Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 23, 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