Weekly Marketing Rundown - April 17, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - July 3, 2026 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! This week Meta launched the Muse Image AI Generator, Google Consent Mode and bidding rules changed, concerns rise over Google Search data used for AI training, ChatGPT added new ad targeting features, and an Indian court order impacts domain privacy globally. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Moody Bible Institute breach exposes 2.3 million records Moody Bible Institute, a Chicago-based Christian college, confirmed a data breach after the ShinyHunters extortion group leaked over 2.3 million email addresses and personal data belonging to donors, students, alumni, and supporters. The group used a pay-or-leak campaign, and when demands were not met, they published the stolen data publicly. For Mission Teams This breach is a direct warning to faith-based organizations that donor and constituent data is a target for financially motivated hackers. Any ministry collecting email addresses, donation records, or other personal identifiable information should audit its security practices and ensure third-party platforms are secured with multi-factor authentication. https://cyberpress.org/moody-bible-institute-data-breach/ India court order could strip global domain privacy An Indian court ruling requires domain registrars to stop offering free default WHOIS privacy protection and to disclose domain owner information to anyone claiming a legitimate interest within 72 hours. GoDaddy, which manages 80 million domain names, warns that the ruling could have global implications because domain names are not region-restricted. The company has filed a 5,121-page appeal, which is scheduled to be heard on July 16. For Mission Teams Ministry websites registered through GoDaddy or similar registrars could eventually have their owner contact information made publicly searchable if this ruling stands. Teams managing ministry domains should check whether their WHOIS privacy protection is active and monitor this case as it develops. https://gizmodo.com/godaddy-sounds-alarm-over-how-india-law-would-upend-internet-privacy-everywhere-2000781210 Expanding Digital Evangelism into Virtual Reality Christian groups are now using virtual reality platforms to meet new people and share their faith online. These digital worlds have become a brand new mission field for reaching people who feel lonely or want a community. For Mission Teams Virtual reality offers an interesting avenue for bypassing some of the restrictions that believers and mission teams face in different countries around the world. It could become a valuable addition to existing digital engagement strategies, complementing current social media outreach and advertising efforts. However, experimentation and training are essential. These platforms differ significantly from the digital engagement platforms most teams currently use. Security, bandwidth, accessibility, user adoption, and team training all present important challenges that should be carefully considered. https://www.npr.org/2026/07/02/g-s1-131124/christian-missionaries-have-found-a-new-virtual-mission-territory Meta launches Muse Image AI generator Meta released Muse Image on July 7, 2026, its first in-house AI image generation model developed by Meta Superintelligence Labs. It is now available for free in the Meta AI app, in Instagram Stories in the United States, and in WhatsApp in a limited number of countries. The model allows users to generate and edit images from text prompts, and advertisers will soon be able to access it through Advantage+ creative tools to create ad variations without a traditional design process. For Mission Teams Churches and mission teams can use tools like Muse Image to create visual content for outreach campaigns more affordably. However, teams should be aware that the feature can manipulate public Instagram photos, raising new questions about consent and the appropriate use of images. From a security and privacy perspective, teams should also note Meta's expanded AI access to user-uploaded media and review their organization's social media policies accordingly. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/07/meta-ai-muse-image.html Google Search uploads now train AI by default Google updated its Search services privacy settings in June 2026 so that images, audio, files, and video you upload through tools like Google Lens and Google Translate are used to train its AI models unless you manually opt out. The setting called Search Services History is enabled by default, and anonymized versions of data already collected can remain in Google's training systems for up to four years, even after deletion. For Mission Teams Anyone in your organization using Google Lens to photograph documents or using Google Search voice input on behalf of the ministry may be unintentionally allowing sensitive content to be used by Google's AI systems, depending on their account settings. Teams should review their Google account settings and disable the Save Media option under Search Services History if they want to reduce potential data exposure. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-google-search-uploads-train-ai-opt-out/ Google Tag Manager interface updates and tracking reliability Google Tag Manager has a new look that makes it much easier for beginners to use. However, its new visual builder tool can cause tracking errors if your website design changes. For Mission Teams While these tools make it easier for teams to run ads and reach spiritual seekers, they must be configured correctly. Misconfigurations, website changes, and even platform updates can lead to broken analytics and potential non-compliance with data privacy laws. Interested in using Google Analytics or Google Tag Manager but not sure where to begin? Reach out—we'd love to help. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-27-adriaan-dekker-glo6e/ Meta rolls out Muse Image for advertisers Alongside the consumer launch of Muse Image, Meta announced that advertisers and agencies will gain access to the model through Advantage+ creative tools in the coming weeks. This will allow brands to generate ad image variations and edit campaign assets without a traditional design cycle. Meta says the model can produce on-brand ad variations with fewer iterations by combining native reasoning with advertiser creative assets. For Mission Teams Small ministry marketing teams who currently rely on outside designers or platforms for ad creative may find Muse Image through Advantage+ significantly reduces production costs and turnaround time for paid social campaigns. However, teams should review Meta's terms carefully as the model that creates the content is not perfect. Teams should verify the viability of generated content before deploying it in ads. https://ai.meta.com/blog/introducing-muse-image-muse-video-msl/ Apple's Hide My Email leaks real addresses A security researcher disclosed on July 1, 2026, that Apple's Hide My Email privacy feature contains a flaw that allows attackers to reverse-engineer anonymous email aliases back to users' real inboxes, with a 100 percent success rate in testing. Apple was first informed of the issue in June 2025 but has not fully patched the vulnerability despite multiple attempts, potentially leaving iCloud+ subscribers exposed. For Mission Teams iOS users who use Hide My Email aliases for ministry sign-ups or online outreach should treat those addresses as potentially compromised until Apple issues a confirmed fix. This is a practical reminder that no privacy tool should be trusted as a complete shield, and digital security training should cover how to verify whether a privacy feature is actually working. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-apple-hide-my-email-privacy-flaw/ Google bidding change may raise your ad costs Starting August 17, 2026, Google will change how it manages bidding for budget-limited campaigns using Target CPA or Target ROAS goals. If your campaign has been outperforming its targets, performance may shift closer to the higher target you originally set unless you manually adjust it using the new Bid Target Adjustment Tool, which became available on July 6. For Mission Teams Ministries running paid outreach campaigns on Google should check budget-limited campaigns before August 17 to avoid unexpected cost increases. Use the new Bid Target Adjustment Tool to review historical performance and update your targets to match what you actually want to spend. https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/17061251?hl=en OpenAI Adds Custom Audience Targeting to ChatGPT Ads OpenAI added a custom audience feature to its ChatGPT Ads platform that lets advertisers upload email and phone lists to target or exclude specific users. However, a minimum of 100,000 identifiers is required, which may put the feature out of reach for smaller advertisers. For Mission Teams This is a significant step toward ChatGPT becoming a real ad platform alongside Google and Meta. Ministries should cautiously experiment with the platform in their context to test its viability. https://www.jonloomer.com/chatgpt-ads-custom-audiences/ 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: July 10, 2026

Weekly Marketing Rundown - May 1, 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 Türkiye's latest control over social media, major telecom network exploitation, WhatsApp updates and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Turkey to Ban Anonymous VPNs and Mandate Social Media ID Checks The Turkish government is planning to ban anonymous VPN services and require all social media users to verify their identities using national ID numbers. These measures aim to eliminate online anonymity, allowing authorities to monitor digital activity and link every social media post to a specific person. For Mission Teams Mandatory identity checks and VPN bans create severe security risks for digital evangelists and seekers by making all online interactions traceable to real-world identities. All of these potential changes make decrease audience sizes and increase risk local teams may have to face https://reclaimthenet.org/turkey-to-ban-anonymous-vpns https://stockholmcf.org/turkey-proposes-mandatory-identity-checks-for-social-media-raising-press-freedom-concerns/ Covert Surveillance Actors Exploiting Global Telecom Networks Sophisticated surveillance groups are exploiting vulnerabilities in global mobile networks to track people's locations without them knowing. These actors use hidden commands and fake identities to turn mobile phones into tracking beacons that stay active for years. For Mission Teams This invisible tracking poses a major security threat to teams with digital evangelists and seekers who are meeting in high-risk areas. Mission teams must prioritize high-security communication apps that bypass standard mobile network protocols to protect their strategic movements and the safety of new disciples. https://citizenlab.ca/research/uncovering-global-telecom-exploitation-by-covert-surveillance-actors/ Windows Security Protection Failure A new vulnerability has been identified in Microsoft Windows that allows attackers to bypass important security protections. CISA has added this flaw to its list of known exploited vulnerabilities and urges immediate patching. For Mission Teams Attackers could use this flaw to gain deeper access to your computers and steal sensitive ministry data. Ensure all team laptops and Windows devices are updated immediately to prevent unauthorized access to your files. https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2026/04/28/cisa-adds-two-known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog WhatsApp Support Ending for Older Phones WhatsApp has announced it will stop working on older Android phones running versions 5.0 and 5.1 by September 2026. Users on these devices are already receiving alerts to upgrade their software or hardware to maintain access. For Mission Teams Many seekers in developing regions still use older smartphones and may lose the ability to contact your team via WhatsApp. You should check which devices your local partners use and prepare for a potential shift to other messaging apps in those areas. https://in.mashable.com/tech/109058/whatsapp-support-ending-soon-for-these-older-android-phones-is-your-device-on-the-list Instagram Story Voice-Over Feature Instagram is developing a built-in feature that allows users to record voice-overs directly within the Story builder. This simplifies the process of adding narration to your visual content without using external apps. For Mission Teams Adding a personal voice to your stories can make your ministry feel more authentic and approachable to seekers. This tool allows team members to quickly share a spoken prayer or a short testimony over a photo or video. https://socialbee.com/blog/social-media-news/ Google Video Content Exclusion Settings Google has simplified its campaign settings to allow users to exclude their ads from specific types of video content at the customer level. This ensures that your ads do not appear alongside videos that, while legal, may not align with your ministry's values. For Mission Teams Using these exclusions helps protect your ministry's reputation by keeping your ads away from inappropriate or distracting content. It also ensures your budget is spent on placements that are more likely to reach people in a respectful and open frame of mind. http://ads-developers.googleblog.com/2026/ Meta Transitioning from Dynamic Creative to New Creative Workflow Meta is permanently removing the Dynamic Creative feature and replacing it with a more advanced creative workflow. This new system allows users to upload up to ten media files while providing much better data on how each specific image or video performs. For Mission Teams Members of the Kavanah Media team are already leveraging this new feature. It makes it easier than ever to fully leverage creative diversity without having to use Flexible ad format or building multiple ads per ad set.  https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-ads-evolution-important-changes-for-2025/ Google Ads Updates and Trends for 2026 Google has introduced several updates including advanced AI-driven campaign features and more detailed reporting for Performance Max campaigns. These changes focus on automating ad creation while giving marketers better insights into how their budget is being spent. For Mission Teams Improved AI automation helps small mission teams create more effective ads to reach seekers with minimal manual effort. Better reporting tools allow teams to see exactly which audiences are responding to the gospel, ensuring resources are used strategically and securely. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-17-adriaan-dekker-1hwye/ Google Ads Advisor Launches New AI Safety Features Google is enhancing its Ads Advisor tool with three AI-powered features designed to automate security and policy compliance. These updates include proactive troubleshooting for policy violations, continuous account security monitoring, and instant certifications for regulated industries. For Mission Teams These automated tools could help mission teams to more quickly resolve ad rejections and maintain high security for their accounts without constant manual oversight. Proactive monitoring and instant certifications ensure that vital gospel campaigns stay active and protected against unauthorized access or technical roadblocks. https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/ads-advisor-google-ads/ 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: May 1, 2026