Digital Digest #68 - Conservative creators; OpenAI browser; Bluesky's momentum

Hi everyone,?

Happy Monday and welcome to this week's Digital Digest!

In this week's edition: OpenAI may be working on a new browser, and Bluesky seems to be having a moment.

But first, eyes are being opened to the extent and power of the conservative media ecosystem.

1. Conservative creator ecosystem revealed

The reverberations of the recent U.S. election into the information landscape continue, and this week saw a slew of stories around the ripple effects in the creator space. Notably, the strength of the conservative creator ecosystem, and the prevalence of hidden conservative leanings amongst people who previously didn't feel comfortable sharing them but who now realize it "no longer seems so bad for business." (The Cut, Pew Research, Axios)

• Why it matters: One thing we've talked about for a long time in the digital crisis space is the tight interconnectedness and coordination of the conservative news creator ecosystem; people are now wakening to the extent of it - and those aligned with it.

Also in creator news:

• YouTube launches the first stage of its ‘Hype’ creator amplification option (Social Media Today)

2. OpenAI working on a browser?

OpenAI began a war with Google when it launched ChatGPT Search; rumors emerged this week that it may now be considering opening a new front by developing its own web browser (The Information)

• Why it matters: OpenAI looks to be rapidly expanding its horizons within the information ecosystem - as if ChatGPT and DALL-E weren't enough, its search tool has been well-received, and there's no secret that it is looking to launch its first generation of autonomous "agents" in the near future. An OpenAI browser that provides a streamlined, consolidated way to access these tools within a controlled environment (and - potentially - with privacy as a stronger priority), would be a potent product.

Also in generative AI news:

• Are creative agencies totally f***ed? Reflections from Web Summit 2024 (The Drum)
• A.I. chatbots defeated doctors at diagnosing illness (New York Times - gift link)
• 'LLM Siri' aims to rival ChatGPT — but don’t expect it until iOS 19 (Mashable)
• AI can now create a replica of your personality (MIT Technology Review)

3. Bluesky gaining momentum

Hold the phone… is Bluesky actually a viable competitor to Threads (and eventually to X)? Mashable reported this week that while Meta-owned Threads started November with 5 times the daily app users of Bluesky, "that number is now down to just 1.5." (Mashable, MIT Technology Review)

• Why it matters: From a marketing/comms perspective, the reality is most companies (beyond news companies & journalists) aren't yet standing up presences on these newer channels - although I'm starting to see a few more queries about whether it's time. That said, one message is clear - there's a growing desire for a viable alternative to X.

Also in social media news:

• Threads is continuing its inexorable rollout of new features and tweaks (Social Media Today)
• For now, let’s revel in Bluesky’s promised land and kid ourselves it’ll never get like X (The Guardian)
• Snapchat announces first ‘Sponsored Snap’ campaign (Social Media Today)

Have a great week!

Dave