Weekly Marketing Rundown - 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 - August 7, 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 several Signal updates, Instagram user demographics, changes to ChatGPT ads, concerns over new fake WIFI network attacks, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM New ChatGPT Ad Features For Custom Audiences And AI Generation OpenAI is testing new features for ChatGPT Ads that let advertisers target specific people using email lists and also an artificial intelligence tool that can automatically write ad content based on a website. For Mission Teams As ChatGPT continues to develop it's advertising platform and it's capabilities, marketing on the platform is becoming even easier. Teams are encouraged to experiment with the platform, but more long term data on its effectiveness in digital engagement is still forthcoming. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-july-recap-adriaan-dekker-qwf1e/ Signal Adds Automatic Security Warnings for External Links Signal is rolling out automatic safety checks when users click web links inside private chats. The app displays a warning screen if a link leads to a known dangerous or fraudulent site. For Mission Teams This feature adds an extra layer of protection for all Signal users by requiring one additional step before potentially malicious links can be opened. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/signal-adds-security-warnings-for-social-engineering-phishing-attacks/ YouTube Shorts Launches Interactive Poll Stickers for Ads YouTube now allows content creators and advertisers to add clickable polling stickers directly to Shorts videos. Viewers can vote on options without leaving the video player or stopping their viewing session. For Mission Teams Interactive polls could provide a simple way to engage ad viewers by asking spiritual questions or offering encouragement. Teams are encouraged to test the feature before a full rollout. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-adds-poll-stickers-shorts-ad-category-blocking-channels/730826/ New WhatsApp Group Chat Features WhatsApp is adding new tools to make talking in groups much easier. Users can now tag everyone at once, change poll settings, and quickly create side chats from a big group. For Mission Teams These updates allow teams using WhatsApp Groups more capability when managing group chats. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/08/were-upgrading-your-whatsapp-group-chats/ Starting Campaigns With Fewer Ads According to Jon Loomer, launching a new campaign with a large number of ads often reduces quality and wastes time. It is generally better to start with a small number of high-quality ads, identify what performs best, and then scale from there. For Mission Teams In both marketing and digital engagement, simplicity is often the best strategy. It is generally better to start small and grow than to build an overly complex campaign from the outset. More often than not, launching a simple ad and allowing the data to guide future strategy adjustments is more effective than adding unnecessary complexity. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/start-with-fewer-ads/ Fake Updates on Hotel Wi-Fi Install Spyware Hackers are breaking into hotel Wi-Fi networks to trick guests into downloading fake software updates. If users click on the fake updates, the hackers install a program that can steal passwords and take pictures from their webcams. For Mission Teams Missionaries traveling and using hotel Wi-Fi should avoid connecting to untrusted Wi-Fi networks, avoid public Wi-Fi whenever possible, and consider using a VPN. Workers should also be cautious about clicking pop-ups or software update prompts while connected to public networks to help protect their digital security and communications. https://thehackernews.com/2026/08/hijacked-hotel-wi-fi-pushes-fake.html Signal Expands Multi-Device Support to Secondary iPhones Signal now allows iPhone users to link a second iPhone to their existing account using end-to-end encryption. Users can choose to sync their full chat history and 45 days of saved media across both mobile devices. For Mission Teams This update makes it easier for mission teams to separate personal phone numbers from secure ministry accounts across multiple devices. Field workers can manage sensitive seeker messages on a backup test phone without losing access to encrypted conversation histories. https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/04/signals-latest-ios-update-expands-multi-device-feature-for-iphone-users/ Platforms Crack Down on Low-Quality AI Content Major social media platforms are tightening their rules to limit low-effort, AI-generated content across their services. Companies such as YouTube, TikTok, Snap, and Meta are introducing mandatory labels, watermarks, and reduced distribution to help curb spammy content. For Mission Teams Relying on fully automated AI tools to quickly produce large volumes of gospel content could eventually reduce your account's overall reach. Teams should prioritize authentic, human-led messaging and content to help ensure their digital outreach efforts are not penalized or flagged as low-quality spam. https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-slop-substack-youtube-tiktok-pinterest-facebook-instagram-threads-2026-7 Meta Ads Introduces Stablecoin Payment Options Meta now allows businesses to pay for ad campaigns using stablecoins, digital currencies designed to maintain a consistent value, such as USDC. A third-party payment provider converts the digital funds into local currency before crediting the advertising account. For Mission Teams This payment option provides field teams in financially restricted countries a flexible way to fund gospel ad campaigns without relying on local banks. However, teams must use secure digital wallets to protect financial assets and maintain operational privacy. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-ads-introduces-stablecoin-payment-options/827034/ X Blocks Account Access in Saudi Arabia Following Government Demands X has started blocking dozens of user accounts inside Saudi Arabia after receiving official legal demands from the local government. The platform stated these restrictions were necessary to comply with local laws regarding public order and religion. For Mission Teams This censorship highlights how quickly governments can force tech platforms to restrict accounts operating in sensitive regions. Mission teams must establish secondary communication channels so connections with local seekers are not lost if primary social media pages are suddenly blocked. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/aug/04/x-twitter-blocks-dissident-accounts-saudi-arabia Myspace Owners Plan Relaunch of Social Platform The owners of Myspace announced plans to bring back the once-popular social media network. While no official launch date was given, they hope to revive the classic platform for old and new users. For Mission Teams While a Myspace comeback is driven by nostalgia, mission teams should monitor if it creates new digital communities for online outreach. However, teams should keep primary digital evangelism resources focused on established platforms where seekers currently gather. https://mashable.com/life/myspace-comeback-owners-relaunch-plans Google AI Max Will be Standard In September Google is updating its Dynamic Search Ads to an artificial intelligence system called AI Max. This tool automatically creates ad headlines and connects people’s search questions directly to the best page on a website. For Mission Teams This upgrade helps match seekers with gospel resources. However, teams must carefully monitor these automated systems for relevancy and performance. https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/dsa-upgrade-to-ai-max-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: August 7, 2026