Social Media
Ongoing coverage on Social Media.
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YouTube is raising its monetization bar to 8,000 watch hours from February 1
YouTube is significantly raising its monetization requirements for creators, doubling the required watch hours to 8,000 over the past twelve months, effective February 1. For Shorts-first channels, the requirement increases to 20 million qualified Shorts views within the last 90 days, up from 10 million. Existing YouTube Partner Program members are unaffected by these changes.
Japan asks US to stop using Mario, Pokemon and others in social media posts
Japan's government has requested that the Trump administration cease using popular intellectual properties such as Mario, Pokemon, and Naruto in social media posts. The Japanese Ministry expressed concern that such usage could potentially harm the value and reputation of these beloved brands.
Evening Metaverse
Japan has reportedly requested that the US cease using Nintendo's intellectual property, such as Mario and Pokemon, in social media posts. Separately, Prime Video announced a November 18th release date for Madden.
Nikita Bier steps down as Head of Product at X
Nikita Bier has announced his departure as Head of Product at the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. Bier stated that he is stepping down to return to his role as a poster and expressed confidence in the current leadership to elevate X further. He highlighted the platform's unprecedented growth in users and engagement, along with the launch of nearly 30 new products aimed at protecting the integrity of the 'town square'.
Evening Metaverse
The Walt Disney Company and TikTok have announced a new global content-sharing deal for short-form content. Meanwhile, Reddit has signaled upcoming changes to its old.reddit.com interface.
Snapchat (SNAP) Q2 2026 earnings results beat revenue expectations
Snap Inc. reported Q2 2026 financial results exceeding revenue expectations with $1.599 billion, surpassing the $1.53 billion forecast. The company also saw a reduced net loss and an increase in adjusted EBITDA to $249 million, indicating positive financial momentum. Snapchat anticipates Q3 2026 sales to range between $1.7 billion and $1.74 billion.
Evening Metaverse
MySpace is reportedly being relaunched, with speculation that it could be positioned as an all-AI social media platform. The article also briefly mentions Hughes filing for bankruptcy due to losses in its GEO business.
Netflix in August: franchise overload, two new horrors, and a nine-year-old movie about a corpse
Netflix's August lineup features a heavy emphasis on franchises like Fast and Furious and Child's Play, alongside critically acclaimed films such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Eighth Grade, and Swiss Army Man. The month also introduces two new horror originals, The Last House and The Whisper Man, and an adult animated series from Ricky Gervais.
Meta, TikTok, Snap and Google face wrongful death lawsuit from four US families
Meta, TikTok, Snap, and Google are facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed by four US families. The Social Media Victims Law Center accuses the companies of creating addictive and dangerous platforms.
Snapchat Pulls the Plug on Fully AI-Made Videos in Spotlight [Updated]
Snapchat has updated its recommendation system to exclude videos entirely generated by AI from its Spotlight feature. The company aims to prioritize authentic creativity from real people, drawing a distinction between fully AI-generated content and AI-assisted content. This move follows similar industry discussions and actions by platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn regarding AI-generated material.
As Grand Theft Auto 6 hopefuls grow anxious for a gameplay trailer, AI GTA6 slop is getting millions of views on social media
As anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6's official gameplay trailer grows, AI-generated "slop" videos are accumulating millions of views across social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Despite their popularity, these AI creations are met with largely negative sentiment from viewers, with many criticizing the artificial nature and perceived low quality of the content. Rockstar Games has reportedly begun issuing DMCA takedowns for some of these AI videos, a move welcomed by fans eager for authentic game footage.
Evening Metaverse
Roku has increased the prices of its streaming sticks by up to 60 percent. Meanwhile, Facebook is shifting its classic feed to a TikTok-style format, a move that is unlikely to significantly impact TikTok's user base.
Facebook is cloning TikTok, Craigslist and Reddit to keep users from walking out [2026]
Meta is reportedly cloning features from TikTok, Craigslist, and Reddit to combat a significant user loss, with Facebook alone seeing 20 million users depart in early 2026. The company plans to introduce a full-screen video feed similar to TikTok and has launched "Seller" and "Forum" apps mimicking Craigslist and Reddit functionalities, respectively. This strategy follows Meta's previous attempt to counter TikTok with Instagram Reels.
Turns out Todd Howard is a full-time Reddit lurker just like the rest of us, says we'd 'be surprised how many…
Bethesda's executive producer Todd Howard revealed he frequently browses Reddit, stating that many developers do and that he receives numerous ideas from the platform. Howard made his second public comment on Reddit in three years to address the company's ongoing projects following recent layoffs at parent company Xbox. He emphasized that the team is listening to community feedback.
Konami launches new Metal Gear social accounts to support series
Konami has launched new official social media accounts for the Metal Gear series, managed by the Metal Gear Dev Team. These accounts will provide updates on Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and the upcoming Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2. The move suggests Konami's continued interest in developing new content for the franchise.
Morning Metaverse
YouTube and X are reportedly being used as 'gateways' to nudify applications, prompting discussions about content moderation. In the UK, there are plans to implement a social media curfew for individuals aged 16 and 17.
How to Get More Followers on Kick Proven Growth Strategies - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
This guide provides strategies for increasing followers on the streaming platform Kick. It emphasizes consistency in streaming schedules, utilizing social media for content promotion, and finding a niche to stand out. The article also touches on networking and collaboration as key methods for audience growth.
Europe takes step toward social media ban for kids
Europe is considering new regulations that could lead to a ban on social media use for children, prompted by a recent concerning report. This move indicates a growing focus on child safety within the digital space.
Saturday Metaverse
Bluesky has appointed an official CEO, raising questions about verification processes. Separately, Phoebe Gates' AI shopping app Phia is reportedly accused of generating unearned affiliate sales through fraudulent clicks.
Bluesky has an official CEO again
Toni Schneider has officially been appointed as the CEO of Bluesky, taking over the role after Jay Graber stepped down. Schneider had previously been acting in an interim capacity.