🚨 Less than 3 months to go until a nationwide TikTok ban? Yeah, we’re sweating too. 🥵

For social media and digital marketers, this is the kind of thing that sparks both existential dread and frantic strategy meetings. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Today, we’re diving into the latest updates on the ban and bringing you the top headlines you need to stay ahead in the wild world of social and digital marketing this week. — brought to you by The Digital Dispatch from Akari & Co.

Tiktok

The Latest Updates on January’s TikTok Ban 🚫

The countdown is on: TikTok could be banned in the U.S. by January 19, 2025, unless ByteDance sells the app to a new owner. While this sounds like the finale of a drama series, TikTok’s legal team isn’t going down without a fight. They’ve already hit the courts, arguing that the government’s claims are more paranoia than fact—and they’re bringing free speech into the ring. Here’s everything you need to know:

Key Details

🗓 Deadline: January 19, 2025—unless ByteDance sells TikTok by then.
📈 Grace Period: A one-time 90-day extension may be granted if ByteDance enters legit sale negotiations​.
⚖️ Legal Fight: TikTok’s legal case could drag on, while the government claims the ban protects national security from espionage and surveillance risks​.

What It Means for Marketers

• Diversify Now: Start cross-posting TikTok content to platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

• Shift Ad Budgets: Prepare for a possible migration of ad dollars toward Meta and Google​.

Bottom Line

With bans already in place on government devices in over 30 states, the TikTok saga isn’t over yet. Whether it stays or goes, those who diversify and plan early will thrive in 2025.

For more details:

^{When and why could the app be outlawed?}

^{Montana’s Blocked TikTok Ban}

^{TikTok’s Response}

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Social Media Trends

The Weekly Scroll 📱:

Instagram/Facebook

📸 Carousels Get More Reach?!
IG chief Adam Mosseri says carousels get more reach thanks to two key reasons: more media means more interactions, and if someone scrolls past your carousel, Instagram gives it another shot in the feed.
👉 Hear it straight from Mosseri

👀 Instagram Tests Reel Insights
Instagram is trialing a new feature that breaks down why a Reel performs well. Expect messages like, “Strong hook kept people watching.” About time, right?
👉 Check out the update

🎬 Logos and Watermarks? No Big Deal
Mosseri also shut down rumors that logos or watermarks tank your content’s performance. So although logos look lame on social, they don’t impact performance form the algo.
👉 See the myth-busting

TikTok

🔬 TikTok Expands STEM Feed
TikTok’s bringing the STEM feed to everyone in the U.S., U.K., and Ireland, making it easier for science lovers to dive into educational content without endless dance videos.
👉 Explore the STEM push

YouTube

🔥 YouTube Launches “Hype” Feature
Community members can now boost creators' content with a new “Hype” button, because sometimes even algorithms need a little encouragement.
👉 Check it out

X / Twitter / Threads

🔍 Radar Brings Real-Time Trend Analysis to X
Previously known as “Insights,” Radar helps Premium+ users spot emerging trends in real time. It’s the FOMO-prevention tool we’ve been waiting for.
👉 Get the scoop

👯 Threads Tests Profile Switching in Composer
Threads is making it easier to post between accounts by letting users switch profiles without leaving the post composer. Multi-account users, rejoice!
👉 See it in action

📊 Threads Rolls Out Mobile Analytics
Track your engagement on the go with mobile analytics now available on Threads. Data at your fingertips wherever you are.
👉 Explore the update

💡 Meta Shares Growth Tips for Threads
Meta suggests posting 2–5 times a week, replying to relevant conversations, and getting funny—because humor wins views on Threads.
👉 Full list of tips

Experimental Platforms

📈 LinkedIn Pushes Video Hard
LinkedIn is all-in on video, so if your brand lives in the B2B world, now’s the time to crosspost your video content onto the platform.
👉 Check it out

🚀 Bluesky Hits 13M Users & Announces Funding
Bluesky, X/Twitter’s rebellious little sibling, just hit 13 million users and secured fresh funding. Watch out, Elon.
👉 Read more

Digital Marketing Trends/Ads

Tour de Headlines: Part Deux 

Meta

👮‍♂️ Meta’s Celebrity Scam Ad Crackdown
Meta’s busting out facial recognition tech to catch scammers using celeb images in shady ads. No more fake Tom Cruise ads trying to sell you supplements.
👉 Read more

✨ Instagram Drops “Creators of Tomorrow” List
Meet the rising stars who are shaping trends and making waves on Instagram. This is Instagram’s Hall of Fame for up-and-comers.
👉 See who made the cut

🍕 Meta’s Ad Tips from the Restaurant Summit
Meta served up ad insights that go way beyond the food biz—use these tricks to boost your ad performance game no matter what you’re selling.
👉 Get the scoop

TikTok

💰 Crank Up ROAS with TikTok Shop’s GMV Max Campaigns
TikTok’s GMV Max lets you automate campaigns to squeeze max ROI out of your TikTok Shop ads. It’s basically “set it and forget it” for ad nerds.
👉 Check it out

🤖 Smart+ Makes Ad Magic Happen
TikTok’s new Smart+ tool uses AI to optimize everything—targeting, bids, creative. All you need to do is input your assets and let it work its algorithmic magic.
👉 Learn more

🛍️ TikTok Connects Creators and Manufacturers
Creators are now teaming up with manufacturers to design custom products for TikTok Shop. The goal? Turn followers into customers—fast.
👉 Read more

💼 Financial Ads 101: Best Practices for TikTok
If you're running financial service ads, TikTok just dropped some tips to help you play it smart—because compliance matters.
👉 Read the guide

Google / YouTube

📊 YouTube Drops New Performance Max Features
Performance Max just got an upgrade with AI experiments and video enhancements—giving advertisers more tools to flex their creative muscles.
👉 See what’s new

🎥 Measure Creative Impact with Video Experiments
YouTube now lets you run video experiments to see which ads hit and which ones flop. It’s data-driven creativity at its finest.
👉 Check it out

X

📈 X Adds New Ad Tools for SMBs
X’s new ad tools include AI-powered targeting, bid optimization, and one-click DM support—because why settle for less?
👉 Explore the features

Interesting Stats

Show these to execs when they question you:

📊 12 Million Full-Time Influencers in the U.S.
Yup, 12 million people in the U.S. are making a full-time living as influencers. There are about 8 times more full-time influencers than the entire population of Iceland.
👉 See the stat

😲 Surprise! It’s the Top Emotion on YouTube Thumbnails
According to Kapwing’s analysis using Amazon Rekognition, surprise and happiness are the go-to facial expressions in YouTube thumbnails. Turns out, your best bet for views is looking shocked—or just really, really happy.
👉 Check out the full breakdown

📈 Social Media Is SMBs' Top Marketing Channel
In a survey of 730 small businesses, social media marketing emerged as the top channel. Translation: If you’re not investing in social media, your competitors probably are.
👉 See the report

📱 74% of Adults Want to Message Brands Like Friends
Meta says 74% of online adults prefer communicating with businesses through DMs, just like they chat with friends and family. If your brand isn’t sliding into DMs, you’re missing out.
👉 Check out Meta’s findings

Recommendations/Resources

Tools & Apps We’re Loving Right Now 🛠️

1️⃣ Tool For Instagram Analytics & Scheduling – Iconosquare is in our testing phase. So far, it’s looking solid for Instagram insights, but we’re still deciding if it’s a keeper.
👉 Check it out

2️⃣ Best AI Image Creator – Leonardo AI is blowing our minds. We’re ditching clunky design tools because this one’s got the magic touch.
👉 Give it a go

3️⃣ AI-Generated Product Photos for Ads – Pebblely makes product photography so easy it feels like cheating. We’re testing it now, and it’s looking like a win.
👉 Try it here

4️⃣ All-in-One Social Management – Sprout Social is our favorite platform so far. It does everything—analytics, scheduling, engagement—but prepare your wallet, because it’s not cheap.
👉 Learn more

5️⃣ Best for Tracking TikTok Metrics & Competitor Benchmarking – TokBackup has become our secret weapon for TikTok insights. If you’re not using this, you’re flying blind.
👉 Explore TokBackup

6️⃣ See Competitor Ads in Real-Time – Meta Ads Library lets you spy on your competitors' strategies and campaigns. Lurking in here is basically a full-time job.
👉 Peek inside

7️⃣ Google Ads Campaign Insights – Google Ads Transparency Center lets you see where ad dollars are flowing. If you like data with a side of snooping, this tool’s for you.
👉 Go snoop

Shower Thought  🚿💭

If tomatoes are a fruit, does that make ketchup a smoothie?