Consumers prefer relatable stories on social media over quick answers, making patient voices key for brands.

TikTok video views for wellness brands grew 646.9% YoY in Q1 2026, even as views across all industries fell 6%, according to a Q1 2026 report from Dash Social.

The same social media video behaviors that shape other purchases are influencing their health and wellness choices.

AI changes creator playbooks: Cannes Lions showed platforms weaving AI into creator tools as marketers balance scale with credibility.

YouTube Shorts streamlines the user experience: 2x playback, Clean Screen, and simpler feedback tools could fuel longer sessions and sharpen ad targeting.

Media consumption is climbing again after years of slower growth, thanks partly to genAI. New forecasts reveal how AI, streaming video, live sports, and converged TV are reshaping how US adults spend their time—and driving more screen time in the process.

TikTok audiences watch just 21% of the average branded video, meaning 4 out of 5 viewers drop off before the end, according to a March report from Dash Social.

Meta’s spotlights AI at Cannes: The company is leveraging its scale to advance automated ads, but marketers still need strong creative and clear guardrails.

New tools turn barista content into scalable advertising.

YouTube settlement sharpens youth safety concerns: As social companies head to court, brands may need a more cautious approach to youth audiences.

TikTok puts AI in charge: Symphony Agent turns trend spotting, creator sourcing, and ad creation into a faster, AI-led workflow.

Digital commerce platforms' payment offerings are growing faster than their core ecommerce businesses, making them crucial revenue and merchant retention drivers. But to stay competitive, platforms must evolve their payment capabilities to keep pace with AI, social commerce, and a shifting economy.

Gen Alpha is entering its teen years just as scrutiny of social media intensifies. Their habits are taking shape amid new rules, safety concerns, and shifting expectations. And that’s creating fresh challenges for platforms, parents, and marketers.

Canada’s social media audience is spreading across a wider mix of networks. Generational differences are reshaping where brands find reach, relevance, and momentum.

CTV has sizable and growing media time in Canada, but ad spending still lags. As viewing habits shift across digital channels, marketers face growing pressure to realign budgets before attention moves further ahead of investment.

Social media nears half of digital ad revenues: Platforms will take 44% of online ads by 2030, hitting $640 billion as AI tools and short video lure budgets.

TikTok courts microdrama creators: Sundance tie-up trains short-form storytellers as brands eye booming, ad-ready series.

Cyclical political ad spending is surging again, and midterms are no longer much of a step down from presidential cycles. Broadcast TV still dominates campaigns, but CTV is reshaping political advertising faster than any other channel.

YouTube Shorts earns MRC stamp: Shorts is the first short-form platform accredited, giving brands third-party backing on safety systems.

Meta turns Reels into series: A new feature tests episodic Reels, aiming to convert scroll-by views into repeat visits and deeper ad value.