Weekly Marketing Rundown - January 16, 2025

Weekly Marketing Rundown - February 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 regarding new Meta Advantage+ Creative Enhancements, Social Media trends for 2026, new social media platforms and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM AI-Generated Video with Advantage+ Creative Meta is testing a new AI feature that automatically creates short videos from your existing images. The tool uses artificial intelligence to turn static photos into 15 to 20 second clips with movement and music. For Mission Teams This tool enables teams to quickly and easily create additional video creative for ads. As with all of Meta’s Creative Enhancements, users are encouraged to review outputs before publishing. The feature helps teams reach more people through visual storytelling while keeping digital outreach simple and cost-effective. https://www.jonloomer.com/advantage-plus-creative-video-generation-beta/ U.S. Senators Propose New Rules to Stop Fake Social Media Ads Lawmakers want to pass a law that forces social media companies to prove who their advertisers really are. This bill aims to stop criminals from using paid ads to trick people and steal their money. Some platforms, such as Meta, already employ identity verification for advertisers in certain instances. For Mission Teams This law could make it harder for teams to run ads because platforms will require much stricter identity checks. While this helps prevent scams, the potential for paper-trails could raise security concerns for teams working in secure contexts. https://archive.is/AGR28 2026 Social Media Study Shows Big Changes in Popularity A new study looked at millions of posts to see how people use social media today. For organic campaigns the study found that TikTok is the best place to get attention, while sites like Facebook and Instagram are seeing fewer people interact with posts. It should be noted that this engagement data was primarily comment driven as DMs do not show on public data feeds. It also does not reflect global platform differences based on regions and other important nuances. For Mission Teams Teams running global campaigns with lower-level engagement goals may prioritize TikTok, but it’s important to recognize that user behavior varies by platform. For example, users may be more likely to send direct messages on Instagram than on TikTok. Teams should experiment with platforms and strategies to determine what works best in their specific context. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/2026-social-media-benchmarks-infographic/811179/ France Considers Restricting VPN Access to Protect Younger Users France is looking for ways to stop children under fifteen from using social media apps. They are thinking about limiting the use of VPNs so kids cannot hide their location to bypass age rules. For Mission Teams If countries ban VPNs, it will be much harder for mission teams to stay hidden and safe online. This change could also prevent seekers in restricted areas from safely finding and viewing your evangelism content. https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/france-might-seek-restrictions-on-vpn-use-in-campaign-to-keep-minors-off-social-media-205308716.html New Video App UpScrolled Gains Users by Promising More Freedom A new app called UpScrolled is becoming popular because it promises not to sensor or hide people's posts. Many people are joining this platform because they want an alternative to TikTok that shows posts in the order they were shared. For Mission Teams This platform presents an opportunity to share the gospel without the concern of content being shadowbanned or suppressed by algorithms. As with any emerging platform, the user base is still limited, and teams should experiment before committing to full adoption. https://www.tubefilter.com/2026/01/30/upscrolled-tiktok-alternative-open-platform-no-censorship/ Meta Predicts AI Will Power All Parts of Social Media in 2026 Meta plans to use artificial intelligence to suggest videos and help people spend 20% more time on their apps. These new tools are also helping businesses grow by allowing computers to chat with over one million people every week. For Mission Teams Improved AI ranking and dubbing tools can help your evangelism videos reach significantly more people across multiple languages. Advertisers are also reporting 24% improvement in conversion attribution, underscoring the growing importance of video-based content. One thing is clear: AI enhancements are here to stay. However, it remains unclear how these changes will impact teams around the world that rely on Meta’s platforms for digital engagement. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-outlines-ai-powered-system-improvements/810886/ Meta Reports Significant Growth in Users and Revenue for Late 2025 Meta’s latest report shows that daily active users across its apps have grown to 3.32 billion people. The company also saw its revenue climb by 18% as more people spent time watching Reels and interacting with AI-suggested content. For Mission Teams With over 3 billion people active on these platforms, the potential to reach unreached groups through social media advertising is greater than ever. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-posts-increases-in-users-and-revenue-in-q4/810801/ 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 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: February 6, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 8, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue we cover Meta's new "Review Keywords," AI enhancement, Youtube's decision regarding AI slop, the dangers of an over sanitized social media presence 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 EU Starting in early October 2025, Meta will no longer allow paid political, electoral, or social issue ads in the European Union. This change is a response to the EU’s new Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) law. For Mission Teams: While digital evangelism ads typically are not typically political or tied to social issues, teams are strongly advised to avoid content that could be interpreted that way to prevent ad rejections or delays. It’s also important to research local advertising laws related to political and social issues, as both regulations and Meta’s enforcement can vary significantly by country. https://about.fb.com/news/2025/07/ending-political-electoral-and-social-issue-advertising-in-the-eu Meta Tests New “Review Keywords” Ad Feature A Meta AI enhancement now in testing—called Review Keywords—can automatically display positive keywords from your Facebook Page reviews under your ads. For example, phrases like “Great service” or “Fast shipping” may appear below your ad creative. This feature is part of testing under Advantage+ Creative and may appear in less than 5% of impressions in participating ad accounts.  For Mission Teams: For mission teams whose Facebook Pages collect endorsements—such as event or ministry feedback—this feature can help add social proof to ads effortlessly. Conversely, if a page has negative reviews it could have the opposite effect. However, since it’s still in testing and represents minimal impressions, it’s best to monitor its impact closely. If a team is unsure, simply turn off the enhancement. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/review-keywords-enhancement/ Facebook Updates Data Privacy and Transfer Terms Meta has updated its platform terms related to data privacy and international data transfers, specifically focusing on the Developer Features and Customer Data Protection Terms and its Privacy Policy on Data Transfers. These updates clarify Meta’s expectations for developers and advertisers regarding data collection, processing, and cross-border data transfers, especially in light of legal requirements like the GDPR and other international data agreements. For Mission Teams: When using Meta tools like Facebook Ads or APIs, it’s important to be mindful of how user data is handled—especially in regions with strict privacy laws. Teams running campaigns in or targeting countries listed in Meta’s legal addendum should ensure their data practices comply with local regulations. In some cases, such as in Türkiye, this includes appointing local parties to act as representatives on behalf of the company or ministry. This requirement presents a double-edged challenge. Non-compliance can result in steep fines and legal consequences, while compliance may involve disclosing sensitive details—such as identities, types of data collected, and the purpose—to local authorities. For teams operating in politically sensitive areas, this level of transparency may not be feasible, making strategic planning and legal consultation essential. https://developers.facebook.com/terms/dfc_platform_terms/ https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/Privacy/Transfers For More Info on Data Laws and how they might effect you and your team please see this previous edition of the Weekly Marketing Rundown: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/resources/90567/weekly-marketing-rundown-july-17-2025 Google Search Indexing Meta Ai Chats Meta’s AI app enables users to share conversations publicly in a “Discover” feed—and Google is indexing that content. Even private chats, like medical questions or contact information, can appear in search results if shared—unlike ChatGPT, which ended this practice. Meta has since added clear warnings before users share chats, but confusion remains about the visibility of those posts. For Mission Teams: For mission teams, this raises major privacy concerns. Communications with chatbots—even those meant for ministry or outreach—might become automatically searchable online if shared. Teams should be cautious about using AI platforms, train users on sharing risks, and avoid sharing any content with sensitive or personal details. https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-ai-chat-google-search-openai-chatgpt-2025-8 YouTube Tightens Rules on AI-Generated “Slop” Content YouTube is updating its monetization policy starting July 15, 2025, to crack down on repetitive, low-effort, AI-generated videos—often called “AI slop.” The update aims to ensure monetized videos include meaningful content and originality, not just generic voiceovers or recycled visuals. YouTube says this is a refinement of existing standards, not a major shift. For Mission Teams: This trend is a good reminder to prioritize quality over quantity. If you’re using AI to help create content (like Bible stories, animations, or voiceovers), make sure your videos include real value—like commentary, personal testimony, or custom visuals. The algorithm is watching for authenticity. https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-partner-monetization-policy-changes-3575999/ Instagram Increasingly Favors Fresh Creator Posts Meta reported that more than two-thirds of Instagram’s suggested content in the U.S. now comes from original creators. It reflects Meta’s ongoing effort to highlight unique, user-generated posts. For Mission Teams: As platforms prioritize original content, teams relying solely on pre-made media like the Jesus Film may see a drop in organic engagement, especially if relying only on organic traffic. To stay visible, it’s smart to balance strategies—mixing paid ads and organic posting with both pre-made and original content can help maintain reach and relevance. As always, experimentation is recommended. https://s21.q4cdn.com/399680738/files/doc_financials/2025/q2/META-Q2-2025-Earnings-Call-Transcript.pdf Scrubbing Your Social Media Can Sometimes Do More Harm Than Good Employers, governments and social media platforms themselves are increasingly relying on users' social media presence for things like identity verification, vetting and more. Deleting every old post or comment from your social media in an effort to present a perfectly clean profile may actually backfire. Experts caution that overly sanitized feeds can raise suspicion, look inauthentic, or hide personality traits that employers value—leading them to view candidates as overly cautious or even untrustworthy. For Mission Teams: Even though mission teams aren’t job hunting, their internet presence still matters—especially when applying for visas, residency, or launching digital outreach. Deleted or overly sanitized social media profiles can raise red flags, and platforms like Meta may even flag new accounts used for advertising as suspicious or bot-like. Building a genuine online presence that follows basic cybersecurity practices is recommended. If cleaning up accounts is necessary, it should be done carefully to preserve authenticity. For teams with no digital footprint, starting one is a smart move. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mariagraciasantillanalinares/2025/08/02/how-scrubbing-your-social-media-could-backfire-and-even-hurt-your-job-prospects/ UAE Now Requires Permit for Social Media Promotions The UAE has introduced a new rule requiring anyone—residents or visitors—who post promotional content on social media to obtain an official “Advertiser Permit.” This includes both paid and unpaid promotions across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. The law goes into effect October 2025. Residents can apply for a free three-year permit, while visitors must apply for a temporary three-month permit through an agency. Penalties for non-compliance can reach up to AED 1 million. For Missions Teams: The impact of these emerging laws on foreign companies—including missions teams overseeing digital engagement initiatives—remains uncertain. It will be important to observe how social media platforms adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape. As the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye implement new legislation targeting digital marketers and data controllers, organizations will likely need to reassess and modify their strategies to remain compliant and effective. https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2025/07/30/uae-social-media-advertiser-permit/ 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 8, 2025