Weekly Marketing Rundown - December 20th, 2024

Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 21, 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 Search Ad Language targeting, Youtube Picture ads, new data privacy laws and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Google Ads Retires Campaign-Level Language Targeting Google is updating its search ads by removing the setting that lets advertisers manually choose specific languages. Instead, Google's automated systems will now match people to ads based on the languages they already read and speak. For Mission Teams Mission teams leveraging Search Campaigns must ensure their digital ad text and landing pages are perfectly translated into their target audience's exact language. Because automated delivery could expose outreach campaigns to unintended or hostile groups, ministries must closely monitor their search traffic to protect their security and digital engagement strategies. https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-is-removing-language-targeting-from-search-campaigns/585592/ OpenAI Introduces Carousel Ads to ChatGPT OpenAI is now letting companies show a scrolling list of products in their ChatGPT ads. This new format helps businesses display multiple items side-by-side to catch the attention of users chatting with the AI. For Mission Teams Mission teams could use these scrolling ads to share a variety of outreach resources, like scripture links and videos, in one engaging placement. https://digiday.com/marketing/openai-brings-product-carousels-to-chatgpt-ads/ New AI Disclosure Laws Reshape Digital Marketing New laws in Europe and California now require businesses to clearly label any pictures, videos, or sounds created by artificial intelligence. This means marketers must use special digital tags so that people always know when online content is computer-generated. For Mission Teams To safely find seekers and make disciples, mission teams operating in these jurisdictions must follow these new transparency rules whenever using artificial intelligence to create media for their digital evangelism campaigns. By honestly labeling their outreach content, ministries can build vital trust with cautious audiences while protecting their operational security from legal penalties or platform bans. https://www.thedrum.com/news/ai-disclosure-laws-arrive-in-the-eu-and-california-what-do-they-mean-for-marketers YouTube Mobile Tests New Overlay Picture Ads YouTube is testing new picture ads that pop up over the screen while people watch videos sideways on their phones. These still images appear every few minutes without stopping the video, giving advertisers a new way to show their messages. For Mission Teams Mission teams can use these new picture ads to add even more creative diversity to their add strategies on YouTube. https://ppcnewsfeed.com/ppc-news/2026-08/youtube-tests-image-ads-horizontal-mobile-playback/ New WhatsApp Security Warning System for Unverified Messages WhatsApp is testing a warning system to alert users when receiving messages from unverified contacts. The alert helps users identify potential scams before replying to unfamiliar accounts. For Mission Teams This new safety alert helps protect field workers from falling for phishing attempts on WhatsApp. However, new seekers contacting your ministry account for the first time may also see this security prompt. https://engineering.fb.com/2026/08/12/security/how-were-building-scam-alert-whatsapp/ Apple Issues Critical Spyware Threat Notifications Apple is alerting targeted iPhone users about sophisticated spyware attacks that could compromise their devices. These push notifications serve as critical warnings that hackers are actively attempting to steal personal information from specific individuals. For Mission Teams Particularly important for teams operating in sensitive fields with a high risk of nation-state interference, Apple’s security alerts should be taken seriously to protect digital networks and sensitive contacts. By securing devices immediately when warned, ministries can help prevent hostile actors from accessing their outreach campaigns and compromising their disciple-making efforts. https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/13/if-apple-sends-you-a-push-notification-alerting-you-to-a-spyware-attack-take-it-seriously/ Rise of Relatability Trends in Social Video Marketing Recent social media trends show that unpolished, relatable video content is outperforming high-budget advertisements. Audiences favor simple personal stories over formal corporate promotions. For Mission Teams Authentic videos recorded on a phone by real believers will likely connect better than expensive studio videos. Simple, honest video testimony builds trust faster with seekers browsing social media. https://bluehaloagency.com/news/social-media-trends-august-2026/ WhatsApp Introduces Usernames for Private Messaging WhatsApp is updating its app to let people save and use usernames instead of phone numbers. This change will soon allow users to chat with new contacts without sharing their personal phone details. For Mission Teams This is just the latest update related to WhatsApps' shift to usernames. Mission teams can use these new usernames to safely connect with seekers without revealing their real phone numbers. This update improves operational security while making it easier to share the gospel and disciple people in hostile areas. https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-launches-a-username-field-for-new-contacts/ YouTube Transforms Search with Conversational AI Chatbot YouTube is releasing a new tool across all devices that lets users ask questions and get helpful answers instead of just a list of videos. This smart chat feature remembers what you are talking about and acts more like a personal assistant than a regular search bar. For Mission Teams Ministries should closely monitor how their videos are tagged to ensure that artificial intelligence correctly identifies and recommends their biblical resources as potential seekers use the new integrated AI search feature. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-access-to-its-in-app-ai-chatbot/827757/ Understanding Video View Counts Across Different Platforms Social media apps have very different rules for what they count as a video view. While some apps count a view the second a video starts, others require someone to watch for several seconds before it counts. Here are some examples: Facebook Reels: organic views count after just 1+ millisecond. Instagram Reels: organic views count as soon as a video starts or replays. YouTube: from 24 August, public views count from the first frame. YouTube Shorts: public views count immediately, including replays. TikTok: views count as soon as the video starts. YouTube ads: many only count after 30 seconds or an interaction. For Mission Teams Mission teams must understand these different rules so they can accurately track how many seekers are actually watching their digital evangelism videos. See the full list put together by Axios below: https://www.axios.com/media-trends-membership/2026/08/18/youtube-video-views Google Data Studio Adds New Reporting and Design Tools Google Data Studio updated its platform to make creating and viewing reports much easier. Users can now expand charts to full screen, copy visuals as pictures, and customize their report designs. For Mission Teams These design upgrades help ministry teams clearly track and evaluate how seekers engage with their online evangelism campaigns. Better visual reports allow leaders more options when reporting metrics. https://docs.cloud.google.com/data-studio/release-notes Polite Replies to Unknown Texts Can Cost You Replying to a text message from a stranger confirms that your phone number is active and monitored. Criminal syndicates use these polite responses to profile targets and sell verified numbers for higher prices on the dark web. For Mission Teams Workers should avoid responding to unexpected texts from unknown numbers while conducting online ministry. Maintaining strict boundary practices on mobile channels protects team members from targeted social engineering tactics and prevents ministry phone numbers from being further attacked and exploited. https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/threat-intel/2026/08/your-polite-reply-to-that-text-is-worth-2-on-the-dark-web Mission Media U Practitioner Fellowship We live in a digital world.  But our discipling mandate hasn't changed.  Join our partners at Mission Media U for a two-month practitioner fellowship from 24-September to 19-November-2026 with a focus on Personal Digital Disciple-Making.  Limited seats available.  Submit your application today.   Learn more here: https://www.missionmediau.org/fellowship/ 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 21, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - May 15, 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 launch of Kavanah Analytics, Fake Claude links, Meta patches 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: Turning Data into Mission Action How is your digital content truly impacting lives? We created Kavanah Analytics to help churches and mission teams answer that question. Kavanah Analytics is a powerful, user-friendly tool that tracks the journey from the first ad click to Disciple.tools entries. With easy-to-read maps and dashboards, you’ll no longer have to guess how to digital engagement strategy is performing- you will see it! Click the link below to learn more: kavanahanalytics.com Fake Claude AI Software Delivers Malware Through Google Ads Hackers are using deceptive Google search ads to trick people into downloading fake versions of the Claude AI application. These malicious ads lead to professional-looking websites that install dangerous software designed to steal your personal data and passwords. For Mission Teams This scam specifically targets digital tools your team might use for content creation and evangelism automation. Using unverified AI software can compromise your ministry's accounts and leak sensitive information about the seekers you are trying to reach. Only download software from trusted sources. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-claude-mac-download-google-ads-malware/?email_hash=daf5ed6a723491ea96e0ad54c9b5e613 Encrypted RCS Messaging Enhances Cross-Platform Security Apple and Google have launched a beta for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android users. This update replaces old texting standards with stronger security features designed to keep conversations private from outside parties. For Mission Teams While not as widely used by mission teams globally, this rollout could significantly boost security for teams leveraging SMS for team communications. Team members should confirm that the lock icon is visible to ensure discipleship conversations remain confidential and secure from surveillance. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/05/end-to-end-encrypted-rcs-messaging-begins-rolling-out-today-in-beta/ Meta Patches Critical Security Flaws in WhatsApp Meta recently fixed two major security bugs that could let hackers trick users into opening dangerous files or links. These flaws affected billions of people using WhatsApp on phones and computers, making it easier for scams to look real. For Mission Teams Updating your app is vital for security. Maintaining current software protects your team's digital identity and the security of seekers you contact through the platform. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-whatsapp-users-update-meta-security-flaws/ Meta Introduces AI Tools for Business Messaging on Messenger Meta is launching new AI features to help organizations automate conversations and respond to inquiries more efficiently. These tools allow for personalized interactions and faster support by using artificial intelligence to handle common questions. For Mission Teams Members of the Kavanah team have not yet begun experimenting with this tool. There are legitimate concerns surrounding AI hallucinations and the ability of automated systems to facilitate authentic, gospel-centered conversations. However, as Meta continues refining the platform, it may become a viable alternative to chatbot tools such as ManyChat. Keeping these systems within Meta’s ecosystem could also offer advantages in scalability, integration, and overall cost efficiency. https://www.facebook.com/business/ai/business-ai/messenger Self-Serve ChatGPT Ads Beta Launches for Advertisers OpenAI has launched a self-serve Ads Manager beta, allowing U.S.-based businesses to create and manage advertisements directly within ChatGPT. The platform includes basic campaign management tools such as budget controls and cost-per-click (CPC) bidding, with sponsored content appearing contextually within AI conversations. For Mission Teams Although the platform is still in beta and currently limited to U.S.-based advertisers, it may represent a significant new opportunity for digital engagement. Context-based ad placement could allow teams to reach seekers during relevant spiritual, emotional, or life-stage conversations in a more natural way than traditional social advertising. At the same time, these tools remain very early-stage. Teams should approach experimentation carefully, particularly since conversion tracking and long-term performance data are still limited. Close monitoring will be important as the platform evolves. Kavanah Media has applied for access to the platform and is currently awaiting approval. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/self-serve-chatgpt-ads-beta-details/ Google Ads Mandates Passkeys for Sensitive Actions Starting July 15, 2026, Google Ads will require passkeys for high-risk actions such as modifying billing or changing user permissions. These cryptographic credentials use device-level biometrics or PINs to replace traditional passwords and provide stronger protection against phishing and account takeovers. For Mission Teams Implementing passkeys protects your ministry's ad account. Teams should set up passkeys now to avoid a seven-day security delay that could block urgent campaign adjustments after the July deadline. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-19-adriaan-dekker-5lsye/ https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/16917887?hl=en Google Tag Manager Evolves into Google Tags At Google Marketing Live 2026, Google announced that GTM containers can now be upgraded to "Google Tags" to streamline tracking. This optional update introduces "Destinations," allowing teams to manage multiple platform settings from a single central location without loading redundant code. For Mission Teams The new visual event builder makes it easier for non-technical team members to track seeker interactions on landing pages without complex coding. Centralizing destinations improves website performance and security, ensuring that sensitive data is handled consistently across all evangelism campaigns. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-19-adriaan-dekker-5lsye/ TikTok Launches Ad-Free Subscription in the UK TikTok now allows users in the United Kingdom to pay a monthly subscription fee for an ad-free experience on the platform. This move follows a broader trend among social media companies, including Meta, toward offering paid versions of their apps with reduced or removed advertising. For Mission Teams   While TikTok has traditionally been more difficult to use for paid evangelism advertising due to religious content restrictions, it tends to offer higher engagement rates — often at a premium cost. Teams running campaigns in the UK should also account for a reduced addressable audience, as a portion of users opt out of sponsored content entirely. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/39046267/tiktok-ad-free-subscription-remove-ads/ Disney Expands Short-Form Video and Creator Partnerships Disney is launching a new vertical video feed called Verts to share short clips and creator content. This move aims to connect with younger audiences who prefer quick and interactive videos over traditional formats. For Mission Teams While not directly related to digital engagement platforms, Disney’s latest move highlights the growing importance of short-form, Reels-style video content across the broader media landscape. Mission teams should continue prioritizing these formats to maximize visibility and engagement across major social platforms. https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/05/11/disney-is-doubling-down-on-short-form-including-creator-partnerships/ WhatsApp Adds Incognito AI for Private Messaging WhatsApp now offers a private way to talk to AI where your messages disappear and leave no history. Meta claims their new system keeps these conversations secret even from the company itself. For Mission Teams This update could provide a more private environment for seekers to ask sensitive questions about faith without generating a highly visible digital trail. Mission teams may benefit by ensuring their websites and content are optimized for AI discovery and indexing. At the same time, teams should remain cautious about the information they share with AI agents themselves. Although Meta states that it cannot view certain protected data, privacy and security risks still remain. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99lmyr1dnxo 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: May 15, 2026