Weekly Training

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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
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 29, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 29, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we explore the challenges surrounding Meta's ad budget underspending, the automatic activation of Advantage + Audience parameters, updates to Google Ads, 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 Underspending Ad Budgets? Recently, Kavanah Media team members have observed that several ad campaigns using Original Audiences are frequently underspending their daily budgets. While this typically balances out over the duration of the campaigns, teams have reported lower-than-average message rates as a result. Consequently, this has led to periods of inactivity for digital responders. Kavanah Media's initial hypothesis suggests that this issue may stem from not granting Meta's algorithms sufficient flexibility, particularly concerning Advantage+ Audience, campaign budgeting, and other related factors. For Mission Teams: Teams facing this issue are encouraged to try combining audiences, enabling Advanced Audience features, and minimizing restrictions on the algorithm to see if the issue improves. If you are encountering this problem, we would appreciate your feedback. Meta Expands Advantage+ Dynamic Media in API Meta is updating its Marketing API to bring it in line with Ads Manager. Starting September 1, 2025, Meta will automatically enable Dynamic Media for Advantage+ catalog ads. This means formats like Single Image, Carousel, and Collection will now default to Dynamic Media, allowing more flexibility and personalization. The rollout will finish by October 20, though advertisers can still opt out if they want manual control. For Mission Teams: Teams utilizing third party tools for marketing on Meta's platforms should experiment with these new tools in their context to see how they affect engagement. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-updates-marketing-api-advantage-plus-expansion/758685/ Meta Restricting Ads Related to English Classes Many advertisers have reportedly faced challenges with Meta flagging and restricting ads related to English classes and other educational categories. Although Meta has not addressed this issue, some marketers suspect it may be linked to the company's compliance with local laws governing educational entities or other related policies. For Mission Teams: Mission teams promoting educational events should ensure their advertisements comply with Meta's policies and best practices. This includes considerations such as marketing to minors and avoiding ascribing personal attributes in their advertising (see Meta's policy on that here). Furthermore, it is advisable to limit the amount of text and content in ad creatives, as the Kavnaah Media team has observed that excessive text can lead to ad restrictions. https://www.reddit.com/r/FacebookAds/comments/xhgy80/pages_for_schools_being_restricted_from/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 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. Google Ads to Remove Language Targeting in Search Campaigns By the end of 2025, Google Ads will phase out manual language targeting in search campaigns. Instead, Google AI will automatically detect and match user languages, aiming to simplify campaign setup and increase precision. This update won’t impact non-search campaigns. For Mission Teams: For mission teams, this means less direct control over which languages your ads target. While automation could broaden reach, it may also bring unintended audiences. Teams should closely track performance metrics and be ready to refine ad copy or campaign structure to keep messaging aligned with the right audience. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-34-adriaan-dekker-ftsce/ Meta Adjusts Ad Set Spending Limits Meta has changed how ad set spending limits function under Advantage+ Campaign Budget (formerly Campaign Budget Optimization). Instead of enforcing hard caps on spending, the limits now act as average targets. This means spending may fluctuate above or below the set amount, with Meta aiming to balance it over time. For Mission Teams: This update reduces control over strict budget allocation. To prevent overspending on a particular ad, teams should utilize Lifetime budget. As usual, teams should experiment with this in their context. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/ad-set-spending-limits-change/ Google Ads Adds Asset Studio and Prepares AI Mode Ads Google Ads is rolling out Asset Studio in beta, a built-in creative hub that allows users to generate images, videos, and voiceovers using AI. It also includes bulk editing, video trimming, and flags AI-generated content with a “SynthID.” Asset Studio is especially useful for Performance Max campaigns, helping teams produce high-quality assets faster and more efficiently. At the same time, Google is preparing a broad rollout of AI Mode ads in its conversational AI search interface before Q4. Unlike traditional keyword-based ads, these placements will appear based on the full conversation context. Performance Max and AI Max for search campaigns will automatically feed into these new placements, making careful monitoring of campaign performance essential. For Mission Teams: Asset Studio can save teams time and resources when creating visuals and videos. With AI Mode ads, expect ads to appear in new, context-driven placements. Monitor performance closely and keep data and feeds well-maintained. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-34-adriaan-dekker-ftsce/ Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement At Kavanah Media, we’re committed to helping mission teams use digital tools to make God known around the world. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practical insights, or in-depth strategy, we’ve got resources to help: Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here. YouVersion Reading Plan– Jon Ralls, CEO of Kavanah Media, just launched a powerful 8-day devotional on YouVersion called "Living in Tension." Subscribe here Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: August 29, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 22, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 22, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we cover Meta's adjustments to the impressions metric, the "ideal" video length for Meta ads, Google's new AI tool to fight fake website traffic, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta Now Counts Real Views, Not Just Appearances Meta is changing how it tracks post performance by replacing “impressions” with “views.” These new “views” will combine several data points: whether the post was on screen, how long it stayed visible, and if it was seen by a real person—not just loaded in the background. Any third party tools that try to pull that metric will return an error. For Mission Teams: The "Views," metric has already been on Ads Manager for some time, so this change is minor - merely changing which metric you view. Teams utilizing 3rd party tools should ensure they are updated to avoid any disruptions caused by attempting to pull the deprecated metric. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-deprecates-impressions-in-favor-of-views-api/757958/ Meta Sets New Rules for Video Ad Lengths Meta has updated its rules for video ads. With around 20 different placements for video ads, many marketers want to know what the "ideal" video length is. Simply put, every placement has different requirements. Some placements have no minimum, others have a 241 minute maximum. Jon Loomer suggests anywhere between 5-15 seconds to hit as many placements as possible. For Mission Teams: For teams aiming to maximize their presence across various placements, videos should ideally be between 5 to 15 seconds. However, this is not a guaranteed solution. Longer content can also be effective, and each placement can benefit from a tailored video with different lengths. Teams should experiment with different video lengths, placements, and formats within their specific context to assess effectiveness. To see a breakdown of what the different ad placements allow for, see below: https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-video-ad-length-requirements/ Meta Removes Detailed Ad Targeting Meta is discontinuing several detailed ad targeting options. This decision, initially announced last year, is based on factors such as low usage, excessive granularity, and sensitivity of certain topics. Recently, Meta has been prompting advertisers through Meta Ads Manager to adjust their ad sets that rely on these targeting options to prevent any disruptions. For Mission Teams: Mission teams that continue to use detailed targeting options may need to adjust their ad sets. In reality, Meta's algorithms have evolved and often do not require these tools to effectively reach audiences. Teams that have previously found success with these targeting options should now focus more on their copy, creative elements, and offers to connect with the right audience. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-removes-more-detailed-ad-targeting-options-facebook-instagram/757856/ Meta Expands Value Rules to Other Ad Types Meta’s “Value Rules” were first made for sales and app install ads, helping advertisers adjust bids based on what matters most - like age, gender and more. Now these rules are available for all ad objectives, making it easier to guide ads toward meaningful results. For Mission Teams: For Christian mission teams, this means they can use these rules to better reach their target persona for Awareness, Engagement, and other ad objectives. For instance, Value Rules can be utilized to increase bid limits for certain gender or ages. It allows for teams to leave Advantage+ audience targeting on, but still retain some control over targeting options. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/value-rules-campaign-objectives/ Google’s AI Blocks 40% of Fake Ad Traffic Google’s new AI tools are now stopping fake clicks and bot traffic in real time. Using advanced models from DeepMind and Google Research, they’ve cut out 40% of deceptive ad activity—meaning advertisers were likely wasting huge chunks of their budgets on fake views and clicks for years. For Mission Teams: For teams using Google Ads, this could lead to lower ad numbers at first—but that’s actually a good sign. If the tools are working correctly, it means the data is cleaner and more accurate, showing real engagement instead of fake traffic. Teams should review past performance, adjust expectations, and make sure their ad tools are secure and up to date. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-33-adriaan-dekker-hynve/ Facebook Ads Not Serving to Instagram Without Profile Pic Meta's platforms typically allow ads to be served on Instagram even if a specific Facebook page lacks an associated Instagram account. However, this week, members of the Kavanah Media team encountered a new warning: "Your ad won't run on Instagram because the selected Instagram account doesn't have a profile photo. Add a profile picture on Instagram or select a different account." In this case, the account in question did not have an Instagram account at all. While the error message was technically inaccurate, the outcome remained the same: no ads could be served on Instagram. For Mission Teams: Teams hoping to run ads on Instagram should open an Instagram professional account and ensure it has a profile picture to ensure their ads are served to the platform. Daily Ad Budgets WITH Ad Scheduling The Kavanah Media team has observed that Meta's platforms now allow ads to use Daily Budgets in conjunction with ad scheduling. Previously, advertisers who wanted their ads to run only during specific hours had to use Lifetime Budgets, but this is no longer necessary. For Mission Teams: Teams interested in using Daily Budgets alongside ad scheduling should check Ads Manager to confirm if the feature has been rolled out to their accounts. https://www.facebook.com/business/help/219673497541595 Meta Says Social Media Is Over—What’s Next? Meta’s defense against the FTC revealed a surprising truth: personal social networking is fading. Only 17% of time on Facebook and 7% on Instagram is spent with friend content. Most activity now comes from algorithm-driven posts, not from people users know. Meta says the future may be AI-powered feeds, wearable tech, or niche creator spaces. For Mission Teams: For Christian mission teams, this shift serves as a reminder that social media is constantly evolving. Teams should stay updated on trends and adapt their strategies accordingly. One effective approach is to diversify strategies by combining organic content with paid advertising, which has proven to yield reliable global results. https://www.fastcompany.com/91386830/meta-social-media-ftc-monopoly-response Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement At Kavanah Media, we’re committed to helping mission teams use digital tools to make God known around the world. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practical insights, or in-depth strategy, we’ve got resources to help: Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here. YouVersion Reading Plan– Jon Ralls, CEO of Kavanah Media, just launched a powerful 8-day devotional on YouVersion called "Living in Tension." Subscribe here Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: August 22, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 15, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 15, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue we cover Meta and Google's political ad restrictions in the EU, Buffer's latest report on Instagram posting, the US government's response to the EU's Digital Services Act and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta to Stop Political and Social Issue Ads in the EU Meta announced that it will no longer allow political, electoral, or social issue advertising across its platforms in the European Union. This change is part of Meta’s effort to simplify ad rules and reduce the risk of non-compliance with complex EU regulations. To see the current list of Social Issues and how Meta defines, them go here: https://www.facebook.com/business/help/214754279118974?id=288762101909005 For Mission Teams: To prevent unnecessary disruptions, teams should ensure their ads steer clear of any listed social issues. It’s not enough to avoid these topics directly—content should also minimize any chance of being misinterpreted, as Meta’s AI review systems can mistakenly flag ads as non-compliant. 🔗 https://about.fb.com/news/2025/07/ending-political-electoral-and-social-issue-advertising-in-the-eu US Government Pushes Back on EU’s Digital Services Act The US government is opposing how the EU is enforcing its Digital Services Act (DSA) against Meta, claiming the rules unfairly target American companies. The DSA requires platforms to remove harmful content quickly and share more data with regulators, but US officials argue it may violate trade rules and put extra burdens on US-based tech giants like Meta, Google, and X. For Mission Teams: US pressure could shift EU policy and significantly impact how companies operate internationally, influencing content moderation, ad targeting, and even platform accessibility in Europe. Teams should remain ready to adapt strategies and platforms as companies respond to evolving political and regulatory landscapes. 🔗 https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/us-government-oppose-eu-digital-services-act-meta/757137/ Google's Updates: Sitelinks, EU Political Ads Ban, and Ads Placement in AI Search A leaked document shows Google is gearing up to place ads directly inside its AI-powered search experience, with a major launch expected before Q4. Unlike traditional keyword search ads, these will be selected based on the entire conversation context, not just the initial query. Brands using Performance Max or AI Max for Search will automatically qualify for these placements—marking a significant shift in how paid visibility works on Google Search. It is also adding sitelinks to Ad Strength Rankings. At the same time, Google is tightening political ad rules in the EU, restricting such placements to comply with upcoming regulations. For Mission Teams: AI-driven targeting can improve ad relevance but may also introduce uncertainty about where ads appear. Including sitelinks in ads will impact the Strength score. Similar to Meta’s EU political ad restrictions, teams should avoid topics that AI moderation tools might mistakenly flag as political or socially sensitive to prevent unnecessary limitations. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/google-ads-news-week-32-adriaan-dekker-zlkie/ Update Regarding Meta's New "Review Keywords" Ad Feature Last week (see here) we included an article discussing Meta's "Review Keywords" ad feature, and after some feedback we wanted to offer clarification. This feature states the following on Ads Manager: Review keywords We will use AI to extract positive keywords from your Page’s reviews and display them in a proprietary unit underneath the ad. Example keywords: "Great service" "Fast shipping" "Reliable" For Mission Teams: Our previous entry suggested that if a team had negative reviews, the new review feature could pull those instead. Clearly, Meta states that will not be the case - it is supposed to only flag positive reviews. HOWEVER, that is dependent on Meta's systems correctly identifying which reviews are positive and which are negative in a mission team's field of service and language. If a team has any doubt that this feature will yield positive results, it is recommended to simply disable it in Ads Manager Settings. Meta Faces Whistleblower Allegations Over Privacy and Copyright A whistleblower claims Meta ignored internal warnings about privacy and copyright violations tied to its AI systems. The allegations suggest Meta trained AI models on copyrighted material without proper licenses and overlooked potential privacy breaches. Lawmakers and regulators may investigate, and the case could have legal and financial consequences. For Mission Teams: Teams should be ready to adjust strategies as regulators and social platforms respond to these changes. Additionally, assume that any information published online—even if posted on one's own website and marked ‘no index’—can still be accessed or crawled by external entities. Avoid posting any content that, if exposed, could create security risks. 🔗 https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/meta-facebook-tech-copyright-privacy-whistleblower How Often Should You Post on Instagram? Buffer’s article recommends posting on Instagram 3–5 times per week to stay active and keep followers engaged. It emphasizes that consistency and quality matter more than posting every day, and that overposting can actually reduce engagement. The advice is based on platform data and user behavior trends. For Mission Teams: For mission teams, this helps shape smarter content schedules and avoid burnout. Posting less often can reduce the risk of account misuse, especially if fewer people need access. It also encourages using planning tools to stay organized and focused on meaningful updates. 🔗 https://buffer.com/resources/how-often-to-post-on-instagram/ 🎬 Meta’s Translate Media Tool for Video Ads Jon Loomer’s article introduces Meta’s new “Translate Media” feature, which automatically converts text in video ads into different languages. It’s meant to help advertisers reach more people without making separate versions of each ad. For Mission Teams: For marketing teams, this could save time and make global campaigns easier. But it also means checking translations for accuracy and keeping an eye on how automated tools handle brand messaging and privacy. 🔗 https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/translate-media-feature-for-video-ads/ Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement At Kavanah Media, we’re committed to helping mission teams use digital tools to make God known around the world. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practical insights, or in-depth strategy, we’ve got resources to help: Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here. YouVersion Reading Plan– Jon Ralls, CEO of Kavanah Media, just launched a powerful 8-day devotional on YouVersion called "Living in Tension." Subscribe here Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: August 15, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 8, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 8, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue we cover Meta's new "Review Keywords," AI enhancement, Youtube's decision regarding AI slop, the dangers of an over sanitized social media presence and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Meta to Stop Political and Social Issue Ads in EU Starting in early October 2025, Meta will no longer allow paid political, electoral, or social issue ads in the European Union. This change is a response to the EU’s new Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) law. For Mission Teams: While digital evangelism ads typically are not typically political or tied to social issues, teams are strongly advised to avoid content that could be interpreted that way to prevent ad rejections or delays. It’s also important to research local advertising laws related to political and social issues, as both regulations and Meta’s enforcement can vary significantly by country. https://about.fb.com/news/2025/07/ending-political-electoral-and-social-issue-advertising-in-the-eu Meta Tests New “Review Keywords” Ad Feature A Meta AI enhancement now in testing—called Review Keywords—can automatically display positive keywords from your Facebook Page reviews under your ads. For example, phrases like “Great service” or “Fast shipping” may appear below your ad creative. This feature is part of testing under Advantage+ Creative and may appear in less than 5% of impressions in participating ad accounts.  For Mission Teams: For mission teams whose Facebook Pages collect endorsements—such as event or ministry feedback—this feature can help add social proof to ads effortlessly. Conversely, if a page has negative reviews it could have the opposite effect. However, since it’s still in testing and represents minimal impressions, it’s best to monitor its impact closely. If a team is unsure, simply turn off the enhancement. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/review-keywords-enhancement/ Facebook Updates Data Privacy and Transfer Terms Meta has updated its platform terms related to data privacy and international data transfers, specifically focusing on the Developer Features and Customer Data Protection Terms and its Privacy Policy on Data Transfers. These updates clarify Meta’s expectations for developers and advertisers regarding data collection, processing, and cross-border data transfers, especially in light of legal requirements like the GDPR and other international data agreements. For Mission Teams: When using Meta tools like Facebook Ads or APIs, it’s important to be mindful of how user data is handled—especially in regions with strict privacy laws. Teams running campaigns in or targeting countries listed in Meta’s legal addendum should ensure their data practices comply with local regulations. In some cases, such as in Türkiye, this includes appointing local parties to act as representatives on behalf of the company or ministry. This requirement presents a double-edged challenge. Non-compliance can result in steep fines and legal consequences, while compliance may involve disclosing sensitive details—such as identities, types of data collected, and the purpose—to local authorities. For teams operating in politically sensitive areas, this level of transparency may not be feasible, making strategic planning and legal consultation essential. https://developers.facebook.com/terms/dfc_platform_terms/ https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/Privacy/Transfers For More Info on Data Laws and how they might effect you and your team please see this previous edition of the Weekly Marketing Rundown: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/resources/90567/weekly-marketing-rundown-july-17-2025 Google Search Indexing Meta Ai Chats Meta’s AI app enables users to share conversations publicly in a “Discover” feed—and Google is indexing that content. Even private chats, like medical questions or contact information, can appear in search results if shared—unlike ChatGPT, which ended this practice. Meta has since added clear warnings before users share chats, but confusion remains about the visibility of those posts. For Mission Teams: For mission teams, this raises major privacy concerns. Communications with chatbots—even those meant for ministry or outreach—might become automatically searchable online if shared. Teams should be cautious about using AI platforms, train users on sharing risks, and avoid sharing any content with sensitive or personal details. https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-ai-chat-google-search-openai-chatgpt-2025-8 YouTube Tightens Rules on AI-Generated “Slop” Content YouTube is updating its monetization policy starting July 15, 2025, to crack down on repetitive, low-effort, AI-generated videos—often called “AI slop.” The update aims to ensure monetized videos include meaningful content and originality, not just generic voiceovers or recycled visuals. YouTube says this is a refinement of existing standards, not a major shift. For Mission Teams: This trend is a good reminder to prioritize quality over quantity. If you’re using AI to help create content (like Bible stories, animations, or voiceovers), make sure your videos include real value—like commentary, personal testimony, or custom visuals. The algorithm is watching for authenticity. https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-partner-monetization-policy-changes-3575999/ Instagram Increasingly Favors Fresh Creator Posts Meta reported that more than two-thirds of Instagram’s suggested content in the U.S. now comes from original creators. It reflects Meta’s ongoing effort to highlight unique, user-generated posts. For Mission Teams: As platforms prioritize original content, teams relying solely on pre-made media like the Jesus Film may see a drop in organic engagement, especially if relying only on organic traffic. To stay visible, it’s smart to balance strategies—mixing paid ads and organic posting with both pre-made and original content can help maintain reach and relevance. As always, experimentation is recommended. https://s21.q4cdn.com/399680738/files/doc_financials/2025/q2/META-Q2-2025-Earnings-Call-Transcript.pdf Scrubbing Your Social Media Can Sometimes Do More Harm Than Good Employers, governments and social media platforms themselves are increasingly relying on users' social media presence for things like identity verification, vetting and more. Deleting every old post or comment from your social media in an effort to present a perfectly clean profile may actually backfire. Experts caution that overly sanitized feeds can raise suspicion, look inauthentic, or hide personality traits that employers value—leading them to view candidates as overly cautious or even untrustworthy. For Mission Teams: Even though mission teams aren’t job hunting, their internet presence still matters—especially when applying for visas, residency, or launching digital outreach. Deleted or overly sanitized social media profiles can raise red flags, and platforms like Meta may even flag new accounts used for advertising as suspicious or bot-like. Building a genuine online presence that follows basic cybersecurity practices is recommended. If cleaning up accounts is necessary, it should be done carefully to preserve authenticity. For teams with no digital footprint, starting one is a smart move. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mariagraciasantillanalinares/2025/08/02/how-scrubbing-your-social-media-could-backfire-and-even-hurt-your-job-prospects/ UAE Now Requires Permit for Social Media Promotions The UAE has introduced a new rule requiring anyone—residents or visitors—who post promotional content on social media to obtain an official “Advertiser Permit.” This includes both paid and unpaid promotions across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. The law goes into effect October 2025. Residents can apply for a free three-year permit, while visitors must apply for a temporary three-month permit through an agency. Penalties for non-compliance can reach up to AED 1 million. For Missions Teams: The impact of these emerging laws on foreign companies—including missions teams overseeing digital engagement initiatives—remains uncertain. It will be important to observe how social media platforms adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape. As the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye implement new legislation targeting digital marketers and data controllers, organizations will likely need to reassess and modify their strategies to remain compliant and effective. https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2025/07/30/uae-social-media-advertiser-permit/ Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement At Kavanah Media, we’re committed to helping mission teams use digital tools to make God known around the world. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practical insights, or in-depth strategy, we’ve got resources to help: Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here. YouVersion Reading Plan– Jon Ralls, CEO of Kavanah Media, just launched a powerful 8-day devotional on YouVersion called "Living in Tension." Subscribe here Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: August 8, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 1, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - August 1, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we explore how AI tools are reshaping the internet, introduce Meta’s new Design Check app on Canva, unpack ByteDance’s latest controversy over user data collection, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM AI Is Eating the Internet AI is fundamentally reshaping how we discover and interact with information online. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews now provide instant answers—often without users clicking through to website links—which has caused organic site traffic to drop by as much as 50% in some cases. Additionally, as AI tools are increasingly used to generate online content, users are beginning to avoid so-called “AI slop” and are returning to trusted sources such as newsletters, private communities like Discord, and Substack. For Mission Teams: This shift means content strategies need a rethink. As website traffic decreases, teams may be forced to explore alternatives like optimizing for AI-powered summaries, engaging private communities, newsletters, or interactive platforms. The focus should move from chasing clicks to creating high-value experiences that inspire trust, human connection, and engagement beyond traditional SEO. https://fika.bar/paoramen/ai-is-eating-the-internet-01K10JG1SHGZQHN61HPGWPXN60   Meta’s Recommended Ad Copy Lengths Meta recommends keeping primary text under 125 characters and headlines under 40 characters to avoid being cut off, especially on mobile. While longer copy can still work, it should be purposeful and high quality. The system will test multiple combinations, so clarity and brevity are key. For Mission Teams: It is recommended that teams strive to keep headlines and primary text concise. If longer copy is necessary, steps should be taken to ensure quality. Additionally, Meta allows up to five headline and primary text variations, so teams can include both shorter and longer options to give the algorithm greater flexibility. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/recommended-ad-copy-length/   Meta Ads: What Drives Performance Jon Loomer highlights four key drivers of Meta ad performance that matter most: Performance Goal – Meta’s algorithm optimizes delivery toward that task - literally. Select the correct performance goal for your strategy. For example, if a team desires messages, be sure to select "Maximize the number of conversations" as the performance goal.  Attribution – Proper setup of Meta Pixel and Conversion API is essential so your ads are accurately tracked from website actions. While often less relevant due to Meta's Religious Data Source Limitations, many teams still utilizing landing pages or websites should ensure their Pixel and Conversions API are set up properly. Copy and Creative – Without quality design and messaging, even the right targeting and budget won’t perform well. Budget – While this is particularly relevant for ads using sales objectives—where a sufficient budget is needed to exit the learning phase and generate around 50 conversion events per week—budgets that are too low can hinder optimization and reduce effectiveness across all ad objective types. Although smaller budgets can still drive engagement, poor performance could be a budget issue. https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-ads-performance/   ByteDance’s AI Tool Caught Secretly Collecting User Data Security researchers discovered that ByteDance’s new AI coding tool, Trae, was secretly collecting data from users—even when analytics were turned off. In just seven minutes, the app sent 500+ outbound requests totaling 26MB of data to servers under byteoversea.com. This included detailed hardware specs, OS info, project file paths, and mouse/keyboard activity. For Mission Teams: For mission teams using AI tools in sensitive areas, this highlights the need for caution. Even seemingly mundane apps and sites can quietly collect data that risks your privacy or security. Choose platforms with transparent data policies and the ability to function offline when possible. https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/bytedance-ai-tool-caught-spying-on-users   UK VPN Downloads Surge After Age Checks Begin After Reddit, X, and adult theme sites began enforcing age verification under the UK’s new Online Safety Act, VPN apps have surged to the top of Apple’s App Store. VPNs let users bypass content restrictions by masking their location. One app, Proton VPN, reported an 1,800% spike in UK signups. Half of the top 10 free apps in the UK are now VPNs. For Mission Teams: Mission teams running digital ads or platforms may notice increased traffic from countries they aren’t actively targeting. This could be due to users in restricted areas, like the UK, using VPNs to appear elsewhere. It’s important to factor this into ad reporting and engagement strategies to avoid misinterpreting where interest is truly coming from. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn72ydj70g5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss   Meta Expands Threads API with New Features Meta upgraded its Threads API to include polls, location tagging, real-time notifications, click tracking, advanced search, media options, and moderation tools. For Mission Teams: With it's full integration with Ads Manager, continued development and increasing user base, Threads may become a viable platform for digital marketing strategies. https://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/2025/07/25/do-more-with-the-Threads-API/   Meta Partners with Canva to Boost Short-Form Video Ads Meta and Canva have teamed up to help brands create more effective Reels ads, responding to the rise of short-form video content. Creative quality remains a key driver of campaign success, accounting for about half of results since 2017. Reels ads offer a 24% higher brand lift, and influence over 60% of viewers to consider a brand or product. Both companies collaborated to build the new Meta Design Check app on Canva which gives instant feedback on ad quality and compliance. (https://www.canva.com/your-apps/AAF-xrdmb-Q/meta-design-check?q=Meta+Design+Check) For Mission Teams: Optimizing ads for Reels formatting is an effective way to boost engagement rates. The new Meta Design Check app on Canva is a free tool that helps ensure your creatives meet quality and compliance standards. https://technologymagazine.com/news/canva-meta-plot-a-course-for-a-new-era-of-advertising   Stay Equipped for Digital Engagement At Kavanah Media, we’re committed to helping mission teams use digital tools to make God known around the world. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practical insights, or in-depth strategy, we’ve got resources to help: Kavanah Media Blog – Learn from our experiences serving hundreds of mission teams worldwide. We share practical lessons, real stories, and best practices to help your team avoid mistakes and grow in digital outreach. Subscribe here. YouVersion Reading Plan– Jon Ralls, CEO of Kavanah Media, just launched a powerful 8-day devotional on YouVersion called "Living in Tension." Subscribe here Digital Strategies got you stumped? Reach out anytime—we’re ready to help. Contact Us Thanks for reading this edition of Kavanah Media's Weekly Marketing Rundown! For more up-to-date insights in digital marketing, make sure to follow us on Instagram @kavanah_media and stay connected through all our social media channels via the link below. https://linktr.ee/kavanah_media Authors: Cody A. and Cherry Messimer Article Published: August 1, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - July 25, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - July 25, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we cover Jon Loomer's 19 rules for Meta Ads success, Jack Dorsey's open-source social media plans, WhatsApp's latest restrictions in Russia, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Low‑Quality Post‑Click Experiences in Meta Ads Jon Loomer explains that landing pages with little original content, too many ads relative to substance, excessive pop-ups or interstitials, misleading content, and multi-page articles that frustrate users— can all hurt ad performance, increase cost, and even lead to restrictions. For Mission Teams: For mission teams relying on Meta ads, this means your landing pages need careful attention. If users click an ad and land on a page with low value or poor usability, Meta may limit your ad reach or inflate costs. Make sure landing pages offer substantive content, are easy to navigate, and align with what your ad promises. https://www.jonloomer.com/low-quality-ad-content-and-post-click-experiences/ 19 Rules for Successful Meta Advertising Jon Loomer shares 19 "Rules," to help advertisers with Meta ads. Some key rules include: Keep It Simple Remarketing Happens Naturally Now Give Meta Copy and Creative Options The Algorithm is Literal and more! For Mission Teams: Marketing on Meta has changed alot over the years. Jon's tips are key for any team utilizing digital strategies. Check out the complete list and read his thoughts on each topic here: https://www.jonloomer.com/19-rules-of-successful-meta-advertising/? Meta Expands Video Selfie Age Verification Meta is rolling out an enhanced age-check system that asks users to take a short video selfie to confirm their age on Facebook and Instagram. The video is analyzed by a third-party service, then deleted once verification is complete. This aligns with new laws in regions like Australia, the EU, and parts of the U.S. that are tightening age controls . For Mission Teams: In most cases, minimal adjustments will be needed, as Meta’s platforms restrict targeted advertising to users aged 18 to 25, depending on the country. However, actively monitoring how Meta enforces these age checks is essential as ad metrics are likely to be effected as Meta implements these changes. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-looks-to-expand-video-selfie-age-checking-abide-by-new-laws/753281/ Jack Dorsey Supports Open Social Tools Like Nostr Jack Dorsey is backing a nonprofit exploring open, decentralized platforms like Nostr, which use cryptographic keys instead of servers to run social apps. These tools aim to reduce censorship and increase user control. For Mission Teams: If successfully launched and widely adopted these platforms could prove useful in restricted regions. https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/16/jack-dorsey-backs-nonprofit-and-other-stuff-experimenting-with-open-social-tools-like-nostr/ Half of Meta Creator Ads Miss the Mark A new study from CreativeX looked at 1.6 million creator-style ads on Meta and TikTok. Nearly half failed to follow basic best practices—things like showing your brand in the first three seconds, keeping videos between 15–60 seconds, staying within safe zones, and using sound properly. Ads that skipped these steps saw much lower completion and engagement rates. For Mission Teams: For mission teams running creator-style ads, this is a reminder that authenticity isn’t enough. Ad basics are important. Though there are exceptions- keeping content short, formatting images and video properly and utilizing audio are all good practices. https://www.adweek.com/commerce/nearly-half-of-meta-creator-ads-ignore-key-best-practices/ Instagram Public Posts Now Appear in Google Searches Instagram now allows public posts from professional (business or creator) accounts to be indexed by search engines like Google and Bing. This includes Reels, carousels, and videos posted since January 2020. Though indexing isn’t brand-new, Instagram is expanding the rollout to boost discovery outside the app. For Mission Teams: For mission teams, this means Instagram can now drive traffic through Google search. Optimize posts by using strong captions with keywords, relevant hashtags, etc. https://www.tubefilter.com/2025/07/18/instagram-indexing-update-google-search-results/ Russia May Ban WhatsApp Over Security Threat Claims Russian lawmakers are calling WhatsApp a national security threat and say it should prepare to exit the country. Meta, which owns WhatsApp, is already labeled an “extremist organization” in Russia. This is part of a wider effort to replace foreign tech with government-approved tools like the new state-backed messaging app MAX. For Mission Teams: Teams using WhatsApp in Russia or nearby regions should be prepared with alternative messaging apps and avoid putting all communication strategies in one platform. It’s another reminder to stay flexible as platforms are subject to state actors. https://www.reuters.com/business/russian-lawmakers-say-security-threat-whatsapp-should-prepare-leave-russia-2025-07-18/ 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: July 25, 2025
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Weekly Marketing Rundown - July 18, 2025
Weekly Marketing Rundown - July 18, 2025 Welcome to this week’s edition of Kavanah Media’s Weekly Marketing Rundown! In this issue, we cover Meta's ability to generate hundreds of ad variations, Tiktok and Meta's latest GDPR issues in Europe, the latest on BitChat, and more. Enjoying the Weekly Marketing Rundown? Support our work and keep it free for missions teams worldwide: https://www.kavanahmedia.com/donatetoKM Ads Now Generate Hundreds of Variations Jon Loomer highlights that Meta ads today aren’t just single messages—they’re combinations of multiple images/videos, text options, headlines, descriptions, aspect ratios, and Meta’s AI enhancements. What used to be one simple ad can now result in hundreds or even thousands of variations. For Mission Teams: These tools are coming whether we like them or not, and teams would be wise to adjust accordingly. Teams crafting Meta ads should focus on providing high-quality “ingredients”—versatile copy, visuals, and formats—rather than obsessing over one perfect version. Meta suggests, and Kavanah Media team members have seen, that enabling Adv. + AI enhancements can lead to better performance. https://www.jonloomer.com/qvt/ad-variations/ Dorsey’s Bitchat App Fails Early Security Scrutiny Jack Dorsey’s new messaging app, Bitchat, promises private, offline communication via Bluetooth—but hasn’t passed any formal security testing. Experts quickly raised red flags, noting serious flaws like messages being stored unencrypted and unverified claims about end-to-end encryption. For Missions Teams: For mission teams considering alternative communication tools, Bitchat is currently not a viable alternative. https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/09/jack-dorsey-says-his-secure-new-bitchat-app-has-not-been-tested-for-security/ TikTok Building U.S.-Only App with New Algorithm (?) Some reports say TikTok is developing a completely separate app for U.S. users. This version will have its own recommendation algorithm and U.S.-based data handling, in order to comply with government demands for Chinese-owned ByteDance to divest. ByteDance has denied these rumors. For Mission Teams: U.S.-based teams utilizing TikTok as part of their marketing or outreach strategies may need to adapt their approach depending on the nature and outcome of the platform's potential acquisition or regulatory changes. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/tiktok-prepares-us-app-with-its-own-algorithm-user-data-2025-07-09/ France Accuses Meta of Ad Market Abuses France’s antitrust agency has formally warned Meta that it may have broken competition rules in online advertising. The accusation centers on Meta allegedly limiting fair access to ad verification services by offering unclear and unfair partnership terms. This could prevent smaller ad-tech companies from properly verifying Meta’s ads. Meta now has the chance to respond before any penalties are decided. For Mission Teams: For teams using Meta ads, this highlights growing regulatory pressure on the platform. Changes in ad verification or access rules could affect how teams track ad results or measure performance. It’s a reminder to watch for future policy shifts that might impact reporting tools or transparency for outreach campaigns. https://archive.ph/q1QMa Meta’s Tracking Tech Violates EU Privacy Law, German Court Rules A German court ruled that Meta’s tracking tools, like the Meta Pixel, violate EU privacy laws by collecting user data without proper consent. The court awarded 5,000 Euros in damages, noting that Meta could identify users even when they weren’t logged in. For Mission Teams: If you operate in or target Europe, this ruling highlights serious risks around tools like Facebook Pixel. You may be exposing personal data without valid consent—creating legal liability. Review your website’s tracking tools, get clear consent, and consider privacy-focused analytics alternatives. How To Ensure Compliance Mission teams using websites, ads, and CRMs like Disciple.Tools may be data controllers, data processors, or both. Understanding your role is key for legal compliance.     •    Data Controller: Decides what data to collect, why, and how it’s used.     •    Data Processor: Handles data under someone else’s direction. Examples: Field Team (with Kavanah Media) – Controller: Sets strategy, owns the data. Field Team (self-managed tools) – Controller: Still controls all data use decisions. Kavanah Media – Processor: Runs ads and tools based on team instructions. Disciple.Tools (hosted by Kavanah) – Processor: Stores contact data but doesn’t control it. Meta (Facebook) – Joint Controller: Collects leads but also uses the data for its own purposes. Make sure your digital strategy is GDPR-compliant. Here’s a helpful checklist: https://www.cookieyes.com/blog/gdpr-checklist-for-websites/ https://therecord.media/german-court-meta-tracking-tech Ireland Opens New TikTok Probe Over China Data Concerns Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has launched a second investigation into TikTok, this time focusing on whether user data from Europe is being accessed by its parent company, ByteDance, in China. This adds to ongoing scrutiny of TikTok’s data practices across the EU. For Mission Teams: This highlights the increasing privacy and data security concerns TikTok is facing as a platform. Teams currently using TikTok, or considering including it in their digital strategies, should consider the cybersecurity risks of the platform. https://www.politico.eu/article/ireland-launches-second-probe-into-tiktok-data-flows-to-china/ Where People in the Americas Begin Product Searches A late‑2024 eMarketer chart shows that across countries like the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, most adults start product searches on search engines and marketplaces. However, social media platforms remain as emerging, but smaller starting points. For Mission Teams: For mission teams, this shows that SEO continues to be essential—even as social search grows, search engines still lead the way. It’s wise to use an evangelism website, and not rely on social media alone, or ignore your site altogether. Combining a solid presence in search results, with engaging content on social platforms, helps teams reach both wide audiences and specific groups more effectively. https://www.emarketer.com/chart/270230/channels-where-adults-select-countries-americas-typically-start-their-product-search-nov-2024-of-respondents 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: July 18, 2025