Today
Meta starts showing ads on WhatsApp in new revenue push
Putting ads into WhatsApp, which has 2 billion users, opens a lucrative opportunity for Meta, while potentially raising questions about privacy.
This Month
Want to see the future of golf? It’s happening on YouTube
A generation of content creators is taking the game on a journey from hushed tones to outlandish stunts, and the odd round with Donald Trump.
Disgraced GetSwift founder is so ready for redemption
Joel Macdonald recorded a bizarre comeback after being painted as the “unacceptable face of start-up capitalism”.
May
How Bondi Rescue became a YouTube and social media money spinner
For almost two decades, Bondi Rescue has been entertaining TV viewers. It has found an enormous new following after embracing YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok.
These Aussies’ first film made $133m profit. Is their next any good?
The Adelaidean YouTubing brothers behind horror hit “Talk To Me” have gone much darker with follow-up “Bring Her Back”.
Am I hot or not? People are asking ChatGPT for the harsh truth
In a novel use case, people are uploading their own photos, asking ChatGPT for unsparing assessments of their looks and sharing the results on social media.
Seven’s flagship news loses ground amid departures, scandals
After a decade winning the news ratings across Australia’s five major capital cities, a gap is opening up between Seven and Nine news.
Commentating Fortnite has made this streamer millions by 31
Shaun Cochrane has become one of the biggest faces and voices in the world of the game in just five years. He plans to be “set, financially” at the age of 35.
Welcome to slop world: how the hostile internet is driving us crazy
To be online today means navigating an environment whose design feels adversarial and manipulative.
Billionaire Brett Blundy launches push into premium jewellery
The Australian retailer, who is chairman of ASX-listed Lovisa, is going upmarket with his latest concept.
Why Snapchat has struggled to grow while TikTok, Facebook surge
The social media and messaging app’s accounts for Australia reveal a company with a huge user base that is struggling to monetise it.
Netflix is getting its first serious makeover in 12 years
The most powerful home page in entertainment is changing, with more video and animations and fewer titles to endlessly scroll through. There will be AI too.
Emily’s in Paris. Macron wants a Netflix there too
Information is power and so is entertainment. With Donald Trump now threatening tariffs on films, Europe needs the equivalent of an Airbus for streaming.
How YouTube justifies its carve-out from social media ban
Emails obtained under freedom of information laws reveal how Google argued the video service was so different from TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.
Four charts that show who won the $70m election advertising war
As usual, Clive Palmer spent the most and got the least. The Labor Party went big on free-to-air TV and won on TikTok. A late surge couldn’t save the Coalition.
Revenue falls at Google’s Australian operations
The Australian arm of the $3 trillion tech giant reported lower revenue in 2024. It made less from selling ads and cloud services.
Labor polishes its secret weapons to win the west
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has two secret weapons in the key battleground state of Western Australia: its so-called “State Daddies”.
April
Young men are leaning right, but not necessarily to Dutton
Trump swept to power after winning over a new generation of young men. Peter Dutton has his work cut out for him if he hopes to follow the president’s lead.
Want to know where the election will be won or lost? Follow the money
Peter Dutton says Labor’s bid to win his seat is just a stunt, but targeted ad spending suggests something different. Here’s what else the money is telling us.
Shein’s Australian sales top $1b in online fast-fashion surge
Revenues at the Singapore-headquartered ultra-cheap goods retailer soar 25 per cent over the last year as local rivals struggle in a cost-of-living crunch.