Weekly Marketing Rundown - March 14, 2025

Weekly Marketing Rundown - December 12, 2025 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 deal with news publishers, Reels dominance, India's attempt at surveillance, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM AI Chatbot Gets Real-Time News Data Meta has signed deals with major news publishers, like CNN and USA Today, allowing its AI chatbot to offer up-to-the-minute information. This means that when people ask the Meta AI questions about current events, it can now provide very recent answers with links back to the original news articles. For Mission Teams With moves like this Meta continues to solidify it's market dominance. Every missions team considering digital engagement should not discount Meta's viability for evangelism. Additionally, as AI tools continue to change SEO, teams should take steps to ensure their own evangelism sites are optimized. https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/05/meta-signs-commercial-ai-data-agreements-with-publishers-to-offer-real-time-news-on-meta-ai/ Reels Ads Drive Greater Action Meta research shows that short video ads made specifically for Reels can make people over five times more likely to consider acting on an ad's message. Ads that share a clear, helpful story or main idea see the biggest increase in a viewer's desire to act. For Mission Teams This powerful digital engagement data means that short, compelling Reels videos should be a key strategy for reaching seekers. Since Meta's algorithms prioritize these formats, mission teams can see increased engagement in their efforts if they include this format. https://searchengineland.com/meta-native-reels-ads-can-lift-purchase-intent-5-3x-465615 India's Mandatory Security App: A Failed State Surveillance Attempt The Indian government, through its Department of Telecommunications (DoT), attempted to mandate the pre-installation of a state-owned cybersecurity app called Sanchar Saathi on all new smartphones. The initial, undeletable nature of the app, intended for fraud and theft prevention, quickly raised serious alarm bells about potential state surveillance and the erosion of citizens' privacy. For Mission Teams This situation provides a crucial security lesson: mandates that compromise user choice are often seen as threats to privacy, which affects digital engagement and trust. The government's quick reversal, driven by opposition from tech giants like Apple and public outcry, underscores the power of both industry resistance and public concern over surveillance. Mission teams operating in similar environments must recognize that government attempts to mandate software can create significant security implications and a loss of trust, demanding the use of secure communication strategies and heightened awareness of data privacy to protect seekers and team members. https://www.esecurityplanet.com/threats/india-mandates-undeletable-security-app-on-all-smartphones/ https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-india-scraps-mandatory-app-preinstall/ Consumer App Accused of Covert Spying The Attorney General of Arizona has sued the shopping app Temu, alleging the platform secretly collects extremely sensitive data and behaves more like spyware. The complaint claims the app accesses users’ precise location, camera, microphone, and other app activity while using encrypted code to hide its actions. For Mission Teams This report is a serious warning about the security risks posed by high-risk consumer apps, especially those subject to foreign surveillance laws, which can severely compromise staff and seeker data. Mission teams should avoid installing high risk apps and platforms on their devices. Mission agencies, churches, and others should also consider their risk appetite and things such as Mobile Device Management (MDM) and EDR to help mitigate cybersecurity risks that do not align with their risk appetite. Ignoring this risk could compromise the security of mission efforts to find and disciple seekers. For any inquiries related to cybersecurity and risk mitigation, please feel free to Contact Us. https://www.esecurityplanet.com/threats/arizona-sues-temu-over-covert-data-harvesting-claims/ AI Answer Suggestions for Lead Forms Meta is testing a new feature where its AI automatically creates answer suggestions for short-answer questions on lead forms within advertisements. This feature aims to make filling out forms faster and easier for people by giving them clickable button options. For Mission Teams While this tool can boost digital engagement by increasing the number of completed forms, it risks lowering the quality of seeker leads by generating nearly identical answers. Lead-form ads are typically a high-intent strategy, but they do not always work in every context. Mission teams must test whether both lead ads and these generic suggestions are viable options in their respective fields. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/answer-suggestions-instant-forms/ Meta Ads 2025: AI Overhaul and 83 Key Changes Jon Loomer has documented 83 changes that Meta has implemented in advertising this year. The most significant change is their shift toward full automation, with the biggest focus on AI-driven tools that find audiences and create content automatically. For Mission Teams This comprehensive list of 83 changes is essential reading for mission teams to strategically audit and adapt their entire digital approach, especially given that the largest push is full AI control. Check out the full list below: https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-advertising-changes-2025/ Russia Bans Western Communication Apps Russia has banned Western communication services, specifically Snapchat and Apple's FaceTime, claiming the platforms are being used to organize crimes and terrorist acts. This move is part of a broader, ongoing effort by the Russian government to cut off access to foreign social media and messaging platforms since the start of the war in Ukraine. For Mission Teams The ban underscores the high risk of using popular Western communication tools for finding seekers. Teams must understand that such government actions can significantly hinder digital evangelism efforts and be prepared to adjust their strategies. https://archive.is/BOjJA Instagram Carousels Drive Highest Engagement Instagram carousel posts, which allow up to 20 swipeable images or videos, consistently achieve the highest engagement rates on the platform by encouraging users to pause, swipe, and interact longer. They are an excellent format for visual storytelling, presenting multi-step guides, or turning long content like sermons into simple, bite-sized, and shareable takeaways. For Mission Teams This format is a powerful strategy for increasing digital engagement and the visibility of evangelistic content, as the algorithm favors posts that drive user interaction and often shows carousels twice. Mission teams could leverage carousels to break down complex topics and evangelize. https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-carousel/ Free Icons for Consistent Branding Are you looking for free, high-quality social media icons to enhance the professional appearance of your evangelism website, app, or other platforms? Explore Buffer's curated list of the best free resources below: https://buffer.com/resources/free-social-media-icons/ Tourist Social Media Disclosure at US Border The US Customs and Border Protection has proposed a new rule that would require nearly all international visitors, including those from visa-exempt countries, to disclose up to five years of their social media history. This major security proposal, along with other data requirements like past phone numbers and email addresses, is intended to enhance the vetting process for national security purposes. For Mission Teams Social media and device searches are increasingly becoming standard practice for customs agencies in many countries. Missionaries traveling from their home countries should be prepared for the possibility of being asked to allow authorities to search their devices and social media profiles. In some contexts, a lack of social media presence can raise suspicions just as much as openly posting religious content. Depending on the risk appetite of mission teams, churches, or agencies, it may be necessary to scrub social media accounts, privatize profiles, delete certain apps, and take other precautions. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/travel/social-media-tourists-visa-border-patrol.html?unlocked_article_code=1.7k8.Jytd.OxeH-dyCBD-p&smid=nytcore-ios-share For any inquiries related to cybersecurity and risk mitigation, please feel free to Contact Us. 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 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: December 12, 2025

Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 15, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue we cover Meta and Google's political ad restrictions in the EU, Buffer's latest report on Instagram posting, the US government's response to the EU's Digital Services Act 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 Stop Political and Social Issue Ads in the EU Meta announced that it will no longer allow political, electoral, or social issue advertising across its platforms in the European Union. This change is part of Meta’s effort to simplify ad rules and reduce the risk of non-compliance with complex EU regulations. To see the current list of Social Issues and how Meta defines, them go here: https://www.facebook.com/business/help/214754279118974?id=288762101909005 For Mission Teams: To prevent unnecessary disruptions, teams should ensure their ads steer clear of any listed social issues. It’s not enough to avoid these topics directly—content should also minimize any chance of being misinterpreted, as Meta’s AI review systems can mistakenly flag ads as non-compliant. 🔗 https://about.fb.com/news/2025/07/ending-political-electoral-and-social-issue-advertising-in-the-eu US Government Pushes Back on EU’s Digital Services Act The US government is opposing how the EU is enforcing its Digital Services Act (DSA) against Meta, claiming the rules unfairly target American companies. The DSA requires platforms to remove harmful content quickly and share more data with regulators, but US officials argue it may violate trade rules and put extra burdens on US-based tech giants like Meta, Google, and X. For Mission Teams: US pressure could shift EU policy and significantly impact how companies operate internationally, influencing content moderation, ad targeting, and even platform accessibility in Europe. Teams should remain ready to adapt strategies and platforms as companies respond to evolving political and regulatory landscapes. 🔗 https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/us-government-oppose-eu-digital-services-act-meta/757137/ Google's Updates: Sitelinks, EU Political Ads Ban, and Ads Placement in AI Search A leaked document shows Google is gearing up to place ads directly inside its AI-powered search experience, with a major launch expected before Q4. Unlike traditional keyword search ads, these will be selected based on the entire conversation context, not just the initial query. Brands using Performance Max or AI Max for Search will automatically qualify for these placements—marking a significant shift in how paid visibility works on Google Search. It is also adding sitelinks to Ad Strength Rankings. At the same time, Google is tightening political ad rules in the EU, restricting such placements to comply with upcoming regulations. For Mission Teams: AI-driven targeting can improve ad relevance but may also introduce uncertainty about where ads appear. Including sitelinks in ads will impact the Strength score. Similar to Meta’s EU political ad restrictions, teams should avoid topics that AI moderation tools might mistakenly flag as political or socially sensitive to prevent unnecessary limitations. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-32-adriaan-dekker-zlkie/ Update Regarding Meta's New "Review Keywords" Ad Feature Last week (see here) we included an article discussing Meta's "Review Keywords" ad feature, and after some feedback we wanted to offer clarification. This feature states the following on Ads Manager: Review keywords We will use AI to extract positive keywords from your Page’s reviews and display them in a proprietary unit underneath the ad. Example keywords: "Great service" "Fast shipping" "Reliable" For Mission Teams: Our previous entry suggested that if a team had negative reviews, the new review feature could pull those instead. Clearly, Meta states that will not be the case - it is supposed to only flag positive reviews. HOWEVER, that is dependent on Meta's systems correctly identifying which reviews are positive and which are negative in a mission team's field of service and language. If a team has any doubt that this feature will yield positive results, it is recommended to simply disable it in Ads Manager Settings. Meta Faces Whistleblower Allegations Over Privacy and Copyright A whistleblower claims Meta ignored internal warnings about privacy and copyright violations tied to its AI systems. The allegations suggest Meta trained AI models on copyrighted material without proper licenses and overlooked potential privacy breaches. Lawmakers and regulators may investigate, and the case could have legal and financial consequences. For Mission Teams: Teams should be ready to adjust strategies as regulators and social platforms respond to these changes. Additionally, assume that any information published online—even if posted on one's own website and marked ‘no index’—can still be accessed or crawled by external entities. Avoid posting any content that, if exposed, could create security risks. 🔗 https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/meta-facebook-tech-copyright-privacy-whistleblower How Often Should You Post on Instagram? Buffer’s article recommends posting on Instagram 3–5 times per week to stay active and keep followers engaged. It emphasizes that consistency and quality matter more than posting every day, and that overposting can actually reduce engagement. The advice is based on platform data and user behavior trends. For Mission Teams: For mission teams, this helps shape smarter content schedules and avoid burnout. Posting less often can reduce the risk of account misuse, especially if fewer people need access. It also encourages using planning tools to stay organized and focused on meaningful updates. 🔗 https://buffer.com/resources/how-often-to-post-on-instagram/ 🎬 Meta’s Translate Media Tool for Video Ads Jon Loomer’s article introduces Meta’s new “Translate Media” feature, which automatically converts text in video ads into different languages. It’s meant to help advertisers reach more people without making separate versions of each ad. For Mission Teams: For marketing teams, this could save time and make global campaigns easier. But it also means checking translations for accuracy and keeping an eye on how automated tools handle brand messaging and privacy. 🔗 https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/translate-media-feature-for-video-ads/ 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 15, 2025