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Reddit Isn’t a Traffic Source Anymore. It’s a Search Engine.

This is the change happening with all platforms. Everything is a search and discovery engine now.

Specific to Reddit:

Reddit is no longer just a ranking factor inside Google. It’s becoming the destination where buying decisions are researched and finalized, and because Reddit content is now one of the most-cited sources in AI answers.

Don’t ask where your Google traffic is going.
Ask where your traffic is coming from now.
And where it should be coming from.

via Viral Shorts

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TikTok Data Tracking: US vs China Changes

The TikTok ownership transition provides an interesting comparison of data collection practices between the US and China (or at least this particular ownership group and whatever agreements they had in place to facilitate the sale).

Here are the three biggest changes to TikTok’s privacy policy

Adds Precise Location Tracking

Previously this was just based on SIM card and IP signals, now GPS and location data is folded in.

Now Tracks AI Interactions

This is net new to the privacy policy, so it’s hard to tell what used to happen. Seems similar to most LLMs now.

Expands Its Ads Network

The Meta Audience Network play. TikTok will use the data it collects about you to deliver ads via its Ad Network on other sites and apps.

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What’s the story you’re trying to tell?

This is the root of everything.

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A companion quote from James Clear for yesterday’s post:

Success is often found by practicing the fundamentals everyone knows they should be doing, but find too boring or basic to practice routinely.

A dogged dedication to the boring stuff can get you far.

I think what makes my team special is that they all want to grow while continuing to refine the basics of their role. We look for people that want to keep working in the platforms, not “outgrowing” them.

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To simplify before you understand the details is ignorance.

To simplify after you understand the details is genius.

-James Clear on Picasso’s Hill

Similar to having to know the rules before you can bend/break them. You have to understand the systems and processes before you can simplify them.

You have to know the tactics before you can craft the strategy.