Weekly Marketing Rundown - January 23, 2025

Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 14, 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 new Google Chrome security updates, Google limiting ad reach for unverified ad accounts, new Turkish Social Media Laws, Grok and Meta AI updates and more.  Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Google Chrome Plans Faster Updates Without Restarts Google is fixing a huge number of security bugs in its Chrome browser because smart computer programs are now finding hidden flaws. Soon your browser will update itself much faster without asking you to restart. For Mission Teams These quick security fixes will help protect mission team devices and browsers from vulnerabilities. This smoother update process ensures fewer digital interruptions while your team focuses on engaging people and making disciples online. https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/07/chrome-may-get-faster-updates-with-no-restart-required/ Google Expands Limited Ad Serving Policy Across All Channels Google announced an expansion of its Limited Ad Serving policy to cover all Google Ads surfaces, including YouTube, Gmail, and Play Store. Unverified ad accounts or those receiving negative user feedback may experience automatic impression caps across all active campaigns. For Mission Teams Ministry ad accounts should complete full advertiser verification, maintain positive landing page experiences, and ensure their ads comply with Google’s policies to avoid impression limits. Accounts found to be noncompliant will receive a notification in Google Ads Manager and will be given an opportunity to appeal the restriction. https://www.techwyse.com/news/platform-updates/google-limited-ad-serving-policy-all-ads-2026 New Security Controls for Meta Ads AI Connectors Meta has officially launched it's own MCP (data connector for AI Agents) and added new security controls that let advertisers limit what artificial intelligence tools can access inside their ad accounts. This update makes it much safer to use tools like ChatGPT to check your daily reports without putting sensitive data at risk. For Mission Teams Mission teams and churches can now officially connect their Meta accounts to Claude, ChatGPT, or Perplexity. Teams wanting to experiment with this new connection are encouraged to proceed cautiously, as Meta has previously disabled ad accounts for using similar integrations, even after stating that they were available. The difference now is that an official MCP connection should help prevent this issue. The integration can be set up under the Integrations Tab in Meta Business Suite. The interface walks you through connecting your agents to pages, channels, and more. Another word of caution: this integration can allow AI agents to publish and edit ads on behalf of marketers, but it is still a new and largely untested feature. There are significant risks associated with giving an AI agent that level of access to an ad account. All integrations and permissions should be tested through careful experimentation and kept under close supervision. Kavanah Media would cautiously recommend against giving any AI tool, regardless of how trusted or well-tested the provider may be, full access to an ad account, as issues such as AI hallucinations remain common. https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-ads-ai-connectors-security-controls/ Meta Updates Ad Manager with Exclusion-Only Audiences Meta has added a new tool that lets advertisers upload lists of people who should specifically never see their ads. This feature gives brands a safer, permanent way to block certain users so they don't accidentally get shown ads meant for someone else. For Mission Teams This update is highly valuable for mission teams seeking to run secure and focused digital evangelism campaigns. Teams can now ensure their ads avoid specific audiences, helping keep their search for spiritual seekers focused and preventing wasted effort on groups that should not be targeted. https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/417176/meta-brings-exclusion-only-capabilities-to-ads-man.html Cybersecurity Report Warns of Targeted Data Scanning A new threat report shows a sharp increase in automated network scans aimed at professional services and client portals. Attackers are actively scanning accessible tools to exploit weak administrative credentials and access privileged files. For Mission Teams Nonprofits, including faith-based nonprofits, are often considered soft targets. Kavanah Media team members are hearing more and more reports of ministries falling victim to breaches caused by exploited vulnerabilities. Bad actors, some of whom may be backed by nation-states, know that Christian nonprofits, projects, and churches often lack the technical expertise needed to protect their digital platforms against sophisticated attacks. Ministry hubs and local offices should secure remote access points and limit administrative permissions. Securing digital file storage also helps protect confidential partner lists and worker information from unauthorized access. Have questions about protecting your systems, workers, and partners? Please reach out, we would love to help! https://www.channelinsider.com/security/sonicwall-cyber-report-preventable-risks-smbs/ TikTok Expands Search Keyword Bidding for Advertisers TikTok expanded its search ad capabilities, allowing advertisers to bid directly on search queries typed into the app search bar. Advertisers can now display targeted video ads at the top of organic search results pages. For Mission Teams Digital evangelists can experiment with targeting specific search phrases about life questions, hope, and faith on TikTok. Reaching young people while they are searching for answers creates opportunities for meaningful spiritual conversations. https://ads.tiktok.com/business/en-US/blog/introducing-search-ads-campaign New YouTube Audio Ads Google recently released a helpful guide explaining how to create audio ads for YouTube and YouTube Music. These ads play while people are listening and use a static image instead of a full video. Depending on their length, they can be either skippable or non-skippable. For Mission Teams This ad format offers a unique way to share your message with spiritual seekers while they listen to audio online through YouTube or YouTube Music, similar to Spotify and other platforms. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-32-adriaan-dekker-lwige/ Meta Introduces Muse Glimmer for Local AI Meta has released a new local AI agent named Muse Glimmer that can run directly on your personal computer without needing the internet. It is very good at acting like a helpful assistant by following instructions, reading pictures, and even fixing its own mistakes when it tries to complete tasks. For Mission Teams This tool allows mission teams to securely run AI agents directly on their own computers without sending private information to the cloud. For teams with access to capable laptops and computers, this could be an excellent way to control where data is viewed, shared, and stored. It may also help mitigate concerns related to data sovereignty and reliance on cloud providers, particularly when serving in sensitive fields where data could be subject to legal requests or government access. https://research.meta.ai/blog/introducing-muse-glimmer-open-agentic-model Introducing Grok Bot AI Assistants SpaceXAI and Cursor have released a new app called Grok Bot that gives you a smart computer helper to finish tasks for you all day and night. These bots can do things like manage your emails, talk to other bots, and learn how you like to work without needing someone to watch them constantly. For Mission Teams These AI teammates can take over time-consuming tasks such as replying to emails and tracking responses during digital evangelism campaigns. This can save your team significant time while reaching seekers online, but you must ensure that these tools keep seekers' personal information secure. Similar to the caution regarding AI agent integrations with Facebook Ads Manager, there are significant risks associated with giving an AI agent that level of access to your systems. All integrations and permissions should be tested carefully and kept under close supervision. https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/11/grok-bot-is-an-all-new-iphone-and-mac-app-from-spacexai-and-cursor https://x.ai/news/introducing-grok-bot TikTok Allowed on Government Devices Again The United States government is letting workers use TikTok on official devices again because the app has new American owners. A recent rule change decided the video app is no longer a major security threat. For Mission Teams This official government approval suggests that, for U.S.-based missionary efforts, the U.S. version of TikTok may be considered a more secure platform for running social media ads than its overseas counterparts. While caution is still warranted, teams that have been hesitant to leverage TikTok U.S. due to security concerns could consider experimenting with the platform. https://www.engadget.com/2235010/government-workers-can-officially-waste-time-scrolling-tiktok-again/ YouTube Growth on Home Televisions According to a study done in the UK, YouTube is quickly replacing regular television as people spend more time watching it on their big screens at home. Even older adults are using the video app much more often to watch their favorite shows. For Mission Teams While the study focused on the UK, this trend will likely continue globally. As more people watch YouTube on their televisions, your team can use video ads to reach spiritual seekers right in their living rooms. This strategy provides another opportunity to share your message and make disciples while maintaining appropriate security for your online interactions. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-and-attitudes/media-habits-adults/nations-media-habits-revealed-in-annual-ofcom-report Turkey's New Law Increases Government Control Over the Internet Turkey passed a new rule that gives the government much more power over the internet and social media. This means officials can quickly force websites to remove posts or block accounts without a judge's permission. For Mission Teams To safely find seekers and make disciples using social media ads, your team must use stronger security to protect local contacts. Because the government can now block digital platforms instantly, you will need backup strategies to keep your engagement active. https://tradersunion.com/news/financial-news/show/2943387-turkey-cyber-law-digital-oversight/ 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 14, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - March 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 Meta, new country-specific fees for marketing, MFA, data laws, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Updates to Meta Meta is now adding extra fees for ads shown to people in certain countries to cover local digital taxes. It is also testing a new feature that lets you describe your audience in simple terms, with AI automatically suggesting the best interests and behaviors to target. For Mission Teams These new location fees mean your advertising budget might not go as far in specific regions, so you must plan for these extra costs in your digital strategy. The update to interest and detailed targeting is capturing the attention of marketers worldwide. For some time, Meta has limited marketers’ ability to use detailed targeting, instead relying on its algorithm. Teams are encouraged to test this new feature, although it is likely to serve only as a “suggestion,” similar to the previous iteration. Meta Location Fees by Country The following fees are added to your bill based on where your ads are delivered: Austria: 5% Türkiye: 5% France: 3% Italy: 3% Spain: 3% United Kingdom: 2% https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-location-fees/ Signal App Face Blur for Secure Photos Signal includes a built-in image editor that can automatically detect and blur faces in photos before you send them or save them to your device. This feature uses local on-device processing to ensure that unedited versions of your photos are never sent to a server or seen by anyone else. For Mission Teams This tool is vital for protecting the identity of seekers and local believers in sensitive regions where digital surveillance is a high risk. Teams can leverage this tool, but it is recommended to always manually check the image before sending. https://signal.org/blog/blur-tools/ Data Privacy and Digital Missions Compliance Data privacy laws, such as the GDPR in the European Union, the LPDP in North Macedonia, and U.S. data laws, regulate the handling of personal information. These laws are designed to protect individuals’ data and include stipulations regarding data breach handling, required data security measures, data sovereignty, consent, and more. While the specifics of these regulations can vary significantly by region and impact marketers and mission teams differently, one constant remains: marketers are responsible for ensuring that their data governance, marketing practices, and platforms comply with these laws. For Mission Teams Mission teams, agencies, and local churches using digital strategies are also likely to have exposure to these laws. In some jurisdictions, the costs of non-compliance are enough to bankrupt many mission agencies. Teams should review how local data privacy laws may affect their digital engagement projects and take steps to ensure compliance and mitigate risk. Check the link below to read more about Europe's GDPR laws: https://gdpr-info.eu/ If you want assistance navigating this topic, the Kavanah Media team is here to help. Please reach out here. Has Your Team Enable MFA? Multi-Factor Authentication, or MFA, acts like a second lock for your digital accounts to keep them safe. It requires a code from your phone, an app, a message, or a USB security key after you enter your password to verify that it is really you. For Mission Teams Using MFA is critical because it prevents attackers from taking over your social media ads or accessing sensitive conversations with seekers, even if they steal your password. Without this extra layer, a single hacked account could lead to financial loss, the deletion of years of ministry work, or the exposure of vulnerable contacts in high-risk regions. Priority Platforms to Secure To ensure your team is fully protected, please verify that MFA is enabled on the following platforms: Social Media: Facebook Business Suite, Instagram, X, and YouTube. Ministry Tools: Echo Global and Disciple.Tools instances. Core Systems: Organization email and website administrative logins. Financials: Any accounts linked to ad spend or donation processing. We Are Here to Help The Kavnaah Media team is committed to the safety and success of your digital outreach. If you need assistance setting up MFA or auditing your team's security settings, we are happy to help you walk through the process. Please reach out here.  Meta Buys MoltBook Meta has officially acquired Moltbook, a unique social media platform designed entirely for artificial intelligence agents to interact without human interference. On this site, thousands of bots created by developers, engaged in "synthetic social theater," where they debated topics, shared digital art, and even formed automated communities to see how AI evolves in a social ecosystem. For Mission Teams AI continues to develop rapidly and is being actively promoted by major digital platforms. Meta's recent acquisition is just another step in this progression. Changes are inevitable, and teams utilizing digital engagement strategies must be ready to learn, adapt their approaches, and prepare for the new risks that AI may introduce. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-meta-acquires-moltbook-bot-only-social-network/ Google Ads Expands In-Platform Creative Assets Google Ads is introducing a major update that allows advertisers to access "rich media" assets like photos, videos, and 3D models directly within the platform. Additionally, automatic YouTube channel linking and AI-generated voice-overs for video ads, similar to Creative Enhancements on Meta, are also being rolled out. For Mission Teams These automated tools allow your team to create professional-looking ads more easily. However, as with all AI tools, teams should carefully review these assets to ensure the message remains culturally sensitive and theologically accurate for the seekers they are trying to reach. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-11-adriaan-dekker-oltle/ Echo Global CRM and TikTok Integration Echo Global has launched a new TikTok integration that allows teams to manage video comments directly within the Echo platform. Once connected, your team can read, reply to, and track interactions from the “Social Media” area, including the ability to manually import older videos by URL. It is important to note that the TikTok integration currently supports only comment management. It does not support full inbox management. Teams wanting to leverage TikTok for engagement campaigns will still need to handle messages on the TikTok platform itself. For Mission Teams Many teams have reported high engagement via TikTok. This new integration could make it easier for teams to integrate TikTok into their larger digital strategy systems. https://www.echoglobal.org/help-center (search TikTok) Instagram Ends Encrypted Messaging Feature Meta has announced it will discontinue the option for end-to-end encrypted direct messages on Instagram starting May 8. The company stated that very few users utilized this specific security feature and is encouraging those who need high privacy to move their conversations to WhatsApp instead. For Mission Teams This change significantly reduces the security of your communication with seekers on Instagram, as your messages will no longer be hidden from the platform or potential surveillance. Additionally, using Instagram for sensitive or internal communications is not recommended. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-ends-end-to-end-encryption-on-instagram/814765/ 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: March 21, 2026