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Content creator Vookum arrested after scammer impersonated him

By
Gen Salinas
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Vookum
Image courtesy: Vookum

Luxury watch dealer and TikTok creator Vookum says he was arrested at an airport after authorities mistakenly linked him to a scam carried out by someone impersonating him online.

According to reports, the influencer, real name is Tyler Mikorski, was detained while preparing to board a flight to the Bahamas, after a warrant tied to a $6,000 fraud case was issued in Florida.

However, the charges were later dropped when investigators determined that the scam had been carried out by someone impersonating him online.

TikToker arrested at airport

The creator said he was arrested on March 1 at Newark airport while traveling with his girlfriend and her family. Officers reportedly informed him there was an active Florida warrant accusing him of grand larceny involving between $5,000 and $10,000.

After being taken into custody, Vookum said he was held at Essex County Correctional Facility in New Jersey. Vookum explained that he only learned the reason for his arrest roughly an hour after being detained.

Authorities also treated the situation as a potential attempt to flee the country because he had been about to board an international flight.

Scam carried out by impersonator

According to the influencer, the case began when someone used his name to sell a luxury watch on Facebook Marketplace. The buyer reportedly paid around $6,000 for the watch but never received the item.

Investigators initially connected the complaint to Vookum, which led to the warrant and his arrest. However, his lawyer later explained to authorities that the transaction had been made by a scammer impersonating him online.

Once officials confirmed the mix-up, the charges were dropped and he was released after spending roughly two days in custody.

After being released, Vookum posted a video explaining the situation and warning fans about fake accounts using his name. He said he only sells watches through official channels and urged buyers to avoid sending money to unverified accounts claiming to represent him.

Image courtesy: Vookum

National Geographic launches Creator Cohort with Maya Higa and other creators

By
Gen Salinas
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National Geographic launches Creator Cohort with Maya Higa and other creators
Image courtesy: National Geographic

National Geographic is expanding its presence on social media by working with a group of online creators focused on science, nature and exploration. The company recently introduced its first “Creator Cohort,” a program that brings together eight creators to produce content across platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

The initiative is designed to connect National Geographic’s long-standing storytelling brand with creators who already reach large online audiences. Participants in the first cohort include conservation streamer Maya Higa, science communicator Maynard Okereke, photographer Paige Tingey and archaeologist Dr. Tenninger Kellenbarger, along with several others working in science, travel and environmental education.

“Working alongside these eight exceptional creators is an exciting opportunity to extend the reach of Nat Geo storytelling, connect with new audiences, and invest in the next generation of influential nonfiction storytellers,” Nat Geo VP of Social Media Aiman Ahmed said.

A social media push for science storytelling

The Creator Cohort will run for about six months and will focus on producing social-first content about wildlife, exploration, science and global culture. The creators involved already have established communities online and are known for sharing educational or documentary-style content in a creator-driven format.

During the program, members of the cohort will collaborate with National Geographic’s teams and participate in projects connected to the brand’s programming and initiatives. Some creators may also take part in travel experiences through Nat Geo Expeditions, which could appear in their social media posts and videos.

Partnership with creators

National Geographic has built one of the largest followings among media brands on social platforms. However, like many long-running publishers, it has increasingly invested in creator partnerships as audiences shift toward digital video and influencer-led content. Instead of relying only on documentaries or magazine features, brands are now working directly with creators who specialize in short-form and social-native storytelling.

YouTube explains how you can influence your recommended page

By
Gen Salinas
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YouTube explains how you can influence your recommended page featured image

YouTube has shared new details about how users can influence what appears on their recommendations page. YouTube explained that the recommendation system relies heavily on viewing activity such as watch history, clicks and engagement patterns. As a result, small changes in how users interact with videos can change what appears on the homepage and suggested feeds.

Tools that shape the algorithm

YouTube pointed to several built-in controls that viewers can use to manage recommendations. One of the most significant is the watch history. Clearing or pausing watch history can change the types of videos that appear in recommendations, since the system uses that history to understand viewing preferences.

Users can also select “Not interested” on a video to signal that they do not want similar content suggested again. Another option, “Don’t recommend channel,” removes videos from a specific creator from appearing in the recommendation feed.

The platform also allows users to reset their recommendation feedback through Google account settings. Doing so clears previous “Not interested” or “Don’t recommend channel” signals. However, the reset applies to all feedback at once rather than individual selections.

These controls are mainly available for users who are signed in to their Google accounts. Logged-out viewers receive fewer personalized recommendations and have less direct control over how the algorithm responds to their activity.

Limited direct controls

Even with these tools, YouTube still offers limited filtering options. Users cannot block specific topics or keywords from appearing in recommendations, and controls across Shorts, autoplay and search are more limited than the main homepage feed.

YouTube has also tested features such as a “Your Custom Feed” option, which is meant to prevent recommendations from shifting too heavily after watching a single video. The feature has been in testing since late 2025 and has not yet been widely released.

The explanation gives viewers a clearer look at how their activity influences recommendations, though the platform has not fully disclosed how the broader algorithm works.

New Fanlock tool targets AI deepfakes for creators

By
Gen Salinas
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Fanlock logo
Image courtesy: Fanlock

A new platform called Fanlock has launched with tools meant to help creators fight AI deepfakes and unauthorized use of their content. The service was developed with input from creators who wanted more control over how AI is applied to their likenesses and work online.

Services that Fanlock offers

Fanlock offers a way for creators to register their identity and digital assets so the system can monitor where they appear online. If the platform detects AI-generated videos, images or audio that use a registered likeness without permission, it can flag or request takedowns. According to the developers, the goal is to reduce the spread of deepfakes and other manipulated content that creators did not consent to.

The service comes as more AI tools make it easier to generate convincing deepfake media, and some creators have spoken out about how this can affect their reputation and livelihood.

AI and deepfakes affect content creation

AI deepfakes can be used to create misleading or harmful content. Creators have said they want clearer options for identifying unauthorized use and stopping it quickly. Fanlock’s system is designed to help with that, giving creators a centralized way to register and protect their likenesses without having to chase down individual takedown requests manually.

Tools like this aim to give creators more agency over how AI interacts with their work. As generative AI has become more common, managing unwanted or misleading uses of likeness and content has become a more frequent topic in creator communities.

Fanlock is now available for creators to sign up and use. However, there is not much input yet on how widely it will be adopted and how effectively it can identify deepfakes.

Twitch removes multistream chat restriction

By
Gen Salinas
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Twitch removes multistream chat restriction featured image

Twitch has changed a rule that limited how multistream chats worked, which made the community happy.

Twitch had a rule that restricted chat on multistream setups. Under the old rule, viewers could only use chat with one channel at a time when watching multiple streams side by side. Many streamers and viewers felt the restriction made multistream watching less natural and harder to follow.

Change on policy

Now, Twitch has removed that limitation. Viewers watching multistreams should be able to participate in chat more freely, without being locked into one channel’s chat at a time. This comes after streamers Nutty and Gigguk ran into Twitch’s old multistream chat rule while hosting joint streams. The policy limited chat to one channel at a time during multistreaming, which led to moderation issues and a ban on their combined chat setup.

According to Twitch CEO Dan Clancy, “We are updating our enforcement guidelines to make sure we are not enforcing actions for integrating combined chat on the video from your stream, such as what happened to Gigguk when he received the warning.”

“It’s important to note the streamer is still taking responsibility for what happens in the chat in third party platforms since we don’t control that,” Clancy added.

The multistream chat rule was one of the platform’s long-standing quirks. Creators and viewers who enjoy watching multiple streams together said the old setup made it difficult to discuss content in real time with others. Twitch has been criticized over the years for chat and moderation rules that feel out of step with how people actually use the platform.

Snapchat announces “Snappy Awards,” with Matt Friend set to host

By
Gen Salinas
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Snappys logo
Image courtesy: Snap

Snapchat is launching a new awards show called the Snappy Awards, and comedian Matt Friend will serve as host. The event is geared toward creators on Snapchat, spotlighting standout content and talent from the platform over the past year.

Giving recognition to the platform’s creators

The Snappy Awards are Snapchat’s first large-scale creator awards show. The company says the event will celebrate creators who have made an impact on the platform across formats like short videos, original shows and interactive content. Categories and nominees have not been fully revealed yet, but the announcement positions the show as a way to recognize performance, creativity and fan engagement within Snapchat’s ecosystem.

Matt Friend, known for his work in comedy and hosting live events, is set to lead the show and bring a mix of humor and personality.

“I’ve grown up on this platform, so getting to host The Snappys Awards Show and celebrate the creators who are shaping comedy, music, sports, and everything in between feels full circle,” Friend said.

Award categories

Categories will include breakout creator, storyteller, collaboration, comedy and cultural impact. Jim Shepherd, Snapchat’s head of content partnerships, said the Snappy Awards show how strong the creator community on Snapchat has become. Shepherd said the Snap Stars being honored are driving conversations, building businesses and shaping culture. He added that the show signals long term support for creators and aims to provide recognition and real opportunities as they continue to shape what comes next.

Featured image courtesy: Snap

Twitch responds after streamer criticizes change to subscription revenue split

By
Gen Salinas
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Twitch has issued a response after streamer Kalei criticized the platform for adjusting her subscription revenue split.

Twitch has issued a response after streamer Kalei criticized the platform for adjusting her subscription revenue split. Twitch has been under fire in the past years over changes to how Twitch shares income with streamers.

Changes to the revenue split

Kalei took to social media to express her dissatisfaction after her subscription revenue share changed. Kalei had been earning a 70/30 split, meaning she kept 70 percent of the money from channel subscriptions, and Twitch took 30 percent. Her statement said the shift felt unfair after building her audience under the previous arrangement.

Twitch responded by explaining that the change is a “backend technical update” with “no changes to the contract.”

“We have longstanding agreements with a limited number of streamers who have been with Twitch since its early days. We are honoring these historical contracts and we are not changing payout structure or requirements to sustain their payout structure with this change,” Twitch replied on X.

Longer history with subscription splits

Concerns over how Twitch divides subscription revenue are not new. For years the platform used a standard 70/30 split for many partners, though it later introduced changes such as lifting the 100,000 subscriber cap on that rate and then moving toward a 50/50 split for some creators. Those shifts prompted criticism from the company regarding fairness and how income should scale as channels grow, with many streamers saying they want clearer rules and more predictable earnings as part of their long-term planning.

Snapchat launches Creator Subscriptions

By
Gen Salinas
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Snapchat launches Creator Subscriptions
Image asset courtesy: Snapchat

Snapchat has introduced Creator Subscriptions, a new way for creators to earn money directly from their audience on the platform and have more options to build income from their content.

What is Creator Subscriptions

With Creator Subscriptions, Snapchat users can subscribe to specific creators for a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive content and perks. The feature allows creators to offer subscriber-only Stories, chat access, badges or other benefits they choose to provide to paying subscribers. It is another way for creators to connect with fans who want more than what’s available in public posts.

Subscription models have become more common across social platforms as creators look for steady revenue sources beyond ads, brand deals and tips. Snapchat’s approach gives creators control over what they offer and how they price access, while keeping the experience inside the Snapchat app.

Exclusive content as a way to earn more

Snapchat’s user base includes a mix of everyday users and emerging creators, and adding subscriptions gives those with dedicated followings a way to earn recurring income. For creators who already post regularly on Snapchat, subscriptions provide a direct link between content and cash flow, rather than relying solely on outside sponsorships or advertising revenue.

Subscription features are not unique to Snapchat. Many social and video platforms have rolled out similar tools that allow fans to pay for exclusive access to creators’ work. By adding subscriptions, Snapchat joins a growing list of platforms aiming to give creators more financial control.

Snapchat says Creator Subscriptions are rolling out now and will be available to eligible creators. How widespread adoption becomes may depend on how creators choose to use the tools and how fans respond.

Image asset courtesy: Snapchat

MrBeast spends over $1 million to prove this videos are not rigged

By
Gen Salinas
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MrBeast with lots of money
Image courtesy: MrBeast

YouTube star MrBeast reveals he spent more than $1 million on a third-party compliance team to show that his challenge content is not staged, following controversies that his large prize competitions are controlled behind the scenes.

Large scale verification

In a recent tweet, MrBeast said that the teams he hired verify how winners are determined in his productions. The creator explained that the budget covered logistics, prizes and production elements used to illustrate how participants are selected and how results play out. The goal was to provide viewers with a clearer look at how his videos operate.

MrBeast’s channel is known for elaborate challenges with high production costs and large rewards, which sometimes leads viewers to question how outcomes are decided. By showing more of the process, he sought to address those concerns directly.

“Fun fact, I’ve spent over $1,000,000 recently on 3rd party compliance teams to be on set and verify Beast Games/MrBeast videos arnt rigged. They verify EVERY elimination to ensure my team didn’t interfered, make sure we don’t change rules to screw people, things are fair, etc,” he wrote on X.

Viewers said they appreciated the extra detail and explanation, however, others felt the clarification was unnecessary. Large scale budgets are already a defining feature of MrBeast’s content, so the spending level did not surprise many followers.

Featured image courtesy: MrBeast

MrBeast says he’s not concerned about a low performing video

By
Gen Salinas
-
MrBeast says he’s not concerned about a low performing video
Image courtesy: MrBeast

MrBeast recently addressed why he is not worried after one of his YouTube videos underperformed compared with his typical uploads.

Low performing video

On February 15, MrBeast said he expected his next upload, “I built 10 schools around the world,” to be his lowest performing video in years.

The video was released on February 21 and trailed many of his recent uploads in views during its first 24 hours. Currently, it had passed 30 million views, which is low compared with his usual numbers. His previous upload, “Ages 1 – 100 Race For $250,000”, drew more than 68 million views.

In a tweet, MrBeast acknowledged that the said recent video didn’t reach the same level of views as many of his other projects.

“Next Saturday’s YouTube video will probably be the worst preforming video I’ve uploaded in years but it’s something I care deeply about and can’t wait to see what you all think :D,” he posted on X.

This just means that not every video is going to perform at the same level and occasional dips are part of publishing content at scale.

Fluctuations in views are normal

Despite having more than 30 million views, for a large platform like MrBeast, it is considered subpar in performance. Creators like him still experience dips in views; a lower performance on a single video does not change how a creator should approach content overall.

Focusing too much on short-term numbers can distract from long-term plans and ongoing creativity. One thing creators could learn is to pay more attention to overall trends over time rather than the performance of individual uploads.

Additionally, large channels often have widely varying view counts from video to video. Factors such as timing, thumbnail performance, algorithm changes and audience interest can all influence how a post performs. However, this does not mean that one slower video derails larger goals or output rhythm.

Some creators emphasize consistency and routine engagement, while others focus on experimentation and longer-term audience growth. For a creator with a large and diverse audience, occasional fluctuations are not uncommon.

Featured image courtesy: MrBeast

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