Weekly Marketing Rundown - December 27th, 2024

Weekly Marketing Rundown - July 3, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! This week Meta launched the Muse Image AI Generator, Google Consent Mode and bidding rules changed, concerns rise over Google Search data used for AI training, ChatGPT added new ad targeting features, and an Indian court order impacts domain privacy globally. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Moody Bible Institute breach exposes 2.3 million records Moody Bible Institute, a Chicago-based Christian college, confirmed a data breach after the ShinyHunters extortion group leaked over 2.3 million email addresses and personal data belonging to donors, students, alumni, and supporters. The group used a pay-or-leak campaign, and when demands were not met, they published the stolen data publicly. For Mission Teams This breach is a direct warning to faith-based organizations that donor and constituent data is a target for financially motivated hackers. Any ministry collecting email addresses, donation records, or other personal identifiable information should audit its security practices and ensure third-party platforms are secured with multi-factor authentication. https://cyberpress.org/moody-bible-institute-data-breach/ India court order could strip global domain privacy An Indian court ruling requires domain registrars to stop offering free default WHOIS privacy protection and to disclose domain owner information to anyone claiming a legitimate interest within 72 hours. GoDaddy, which manages 80 million domain names, warns that the ruling could have global implications because domain names are not region-restricted. The company has filed a 5,121-page appeal, which is scheduled to be heard on July 16. For Mission Teams Ministry websites registered through GoDaddy or similar registrars could eventually have their owner contact information made publicly searchable if this ruling stands. Teams managing ministry domains should check whether their WHOIS privacy protection is active and monitor this case as it develops. https://gizmodo.com/godaddy-sounds-alarm-over-how-india-law-would-upend-internet-privacy-everywhere-2000781210 Expanding Digital Evangelism into Virtual Reality Christian groups are now using virtual reality platforms to meet new people and share their faith online. These digital worlds have become a brand new mission field for reaching people who feel lonely or want a community. For Mission Teams Virtual reality offers an interesting avenue for bypassing some of the restrictions that believers and mission teams face in different countries around the world. It could become a valuable addition to existing digital engagement strategies, complementing current social media outreach and advertising efforts. However, experimentation and training are essential. These platforms differ significantly from the digital engagement platforms most teams currently use. Security, bandwidth, accessibility, user adoption, and team training all present important challenges that should be carefully considered. https://www.npr.org/2026/07/02/g-s1-131124/christian-missionaries-have-found-a-new-virtual-mission-territory Meta launches Muse Image AI generator Meta released Muse Image on July 7, 2026, its first in-house AI image generation model developed by Meta Superintelligence Labs. It is now available for free in the Meta AI app, in Instagram Stories in the United States, and in WhatsApp in a limited number of countries. The model allows users to generate and edit images from text prompts, and advertisers will soon be able to access it through Advantage+ creative tools to create ad variations without a traditional design process. For Mission Teams Churches and mission teams can use tools like Muse Image to create visual content for outreach campaigns more affordably. However, teams should be aware that the feature can manipulate public Instagram photos, raising new questions about consent and the appropriate use of images. From a security and privacy perspective, teams should also note Meta's expanded AI access to user-uploaded media and review their organization's social media policies accordingly. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/07/meta-ai-muse-image.html Google Search uploads now train AI by default Google updated its Search services privacy settings in June 2026 so that images, audio, files, and video you upload through tools like Google Lens and Google Translate are used to train its AI models unless you manually opt out. The setting called Search Services History is enabled by default, and anonymized versions of data already collected can remain in Google's training systems for up to four years, even after deletion. For Mission Teams Anyone in your organization using Google Lens to photograph documents or using Google Search voice input on behalf of the ministry may be unintentionally allowing sensitive content to be used by Google's AI systems, depending on their account settings. Teams should review their Google account settings and disable the Save Media option under Search Services History if they want to reduce potential data exposure. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-google-search-uploads-train-ai-opt-out/ Google Tag Manager interface updates and tracking reliability Google Tag Manager has a new look that makes it much easier for beginners to use. However, its new visual builder tool can cause tracking errors if your website design changes. For Mission Teams While these tools make it easier for teams to run ads and reach spiritual seekers, they must be configured correctly. Misconfigurations, website changes, and even platform updates can lead to broken analytics and potential non-compliance with data privacy laws. Interested in using Google Analytics or Google Tag Manager but not sure where to begin? Reach out—we'd love to help. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-27-adriaan-dekker-glo6e/ Meta rolls out Muse Image for advertisers Alongside the consumer launch of Muse Image, Meta announced that advertisers and agencies will gain access to the model through Advantage+ creative tools in the coming weeks. This will allow brands to generate ad image variations and edit campaign assets without a traditional design cycle. Meta says the model can produce on-brand ad variations with fewer iterations by combining native reasoning with advertiser creative assets. For Mission Teams Small ministry marketing teams who currently rely on outside designers or platforms for ad creative may find Muse Image through Advantage+ significantly reduces production costs and turnaround time for paid social campaigns. However, teams should review Meta's terms carefully as the model that creates the content is not perfect. Teams should verify the viability of generated content before deploying it in ads. https://ai.meta.com/blog/introducing-muse-image-muse-video-msl/ Apple's Hide My Email leaks real addresses A security researcher disclosed on July 1, 2026, that Apple's Hide My Email privacy feature contains a flaw that allows attackers to reverse-engineer anonymous email aliases back to users' real inboxes, with a 100 percent success rate in testing. Apple was first informed of the issue in June 2025 but has not fully patched the vulnerability despite multiple attempts, potentially leaving iCloud+ subscribers exposed. For Mission Teams iOS users who use Hide My Email aliases for ministry sign-ups or online outreach should treat those addresses as potentially compromised until Apple issues a confirmed fix. This is a practical reminder that no privacy tool should be trusted as a complete shield, and digital security training should cover how to verify whether a privacy feature is actually working. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-apple-hide-my-email-privacy-flaw/ Google bidding change may raise your ad costs Starting August 17, 2026, Google will change how it manages bidding for budget-limited campaigns using Target CPA or Target ROAS goals. If your campaign has been outperforming its targets, performance may shift closer to the higher target you originally set unless you manually adjust it using the new Bid Target Adjustment Tool, which became available on July 6. For Mission Teams Ministries running paid outreach campaigns on Google should check budget-limited campaigns before August 17 to avoid unexpected cost increases. Use the new Bid Target Adjustment Tool to review historical performance and update your targets to match what you actually want to spend. https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/17061251?hl=en OpenAI Adds Custom Audience Targeting to ChatGPT Ads OpenAI added a custom audience feature to its ChatGPT Ads platform that lets advertisers upload email and phone lists to target or exclude specific users. However, a minimum of 100,000 identifiers is required, which may put the feature out of reach for smaller advertisers. For Mission Teams This is a significant step toward ChatGPT becoming a real ad platform alongside Google and Meta. Ministries should cautiously experiment with the platform in their context to test its viability. https://www.jonloomer.com/chatgpt-ads-custom-audiences/ 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: July 10, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 1, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we explore how AI tools are reshaping the internet, introduce Meta’s new Design Check app on Canva, unpack ByteDance’s latest controversy over user data collection, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM AI Is Eating the Internet AI is fundamentally reshaping how we discover and interact with information online. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews now provide instant answers—often without users clicking through to website links—which has caused organic site traffic to drop by as much as 50% in some cases. Additionally, as AI tools are increasingly used to generate online content, users are beginning to avoid so-called “AI slop” and are returning to trusted sources such as newsletters, private communities like Discord, and Substack. For Mission Teams: This shift means content strategies need a rethink. As website traffic decreases, teams may be forced to explore alternatives like optimizing for AI-powered summaries, engaging private communities, newsletters, or interactive platforms. The focus should move from chasing clicks to creating high-value experiences that inspire trust, human connection, and engagement beyond traditional SEO. https://fika.bar/paoramen/ai-is-eating-the-internet-01K10JG1SHGZQHN61HPGWPXN60   Meta’s Recommended Ad Copy Lengths Meta recommends keeping primary text under 125 characters and headlines under 40 characters to avoid being cut off, especially on mobile. While longer copy can still work, it should be purposeful and high quality. The system will test multiple combinations, so clarity and brevity are key. For Mission Teams: It is recommended that teams strive to keep headlines and primary text concise. If longer copy is necessary, steps should be taken to ensure quality. Additionally, Meta allows up to five headline and primary text variations, so teams can include both shorter and longer options to give the algorithm greater flexibility. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/recommended-ad-copy-length/   Meta Ads: What Drives Performance Jon Loomer highlights four key drivers of Meta ad performance that matter most: Performance Goal – Meta’s algorithm optimizes delivery toward that task - literally. Select the correct performance goal for your strategy. For example, if a team desires messages, be sure to select "Maximize the number of conversations" as the performance goal.  Attribution – Proper setup of Meta Pixel and Conversion API is essential so your ads are accurately tracked from website actions. While often less relevant due to Meta's Religious Data Source Limitations, many teams still utilizing landing pages or websites should ensure their Pixel and Conversions API are set up properly. Copy and Creative – Without quality design and messaging, even the right targeting and budget won’t perform well. Budget – While this is particularly relevant for ads using sales objectives—where a sufficient budget is needed to exit the learning phase and generate around 50 conversion events per week—budgets that are too low can hinder optimization and reduce effectiveness across all ad objective types. Although smaller budgets can still drive engagement, poor performance could be a budget issue. https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-ads-performance/   ByteDance’s AI Tool Caught Secretly Collecting User Data Security researchers discovered that ByteDance’s new AI coding tool, Trae, was secretly collecting data from users—even when analytics were turned off. In just seven minutes, the app sent 500+ outbound requests totaling 26MB of data to servers under byteoversea.com. This included detailed hardware specs, OS info, project file paths, and mouse/keyboard activity. For Mission Teams: For mission teams using AI tools in sensitive areas, this highlights the need for caution. Even seemingly mundane apps and sites can quietly collect data that risks your privacy or security. Choose platforms with transparent data policies and the ability to function offline when possible. https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/bytedance-ai-tool-caught-spying-on-users   UK VPN Downloads Surge After Age Checks Begin After Reddit, X, and adult theme sites began enforcing age verification under the UK’s new Online Safety Act, VPN apps have surged to the top of Apple’s App Store. VPNs let users bypass content restrictions by masking their location. One app, Proton VPN, reported an 1,800% spike in UK signups. Half of the top 10 free apps in the UK are now VPNs. For Mission Teams: Mission teams running digital ads or platforms may notice increased traffic from countries they aren’t actively targeting. This could be due to users in restricted areas, like the UK, using VPNs to appear elsewhere. It’s important to factor this into ad reporting and engagement strategies to avoid misinterpreting where interest is truly coming from. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn72ydj70g5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss   Meta Expands Threads API with New Features Meta upgraded its Threads API to include polls, location tagging, real-time notifications, click tracking, advanced search, media options, and moderation tools. For Mission Teams: With it's full integration with Ads Manager, continued development and increasing user base, Threads may become a viable platform for digital marketing strategies. https://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/2025/07/25/do-more-with-the-Threads-API/   Meta Partners with Canva to Boost Short-Form Video Ads Meta and Canva have teamed up to help brands create more effective Reels ads, responding to the rise of short-form video content. Creative quality remains a key driver of campaign success, accounting for about half of results since 2017. Reels ads offer a 24% higher brand lift, and influence over 60% of viewers to consider a brand or product. Both companies collaborated to build the new Meta Design Check app on Canva which gives instant feedback on ad quality and compliance. (https://www.canva.com/your-apps/AAF-xrdmb-Q/meta-design-check?q=Meta+Design+Check) For Mission Teams: Optimizing ads for Reels formatting is an effective way to boost engagement rates. The new Meta Design Check app on Canva is a free tool that helps ensure your creatives meet quality and compliance standards. https://technologymagazine.com/news/canva-meta-plot-a-course-for-a-new-era-of-advertising   Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement At Kavanah Media, we’re committed to helping mission teams use digital tools to make God known around the world. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practical insights, or in-depth strategy, we’ve got resources to help: 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 8-day devotional on YouVersion called "Living in Tension." Subscribe here Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us 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: August 1, 2025