Weekly Marketing Rundown - March 14, 2025

Weekly Marketing Rundown - November 6, 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 Meta's AI bots overloading small websites, a new WhatsApp photo suggestion feature, Reddit's first search ads, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta's AI Crawlers Are Overloading Small Websites Some small website owners say Meta's AI crawlers, bots that copy web pages to train AI, are using so much bandwidth that their sites slow down or crash. One designer found that 97.6% of her site's data traffic over four weeks went to Meta's bots. For Mission Teams Teams should be cautious when seeing traffic boosts as it may be bot traffic. Ministry websites on small hosting plans could face slowdowns, outages, or extra fees if these bots hit them hard. Teams could consider checking their site traffic for "Meta-ExternalAgent" and "Meta-WebIndexer" and asking their web host about blocking them, since some owners found robots.txt rules alone did not stop them. https://www.fastcompany.com/91633357/meta-web-crawlers-crash-small-business-websites-ai-bots-surge WhatsApp Now Suggests Your Latest Photo in Chats WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that shows your newest photo, video, or screenshot as a suggestion when you open a chat. Nothing sends automatically, and tapping the suggestion opens an editor so you can review it first. For Mission Teams While this feature could make sharing relevant screenshots even easier a suggested screenshot could show private details, like a seeker's message, a contact list, or a location, and it is easy to share it in the wrong chat by mistake. Those with concerns should turn this off under Settings > Chats > Recent media suggestions. https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-rolling-out-media-suggestions-on-android-and-ios/ Reddit Tests Ads in Search Results Reddit is testing ads on its search results pages for the first time, with ads matched to users' search queries. For now, only a small group of selected advertisers have access to the feature. For Mission Teams People often search Reddit with honest questions about life and faith, so search ads could someday help teams reach seekers at the moment they are looking for answers. Most teams can't join this early test yet, but if the testing is successful Reddit could become a even more viable platform for digital engagement. Those already running Reddit ads should watch for wider access. https://redditinc.com/news/we-are-testing-ad-placements-in-reddit-search-pages Turn On MFA, Passkeys, and Security Keys Now Several Kavanah Media partners recently had work accounts and their personal email accounts taken over by attackers, which put many connected accounts and contacts at risk. Personal email is often used to reset work passwords, so one weak account can open the door to a much bigger breach. For Mission Teams Everyone should turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA, a second step after your password) for all work email, personal email, social media, and ad accounts, etc.. Use passkeys or a hardware security key such as a YubiKey wherever you can, because unlike text-message codes, they will not work on fake login pages. Teams should also exercise caution when opening emails or clicking links from untrusted or unfamiliar sources. When in doubt, they should contact the senders through a separate communication channel to verify the legitimacy of any suspicious emails. Google Tests A/B Experiments for Asset Groups in Performance Max Campaigns Google/YouTube Google is testing a new tool that lets advertisers compare two sets of ad assets within a single Performance Max asset group. Advertisers can choose how to split traffic and which metrics to measure, such as conversions, value, or clicks. For Mission Teams Teams running Google Performance Max campaigns can test two sets of images, videos, or text to see which drives more visitors to a response page. However, this is a beta feature and may not be available in every account or region. Plan to run the test for at least 4 to 6 weeks, as Google recommends, and choose one clear success metric, such as conversions, to determine which message leads to more meaningful interactions. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-44-adriaan-dekker-vxzve/ Google Says AI Chatbots Are Cutting Into Its Search Ad Revenue Google said more people are using AI chatbots and its own AI search tools, and this is hurting its search ad business. Search volume grew 12% in Q3, slower than earlier quarters, and search revenue was flat. For Mission Teams Google says it is expanding ads in AI Overviews and AI Mode to more users and search queries, including in international markets. Teams running search ads should monitor these new placements and consider testing them with small budgets. As more people turn to AI chatbots for answers, teams should ensure their content is clear and accurate. The article also reports that up to 10% of AI Overviews were found to contain incorrect information, so teams should check how their ministries are described in AI-generated responses. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/google-says-ai-chatbots-are-hurting-its-bottom-line/873401/ Meta Now Suggests Lookalike Audiences for Leads Campaigns Meta is showing a new message in Leads campaigns suggesting that using a lookalike audience could lower the cost per quality lead by 11%. The author has seen this message only in Leads campaigns, so it does not appear to be a change affecting all campaign types. For Mission Teams If your team receives many low-quality sign-ups or leads, consider building a custom audience from people who have completed your follow-up process. You can then turn it into a lookalike audience and add it as an audience suggestion in a single ad set. Avoid creating multiple ad sets for different audience suggestions, as they may compete against each other. However, keep in mind that, according to the author, it is difficult to prove whether these suggestions actually help, and Meta often ignores them. Test carefully, and when handling contact lists, protect the privacy of seekers, especially in countries with restricted access. Additionally, if you use a CRM system and sign-up forms hosted on your own website rather than Meta's platforms, this strategy may not work due to Meta's Religious Data Restrictions. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/lookalike-audience-suggestions-leads-campaigns/ Meta Expands Creator Assistant Into a Content Planning Tool Meta has updated its Creator Assistant chatbot to help people plan and improve content on Facebook and Instagram. It can point out trends, build storyboards and shot lists, review drafts, and write comment replies for you to check. For Mission Teams Teams can use it to identify trending topics, plan short-form videos, and draft replies to comments. However, every reply should be reviewed by a person to ensure the tone and message are appropriate for seekers. Additionally, since it is unclear how Meta handles the data users enter, avoid sharing sensitive ministry details, contact names, or security-related information. Note that the tool is designed for creators and is now available on the web through the Creator Dashboard, as well as on mobile. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-updates-creator-assistant-chatbot/873524/ Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement  Looking for ways to use digital tools to grow evangelism and disciple-making? Check out our other resources: Jon Ralls' new book–  Check out 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 confused?- 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: November 6, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 28, 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 Meta's latest AI integrations, Iranian hacks, Instagram growth strategies and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta to Launch Hatch AI Agent and WhatsApp Integration Meta is launching a smart AI helper named Hatch that can check emails and buy things for you without leaving the app. The company might charge up to $199 per month for premium access while also letting other businesses connect their own bots through WhatsApp. For Mission Teams These new WhatsApp features offer strategic ways to find seekers and make disciples by using AI to instantly engage with people on digital platforms. However, mission teams must carefully evaluate the outputs from these tools. AI tools often hallucinate and there are serious concerns with letting AI handle the very personal work of evangelism. https://thenextweb.com/news/meta-hatch-ai-agent-watermelon-199-subscription Understanding Discontinued Facebook Ad Features So much has changed with Meta advertising over the years that it can be difficult to keep track of everything. Jon Loomer has taken the time to chronicle some of the biggest changes. After reading this list, one thing is very clear: marketing on Meta is very different from what it was and continues to change rapidly. Strategies from just a few months ago can already be outdated. For Mission Teams Mission teams should update their strategy to find seekers because many older ad targeting methods are now obsolete due to platform changes. Understanding these platform changes helps ministries create better digital ads that safely engage modern audiences. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/15-discontinued-facebook-ads-features/ Iranian Hackers Shut Down UK Power Plant Hackers from Iran recently broke into the computer systems of a small power plant in the United Kingdom and shut it down for four days. While this attack did not affect the country's main power supply, it marks the first time these hackers successfully stopped a British facility from working. For Mission Teams If may feel like these type of attacks only happen in the non-missions world, but the data would say otherwise. Nonprofit and missions agencies alike are reporting an uptick in attacks. Mission teams, churches, and agencies are encouraged to do due diligence in regards to cybersecurity and operational security. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/22/iranian-hackers-shut-down-uk-power-plant/?is=6c9d26923a16288b80f85de0340fba4f6bfb5483bde5c91e5ae0e76242c3259c Anthropic Expands AI Security Audits with Mythos 5 Anthropic recently released a smart computer tool named Mythos 5 that helps companies find and fix hidden security problems in their software code. Even with this advanced tool, human experts still need to review the suggested repairs to make sure they work correctly. For Mission Teams Mission teams and agencies leveraging digital tools of any kind are encouraged to use these same AI tools for cybersecurity, as bad actors will surely use them as well. Groups that do not leverage AI for their own defenses may be left vulnerable. Protecting the personal data of new disciples, employees, and others ensures secure digital engagement and builds a strong foundation for your online ministry strategies. https://www.esecurityplanet.com/cybersecurity/news-anthropic-mythos-5-ai-security-audits/ Instagram Updates Ad Messaging and Searchable Captions Instagram is testing a new tool that automatically sends private messages when people type specific words on your ads. The platform is also making post captions more important for search engines to help users find the stories behind your pictures. For Mission Teams Mission teams can write clear captions to help seekers easily find their content while using the new automated messaging tool to instantly share spiritual resources. https://www.jonloomer.com/reply-to-keywords-meta-ads-feature/ https://wersm.com/instagram-captions-context-search/?utm_source=tldrmarketing Meta Removes Ad Placement Controls Meta is slowly removing the ability for creators to pick exactly which apps or devices show their ads. Instead of completely blocking unwanted locations, advertisers will now need to set special bidding rules to control where their content appears. For Mission Teams Mission teams must update their ad strategies because losing control over ad placements might risk showing ads to contacts outside of desired personas. Ministries should learn to use these new rules to help avoid ad performance issues. https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-removing-placement-controls-ad-sets/ Elementor Pro Vulnerability Exposes WordPress Sites A serious security bug was found in the popular Elementor Pro WordPress plugin that allows hackers to upload bad files. This flaw means attackers could sneak harmful code into websites through the file upload forms and take control of the server. For Mission Teams Mission teams using WordPress to build evangelism websites must update their plugins immediately to stop hackers from taking control of their digital platforms. Keeping software updated protects sensitive seeker information and ensures your ministry websites stay online and safe for visitors. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/critical-elementor-pro-bug-exposes-wordpress-sites-to-rce-attacks/ Google Simplifies Tagging Tools for Faster Website Analytics Google is combining its tagging tools to make tracking website visits much easier without needing complex coding. These updates help websites load faster and allow users to visually track visitor actions in one place. For Mission Teams This consolidation could make analytics easier to manage for mission teams. Teams are encouraged to check their accounts when these changes are rolled out and familiarize themselves with the updates. https://www.seroundtable.com/google-tag-and-google-tag-manager-updated-41918.html Buffer Data Study Reveals Proven Instagram Growth Strategies A large study shows that posting helpful Instagram content three to five times a week helps accounts grow twice as fast. Creators should focus on using Reels, carousel posts, and replying to comments rather than trying to make viral videos. For Mission Teams Mission teams leveraging organic strategies should use consistent Reels and carousel posts to regularly share gospel messages with seekers who are looking for hope. Engaging with people in comment sections builds personal trust while maintaining safe digital privacy practices for your team. https://buffer.com/resources/grow-on-instagram/ WhatsApp Enhances Account Security Features WhatsApp added new security features, including stronger passwords for two-step verification and caller details for unfamiliar numbers. Users can now set up multiple passkeys across different devices to prevent hackers from taking over their accounts. For Mission Teams Missions teams and churches leveraging WhatsApp are encouraged to implement these passwords and passkeys to help keep their accounts secure. https://about.fb.com/news/2026/08/new-account-security-features-for-whatsapp/ 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 28, 2026