AI fueled election confusion: Social platforms struggled to remove deepfakes and AI-driven misinformation during a contentious election year, but investment in moderation may dwindle now

Social media dominates teen lives: Balancing screen time, mental health, and meaningful digital engagement becomes increasingly urgent for parents and educators.

The year of AI: Artificial intelligence invaded all aspects of life in 2024, from work to play and generation to generation. New genAI players appeared to take on megaliths like Google and Meta. It would be a copout to say that 2025 will bring more of the same, but we expect startups to begin taking more market share from Big Tech and challenging the status quo.

In 2024, connected TV (CTV) platforms raced to expand ad-supported content, Google delayed its cookie plans (again), and brands chased insights from social media giants on how to break through to consumers.

Automated ad systems, boosted video ad spending, and platforms leaning into their unique qualities led to a bounce-back year in 2024 for social networks overall.

As social media strengthens its grip on consumers’ digital lives in 2025, political polarization, regulation, and a desire for deeper personalization will shake up the landscape.

TikTok is driving social commerce sales and buyer growth: The platform’s popularity and influence with Gen Zers contributed to its 2024 successes. We look at how that could change in 2025.

Recent Supreme Court rulings could aid TikTok: The high court will rule on the platform’s ban months after it made strong statements about government interference with digital free speech.

Retailers looking to capitalize on retail media’s growth opportunities need to understand the market developments, formats, and challenges shaping ad spending in Latin America.

A US TikTok ban may happen in the near future, but brands that sell on TikTok Shop shouldn’t abandon it until they have to.

2024 was a year of legitimacy for the creator economy. 2025 will be a year of professionalization, as creator content scales beyond social media and marketers focus on proving the ROI of their growing influencer marketing investments.

A growing list of legal problems for large platforms: A Texas investigation is a reminder of the coming era of privacy regulation.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss what actually ends up happening to TikTok, what an X and Truth Social alliance might look like, and who TikTok Shop might enter a joint venture with. Tune in to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Vice President and Principal Analyst Jasmine Enberg, and Vice Presidents of Content Suzy Davidkhanian and Paul Verna.

TikTok’s ban is officially happening, but there are caveats: A few potential escape hatches exist, but the January 19 deadline remains.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss if AI development is slowing down or speeding up, when it’s all said and done what happens to TikTok, if live sports are under threat from highlights, the potential impact of impending tariffs, which sports kids play the most, and more. Tune in to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Director of Forecasts Oscar Orozco, Principal Forecasting Writer Ethan Cramer-Flood, and Senior Forecasting Analyst Zach Goldner.

Amazon takes on social media influencers’ product testimonials: If influencers don’t disclose their relationships with sellers, those merchants could find themselves suspended from the platform.

TikTok offers users Shop credits in last-ditch attempt to boost sales, downloads before US ban: The platform is dangling hundreds of dollars in incentives to increase engagement.

Regulation will disrupt some digital players, while retail media and genAI adoption will create opportunities across advertising and commerce.

AI-driven tools are helping brands swap cookie-cutter campaigns for ultra-targeted experiences, giving Adobe a fresh shot at dominating customer engagement

By framing Copilot as a budget-saver that trims staffing needs, Microsoft targets enterprise buyers but risks alienating workers.