TOGETHER WITH

Instagram took a page from Myspace’s book by letting users share the songs they’re listening to in status updates. It’s a nice perk, but I’m still not letting Mark Zuckerberg into my Top 8.

SEE THE NEWS?

There are two rising trends in news consumption: TikTok and apathy

Gen Z is not interested in their parents’ news sources. That’s one of the main takeaways from the 2023 Digital News Report published by the Reuters Institute.

The report surveyed 94,000 people about their news consumption habits. Those habits varied by region and age, but Reuters highlighted a few overarching trends.

Here's the news about the news:

TikTok news. So hot right now. Among respondents between the ages of 18 and 24, 20% said they use TikTok as a news source. Overall, social media networks are preferred to news media websites and apps when hunting for headlines.

The only thing more popular than social media news is no news. The people who aren’t trawling Twitter and TikTok for updates might not be consuming top stories at all. More than half of the respondents in the Reuters report expressed little interest in the news.

Multimedia news broadcasts and influencer-led news shows are growing in popularity. Among all surveyed generations, Gen Z is least likely to read the news and most likely to watch or listen to it. Reuters claimed that the people who turn to TikTok for news are more likely to seek reports from influencers than journalists.

People may consume social media news, but they don’t trust it. Only 32% of Americans trust the news. To make matters worse, the majority of respondents in the Digital News Report expressed concerns about the rise of fake news — and its ability to blend in with the truth.

For as much as news is changing, it’s also remaining remarkably consistent. It’s still vital to check sources, practice news literacy, and beware of bias, even if those tasks are never simple on social media.

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When it comes to brainstorming content, putting your vision into words isn’t always easy. That’s why Artlist created an ​AI-powered search engine​ that thinks like you do—so you can discover royalty-free footage and find inspiration by searching for everything from intangible concepts to your most unfiltered thoughts.

The search process is simple:

🌟 Step 1: ​Visit Artlist’s website​ and type in whatever comes to mind, from stream-of-consciousness descriptions to complex scenes and concepts.

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🌟 Step 3: Let those results inspire you to explore new and unexpected directions, or plug the footage you find into your next project as-is. Either way, Artlist footage is always 100% royalty-free and safe for monetized use on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

Hit the button below to find inspiration with Artlist’s AI search engine:

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HEADLINES IN BRIEF 📰

• Meta has announced new monetization options for Reels that will be part of the company’s pitch at VidCon. (Tubefilter)
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• Speaking of VidCon, it starts in one week. Here’s a guide discussing some of the confirmed attendees. (The Information)
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• The European Union is taking on big tech by passing new regulations related to AI. (Washington Post)
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• TikTok comedian Matt Rife found himself in the middle of a dispute with Ticketmaster. (Slate)

DATA • STREAMERS ON THE RISE 📈

Sylvee’s “IRL backpack” brings her streams into the real world

Sylvee is still in college, but she’s already made streaming her full-time gig. The rising creator made a name for herself as a member of the SMPEarth Minecraft server before promoting her personal broadcasts on platforms like Twitch and TikTok.

She still attends college, where she studies digital media (of course), but in an interview with Tubefilter, she described her formal education as a “side quest.”

Speaking of side quests, Sylvee loves to get out in the world with her followers at her back.

Or rather, in her “IRL backpack.”

That’s the name she’s given to a portable setup that includes a camera, a modem, and a battery pack. As a Florida resident, her favorite destinations for IRL streams are theme parks, where her viewers can get first-hand looks at all the attractions.

That gadget has been a real time-saver:

“I think IRL streaming is so much fun. I would probably leave my house once a month if I didn’t have my IRL backpack, but now I leave five times a month and that’s incredible. 500% improvement with an IRL backpack.”

Broadcasting real-life adventures for her fans has helped Sylvee conquer her social anxiety. She told Tubefilter that streaming is “less intimidating” than everyday interactions. It’s a “different world” where she and her audience can hang out.

There are now thousands of viewers occupying that world:

RED TITAN TO THE RESCUE

How does a kid-friendly brand grow up? Ryan’s World puts its faith in Red Titan.

Ryan Kaji, the 11-year-old star of the Ryan’s World brand, is coming to your local Hardee’s or Carl’s Jr. The last time he teamed up with the fast food chain, he helped it relaunch its kids’ meal after an eight-year hiatus.

But this time, the kids’ meals at Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. won’t feature the mild-mannered version of Ryan.

Instead, the chain is giving away puzzles and games that feature Ryan’s superhero alter ego, the Red Titan. There are four games to collect in all.

If you want to know what the experience of playing those games is like, well, that’s what Ryan and his sisters are here for. In a video on the Ryan’s World channel, they sampled all of the giveaways that will be available in StarPals meals until August 8.

For Ryan’s partner network Pocket.watch, the decision to focus on Red TItan is intentional.

The animated character appears in many Ryan's World videos, and unlike his real-life counterpart, he is immune to aging. That’s why several prominent Ryan’s World partnerships — including a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — have put the so-called “Titan Universe” front and center.

There are parallels between Pocket.watch’s strategy and the rise of VTubers on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Ryan may eventually age out of his namesake brand, but his titanic alter ego will ensure that Ryan’s World continues to grow.

WATCH THIS 📺

Spiritual quandary got you feeling down? Seek guidance from AI Jesus.

The world’s favorite Nazareth native in on Twitch in AI form. Visitors to the Ask Jesus account can ask whatever crosses their minds, but in true Twitch fashion, most of the queries seem to be about video games, food, or romance.

Of course, AI Jesus judgeth not. As he sayeth in one of his responses: "My purpose here is to inspire and help others in their journeys, and to share love and wisdom.”

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Today's newsletter is from: Emily Burton, Sam Gutelle, and Josh Cohen. Drew Baldwin helped edit, too. It's a team effort.