The TikTok Deal Is Done

The TikTok deal between ByteDance and the US government is finally done. This is a relief for many creators who have made their livelihoods on the platform. But there is a lesson here... Don't put all you content in one basket.

If things went south with the TikTok deal and it was ever fully banned, so many creators would be left scrambling to move to Instagram or another TikTok-like service. And their audience, because these are walled gardens, would have to manually find the creator again.

This is why as a creator or even a business, for that matter, need to cast a wider net and be where their audience is, but also have plans and active accounts setup elsewhere, just in case.

Also, regardless of your p0litical persuasion, having the US government have more control over TikTok is a double-edged sword. For example the app is asking for immigration status. I kid you not! WTAF!

On one hand US users' content isn't going to necessarily leak to the Chinese anymore, but with our own issues stateside is a leak to the US government much better?

The real moral of the story is to not have all your "eggs" in one basket – diversify where you engage. It takes more time and you can have a main channel, but having the ability to keep going if you run afoul of one of the social media giants is essential.

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The Latest From The Entrepreneur's Enigma Podcast

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Web Jawn

TikTok Confirms Joint Venture To Comply With US Law

After years of back and forth, TikTok will remain available to U.S. users, with parent ByteDance holding onto a nearly 20% stake in the app.

Social Media TodayAndrew Hutchinson

More insights on the TikTok joint venture.

TikTok Is Now Collecting Even More Data About Its Users. Here Are the 3 Biggest Changes

According to its new privacy policy, TikTok now collects more data on its users, including their precise location, after majority ownership officially switched to a group based in the US.

WIREDReece Rogers

Well this isn't good.

Large Scale Studies Fail To Link Social Media Use to Teen Harms

As more regions consider teen restrictions, the data suggests this might not be effective.

Social Media TodayAndrew Hutchinson

Yet another report contradicting the doomers who say social media is the devil.

Google Photos’ latest feature lets you meme yourself | TechCrunch

The addition is meant to just be a fun way to explore your photos and experiment with Google’s Gemini AI technology, and specifically Nano Banana.

TechCrunchSarah Perez

Because why not!

Comic-Con Bans AI Art After Artist Pushback

The famed convention’s organizers have banned AI from the art show.

404 MediaMatthew Gault

I think this is a good thing. It's not necessarily a bad thing to use AI for graphics, but the idea of Comic-Con is to celebrate human-made comics, IMHO.

A Breakdown Of Microsoft’s Guide To AEO & GEO

Microsoft explains what matters for AEO and GEO and offers three actionable strategies for getting recommended by AI assistants.

Search Engine JournalRoger Montti

AEO, AIO, GEO, SEO, whatever you call it, having any kind of guidance is helpful.

Goalhanger Crosses 250,000 Paid Subscribers

Members pay an average of £6 a month

PodnewsGoalhanger

Impressive. That's more than a lot of money.

Libsyn temporarily stops some 301 redirects

The company is making it harder for customers to move away: but a fix is on the way

PodnewsJames Cridland

Yikes. This isn't good. Personally, I've never been a fan of Libsyn. There are better options.

Tesla launches robotaxi rides in Austin with no human safety driver | TechCrunch

Not all of Tesla’s fleet in Austin will be fully driverless. Per Tesla’s AI lead Ashok Elluswamy, the company will be “starting with a few unsupervised vehicles mixed in with the broader robotaxi fleet with safety monitors, and the ratio will increase over time.”

TechCrunchRebecca Bellan

With Tesla's track record on autonomous driving, I wouldn't go near them.

Google now offers free SAT practice exams, powered by Gemini | TechCrunch

Students can prompt Gemini by typing “I want to take a practice SAT test,” and the AI will provide them with a free practice exam. Gemini then analyzes the results, highlighting strengths and identifying areas that need further review. It also offers detailed explanations for any incorrect answers.

TechCrunchLauren Forristal

Because why not!

Substack launches a TV app | TechCrunch

The move comes as Substack has been investing more heavily in video and livestreaming, as it looks to compete with platforms like YouTube and Patreon for both creators and viewers.

TechCrunchAisha Malik

Seriously?! The everything app? I'm curious to see if this will take off. I also wonder how much Nazi content will surface. IYKYK

Latest ChatGPT model uses Elon Musk’s Grokipedia as source, tests reveal

Guardian found OpenAI’s platform cited Grokipedia on topics including Iran and Holocaust deniers

The GuardianAisha Down

What possibly could go wrong?! 🫣🙄🤪🤬😤😡

TikTok settles as social media giants face landmark trial over youth addiction claims

TikTok has agreed to settle in a landmark social media addiction lawsuit just before the trial kicked off, the plaintiff’s attorneys confirmed.

AP NewsKAITLYN HUAMANI

Geez! Only going to get worse if you ask me with TikTok being controlled in the US by people friendly with the current administration and government. 😡

Web Find

Scientists Discovered a Cow That Uses Tools Like a Chimpanzee

Veronika, a brown cow in Austria, uses sticks and brushes as multipurpose tools to scratch hard-to-reach spots

404 MediaBecky Ferreira

Pretty wild how smart animals can be. Even the non-primate ones.

Don’t buy fancy wall art city maps, make your own with this free script

Make your own and have fun doing it.

How-To GeekTim Brookes

This is sooooo cool!

‽

A dumb website for copying symbols.

Could be handy. Like Character Map for the Web!

That's It For This Week! Keep Rocking It!

-Seth

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