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🤖 Meta Bakes AI Directly Into Ad Creation
Meta is making its AI targeting tools a seamless part of the ad set-up process. Previously, “Advantage+” tools were often separate options, but now, automated recommendations for audiences, placements, and budgets are being integrated directly into the main campaign flow. While this means giving more control to Meta’s “robots,” the company reports that its AI models are now 4x more efficient, are consistently driving better results for brands.
See how the new ad flow works at Social Media Today.
🦘 Australia Passes World-First Social Media Ban for Under-16s
In a landmark decision, the Australian government has passed legislation to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Set to take effect in late 2025, the law places the responsibility on tech giants to verify ages, with fines of up to AUD $50 million for non-compliance. While user privacy concerns remain, this “interesting case” could set a global precedent for youth online safety.
Read the full story on this historic ban at AP News.
⏰ TikTok’s Groundhog Day: The Sell-Off Deadline Returns
It feels like we’ve been here before, but TikTok’s deadline to sell to a U.S. owner or face a ban is set to expire again on December 16th. Despite assurances from the White House that a deal was close, no sale has been finalized, and the Chinese government has yet to approve any transfer of the app’s technology. With the clock ticking, we are waiting to see if another extension is granted or if the app will truly face “going dark” in the U.S..
Check the latest on the deadline drama at Social Media Today.
🧠 How to Get Cited by ChatGPT (New Data)
Ever wonder why ChatGPT cites some websites and ignores others? New data analyzing 129,000 domains reveals the secret sauce: it’s all about authority and depth. The study found that backlinks are the #1 predictor of citations, followed closely by high traffic volume (sites with over 190k monthly visitors see a huge jump). Content structure matters too, articles with clear data points, expert quotes, and word counts over 2,900 words are significantly more likely to be referenced.
Unlock the top ranking factors at Search Engine Journal.
🧵 Ads Come to Threads (Whether You Picked Them or Not)
Meta has officially expanded its ad reach to Threads. If you are running campaigns with “Automatic Placements” (Advantage+), your ads will now automatically appear on Threads. The good news? You can opt-out by selecting “Manual Placements” if you aren’t ready to join the conversation there yet. It’s a major move to monetize the text-first app, effectively turning it into another placement option within your existing Facebook and Instagram campaigns.
Get the official details on placement controls at Meta Business Help.
🗓️ Newsjacking opportunities
Opportunities to celebrate this week:
- Wed 3 Dec – Let’s Hug Day🤗
- Thu 4 Dec – International Cheetah Day🐆
- Fri 5 Dec – ‘Pakjesavond’🎁
- Sat 6 Dec – Candle Day🕯️
- Sun 7 Dec – Volunteer Day🤝
- Mon 8 Dec – Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day⏳
- Tue 9 Dec – Christmas Card Day🎄
And next…
- Wed 10 Dec – International Animal Rights Day🦋
- Thu 11 Dec – International Mountain Day🏔️
- Fri 12 Dec – Purple Friday (NL)💜
- Sat 13 Dec – Day of the Horse🐴
- Sun 14 Dec – Monkey Day🐵
- Mon 15 Dec – International Tea Day🍵
- Tue 16 Dec – Stupid Toy Day🧸
Anything else you would like to discuss and see for next week’s social newsflash? Just share it with me via e-mail or slide in my LinkedIn comments or DM.
And don’t forget to subscribe to our Weekly Social Round Up newsletter so you get this delivered directly into your inbox each week!
Until the next one. XoXo, Erik 👋
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