In this week’s episode of The Refresh News, Kait from Marketecture unpacks the countdown to TikTok’s next ban deadline, Facebook’s surprising return to its roots, and Meta’s controversial push for principal-based media buying. It’s a blend of tech speculation, platform nostalgia, and some hard-hitting ad industry strategy.

This week’s highlights:

• TikTok + Perplexity? – With only days until the next ban deadline, Perplexity is pitching a future where TikTok becomes an AI-fueled search powerhouse. Imagine contextual Q&A built into your video feed, creator discovery powered by real user questions, and cross-platform personalization. Is it wishful thinking? Maybe. But it would be a bold reset for the social ecosystem.
• Facebook goes back to basics – Meta execs have finally admitted what users have been saying for years: we just want to see our friends. Facebook is reintroducing a dedicated feed for friends and family content. It’s a move driven by declining engagement and the growing sense that AI-generated filler isn't cutting it.
• Principal-based media buying – Meta is enticing major holding companies with bulk inventory deals, letting agencies buy media in advance and resell it to clients. Critics say it sacrifices transparency and trust. Supporters say it drives performance and margin. Either way, it signals a more aggressive monetization strategy as economic pressures mount.

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