The Race to Replace TikTok
Just when everyone thought TikTok was about to disappear from the U.S., President Trump issued an executive order delaying the ban for 75 days.
However, TikTok isn’t in the clear yet, and major platforms are positioning themselves to fill in the potential void:
- YouTube has extended Shorts to three minutes, providing short-form creators with more flexibility.
- Instagram is reportedly offering creators up to $50K monthly for exclusive Reels content. They’re also launching a dedicated video editing app – clearly betting big on short-form content.
- X is rolling out a new Video Tab with algorithmic recommendations.
- Snapchat offers a spotlight feature for short-form video content.
- RedNote, originally a Chinese app, claimed the number 1 spot on the app store
If you’re already on YouTube, then YouTube Shorts should be the next move you consider right now. Here’s why:
- TikTok has been criticized for underpaying creators, while YouTube has a long-standing reputation for rewarding its creators generously through the Partner Program. Expect a wave of TikTok creators moving to Shorts, bringing their audiences with them—and setting the stage for higher competition.
- Shorts isn’t just for viral dances; it’s an excellent tool for quick tutorials, educational content, or repurposing long-form content into bite-sized segments that hook new viewers.
- As a YouTube creator, you already have an audience, a channel, and familiarity with the platform. Shorts is an easy way to expand your reach without starting from scratch elsewhere.
Don’t underestimate Shorts—especially now. TikTok’s uncertain future and YouTube’s push for short-form dominance mean this is your chance to stand out.
The Stargate Initiative: America’s $500 Billion Investment into the Future of AI
On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the launch of the Stargate Project, a joint venture with top U.S. tech companies like OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, and MGX, aiming to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure across the United States over the next four years.
What this means for you:
Early adoption of AI can significantly enhance your competitive edge.
A recent survey indicates that 98% of small businesses are already utilizing AI-enabled tools, with 40% employing generative AI applications like chatbots and image creation.
By integrating AI into your content creation and business operations now, you position yourself ahead of the curve.
Moreover, the government’s substantial investment in AI infrastructure through the Stargate Project foreshadows clearer regulations and legal guidelines for AI use.
Staying updated and well informed about these changes is crucial.
OpenAI's New “Operator” Can Now Do Your Busy Work
OpenAI just dropped “Operator”, an AI agent that can actually navigate the web and carry out tasks for you.
Unlike traditional chatbots, Operator can control its own browser to click, type, and scroll – meaning it can actually DO things, not just talk about them.
Watch Mike get mind blown as he tests out Operator for the first time.
What makes this revolutionary is that Operator can handle the mundane tasks that eat up a creator’s time: ordering supplies, filling out forms, researching competitors, and even creating memes.
It’s like having a virtual assistant that can see and interact with any website you use.
How to Leverage It:
- Automate Your Admin: Set up recurring tasks like restocking equipment or monitoring competitor content.
- Streamline Research: Have Operator gather data across multiple websites while you focus on creative work.
- Scale Your Operations: Run multiple tasks simultaneously – like updating your merch store while researching sponsorship opportunities.
For now, it’s only available to Pro users in the U.S. It still has some limitations and struggles with complex interfaces and requires human oversight for sensitive tasks.
But this is exactly the kind of update we predicted in our “Year of AI Agents” coverage.
- Reddit launches Reddit Answers, an AI-generated search engine
- Adobe Premiere beta tests its ‘Media Intelligence’ and ‘Search Panel’ for even faster editing
- Perplexity releases a mobile assistant on Android
- Artlist plans big updates for using generative AI in 2025
- Mr. Beast, Elon Musk, Oracle, and Perplexity make bids to buy TikTok