I chose TikTok over my job. I still love teaching, but influencing pays my rent.
Molly Rutter left education to become a TikToker, and she said she doesn't regret walking away from her passion.
Media
Bored of Instagram and TikTok? Try these 3 new social-media apps instead.
After testing out many new social-media apps, here are three worth trying out if you're looking for alternatives to Instagram, X, or TikTok.
The rise of IRL social apps: How startups are trying to get people to hang out in person and taking aim at loneliness
IRL social apps are transforming the social media landscape by prioritizing real-world interactions.
A YouTube exec explains what types of videos people are watching on TVs
Kurt Wilms, senior director of product management at YouTube, shared what types of content viewers want to watch on their TVs.
The top stories in the creator economy and influencer marketing that BI's reporters will be following next year
TikTok could be banned come January, but what are the other top creator-economy storylines? BI's team rounded them up.
Will TikTok be banned? Here are the latest details on the app's legal fight to stay in the US and Trump's options
TikTok could be booted from US app stores in January because of a divest-or-ban law. Here's what may happen next as the company fights for its future.
Ad industry insiders break down the M&A deals they think could shake up the industry in 2025
Key areas of buyer interest include retail media, streaming TV, influencer marketing, and AI, industry insiders say.
MrBeast is teasing another recreation of 'Squid Game' as he continues to furiously promote 'Beast Games'
MrBeast asked fans if they want another "Squid Game" recreation as he promotes "Beast Games," leveraging Netflix's release to stay ahead.
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Allow me to recommend my favorite part of Spotify: audiobooks
I hadn't cared much either way about Al Pacino, but I was absolutely delighted by his audiobook narration of his memoir.
How TikTok has shaken up e-commerce in the US
TikTok is changing the US e-commerce ecosystem as it brings influencer sales and social shopping into the mainstream.
Trump asks the Supreme Court to put the law that would ban TikTok on hold
President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court to pause the law that would ban TikTok in mid-January until after his inauguration.
These M&A deals show the hot areas of the creator economy and where the industry could be heading
A wave of M&A deals in areas like influencer marketing, talent management, and podcasting show the parts of the creator industry that have matured.
How brands are getting into the TV and movie game as they try to combat ad fatigue
People are increasingly tired of seeing ads, so big brands, from Walmart to Chick-fil-A, are funding filmed entertainment like movies and TV.
Netflix streamed two NFL games and got a TV-sized audience
Netflix passed two tests on Wednesday when it streamed live NFL football games for the first time in its history.
How YouTube star MrBeast built a business that was tracking for $700 million in yearly revenue
YouTube's top star, MrBeast, has over 338 million subscribers. He has a sprawling business, including products and an Amazon show.
A year after giving up her YouTube channel, Hannah Witton's clinic for struggling, burned-out creators is open
Hannah Witton is leveraging her experience as a former YouTube star to help others navigate career changes and overcome content burnout.
The creator economy is hitting an inflection point in 2025: Will TikTok get banned, and will MrBeast continue his rise?
The creator economy has blossomed into a $250 billion industry — and faces a big year in 2025 with a possible TikTok ban and MrBeast dominance.
Netflix prepared well for its high-stakes NFL streaming debut on Christmas, and it paid off
After fumbling a high-profile boxing match last month, most social media users praised Netflix for a smooth broadcast of its first-ever NFL games.
TikTok sellers could be hit harder than influencers by a ban
If TikTok is pulled from US app stores, brands that sell on its e-commerce platform, Shop, may struggle to find a new home.
Christmas-movie supply is surging on streamers — and services are cashing in
Christmas-movie supply on streamers grew sixfold from 2000 to 2023, Parrot Analytics found. Services like Netflix are cashing in.
A cofounder of a top influencer-management firm shares his predictions for the creator economy in 2025
Neil Waller, cofounder of Whalar Group, shared his top predictions for the creator space in 2025, including a rise in AI tools and dubbing.
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ESPN thinks this ad will help convince you to pay for ESPN next year.
Starting next fall, you'll be able to watch ESPN without paying for other cable channels. Industry watchers say it could cost around $25 a month.
Netflix says it's ready for Christmas Day NFL streams with Beyoncé after glitches during Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight
Netflix says it learned from livestreaming issues during the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight. It has a big test with a Beyoncé show and NFL games.
I showed my kids 'E.T.' — and they loved it. We need more live-action family movies these days.
Animated movies are great, but I yearn for the days of "Home Alone" and "E.T." I've been showing my kids more live-action movies — and they love them.
7 high-profile political figures who made a splashy transition to the media industry
From George Stephanopoulos to Nicolle Wallace, many ex-political figures have transitioned to the media industry. It's not without criticism, though.
'My small business is failing': How entrepreneurs on TikTok are embracing their worst business days — and seeing results
"My small business is failing" has become a surprisingly useful post for entrepreneurs on TikTok. Here's how and why it works — and the pitfalls.
China's internet is upset that a knock-off of its darling video game, 'Black Myth: Wukong,' is listed on Nintendo's store
The new game for Nintendo's Switch has promotional art and a title that closely resemble that of the best-selling Chinese game.
'I hate being in their stupid group': The endless hell of group chats
Everyone's got a group chat they love to hate and would love to quit even more. Here's how to do it without causing a scene.
MrBeast's 'Beast Games' on Amazon has a strange message about money
I watched MrBeast's new game show, "Beast Games," with my son. The show is fun — but I worry about the message it sends about money.
The best illustrations and photos from Business Insider in 2024.
This year, Business Insider's creative team visualized everything from looking into illegal lockouts in major US cities to Ozempic Scams.
College football placed a huge bet on supersize playoffs. It may already have won.
Here's an idea: Take a popular thing, and make more of it. That's what college football is doing this year.
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How Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop lost its glow
Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle brand, Goop, has undergone two rounds of layoffs and a restructuring in recent months.
New data reveals who is hiring in the creator economy
Creator Economy Jobs, a hiring platform that pulls listings from over 600 companies, shared data summarizing the state of hiring in the industry.
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Leaked MrBeast docs reveal 'Beast Games' contestant terms — including a $500K penalty for divulging info
Business Insider viewed a copy of the contestant release form and other documents for the preliminary "Beast Games" competition round in Las Vegas.
The TikTok ban is headed to the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear oral arguments around the TikTok divest-or-ban bill, as the company faces a looming January 19 deadline.
These creator-economy startups raised millions this year in areas ranging from AI to newsletters
This year, investors put over $900 million into 17 buzzy creator economy startups, which focused on AI, e-commerce, influencer marketing, and more.
Tiun gives media companies another way to monetize online content. It just raised $2.5 million with this pitch deck.
Swiss startup Tiun has developed an alternative pay-for-what-you-use model to help media companies generate revenue.
AppLovin has rocketed to a $100 billion valuation. Some industry insiders are skeptical its run can last.
Adtech firm AppLovin's stock is surging after a recent move into e-commerce, but some ad insiders have questions about its business model.
Media insiders expect an M&A deal frenzy next year. These 6 companies could be in the mix.
With several buzzy media and entertainment deals already planned for 2025, industry insiders say next year could see a flurry of M&A activity.
Rapper unraveled: How Diddy's world fell apart in one year
Following an avalanche of lawsuits and a federal indictment, Diddy's freedom, reputation, and finances are in jeopardy.
Trump is threatening the press. We should take him seriously — and literally.
It's hard to beat the press in court. But Donald Trump seems to think suing newspapers and TV networks is a winning strategy, regardless.
Ads took over streaming this year — and they're just getting started
Ads took over streaming TV this year, and analysts expect the market to be on par with traditional TV advertising by 2027.
Sora's dazzling AI could democratize filmmaking for the next generation — but it still has lots of limitations
Filmmakers and professors said OpenAI's Sora could help indie movies, but the technology is still in early stages.
Taylor Swift's Eras tour grossed more than $2 billion. Here's a a look at her record-breaking tour strategy.
Taylor Swift's Eras tour was the highest-grossing tour in history. Here's how she made so much money.
Influencers are putting together their post-TikTok plans as a potential ban looms
BI spoke with influencers, managers, and other creator-economy insiders to understand how the industry is reacting to a potential TikTok ban.
Warner Bros. Discovery separates TV networks from its streaming and studio business
Warner Bros. Discovery is separating its TV business including CNN from its streaming and studios. It illustrates a cable industry in decline.
All the ways Netflix is paring costs and perks, from parental leave to corporate merch
Netflix is reportedly reining in its parental leave policy, salaries, and even corporate merch allowances, The Wall Street Journal reported.
These charts show how YouTube TV has become a worse and worse deal
YouTube TV will now cost close to $83 a month, though it's arguably still attractive relative to some other pay-TV offerings from cable companies.
No one wants to own cable TV networks anymore
For sale (probably): a bunch of cable TV networks. Make your best offer. Peter Kafka unpacks the details behind WBD's corporate maneuvering.
BuzzFeed survives by selling 'Hot Ones' to George Soros
BuzzFeed has solved its debt problem by selling off "Hot Ones." The new owner? George Soros.