From YouTube ad updates, Bluesky changes and the U.S. TikTok deal, here’s what you may have missed in the world of social media:
YouTube ad reviews
YouTube is introducing a more rigorous ad review process to help creators maximise revenue from their videos. The platform will now conduct manual assessments of content that has been flagged as having ‘limited or no ads’ to determine whether it meets advertiser guidelines.
Once reviewed, videos will receive one of three ratings. A green rating means the video is fully approved for advertising. A yellow rating signals that the content may not meet all advertiser standards, meaning only a limited selection of ads will be displayed unless creators make necessary amends to align with YouTube’s guidelines. A red rating indicates that the video is unsuitable for monetisation.
This change benefits both YouTube and its creator community. By increasing the pool of ad-eligible content, YouTube expands its advertising inventory, ultimately leading to more opportunities for revenue generation. At the same time, creators gain a clearer understanding of their ad suitability status, giving them a chance to optimise their content accordingly.
Bluesky introduces longer videos and DM requests
Bluesky has extended its video upload limit from one minute to three minutes, giving users more creative flexibility.
Alongside these video updates, Bluesky has also introduced a new direct message requests feature. This allows users to filter incoming messages, reducing spam and unwanted interactions.
Bluesky now boasts nearly 33 million users, a staggering growth that has been fuelled in part by dissatisfaction with traditional social media giants. With Elon Musk’s controversial acquisition of Twitter and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg comparing himself to a modern-day Julius Caesar, Bluesky has positioned itself as a fresh alternative with a commitment to decentralisation. At SXSW 2025, Bluesky CEO Jay Graber took the stage to emphasise the company’s ‘billionaire-proof’ approach to social media, highlighting its commitment to openness.
TikTok’s U.S. deal
The future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain as Donald Trump confirmed that discussions are underway regarding a potential acquisition of the platform. On Sunday, Trump announced that negotiations were in progress with four groups interested in taking over the U.S. operations of the app. The announcement has sparked speculation about who will gain control of TikTok and what it means for its millions of American users.
Contenders include: “The People’s Bid for TikTok,” an initiative aiming to create a user-owned model that emphasises digital rights and data privacy. Microsoft and Oracle have also emerged as a major players in the negotiations. Internet personality and entrepreneur MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has also expressed his interest, outlining his vision of a TikTok that is more creator centric.
At Prohibition, we work with various brands across all sectors, B2B and B2C, to create innovative PR and social media campaigns that deliver real ROI and help meet business goals. Get in touch with us today to find out how we could support you with your Public Relations. Drop us an email: hello@prohibitionpr.co.uk or give us a bell on 0113 430 4160.
For more interesting articles from us check out these posts:
For more interesting articles from us check out these posts:
About The Author
