Hello, GrowthHackers!

Welcome to your daily unfair advantage.

Every morning, we cut through the noise to bring you sharp insights, fast news, and fresh sparks to light up your brain and fuel your hustle. From scrappy hacks to big tech moves, AI shifts to culture flips this is your intel to stay ahead, move fast, and break boring.

Think of it as your growth-fueled espresso shot.
Short. Smart. Addictive.

Let's dive in.👇

Quick Hits

Meta adds more measures to ensure original creators get credit
(Meta finally beating the 'content farm' allegations)
Instagram tests links in post captions for paying users
(Charging for a clickable link in 2026 is actually wild)
The biggest AI stories of the year (so far)
(The AI lore this year is getting too deep, I'm just trying to keep up at this point.)

The Growth joke of the day

Why did the SEO specialist get dumped at the restaurant?
Because they spent the whole night looking at the menu, but never actually ordered.

What's New in Growth Hacking/Growth Marketing?

Strategies

X commits to altering its verification program in EU
X has agreed to update its verification process in Europe, in line with guidance from the EU Commission, in order to avoid further penalties as a result of its potentially misleading verification checkmarks in the app.
Most consumers use AI, but few fully trust it
New research shows AI is already shaping product discovery and purchases, but a large gap between usage and trust is creating new challenges for marketers.
Why emotion data is changing how ads get tested
Emotion data reveals how audiences actually respond to creative, helping brands fix weak messaging before spending millions on media.
Facebook makes it easier for creators to report impersonators
After widespread complaints that Facebook has become an "AI slop hellscape," Meta on Friday announced new tools to detect impersonation, as well as updated creator guidelines that better define what Facebook considers to be "original content."
WhatsApp launches parent-managed accounts
WhatsApp has added a new way for parents to monitor who their kids are engaging with in the app with parent-managed accounts, which will provide control and oversight options to manage their kids' interactions.
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People

Antonio Gracias says he's longing for 'proentropic' startups
There is a new key term to know as part of this artificial intelligence revolution, at least according to Antonio Gracias, the founder of Valor Equity Partners.

Did you miss our latest episode of GrowthHackers?
No worries, we've got you covered! ⬇️

Building AI IN Media with Dean Arnett

A Founder's Journey in Microscope

In this episode with Dean Arnett, we discuss the radical transformation of the global media landscape. We dive into how to scale content production without losing the human "spark," the ethics of synthetic media, and why the "Documentary Mindset" is the ultimate growth hack for modern brands.

Dean Arnett is an award-winning filmmaker and former BBC producer who now consults for global giants like the Associated Press and the Financial Times. He bridges the gap between decades of broadcast excellence and the cutting-edge tools of generative AI.

If you are a creator looking to scale, a brand trying to break through the noise, or a student preparing for a tech-driven media landscape, this episode is essential listening.

Can you handle the reality that awaits?

Tune in to our latest episode right here.

What's New in Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Cursor has reportedly surpassed $2B in annualized revenue
The AI coding assistant Cursor has surpassed $2 billion in annualized revenue, according to a Bloomberg source. This individual says the four-year-old startup saw its revenue run rate double over the past three months.
Google, Accel India accelerator chooses 5 startups and none are 'AI wrappers'
Many artificial intelligence startup ideas are still little more than superficial "wrappers" built on top of existing models. But as the AI model makers add more features, investors are wary of startups that could become so easily unnecessary.

How Jennifer Anniston's LolaVie brand grew sales 40% with CTV ads

For its first CTV campaign, Jennifer Aniston's DTC haircare brand LolaVie had a few non-negotiables. The campaign had to be simple. It had to demonstrate measurable impact. And it had to be full-funnel.

LolaVie used Roku Ads Manager to test and optimize creatives — reaching millions of potential customers at all stages of their purchase journeys. Roku Ads Manager helped the brand convey LolaVie's playful voice while helping drive omnichannel sales across both ecommerce and retail touchpoints.

The campaign included an Action Ad overlay that let viewers shop directly from their TVs by clicking OK on their Roku remote. This guided them to the website to buy LolaVie products.

Discover how Roku Ads Manager helped LolaVie drive big sales and customer growth with self-serve TV ads.

The DTC beauty category is crowded. To break through, Jennifer Anniston's brand LolaVie, worked with Roku Ads Manager to easily set up, test, and optimize CTV ad creatives. The campaign helped drive a big lift in sales and customer growth, helping LolaVie break through in the crowded beauty category.

Learn more.