-let-creators-offer-exclusive-videos-to-subscribers/ Adobe Expands Creative and Document Tools to AI Platforms Adobe is adding popular tools like Photoshop and Acrobat directly into AI assistants like Gemini and Claude. Users can edit photos, build graphics and modify documents without leaving their chat windows. For Mission Teams Digital evangelists who use both Adobe products and AI platforms can combine them to quickly create high-quality social media ads and content.  https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/24/adobe-expands-creative-tool-access-to-google-gemini-brings-acrobat-to-claude/ X Blocks Hundreds of Accounts in Turkey X restricted nearly 500 accounts in Turkey after local courts issued orders about posts on an investment fund crisis. The blocked accounts include journalists and academics, but they remain visible to users outside the country. For Mission Teams Government censorship on social platforms shows why ministry teams must diversify their digital strategies to stay in contact with seekers during regional crises. Teams in restrictive areas must also enforce strict operational security to protect local workers and followers from platform-level blocking or monitoring. https://thenextweb.com/news/x-blocks-accounts-turkey-fund-crisis Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement  Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here. Jon Ralls' new book–  Check out Jon Ralls' new book The Reluctant Whisper on Amazon, where he talks of evangelism from a sales pitch into an authentic act of presence—sharing faith through story, not scripts! Check it out here. Ad Resource Store- Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates and more! Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Church GAP Analysis Tool- Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or non-profit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today.  Kavanah Analytics- How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Learn More Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Jon Ralls, Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: October 2, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 25, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! We’re diving into the latest updates you need to know including the latest Next Steps Journeys Update, major updates for WhatsApp and Meta, undersea cables, and more! Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Kavanah Analytics- Webinar You're invited to a free online webinar introducing Kavanah Analytics on Monday, October 20, offered at two times to fit your team's schedule: 8:00 AM Eastern and 8:00 PM Eastern.  If your team is using digital tools to reach the lost, you already know the hard part isn't running an ad or posting a video. It's answering the questions that matter: Who responded? Did that conversation lead to a Bible study, a baptism, a disciple? Kavanah Analytics is a free tool built specifically for mission teams that automatically pulls your Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads, messaging, and follow-up data into one clear picture, so you can see the whole journey from first click to real spiritual conversation without stitching together spreadsheets or paying for enterprise software. In this one-hour session we'll show you how it works, walk through a live team dashboard, and explain how to get your own team set up at no cost.  Bring your questions, and bring whoever on your team is asking "is this actually working?"  Register at https://forms.gle/d2mLocY1MrcsazA28 and join us on October 20. kavanahanalytics.com Meta's New Subscription Plans and Link Sharing Limits Meta recently introduced new paid subscription services that, among other changes, limit free link sharing and require users to pay for basic account features. With these plans marketers, pages, brands, and others will need to subscribe to access many features that were previously unlimited, including link sharing. The new monthly plans vary in price and offer benefits such as verified account badges, AI chat assistants, and enhanced customer support. For Mission Teams For now it is an optional service and teams only need to consider a paid plan if their ministry requires features such as verified badges, expanded team access, AI auto-replies, or direct links inside organic Reels/posts. https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-one-business-plans/ Apple Releases iOS 27 to Fix Major Security Flaws Apple recently released a major software update called iOS 27 that fixes 126 different security problems on their devices. This important update stops hackers from using dangerous system flaws to break into phones and steal private information. For Mission Teams Mission teams must update their devices to ensure device and data security. https://www.esecurityplanet.com/news/news-ios-27-126-security-fixes-kernel-2026/ Meta's Muse AI Faces Blockades and Security Flaws Meta recently launched Muse, a powerful personal AI assistant designed to automate tasks like booking travel and shopping online, but it immediately faced significant roadblocks. Amazon blocked Muse from its website because it acts like a bot, and security researchers discovered a major "zero-day" vulnerability that could allow hackers to misuse the assistant's high-level access. For Mission Teams This situation warns ministries about the dangers and unpredictability of relying on new, highly privileged AI tools for digital tasks. Mission teams should prioritize secure, proven platforms and carefully evaluate new technologies before risking their accounts and seeker connections. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/09/introducing-muse-personal-ai-agent/ https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-amazon-blocks-meta-muse/ https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/09/muse-metas-extraordinarily-privileged-ai-assistant-has-a-serious-0-day/ YouTube Shorts Introduces Episodic Series YouTube is launching a new tool that lets video creators group their short clips into organized seasons and episodes. This makes it much easier for viewers to binge-watch short stories on their phones or televisions. For Mission Teams Missionaries can strategically use this multi-part format to keep seekers engaged with ongoing gospel stories that lead them toward discipleship. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/23/youtubes-new-short-series-feature-brings-episodic-viewing-to-shorts/ https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/made-on-youtube-creators-shorts-series-tv-features/? Meta Allows Threads Advertising Without an Instagram Account Meta now allows organizations to run ads on Threads without having an Instagram account or a matching username. This change makes it easier for brands to reach the growing Threads audience as a standalone platform. For Mission Teams Ministry teams can now launch targeted ad campaigns on Threads without needing to build and secure a separate Instagram presence. This lowers the barrier for teams that want to use Threads as another channel for outreach, event promotion, or sharing ministry resources. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/threads-advertisers-will-no-longer-need-an-instagram-account/830967/ WhatsApp Integrates Third-Party AI Agents on iOS WhatsApp is testing a new feature on iPhone that allows users to connect with and message up to five external AI agents directly within the app. These third-party conversations are not end-to-end encrypted, and agents can only view messages that users explicitly send to them. For Mission Teams Teams can add an AI platform to WhatsApp via an API. However, third-party integrations may introduce additional privacy and security risks. These conversations are also not end-to-end encrypted. Teams should consider these limitations carefully before using third-party AI tools within WhatsApp. https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-chats-with-third-party-agents-on-ios/ Meta Builds First Petabit Subsea Cable Meta is building a massive subsea cable named Petal to connect the United States and France with record-breaking internet speeds. By using advanced multi-core fiber technology, it will double current transatlantic data capacity without requiring extra physical infrastructure. For Mission Teams Faster global internet infrastructure means greater access to the internet worldwide, creating more opportunities to use digital engagement strategies. https://engineering.fb.com/2026/09/21/connectivity/petal-petabit-transoceanic-subsea-cable/ WhatsApp Expands Voice Message Transcriptions on Android WhatsApp is adding support for more languages to its voice message transcription feature on Android devices. The feature converts spoken audio into written text using downloadable language packs stored directly on the user's phone. For Mission Teams On-device transcription allows mission teams to review audio messages from seekers without sending sensitive voice recordings to external servers. This expanded language support helps disciple-makers quickly review voice notes in regional languages and maintain fast, personalized conversations across different cultures. https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-new-languages-for-voice-transcriptions/ Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement  Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here. Jon Ralls' new book–  Check out Jon Ralls' new book The Reluctant Whisper on Amazon, where he talks of evangelism from a sales pitch into an authentic act of presence—sharing faith through story, not scripts! Check it out here. Ad Resource Store- Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates and more! Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Church GAP Analysis Tool- Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or non-profit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today.  Kavanah Analytics- How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Learn More Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Jon Ralls, Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: September 25, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 18, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! We’re diving into the latest updates you need to know including Google Chrome updates, building websites with ChatGPT, Google Search Rank factors and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Kavanah Analytics- Webinar You're invited to a free online webinar introducing Kavanah Analytics on Monday, October 20, offered at two times to fit your team's schedule: 8:00 AM Eastern and 8:00 PM Eastern.  If your team is using digital tools to reach the lost, you already know the hard part isn't running an ad or posting a video. It's answering the questions that matter: Who responded? Did that conversation lead to a Bible study, a baptism, a disciple? Kavanah Analytics is a free tool built specifically for mission teams that automatically pulls your Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads, messaging, and follow-up data into one clear picture, so you can see the whole journey from first click to real spiritual conversation without stitching together spreadsheets or paying for enterprise software. In this one-hour session we'll show you how it works, walk through a live team dashboard, and explain how to get your own team set up at no cost.  Bring your questions, and bring whoever on your team is asking "is this actually working?"  Register at https://forms.gle/d2mLocY1MrcsazA28 and join us on October 20. kavanahanalytics.com Google Chrome Security Update Patches Active Flaw Google recently fixed a major security vulnerability in its Chrome web browser that hackers were actively exploiting to gain access to computers. Everyone should update Chrome as soon as possible to protect against these cyberattacks and help keep their information safe. For Mission Teams Keeping your web browsers updated helps protect the sensitive information of seekers you engage with through social media ads and digital platforms. This essential security practice helps ensure your team can safely execute strategies to make disciples without the risk of dangerous data breaches. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-patches-seventh-chrome-zero-day-exploited-in-attacks-this-year/ Goodbye Like Button Recent data shows a significant drop in traditional social media engagement such as likes and comments across major platforms. Algorithms now prioritize passive metrics like watch time and video completion rates to determine what content users see. For Mission Teams Teams should optimize content and strategies for watch time and other forms of engagement, rather than focusing primarily on likes and comments, to maximize performance based on how algorithms measure engagement and serve content. https://futuresocial.beehiiv.com/p/is-the-like-button-dead Building Websites With ChatGPT You can now build professional websites in minutes just by telling ChatGPT what you want it to look like. This new tool means anyone can create simple apps and web pages without knowing how to write computer code. For Mission Teams Your team can quickly launch custom landing pages linked to social media ads to safely find seekers online. This easy-to-use tool allows you to rapidly test new digital strategies for making disciples while maintaining strict control over data security. However, caution is recommended, and teams are strongly encouraged to audit the tool’s outputs for security and compliance with data protection laws, including privacy policies and other applicable requirements. https://wondertools.substack.com/p/chatgpt-sites Paid Ads Now Appear Inside AI Answers Artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT and Google are now placing paid advertisements directly alongside their generated answers. This change means organizations can no longer rely solely on free search results to reach online audiences. For Mission Teams Teams hoping to leverage AI placements should consider strategically purchasing these new ad placements to safely guide online seekers toward faith-focused content when they ask questions. https://www.thestateofbrand.com/news/chatgpt-ads-paid-ai-answers Fake Error Messages Trick Users Into Hacking Themselves Cybercriminals are using fake error messages and ads to trick people into typing harmful codes into their own Mac or Windows computers. Once a person types the code, it secretly installs a virus that steals passwords and private information. For Mission Teams Your team must be very careful when clicking on digital ads or fixing computer errors. Protecting your devices from these tricks ensures your private disciple-making strategies and seeker conversations remain completely safe from hackers. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/14/clickfix-attacks-are-tricking-mac-and-windows-users-into-hacking-themselves/ Building Custom Tools With Meta's New AI Agent Meta recently introduced a new artificial intelligence tool called Muse that helps users build web apps without knowing how to write computer code. One expert used this smart helper to quickly create a custom decision-making tool in just a single evening. For Mission Teams Teams can leverage Muse to build custom apps and tools directly in Meta's platforms. Marketer Jon Loomer used it to build a Value Rules Assessment tool for his own purposes. See the link below to see how he did it : https://www.jonloomer.com/muse-meta-ai-agent/ The Value of Being Human in an Artificial World Many people are getting tired of talking to computer robots when they try to get help online. Businesses are finding that proving real people work there actually helps them connect better with their audience. For Mission Teams Your team can stand out by making sure digital seekers know they are chatting with a real, caring person rather than an automated program. Highlighting this human connection builds deep trust with seekers while you securely guide them along a path to follow Jesus. https://www.marketingideas.com/p/proof-of-humanity-is-the-biggest?utm_source=tldrmarketing Experts Reveal Top Google Search Ranking Factors A recent survey of search engine experts found that answering a user's question directly is the best way to show up on Google. Links from other trusted websites and high-quality writing were also named as top ways to get more people to see your page. For Mission Teams Your team can find seekers and make disciples through digital platforms by designing websites that directly answer their spiritual questions. Collaborating with other trusted brands and ministries in this space is also another way to help improve ranking. https://signal.zyppy.com/p/google-ranking-factors-expert-survey?utm_source=tldrmarketing Customizable Dashboards Arrive in Google Analytics Google Analytics now includes flexible dashboards that let users view all their important data in a single report. This feature helps organizations easily design charts and track performance using simple drag-and-drop tools. For Mission Teams Your team can use these new dashboards to streamline your data analytics and sharpen your disciple-making strategy while keeping sensitive platform information securely managed. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-37-adriaan-dekker-003me/ Meta Releases Immersive Instagram Tools for Smart Glasses Meta is introducing new Instagram Story features designed specifically for users of its AI smart glasses. These tools allow creators to share multi-camera videos and interactive full-scene views directly to their social feeds. For Mission Teams eMeta glasses continue to grow in popularity. Mission teams could leverage these tools to conduct virtual prayer walks, capture footage, create more immersive content, and more. However, when sharing real-world ministry experiences, teams should carefully protect the identities and privacy of local individuals to maintain operational security and comply with local laws. https://www.instagram.com/p/DdHNxIQxhh9/?hl=en Threads Surpasses X in User Audience Growth Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that Threads is likely now larger or will soon be larger than X in user size. He explained that using multiple social platforms helps creators reach different communities where people are already spending their time. For Mission Teams As Threads continues to experience platform growth and deeper integration with Meta Business Suite and Ads Manager, it is an accessible platform for mission teams to expand into. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/threads-might-be-bigger-than-x-says-zuckerberg/830236/ WhatsApp Expands Multi-Account Support to Three Profiles on iOS WhatsApp is testing a new update for iPhone users that allows them to run three different accounts inside a single app. Each profile keeps its own separate messages, settings, and notifications so users can easily switch between phone numbers. For Mission Teams Mission teams can use these extra profiles to manage separate numbers all from a single secure device, helping to keep your personal number hidden in higher risk fields. https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-testing-support-for-up-to-three-accounts-on-ios/ Meta Launches Paid Subscription for Video Editing Tools Meta is launching a paid subscription tier called Edits Plus for its video editing application. This subscription gives creators access to extra video storage space and expanded artificial intelligence tools. For Mission Teams Yes, Meta does have an answer to CapCut, ByteDance's popular video editing tool. Edits Plus can be used to quickly produce high-quality videos for digital seekers. Upgrading will allow more access to storage and AI tools. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-announces-edits-plus-paid-subscription-tier/830473/ Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement  Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here. Jon Ralls' new book–  Check out Jon Ralls' new book The Reluctant Whisper on Amazon, where he talks of evangelism from a sales pitch into an authentic act of presence—sharing faith through story, not scripts! Check it out here. Ad Resource Store- Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates and more! Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Church GAP Analysis Tool- Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or non-profit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today.  Kavanah Analytics- How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Learn More Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Jon Ralls, Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: September 18, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 11, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! We’re diving into the latest updates you need to know including an invite to join out Kavanah Analytics Webinar,  major ways hackers are bypassing security systems and passkeys, Google ads on Waze, Vibe Coding and more! Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Kavanah Analytics- Webinar You're invited to a free online webinar introducing Kavanah Analytics on Monday, October 20, offered at two times to fit your team's schedule: 8:00 AM Eastern and 8:00 PM Eastern.  If your team is using digital tools to reach the lost, you already know the hard part isn't running an ad or posting a video. It's answering the questions that matter: Who responded? Did that conversation lead to a Bible study, a baptism, a disciple? Kavanah Analytics is a free tool built specifically for mission teams that automatically pulls your Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads, messaging, and follow-up data into one clear picture, so you can see the whole journey from first click to real spiritual conversation without stitching together spreadsheets or paying for enterprise software. In this one-hour session we'll show you how it works, walk through a live team dashboard, and explain how to get your own team set up at no cost.  Bring your questions, and bring whoever on your team is asking "is this actually working?"  Register at https://forms.gle/d2mLocY1MrcsazA28 and join us on October 20. kavanahanalytics.com Turning Off Meta's Buggy Multimedia Experience Facebook recently added a new tool that lets you put many pictures and videos into one ad, but it has a lot of bugs. You can easily turn off this new feature in your settings to go back to the older, more reliable way of making ads. For Mission Teams If you are leveraging Meta ads and hate the new UI now you can turn it off. However, even though the system can be buggy at times, members of the Kavanah Media team have come to like the new system and find it easier to use- especially when leveraging diverse creatuves, https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/turn-off-new-creative-workflow-multimedia-experience Clicking 'Allow' Could Give Hackers Access to Your Account In another Google and Microsoft attack surface- hackers can now access your entire Google or Microsoft account by tricking you into clicking "Allow" on a seemingly normal screen. Once allowed, they can read your emails and send messages to your contacts without ever needing your password. For Mission Teams Mission teams must be extremely careful when granting app permissions on devices used for digital evangelism. Hackers can use this trick to access sensitive conversations with seekers, and even changing your password won't stop them unless you remove their access in your settings. https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/clicking-allow-on-a-google-and-microsoft-permission-screens-could-give-hackers-access-to-your-entire-account-fbi-warns 39 Ways Passkeys Can Be Hacked Passkeys were designed to replace passwords by using a secure digital lock, but hackers have found 39 new ways to bypass this security. The hackers attack the systems around the passkey, like the app, browser, or cloud storage, instead of breaking the passkey itself. For Mission Teams Mission teams using passkeys for ministry platforms should not assume they are completely safe from hackers. Since hackers can still access accounts through shared devices or cloud accounts, teams need strong security measures across all digital tools used for evangelism. See the entire list here: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/39-new-methods-that-compromise-passkey-authentication/ OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Ad Tools and Global Reach OpenAI has released new tools for ChatGPT Ads that let creators build campaigns using simple text prompts, manage custom audiences better, and track ad performance more accurately. The platform also added budget pacing controls and expanded ad placement to users in Europe, India, the Middle East, and North Africa. For Mission Teams These AI tools and expanded regional footprints allow mission teams to reach seekers more effectively across Europe and the Middle East. Improved data matching and budget pacing also help teams protect user privacy and steward their evangelism resources wisely. https://ads.openai.com/?utm_source=openai_email&utm_medium=openai_email&utm_campaign=product_update Google Expands Waze Ads to 42 Countries Google is expanding Waze Ads beyond the United States to 41 additional countries through Performance Max campaigns. This update allows local organizations in 42 global markets to show location-based ads to drivers on their routes. For Mission Teams Where available local ministry teams and churches could use these location-based ads on Waze to guide nearby seekers directly to physical churches, community centers, or outreach events. Strategically targeting local drivers could help expand digital engagement into face-to-face discipleship. https://www.seroundtable.com/google-expands-waze-ads-42018.html Brands Emphasize Humanity to Rebuild Consumer Trust Many companies are designing ads that feature real human stories and handmade visual styles. This human-centered approach helps brands rebuild customer trust as public worry grows over artificial intelligence. For Mission Teams Content and news explaining this "Human Centered Content," trend is becoming more commonplace. Brands and marketers are realizing that sharing authentic human experiences in social media ads builds crucial trust with online seekers who are wary of automated content.  https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/humanity-in-advertising-ai-distrust?utm_source=tldrmarketing European Union Enforces Stricter Safety Rules on Popular Platforms The European Union placed ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox under its highest level of platform regulations after user growth surged. These services must now regularly assess risks involving minor safety, illegal content, and automated recommendation systems. For Mission Teams Tighter platform regulations in Europe could affect how ministry ad campaigns and conversational AI tools operate. While this platforms are not as widely leveraged for digital engagement by missions teams and churches, the adjustments these platforms must conform to may still affect other digital platforms, how users find and engage with content, and more. Teams should be prepared to adjust their strategies accordingly. https://www.politico.eu/article/chatgpt-reddit-roblox-face-eus-strictest-platforms-regime/ Meta Releases AI Tool for Real-Time Multilingual Transcription Meta introduced a new artificial intelligence model that transcribes live audio in over seventy languages simultaneously. The system accurately identifies more than twenty different speakers in a single recording, even when people switch languages mid-sentence. For Mission Teams This real-time translation tool allows global ministry teams to host live, multi-language meetings and broadcast outreach content seamlessly. Leveraging instant transcription helps teams securely engage diverse seekers and disciple international communities without language barriers. https://www.engadget.com/2249112/meta-new-ai-transcription-model-can-distinguist-between-multiple-speakers-and-languages-in-real-time/ Meta Disables Cameras on Smart Glasses Modified by Users Meta remotely turned off the cameras on thousands of smart glasses because users tampered with the recording lights. The company took action to prevent people from secretly filming others without their permission. For Mission Teams As smart glasses become increasingly common, the battle for user privacy intensifies. This development highlights several important concerns: Workers may be recorded at any time without their knowledge. Our sense of ownership is diminishing. While Meta's ability to detect tampering and disable devices can protect personal privacy, it also raises significant concerns about control and autonomy. https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-glasses-camera-disabled-tampering-recording-light-update-2026-9 Google Avoids Forced Breakup in Major Antitrust Ruling A federal judge ruled that Google will not have to sell its advertising exchange despite breaking antitrust laws. Instead of breaking up the company, the court ordered Google to make its ad tools work better with competing platforms. For Mission Teams Keeping Google's advertising network intact allows mission teams to continue using familiar tools to run targeted digital outreach campaigns. Improved compatibility between ad platforms helps teams protect user privacy while efficiently finding seekers and making disciples online. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/us-court-rules-google-will-not-have-to-sell-ad-exchange-after-losing-antitrust-case/?utm_source=tldrmarketing Vibe Coding Replaces Traditional Website Building Vibe coding is a new way to build websites by telling artificial intelligence what you want instead of writing complicated code. This easy method lets anyone quickly turn their ideas into a working webpage just by giving the AI specific instructions. For Mission Teams Using AI to build websites allows mission teams to quickly launch digital evangelism sites, however, it is not a complete replacement. AI can hallucinate and oftentimes misses critical website components involved in security, data privacy, compliance and more. Teams should be cautious when launching sites with AI and audit the products before launch to ensure security and compliance where relevant.   https://yoast.com/traditional-coding-vs-vibe-coding-website/?utm_source=mailblue&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_080926&utm Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement  Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here. Jon Ralls' new book–  Check out Jon Ralls' new book The Reluctant Whisper on Amazon, where he talks of evangelism from a sales pitch into an authentic act of presence—sharing faith through story, not scripts! Check it out here. Ad Resource Store- Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates and more! Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Church GAP Analysis Tool- Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or non-profit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today.  Kavanah Analytics- How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Learn More Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Jon Ralls, Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: September 11, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 4, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! We’re diving into the latest updates you need to know including malware attacks on Anthropic Claude, Apple's new CEO, Reddit's user base growth and more! Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Anthropic Warns Claude AI Users About Malware Hijacking Accounts Hackers are using hidden malware called infostealers on people's computers to steal passwords and secretly use their Claude AI accounts. Anthropic is protecting these users by logging them out and removing their payment information so they do not get overcharged. For Mission Teams Just last week, members of the Kavanah Media team helped an organization uncover an infostealer attack. These types of attacks on nonprofit organizations are becoming much more commonplace. Keeping your digital tools secure helps ensure that your strategic efforts to find seekers and make disciples can continue without harmful disruptions. Need help with cybersecurity, risk, and compliance? Send us a message here. https://www.securityweek.com/anthropic-warns-claude-users-of-infostealer-malware-infections/?utm_source=tldrinfosec Apple CEO Leadership Transition Tim Cook is stepping down as the head of Apple after fifteen years of leading the company. He is handing the role over to John Ternus but will remain with Apple to help guide the board of directors. For Mission Teams A change in Apple’s leadership could bring new security, device, and data updates that affect how your social media ads, apps, and websites reach potential seekers. Mission teams using Apple devices, apps, and other Apple services should be prepared to adjust their digital engagement strategies as changes are announced and rolled out. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-31/apple-s-cook-says-he-will-miss-this-work-as-he-leaves-ceo-role Optimizing YouTube Ad Creatives Google shared simple tips for creating better YouTube ads, such as featuring real people and clear, human voices to capture attention. The guide also warns against using fake buttons and distracting black bars in your images, helping your videos look more natural to viewers. For Mission Teams Following these guidelines could help teams improve engagement with their content and ads. https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/18061165?hl=en&utm_source=tldrmarketing Creating Helpful Content for Google Search - Have you seen it? Google wants website creators to make helpful, trustworthy content for real people instead of trying to trick search engines. You’ll do much better if you share accurate information that answers what people are actually looking for online. For Mission Teams Creating genuine, people-first content helps your team connect safely with online seekers who are asking real questions about faith. By focusing on helpful answers rather than digital tricks, you can build a sustainable strategy that leads more people toward discipleship. https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/creating-helpful-content Google Expands Ask Advisor Across Marketing Platforms Google is updating its Ask Advisor tool to share information across Google Ads, Google Analytics, Merchant Center, and Google Marketing Platform. This shared memory allows the tool to remember your campaign goals and past decisions without forcing you to restart conversations on each platform. For Mission Teams This cross-platform integration could help mission teams diagnose issues with ad strategies across multiple Google tools without losing context. By saving time and preserving campaign history, your team can more effectively run digital ads that find online seekers and guide them toward discipleship. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-35-adriaan-dekker-dk0ne/ The Rise of AI-Written Content on the Internet A new study shows that a large and growing amount of the internet is now written by artificial intelligence instead of real people. You can often spot this robot writing because it uses certain punctuation marks and fancy words much more often than human writers do. For Mission Teams Since so much online content is now made by computers, your team's authentic human voice is more important than ever for building safe and trusting relationships with seekers. By writing genuine messages instead of relying entirely on AI, you will create a secure and effective strategy to guide real people toward discipleship. https://www.pewresearch.org/data-labs/2026/08/20/how-much-of-the-internet-is-written-with-ai/?utm_source=tldrmarketing Meta's New Teen Safety Limits on Social Media Meta is adding new time limits and nighttime blocks for teenagers using Facebook and Instagram to help keep them safe online. Right now, these new rules will only happen in the United States, but other countries are asking for the same protections. For Mission Teams These new limits mean mission teams working among youth, such as church youth groups, will need to adjust their digital engagement strategies to reach teenage seekers during the hours they are actually allowed online. For teams not focusing solely on youth not much is expect to change, but this is an excellent reminder that the platforms we utilized can change at any time. Teams should build redundancy into their strategies to mitigate the risks platform changes can pose.  https://www.engadget.com/2245418/meta-teen-safety-commitments-are-us-only-for-now/ Google Launches AI Design Tool Google has created a new design tool called Google Pics that lets you build and change images just by typing what you want. This smart program lives inside tools like Google Docs to help you quickly make posters and social media posts. For Mission Teams This new artificial intelligence tool helps your mission team quickly design engaging social media ads to find online seekers without needing a professional artist. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/01/googles-answer-to-canva-is-an-ai-tool-where-you-prompt-instead-of-design/ Meta's AI Automatically Tracks Website Conversion Events Meta is using artificial intelligence to automatically detect key actions on your website and track them for advertising campaigns. This new feature helps measure important user activities, though it currently overlaps with an older tracking setting in confusing ways. For Mission Teams While not as commonly utilized by mission teams due to Meta's Religious Data Restrictions, automatic event tracking could simplify measuring traffic engagement. https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-automatic-events-feature/ Reddit's Fast Growth and New Opportunities Reddit is growing rapidly and now has more than 130 million people using it every day. People love Reddit because it offers real conversations and honest answers rather than traditional advertisements. For Mission Teams This rapid growth means mission teams could consider Reddit as another platform to include in their digital engagement work. https://sproutsocial.com/insights/reddit-statistics/ Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement  Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here. Jon Ralls' new book–  Check out Jon Ralls' new book The Reluctant Whisper on Amazon, where he talks of evangelism from a sales pitch into an authentic act of presence—sharing faith through story, not scripts! Check it out here. Ad Resource Store- Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates and more! Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Church GAP Analysis Tool- Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or non-profit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today.  Kavanah Analytics- How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Learn More Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Jon Ralls, Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: September 4, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 28, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! We’re diving into the latest updates you need to know including Meta's latest AI integrations, Iranian hacks, Instagram growth strategies and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta to Launch Hatch AI Agent and WhatsApp Integration Meta is launching a smart AI helper named Hatch that can check emails and buy things for you without leaving the app. The company might charge up to $199 per month for premium access while also letting other businesses connect their own bots through WhatsApp. For Mission Teams These new WhatsApp features offer strategic ways to find seekers and make disciples by using AI to instantly engage with people on digital platforms. However, mission teams must carefully evaluate the outputs from these tools. AI tools often hallucinate and there are serious concerns with letting AI handle the very personal work of evangelism. https://thenextweb.com/news/meta-hatch-ai-agent-watermelon-199-subscription Understanding Discontinued Facebook Ad Features So much has changed with Meta advertising over the years that it can be difficult to keep track of everything. Jon Loomer has taken the time to chronicle some of the biggest changes. After reading this list, one thing is very clear: marketing on Meta is very different from what it was and continues to change rapidly. Strategies from just a few months ago can already be outdated. For Mission Teams Mission teams should update their strategy to find seekers because many older ad targeting methods are now obsolete due to platform changes. Understanding these platform changes helps ministries create better digital ads that safely engage modern audiences. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/15-discontinued-facebook-ads-features/ Iranian Hackers Shut Down UK Power Plant Hackers from Iran recently broke into the computer systems of a small power plant in the United Kingdom and shut it down for four days. While this attack did not affect the country's main power supply, it marks the first time these hackers successfully stopped a British facility from working. For Mission Teams If may feel like these type of attacks only happen in the non-missions world, but the data would say otherwise. Nonprofit and missions agencies alike are reporting an uptick in attacks. Mission teams, churches, and agencies are encouraged to do due diligence in regards to cybersecurity and operational security. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/22/iranian-hackers-shut-down-uk-power-plant/?is=6c9d26923a16288b80f85de0340fba4f6bfb5483bde5c91e5ae0e76242c3259c Anthropic Expands AI Security Audits with Mythos 5 Anthropic recently released a smart computer tool named Mythos 5 that helps companies find and fix hidden security problems in their software code. Even with this advanced tool, human experts still need to review the suggested repairs to make sure they work correctly. For Mission Teams Mission teams and agencies leveraging digital tools of any kind are encouraged to use these same AI tools for cybersecurity, as bad actors will surely use them as well. Groups that do not leverage AI for their own defenses may be left vulnerable. Protecting the personal data of new disciples, employees, and others ensures secure digital engagement and builds a strong foundation for your online ministry strategies. https://www.esecurityplanet.com/cybersecurity/news-anthropic-mythos-5-ai-security-audits/ Instagram Updates Ad Messaging and Searchable Captions Instagram is testing a new tool that automatically sends private messages when people type specific words on your ads. The platform is also making post captions more important for search engines to help users find the stories behind your pictures. For Mission Teams Mission teams can write clear captions to help seekers easily find their content while using the new automated messaging tool to instantly share spiritual resources. https://www.jonloomer.com/reply-to-keywords-meta-ads-feature/ https://wersm.com/instagram-captions-context-search/?utm_source=tldrmarketing Meta Removes Ad Placement Controls Meta is slowly removing the ability for creators to pick exactly which apps or devices show their ads. Instead of completely blocking unwanted locations, advertisers will now need to set special bidding rules to control where their content appears. For Mission Teams Mission teams must update their ad strategies because losing control over ad placements might risk showing ads to contacts outside of desired personas. Ministries should learn to use these new rules to help avoid ad performance issues. https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-removing-placement-controls-ad-sets/ Elementor Pro Vulnerability Exposes WordPress Sites A serious security bug was found in the popular Elementor Pro WordPress plugin that allows hackers to upload bad files. This flaw means attackers could sneak harmful code into websites through the file upload forms and take control of the server. For Mission Teams Mission teams using WordPress to build evangelism websites must update their plugins immediately to stop hackers from taking control of their digital platforms. Keeping software updated protects sensitive seeker information and ensures your ministry websites stay online and safe for visitors. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/critical-elementor-pro-bug-exposes-wordpress-sites-to-rce-attacks/ Google Simplifies Tagging Tools for Faster Website Analytics Google is combining its tagging tools to make tracking website visits much easier without needing complex coding. These updates help websites load faster and allow users to visually track visitor actions in one place. For Mission Teams This consolidation could make analytics easier to manage for mission teams. Teams are encouraged to check their accounts when these changes are rolled out and familiarize themselves with the updates. https://www.seroundtable.com/google-tag-and-google-tag-manager-updated-41918.html Buffer Data Study Reveals Proven Instagram Growth Strategies A large study shows that posting helpful Instagram content three to five times a week helps accounts grow twice as fast. Creators should focus on using Reels, carousel posts, and replying to comments rather than trying to make viral videos. For Mission Teams Mission teams leveraging organic strategies should use consistent Reels and carousel posts to regularly share gospel messages with seekers who are looking for hope. Engaging with people in comment sections builds personal trust while maintaining safe digital privacy practices for your team. https://buffer.com/resources/grow-on-instagram/ WhatsApp Enhances Account Security Features WhatsApp added new security features, including stronger passwords for two-step verification and caller details for unfamiliar numbers. Users can now set up multiple passkeys across different devices to prevent hackers from taking over their accounts. For Mission Teams Missions teams and churches leveraging WhatsApp are encouraged to implement these passwords and passkeys to help keep their accounts secure. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/08/new-account-security-features-for-whatsapp/ Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement  Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here. Jon Ralls' new book–  Check out Jon Ralls' new book The Reluctant Whisper on Amazon, where he talks of evangelism from a sales pitch into an authentic act of presence—sharing faith through story, not scripts! Check it out here. Ad Resource Store- Stumped on what ads to run next? Check out Kavanah Media's Ad Resource Store for ideas, templates and more! Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Church GAP Analysis Tool- Uncover hidden risks before they become problems. Use our Free GAP Analysis Tool to evaluate your church or non-profit’s cybersecurity, compliance, and governance today.  Kavanah Analytics- How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Learn More Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Jon Ralls, Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: August 28, 2026