⏰ SHORT SUMMARY

• YouTube's game-changing AI tools empower creators to craft videos effortlessly, while embracing authentic connections and exploring new frontiers in commerce and podcasts.

• Spotify and Patreon join, integrating exclusive Patreon audio into Spotify through Open Access, filling the RSS gap.

• TikTok tests full podcast integration with short clips via RSS feeds, confirmed by TikTok's Zachary Kizer for US users.

• X's new ad revenue share program boosts creator payments and generates interest, but its long-term viability and impact on content creation raise uncertainty.

🚀 SOCIAL UPDATES

• YouTube will now show a blank homepage if you don’t have watch history on.

• X is adding a new option to sort user posts based on engagement.

• WhatsApp adds screensharing for video calls in the app.

• TikTok launches new push to boost in-app shopping activity in the UK.

YouTube's new AI tools for creators

YouTube's generative AI tools: YouTube is developing generative AI tools that aim to empower creators by enhancing video editing, generating ideas, and providing recommendations, with a focus on lowering barriers to content creation.

Shift away from chatbots: Unlike some competitors, YouTube's emphasis is not on chatbot development but rather on AI-powered video editing and creative assistance for content creators.

TWL’s vision: Tara Walpert Levy, YouTube's VP of Americas, envisions generative AI as a means to support and partner with creators, facilitating easier and more effective content creation.

Multi-format approach: YouTube's commitment to multi-format content creation includes expanding podcasts, livestreaming, and experimenting with new features like Shorts, while remaining primarily focused on video and audio content.

Monetization and shopping: YouTube is actively exploring methods to monetize its various formats, including live shopping, improved product tagging, and partnerships with existing retailers, while aiming to simplify end-to-end transactions for creators.

Future of YouTube: While YouTube maintains its core focus on video and audio content, it acknowledges potential for multi-format evolution, including text-based features, and aims to continue growing its influence in podcasting, creating opportunities for creators and advertisers.

Spotify integrates with Patreon to stream subscriber-only content

Spotify and Patreon have joined forces to introduce an integration that enables subscribers to access exclusive Patreon audio content directly within their Spotify accounts. This collaboration proves particularly advantageous for podcast creators on Patreon, who use exclusive bonus material to incentivize paid membership sign-ups. Typically, listeners consume restricted content either through the Patreon app or via RSS feeds, a universally compatible content distribution method. Unlike other podcast platforms, Spotify lacks manual RSS feed support due to its proprietary stance. The new feature, powered by Spotify Open Access, circumvents this limitation, offering enhanced content accessibility and security, with plans to extend this support to other monetization platforms.

TikTok loves podcasters…

TikTok has been testing full-length podcasts.A new feature lets users import full shows via their RSS feed and link them to shorter clips — potentially a big new way to boost discovery.

TikTok’s global product communications manager Zachary Kizer confirmed that the company is testing the podcast feature with some US users, but declined to share further details.

X pays more creators as part of its new ad revenue share program

X has introduced a new ad revenue share program, resulting in creators receiving substantial payouts for their content. Top creators showcased impressive earnings, sparking widespread interest and a surge of applications. X recently issued the latest round of payments, continuing to generate significant earnings for some users. While the program appears promising, its intricacies and sustainability remain unclear, leaving speculation about its long-term success and impact on content creation within the platform.

CREATORS 👀

• Alex Cooper, of Spotify's Call Her Daddy, started The Unwell Network with Trending, her Gen Z media company. It'll create for top creators like Alix Earle and Madeline Argy, handling podcasts, tours, and merchandise.

• Roberto Blake and the Krassenstein brothers received payouts from X's ad-revenue sharing program, ranging from hundreds to over $15,000, as per tweeted screenshots.

• "Nothing Much Happens" sleep podcast by Kathryn Nicolai joins iHeartRadio Network, known for soothing stories aiding sleep, 100 million+ downloads since 2018.