Snapchat users are twice as likely to sign up with a telecom provider after seeing content from creators, a new report shows. The survey of 800+ US consumers found that Snapchatters are more aware of their telco options and often switch plans after major life milestones. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-influences-telecommunications-purchases/814634/ #Media #SocialMedia #SocialCommerce #Snapchat

Khaby Lame, the world's most followed TikToker with over 160M followers, sold his company for 975M USD to Rich Sparkle. The deal transfers rights to his image, voice and behavioral models to create an AI-powered digital twin for multilingual content and livestream e-commerce, potentially generating over 4B USD in annual sales. https://theconversation.com/khaby-lame-is-the-worlds-most-followed-tiktoker-the-story-of-a-senegalese-born-star-who-sold-his-identity-276910 #Media #SocialMedia #CreatorEconomy #TikTok

Americans view data centers negatively: only 4% say they're good for the environment, 6% for jobs and 6% for quality of life nearby. A new Pew survey finds most believe data centers harm the environment, increase home energy costs and reduce quality of life in surrounding communities. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/03/12/how-americans-view-data-centers-impact-in-key-areas-from-the-environment-to-jobs/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI #Pew

A woman who spent up to 16 hours daily on Instagram is suing Meta in a landmark case that could affect 2,000+ similar lawsuits. She claims the platform's design caused her addiction and mental health harm. The case is being watched closely by parents who blame social media for their children's deaths. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mg3zd7xwpo #Media #SocialNews #Meta

#Digg is #downsizing its team due to challenges in finding product-market fit, including a significant #botproblem and the strong pull of existing social platforms. Despite these setbacks, Digg is not shutting down and is reimagining its approach with the return of founder Kevin Rose. The company remains committed to building a trustworthy online community. https://digg.com/?eicker.media #media #socialmedia

LinkedIn has updated its feed algorithm with advanced AI systems that better understand post context and user interests. The new LLM-based ranking can identify semantic connections between topics, like linking electrical engineering to small modular reactors, improving content recommendations. The system adapts to evolving user interests rather than relying on historical engagement patterns. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-updates-its-feed-algorithm/814638/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI #LinkedIn

Meta is expanding its content protection tools to help creators report impersonators more easily. The new unified dashboard allows creators to flag when their reels are detected across Facebook after being published by impersonators. The company removed 20M accounts last year and saw a 33% drop in impersonation reports targeting large creators. https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/13/facebook-makes-it-easier-for-creators-to-report-impersonators/ #Media #SocialMedia #CreatorEconomy #Meta

Social media has transformed real estate marketing, letting sellers reach buyers through algorithms without traditional platforms or agents. While it cuts costs and expands reach, it also brings risks including property scams that cost Australians 43.2M AUD in 2024. https://theconversation.com/social-media-has-supercharged-real-estate-marketing-and-made-it-cheaper-but-it-also-brings-risks-276155 #Media #SocialMedia #SocialCommerce

One third of Americans use TikTok, with users skewing younger, more liberal and higher income than non-users. Half of US teens use it daily. Most Americans (57%) support banning TikTok over data privacy concerns, though users themselves are more divided. The platform's future in the US remains uncertain despite its recent deal with non-Chinese investors. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/03/02/8-facts-about-americans-and-tiktok/ #Media #ShortFormVideo #TikTok

The DOGE deposition videos a judge ordered removed from YouTube have already been backed up across the internet, including as a torrent and on the Internet Archive. The case illustrates the Streisand Effect - trying to suppress online content often makes it spread further. https://www.404media.co/the-removed-doge-deposition-videos-have-already-been-backed-up-across-the-internet/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

YouTube allocates 20M USD toward a digital literacy education program for teens, partnering with Google.org and creators to bring the initiative to young audiences. https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/13/youtube-allocates-20m-toward-a-digital-literacy-education-program-for-teen/814507/ #Media #SocialMedia #YouTube

LinkedIn has published a new guide helping users optimize their content for AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude. The tips aim to improve visibility when AI systems pull information to answer user queries. As more people turn to AI for answers, the platform wants creators to understand how to maintain their reach in this new landscape. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-shares-tips-on-optimizing-post-content-for-ai-chatbots/814635/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI #LinkedIn

The US Senate has approved ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot for official use, with the Sergeant at Arms set to provide free licenses to employees. The memo outlines how each AI tool can assist with routine Senate work including drafting, editing, summarizing and research. https://www.404media.co/heres-the-memo-approving-gemini-chatgpt-and-copilot-for-use-in-the-senate/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

Reddit has published a new report with SurveyMonkey exploring B2B marketing opportunities on the platform. The 22-page guide examines how B2B buyers use Reddit communities for product research, with over 200M unique Reddit posts clicked from Google search per quarter. Reddit's human-curated discussions are becoming key resources for B2B decision makers. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-publishes-report-on-its-b2b-marketing-opportunities/814506/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI #Reddit

Snapchat is hosting an AR art exhibition at SXSW with artist Jonathan Yeo, showcasing its Spectacles AR glasses. The 'Spectacular: The Art of Jonathan Yeo in Augmented Reality' exhibit runs March 15-17, letting visitors experience transformed artworks through interactive AR installations. The show serves as a promotional push for Snap's AR glasses ahead of their planned public release later this year. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snapchat-to-host-ar-exhibition-at-sxsw-with-jonathan-yeo/814637/ #Media #SocialMedia #LiveAudio #Snapchat

X now enables Grok users to generate AI videos from up to seven input images, expanding its video creation tools for Premium subscribers. The feature allows users to upload multiple reference images to create scenes up to 30 seconds long. Elon Musk has also announced plans for 30-minute video generation. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-enables-multi-image-input-grok-video-generation/814767/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI #X

X has agreed to update its verification process in Europe following EU Commission guidance to avoid further penalties. The Commission fined X 138M USD in December for breaches including its misleading verification checkmarks that allow anyone to purchase a blue tick. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-revise-verification-x-premium-checkmarks-eu/814766/ #Media #CommunityPlatforms #X

TikTok and Meta knowingly allowed more harmful content on users' feeds to win the algorithm arms race, according to whistleblowers. Companies were aware their algorithms ran on outrage but prioritized engagement over safety. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqj9kgxqjwjo #Media #SocialMedia #AI #Meta

X is testing a new ad format that connects posts with products, promoting Starlink beneath original content. The test represents X's push into social commerce, letting advertisers link products directly to user posts. https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/06/x-is-testing-a-new-ad-format-that-connects-posts-with-products/

The US-Israel war with Iran is being called 'the first TikTok war', with the USA putting out memes online mixing footage of missiles with cartoons and game footage. https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c3ewg5vwyjzo #Media #SocialMedia #ShortFormVideo #TikTok