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The global virtual influencer market reached $11.74 billion in 2026, far surpassing earlier projections. This rapid growth shows no signs of slowing, with forecasts placing the market at $154.6 billion by 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41.29%. For context, the broader influencer marketing economy—including human creators—hit $32.55 billion in global spend during 2025. Virtual influencers now command a significant and growing share of that total, signaling a fundamental shift in how brands approach digital influence.

The global native advertising market is experiencing robust growth, driven by brands' increasing preference for non-disruptive, content-aligned marketing strategies. According to SNS Insider, the market was valued at USD 105.88 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 346.86 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 13.9% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion reflects a fundamental shift in how advertisers engage consumers—moving away from intrusive banner ads toward integrated storytelling that respects user experience. Native ads, which match the look and feel of the platform they appear on, are proving more effective at capturing attention and driving conversions. As digital ad fatigue rises and privacy regulations tighten, native advertising offers a compliant, performance-driven alternative that aligns with modern consumer expectations.

Discord recently disclosed that an unauthorized party compromised one of its third-party customer service providers, 5CA, leading to the exposure of approximately 70,000 user government-ID photos. The breach, which occurred on September 20, 2025, targeted a vendor used for age verification and support appeals. Discord was quick to clarify that its own platform was not infiltrated—the attack focused on the third-party provider. Immediately after discovering the incident, Discord revoked the vendor’s access to its ticketing system, launched an internal investigation, and engaged law enforcement. The company is in the process of emailing affected users, with official communications coming only from noreply@discord.com.

A Redditor, MrReger513, transformed a basic RAST nightstand into a stylish piece by painting it black to match their bedframe. But the customisation didn’t stop there: they refaced the drawers by adding a wood trim outside, painting the knobs black, and applying a rattan exterior. The result is a high-end look without the price tag.

To make a Discord server, open the Discord app and click the plus icon (+) on the left sidebar. Choose "Create My Own" and select either "For a Club or Community" or "For Me and My Friends" depending on your needs. Give your server a name and optionally upload an icon. Once created, you'll land in a default setup with a few starter channels like #general and #voice. But that's just the beginning — the real magic happens when you customize channels to fit your community.

Scroll through Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts today, and you'll likely encounter videos that look real but were entirely generated by artificial intelligence. From lifelike avatars delivering scripts to surreal clips conjured from text prompts, generative AI video is rapidly populating social media feeds. This shift isn't just a novelty—it's a fundamental change in how content is created, distributed, and consumed. For social media companies built on user-generated content, this presents both opportunities and existential threats.

Media Arts & Studies Associate Professor Laeeq Khan has written a new book, The Data Analytics Advantage: Strategies and Insights to Understand Social Media Content and Audiences, published by Oxford University Press, to make social media analytics understandable to a broad audience.

Instagram has opened the gates. Tools once reserved for mega-influencers are now available to all creators, democratizing the platform. This shift means you can now access advanced editing features, performance insights, and creative options that help you stand out without waiting for a blue checkmark. The takeaway? Experiment boldly—success is just one new feature away.

When Stephen "tWitch" Boss passed away in December 2022 without a will, it set in motion a legal process that many families face but few expect. The beloved dancer and DJ left behind his wife, Allison Holker, and three minor children, creating a complex estate situation that California law had to untangle. Without a will in place, the state's intestacy laws step in to determine how assets are divided, and for Holker, that meant filing a Spousal Property Petition to claim her rightful share.

Instagram moves fast. If your content doesn't grab attention in the first few seconds, viewers will keep scrolling. Whether you're creating Reels, Stories, or feed posts, lead with a strong visual or a compelling hook. Use pattern interrupts — something visually unexpected that breaks the feed's rhythm. Bold claims, questions, or before/after transformations also work well. Always test different hooks and let your data guide which ones to double down on.