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Spotify is giving gold and silver plaques to podcasters

Spotify Creator Milestone Awards

Spotify is rolling out new milestone plaques to recognize podcasters. With podcasting becoming a dominant force in digital media, Spotify’s new initiative signals its commitment to supporting and acknowledging the creators who drive listenership on the platform.

What are Spotify’s creator milestone plaques?

Spotify’s milestone plaques are a first for the platform. Similar to YouTube, which has long recognized creators with awards, Spotify is just beginning to acknowledge podcasting achievements. These plaques will be awarded to podcasters reaching key listener milestones, though Spotify has yet to specify exact thresholds.

Why this matters

The introduction of milestone plaques validates podcasting as a serious content career, encouraging creators to expand their audiences. It also raises competition within the podcasting space, further driving engagement and growth.

For podcasters, this recognition brings more legitimacy to their work, similar to how YouTube’s play buttons have become status symbols. Additionally, Spotify’s move underscores the importance of podcasting in the broader creator economy.

How Spotify’s plaques work

While Spotify hasn’t revealed all eligibility details, creators can expect to receive these plaques upon reaching significant listener benchmarks. This move highlights Spotify’s investment in podcasting as a core part of its platform. By acknowledging podcasters’ contributions, Spotify is reinforcing its commitment to fostering a thriving creator community.

The milestone plaques will likely serve as a marketing tool for podcasters, potentially allowing them to showcase their achievements to potential sponsors and listeners. As more details emerge, podcasters will have a clearer understanding of how they can qualify for these awards and leverage them to further their brand.

Image courtesy: Spotify

Viewers get 60-minute unskippable ad on YouTube

YouTube logos

A viewer reportedly got a 60-minute unskippable ad on YouTube while watching a Minecraft video. The video went viral on Reddit, which sparked a discussion of other users sharing the same experience.

Google responds to the video

After the post went viral, Google responded that users should simply pay for YouTube Premium to skip ads. Aside from watching the videos ad-free, Premium subscribers can also enjoy offline downloads, background play, and access to exclusive content.

“Ads are a vital lifeline for our creators that helps them run and grow their businesses. That’s why the use of ad blockers violates YouTube’s Terms of Service. We’ve launched a global effort to urge viewers with ad blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience,” Google’s response stated.

YouTube’s crackdown on ad blockers

YouTube started cracking down on ad blockers in 2023 by cutting the video off if the viewer is using ad blockers. The company has grown its efforts into the crackdown by muting the entire video if ad blockers are being used. Users have found a workaround to these measures so YouTube decided to get stricter in 2024 by using a new method called server-side ad injection. With the new method, ads are embedded into the videos themselves, so it’s harder for users to block the ads using ad blockers. Another measure that YouTube has done is showing unskippable black screen. However, as YouTube exhaust more measures like mentioned, ad blockers are also upgrading their filters to offer better ad-free experience for users.

Google’s response has always been the same, to say for the Premium subscription to get hassle-free viewing. Such subscription help support creators in the platform and offer more perks to its viewers.

Kick now allows users to rewind stream clips in “real-time”

Kick rewind
Image courtesy: Kick

Kick has launched a new feature a “real-time” rewind feature that aims to give viewers the option to replay moments instantly. With this feature, the livestreaming platforms that its viewers “never miss that moment.”

How the rewind feature works

The announcement of this feature was highlighted by Kick streamer xQc during one of his Overwatch streams. He demonstrated how viewers can easily revisit segments of his streams using the feature. Trainwreck, Kick’s co-founder, acknowledged that the platform has a long way to go, “a lot of things still to fix,” according to him, but is refining and developing more features that are user-centric.

Big win for the platform and its users

The rewind feature is a big win for Kick as its rival, the leading live streaming platform Twitch does not have an existing rewinder yet. Twitch does allow streamers to make highlights of their streams into VOD clips that viewers can watch later, but they can’t currently rewind in real-time any clip of the stream. 

This new feature attracts both viewers and creators as it makes content accessible in real-time, especially during technical issues. Such user-centric feature was demanded by the streaming community and Kick is holding up to its promise of becoming a “different” platform.

Capital One Shopping is hit with class action suit for allegedly operating similarly to Honey

Capital One Shopping logo
Image courtesy: Capital One

In a recent development, Capital One Shopping, a browser extension owned by Capital One, is facing a class-action lawsuit filed on January 23, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Honey-like operations

The lawsuit alleges that the extension engages in deceptive practices by replacing content creators’ affiliate links with its own during the checkout process, thereby diverting commissions from creators to itself. This practice, known as “last-click attribution,” is claimed to have caused significant revenue losses for creators.

This lawsuit mirrors a similar case against PayPal’s Honey extension, which has been accused of substituting creators’ affiliate links with its own, thereby misappropriating commissions. Both Honey and Capital One Shopping have denied these allegations, asserting adherence to industry-standard practices.

Prominent YouTubers Edgar Oganesyan of TechSource and Matthew Ely of Toasty Bros are leading the lawsuit, reporting declines in affiliate earnings despite increased audience engagement. Their legal representatives argue that Capital One Shopping’s actions constitute a “blatant exploitation” of creators’ efforts.

A scheme that steals creator’s potential earnings

The core issue revolves around the “last-click attribution” model, a common method in affiliate marketing that credits the last affiliate link clicked before a purchase. Critics argue that browser extensions exploiting this model undermine creators’ earnings and distort the effectiveness of affiliate marketing campaigns.

These legal actions highlight the growing tension between content creators and browser extensions over affiliate revenue. As the digital marketing landscape evolves, the need for clear guidelines and ethical standards becomes increasingly evident to ensure fair compensation for creators’ contributions.

Image courtesy: Capital One

Finding video clips is made easier with “Media Intelligence” in Adobe Premiere Pro

Hands working on computer in Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe has launched a suite of AI-powered features across its video editing platforms, notably in Premiere Pro and After Effects. This update aims to streamline workflows for creators.

AI-powered Media Intelligence in Premiere Pro

The latest update introduces a “Media Intelligence” feature that allows editors to locate specific clips by describing their content. For instance, typing “a person eating ice cream” will prompt the software to identify and retrieve relevant footage. This on-device processing ensures user privacy by eliminating the need for an internet connection.

More updates from Adobe

Premiere Pro now supports translation for video captions in 17 languages and allows for multiple caption tracks, enhancing accessibility and localization efforts. Additionally, After Effects has been updated to support HDR monitoring and features a new caching system, resulting in improved performance when previewing large files.

A recent firmware update enables Canon’s C80 and C400 cameras to utilize Frame.io’s Camera to Cloud integration, allowing for direct file uploads and further streamlining the editing process.

Additional AI developments

Adobe’s commitment to integrating AI into its tools is evident in other recent updates. For example, Photoshop has introduced a “Distraction Removal” feature that automatically identifies and removes common distractions, enhancing the editing experience.

These advancements underscore Adobe’s dedication to leveraging AI to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its creative software suite.

For a visual demonstration of these new features, you can watch the following video:

Creators gains thousands of followers because of Instagram Trial Reels

Creators gains thousands of followers because of Instagram Trial Reels

Instagram’s recent introduction of the ‘Trial Reels’ feature has inadvertently become a powerful growth tool for creators aiming to expand their follower base. Originally designed to allow users to test new content among non-followers and decide on its broader release based on feedback, many creators are now repurposing their most engaging existing videos as Trial Reels.

Creator’s innovation on the platform

Trial Reels was launched to be an A/B testing method to see which reels perform the best. However, creators use it to reintroduce old videos to non-followers who discovered their content. This strategy has led to significant increases in followers; for instance, Instagram creator @chelsea_explains attributed her rapid growth to 450,000 followers in two months to this method.

Instagram appears to support this innovative use of Trial Reels. Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, has highlighted key metrics such as watch time, likes and shares as crucial for content ranking, suggesting that the platform values high engagement regardless of the content’s originality.

More from Instagram

Beyond Trial Reels, Instagram is actively pursuing strategies to attract creators from rival platforms like TikTok. Notably, the company is offering substantial financial incentives, with bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per month, to encourage creators to post Reels exclusively on Instagram. This initiative is part of Meta’s broader Breakthrough Bonus program, which aims to boost engagement and content creation on its platforms.

For creators looking to capitalize on these developments, it’s essential to focus on producing high-quality, engaging content tailored specifically for Instagram Reels. Avoiding recycled content from other platforms, especially those with visible watermarks, can enhance discoverability, as Instagram tends to deprioritize such posts.

By leveraging features like Trial Reels and adhering to Instagram’s content best practices, creators can effectively grow their audience and increase engagement on the platform.

X and Bluesky are both launching TikTok-style features

X and Bluesky are both launching TikTok-style features
Image courtesy: Bluesky

X and Bluesky are taking advantage of TikTok’s current rocky situation regarding its U.S. ban to introduce their own vertical video features that aim to attract creators and users seeking alternatives.

Rivals copying successful TikTok features

On January 19, X (formerly Twitter), led by Elon Musk, launched an “immersive new home for videos” in the U.S., which offers a personalized feed of recommended videos across various categories.

“From there, you can explore a personalized feed of recommended videos reflecting the real-time nature of X across sports, entertainment, news and more,” X announced.

Bluesky, a decentralized social app conceptualized by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, added a trending videos tab on the app. This users to swipe through and create video-only timelines based on specific hashtags.

“Like any other feed, you can choose to pin these or not. Bluesky is yours to customize,” Bluesky’s post reads.

The shift to decentralized platforms

The potential TikTok ban exemplifies the concept of “enshittification,” where platforms start by serving users well but ultimately prioritize profits at users’ expense. This cycle has previously been seen with platforms like MySpace, Facebook, and Instagram. If TikTok does shut down, new and innovative platforms might arise, continuing the dynamic evolution of social media.

With TikTok’s future uncertain, creators are exploring platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and emerging apps such as RedNote and Neptune. Meta is also working on Edits, its CapCut-style video editing app.

With the looming TikTok ban, the social media landscape is changing fast. Platforms like X and Bluesky are trying to fill any gap TikTok might leave. However, it looks like the TikTok ban will be rolled back, at least for now. So, we’ll see how well X’s and Bluesky’s efforts go.

Featured image courtesy: Bluesky

Instagram is offering large bonuses to attract more creators

In a strategic move to capitalize on TikTok’s recent challenges, Instagram is rolling out substantial incentives to attract creators to its Reels platform. Reports indicate that Instagram is offering bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per month to creators who post Reels exclusively on its platform.

“Over the coming months, we’ll also offer some TikTok creators content deals to help grow their communities on Instagram and Facebook,” said Meta spokesperson Paige Cohen.

Creators are looking to migrate to other apps

The TikTok ban left creators to look for other profitable platforms. This issue created a window of opportunity for Instagram to attract TikTok’s user base. Meta has boosted bonuses before, but the company couldn’t sustain it. As more creators migrate to the app, it will be interesting to see how long the platform can keep its offer.

In addition to financial incentives, Instagram has introduced features to make Reels more appealing, such as extending the maximum length of Reels to three minutes and adjusting the profile grid format to better showcase video content.

More from Instagram

Moreover, Instagram is developing a new video editing app designed to rival TikTok’s CapCut. This app will provide creators with advanced tools, from AI-powered enhancements to seamless audio integration, ensuring they can produce polished, professional-quality content.

While these efforts demonstrate Instagram’s commitment to growing its short-form video offerings, questions remain about creator loyalty and platform sustainability. Some creators might hesitate due to Meta’s history of sudden policy changes, while others could view the bonuses as an enticing opportunity.

Instagram is launching a CapCut-like video editing app

Instagram is launching a CapCut-like video editing app
Image courtesy: Instagram

In light of the TikTok ban fiasco, Instagram seems to be rushing a launch of a new video editing app called Edits. The app will offer features such as high-quality recording, shareable drafts, trending audio, performance insights, and an inspiration tab, alongside standard editing functionalities.

Tools available in Edits

The app aims to offer creators a comprehensive suite of tools to enhance content production. It includes advanced editing features like trimming, merging, and speed adjustments, alongside AI-powered enhancements such as auto-captions and scene detection.

Creators can add trending audio, sync clips with music, and access detailed analytics on engagement. A shareable drafts feature enables collaboration, while the inspiration tab highlights popular trends. Notably, Edits exports videos without watermarks, even in its free version. Edits is reportedly designed for professionals and casual creators and it combines powerful tools and user-friendly design to simplify video creation.

How different is Edits from other apps

Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, addressed comparisons between Edits and CapCut, stating that while both apps offer video editing capabilities, Edits is designed more for creators than casual video makers.

He emphasized that Edits will provide a broader range of creative tools, including AI-powered features and detailed insights into video performance.

Edits is expected to be available for iOS users in February 2025, with an Android version to follow. The app is currently available for pre-order on the App Store. Mosseri noted that the initial release would be an incomplete version, encouraging users to be patient as they continue to develop and enhance the app’s features.

Image courtesy: Instagram

Drake is suing UMG over viral Kendrick Lamar diss track — names creators for whitelisting

Drake is suing UMG over viral Kendrick Lamar diss track — names creators for whitelisting

Drake is suing Universal Music Group (UMG) for allegedly promoting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” in a deliberate manner where reaction creators are allowed to use the song without being demonetized. In the lawsuit are creators like Kai Cenat, RDC, No Life Shaq and many more.

The alleged whitelisting of the song

In May 2024, Kendric Lamar released “Not Like Us,” which accused Drake of sexual misconduct and pedophilia — claims that the singer has consistently denied. In his lawsuit against UMG, he stipulated that the licensing company facilitated the song’s virality by whitelisting it, allowing content creators on platforms like YouTube, Twitch and TikTok to produce reaction videos without demonetization concerns.

Additionally, Drake alleges that UMG paid influencers on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) to post about “Not Like Us,” further spreading its content. The singer claims these actions were intended to devalue his brand ahead of contract renewal discussions, giving UMG an upper hand.

“As to Drake, in 2024, his contract was nearing fulfillment. On information and belief, UMG anticipated that extending Drake’s contract would come at a high cost to UMG; as such, it was incentivized to devalue Drake’s music and brand in order to gain leverage in negotiations for an extension,” the lawsuit says.

The virality of the song with reaction content

In general, taking and rebroadcasting someone else’s content without permission is a copyright violation. However, reaction content can complicate things. If the reacting creator adds enough new material — such as commentary, critique or humor — their content might be considered transformative. In the case of creators named in Drake’s lawsuit, they may have been permitted to monetize reaction content related to Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” because Universal Music Group (UMG) reportedly worked with platforms to whitelist the track. Alternatively, their monetization might have been allowed due to prior licensing agreements between the company and the platforms.

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