Summoning Salt releases feature-length documentary on “Halo 2” speedrunning

June 30, 2025

Summoning Salt Halo 2 VHS tape — Image courtesy: Summoning Salt

YouTuber Summoning Salt has rereleased his documentary chronicling the history of “Halo 2” speedrunning on a VHS tape.

Titled “The History of Halo 2 World Records,” the nearly two-hour video explores how runners tracked and verified their times in the pre-digital era. Salt outlines how mailed tapes, forum debates and analog footage shaped the game’s competitive scene in the mid-2000s.

The documentary traces the evolution from early runs to modern strategies, detailing the technical progression over the last two decades. Salt breaks down key tactics, including “sword flying” and “BXR,” and how they contributed to faster completion times.

He also highlights the role of specific community members who helped define the current meta through experimentation and repetition.

Longform gaming content still performs

Summoning Salt is known for longform video essays on speedrunning history and has built a subscriber base of over two million. His work regularly surpasses one hour in length, showing that viewers will engage with well-researched content, even in a short-form-dominated ecosystem.

His latest release continues this trend and demonstrates that niche gaming history, when presented clearly and with narrative structure, can reach a broad audience.

What creators can learn

For creators producing content around niche communities or older games, Salt’s video serves as a case study in combining subject matter expertise with accessible storytelling. Additionally, it shows that you don’t always have to follow the usual types of merch. Salt decided to lean into his genre and release his videos on speedruns on VHS tapes, which speedrunners used to use to submit their runs.

Salt plans to release more of his videos on VHS soon, with additional footage.

The full documentary is available on Summoning Salt’s YouTube channel.

Meta just changed how Reels work — here’s what creators need to know

Gen Salinas

June 27, 2025

Meta is removing the distinction between Reels and video posts on Facebook. Now, all videos posted on Facebook will be treated as Reels by default.

If you’re posting short-form content to Facebook, this could impact how your videos are distributed and how they appear on your profile.

All Facebook videos are now Reels

Meta confirmed that any video under 90 seconds will automatically be categorized as a Reel. This change brings consistency to how videos are handled across Facebook and Instagram, where Reels already dominate short-form distribution.

If your video is longer than 90 seconds, it would not appear as a Reel, however it will still be treated as a standard video post with its own engagement format.

Reels editing tools are now available for most videos

With this update, creators will be able to use Reels-style editing tools such as music, text overlays and filters, even on videos that are not technically Reels.

This change gives creators more flexibility when editing content, especially if they are repurposing videos across different platforms. They won’t need to rely on third-party tools just to format a video for Facebook.

Reels tabs are replacing the Video tab

Facebook profiles will no longer have a separate “Video” tab. Instead, all of the short-form content will be organized under the Reels tab.

This change may affect how the existing videos are surfaced. Meta says older video posts won’t be deleted, but they will now appear in the Reels feed if they are under 90 seconds.

Engagement metrics are not changing — yet

Meta has not announced any major changes to how views or engagement metrics are calculated. However, because the content will now appear in different feeds, creators may notice fluctuations in performance.

If the track analytics manually or use third-party tools, this update could skew short-term metrics.

In conclusion, Meta is shifting Facebook to prioritize Reels. So, creators should edit videos with short-form tools like music and text, even though current workflows do not need immediate changes to stay effective.

Patreon increases revenue share to 10 percent for new creators

Gen Salinas

June 25, 2025

Patreon recently increased the cut it takes from the earnings of new creators. On June 19, all new users who join the platform were placed on the “Pro” plan and subject to a 10 percent commission. This marks a 2 percent increase from the previous rate of 8 percent.

Existing creators remain unaffected

The rate change applies only to new accounts created after June 19. Existing creators on the Pro or Premium plans will continue under their current terms. However, users who close their accounts and rejoin after the deadline will be moved to the new pricing.

Patreon previously made a similar adjustment in 2019, when it introduced tiered plans, Lite, Pro and Premium, while allowing current users to retain legacy pricing.

Platform cites ongoing product investment

Patreon said the fee increase reflects “the value we continue to add” through ongoing product development. The company has launched several new tools in recent months, including video hosting, digital storefronts and free membership options.

These features are primarily available to creators on the Pro and Premium plans, suggesting the updated pricing is intended to offset increased platform capabilities.

Implications for new users

New users who signed up before June 19 can still access the Pro plan at the 8 percent rate. However, all new users now will be subject to the updated 10 percent fee on all creator earnings.

For some, the increase may influence platform selection, especially among creators who prioritize lower fees. Alternatives like Ko-fi and Buy Me a Coffee continue to offer monetization options with different pricing models.

The change underscores a broader industry trend, where platforms are adjusting monetization structures in response to feature expansion and operational costs.

MrBeast’s AI thumbnail tool faces creator pushback

Gen Salinas

June 25, 2025

MrBeast Viewstats — Image courtesy: Viewstats

YouTuber MrBeast is facing criticism after announcing an AI-powered thumbnail tool designed to help creators generate YouTube thumbnails. The tool is a product of Juice, a startup in which he has invested.

After promoting the tool on X (formerly Twitter), MrBeast deleted the post following widespread backlash from creators who took issue with how the product was positioned.

The tool claims to predict top-performing thumbnails

The AI thumbnail generator aims to predict which thumbnail will perform best by analyzing YouTube data and patterns across a wide range of content. Juice says the tool was trained on thousands of videos, including MrBeast’s own content.

According to Juice cofounder Ben Lang, the tool is meant to help creators quickly iterate and identify thumbnails with the highest likelihood of getting clicked. The tool is currently in early access, and Juice states that it will continue to improve its accuracy over time.

Creators question the framing

Much of the criticism stemmed from the way the tool was marketed. MrBeast’s deleted post described the tool as giving users “better thumbnails than most YouTubers instantly,” a claim many creators viewed as dismissive of the design work that goes into thumbnail creation.

Some creators raised concerns about the broader implications of AI-generated creative tools. Others pointed out the contrast between the simplicity of the AI pitch and the highly strategic thumbnail process MrBeast is known to use, which includes hiring experienced designers and extensive A/B testing.

Tool development continues

Despite the backlash, Juice has not paused development or public access. The company maintains that its tool is designed to support creators, particularly those without access to large design teams or the resources to test numerous options.

In response to the feedback online, MrBeast announced he and Juice were working on changes to the tool. Notably, MrBeast said the tool will now only faceswap on your own thumbnails, not others’ thumbnails.

Image courtesy: Viewstats

Pinterest launches affiliate shopping integration with LTK

Gen Salinas

June 17, 2025

Pinterest launches affiliate shopping integration with LTK — Image courtesy: LTK

Pinterest has launched a new affiliate partnership with LTK, giving creators an easier way to earn money from their content. This marks the first time Pinterest is enabling direct affiliate links from a third-party platform.

Affiliate links go live on Pinterest

Creators in the U.S. who are part of LTK can now publish affiliate-enabled Pins directly to Pinterest. The integration enables creators to tag products from brands they already work with through LTK, allowing users to shop those products directly on the platform.

When a user clicks on a product and makes a purchase, the creator receives a commission. Pinterest has confirmed that all affiliate tracking and revenue will be handled through LTK’s system. Pinterest itself will not take a cut of any affiliate earnings.

Opportunity for creators

LTK’s integration could streamline monetization for lifestyle influencers, especially those in fashion and home decor. LTK already works with over 7,000 brands, including major retailers like Abercrombie, Walmart and Urban Outfitters. By allowing creators to post shoppable Pins using links from LTK, this could encourage more original content while giving creators a way to earn passively from their past and ongoing posts.

The feature is currently available only to LTK creators in the U.S. The platform has not shared if or when it plans to expand the functionality to other affiliate platforms or international creators.

Pinterest’s push into shopping

This move is part of Pinterest’s broader strategy to turn the platform into a place where users do more than just save ideas, they also shop. Pinterest has made several updates over the past year to support this goal, including product tagging, in-app checkout for select merchants and AI-powered shopping recommendations.

Creators who already use LTK can now make their Pinterest presence more profitable with little added effort.

Image courtesy: LTK

YouTube moderators get new guidance on political and cultural content

Gen Salinas

June 17, 2025

YouTube is making another shift in its moderation approach. The platform has given its moderators more leeway when reviewing content related to politics, social issues and culture. The new guidance allows for a more permissive stance on controversial topics, especially when they’re framed as opinion.

Opinion-based commentary now more acceptable

Moderators working on YouTube content are being instructed not to remove videos that share opinions on divisive issues.

Content must still follow YouTube’s broader policies against misinformation, hate speech and inciting violence. However, when a creator shares their perspective on a social issues, that content will generally be allowed to remain up.

This new approach is reportedly part of a larger push to reinforce YouTube’s commitment to free expression. A video presenting even strong, critical or unpopular commentary is more likely to be left online, unless it explicitly violates the platform’s policies.

Context and framing matter more than before

The shift means that the way a creator frames their video could influence whether it stays up. Statements phrased as subjective or personal viewpoints are more protected than those presented as fact.

For creators, that can be a subtle but significant difference. For example, saying “I believe this law is discriminatory” is less likely to be flagged than stating, “This law is discriminatory,” unless there’s concrete evidence.

This direction aligns with growing public pressure on YouTube to be more transparent about its content moderation decisions. The company has faced criticism from both sides of the political aisle over takedowns in the past. These updates suggest YouTube is trying to walk a clearer line between platform responsibility and creator freedom.

What creators should keep in mind

While the moderation policy is loosening in some areas, YouTube is not lifting all restrictions. Content that includes hate speech, explicit misinformation or incitements to violence will still be removed.

YouTube bans major ad blockers as it tests ads for Premium subscribers

Gen Salinas

June 16, 2025

YouTube bans major adblockers as it tests ads for Premium subscribers featured image

YouTube reportedly has started banning several popular ad blockers, further escalating its crackdown on third-party tools that bypass ads. The move comes as the platform experiments with showing ads even to paying Premium users.

Ad blockers blocked at the extension level

Over the past week, users of multiple browser-based ad blockers have reported being locked out of YouTube while using tools like AdBlock and Adblock Plus. A message displays when the platform detects an adblocker, stating that playback will be blocked until the extension is disabled or YouTube Premium is activated.

The policy shift aligns with YouTube’s recent push to increase ad revenue. According to reports, the platform is now taking action at the extension level, rendering certain ad blockers unusable on YouTube entirely.

This is not the first time YouTube has targeted ad blockers, however the current wave appears broader and more aggressive. It also follows the company’s ongoing effort to tighten restrictions on third-party apps and services that interfere with its monetization model.

Ads coming to Premium?

In a separate test, YouTube confirmed it’s experimenting with limited ads on YouTube Premium. The company told 9to5Google that the test is small and only includes a portion of subscribers globally. YouTube emphasized that these ads are focused on partner content like live sports or select original programming.

While the test is currently limited, it is already drawing criticism from users who pay to avoid ads entirely. YouTube has not shared whether it plans to expand the test or implement ads for all Premium members in the future.

YouTube’s actions suggest a doubling down on ad revenue, even as backlash grows from users and developers. For creators, the ban on ad blockers could increase overall CPMs as more viewers are served ads. However, changes to the Premium experience may also impact viewer satisfaction and retention over time.

YouTube creator economy adds $45 billion to U.S. GDP

Gen Salinas

June 16, 2025

According to a new Impact Report released by YouTube, the platform’s creator economy contributed $45 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product in 2024. The study was conducted by Oxford Economics and commissioned by YouTube.

The report states that YouTube supported more than 400,000 full-time equivalent jobs across the United States. These jobs include content creators, editors, marketers and other roles linked to video production and publishing.

YouTube Partner Program continues to drive revenue

YouTube credits much of the economic impact to its Partner Program. Since its launch in 2007, the program has paid out over $70 billion to creators and rights holders worldwide. The platform says this payout has supported independent creators in developing long-term careers.

According to the report, 79 percent of surveyed U.S.-based creators said YouTube offers meaningful opportunities to build a business. Additionally, 55 percent said the platform allows them to reach audiences they wouldn’t otherwise be able to access.

Caleb Simpson, known for apartment tour videos, is one of the creators mentioned in the report. He said YouTube gave him the structure to go full time and scale his content operation.

The report also highlights the role of YouTube in learning and professional development. About 78 percent of viewers said the platform helps them acquire new skills. Among Gen Z respondents, 59 percent said YouTube is their most helpful resource for education and career growth.

Roughly 70 percent of surveyed creators agreed that YouTube provides economic opportunities regardless of their background, location or financial situation. YouTube stated that this reach supports its goal of making the creator economy more accessible.

U.S. remains a key market

While the Impact Report covered 19 countries, YouTube noted that the U.S. remains the largest contributor to its global creator economy. The company stated that it will continue to develop tools and policies designed to help creators build sustainable businesses on the platform.

A24 teams with YouTube’s Kane Parsons and Pixels to produce “The Backrooms” horror film

Gen Salinas

June 16, 2025

H4dGpz6cnHo-HD — Image courtesy: Kane Parsons

A24 is moving forward with “The Backrooms,” a feature-length horror film based on the viral YouTube series by teenage creator Kane Parsons. The project is in collaboration with digital production company Pixels and marks Parsons’ theatrical directorial debut.

Parsons launched “The Backrooms” in 2022 at age 16. The short quickly gained traction for its analog horror style and depiction of eerie, liminal spaces. The original video has over 58 million views and helped define a new visual language for internet horror.

January 2025 release planned

The film completed production earlier this year with Parsons directing the project, working alongside A24, Chernin Entertainment and 21 Laps Entertainment. “The Backrooms” is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 17, 2025.

The script was written by Roberto Patino, known for “Westworld” and “DMZ.” The feature is expected to expand on the original concept, where a character becomes trapped in a sprawling maze of empty office spaces, fluorescent lights and disorienting architecture.

From YouTube to the big screen

“The Backrooms” continues a broader trend of digital-native creators crossing into mainstream entertainment. Parsons is one of the youngest directors to helm a major studio film. Pixels, the company co-producing the project, was founded by YouTuber Casey Neistat and focuses on bridging creators with long-form media.

A24’s involvement is part of its ongoing effort to work with unconventional voices. The studio has previously found success with horror films like “Hereditary,” “The Witch” and “Talk to Me.”

Parsons has largely stayed out of the spotlight during production, but interest in the film has remained strong. Online horror communities continue to discuss the project, praising the source material’s originality and tension. Many expect the theatrical release to preserve the same unsettling tone that made the original series stand out.

Image courtesy: Kane Parsons

Creators Guild of America launches tool for messaging Congress

Gen Salinas

June 12, 2025

Creators Guild of America launches tool for messaging Congress featured image

The Creators Guild of America (CGA) has introduced a new tool that enables digital creators in the United States to send direct messages to members of Congress. The platform, called Creators Voice, was announced on June 6 and is designed to support advocacy around legislation that affects the creator economy.

Tool provides a simplified advocacy process

According to CGA, the tool enables creators to share their perspectives on policies related to digital labor, including topics such as copyright enforcement, brand transparency and fair pay. Users enter their ZIP code, select an issue and send a pre-written message to their congressional representatives. The form can be completed in under five minutes.

CGA collaborated with legal and policy experts to develop messaging options, which the organization claims are aligned with current legislative discussions. The platform is free to use and open to all U.S.-based content creators, including those on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.

Advocacy effort follows broader policy concerns

This launch follows increased legislative interest in regulating digital platforms and user-generated content. In 2024, proposed legislation, such as the RESTRICT Act, and renewed efforts to limit certain social media platforms raised concerns across the creator community. Although creators often voice their opinions online, formal avenues for engaging with policymakers have been limited.

CGA’s initiative reflects a broader push to professionalize and organize creator advocacy. While the impact of mass messaging campaigns varies, the platform offers a centralized tool for a growing sector of independent workers who have historically lacked direct representation in policy discussions.

The Creators Guild of America was founded in 2022 to support content creators with resources, advocacy and industry standards. Creators Voice is its latest effort to increase participation in legislative conversations that shape the digital work landscape.

The platform is now live at creatorsvoice.org. CGA encourages creators to utilize the tool to share their perspectives on policy matters that impact their work and income.

123...133 Page 2 of 133