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Weekly Marketing Rundown - November 21, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - November 21, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue we discuss new Meta AI Image Enhancement tests, Google's latest update to their appeal system, AI generated content trends, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta's AI Image Enhancement for Ad Text Meta is testing a new Advantage+ Creative feature called "Highlight Image Text" that uses AI to improve ad visuals. The tool automatically adds AI-generated colors and banners to ad images to draw attention to important on-image text. For Mission Teams This tool can help text-heavy ads capture attention more effectively, potentially increasing engagement from seekers who respond to clear, direct messaging. Control over these AI-generated enhancements is still limited, so teams should review ads carefully during testing. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/highlight-image-text/ WhatsApp’s Open Door: Cross-Platform Messaging in the EU This development offers a potential strategy for mission teams because it widens the net for digital evangelism efforts by connecting different platforms- allowing teams to message with more than just WhatsApp's base users. While WhatsApp states it is trying to maintain End-to-End Encryption (E2EE), teams must be security-conscious of the new third-party apps, as their data handling and privacy policies may differ from WhatsApp's. For Mission Teams This development offers a potential strategy for mission teams because it widens the net for digital evangelism efforts by connecting different platforms. While WhatsApp states it is trying to maintain End-to-End Encryption (E2EE), teams must be security-conscious of the new third-party apps, as their data handling and privacy policies may differ from WhatsApp's.   AI-Driven Policy: Faster Google Ads Appeals Google Ads has upgraded its policy enforcement using Gemini AI, which has reduced incorrect account suspensions by over 80%. This improvement also allows Google to resolve 99% of suspension appeals very quickly, typically within 24 hours. For Mission Teams This update should significantly reduce the operational risk of a sudden, mistaken suspension that halts evangelism efforts. While appeals are faster, teams must strictly ensure all ads comply with Google’s policies to help avoid such restrictions in the first place. linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-46-adriaan-dekker-ukvye/   The Engagement Multiplier: Why Replying to Comments Is Crucial A large study by Buffer shows that replying to comments on your social media posts makes them much more visible to others. Across different platforms, posts where the creator responded to comments earned higher engagement. Threads saw the highest improvement at 40%, while Facebook saw modest gains at 9%. For Mission Teams For teams utilizing unpaid organic strategies, effective comment management is essential since it can boost engagement. It's important to note that the test did not include comments related to paid marketing—though it's possible similar gains could be seen with ads. Nevertheless, comment sections must always be actively managed. https://buffer.com/resources/replying-to-comments-boosts-engagement/   The 2Africa Cable: A Digital Highway for 3 Billion Meta has successfully completed the main part of its massive 2Africa undersea cable project, which is the world's longest at 45,000 kilometers. The cable connects 33 nations across Africa, Europe, and Asia and is expected to bring internet access to three billion people globally. For Mission Teams The successful launch of 2Africa is a significant strategic boost for digital evangelism efforts, dramatically increasing internet penetration and speeds across the continent. As internet access increases, so does social media usage. More social media users mean a larger audience for mission teams to target with digital engagement efforts. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-announces-that-core-2africa-undersea-cable-project-is-complete/805827/   Consumer Backlash: Rejecting AI-Generated Content Consumer preference for AI-generated creator content has dropped sharply from 60% in 2023 to only 26% in 2025 across the UK and US markets. A growing number of people, now 32%, believe that artificial intelligence is actively harming the creator economy and are signaling a growing rejection of its use. For Mission Teams This trend is a critical strategic signal for mission teams: authenticity and human connection are highly valued by seekers. While AI can speed up content creation efforts, teams should not rely solely on AI-generated content. It should be noted, however, that this study was based primarily in the UK and US. Teams should test AI content in their contexts to see how it performs when compared to more human-centered content. https://www.emarketer.com/content/consumers-rejecting-ai-generated-creator-content   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: November 21, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - November 14, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - November 14, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! This week we review Creative Diversity on Meta, social media trends, EU regulation, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Flexible Ad Formats: Maximizing Outreach Through Meta's Creative Tools Flexible Format is a special tool in social media advertising that lets you put many different photos, videos, and captions into one ad. This tool is designed to allow the platform to automatically mix and match these pieces to show each user the best possible, customized version of your message, ensuring maximum personalization. For Mission Teams: With Meta's roll out of Andromeda and push towards creative diversification, mission teams could use Flexible Format to provide up to 10 separate pictures and videos. This gives Meta's algorithm more 'ingredients' to work with, potentially extending an ad's runtime, increasing engagement, and more. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/flexible-format-creative-diversification/ 3 Social Media Stats Mission Teams Can't Ignore in 2026 A Meltwater report reveals three critical trends shaping the digital landscape: Social is the New Research Tool (72.3%): Platforms now play a central role in the purchase decisions of 72.3% of online audiences. This suggests that seekers likewise use them to digital engagement gbrands before engaging further. Cross-Platform Audience (80%+): High overlap exists between platforms: e.g., over 80% of TikTok and Snapchat users are also on Facebook. Mobile is King (96%): With 96% of users browsing on phones, mobile-first design is non-negotiable. For Mission Teams: To maximize digital outreach, teams must prioritize mobile optimization and adopt a coherent, multi-platform content strategy. Platform usage is not exclusive, so mission teams may not need to worry about being on every platform. Users often research your brand before engaging further, highlighting the importance of brand-specific, actively managed websites, mobile SEO optimization, and organic marketing campaigns. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/spons/3-stats-defining-social-media-in-2026/804459/ WhatsApp to Launch Optional Usernames for Better Privacy WhatsApp is planning a big update that will soon let you choose a special username, so you no longer have to share your phone number with everyone you talk to. This new option, which is confirmed to start rolling out next year, means people and organizations can connect while keeping their private contact details hidden. For Mission Teams: This new feature offers a massive boost to security and reach for teams operating in sensitive areas by allowing them to shield their phone numbers from potential threats.  https://www.androidpolice.com/meta-wants-you-to-gear-up-for-whatsapp-username-support/ The Quiet Digital Shift: Why Low Follower Counts Are the New Social Status People online are starting to think that having fewer followers is cooler than having millions because it suggests they are more private and authentic. This new trend shows that being real and having a small, close-knit community matters more to everyone than striving to go viral. For Mission Teams: This shift validates a core mission strategy: prioritizing deep, niche engagement with seekers over chasing mass, superficial reach on public platforms. Historically, building large audiences has been difficult for mission teams using digital strategies due to security concerns and the generally lower popularity of religious themes. However, if this trend continues, evangelism accounts could see increased engagement. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/its-cool-to-have-no-followers-now The Ultimate Digital Strategy Guide is Here: The Digital 2026 Global Overview Report The massive Digital 2026 Global Overview Report has been released, providing over 700 slides of data covering the latest global trends in internet usage, social media, mobile adoption, and the rise of AI. This comprehensive guide, published in partnership with Meltwater and We Are Social, confirms momentous milestones, including over 6 billion people now using the internet and social media users reaching "supermajority" status globally. For Mission Teams: The immense depth of this report is invaluable for refining mission strategies, especially for persona research, content targeting, and more. Teams can leverage the localized, detailed data to understand which platforms seekers in specific regions use, how they consume content, and the state of internet adoption, enabling them to design the most effective and secure digital outreach plans. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2026-global-overview-report Meta's Next-Gen AI Ad Targeting: Fewer Inputs, Better Results Meta has detailed its evolving ad system, powered by the Generative Ads Recommendation Model (GEM), an advanced, LLM-inspired foundation model for ads. The key takeaway is that this AI drives better ad performance by requiring less manual targeting input from the advertiser. The system processes massive amounts of user and creative data to automatically find and match ads to relevant seekers, often identifying audiences that advertisers might overlook. For Mission Teams: This shift empowers teams to prioritize high-quality, diverse creatives over complex, manual targeting. Given Meta's push toward AI systems and creative diversification, it is recommended, whenever possible, that teams leverage Meta's Advantage+ systems to avoid unnecessarily restricting the algorithm and negatively impacting ad performance. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-outlines-evolving-ai-powered-ad-targeting-systems/805164/ EU Content Moderation Rules Target WhatsApp Channels The European Union plans to designate WhatsApp Channels (the public feature, not private chats) as a "Very Large Online Platform" (VLOP) under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This imposes the toughest rules for moderating harmful content, carrying potential fines of up to 6% of Meta's global revenue. For Mission Teams As Meta adapts to this change, teams utilizing WhatsApp channels in their digital engagement strategies may be affected. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-11/whatsapp-set-to-face-stricter-content-moderation-rules-in-the-eu 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 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: November 14, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - November 7, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - November 7, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! This week is very we explore WhatsApp's new Passkey feature, a ton of updates regarding Meta, Singapores new laws and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Securing WhatsApp Backups with Passkeys WhatsApp is upgrading its chat backup security by letting you use your face, fingerprint, or screen lock code (a "passkey") instead of having to remember a long, complex password. This change makes it much easier to keep your secret backup chats fully encrypted so no one can read them. For Mission Teams This simplified security is vital for the safety of mission strategies, ensuring sensitive seeker data and ministry communications remain secure. Teams should consider adopting this immediately to strengthen their data security protocols, prevent lost access to valuable discipleship chats, and protect users from phishing attacks that target weak passwords. https://www.theverge.com/news/809842/whatsapp-passkey-chat-backup-encryption Creative Diversification is the New Ad Targeting Meta's new ad system, often called Andromeda, is designed to work with many different kinds of ad creatives to succeed. Creative diversification means using unique combinations of ad formats (like video, image, carousel, text, and visuals that appeal to different groups of people. For Mission Teams Marketers no longer need to focus on building the "perfect" creative combination. Creative diversification is now key to finding seekers—it allows the ad system to test different evangelism messages (e.g., hope, purpose, community) on various audiences at scale. This approach enables ad systems to optimize performance at scale, reducing ad fatigue and extending the impact of campaigns.  https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/creative-diversification-important/ Meta Q3: Total Reach and Youth Engagement Confirmed Meta reported strong ad revenue and added 60 million new users last quarter. Facebook’s dating feature now attracts 21.5 million daily active users across 52 countries. Most notably, engagement among 18–29-year-olds increased significantly, underscoring Meta’s success in retaining and growing its Gen Z audience despite rising competition. For Mission Teams Meta’s unmatched scale and robust user base once again solidify its domination of the market and is viability as a platform teams can leverage for digital evangelism. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-q3-earnings-results-ai-losses-ad-revenue-increase/804211/ and https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/03/wait-people-actually-use-facebook-dating/ Meta Messenger Transparency on Chat Data Use Meta is introducing a new label in business chats on Messenger to clearly inform users how their messages and interactions may be used to improve the platform. In other words, what you say or do in a chat with a business or ministry could help enhance ads, AI capabilities, and response times. For Mission Teams This disclosure highlights a crucial security and ethical strategy point: conversations with seekers in Messenger are not end-to-end encrypted like private chats, and Meta analyzes this data to inform its AI and advertising algorithms. Users will see these disclosures in Messenger as they interact with evangelism pages and ads. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-adds-new-labels-business-chats-messenger/725299/ WhatsApp Status Ads Live Meta has introduced ads in the status section of WhatsApp this month. Marketers can utilize this new placement to achieve objectives such as lead generation, traffic, sales, and engagement. To use any ad type, WhatsApp must be enabled, and marketers are required to have a WhatsApp Business account. Kavanah Media team members have begun experimenting with the new ad placement. For Mission Teams: Ads Manager will guide teams interested in using the new placement feature. Marketers can refer to the following guide to begin. Please be aware that Meta is gradually rolling out this feature worldwide, and it may not yet be accessible on all accounts. Currently, ad traffic is limited, so Meta advises enabling Advantage+ placements to avoid potential bottlenecks. https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1074444721456755?id=805840565113559&content_id=M171Csgrc511gin Singapore Law Increases Government Control Over Content Singapore passed a new law that significantly increases the government's power to force social media companies like Meta and TikTok to remove content. Platforms must now remove posts that promote abuse, bullying, or racial and religious disharmony, or face serious consequences, including criminal charges or app bans. For Mission Teams This law significantly increases security and content risks for evangelism, as any material discussing conversion or differing religious beliefs may be flagged for causing "religious disharmony." This could result in content takedowns, account restrictions, or even bans from platforms. It serves as an important reminder that social media platforms, along with the mission teams that use them, operate under the influence of local governments and their regulations. Many countries worldwide are enacting similar laws concerning social media and data privacy. Teams should assess their risk tolerance before initiating new projects, prepare for potential challenges, and stay informed about the local laws that may apply to them. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-05/singapore-law-gives-it-more-powers-over-tiktok-facebook-content Meta Lead Gen Ads Get AI and Quality Upgrades Meta is introducing major updates to its lead generation ads, focusing on quality over volume, and using advanced AI targeting and lead verification tools like SMS and work email checks. The platform now offers streamlined CRM integration and new automation features to instantly nurture leads after they express interest, often leading to a 14% lower cost per lead. For Mission Teams Meta says Advantage+ Leads campaigns are currently their most advanced ads. Mission teams wanting to leverage Meta's most advanced AI optimizations should consider testing Leads objectives to see how they perform in their context. They can be utilized for Messenger, traffic and more. http://socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-lead-gen-ad-updates-ai-targeting-verification-crm-expansion/804301/ YouTube Shorts Revenue Surpasses Long-Form Video YouTube's short-form vertical video format, Shorts, now generates more ad revenue per watch hour for the platform than its traditional long-form content. This significant shift is driven by advertisers increasing their spend on the highly engaging format and YouTube's success in monetizing Shorts, which continues to drive massive viewership. For Mission Teams This change confirms that short-form video must be the priority content strategy for finding seekers, as the platform's algorithm is heavily incentivized to promote and monetize Shorts above everything else. Teams should allocate more effort into creating short, authentic, and high-impact Reels and Shorts to maximize digital engagement, visibility, and the efficiency of their video outreach efforts. https://www.tubefilter.com/2025/10/29/shorts-now-make-more-money-for-youtube-than-long-form/ 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 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: November 7, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 31, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 31, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue we explore the collapse of keywords, major updates to Threads, Google changes, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM WP Engine - The Keyword Collapse: Summary Search engines are evolving. Rather than prioritizing keyword-heavy content, they now favor posts and pages that answer real user questions and link to trusted sources. This means AI-driven visitors are often more open and engaged—a major opportunity for digital evangelism. In this new environment, producing substantial, well-cited content is far more effective than simply publishing large volumes of surface-level material. For Missions Teams: For teams using websites to reach their audiences: depth matters more than volume. Replace broad, shallow posts with focused content that meets seekers’ actual questions and spiritual needs. Optimize for clarity, authenticity, and relevance, not just reach. Because this landscape is changing quickly, missions teams may still find Meta Message ads to be the most straightforward and reliable way to connect with those already searching for hope and truth online. https://wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/The-Keyword-Collapse-Building-a-Future-Proof-Organic-Strategy.pdf Google Ads Accounts Now Auto-Delete After 6 Months Google has changed how it handles canceled Google Ads accounts. If an advertiser cancels their account, it can now be permanently deleted after six months. Google will send a warning email 30 days before deletion. Before this update, accounts remained available indefinitely and could be reactivated at any time. For Mission Teams: This matters for marketing teams who rely on past campaign data to plan future strategies. If you want to keep your old ads or account history, you’ll need to reactivate the account within six months. Going forward, manage account status and data backups carefully to prevent the loss of valuable marketing information. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-43-adriaan-dekker-dbxne/ How Facebook Pages Are Performing in 2025: What’s a Good Engagement Rate? Buffer’s 2025 Facebook benchmarks show that the median engagement rate across all accounts is 3.8%, but this varies a lot depending on how many followers a page has. Smaller pages (under 1K followers) see the highest engagement at 8.8%, while mega accounts (over 1M followers) average around 3.8%. Posting frequency also increases with size, from about 19 posts/month for small pages to over 400/month for the largest ones. Video and photo posts tend to get more interaction than text or links, and early morning posts—especially Mondays at 5 a.m.—perform best. Buffer calculated this metric with the following formula: Engagement Rate = (Total Engagements / Total Impressions) × 100 For Mission Teams: Many evangelism pages fall below average engagement rates, and metrics can vary depending on how they’re calculated. Not all interactions hold equal value—shares, for example, may matter more than likes. Since engagement benchmarks shift, teams should define a clear primary goal and measure success against it. If the goal is messages but organic posts aren’t generating them, adjust the strategy. If the goal is views but reach is low, test new content formats. https://buffer.com/resources/facebook-benchmarks/ Facebook Splits Pages to Better Support Creators and Businesses Facebook now asks users to choose between a "Company" or "Creator" profile when setting up a Page. This change helps ensure users get the right tools from the start. Meta appears to be prioritizing creators by giving them more features and visibility, while businesses are being nudged toward using paid ads rather than relying on organic reach. For Mission Teams: Choosing the correct Page type matters, as it may affect how Meta treats your account. Social Media Today suggests that creators may receive more support and visibility, while businesses could be encouraged to spend more on ads—though this remains debated. Many marketers and creators believe that overall reach on Facebook has been declining for years due to factors such as content saturation and algorithm updates. For now, this change may simply be an effort to simplify Page setup. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-updates-page-categorization-process/803821/ YouTube Adds AI Upscaling and Shopping Features YouTube is rolling out new AI tools that automatically improve video quality, even if the original upload is low resolution. These updates are part of YouTube’s push to make videos look better and help creators earn more. For Mission Teams: Higher-quality videos can help attract and retain more viewers. Teams should consider experimenting with these new tools to see how they might enhance their video strategy and storytelling. https://www.theverge.com/news/808717/youtube-automatic-ai-upscaling-shopping-updates Threads in 2025: Big Growth and Big Engagement Threads now has 400 million monthly users and a strong median engagement rate of 6.25%. Posts with images get over 60% more interaction than plain text, and the best time to post is Wednesday at 7 a.m. New ad formats are also rolling out, including vertical image and video ads, carousels, and other video formats. For Mission Teams: This update is especially relevant for mission teams developing social media strategies. Threads is showing strong engagement, particularly with visual content, so teams should prioritize image-based posts and schedule them mid-week in the morning. The data also suggests that Threads may now offer more consistent audience growth and engagement than X. Additionally, it’s already integrated into Ads Manager, making campaign management easier. https://buffer.com/resources/threads-stats/ https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-updates-marketing-api-threads-ad-placements/804026/ 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: October 31, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 24, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 24, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we explore the Meta's new Andromeda system, the AWS outage, predictions for social media's future and more.  Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta AI Conversations Will Be Used for Ads Meta announced that starting December 16th, it will use your chats with Meta AI to help decide what content and ads you see. These AI conversations won’t directly create new ad targeting categories, but they will add to the data Meta already uses to personalize your experience. This move has sparked debate about whether AI chats should be treated like private messages or more like search history. For Mission Teams: Meta will have even more data to help match ads with the right people. It could improve ad performance, but teams should also be aware of privacy concerns and how users might react. Marketers may need to adjust strategies to stay transparent and build trust as AI becomes part of the ad targeting process. http://jonloomer.com/qvt/meta-ai-conversations-target-ads/ Big AWS Outage Shuts Down Websites and Apps Amazon Web Services (AWS) had a major outage that caused many websites and apps to stop working for several hours. The problem came from a network glitch, and it affected things like banking apps, streaming services, and company tools. AWS fixed the issue, but it showed how much the internet depends on their cloud system. For Mission Teams: If those tools go down, campaigns can pause, data can be lost, and users might have a bad experience. Teams should think about backup systems, check service status often, and plan for what to do if something like this happens again. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-aws-outage-2025/ Meta Andromeda: Why Mixing Up Your Ads Matters Meta’s new Andromeda system (the new ad delivery system) doesn’t just pick one “best” ad—it spreads out delivery across different versions to learn what works. Jon Loomer explains that advertisers should use a mix of creative types like different images, videos, headlines, primary text, calls-to-action, and formats (like single image vs. carousel). This helps Meta gather better data and avoid showing the same ad too often, which can make people stop paying attention. For Mission Teams: Teams should leverage different creative types and formats, enable Creative+ Enhancements and leveraging Adv.+ optimizations whenever possible as this approach can improve long-term ad performance and reach more people effectively. https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-andromeda-creative-diversification/ Meta Lead Ads: What’s Changing in October 2025 Meta is updating its Lead Ads system to give users more control over how their data is collected and used. Starting October 2025, advertisers must clearly explain why they’re asking for personal info and how it will be used. Meta will also require more transparency in lead forms and may limit how much data advertisers can collect without a clear reason. For Mission Teams: This matters for marketing teams because it changes how lead generation campaigns are built and approved. Teams will need to update their forms, rethink what data they really need, and make sure everything is easy for users to understand. It could also affect how quickly leads are collected and how much targeting data is available. https://giovanniperilli.com/en/blog/meta-lead-ads-october-2025-the-new-rules-and-what-really-changes/ No Consent, No Ads: Google’s New Privacy Rule Google now requires websites to follow the EU Consent Policy if you have end users in the EU—even for non-personalized ads. If your site doesn’t send proper consent signals, Google can suspend your entire ad account. To stay compliant, you should use a certified Consent Management Platform (CMP), check your consent setup in Google Tag Manager, and test it using GA4 DebugView and Ads consent mode reports. For Mission Teams: This is important for marketing teams because ignoring consent rules could shut down all ad activity. Teams should check their emails or Google Ads accounts to see if they have new Action Required notifications and also make sure their websites collect and send the right privacy signals, or risk losing access to Google Ads. Please reach out to us here at Kavanah Media if you need assistance with GDPR compliance. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-42-adriaan-dekker-rn3qe/ Facebook’s “Group Highlights” Make Private Posts More Public Facebook’s new “Group Highlights” feature lets private groups share selected member posts outside the group. Members must give permission before their content is shown, and highlights can appear on the group’s front page, in Facebook search, or even on Google. AI may help pick which posts to show, but names and profile pictures are hidden for now. For Mission Teams: Missionaries utilizing Facebook groups in their digital engagement strategies can experiment with this feature to broaden their reach. However, they must proceed with caution, ensuring user consent and addressing security concerns. Furthermore, missionaries operating in secure areas should reassess the groups they follow to confirm that their sensitive information is not being shared publicly on the platform. https://www.facebook.com/help/970710061848673?cms_platform=iphone-app&helpref=platform_switcher What Social Media Might Look Like in 2026 This article from Social Media Today shares 36 predictions about how social media could change by 2026. Experts think platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook will focus more on AI, short videos, and private messaging. There’s also talk about more rules for content, better tools for creators, and new ways for people to shop directly through social apps. For Mission Teams: Some examples from the list include: AI-generated content becoming normal, private messaging replacing public posts, creators getting paid directly through platforms, and social apps becoming shopping hubs. These changes could affect how brands and mission teams handle digital security, ad targeting, and customer engagement. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/36-predictions-social-media-marketing-2026/802195/ Instagram Reels Tries Skippable Ads Like YouTube Meta is testing skippable ads on Instagram Reels, similar to how YouTube does it. Users will see a countdown before the ad starts and then get a “skip” button. Right now, creators won’t earn money from these ads, and Meta says the goal is to help businesses get noticed without annoying viewers. For Mission Teams: This test could change how ads are made and placed on Reels. It may push brands to create more engaging content quickly, since users can skip. https://www.adweek.com/media/meta-is-testing-skippable-ads-on-instagram-reels-borrowing-from-youtubes-playbook/ Marketers Still Trust Real People Over AI User-generated content (UGC)—like videos, reviews, and posts made by everyday people—is still the top choice for marketers. A recent report shows that 36% of marketers say UGC is extremely important, while only 2% feel that way about AI-generated content. Gen Z spends a lot of time watching UGC, showing that people want real, relatable content—not computer-made stuff. For Mission Teams: This suggests teams should consider pulling back on using AI to make content and leaning into user generated content. Localized authentic content is best, but teams working in secure fields should be cautious. As always, these findings are primarily based in Western markets. Teams should experiment in their own locations. https://content-naf.emarketer.com/social-media-strategists-value-ugc-over-ai Social Media Stops Sending Traffic to News Sites Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram are sending way fewer clicks to news websites—down 30% since 2022. That’s a drop from 1.75 billion to 1.22 billion referrals. While platforms test new ways to boost link engagement, short videos and algorithm changes are making it harder for traditional news posts to get seen. Link-in-bio tools are growing, but they mostly help online shopping. For Mission Teams: Because social media platforms may limit the visibility of posts containing external links, marketing teams should think about alternative ways to share links — like putting them in bios or comments — to maintain reach and avoid algorithmic penalties. https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-media-trends-a6e42ba0-ae85-11f0-87d6-3dbac628b68f.html 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: October 24, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 17, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 17, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we explore the podcasts on Netflix, Meta data on Google ads, Buffer's advice for TikTok, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta Import in Google Ads Google has launched a new beta feature that lets marketers import Meta ad data directly into Google Analytics 4 (GA4). This means you can now see how your Facebook and Instagram ads are performing inside GA4, alongside your other marketing channels.  For Missions Teams: This could make tracking ad performance across platforms much simpler. Instead of switching between Meta and Google tools, you can now analyze everything in one place. Further testing is recommended. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-41-adriaan-dekker-vqpve/  (further down in the newsletter) California Proposes Health Warning Labels for Social Media California lawmakers are pushing a new bill that would require health warning labels on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. The labels would warn users—especially teens—about the mental health risks linked to heavy social media use. If passed, the law would be the first of its kind in the U.S., and platforms could face fines for not complying. For Mission Teams: This has the potential to impact campaign strategies and engagement rates, especially if governmental bodies around the world begin adopting similar policies. As social media companies respond to these regulations, teams should monitor how these changes may affect their efforts and be prepared to pivot as necessary. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/13/california-health-warning-labels-social-media-00606066 Reveal Details Over Time in Meta Ads Jon Loomer explains how to use Meta's new Reveal Features Over Time Advantage+ Enhancement to slowly reveal information to your audience over time. Instead of showing everything in one ad, you can set up a series of ads that unlock new details based on how people interact with them. This keeps users curious and encourages them to stay engaged longer. For Mission Teams: Currently this feature is only live for products under sales and app campaigns, but teams offering Bible sales or apps can use this strategy to build interest. There is a possibility Meta may roll out this feature to other ad campaign objectives. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/reveal-details-over-time/ How Often Should You Post on TikTok? Data From 11 Million+ Posts Buffer analyzed 11.4 million TikTok posts and found that creators who post 2–5 times per week get 17% more views. Posting 11+ times weekly increases the chance of going viral by 31x, but the extra effort doesn’t guarantee every post will perform better—just that one might break through, especially for the top 10% of creators. Whether you have 500 or 50,000 followers, posting more often improves your odds of success. For Mission Teams: For teams utilizing TikTok in their digital strategies this means consistency and volume matter when planning TikTok content. https://buffer.com/resources/how-often-should-you-post-on-tiktok/ Instagram Now Lets You Edit Your Reels Algorithm—But Will You Bother? Instagram has launched a new tool called “Your Algorithm,” that lets users control what shows up in their Reels feed. You can now add or remove interest categories, tap on topics to see sample videos, and adjust your preferences. It’s a way for Meta to say users have more control—even though most people probably won’t use it. For Mission Teams: Users might start shaping their own content experience more directly. That could affect how often your content appears, especially if it doesn’t match selected interests. It is not known if and how this will affect paid ads. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-rolls-out-reels-topic-algorithm-control-option/802426/ Signal’s Post-Quantum Makeover Is a Big Deal Signal has upgraded its messaging app to protect against future quantum computers that could break current encryption. The team has detailed how they made their protocol "quantum-resistant," ensuring security even as quantum technology advances. For Mission Teams: This matters because secure communication is key—especially when handling sensitive data or working in regions with privacy concerns. Leveraging Signal for internal and secure chats is now more secure than ever. https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/10/why-signals-post-quantum-makeover-is-an-amazing-engineering-achievement/ Facebook Adds Local Job Listings to Marketplace Facebook has launched a new feature in the U.S. that helps people find entry-level, trade, and service jobs in their local communities. Job listings now appear in a dedicated tab on Facebook Marketplace, and employers can post openings through their Page, a Group, or directly in Marketplace. This makes it easier for small businesses and job seekers to connect without leaving the app. For Mission Teams: The saying "Only older people use Facebook," is no longer true. Facebooks' user base has consistently grown globally and features such as Dating and Job Listings are seeing adoption even among younger generations. Facebook should not be overlooked by teams considering which platforms to utilize in their digital engagement strategies. https://about.fb.com/news/2025/10/introducing-local-jobs-facebook/ Netflix Adds Video Podcasts to Its Platform Netflix is starting to offer video podcasts, which means you’ll be able to watch interviews, discussions, and behind-the-scenes content from creators and celebrities right on the app. These shows will appear alongside regular movies and series, giving users more ways to stay entertained without switching platforms. For Mission Teams: Podcasts are increasingly popular, and this trend is expected to persist worldwide. Integrating podcasts into digital engagement strategies could be a valuable consideration. https://9to5mac.com/2025/10/14/netflix-is-adding-video-podcasts-marking-a-new-chapter-for-podcasting/ ​​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: October 17, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 10, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 10, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we explore Meta's new undersea cable project, problems with budget ad spend, Google's new messaging asset rules, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Facebook’s New Reels Update Makes Videos and Friend Discovery Easier Facebook’s latest update helps users find fresh Reels faster by showing 50% more videos posted the same day. AI now suggests similar content and highlights which videos your friends liked, making it easier to connect and chat. Users can also save favorite Reels more easily, and choose to see less AI-generated content by tapping “Not Interested.” Longer Reels (over 1 minute) are becoming more popular, especially among creators with big followings. For Mission Teams: For teams utilizing unpaid organic campaigns, this opens up more chances to get content seen quickly and find new audiences - granted teams post frequently. It also means marketers should consider making longer Reels and track how AI based content is performing. https://about.fb.com/news/2025/10/finding-sharing-reels-facebook-just-got-easier-more-fun/ Why Meta Might Not Be Spending Your Ad Budget Recently members of the Kavanah Media team have noticed Meta underspending teams' budgets. An article we originally posted in March 2025, addresses this issue. In it the article, Jon Loomer outlines nine common reasons why Meta might not fully spend your ad budget. These include: targeting too small of an audience setting ad set spend limits using strict cost or bid controls choosing low-volume optimization events applying dayparting (ad scheduling) or frequency caps relying on automated rules poor ad performance hitting spending limits making frequent changes that disrupt delivery For Mission Teams: Utilizing original audiences to target specific areas or genders, running ads on a schedule, manually choosing placements, and even not allowing Advantage+ Creative Enhancements can all trigger delivery issues. Teams experiencing underspent budgets should try experimenting with Advantage+ tools to see if that mitigates the issues. https://www.jonloomer.com/why-wont-meta-spend-my-advertising-budget/? Meta Introduces Ad-Free Subscription Option in the UK Meta is testing a new subscription in the UK that lets users pay to use Facebook and Instagram without ads. This move is partly a response to European privacy rules, giving users more control over how their data is used for advertising. The ad-free experience will cost a monthly fee and is expected to roll out in other parts of Europe soon. For Mission Teams: Teams in the UK could see reduced performance on their ads and may need to rethink how they engage audiences through organic content and other non-ad strategies. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/ad-free-subscription-uk/? Google’s New Rules for Message Assets Start October 30 Starting October 30, 2025, Google will launch a new help center to explain the rules for message assets—these are short messages used in ads. If an asset doesn’t follow the rules or can’t be verified, it won’t be shown. Full enforcement will roll out over a period of about four weeks. For Mission Teams: Teams hoping to leverage the new message asset feature should ensure their assets are in compliance, or risk restrictions and interruptions. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-40-adriaan-dekker-6ucbe/ WhatsApp and Threads Ad Placements This week a member of the Kavanah Media team began noticing that WhatsApp was listed as a potential ad placement on several ad accounts. WhatsApp's new ads will show under the "Updates" tab within the app. This new placement on Ads Manager implies a seamless integration for teams wanting their ads seen on all of Meta's platforms. For Mission Teams: WhatsApp's nearly 3 billion users make this ad placement particularly enticing. Teams hoping to leverage it can check if it's been rolled out to their ad account at the Ad Set level, under Ad Placements by selecting 'Manual Placements.' Meta Invests in New Undersea Cable to Boost Internet in Asia Meta is putting money into a new undersea cable project to improve internet connections across Asia. The cable will help make online services faster and more reliable in places like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. This is part of Meta’s plan to support growing internet use in the region and make sure its platforms work smoothly. For Mission Teams: Better internet means more people can access content quickly and without interruptions. This could lead to stronger engagement in Southeast Asia, especially for video and mobile ads. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-announces-investment-new-subsea-cable-project-asia/802158/ The Synthetic Scroll Is Changing How We See Content Marketers are starting to worry about AI-generated content flooding social media feeds. These “synthetic scrolls” are filled with posts made by machines, not people, and they’re getting harder to tell apart from real ones. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are experimenting with AI to keep users engaged longer, but it’s raising questions about what’s real and what’s not. For Mission Teams: This matters because brands could end up competing with AI "Slop" for attention. As algorithms shift to more AI based feeds, users may grow weary. Marketing teams may need to rethink how they create posts that feel authentic and trustworthy. https://digiday.com/marketing/the-synthetic-scroll-has-arrived-marketers-are-watching-nervously/ ​​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: October 10, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 3, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - October 3, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue we explore both Threads' and Instagram's explosive growth, Meta's new QVT tool, Google's latest 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 Meta Adds Creative Testing to QVT Tool Meta has introduced a new feature in its QVT (Quality Validation Tool) that lets advertisers test different versions of their ad creatives—like images, videos, and text—without uploading each one manually. This makes it easier to compare which version performs best and helps advertisers make quicker decisions based on real results. For Mission Teams: This means less time spent setting up tests and more time learning what works.Teams can check their ad accounts at the 'Ad' level when building campaigns to see if they have access to the tool.  jonloomer.com/qvt/creative-testing-feature/ Instagram Hits 3 Billion Users, Shifts Focus to Video and Messaging Instagram now has 3 billion monthly users and is changing how the app works to focus more on short videos (Reels) and private messaging. It’s testing a new design in India and South Korea where the app opens directly into Reels, and it’s also letting users customize what types of videos they want to see by choosing topics. Instagram’s leader Adam Mosseri says people don’t use the app for photo sharing like they used to, and most time spent now is watching videos from accounts users don’t follow. For Mission Teams: Historically, serving ads on Instagram has been more expensive and showed lower performance when compared to Facebook, but this shift may change that. https://archive.is/rPLTD Meta Rolls Out AI Enhancement for Ad Copy Testing Meta is launching a new AI Creative Enhancement that swaps out the text on the ad copy itself for new text from the ad headline, primary text, and descriptions. For example, it changes things like “free shipping” to “limited-time offer”—without rebuilding the entire ad image. For Mission Teams: This update could mean quicker testing and publishing of ad copy with various text options. Unfortunately, Meta does not have a way for users to verify or customize edits, so teams should be cautious. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/swap-selling-points/ Google’s AI Mode Starts Taking Action, Not Just Giving Answers Google is testing a new AI feature that doesn’t just respond—it actually does things. Early users can ask it to find restaurants, and the AI will research, filter, and show real booking options. It even takes a few minutes to “work,” showing that it’s doing tasks behind the scenes instead of just replying instantly. For Mission Teams: For mission teams, this shift could change how people interact with search and sites. Major drops in search traffic have already been documented, and this trend will likely continue. With these traffic drops teams may be forced to leverage paid ads even more. Teams should monitor site traffic and be prepared to adjust strategies. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-39-adriaan-dekker-ymkte/ (Scroll down) Google Ads Launches AI Agent to Help Fix Ads and Answer Questions Google Ads has introduced a new AI-powered assistant that helps users troubleshoot ad issues and get answers to common questions. Instead of digging through settings or help articles, users can now ask the AI agent directly, and it will guide them through fixes or provide clear explanations. It’s designed to make ad management faster and less confusing, especially for people who aren’t experts. For Mission Teams: This tool could save time, reduce errors when running campaigns, and enable marketers to resolve many ad issues without needing to chat with a Google agent—minimizing ad downtime. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-september-recap-adriaan-dekker-ojnpe/ (Scroll down) Threads May Soon Pass X in Active Users According to new data, Threads is growing rapidly and may soon surpass X (formerly Twitter) in active users. While Threads has experienced steady growth, X’s user base has declined—particularly following changes implemented by Elon Musk. Threads is also receiving frequent updates and new features, which could help attract even more users. For Mission Teams: Threads' continued growth in popularity, along with its integration with Meta's other marketing platforms, makes it an enticing option for digital engagement work. Teams should check Meta Ads Manager to verify if they are able to serve ads on the platform, as well as verify the user base in their contexts. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/data-suggests-threads-will-soon-overtake-x-formerly-twitter-in-active-users/761326/ ​​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 Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement 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: October 3, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 26, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 26, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we explore the usefulness of Meta's new Ads Manager metric, the US governments recommendations for encrypted apps, Italy's new AI laws and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Instagram Follows from Ads, but Does it Mean Much? Facebook now lets marketers see how many Instagram followers come directly from ads, but this is usually just a vanity metric. Frequently, followers don’t actually engage with content—no likes, comments, or story views. Some even seem like fake accounts, which makes the follower count less useful than it looks. For Mission Teams: Tracking Instagram follows from ads has become easier, but this may not be the most effective measure of success. A more strategic approach is to concentrate on genuine engagement and your overarching objectives. If your goal is to foster meaningful conversations that lead to offline meetings, then that is what you should prioritize in your tracking. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/instagram-follows/ Remarketing on Meta Facebook’s ad system automatically prioritizes remarketing, and has for awhile. That means it shows ads to people who’ve already interacted with your brand in some way—like visiting your site or engaging with your content. It is no longer necessary to run seperate dedicated ads for retargeting. For Mission Teams: Due to Religious data source restrictions, and other factors, remarketing on Meta's platforms has been difficult in the context digital engagement projects for some time. However, even with these challenges, Meta's algorithm's prioritization change means remarketing is even easier as it happens automatically. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/general-remarketing/ U.S. Officials Recommend Encrypted Messaging Apps Government officials in the U.S. are urging people to use encrypted apps like Signal and others to keep their messages private. These apps make it harder for hackers or outsiders to read what you send. For Mission Teams: For marketing teams, this is good reminder to utilize good cybersecurity hygiene and prioritize the usage of encrypted platforms for communications. https://www.esecurityplanet.com/video/us-officials-recommend-using-encrypted-apps-for-messaging/ Italy Passes First National AI Law in the EU Italy is now the first country in the European Union to create a national law for artificial intelligence. The law sets age restrictions and other rules for how AI should be used safely and fairly. For Mission Teams: For marketing teams, it is essential to understand that digital engagement tools are constantly evolving and can change unexpectedly. To maintain effectiveness, we must diversify our systems, implement robust cybersecurity practices, and stay updated on the latest developments. Additionally, teams should be aware of local laws regarding AI, data, and other aspects related to digital engagement strategies, as these can significantly impact their projects. https://www.eweek.com/artificial-intelligence/italy-leads-eu-with-first-national-ai-law/ Meta Adds New WhatsApp Ad Features Meta just introduced two new ad tools for WhatsApp: “Click-to-Message” and “Status Ads.” The Click-to-Message feature lets users start a WhatsApp chat directly from an ad, while Status Ads allow businesses to place promotions in the WhatsApp Status feed—similar to Instagram Stories. These updates make it easier for brands to connect with users inside the app. For Mission Teams: This could mean a more direct ways to reach customers and start conversations. It could lead to faster responses, better engagement, and more personalized service. This new systems are being rolled out globally in stages. Teams should verify if they have access to the new ad platform in their region and test them in their context before full adoption. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-adds-whatsapp-click-to-message-whatsapp-status-ads/760186/ Facebook Ads Cost More in 2025, But Still Cheaper Than Google Facebook’s average cost per lead jumped to $27.66 in 2025, up 21% from last year. Even with the increase, it’s still much lower than Google’s $70.11. Traffic ads on Facebook are doing better, with cheaper clicks and more people clicking, but lead ads are getting less effective. For Mission Teams: Marketing teams should watch ad performance closely and focus on better creative and targeting. Rising costs and lower conversion rates mean teams may need to shift strategies and protect ad budgets. It’s also a good time to review how data is used in campaigns. https://searchengineland.com/facebook-ad-costs-jump-beat-google-461690 Signal Adds Free and Paid Chat Backup Plans Signal is launching encrypted chat backups with two options: a free plan and a paid one. The free version gives users 100MB of message storage and 45 days of media backup. For $1.99/month, the paid plan offers 100GB and full media backup. All backups use zero-knowledge encryption, meaning only the user can access them using a 64-character recovery key generated on their device. For Mission Teams: These new options could be an excellent encrypted storage option for teams that leverage Signal heavily.  https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/08/signal-introduces-free-and-paid-backup-plans-for-your-chats/ ​​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: September 26, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 19, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 19, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we explore the latest updates on Ads Manager, examine Meta's Value Rules, discuss a recent issue with a Chrome plugin, and explore advancements in universal translation devices. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Changes to Meta Ads Manager Kavanah Media team members have noticed several changes to Meta's Ads Manager UI. Now after clicking "Publish," on an ad marketers are shown a "Preview ad Setup," popup. Users can use this new screen to double check their ad before clicking "Publish," one final time. Additionally, when utilizing Flexible ad format Meta's and selecting images Meta's select image screen now has a "Recommended Images," row. Criteria for an image to appear there is stated as follows: "These images uploaded to your account are recommended because they follow photography best practices, like color balance and good lighting." For Mission Teams: When utilizing Flexible ad format teams can leverage these recommended images to boost the total amount of creatives included in ad. As always, teams should experiment with this feature before full adoption. Meta’s New Ad Breakdown Tool Isn’t What Advertisers Expected Jon Loomer explains that Meta’s new “Creative Breakdown by Flexible Format” tool doesn’t give advertisers the detailed insights they hoped for. Instead of showing how each image or video was used in ads, it only shows general categories like carousels, single media, and “unknown.” This makes it hard to understand which specific creative elements are working best. For Mission Teams: This update is frustrating because it doesn’t help them improve ad performance based on creative data. While Flexible ad format is great for preventing Creative Fatigue, without knowing which images or videos are most effective, it’s harder to make smart decisions. This could affect how teams test content, track engagement, and manage ad budgets. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/creative-breakdown-flexible-format/ Using Value Rules to Improve Meta Ad Performance Value Rules let advertisers tell Meta which types of users are worth spending more on. You can set rules based on location, device, or audience traits, so Meta adjusts bids automatically. This helps ads reach people who are more likely to take action, without needing to manually change every setting. For Mission Teams: Teams can use Value Rules to stretch their budget and improve results. It’s especially useful when targeting broad audiences, since it gives the algorithm smart hints without locking it down. This can also reduce creative fatigue and lower digital security risks by avoiding unnecessary ad duplication or overly complex targeting setups. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/value-rules-breakdown/ Chrome Add-On Steals Meta Ad Accounts A dangerous Chrome browser extension has been found stealing access to Meta ad accounts. Once installed, it can grab login details and take control of ad campaigns, costing users money and exposing sensitive data. The extension spreads through phishing emails and fake websites, making it easy for unsuspecting users to fall for the trap. For MIssion Teams: This kind of attack targets people who manage ads and budgets. If an account is stolen, it can lead to fake ads, wasted spend, and damaged brand trust. Teams should use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid installing unknown browser extensions to protect their digital security. https://www.esecurityplanet.com/news/chrome-add-on-steals-meta-ad-accounts/ How to Prevent Your Meta Ads from Wearing Out Creative fatigue happens when people see the same ad too often and stop paying attention. It’s more likely when your audience is small, your budget is high, or you limit placements and ad variations. To avoid this, the article recommends using open targeting, Advantage+ placements, multiple text and creative versions, and AI-generated enhancements. Instead of relying on one “winning” ad, build ad sets with many different messages, formats, and visuals to keep things fresh. For Mission Teams: This matters for mission teams because tired ads waste money and lose audience interest. By using more creative options and fewer restrictions, teams can keep engagement strong and avoid ad blindness. It also means being careful with automation and AI tools to make sure they support your strategy without risking brand consistency or digital security. https://www.jonloomer.com/creative-fatigue-meta-ads/ Big Tech Is Building Real-Life Universal Translators Apple, Google, and Meta are racing to create gadgets that translate languages instantly—just like in science fiction. Devices like AirPods, Pixel phones, and Ray-Ban Meta glasses can now help people understand each other in real time. Apple supports five languages, while Google and Meta go further by mimicking voices to make translations sound more natural. For Mission Teams: This tech could open up global communication like never before. It may allow missions teams to connect with audiences across language barriers more easily. Teams should consider how this affects content creation, online and in person interactions, and digital security—especially with voice cloning and AI-driven data handling. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/12/apple-google-meta-universal-translator.html Is Social Media Losing Its Spark? James O'Sullivan argues that social media is no longer about real connection. Instead, it's filled with AI-made posts, bots, and content designed just to get clicks. People are getting tired of it, scrolling without joy, while platforms stop growing. Now, smaller and more private spaces like Discord, Substack, and Patreon are becoming more popular because they focus on trust and real conversations. For Mission Teams: This shift means big changes. Teams may see lower engagement rates. Instead of chasing viral posts, brands may need to build smaller, loyal communities where people feel safe and heard. Strategies might need to focus more on authenticity, privacy, and long-term relationships. Digital security could also become more important as users move to platforms with tighter controls. https://www.noemamag.com/the-last-days-of-social-media/ TikTok Deal Reached Between U.S. and China The U.S. and China have agreed on a framework deal that could keep TikTok running in America. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the deal respects national security concerns while allowing fair investment for China. President Donald Trump supported the agreement and credited TikTok with helping him connect with young voters. The deal may lead to TikTok being sold to a U.S.-based company Oracle, avoiding a ban that was set to take effect soon. For Mission teams: TikTok remains a key platform for reaching younger audiences- particularly in the West. However, changes in ownership or control of the app’s algorithm could affect how content is seen and promoted. Teams should prepare for shifts in ad targeting, data privacy rules, and platform stability as the deal moves forward. https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/trump-china-tiktok-deal-rcna231313 ​​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: September 19, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 12, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 12, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we discuss changes to Meta's Pixel, Google's new Ad Message Asset system, revisit Daily Ad Budgets utilization alongside Ad Scheduling, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Landing Page Views No Longer Require a Pixel Meta has updated how it tracks landing page views. Before, advertisers needed to install a Pixel on their website to measure how many people visited a landing page after clicking an ad. Now, Meta can track these views without a Pixel, using internal data from the platform itself. For Mission Teams: This matters for marketing teams because it simplifies ad setup—especially for teams with limited tech support or those working in regions with strict data rules. It also reduces dependency on website code, which can help avoid tracking issues. However, teams should still consider how this change affects data accuracy, privacy policies, and overall strategy. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/landing-page-views-no-longer-require-a-pixel/ Google Ads Message Assets: A New Way to Chat with Customers Google Ads now lets businesses add message assets to their Search and Performance Max campaigns. These assets are buttons that, when clicked, open a chat in platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, SMS, or Zalo. Users can start a conversation directly from the ad, making it easier for businesses to connect with potential customers. This feature is still in beta and has specific setup steps and eligibility requirements. For Mission Teams: Teams could leverage these features to drive leads through direct messaging. It’s especially useful for mobile-first audiences and regions where chat apps are popular. Teams should also consider how this affects conversion tracking, ad strategy, and privacy compliance. https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/14888522?hl=en Why Flexible Format Ads Can Be a Problem Jon Loomer’s article explains three key issues with Meta’s Flexible Format ads. These ads change how they look depending on where they’re shown, which means advertisers don’t always know what users will see. Important parts like headlines or descriptions might get cut off, and advertisers lose some control over how their message is delivered. For MIssion Teams: If control over layout and messaging is important, it’s better to use single image or video ads and build multiple versions within each ad set. But if that’s not a concern, Flexible Format ads make it easier to build campaigns. Each extra asset adds more variation, which can help ads run longer without getting stale. Teams can also track how each asset performs by using the Image, Video, and Slideshow breakdown in Ads Manager. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/3-problems-with-flexible-format/ Daily Ad Budgets with Ad Scheduling In the August 22nd edition of the Weekly Marketing Rundown Kavanah Media team members had noticed ad accounts allowing for both Ad Scheduling to be utilized in conjunction with Daily Ad Budgets. Previously, this feature was only available with Lifetime Budgeting. However, further testing revealed inaccuracies in this update. When Ad Scheduling is enabled under a Lifetime Budget, marketers can switch to a Daily Ad Budget. Despite this, the Ad Scheduling graph appears grayed out, indicating that the functionality is inactive. For Marketing Teams: Unless there are changes, teams wishing to utilize Ad Scheduling must continue using Lifetime Budgeting. It's important to note that teams using Lifetime Budgets also cannot take advantage of the Ad Budget Increasing feature. This feature allows marketers to specify dates and times, as well as the amount by which the algorithm can increase daily ad spend to enhance performance. Social Media in 2025: What People Really Want Sprout Social’s latest pulse surveys show that people are shifting toward platforms like Reddit and Bluesky because they want fewer ads and more control over what they see. Surprisingly, 60% of users—especially Gen Z—say social media helps their mental health, offering emotional and financial support. Bluesky saw a massive 370% growth in the past year, and 76% of users say social media influenced their purchases in the last six months. Overall, network fragmentation is common and users are frequently migrating less mainstream platforms. For Mission Teams: While it is unlikely that many mission teams will be directly affected by these trends in the short term, their significance should not be underestimated. Changes implemented by social media companies, government regulators, and other entities lead to substantial shifts in global social media usage. Trends like network fragmentation remind us that the digital landscape is constantly evolving. Teams should seize the opportunity to experiment with new platforms and strategies. https://sproutsocial.com/insights/the-state-of-social-media Nepal’s Social Media Ban Backfires, Sparks Protests Nepal’s government tried to block access to 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn, but the move triggered massive protests and unrest. People rely on these apps to stay in touch with family, run businesses, and even receive money, so the ban hit hard. Within days, the government reversed the decision and restored access to all platforms. For Mission Teams: This shows how deeply social media is woven into daily life—even in countries with smaller markets. Blocking platforms can disrupt communication, business operations, and customer engagement. It also highlights the need for flexible digital strategies and secure access options in regions facing censorship or sudden policy changes. https://archive.today/QStX3 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: September 12, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 5, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - September 5, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we explore Nepal's social media ban, Meta's auto-translation feature, WhatsApp's recently patched 0-day hack, and much more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta Rolls Our AutoTranslation for Ads Meta has recently launched AI video translation tools, currently available only in Spanish. These tools not only translate the audio content of videos but also provide lip-syncing capabilities. Additionally, marketers can review the translations before publishing. For Mission Teams: For teams, this has huge potential. It means you can take one video and make it work in multiple countries, helping campaigns go further without extra production costs. It also opens up new audience segments and improves accessibility. However, teams should be cautious about translation accuracy and ensure brand messaging stays consistent across languages. AI-generated voiceovers may also raise privacy or copyright concerns depending on usage. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/automatic-translation-videos/ WhatsApp 0-Day & Docker Bug The Hacker News reported on a WhatsApp flaw that let attackers take over phones with a video, and a Docker bug that exposed container access. Both have been patched, but they were serious. For Mission Teams: This is a good reminder for teams to practice good cybersecurity hygiene by testing and installing all security patches for the platforms they utilize. https://thehackernews.com/2025/09/weekly-recap-whatsapp-0-day-docker-bug.html Meta Adds “Restricted Words” for AI Ad Copy Meta has rolled out a new feature in Advantage+ Creative called “Restricted Words.” Advertisers can now list specific words or phrases they don’t want AI-generated ad copy to use. When the AI creates variations of ad text, it will automatically exclude those restricted terms. For Mission Teams: This feature offers more control over tone and message when using automated tools. It helps prevent off-brand or awkward wording from slipping into ads. Teams should consider adding sensitive or contextually inappropriate terms to their restricted list to ensure ads stay clear, consistent, and aligned with their goals. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/restricted-words/ Advantage + Audience Settings Auto Enabled The Kavanah Media team has reported a recent change to Meta's Ad Manager UI concerning Advantage + Audiences. Previously, missions teams could easily disable the Advantage + audience by toggling the 'Original audience' button at the bottom of the audience selection box. However, the new update requires users to select "Further Limit the Reach of Your Ads" and then deselect the "Use as a suggestion" options for age, gender, and location. Additionally, Kavanah Media team members noticed that Advantage + Audience targeting has been re-enabled on ads where it was previously disabled. For Mission Teams: For teams currently using Adv.+ audience parameters, no changes are required. However, teams employing Original Audience targeting to specify gender, age, or geographic location should verify that these changes have not been automatically applied to their existing ads. Necessary adjustments should be made for future advertisements. If you are experiencing this issue or require assistance with adjusting your ad targeting, please do not hesitate to contact us. Instagram Surges Ahead of Facebook in EU Growth Meta’s latest EU transparency report shows Instagram expanding at 10 times the pace of Facebook across Europe. Between Jan–June 2025, Instagram reached 281.8M monthly active users in the EU, compared to Facebook’s 263.6M. While Facebook grew only 0.65% since March 2024, Instagram jumped 6.17%, with Facebook even losing users in Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands. This underscores Instagram’s growing dominance as the preferred platform in the region. For Mission Teams: The trend is clear: younger and digitally active audiences in Europe are seemingly shifting toward Instagram, while Facebook’s role continues to flatten. Including Instagram in organic and paid digital engagement work is advised. However, Facebook should not be ignored entirely, as it still commands a massive audience—just with slower momentum. Additionally, users utilize different platforms differently. Just because a platform has a large user base does not ensure it's effectiveness in garnering engagement, messages or more. Teams should experiment in their context. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-growth-facebook-meta-eu-usage/759079/ Instagram Launches iPad App with Reels at the Center Instagram has finally released a dedicated iPad app, available for devices running iPadOS 15.1 and later. The app opens directly to a Reels feed, signaling Meta’s continued focus on short-form video. Stories remain accessible at the top, while new multitasking-friendly features allow users to view messages and notifications side by side, expand comments without interrupting videos, and use a redesigned Following tab with filters like “All,” “Friends,” and “Latest.” For Mission Teams: This rollout means Instagram content is now available on iPads. Teams that have integrated Instagram as a platform in their digital engagement work may start to see more traffic from iPads where device usage is high. https://about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/instagram-for-ipad/ Google to Verify All Android Developers Google announced that starting in September 2026, all Android app developers—even those distributing apps via sideloading or third-party stores—will need to verify their identity. This change applies to all certified Android devices (phones with Google services and Play Protect, like Samsung, Pixel, and Xiaomi). The goal is to reduce scams and malicious apps by holding developers accountable. For Mission Teams: The rollout begins with an early access program in October 2025, expands to all developers by March 2026, and will take effect in select countries first before expanding worldwide by 2027. While this is only an identity check (not a content review), teams that rely on sideloaded apps should prepare now, since unverified apps may eventually become inaccessible. https://thehackernews.com/2025/08/google-to-verify-all-android-developers.html Nepal Bans Major Social Platforms Over Registration Dispute Nepal has blocked 26 social media platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X—after they failed to comply with a Supreme Court order requiring local registration. Platforms were told to register with Nepal’s Ministry of Communication, appoint a local contact, and provide a grievance redress system within seven days. TikTok, Viber, and others avoided the ban by meeting the requirements, while officials said access could be restored for those that comply. Rights groups, however, warn the move could suppress online speech. For Mission Teams: This shows how quickly government regulation can disrupt access to key platforms used for outreach and communication. Teams working in or around Nepal should expect interruptions in using major networks and consider alternative tools. It also highlights the need to stay alert to legal changes that may affect digital strategies in different regions. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/nepal-bans-x-insta-fb-action-after-sc-order-non-compliance-cited-as-reason/articleshow/123700622.cms Meta Updates UI for Chat The Kavanah Media team has reported new updates to Meta's Chat Builder appearing on some ad accounts. When using Engagement Objectives, some ad accounts now present three options for chat functionality: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): This feature operates as it has in the past. Quick Replies: This option functions similarly to FAQs but is more concise and allows for the integration of third-party chatbots. Buttons: This feature directs users to an external destination, such as a website, outside of Messenger. For Mission Teams: Teams are encouraged to verify whether these changes have been implemented in their ad accounts and to test the functionality within their specific contexts. 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: September 5, 2025