Introduction
The social media and digital marketing landscape in the UK has been buzzing over the past week, with fresh updates on regulation, platform changes, and shifting brand strategies. From charities embedding influencer marketing into their long-term plans, to the CMA tightening guidance around online reviews and endorsements, the industry is facing both opportunities and new compliance challenges. Meanwhile, podcasts and social updates continue to attract advertiser interest, while cookies and data privacy remain a moving target for marketers.
Below is a selection of the most relevant blog posts and articles from the past few days that highlight where the industry is heading, what trends are emerging, and how brands can adapt to stay ahead.
17 September 2025
Baked into the strategy’: Charities on the ‘demonstrable impact’ of influencer marketing
Looks at how UK charities are working with influencers more strategically now, not just for visibility but aiming for measurable outcomes (e.g. fundraising, awareness, behaviour change). Shows influencer marketing is becoming more embedded rather than ad hoc.
15 September 2025
How brands are approaching the ‘underacknowledged’ potential of podcast advertising.
Brands in the UK are increasingly looking at podcasts as a channel to get deeper engagement. The article discusses barriers (measurement, scale, cost) and some case studies. Suggests podcast advertising may be undervalued in many marketing mixes.
3-4 September 2025
recent changes in pay-per-click advertising
A roundup of recent changes in changes in pay-per-click advertising (UK + more broadly): platform policy changes, enhanced targeting, fraud detection updates, and what this means for advertisers who depend on paid search / PPC spend. Useful for seeing where ad spend strategy might need to adjust.
4th September 2025
Competition and Market Authority (CMA) Guidance on Online Reviews and Social Media Endorsements
CMA issued guidance to clarify how brands, platforms, influencers should handle reviews and endorsements online. Covers issues like being genuine, avoiding misleading or fake reviews, disclosure obligations. Important for social media compliance.
16 – 17 September 2025
The Biggest UK Business Trends in 2025
Broader than just social media, but includes relevant elements (tech innovation, shifting consumer expectations, digital transformation). Good for seeing what social media strategies will need to align with if brands want to stay ahead.
Last week September 2025
Cookie catch-up: What you need to know about the CNIL’s Google and Shein fines & other cookie developments
Focuses on European (including UK relevance) privacy / cookies regulation developments. Fines, what regulators are looking for, how platforms / digital marketing folks need to adjust (e.g. how cookies are managed, consent, transparency). For social media marketers / digital advertisers, implications for targeting, tracking.
Around 1-2 weeks ago
Social media updates to know in September 2025
A roundup of platform updates (new features, tests, policy changes) relevant to creators, brands, agencies. Helps marketers keep up with what’s changing on e.g. Instagram, Threads, TikTok etc.
