Creator economy

Platform and monetization changes that affect creators, big creator businesses and deals, and the tools they build on.

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You're reading the brief from Mon, Oct 26.

Instagram is testing long-form, horizontal videos of up to 90 minutes, a significant shift toward YouTube’s territory.

Creator economy4 items

Elsewhere, Mastercard is partnering with MrBeast’s Beast Industries on programs for creators.

Platforms

Instagram tests horizontal videos of up to 90 minutes in the US

Instagram is running a limited US test of “Features,” a long-form, horizontal video format supporting videos up to 90 minutes. The move reverses Instagram boss Adam Mosseri’s longstanding resistance to long-form video on the platform.

Why it matters: Creators could gain another outlet for longer productions, expanding their distribution options beyond YouTube.

Creator business

Mastercard partners with MrBeast’s Beast Industries on creator programs

Mastercard has struck a partnership with MrBeast’s Beast Industries to deliver co-branded programs for digital professionals. The companies say the pact will bring Mastercard’s services into the creator economy.

Why it matters: The deal brings a major financial-services company into creator-focused programs, though concrete benefits and commercial terms remain unspecified.

Tools

Chronicle Media pitches predictive audience model for creators and studios

Chronicle Media says its Ubiquity predictive audience model can identify audiences before projects begin. The company is targeting creators, media studios and brands, including those planning YouTube channels, series trailers and crowdfunding campaigns.

Why it matters: Audience forecasting could inform production and funding decisions, but the item provides no evidence validating the model’s accuracy.

Brands & ads

Men account for 54.4% of global social media user identities

Men represent 54.4% of social media user identities worldwide, according to figures reported by Passionfruit. Only three regions have a female majority, while Southern Asia has the largest male skew at 65%.

Why it matters: Regional gender differences are relevant to audience targeting and creator-brand campaign planning.

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Recent briefs

  1. Tue, Nov 36 itemsMeta indefinitely delayed its commercial terms update amid regulatory scrutiny, while Adobe and Meta announced additions to creator tools. Creator-business developments included private equity backing for the LV8–Mirage merger and a new payroll platform for brand work.
  2. Mon, Nov 27 itemsNetflix signed Druski to a multiyear exclusive-content deal, while X introduced cash incentives for invited video creators. PodcastOne is exploring acquisition interest, and Canva brought its free Affinity creative suite to iPad.
  3. Sun, Nov 1Nothing worth reporting
  4. Sat, Oct 314 itemsSubstack announced updates spanning audience engagement and monetization, while Beast Industries named its first chief marketing officer. SharkNinja also offered a striking data point on customer-led social reach.
  5. Fri, Oct 308 itemsInstagram is offering select YouTubers up to $500,000 to use its new long-form format, adding a paid recruitment push to Features. YouTube is also changing thumbnail optimization and testing ways for channels to resolve potential spam violations.
  6. Thu, Oct 298 itemsInstagram is testing long-form video without a settled creator payment plan, while YouTube is testing smaller payouts and adding microdrama subscriptions. Other developments include new rights for former child influencers and revenue evidence for creator-led media.
  7. Wed, Oct 288 itemsYouTube’s TV audience now generates one-third of its advertising revenue, while Instagram’s renewed long-form video push still lacks a creator payment plan. Other developments include official small-business recognition for creators and new discovery and commerce features across social platforms.

Who and what it tracks

  • YouTubeCompany16
  • InstagramProduct7
  • TikTokCompany5
  • SubstackCompany2
  • MrBeastPerson1