Latest Influencer News in 2025

Meta Outage Sparks Concern Among Users

Social media mogul Meta experienced a major worldwide outage, leaving millions of users unable to send messages, scroll their feeds, and post content. The global disruption appeared on March 20, between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time in the US, although it hit parts of the UK, Europe, and Asia, affecting many nations. During the outage on Facebook, users were notified about expired sessions or account suspensions, prompting them to log back into their accounts. Messenger users were reported as unavailable, and others couldn't respond or send messages. Since the whole of Meta was disrupted, Instagram users also found issues posting comments, sending DMs, and scrolling their home feeds. Online services interruptions tracker DownDetector quickly reported the platform-wide disruption and the issues users faced while using the apps. The root cause of the global outage remains unknown, but it happened 15 days after a previous Meta outage caused by internal issues. Multiple users reported to DownDetector that Facebook experienced the most severe issues, unlike Instagram and Messenger. Over 67 percent of reports are associated with Facebook, 66 percent with Instagram, and 61 percent with Messenger. Additionally, DownDetector received over 550,000 reports for Facebook disruptions and 92,000 for Instagram. All these figures were reported during the peak of the outage. The outage wasn't the first time Facebook and Messenger went through issues, compelling its users to flock to Elon Musk's X (Twitter) to unload their Meta-related frustrations and check whether or not others are experiencing the same issues. Many users sought information and solutions on search engines like Google and Bing. They felt a surge of relief upon discovering that the outage affected millions of users, not just themselves. The hashtags #Facebookdown and #Instagramdown trended on Twitter, sparking a stream of scammers claiming to be able to solve the problem and help users regain their accounts. On the brighter side, others simply poked fun at the incident by creating hilarious memes centered on the apps, users, and Mark Zuckerberg. The White House National Security Council spokesperson claimed that the proper authorities monitored the incident and discovered no malicious cyber activities and threats. While the outage did not last more than 5 hours, it happened long enough to worry many people, especially those managing business and professional accounts on Facebook and Instagram. Meta may not have released an official statement on what caused the global outage. Still, its spokesperson Andy Stone tweeted on X, "Earlier today, a technical issue caused people to have difficulty accessing some of our services. We resolved the issue ... for everyone who was impacted." Facebook is the most-used social media application, with over 2 billion monthly active users. The app's technical issues and outages do not stop it from becoming the number-one platform in the world. Fortunately, the outage was brief and did not result in any harm or damage to its users' privacy and accounts. However, a more stable Meta platform in the future would provide greater reassurance to users.

Survey Reveals Growing Preference for Streaming Services Over Traditional Theaters

In today's leisure culture, many individuals dedicate their free time and holidays to indulging in endless movie marathons, whether on the grand cinema screens or online streaming services.  The evolution of film consumption over the years reflects a dynamic journey—from the era of traveling shows, home projectors, and traditional cinemas to the advent of televisions, VHS, DVDs, and, now, online streaming services. Thanks to the internet's transformative power and constant evolutions, streaming platforms, like Netflix and Disney Plus, have emerged as a convenient option for viewers to catch the latest releases at their leisure, eliminating the need for trips to the theaters and the hassle of ticket queues. According to a recent online survey conducted by HarrisX on March 11-12, 2024, a significant 66% of adults in the US prefer waiting for movies to become available on streaming platforms and enjoy them anywhere they want, while 34% still opt for the theater experience. In an exclusive interview with IndieWire, HarrisX's VP, Alli Brady, said, "The competition continues between streaming services and the Hollywood engine. While we still see evidence of loyal moviegoers in recent box office numbers, our study shows that 2 in 3 movie watchers prefer to stream movies at home."  The poll revealed the motivation behind this shift, showing that 53% of those willing to wait on streaming platforms do so to avoid expensive cinema tickets, and 40% extend their patience to enjoy home ambiance versus in a theater. Further data shows that 19% are in favor of streaming to avoid distractions from other moviegoers, 15% prefer to ditch the inconvenient travel, 13% feel restricted by the movie selections, another 13% are not a fan of the inconvenient theater locations, 11% are limited by the availability of show times, and 8% want to avoid the trouble of selecting seats.  Interestingly, the poll revealed that 30% of viewers stream films two or more times a week, and the same percentage claimed to go to movie theaters a few times a year.  Are movie theaters bound to be a thing of the past, or will they thrive regardless of their reclining number of patrons? While homebodies have the poll's upper hand, several factors favor cinemas. Notably, 59% of respondents anticipate the cinematic experience, including the comfort of reclining chairs, 47% are up for the superior quality of surround-sound systems, and 39% seek a break from home distractions. The data indicates a substantial shift in consumer behavior regarding the consumption of the latest film releases, carrying significant implications for both film producers and cinema owners. This trend highlights the need for film producers to reevaluate their distribution strategies, focusing on partnerships with streaming services and creating content tailored to digital platforms.  While the rise of streaming services has reshaped how people consume films, cinemas have the opportunity to adapt and evolve by focusing on what sets them apart -- the communal experience, high-quality audiovisual offerings, and unique events that enhance the overall enjoyment of watching movies on the big screen.  Film producers and cinema owners can successfully navigate this evolving landscape by understanding and catering to changing consumer preferences.

Marvel’s Ironheart and Wonder Man Still Set For Release

Fans eagerly anticipate Marvel Studios' annual releases, especially Ironheart and Wonder Man. Still, the studio is currently undergoing significant behind-the-scenes adjustments, leading many to view 2024 as a comparatively subdued year for the MCU. With only Deadpool and Wolverine slated for theatrical releases and several other productions heading to Disney+, concerns have emerged about the franchise's course in the future. According to the Agents of Fandom, speculations have it that Marvel might scale back on sequels for movies that don't achieve blockbuster success. This uncertainty casts doubt on the prospects of Captain Marvel 3 and Ant-Man 4 and raises questions about the planned releases of Ironheart and Wonder Man. However, there's a glimmer of hope for fans. In an exclusive interview with Agents of Fandom discussing X-Men '97, Brad Winderbaum, Marvel Studios' Head of Streaming, Animation, and Television, unveiled an exciting lineup for the MCU this year. Winderbaum confirmed that Ironheart and Wonder Man are currently in production and undergoing the final editing stages. Although specific debut details were not disclosed, Winderbaum's words should reassure fans eagerly awaiting these projects. "Yeah, absolutely. We're currently editing both of those shows. They're spectacular, they're amazing, and they're different… We're able to explore corners of the universe that are really exciting. Riri Williams is one of them, and I cannot wait for people to meet Simon Williams," Winderbaum shared during the interview. Dominique Thorne, the Ironheart lead, affirmed that filming has wrapped up, promising a lot of epic adventures in store for fans. Ironheart and Wonder Man were first announced in 2020 and are slated for release in 2024. Given the gap between the announcement and release dates and Marvel's reshuffling of its calendar, it's understandable why doubts have surfaced.  We're glad Winderbaum's statements have brought much-needed clarity, and fans can now release their breaths.  What are Ironheart and Wonder Man? Ironheart is a fictional superhero character published by Marvel Comics. The character, whose real name is Riri Williams, was created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mike Deodato. Ironheart first appeared in "Invincible Iron Man" #7 in 2016. Riri Williams is a teenage engineering prodigy who reverse-engineered her own version of Tony Stark's Iron Man armor in her dorm room at MIT. She caught the attention of Tony Stark himself after she built her own suit, and he endorsed her efforts by providing resources and support. Wonder Man is a fictional superhero character published by Marvel Comics. He was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck, and he first appeared in "The Avengers" #9 in 1964. Wonder Man's real name is Simon Williams, and he is featured in numerous comic book series, including solo adventures and team-up stories with other Marvel superheroes. He has also appeared in animated adaptations and video games, further solidifying his presence in popular culture as a beloved Marvel Comics character. While both characters have Williams as a surname, Marvel doesn't mention them being blood-related.  Ironheart and Wonder Man are epic characters in the MCU, with distinct life stories and personalities, and we can barely wait to see them come to life on the screens. 

Influencers To Bear Brunt Of Possible US TikTok Ban

There is an ongoing debate about whether or not to ban TikTok in the United States. U.S. lawmakers and the Biden administration are considering new legislative approaches to address concerns about the Chinese-owned app's operations in the country. According to wdet.org, social media influencers and content creators are watching the situation closely as they rely on platforms like TikTok for their business models and daily routines. Edwin Taylor, a 23-year-old food critic based in Detroit, goes by the name "Ed Eats" on TikTok and has over 28,000 followers. Taylor says that most of his income comes from his presence on social media apps such as TikTok. Taylor explains that various sources of income come with being a social media influencer. For example, the TikTok Creativity Program pays content creators to make videos over a minute long. Additionally, posting on social media allows brands to watch your videos, and they may reach out to you to promote their brand or business, paying you to do so. Taylor believes banning TikTok in the U.S. would be unfair to many people, including himself, who use it as a business tool or for entertainment. He added that TikTok is the primary source of news and trends for millions of Americans, and he sometimes prefers it over Google. Taylor thinks this shows how little control the U.S. government has over TikTok and why it wants to ban it so badly. Additionally, Taylor believes that U.S. lawmakers should focus on more significant issues instead of wasting time and energy on banning TikTok. In his opinion, many other important issues need attention and discussion. On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that brings the country closer to banning TikTok. The bill calls for ByteDance, the Chinese developer of the app, to divest from the company or be removed from U.S. app stores. The bill, dubbed "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," has received overwhelming bipartisan support, with 352 votes in favor. Only 65 voted against the measure.

Playboi Carti Excites Twitter Fans On New Single

The internet never falls short of putting somebody on a pedestal, including Playboi Carti. By pedestal, we mean trending or going viral. Day after day, multiple personalities and events trend all over social media for various reasons. Some days, they go trending in all social media platforms, while they trend in a platform or two on most days.  American singer, songwriter, and rapper Playboi Carti is trending on Twitter for the upcoming release of his newest single after a hiatus of four years. Carti released his last album, Whole Lotta Red, in 2020.  Hence, his single marks an excellent start to the year for his fans. After not hearing from him for years, many of his fans and listeners on Twitter are pumped for the single and are looking forward to the release of the entire album.  Many fans first saw the news when Ye (Kanye West) posted a teaser of Carti's song and the release date on his Instagram account. To add to their excitement, they discovered Carti's alleged alternative IG account @playboikitty17, followed by Ye and the singer's primary account.  Rap music enthusiasts are having the time of their lives, waiting for the Playboi Carti bomb to drop.  Who is Playboi Carti?  While Playboi Carti is relatively famous in his field, accumulating 11.8M followers on Instagram (despite having only one post) and 3.65M subscribers on YouTube, not everyone knows who he is.  Jordan Terrell Carter, professionally known as Playboi Carti, is a prominent music personality and influential figure. His contribution to the progress of trap and rage music pushed him to the status of his fame today.  He signed up with the record label Aweful Records in 2014 and later signed with AWGE, Asap Mob's record label. Carti gained attention from the masses following the debut of his eponymous mixtape. The mixtape peaked on the US Billboard 200 at number 12.  Carti debuted his studio album Die Lit in 2018 and made it third on the Billboard 200. After a two-year hiatus, he released his next studio album, Whole Lotta Red, in 2020, as mentioned above. Rolling Stone and The Washington Post listed Whole Lotta Red as one of the greatest albums of 2020.  On December 8, 2023, Carti confirmed the release of his 2024 album through an IG Story accompanied by a snippet of what many presume is his new track with DJ Swamp Izzo.  Aside from a flourishing solo career, Carti founded the creative agency and record label Opium in 2019. The label is heavily characterized by dark and gritty production, reminiscent of the punk-rock era of the 70s and 80s. As a result, Carti and Opium amassed a cult following. He began rapping in 2011 under the Sir Cartier screen name, which he later changed to his current professional screen name in 2013. He kickstarted his career by uploading songs on SoundCloud.  After meeting a producer in 2014, he joined his first underground record label. Following his decision to pursue music as a full-time career, Carti moved to New York City. He met ASAP Bari in NYC, who later introduced him to Rihanna's current partner, ASAP Rocky. 

MatPat Released His Final Theory + Exciting News!

It's not novel news that MatPat has officially retired from creating hundreds and thousands of different game and movie theories. MatPat broke the hearts of many when announcing his retirement as a YouTube creator. He just uploaded his final theory to close the curtains, and viewers didn't miss this chance to put him on the platform's trending pedestal for the last time (hopefully not the last, though).  The influencer has already explained his leaving in a YouTube video he uploaded earlier this year, so this final theory is his way of saying goodbye to his beloved subscribers. He has already crossed out his bucket list as a content creator, and this is the last thing he ought to do.  MatPat had some deep thinking and realized that the best way to say goodbye is to end where it all began -- A Game Theory. It's not just any other game theory; it's a game theory about THE Game Theory. Well thought out, Mat!  In this final theory, Mat reveals how he came up with The Game Theory web series, what it really is, and how the whole series affects its viewers. He reveals who the original game theorist is, and nope, it isn't MatPat himself but Jon von Neumman.  The video holds several timely truths and lessons Mat's followers can cherish and apply, such as leading with trust, valuing forgiveness and honesty, and avoiding becoming a pushover.  MatPat took the chance to inspire his viewers and prove that the game theory isn't just an entertaining YouTube channel but something the viewers can learn from and apply as they go about the daily hustle and bustle of life.  He has taught how game theory is present everywhere and is kind of like telling his followers that everything they see will remind them of him.  Since launching on YouTube in 2011, Mat has produced creative, engaging, and informative content that millions worldwide have come to love. Aware of his subscribers' undying support, Mat revealed great news in his latest video.  The exciting news!  MatPat's bidding adieu isn't really a permanent thing, as he will still be present in many other virtual and in-person activities, as well as YouTube channels. As per his announcement, fans can expect him to be at the Fashion Show on Style Theory this 2024, sit on the GT Live couch, feature at the Jacksepticeye and the Ludwig podcasts, collaborate with Schaffrillas Productions and give a speech at PAX.  He also established the website wheresmatpat.com to give fans relevant updates on his new projects and other fun activities. The website allows fans to sign up for a MatPat newsletter to stay on top of all things MatPat and keep in touch with him in general.  To kick things off, he will select 100 random email addresses that subscribe to his newsletter and send them personalized letters.  There is a lot on MatPat's plate, and we will see him getting featured on other YouTube channels in the coming days. So, technically, Mat isn't bidding farewell for good. Hooray! 

Jake Paul is Trending Again!

Many celebrities and social media stars have gone from Disney to the big world. Such is the case for former Disney star Jake Paul, who has become a professional boxer. Jake is the brother of influencer, boxer, and PRIME drink owner Logan Paul. Jake Paul previously trended on YouTube for having an injury before one of his biggest fights. Today, he is again trending on the platform for his boxing match with the legendary boxer Mike Tyson, bringing in mixed reactions from his viewers and loyal fans. The boxer and influencer announced in his recently uploaded YouTube video his fight with Mike Tyson in July 2020 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas, Texas. The fight will be streamed live on Netflix and will be available globally. Jake Paul is looking forward to this fight with Mike Tyson, as it will be one of the highlights of his boxing career, regardless of the fight's outcome. His family is thrilled and nervous about the match's outcome. But the fans are not at all thrilled. Many in the video's comment section express their concern, most claiming that Jake Paul is fighting a senior citizen. Some say that if he wins against a senior citizen, he is heartless, and if he loses against an old and retired boxer, is he even a boxer? Despite all the criticisms and doubts, Jake Paul is set to fight Mike Tyson for the world to see, marking what might be the peak of his life as a professional boxer. As usual, Jake will undergo tedious training and workouts to stay healthy and fit, leading to his match. Jake Paul's Boxing Career Jake's career as a professional boxer commenced in 2018 when he went head to head with another YouTuber, Deji Olatunji, on the day of Logan Paul and KSI's popular match. Two years later, he returned to the ring to face the NBA star Nate Robinson and co-YouTuber AnEsonGib. In 2021, he fought against the former Olympic mixed martial artist Ben Askren and five-time UFC champ Tyron Woodley. In 2022, he fought against MMA superstar Anderson Silva and Tommy Fury, Nate Diaz, and Andre August in 2023. Earlier this year, he went in the ring with former Gold Gloves champion Ryan Bourland. Throughout his boxing career, Jake only has one loss. So, his fans have high expectations. However, the question lies: is his experience enough to win against Mike Tyson? We can only hope for the best and wait for the outcome. Whether the fight is genuine or merely for the show, fans think it is something to look forward to.  This week, Netflix officially announced the fight on Twitter and other social media channels. It's streaming live, so if you are a Mike Tyson or Jake Paul fan, make sure to mark your calendars and don't be late. What are your thoughts on this fight? Do you think it's wise of Jake Paul to go against Mike Tyson, or are they only doing it for the hype?

Is TommyInnit Taking A Break From YouTube?

Famous English gaming influencer, streamer, and social media personality TommyInnit is leaving YouTube...or not.  Since the start of 2024, many renowned influencers and content creators have announced their retirement from YouTube. Among these influencers are MatPat, MeatCanyon, Tom Scott, and Joel Heaver. With that, other prominent YouTubers can tread the same path.  Just recently, TommyInnit uploaded a YouTube video titled "bye, bye" that made his fans' hearts sink. A number of entertaining content geniuses have left the platform for good, and it's heartbreaking for fans to see more of their idols go.  Is TommyInnit really leaving YouTube?  A few weeks ago, TommyInnit underwent surgery due to Testicular Torsion. As posted on his Twitter account, he did not inform anybody of the surgery because of so much fear, but the surgery was successful, and he is currently recovering.  However, TommyInnit has a lot going on aside from the surgery. In the coming week, he will fly to the US for his "TommyInnit How To Be A Billionaire" show. His show will run from March 12 to April 25 in multiple states.  Since the show will run for a month, he needs sufficient time to recover and go through rehearsals and practices. But the joke's on us because he isn't actually leaving YouTube.  TommyInnit will still upload weekly pre-filmed content on his primary YouTube channel while on tour. He dedicated two weeks prior to his rehearsals to filming nine videos for his channel. Aside from his weekly YouTube videos, TommyInnit is also expected to stream with other prominent personalities in America, including Logan Paul, Technoblade's dad, and Ludwig.  Tommy is a hardworking influencer and content creator who shows appreciation and thoughtfulness to his fans by continually spewing content like a madman amidst his busy schedule and post-surgery recovery.  In addition to the updates on his tour and what viewers can expect from him in the coming weeks, TommyInnit teases a new studio set up for when he returns after two months.  TommyInnit is a dedicated content creator with a profound passion for his career, so fans can expect to have him around for the years to come. Witnessing Tommy's retirement from YouTube is still in the far future, as he still has much in store for his loyal fans and viewers.  So, if you are a TommyInnit fan, you can stop holding your breath and revel in the wonderful news that the influencer is only bidding "bye, bye" to his usual studio set up as he goes to the US for his show.  He has exerted so much effort for the tour and promises to give his viewers a good one. His fans are thrilled to meet him in person and enjoy the different performances he has tediously prepared for everyone.  TommyInnit is a prime example of someone who doesn't let their illness get in the way of doing the things they love and pursuing their passion.  If you happen to be in the US and want to witness TommyInnit live, you can check out the tickets on his website. 

Jake Paul Preps For His Biggest Fight Yet

With the vast opportunities available for everyone today, many influencers and content creators tread multiple career paths. These influencers are also entrepreneurs, authors, singers, artists, and athletes, to name a few. Among those influencers who double as professional athletes is Jake Paul, who is currently training tirelessly for his boxing fight against Ryan Bourland in Puerto Rico on March 2, 2024. The influencer and professional boxer is currently chasing down his very own professional boxing world title; hence, his rigorous training. In his most recent and 16th trending vlog on YouTube, Jake gives viewers a glimpse into his training camp, the mental and physical preparation he is going through, and what to expect during the day of his fight. Weeks before his official fight, Jake Paul arrived in Puerto Rico and continued training in the beautiful, tropical place. Jake spent hundreds of hours prepping for his upcoming fight to bag the world championship belt and create one of the most resonating stories in sports. His training includes intense jogging, gym workouts, and swimming, to name a few. Jake has been MIA from parties, the Super Bowl, and other activities, as he spent all his time training in the gym. He believes that his sacrifices to attain his goal can develop his character and bring him victory. From being an entertainment influencer to becoming a dedicated professional boxer, Jake Paul's character development is profound and inspiring. He will be going up against the toughest opponent in the history of his boxing career. Ryan Bourland holds a record of 17 wins and only two losses. Six of those wins are by way of knockout, so he is truly an opponent to beat. According to the vlog, Ryan claims to shock the world and put an end to Jake Paul's boxing career. Ryan is Jake Paul's most experienced opponent, making their fight an ultimate test of Jake's skill as a boxer. Nonetheless, Jake has poured his entire heart and soul into this fight, and he looks forward to whatever he will achieve out of this fight. He is physically and mentally prepared and thrilled to give his all in the ring. Jake attributes his peace and strength to Puerto Rico, believing that the beauty and serenity of the place give him peace of mind. Aside from that, the people of Puerto Rico have shown their support for him, giving him the nickname El Gallo De Dorado (translated as The Fighting Rooster of Dorado in English). Behind Jake Paul's robust and muscular physique lies a warm-hearted person who wants to help others and give back to the community. Together with his foundation in Puerto Rico Boxing Bullies, Jake is donating his entire fight earnings to build more boxing gyms and give more gloves to kids aspiring to become boxers. Aside from the main fight, Javon, one of boxing's next superstars and former Euphoria actor, will have his global boxing debut on Puerto Rican soil. There is much to look forward to on March 2nd, and we can only wish Jake Paul the best of his endeavors.

Isabella Strahan: A Rising Creator and Beacon of Hope

While the internet has its fair share of vile things, it is packed with people and content that aims to give humor, entertainment, motivation, and inspiration. Multiple influencers and content creators shed light on positivity, faith, and hope, and among the most prominent is Isabella Strahan. As of this writing, Isabella Strahan trends as YouTube's Creator On The Rise. She is an influencer who launched her YouTube channel on January 7, 2024, with over 22K subscribers and an Instagram account with 66K followers. Despite her channel's recent launch, she has already amassed thousands of avid viewers, gaining her YouTube Creator on The Rise spot. The rising content creator is the daughter of Michael Strahan, a notable TV personality, journalist, and former professional football player. For the past month, Isabella Strahan and his dad have been making headlines because of Isabella's illness. In October 2023, Isabella was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor. Since then, she has been completely open about her illness and road to recovery. She uses her YouTube channel to shed light on what she's been going through and her chemotherapy and radiation journey and recovery, among others. According to Women's Health, Isabella revealed in one of her vlogs how nervous she was about starting her chemotherapy sessions, and we rejoice with her for overcoming what seemed to be the biggest hurdle of her life. Isabella Strahan's most popular video, "Vlog #1: How It Started," gives a walkthrough of who she is and how she found out about her medulloblastoma. She donated all the proceeds of that video to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke. . Prior to her diagnosis, Isabella worked on an ad with makeup giant Sephora. However, she's courageously accepted in her vlog that over the past months following her diagnosis, she never felt like the woman in the ad. In August 2023, Isabella moved to LA to pursue her studies and career. The following month, she had a headache, felt dizzy and nauseous, and couldn't walk in a straight line. She primarily thought she had vertigo, but little did she know that those were the earliest manifestations of her illness. On October 19, 2023, she had her tumor removed from her brain and spent her birthday nine days later at the hospital. Despite the changes, struggles, and rough times, Isabella gathered her strength and courage to face what she was going through head-on. The biggest lesson she learned from her experience with cancer is that she ought to look at the beauty of everything and turn the negative into something positive. Isabella finds beauty in how her whole family and loved ones get along, fighting hand-in-hand with her. She saw unconditional love in full display. Isabella Strahan uses her platform to share her story, hoping to help someone facing the same battle. Life is different for everyone, and we all face distinct battles. We are very much grateful for creators and influencers like Isabella Strahan, who stands as a beacon of light and hope. She truly deserves love and support, not just from her family and loved ones but from people across the world.

Influencer Gabi Belle Alleges Dropshipping Interference with Online Shopping Experience

With online shopping made easy, consumerism has gone through the roof, but dropshipping has worsened it, or so says YouTube influencer Gabi Belle.  What is Dropshipping? Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn't keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when a store sells a product, it purchases the item from a third party (usually a wholesaler or manufacturer) and has it shipped directly to the customer. This means that the seller never physically handles the product. This retail and marketing method has become popular due to its low barrier to entry and minimal upfront costs. Retailers don't need to invest in inventory or warehouse space, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Additionally, dropshipping allows retailers to offer various products without the risk of holding excess inventory. While dropshipping is beneficial in its own ways, it has ruined online shopping for everyone.  How does dropshipping ruin online shopping? Since dropshipping allows "sellers" (actually middlemen between the actual manufacturers and buyers) to post as many products on various platforms as they can, it can be difficult for buyers to discern which product holds the best quality, especially now that many of these sellers use the same photo and description for every product they sell.  Gabi Belle gives a great example where Etsy, a platform meant for handmade products, is now saturated with drop shippers, filling the search results' first page claiming to produce hand-crafted products (made with love) but are actually just poorly-made items from manufacturers relying on these drop shippers to generate millions in sales. So, even Etsy is difficult to trust.  Dropshipping has made it difficult for small, handmade sellers, making them compete with hundreds of cheap drop shippers who exert so much of their effort optimizing their listings to stay on top of SERPs. This entails extra effort for small-time sellers, compelling them to work triple to compete with drop shippers.  Amazon, the online shopping mogul in the US, is one of the biggest companies to love and support drop shipping. That is precisely why sellers can sell their products at a meager price, regardless of the platform's many seller fees. Amazon gives its consumers fewer shopping options due to its dropshipping practice.  Furthermore, Gabi Belle claims that TEMU is another dropshipping platform that has infiltrated the US despite the platform claiming otherwise.  Gabi Belle's Conclusion Hundreds of different successful "business owners" claiming to earn thousands of dollars effortlessly and providing free dropshipping courses are a farce. Dropshipping also proves the hyper-consumerism culture of today. The influx of these cheap or affordable products caters to the deep desires of people to consume more than they actually need.  Gabi Belle concludes her video by encouraging viewers to do what's best for their morals, ethics, and budget. We ought to make educated and well-informed decisions, even when purchasing products online, because not every product is what it claims to be.  Dropshipping isn't entirely bad, but it truly has ruined online shopping for many sellers and buyers. What about you? Do you agree with Gabi Belle's sentiments?

Feastables: MrBeast’s Popular Chocolate Brand Trends on YouTube

MrBeast is known to top social media trending charts due to his wild and challenging antics, as well as his philanthropic contributions. Almost all his newly uploaded videos make it to YouTube trending, all thanks to his entertaining content and highly supporting social media community and fans. He trended in the previous weeks for giving Mack, a challenger in his former Squid Game challenge, a second chance at winning a whopping $800K and bearing hope to a poor community in Guatemala. It's no surprise to see MrBeast creating engaging content and giving aid to those who are badly in need. However, he once again trends in YouTube this week but for a different reason -- a Feastables massive announcement. Aside from being a notable social media personality, MrBeast is an entrepreneur who founded MrBeast Burger and Feastables. Feastables, MrBeast's chocolate brand, amassed loyal consumers since its release. In his latest YouTube trending video, the influencer announced an all-new Feastables packaging and a more delightful chocolate formulation. The influencer began his announcement by narrating how, a year ago, he realized that every other chocolate tastes better than a Hershey's bar (context: he advertises his chocolate bars as better-tasting than Hershey's), not making Feastables any special than the other brands. The harsh truth slapped MrBeast and his company awake. As a result, MrBeast set out to be better than Hershey's and all other chocolate brands known to humankind. He worked tirelessly in 2023, visiting one country to another and chocolate factory after chocolate factory to try out hundreds of various chocolate formulas with the goal of improving Feastables. To prove the quality of his new formulation, MrBeast conducted a blind taste test where he set up a warehouse and invited hundreds of strangers. The blind taste test involved giving each stranger four different chocolate brands (Cadbury, Lindt, Noi Sirius Icelandic Chocolate, and Feastables) with no obvious branding or labels distinguishing the chocolate from each other. The strangers only voted on the taste of the chocolate pieces, nothing more and nothing less. MrBeast observed the blind taste test through a monitor and witnessed how the majority of the strangers preferred Feastables over the other chocolate brands. The test revealed that his chocolate brand is comparable to the top European chocolate brands he included in the test. The new bars come in seven flavors -- milk chocolate, almond, milk crunch, peanut butter crunch, peanut butter, dark chocolate, and dark chocolate sea salt. Feastables is available in all Walmart branches across the United States. In an effort to market his new chocolate formulation, MrBeasts holds a massive 10,000-dollar giveaway, running from February 17 to March 17. It's highly reminiscent of Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket hidden in some of his chocolate bars, just that buyers must scan the QR code on the new Feastables bar packaging to win the 10K bucks. The influencer and his company's hard work paid off as the announcement of his new Feastables formulation trends third on YouTube, amassing over 3.7 million views a day after his upload. We look forward to the day when MrBeast's chocolate brand will be made available in countries outside the US.

Iyana LeShea: Rising Above Albinism With Confidence

Ever since influencer marketing became a big thing, more people have aspired to become one. Influencers are modern-day celebrities, and some are much more popular than TV celebrities. These influencers have dominated YouTube, and the platform gives them the spotlight through the "Creator on The Rise" portion of their "trending" tab.  "Creator on The Rise" features nano-influencers and micro-influencers who are gradually gaining subscribers or becoming more popular. The influencers featured here produce different content in various niches, catering to all types of audiences.  This week's featured Creator on The Rise is Iyana Ishom, known online as Iyana LeShea. Only very little information about Iyana can be found on the internet, so most curious audiences get to know her through her social media channels, especially YouTube.  The influencer published a question and answer YouTube vlog four years ago, and the video gives snippets of her life and who she is in response to the questions given by her viewers. If you want to know a few random things about Iyana LeShea, this is everything we've gathered from the said video:  Her travel bucket list includes Bora Bora, London, and Hawaii.  She's never experienced dry scalp, so it's not a problem for her. (A question thrown at her because of her beautiful curly locks.)  She deepen conditions her hair every two weeks or twice a month.   Her goal is to put her channel in the direction of positivity. It is her desire to inspire people with her YouTube content. The advice she could give to starting influencers is to be consistent and promote themselves on their other social media channels.  She is black but has white skin and blonde hair due to albinism. Albinism is a skin condition that causes a lack of pigmentation in the hair and skin, making her white and blonde regardless of race.  She is heavily interested in arts and drawing. Iyana is an illustrator and goes to a school for illustrators. She's been interested in art as early as three years old.  Linkin Park's song "Shadow of The Day" touched her heart when she was little.  Iyana LeShea's content primarily focuses on beauty, skincare, decorating, lifestyle, daily and weekly vlogs, and education on albinism. Her most popular video, "7 YEARS AND COUNTING (2012-2019) | MY NATURAL HAIR JOURNEY | Iyana LeShea," has over 99K views. The video shows her impressive journey in creating and nurturing her natural locks.  Her third most popular YouTube video is a tribute to people with albinism, as it helps viewers learn the basics of albinism, fostering knowledge and a profound understanding of the uncommon skin condition.  The influencer's audience loves her candor and authenticity. She is praised for rising above her condition and doing what she loves to do.  Iyana LeShea inspires people to be themselves and be confident to show up regardless of who and what they are. She is a beautiful representation of people with albinism, and we look forward to many more of them becoming prominent influencers. 

Web of Funkos: Popular Short-Form Funko Pop YouTube Reviewer

YouTube is a space for creators and content of all kinds. You name it, and the platform has it. There is definitely no limit to the content you can find on YouTube, from tech, gadgets, sports, news, pop culture trends, fashion, lifestyle, beauty, arts and crafts, music, gaming, and a whole lot more. The platform is also full of content creators and channels gradually rising to fame, amassing subscribers and views at a stable rate. Among the rising channels of YouTube is a toy-niched channel called Web of Funkos. As the channel's name suggests, Web of Funkos features Funko Pop! toys. What is the Funko Pop! brand? Funko Pop! is a brand of vinyl figurines that encompasses a wide range of characters from various pop culture franchises, including movies, TV shows, video games, comics, and more. These figurines are characterized by their distinctive design, featuring oversized heads and small bodies.  They are often collected by fans of different franchises and have become highly popular among collectors and enthusiasts. Funko Pop! figurines are known for their diverse range of characters, covering everything from superheroes and villains to characters from classic films and animated series. What is Web of Funkos? Web of Funkos has over 104K subscribers as of this writing, 189 videos, and 2M views. The channel is unlike our other favorite channels, as it only has YouTube Shorts. The channel does not feature long-form videos, only videos lasting from 10 to 20 seconds. The channel mostly features various Funko Pop! figurines of our favorite Marvel characters. Web of Funkos provides a close-up and detailed look at different Funko Pop! figurines, as well as gives their followers first dibs on some of the latest releases. Furthermore, it engages its audience by using poll stickers and replying to the viewers' comments through another Shorts video. While Top Pops is YouTube's biggest Funko Pop! content creator with 2.1M subscribers, Web of Funkos is famous with the audience who prefers to consume short-form video content. And who knows? Web of Funkos might escalate to uploading regular, lengthy videos in the future. YouTube, Toys, and Short Videos Many YouTube channels that feature toys and toy reviews have become YouTube famous in recent years, allowing different creators, including kids, to gain millions of views and subscribers. A great example of young creators who became popular for their toy review content is Ryan of Ryan's World and Like Nastya. Aside from toy-centric channels, Short videos have also become an increasing content type. While many viewers still consume long-form content endlessly, the rise of TikTok paved the way for short-form videos. In fact, statistics show that 73% of today's consumers prefer short-form videos to learn about a brand or product than long-form videos. So, it's no surprise that channels like Web of Funkos took the opportunity to maximize the trend by only producing and publishing short-form videos that are entertaining and engaging enough but not too lengthy to waste its viewers' time. The channel is proof that you don't need to create hours worth of videos to earn viewers and supporters. Web of Funkos has so much potential in its chosen niche, and we hope to see more in-depth reviews of our favorite figures in the coming years.

MrBeast Gives Mack A Second Chance

MrBeast is known for his adventurous and gut-wrenching antics, as well as the extravagant prize money that comes with these antics. One of his biggest challenges was the recreation of the successful thriller Korean drama "Squid Game," where player 079 succeeded in all the challenges out of 456 players and went home with $456,000. Among the players of MrBeast's Squid Game challenge was Mack, a former Airrack crew. Mack was able to move on to every stage of the challenge until the cookie-cutting challenge, where he failed to cut the cookies successfully and left without the money. Lucky for Mack, the viewers saw his relentless spirit and urged MrBeast to give him another chance at winning eight hundred thousand grand. MrBeast listened to the viewers and gave Mack another opportunity to win more than how much he had lost in the Squid Game challenge. In MrBeast's latest video, "Face Your Biggest Fear To Win $800,000," the charitable and content genius came up with mini fear factor challenges exclusively for Mack. The challenge involved six different stages composed of different fear themes. The first stage of the challenge made Mack lie down in an acrylic box filled with spiders. The challenge lasted for minutes, and Mack finished it like a pro. The next fear to face was the fear of heights. It involved dropping Mack hundreds of feet above the ground with no harness and only a net to catch him on the ground. The third challenge was like an action movie where Mack was placed in a locked car, dropped into the lake, and had to get out of the car and save the bags containing $800K before the car submerged into the water. It was a real challenge for Mack, but he managed to conquer his fear, get out of the car, and save $700K. Next to the submerging car is the fear of the unknown, where Mack has to put his hand inside a box without knowing what's inside. Fortunately, the only thing inside the box was Mr. Beast's Feastables chocolate. For the second to the last challenge, MrBeast and his team buried Mack alive for 24 hours. The catch was that Mack couldn't tell the time, so he could only make estimates and guesses. Luckily, he only gave up after being buried alive for 36 hours, allowing him to proceed to the final fear -- the fear of failure. Since Mack failed on the cookie-cutting portion of the Squid Game challenge, MrBeast decided to recreate that particular challenge and left Mack scared for his life. MrBeast offered Mack $300K, allowing Mack to call it quits without having to go through the challenge again. But his tenacity and grit compelled him to go through the challenge again, hoping to win this time. Unfortunately, Mack failed the challenge for the second time, leaving him with no money at all. The viewers applaud Mack for facing the challenges head-on and never quitting. Many even want him to star in an action film because, with what he's shown, he can definitely pass as an action star! Will MrBeast give Mack a final chance to win the money? We can only wait and see.

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