Weekly Marketing Rundown - December 5, 2025

Weekly Marketing Rundown - April 17, 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 Iranian Cyber Attacks, Changes to Meta's Flexible ad format, Russia's crackdown on VPN's and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Iranian Cyber Actor Warning The FBI and CISA warned that cyber actors are targeting critical infrastructure by manipulating data on control displays. While focused on utilities, these actors often use similar tactics to disrupt communication networks. For Mission Teams This highlights the importance of using strong, unique passwords for any devices connected to your ministry network. Teams in sensitive regions should remain extra vigilant against unusual activity on their internet-connected hardware. https://www.ic3.gov/CSA/2026/260407.pdf Critical Vulnerability in Ninja Forms WordPress Plugin Hackers are using a major weakness in a popular website tool called Ninja Forms to take over websites. This flaw allows outsiders to run hidden code and gain full control of the site without needing a password. For Mission Teams Security flaws in web forms can expose sensitive contact information of seekers and disrupt digital disciple-making efforts. Teams must update their WordPress plugins immediately to protect their platform's integrity and ensure the safety of those engaging with their content. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hackers-exploit-critical-flaw-in-ninja-forms-wordpress-plugin/? Changes to Meta’s Ad Formatting Meta is removing the Flexible Format option from its ad setup tools. This change means advertisers will soon use a new system called Format Display Options to manage how their images and videos appear. For Mission Teams This update requires teams to adapt their creative strategies for social media ads used in seeker outreach. Many teams leveraged the Flexible ad format, avoiding the dreaded "creative ad fatigue." A possible alternative is developing custom formats for each placement and creating multiple ads per ad set to allow for even more creative options. https://www.jonloomer.com/new-value-rules-for-audiences/ Official Meta Pixel Integration for GA4 Meta has updated its official tracking template to integrate more seamlessly with Google Analytics 4. This update enables more consistent data sharing between platforms, helping advertisers better understand how users interact with their websites. For Mission Teams This integration can help simplify the setup and management of the Meta Pixel. While Meta’s religious data restrictions have reduced the effectiveness of traffic campaigns for many teams, there are still strategic use cases where they remain viable. For teams that continue to rely on the Meta Pixel and website-based campaigns, this updated tracking template should provide more reliable data and improved insights. https://tagmanager.google.com/gallery/#/owners/facebook/templates/GoogleTagManager-WebTemplate-For-FacebookPixel Russia’s VPN Crackdown Disrupts Financial Infrastructure The Russian government attempted to block VPN services, but the technical process accidentally crashed the country's banking systems. This caused many people to lose access to digital payments and forced them to use cash for a short time. For Mission Teams This crackdown shows that digital evangelism efforts in restricted areas face high risks of sudden internet instability and surveillance. Teams must prepare backup communication methods, prioritize high-security tools and practice good cybersecurity hygiene. https://archive.is/4Z74V YouTube Viewing Trends and Platform Growth YouTube Shorts have grown significantly and now reach over 200 billion views every single day. Additionally, global audiences are consuming more than one billion hours of YouTube content on their television screens daily. For Mission Teams The scale of Shorts highlights the importance of prioritizing short-form video in digital engagement strategies. However, the high volume of TV-based viewing also points to a growing opportunity for long-form discipleship content—particularly for reaching individuals and families in more private, in-home environments. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-expands-ai-powered-tools-shares-trend-insights/751149/ Meta Expected to Overtake Google in Digital Advertising Meta is projected to become the world's largest digital advertising business this year, surpassing Google for the first time. This growth is largely driven by artificial intelligence improvements and the success of short-form video content like Reels. For Mission Teams Meta's increasing dominance suggests that advertising on platforms like Facebook and Instagram is currently still a very effective way to reach large audiences. It should not be discounted as a viable option for digital engagement work. https://www.wsj.com/business/media/meta-expected-to-unseat-google-as-worlds-largest-digital-ad-player-83d3f522?st=UHLFza&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink&mod=tldr& Meta Challenges X’s Dominance in Japan Through Threads Meta is launching a localized campaign to grow its Threads platform in Japan where the app X is currently very popular. They created a special account to share local tips and help more Japanese users switch to their new social network. For Mission Teams Japan remains a critical frontier for digital evangelism where the majority of the population is active on X but transitioning to Threads. Teams should consider establishing a presence on Threads now to connect with early adopters. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-looks-to-grow-threads-in-japan/816782/ Faith, Masculinity, and the Rise of “Catholicmaxxing” TikTok creators are increasingly blending traditional religious themes with modern fitness and dating culture. While these viral videos often present faith as trendy and masculine, broader data suggests that more young people are leaving the church than joining it. For Mission Teams While this trend is most visible in Western contexts, it highlights a growing desire for identity, purpose, and community among young men. Mission teams can engage this audience through relatable, lifestyle-oriented content that reflects real experiences. Authenticity is especially important so teams should prioritize using real people and genuine stories whenever possible to build trust and connection. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/07/catholicmaxxing-catholicism--church-religion-tiktok-gen-z-influencers Major Tech Companies Track Users Despite Opt-Out Requests An independent audit found that Google, Meta, and Microsoft may continue tracking users even after opt-out signals are enabled. In some cases, advertising cookies were still placed on user devices despite the use of official privacy controls. For Mission Teams This report highlights the ongoing tension between user privacy and large-scale data collection. Data privacy and Big Tech remain in a constant tug of war. As a result, teams should not assume that platform-based privacy settings fully prevent tracking and should remain flexible as policies and technologies evolve. When handling sensitive or internal communications, it is important to prioritize tools with strong security features, such as end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and secure backups. Platforms like WhatsApp can be useful in certain contexts, but teams should carefully evaluate each tool based on their specific risk environment. https://www.404media.co/google-microsoft-meta-all-tracking-you-even-when-you-opt-out-according-to-an-independent-audit/ 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: April 17, 2026

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