Featured

• Senators who passed the TikTok ban are realizing a lot of people won’t like it
• The TikTok ban might give “Chinese Instagram” the opening it needs to break into the U.S.

  Xiaohongshul, the social media app known as "Red Note" or "Chinese Instagram," is experiencing a surge in downloads ahead of the TikTok ban.

  
• As wildfires strike Los Angeles, YouTube vlogs offer personal perspectives

  Creators like Markiplier, Corridor Crew, and Colin & Samir have shared personal perspectives as wildfires rage across Los Angeles.

  
• Top 5 Branded Videos of the Week: Cars, trains, and…pizza?

  December was one of our biggest months here at the Gospel Stats Weekly Brand Report, with holiday sales fervor driving more sponsored videos than ever. We hit nearly 3,000 some weeks--but, now that commercially oriented winter holidays are over and the new year has arrived, we're seeing things return to normal: just over 1,500 videos were uploaded this week. Another thing returning to normal? Science creators taking the top slots. We also have more double trouble this week--but instead of a creator getting two spots like last week, it's a sponsor: Brilliant.

  
• Have you heard? MrBeast gives permission to repost his videos, and Nelk gives vapes to villagers.
• Pickles, cherries, and cream sodas: Pinterest thinks 2025’s trends will be colorful and delicious
• As TikTok ban looms, other platforms are rushing in to court displaced creators
• Ruby Franke’s oldest daughter has authored a telling memoir — and a cautionary tale for family vloggers
• The PGA Tour’s creator circuit is teeing off
• YouTube is testing another tool that helps creators turn long-form content into Shorts
• Investors deliver $265 million funding round to Whatnot as live shopping gets hotter
• David Dobrik is vlogging on YouTube again