Kick confirms advertising features are in development

December 29, 2025

Image courtesy: Kick

Streaming platform Kick has provided additional context on its upcoming introduction of advertising tools, outlining a phased rollout and clarifying how the new revenue stream will integrate with existing creator monetization options. The update comes after the company’s CEO Ed Craven confirmed that ads are “coming soon,” a shift from Kick’s earlier stance of prioritizing viewer-supported income models.

New monetization tool

Kick said its initial ad implementation will begin with overlay and pre-roll placements in select channels early in 2026, with broader availability planned later in the year. The platform noted the aim is to offer creators more flexibility in how they earn, supplementing existing features such as shared revenue from Kick subscriptions, tipping and paid promotions.

Kick has emphasised that advertising on the platform will be optional for creators, allowing individual streamers to decide whether to enable ads on their channels. This approach is intended to give creators control over their audience experience, particularly as Kick seeks to differentiate itself from competitors like Twitch and YouTube.

Some creators on Kick have expressed support for the introduction of ads as an additional income source, particularly among mid-tier and emerging streamers who see potential to increase revenue without relying solely on viewer tips or subscriptions. Other creators asked questions about how ad revenue will be shared, what minimum thresholds might apply for payouts, and how ads could affect viewer retention.

Kick has indicated it will publish documentation outlining revenue share percentages and payout eligibility in the lead-up to the full rollout. The platform also plans to host informational sessions with creators to help clarify the ad deployment strategy and address questions around integration with other monetization tools.

Featured image courtesy: Kick

YouTube tests renamed “Dislike” button in Shorts

Gen Salinas

December 29, 2025

YouTube tests renamed “Dislike” button in Shorts

YouTube is experimenting with a new approach to negative feedback on its Shorts feature, potentially renaming the traditional “dislike” button as “Not Interested” and relocating it within a pop-up menu. The test, currently visible to a subset of users, merges the thumbs-down action with YouTube’s existing “Not Interested” button.

Changes in the Shorts interface

In the latest user interface experiments, YouTube has removed the dislike button from the main Shorts sidebar and placed it inside a contextual menu alongside the “Not Interested” option. Depending on the test group, users either see the label “Dislike” or “Not Interested” attached to the thumbs-down icon. YouTube says the goal is to clarify what a negative interaction means and how it should inform the platform’s recommendation systems.

YouTube is reworking negative feedback

In 2021, YouTube decided to hide public dislike counts across its platform, a change intended to lessen harassment and “dislike-bombing” campaigns by making dislike totals visible only to creators, not the general audience.

By blending the dislike and “Not Interested” actions in Shorts, YouTube could reduce confusion about what each signal actually means while giving algorithmic models clearer data on content preferences. How creators and users react to the renamed function will likely shape future feedback tools across the broader platform.

The Oscars to move from ABC to YouTube starting in 2029

Gen Salinas

December 22, 2025

Image courtesy: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that the Academy Awards telecast will transition from broadcast television to YouTube beginning with the 101st Oscars ceremony in 2029. The change ends a long-running partnership with ABC, which has televised the awards show for decades.

Under the new agreement, YouTube will serve as the exclusive home for the Oscars broadcast in the United States. The Academy said the move is intended to reach global audiences and provide more flexibility in how viewers access the show.

Shift from traditional broadcast to digital platform

The Oscars have been broadcast on ABC since 1961, making the upcoming transition a significant departure from more than six decades of network television exposure. YouTube, owned by Alphabet’s Google, offers live streaming worldwide, allowing viewers across multiple regions to watch the event without a traditional cable or satellite subscription.

Under the agreement, YouTube will carry more than just the Oscars broadcast itself, which generated about $150 million in revenue for the Academy in the fiscal year ending June 30, largely through its television rights deal with Disney. The platform will also stream a range of related programming, including red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, the nominations announcement, the Governors Awards, the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, the Student Academy Awards, and the Scientific and Technical Awards.

Additional content will include interviews, educational initiatives, podcasts, and other Academy programming. Separately, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will partner with Google Arts & Culture to expand digital access to select exhibitions and assist in digitizing parts of the Academy’s extensive collection.

The Academy has said that additional details about the distribution plans and how the YouTube broadcast will be presented will be shared closer to the 2029 ceremony.

Featured image courtesy: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Australia’s under-16 social media ban has taken effect

Gen Salinas

December 19, 2025

Australia’s under-16 social media ban has taken effect featured image

Australia’s new law banning social media accounts for users under 16 has begun to take effect, and multiple legal challenges are underway as reactions emerge from platforms, teens and government officials. The Social Media Minimum Age law came into force on December 10, 2025, requiring major services to block under-16 accounts or face potential fines of up to AUD 49.5 million for non-compliance.

Lawsuits reach High Court

Shortly after the ban’s implementation, Reddit filed a lawsuit in Australia’s High Court seeking to overturn or limit the restrictions. The platform argues that the law could infringe on constitutionally implied freedoms of political communication and that Reddit should not be classified as a social media service subject to the ban.

In a related legal challenge, two teenagers, represented by a Sydney-based digital rights group also filed a constitutional case, contending that the age restriction limits their personal freedoms. Both challenges could influence how the law is interpreted and enforced if the High Court accepts and hears the cases, with proceedings expected to continue into early 2026.

Ban enforcement by platforms

Platforms including YouTube, Instagram and TikTok have begun to enforce the ban in line with the law, using age estimation tools and account restrictions to prevent access for users identified as under 16. Some teenagers posted farewell messages on social media in the days before the ban took effect, marking the end of long-standing accounts and communities. Others have looked to lesser-known apps that are not yet included in the law’s scope.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other officials have defended the policy as a measure to protect children online, even as some teens explore workarounds and question the practical impact of the restrictions.

Reddit challenges Australia’s proposed social media restrictions in court

Gen Salinas

December 19, 2025

Reddit challenges Australia’s proposed social media restrictions in court featured image

Reddit has filed a lawsuit in Australia’s Federal Court contesting the country’s proposed social media restrictions, which are aimed at limiting access to certain platforms, particularly for younger users. The legal action seeks clarification on how the rules would be applied and whether Reddit should fall within their scope.

The Australian government filed the legislation as part of a wider online safety initiative, citing concerns around youth wellbeing, harmful content and platform accountability. Under the proposal, regulators would have expanded authority to designate which services are covered and to impose requirements such as age verification and penalties for noncompliance.

In its court filing, Reddit argues that the proposed framework fails to adequately distinguish among different types of online services. The company maintains that its platform is organized around user-moderated topic-based communities, rather than algorithmic feeds that promote content broadly. Reddit says applying the same regulatory standards across all platforms could lead to unintended restrictions on access to discussion forums.

Questions around scope and enforcement

A central issue in the case is how the legislation defines “social media services” and whether that definition appropriately captures platforms with varied structures and functions. Reddit has raised concerns about how compliance obligations would be implemented, including the technical and operational challenges associated with age-based access controls.

Government officials have stated that the legislation is designed to be adaptable, allowing regulators to account for differences between platforms. They have emphasized that the primary objective is to improve online safety while maintaining flexibility in enforcement.

Reddit said it continues to engage with Australian authorities and filed the legal challenge to gain clarity on the law’s application. The court has not yet set a date for proceedings.

YouTube addresses AI moderation concerns after reporting 12 million channel terminations in 2025

Gen Salinas

December 19, 2025

YouTube addresses AI moderation concerns after reporting 12 million channel terminations in 2025 featured image

YouTube has responded to questions about its use of automated moderation after disclosing that roughly 12 million channels were terminated in 2025. The company said the majority of removals were the result of enforcement against spam, scams, impersonation and other forms of deceptive or repetitive content, much of which is identified through automated systems.

The use of AI for moderation

According to YouTube, AI-based tools are used to detect policy violations at scale, often flagging channels before content gains wider distribution. The platform stated that automation plays a central role in managing enforcement across billions of uploads, while human reviewers are involved in more complex cases and in reviewing appeals.

“AI will make our ability to detect and enforce on violative content better, more precise, able to cope with scale,” YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said.

The platform was under fire after creators raised concerns about false positives and limited explanations for enforcement actions. YouTube said that while automation is responsible for many initial decisions, its systems are designed to prioritize clear policy violations and reduce harm across the platform.

Enforcement processes and appeals

YouTube reiterated that creators whose channels are terminated are permitted to submit an appeal through YouTube Studio. The company noted that each channel is eligible for one appeal and encouraged creators to include detailed information to support their case. YouTube did not provide data on how many terminations are overturned following review.

The platform acknowledged that enforcement decisions can be frustrating, particularly when creators believe removals were made in error. It said work is ongoing to improve how policy explanations are communicated and how moderation tools interpret context.

YouTube said automated enforcement remains necessary due to the volume and speed of content uploaded to the platform. The company added that it continues to invest in improving detection accuracy, especially as generative AI tools contribute to increased volumes of low-quality or misleading content.

While YouTube maintains that automation is a core part of its moderation strategy, it said systems are regularly updated based on feedback and review outcomes.

TikTok tests collaborative content hubs and shared feeds

Gen Salinas

December 19, 2025

TikTok screenshots — Image courtesy: TikTok

TikTok is experimenting with new tools that would let creators organize content collaboratively and explore shared feeds with others.

The features, first identified in limited trials, appear to expand the ways people can group and navigate content beyond TikTok’s algorithm-driven recommendations.

Collaborative hubs and shared feed experiments

One of the experimental tools introduces collaborative content hubs, where multiple users can contribute videos to a single collection. These hubs function as centralized spaces for posts related to a specific topic, event, or shared interest.

TikTok is also experimenting with shared feeds, which would let users follow a stream of videos curated by several contributors rather than a single account. This structure may offer a more topic-focused viewing experience, giving users an alternative to relying solely on the For You Page for discovery.

Because the features are still in testing, availability varies, and TikTok has not confirmed a broader rollout.

If expanded, collaborative hubs could provide creators with a structured way to organize posts around joint projects or themed collections. Shared feeds may also support communities that form around specific subjects, allowing users to browse content assembled by groups rather than individuals or automated systems.

While TikTok has not commented on how these features would integrate with existing tools, they could complement playlists, collections, or friend-based recommendations currently available in the app.

TikTok has not provided timelines or further details about the testing process. The company typically evaluates engagement, usability and creator response before moving features into wider release.

Featured image courtesy: TikTok

YouTuber WhistlinDiesel claims state officials silencing him after tax evasion arrest

Gen Salinas

December 18, 2025

YouTuber WhistlinDiesel, whose real name is Cody Detwiler, has accused Tennessee state authorities of attempting to block him from speaking publicly about his November arrest on tax evasion charges. The creator says he was hit with a court motion that effectively acts as a gag order, prohibiting any pre-trial commentary about the case across social media.

According to Detwiler, the filing cites his large online audience and argues that his statements could influence potential jurors. The documents also reference his merchandise, which displays the publicly released indictment, suggesting authorities believe social media posts could affect the state’s case.

Arrest and charges

Earlier in November, Detwiler was indicted on two felony counts of tax evasion, tied to a 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo allegedly purchased without paying the required state sales tax. Prosecutors claim Detwiler and his company attempted to evade at least $500 in owed tax, though other reports note the amount in question could be much higher.

The Ferrari in question was famously destroyed in a 2023 video in which it burned to ashes, a standoff that drew millions of views. Despite the high-profile nature of the vehicle and its fiery demise, authorities cited its out-of-state registration and unpaid tax as grounds for pursuing charges. Detwiler was released after posting bond.

In his statement, Detwiler denied any threats were made and urged followers not to harass or target anyone involved in the case. The creator said he was sharing what he legally could while the matter remains in court. Detwiler’s next court hearing is pending, though no date has been publicly confirmed.

YouTube AI misclassifies streamer’s laughter as graphic content, leading to video restriction

Gen Salinas

December 17, 2025

A YouTube streamer says his recent broadcast was mistakenly restricted after the platform’s automated moderation system identified a moment of laughter as potential graphic content.

According to horror game enthusiast SpooknJukes, the stream was automatically flagged under YouTube’s graphic-content policy, resulting in an age restriction that reduced the video’s visibility and monetization. No graphic material appeared in the clip, and the creator stated that the only notable audio at the flagged moment was laughter.

YouTube uses a combination of machine-learning models and human reviewers to enforce its Community Guidelines, including policies governing violent or sensitive material. Automated tools are intended to process large volumes of uploads efficiently, but the company acknowledges they are not always precise and may occasionally misclassify content.

Appeal process

The streamer publicly shared the incident, saying that the restriction affected performance metrics for the stream. An appeal has been filed, and the creator said they expect a human review to reverse the decision.

“I tried to appeal but the automated system instantly declined it,” he wrote on X.

Similar cases have surfaced in recent years, with creators reporting false positives tied to audio cues, rapid scene changes or contextual misunderstandings. These incidents have contributed to concerns about the reliability of automated moderation and the potential impact on creators who depend on consistent video performance.

Ongoing moderation issues

Automated systems remain essential for moderating large platforms like YouTube, but they can struggle with ambiguous or expressive content that does not fit typical patterns associated with policy violations. As livestreaming and unscripted formats continue to grow, these systems face increased complexity in distinguishing between harmful material and benign creator interactions.

YouTube has not issued a public statement regarding this specific incident. The platform continues to refine its moderation tools and encourages creators to use the appeals process when they believe enforcement actions are incorrect.

Twitch reports nearly 900 million hours watched in 2025

Gen Salinas

December 16, 2025

Twitch has released its 2025 year-end data, reporting close to 900 million hours of watch time across the platform. The company said the figure reflects steady audience engagement and continued growth in the number of active streamers compared to the previous year.

Platform growth and viewing trends

In its summary, Twitch noted that approximately 9 million new streamers joined the platform in 2025. Viewership for IRL (in-real-life) content increased significantly, with watch time for the category rising by 186% year over year. Gaming-related streams continued to make up a substantial portion of overall consumption, while general-interest categories such as “Just Chatting” remained among the most watched.

The data suggests that audiences are diversifying the types of content they watch on Twitch, with both gaming and non-gaming categories contributing to overall hours viewed.

Personalized recaps and user engagement

Twitch also confirmed that individualized “Twitch Recap” summaries showing personal viewing trends, category preferences, and creator highlights are now available to users who streamed or watched at least ten hours between late October 2024 and late October 2025.

The recaps are intended to give streamers and viewers a clearer look at their activity over the past year. While Twitch did not provide year-over-year comparisons for total watch time across all categories, the reported figures indicate consistent usage during a period where livestreaming platforms continue to compete for audience attention. The increased presence of IRL content also shows how creators expanded beyond gaming into lifestyle, travel and community-driven formats.

Twitch said it will release additional category-level insights and regional breakdowns later in the month.

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