Weekly Marketing Rundown - February 20, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 23, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! We’re covering the latest updates you need to know: a critical PHP security update, recent changes to Meta ads, new recommendations for ideal video length and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Critical PHP Security Updates Required to Prevent Server Hijacking Security experts discovered critical flaws in PHP that allow hackers to take over websites without needing a password. Server administrators must update their PHP software immediately to block these dangerous attacks. For Mission Teams Outdated PHP versions leave your website open to attacks that can expose the private contact details of seekers who reach out through your social media ads and landing pages. If your team manages a website, update its PHP version right away. If you can’t update it immediately, take the site offline until you can. https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2026/10/psa-php-security-updates-available-for-two-critical-vulnerabilities-update-now/ Meta's New Feature for Ad Targeting Meta is launching a feature that lets you choose the audience for each individual ad creative. Instead of creating separate ad groups for different audiences, you can now set age and gender targets directly on each ad. For Mission Teams This update changes the way audiences can be targeted. It’s also important to note that this does not override Advantage+ targeting, and Meta’s algorithm will still show ads to people who might convert, even if they fall outside a team’s target persona. However, it could be a useful way to match different ads to different audiences, rather than relying on ad set–level targeting alone. Teams that have access to this new feature are encouraged to test its functionality and see how it affects ad engagement. https://www.jonloomer.com/choose-an-audience-for-each-ad-creative/ Meta's Future Automations In a recent podcast, Nik Ketkar, Director of Product Management at Meta, laid out upcoming changes to ad defaults and automated media buying. Meta is building automated tools so advertisers spend less time setting up campaigns and more time focusing on overall strategy. While artificial intelligence will suggest ad adjustments and create materials, human advertisers will still retain final approval over all decisions. These updates will automatically turn on in late October and alter how ads direct users unless advertisers choose to opt out. For Mission Teams Mission teams must review these new defaults as they roll out and test them to ensure continued ad performance. Several teams around the world have had difficulty getting good engagement from their desired target audiences with Meta's Advantage+ tools when they were rolled out previously, however, the automations that change brought also made it easier than ever to build ads. It is yet to be seen how these future changes will further affect digital engagement work. As always, testing is encouraged. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BNAIirKUZs Ideal Length for Social Media Videos A recent study of millions of videos shows Instagram Reels under three minutes perform best, while TikTok favors longer videos between three and ten minutes. However, the most important factor is keeping your videos engaging regardless of length. For Mission Teams You can use these time limits to design better short-form videos that catch the attention of seekers scrolling on social media. Making your videos the right length for each platform helps your digital campaigns reach more people so you can connect with them and make disciples. https://virev.ai/blog/how-long-should-a-reel-be?utm_source=tldrmarketing Meta Pauses AI Sharing Feature Over Major Privacy Leak Meta paused the sharing feature in its new Muse AI assistant after researchers discovered that shared links leaked private user conversations online. The web addresses included chat titles directly in the link, allowing anyone to easily search for and read confidential personal notes. For Mission Teams Using automated AI tools without strict privacy controls can inadvertently expose sensitive conversations and personal information shared by online seekers. Teams should exercise caution when using AI tools such as Muse, particularly when granting them access to files, systems, and data. https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/10/meta-muse-exposes-users-personal-and-business-secrets-when-they-share-conversations/?utm_source=tldrinfosec Google Ads Introduces Stricter Verification and Promotes AI Campaign Creation Google Ads now prioritizes an AI-driven campaign builder by default, while requiring a second official document like a utility bill to verify advertiser addresses in select locations. Users who prefer hands-on campaign management must click a less prominent manual setup link, and failing to verify your address will prevent ads from running. For Mission Teams Google has rolled out a requirement for a second verification document in South Sudan and says other countries may soon follow. Account verification is required to advertise on the platform. Separately, new AI features can help marketers build ads, but marketers should always check AI-generated content for accuracy. https://adriaan-dekker.nl/google-ads-can-now-ask-for-a-second-document-to-verify-your-address/ ChatGPT Expands Ad Formats and Shifts Web Traffic Attribution OpenAI is testing larger visual ads and clickable buttons in ChatGPT while adding new measurement tools to track campaign results. At the same time, recent tracking changes mean web visits from ChatGPT may now mistakenly appear as direct traffic instead of referral clicks. For Mission Teams Monitoring these analytics changes ensures your team accurately tracks how seekers discover and access your digital ministry platforms. Experimenting with these new visual formats and call-to-action buttons can help you engage more seekers and guide them toward becoming disciples. https://adriaan-dekker.nl/google-ads-can-now-ask-for-a-second-document-to-verify-your-address/ WhatsApp Tests In-App Browser for Chat Links WhatsApp is developing a built-in browser that allows users to open any shared web link directly inside their chats. This update keeps people inside the messaging app while browsing, though users can still switch to an outside browser and clear their stored data. For Mission Teams Meta uses in-app browsing to support user retention and collect tracking telemetry. This means that visits to external websites still consume standard mobile data under free carrier plans, but the in-app browsing environment could improve ad engagement tracking. Teams running traffic or sales campaigns for Bible orders or similar offerings may see improved tracking metrics; however, they may still face challenges due to Meta’s restrictions on religious data. https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-is-testing-an-in-app-browser-for-chats-on-ios/ X Plans to Ban Low-Quality and Misleading Advertisements Elon Musk announced that X will ban advertisers who post ugly, loud, or misleading ads. The platform is asking users to report bad promotions, but it has not yet explained the exact rules for judging them. For Mission Teams Teams using X for digital engagement should create clear, honest digital ads to reduce the risk of sudden account suspensions. Producing high-quality visuals can also help campaigns remain active across social media platforms. https://www.theverge.com/news/1013118/elon-musk-says-he-wont-allow-ugly-ads-on-x 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: October 23, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 11, 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 an invite to join out Kavanah Analytics Webinar,  major ways hackers are bypassing security systems and passkeys, Google ads on Waze, Vibe Coding and more! Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Kavanah Analytics- Webinar You're invited to a free online webinar introducing Kavanah Analytics on Monday, October 20, offered at two times to fit your team's schedule: 8:00 AM Eastern and 8:00 PM Eastern.  If your team is using digital tools to reach the lost, you already know the hard part isn't running an ad or posting a video. It's answering the questions that matter: Who responded? Did that conversation lead to a Bible study, a baptism, a disciple? Kavanah Analytics is a free tool built specifically for mission teams that automatically pulls your Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads, messaging, and follow-up data into one clear picture, so you can see the whole journey from first click to real spiritual conversation without stitching together spreadsheets or paying for enterprise software. In this one-hour session we'll show you how it works, walk through a live team dashboard, and explain how to get your own team set up at no cost.  Bring your questions, and bring whoever on your team is asking "is this actually working?"  Register at https://forms.gle/d2mLocY1MrcsazA28 and join us on October 20. kavanahanalytics.com Turning Off Meta's Buggy Multimedia Experience Facebook recently added a new tool that lets you put many pictures and videos into one ad, but it has a lot of bugs. You can easily turn off this new feature in your settings to go back to the older, more reliable way of making ads. For Mission Teams If you are leveraging Meta ads and hate the new UI now you can turn it off. However, even though the system can be buggy at times, members of the Kavanah Media team have come to like the new system and find it easier to use- especially when leveraging diverse creatuves, https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/turn-off-new-creative-workflow-multimedia-experience Clicking 'Allow' Could Give Hackers Access to Your Account In another Google and Microsoft attack surface- hackers can now access your entire Google or Microsoft account by tricking you into clicking "Allow" on a seemingly normal screen. Once allowed, they can read your emails and send messages to your contacts without ever needing your password. For Mission Teams Mission teams must be extremely careful when granting app permissions on devices used for digital evangelism. Hackers can use this trick to access sensitive conversations with seekers, and even changing your password won't stop them unless you remove their access in your settings. https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/clicking-allow-on-a-google-and-microsoft-permission-screens-could-give-hackers-access-to-your-entire-account-fbi-warns 39 Ways Passkeys Can Be Hacked Passkeys were designed to replace passwords by using a secure digital lock, but hackers have found 39 new ways to bypass this security. The hackers attack the systems around the passkey, like the app, browser, or cloud storage, instead of breaking the passkey itself. For Mission Teams Mission teams using passkeys for ministry platforms should not assume they are completely safe from hackers. Since hackers can still access accounts through shared devices or cloud accounts, teams need strong security measures across all digital tools used for evangelism. See the entire list here: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/39-new-methods-that-compromise-passkey-authentication/ OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Ad Tools and Global Reach OpenAI has released new tools for ChatGPT Ads that let creators build campaigns using simple text prompts, manage custom audiences better, and track ad performance more accurately. The platform also added budget pacing controls and expanded ad placement to users in Europe, India, the Middle East, and North Africa. For Mission Teams These AI tools and expanded regional footprints allow mission teams to reach seekers more effectively across Europe and the Middle East. Improved data matching and budget pacing also help teams protect user privacy and steward their evangelism resources wisely. https://ads.openai.com/?utm_source=openai_email&utm_medium=openai_email&utm_campaign=product_update Google Expands Waze Ads to 42 Countries Google is expanding Waze Ads beyond the United States to 41 additional countries through Performance Max campaigns. This update allows local organizations in 42 global markets to show location-based ads to drivers on their routes. For Mission Teams Where available local ministry teams and churches could use these location-based ads on Waze to guide nearby seekers directly to physical churches, community centers, or outreach events. Strategically targeting local drivers could help expand digital engagement into face-to-face discipleship. https://www.seroundtable.com/google-expands-waze-ads-42018.html Brands Emphasize Humanity to Rebuild Consumer Trust Many companies are designing ads that feature real human stories and handmade visual styles. This human-centered approach helps brands rebuild customer trust as public worry grows over artificial intelligence. For Mission Teams Content and news explaining this "Human Centered Content," trend is becoming more commonplace. Brands and marketers are realizing that sharing authentic human experiences in social media ads builds crucial trust with online seekers who are wary of automated content.  https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/humanity-in-advertising-ai-distrust?utm_source=tldrmarketing European Union Enforces Stricter Safety Rules on Popular Platforms The European Union placed ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox under its highest level of platform regulations after user growth surged. These services must now regularly assess risks involving minor safety, illegal content, and automated recommendation systems. For Mission Teams Tighter platform regulations in Europe could affect how ministry ad campaigns and conversational AI tools operate. While this platforms are not as widely leveraged for digital engagement by missions teams and churches, the adjustments these platforms must conform to may still affect other digital platforms, how users find and engage with content, and more. Teams should be prepared to adjust their strategies accordingly. https://www.politico.eu/article/chatgpt-reddit-roblox-face-eus-strictest-platforms-regime/ Meta Releases AI Tool for Real-Time Multilingual Transcription Meta introduced a new artificial intelligence model that transcribes live audio in over seventy languages simultaneously. The system accurately identifies more than twenty different speakers in a single recording, even when people switch languages mid-sentence. For Mission Teams This real-time translation tool allows global ministry teams to host live, multi-language meetings and broadcast outreach content seamlessly. Leveraging instant transcription helps teams securely engage diverse seekers and disciple international communities without language barriers. https://www.engadget.com/2249112/meta-new-ai-transcription-model-can-distinguist-between-multiple-speakers-and-languages-in-real-time/ Meta Disables Cameras on Smart Glasses Modified by Users Meta remotely turned off the cameras on thousands of smart glasses because users tampered with the recording lights. The company took action to prevent people from secretly filming others without their permission. For Mission Teams As smart glasses become increasingly common, the battle for user privacy intensifies. This development highlights several important concerns: Workers may be recorded at any time without their knowledge. Our sense of ownership is diminishing. While Meta's ability to detect tampering and disable devices can protect personal privacy, it also raises significant concerns about control and autonomy. https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-glasses-camera-disabled-tampering-recording-light-update-2026-9 Google Avoids Forced Breakup in Major Antitrust Ruling A federal judge ruled that Google will not have to sell its advertising exchange despite breaking antitrust laws. Instead of breaking up the company, the court ordered Google to make its ad tools work better with competing platforms. For Mission Teams Keeping Google's advertising network intact allows mission teams to continue using familiar tools to run targeted digital outreach campaigns. Improved compatibility between ad platforms helps teams protect user privacy while efficiently finding seekers and making disciples online. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/us-court-rules-google-will-not-have-to-sell-ad-exchange-after-losing-antitrust-case/?utm_source=tldrmarketing Vibe Coding Replaces Traditional Website Building Vibe coding is a new way to build websites by telling artificial intelligence what you want instead of writing complicated code. This easy method lets anyone quickly turn their ideas into a working webpage just by giving the AI specific instructions. For Mission Teams Using AI to build websites allows mission teams to quickly launch digital evangelism sites, however, it is not a complete replacement. AI can hallucinate and oftentimes misses critical website components involved in security, data privacy, compliance and more. Teams should be cautious when launching sites with AI and audit the products before launch to ensure security and compliance where relevant.   https://yoast.com/traditional-coding-vs-vibe-coding-website/?utm_source=mailblue&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_080926&utm 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: September 11, 2026