Social Media

With Gen Z representing over half its users, Pinterest is shifting from an inspiration board to a primary brand discovery engine.

Our analysts (or “bakers”) compete in a Great British Bake Off–style episode, discussing why lawsuits and regulations will begin to fundamentally shift how kids use social media and how brands are going to use creators to figure out generative engine optimization (GEO). Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Senior Analyst Minda Smiley and Principal Analyst Max Willens. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

40% of marketers worldwide are using AI for social media management, the top reported use case, according to a September 2025 survey from MiQ and Censuswide.

Threads and WhatsApp ads are growing as novelty draws interest, but lasting ad spend hinges on better, platform-native formats.

As audiences show a preference for user-generated content in ads, brands have an opportunity to showcase credibility across social advertising strategies.

45% of creators say working with a high-quality brand is their top priority when considering a brand deal, according to a July 2025 survey from Ipsos and Publicis Media.

From TikTok to pharma sites, women’s go-to channels shift by life stage—and marketers need to follow.

Second-screening is now the norm, collapsing ad-to-purchase journeys into seconds on mobile

Advertisers must understand what makes influencer marketing effective and prioritize vetting to combat distrust.

TikTok’s 2026 looks just as uncertain as 2025: Despite new US owners, questions remain about content moderation and its algorithm

Reels video views for luxury brands grew 234% in Q2 2025, while TikTok slowed as brands face a shift that necessitates a rebalance in content distribution.

AI took over search, ads, and discovery in 2025 as YouTube and CTV became the new centers of gravity for consumers and marketers. Our top 20 stories of the year highlight an evolution toward an AI-first world where attention and advantage move faster than ever.