Weekly Marketing Rundown - May 22, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - April 24, 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 cybersecurity worries, a reminder that you can integrate Tiktok and Meta Analytics with GA4, the latest Canva update and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Windows Infostealer Distributed via Fake VPN Sites and Gaming Mods Hackers are creating fake websites for popular tools like Proton VPN to trick people into downloading harmful software. Once installed, this virus steals private data and passwords directly from your computer. For Mission Teams Missions teams should only download files from trusted and verified sources. https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/threat-intel/2026/04/from-fake-proton-vpn-sites-to-gaming-mods-this-windows-infostealer-is-everywhere Unified Data Import for Google Analytics Google Analytics now allows users to bring in data from platforms like Meta and TikTok for free to see all marketing results in one place. This tool helps people understand how their total budget is performing without needing to check many different websites. For Mission Teams Consolidating data from multiple social media advertising platforms can help mission teams identify which channels are most effective for connecting with seekers. A unified view of performance data enables better stewardship of resources and helps ensure that engagement insights remain organized within a single trusted dashboard. However, some Kavanah Media team members have reported challenges with these integrations. Teams should test these tools carefully before full adoption and be aware that Google may modify or discontinue these features in the future. Have you implemented this approach? What has your experience been? https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9164320?hl=en The Shift Toward Sovereign Messaging Government officials across parts of Europe are moving away from widely used apps like WhatsApp in favor of state-developed communication platforms. This shift reflects a growing desire for greater control over sensitive data, particularly in response to concerns about foreign surveillance and cyber threats. For Mission Teams This trend highlights the increasing risk of relying solely on commercial messaging platforms for sensitive outreach and internal communication, especially in restricted or high-surveillance regions. Government entities, corporations, and even mission agencies are beginning to prioritize platforms they can directly control or manage. For many mission teams, tools like Signal remain a viable option due to their strong security features. However, teams should carefully assess their risk tolerance and choose communication tools that align with their specific security needs and operating environments. https://www.politico.eu/article/european-civil-servants-new-messaging-services/ Canva AI 2.0 and the Future of Design Canva has updated its platform with a powerful AI assistant that creates complete designs from simple descriptions. This new system can manage complex tasks and use multiple creative tools at once to save time. For Mission Teams These updated automated design tools can help mission teams with limited resources efficiently create professional social media ads to better reach seekers. https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/16/canvas-ai-assistant-can-now-call-various-tools-to-make-designs-for-you/ Instagram Analytics Upgrade for Content Reach Instagram has added a new dashboard that ranks post results based on what actually helps more people see your content. The system compares every new post to your last five to show you exactly which ones are performing best. For Mission Teams These reach-focused metrics help teams leveraging organic campaigns to quickly identify which specific messages or formats are most effective at finding new seekers. By understanding what drives distribution, digital evangelists can stop guessing and focus their strategy on content that successfully starts new spiritual conversations. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/samanthabensimonyehle_instagram-now-has-the-most-insightful-performance-ugcPost-7450196573705342976-pZKl/ Mobile App Sharing with Precision Timestamps YouTube has added a new feature to its mobile app that lets users share a video starting at a specific second. While this new sharing tool is being added, YouTube is also removing its older Clips feature. For Mission Teams This update allows digital evangelists to share specific, impactful gospel moments from long videos directly with seekers. Teams must adjust their strategy to use these precise timestamps for engagement since the internal Clips tool is no longer available for highlighting key discipleship content. https://www.theverge.com/streaming/913611/youtube-mobile-app-share-at-timestamp-clips Global Expansion of Meta AI Business Assistant Meta is expanding its AI business assistant globally to help advertisers manage campaigns across multiple languages. The tool is designed to streamline troubleshooting, provide automated recommendations, and improve overall campaign efficiency. For Mission Teams While Meta Ads Manager can present challenges—particularly around reliability and support responsiveness—this global rollout may offer new opportunities for mission teams to optimize ad performance, resolve issues more quickly, and reach seekers more effectively in local languages. Automated recommendations can improve efficiency, but teams should carefully evaluate how AI-driven targeting and optimization may impact the digital security and privacy of those engaging with gospel content. https://www.facebook.com/business/news/meta-ai-business-assistant-expands-globally-with-more-languages Meta Value Rules for Targeted Audiences Meta is introducing Value Rules, a feature that allows advertisers to signal which audiences are most valuable to their goals. Instead of optimizing only for clicks or conversions, these rules help the system prioritize users who are more likely to take higher-value actions. For Mission Teams Mission teams can use Value Rules to guide the algorithm toward more meaningful engagement—such as prioritizing new contacts, highly engaged users, or specific audience segments. While this does not replace detailed targeting, it does offer a degree of strategic input that helps shape how campaigns are optimized. https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-value-rules-audiences/ Religious Affiliation Trends Among Immigrants Research indicates that immigrants to the United States tend to become less religiously affiliated over time, reflecting broader trends in the general population. While newcomers are often assumed to be more devout, data suggests that both religious identity and church attendance frequently decline after resettlement. For Mission Teams These trends suggest a potential window of opportunity for early engagement with first-generation immigrants as they adjust to a new cultural environment. Digital outreach efforts may be more effective when they address the immediate questions of identity, community, and belonging that often accompany relocation. Mission teams can use these insights to shape thoughtful, culturally aware campaigns. However, teams should also ensure that all outreach efforts comply with platform advertising policies and respect local sensitivities. https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/the-myth-of-the-devout-immigrant Threads Launches Live Chats for Real-Time Interaction Threads has introduced Live Chats to allow groups of up to 150 people to have public conversations during live events. This new feature includes interactive tools like real-time polls, countdowns, and media sharing to keep users engaged as events happen. For Mission Teams Live Chats provide a powerful way for digital evangelists to host real-time spiritual discussions or Q&A sessions with seekers during significant global events. Teams must monitor these public chats closely to manage security and ensure that participants can engage in a safe environment without exposing sensitive personal information. https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/22/threads-is-adding-live-chats-to-boost-real-time-engagement/ Foundations of Digital Engagement Strategy Course May 13-16, 2026 (Pre-EMDC Training) Chiang Mai, Thailand This course is for you. Digital permeates virtually every aspect of people's lives and it should be present in every stage of your mission and ministry strategy. Join Kavanah Media staff during the Pre-EMDC training week for a time of practical training in digital engagement. This course is designed for you to examine your end to end strategy and find ways that digital components can be added or improved whether you are just ready to begin or an experienced practitioner. Follow the link or contact us for more details. https://emdcon.org/ 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. YouVersion Reading Plan– Jon Ralls, CEO of Kavanah Media, just launched a powerful 4-day devotional on YouVersion called "Love Where You Are." Subscribe 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.  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: Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: April 24, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - June 5, 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 new Paid Subscriptions for it's platforms, Google's work to add a CRM to Google Ads, one final update regarding Instagram's message encryption, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta Launches Paid Subscriptions for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp Meta launched paid subscription plans for its flagship apps on May 27, 2026, with Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus rolling out globally. The subscriptions unlock additional features, including enhanced analytics and expanded audience reach. The move comes as Meta faces increased investor scrutiny over its substantial AI investments and seeks to diversify its revenue streams beyond advertising. For Mission Teams Paid subscription tiers that offer expanded audience reach and enhanced analytics could provide business pages with a meaningful boost in visibility, along with improved tools for content creation and management. It is reasonable to assume that mission teams may experience similar benefits. However, teams should carefully evaluate the costs and test the platform's functionality before incorporating it into their digital engagement strategies. https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/meta-launches-paid-subscriptions-instagram-212733317.html Instagram Ends End-to-End Encrypted Messaging Instagram removed end-to-end encryption for direct messages between users starting May 8, 2026, meaning Meta can now potentially see the contents of all messages on the platform. Encrypting messages had been an optional feature in Instagram since 2023, but the platform quietly updated its help page to announce the feature would no longer be available. For Mission Teams Ministry teams using Instagram DMs for sensitive conversations with seekers, new believers, or contacts in restricted-access countries should be aware that those messages are no longer private from Meta. For confidential outreach, switching to WhatsApp or Signal, both of which still offer strong encryption, is strongly recommended. https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/05/psa-instagram-encrypted-messaging-ends-may-8/ EU Fines Meta Up to $12 Billion Over Children's Safety Failures on Instagram and Facebook On April 29, 2026, the European Commission announced preliminary findings that Meta’s Instagram and Facebook platforms may be in breach of the Digital Services Act for failing to adequately prevent children under 13 from accessing their services. The Commission noted that children can enter false birth dates without verification and that certain reporting tools require up to seven clicks to access. If these preliminary findings are confirmed, Meta could face fines of up to 6 percent of its total worldwide annual turnover, which could amount to as much as $12 billion. For Mission Teams This story is a reminder that digital platforms are beholden to state actors and laws. These tools can change at any time. Teams should review their own platforms and plan for redundancy. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001326801/000121465926006412/o514269px14a6g.htm Apple Tests New iPhone Anti-Theft Security Feature Apple is testing a new safety feature that automatically locks an iPhone if someone steals it from your hand. It uses motion sensors and location checks to quickly protect your personal information from thieves. For Mission Teams This feature improves physical and digital security for ministries running digital engagement projects in secure fields. Automatically locking a snatched device prevents criminals from accessing sensitive disciple-making apps and communication channels. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-apple-iphone-anti-snatching-lock-feature/ Google Is Upgrading All Dynamic Search Ads to AI Max This September Google announced that AI Max for Search campaigns is moving out of beta, and that campaigns using AI Max see an average of 7 percent more conversions or conversion value at a similar cost per acquisition when using the full feature suite compared to using search term matching alone. Starting in September, campaigns using Dynamic Search Ads, automatically created assets, and campaign-level broad match settings will automatically be upgraded to AI Max. For Mission Teams If your ministry uses Google Search ads to connect with people seeking faith-related content, this change is approaching quickly. Teams should review their account settings and prepare their campaigns for the automatic upgrade to help ensure a smooth transition and avoid disruptions to ongoing outreach efforts. https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/dsa-upgrade-to-ai-max-2026/ TikTok Is Quietly Becoming a Super App TikTok launched TikTok GO earlier in May, allowing users to discover and book hotels, attractions, tours, and other experiences directly within the app. The company is also reportedly pursuing a fintech license as it continues expanding its ecosystem and moving more transactions onto the platform. Rather than directing users to third-party websites, TikTok is increasingly positioning itself as a one-stop platform for discovery, decision-making, and transactions. While many users already rely on TikTok as a search tool and, in some cases, an alternative to Google, this latest move places the platform in more direct competition with Google's core Search and Maps businesses. For Mission Teams TikTok’s expansion into travel, shopping, and potentially financial services means more people, especially younger audiences, are spending increasing amounts of time inside the app each day. This presents a growing opportunity for ministries to reach people where they already are, but it also requires a clear, consistent TikTok presence and strategy to remain visible within a rapidly expanding ecosystem. It should be noted, however, that there are significant concerns around scalability, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance when leveraging TikTok for digital engagement. Some teams have experienced ad account restrictions related to religious content, while others have seen success. It is also recommended that TikTok, or any other apps owned by its parent company ByteDance, be installed on separate devices due to these security considerations and broader concerns about data governance. https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/30/tiktoks-road-to-becoming-a-super-app/ Meta Ads Manager Introduces New Campaign Grouping Feature Meta Ads Manager is testing a new Grouping tool that lets advertisers organize campaigns by similar settings or goals. This feature clumps similar choices together to make your advertising reports much easier to read. For Mission Teams This tool improves strategic application by grouping ads to see which funnel stages drive the highest digital engagement with seekers. It also could simplify data management, reducing the security risk of exposing detailed ministry strategies when sharing reports. https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-ads-grouping-reports-chatgpt-conversions/ OpenAI Ads Manager Beta and ChatGPT Updates OpenAI has added several new budgeting and targeting tools to its advertising platform. They are also testing grouped ad placements inside ChatGPT to help advertisers connect with interested users. For Mission Teams These updates let ministries safely control daily ad spending while scaling outreach to seekers in new countries. Displaying ads inside active AI conversations offers a strategic new way to build digital engagement. https://ads.openai.com Google Ads Limits Historical Reporting Data Access Starting June 1, 2026, Google Ads will automatically delete detailed hourly, daily, and weekly performance data that is more than 37 months old. Advertisers must manually export and save this granular tracking information if they want to keep it for long-term campaign planning. For Mission Teams Ministries leveraging those data points must proactively archive their detailed ad history to protect valuable strategic insights regarding seeker engagement and digital outreach patterns. https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ads-delete-performance-data-41403.html Google Ads Enhances Lead Tracking and Ad Approval Speed Google Ads added a built-in dashboard to track and organize new leads directly inside the platform, similar to a CRM. It also introduced real-time policy reviews to instantly approve search ads during creation. For Mission Teams This centralized dashboard helps ministry teams securely monitor seeker engagement and train AI to find high-intent contacts. Quick ad approvals also allow strategic outreach campaigns to launch immediately without frustrating delays. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-22-adriaan-dekker-bl6me/ WhatsApp Develops On-Device Scam Alert Feature WhatsApp is creating a new feature that warns users when they receive suspicious messages from unknown accounts. This safety tool checks messages directly on your phone so private conversations stay completely encrypted. For Mission Teams This feature allows users, including mission teams, to spot fraudulent contacts without exposing private conversations with seekers. Strategically training your team to enable this setting protects your disciple-making network from malicious phishing attempts. https://www.androidpolice.com/scam-detection-but-on-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.  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: Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: June 5, 2026