By Lloyd Coombes

Fed up with Google’s results? Perplexity could be just what you’re looking for

There’s no denying that Google has been a core part of the internet for decades (for better or for worse), but it’s also fair to say its search product is hardly at the peak of its powers anymore.

Clunky AI overviews that are often incorrect, too many sponsored results, and giving low-quality sites more of the limelight has left many scrambling for an alternative. Where it often felt like one would never come, now Perplexity AI offers a genuine rival.

Naturally, an AI search engine comes with the usual caveats: it’ll get some things wrong, but with the state of Google at the moment, there’s perhaps never been a better way to try something new.

With that in mind, here’s why Perplexity AI might be your next search engine of choice, and how to change it.

Why Perplexity AI could be your next search engine

The big draw of Perplexity AI as a search engine is that it’s not just a search engine. Let me explain — Google has piled more and more on top of its existing search product, and while some of it has undoubtedly been useful, it’s started to feel as though the whole thing is creaking.

In many ways, Perplexity AI’s search function is just a bonus to a very good LLM that’s pretty great at research.

You can Google when, say, the iPhone 17 is launching, but that’s it. After that, you start a fresh query, and the process begins again, whereas Perplexity lets you ask a follow-up question like “How many models will there be?” or “How many days is that?”.

It’s also great at doing, well, LLM things. Ask it for a summary of the news today, and it’ll condense it for you. Ask for a recipe for banana bread, and it’ll put its digital apron on, and even let you ask for potential replacements for ingredients you may not have in the house.

The whole thing is more conversational, and it’s remarkably easy to set up — even in Chrome, which has long been Google’s home turf.

How to make Perplexity AI your default search engine

The following instructions work on any Chromium browser, and some will let you log in on multiple profiles so you can flick between Google and Perplexity based on your context.

• Open Chrome on your device
• Click the three dots in the top-right corner, then click Settings.
• On the left-hand sidebar, click Search engine, and then Manage search engines and site search
• To add Perplexity to the browser, use the following information:
  • Name: Perplexity
  • Shortcut: perp
  • URL: https://www.perplexity.ai/?q=%s
• Click Add, then return to the list.
• Typing the ‘perp’ shortcut will trigger Perplexity, but you can also set it as Default if you’d prefer.

Using Firefox? It’s just as simple.

• Open Firefox on your device
• Open the Firefox Add-Ons storefront and add the Search Engines Helper Extension
• Open the extension, and then enter https://www.perplexity.ai/?q=%s for the Search URL, which will auto populate the rest of the list.
• Right-click the address bar in your browser and click Add “perplexity.ai” and you’re done.

How to use Perplexity on your phone

Switching to Perplexity on your phone is as easy as installing the Perplexity Ask app.

Doing so gives you a sort of ‘live ticker’ of news before you even get started.

Perhaps my favourite thing about Perplexity is that it attempts to put sources front-and-center. Asking “what’s in the news today?” will give a series of stories, as well as tappable citations so you can expand a story.

There’s also a handy set of ‘Related’ options you can tap, with each expanding the context of the day’s biggest stories.

Paid subscribers can even get the news (or any other searches) delivered via audio recording.

Finally, I particularly appreciate the way you can quickly share a screenshot via a built-in share sheet — ideal for sharing fun or surprising results.

Will you be switching to Perplexity AI as your browser? Let us know, and don’t forget you can always switch back to Google if you’d prefer.

Feature Image credit: Perplexity

By Lloyd Coombes

Sourced from techradar

By Kurt Allen

The way we communicate has evolved dramatically over the last decade, with the technological advancements of smartphones, social media and instant messaging changing the global landscape.

However, one of the most transformative shifts in communication today is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). From personalized chatbots to speech recognition systems, AI is fundamentally altering how we interact with both machines and other people. This article delves into the impact of AI on communication, offering a statistical view of its influence and potential future.

1. The Rise Of AI-Driven Communication Tools

AI-powered communication tools are proliferating across both personal and professional spaces. Businesses are integrating AI into their customer service, while individuals are adopting tools like voice assistants, predictive text and even AI-generated content. According to a report by Statista, the global market for AI-based chatbots alone is expected to reach $1.34 billion by 2024, up from $190 million in 2016. This growth indicates not only the popularity of AI solutions but also how rapidly they are being adopted across industries.

AI-driven tools such as natural language processing (NLP) allow machines to understand, interpret and generate human language. For instance, Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri rely heavily on NLP to respond to verbal queries. The increasing sophistication of these systems has led to a surge in voice-based interactions. A 2021 survey from Voicebot.ai found that 58% of U.S. adults reported using voice assistants on smartphones, smart speakers and other devices, highlighting the shift toward voice as a primary mode of communication.

2. AI’s Role In Real-Time Communication

One of the most powerful applications of AI in communication is its ability to facilitate real-time interactions. AI can assist in translating languages instantly, helping bridge communication gaps between people who speak different languages. Google Translate, which employs machine learning techniques, has drastically improved over the years. The introduction of neural machine translation in 2016 allowed for more accurate translations by understanding context and sentence structure.

Moreover, AI-driven transcription services are making meetings, interviews and educational sessions more efficient. A 2021 report by PwC highlighted that 86% of executives believe AI will play a major role in the way their companies conduct meetings, with many relying on AI to transcribe, summarize and analyse discussions.

3. The Explosion Of Chatbots And Virtual Assistants

Another area where AI is profoundly changing communication is the widespread use of chatbots and virtual assistants. These tools are reshaping customer service, marketing and even internal communication. AI-powered chatbots are not only capable of handling simple queries but are also becoming increasingly sophisticated through machine learning, offering personalized responses and even emotional intelligence. For example, IBM’s Watson can process natural language, understand context and engage in complex conversations, which is a step forward from traditional scripted responses. This increased capability is encouraging businesses to integrate AI chatbots into their customer support systems.

The growing reliance on AI for communication is not limited to businesses; it’s also impacting social interactions, suggesting that AI’s influence extends beyond formal communication to casual, day-to-day exchanges.

4. Ethical And Privacy Concerns In AI Communication

While AI is revolutionizing communication, it also raises concerns regarding privacy, data security and ethical considerations. AI systems require vast amounts of data to function effectively, often pulling from personal conversations, email exchanges and social media interactions. This raises the question of how this data is stored, accessed and used.

According to a 2022 survey by Pew Research, 81% of Americans feel that the potential risks of AI—particularly regarding privacy and data misuse—outweigh its benefits. Furthermore, 72% of survey respondents expressed concern about AI systems that could manipulate public opinion or spread misinformation, particularly in social media settings.

As AI continues to play a role in communication, it will be crucial for governments and businesses to develop guidelines and policies to ensure responsible usage. For example, Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has set a precedent by establishing strict rules around data collection and usage, especially for AI applications. However, as AI’s influence expands, more robust global regulations may be required.

5. The Future Of AI In Communication

Looking ahead, the future of AI in communication holds exciting possibilities. From real-time language processing to deep learning algorithms that can predict the nuances of human conversation, AI is poised to continue changing the way we interact. As AI becomes more advanced, its applications will likely expand into even more personal areas, such as health communication, education and entertainment.

The key to understanding AI’s future in communication is recognizing its role not as a replacement for human interaction, but as a supplement to it. By automating routine tasks and offering real-time insights, AI can free up humans to engage in more meaningful, creative and emotional exchanges.

AI is reshaping the way we communicate in profound and far-reaching ways. From voice assistants to chatbots, language translation tools and workplace collaboration platforms, AI is enhancing the efficiency, speed and accessibility of communication. However, as we embrace these innovations, it is essential to address the ethical, privacy and data concerns that come with this technology. With the right balance of regulation and innovation, AI has the potential to make communication more inclusive, seamless and impactful than ever before.

Feature Image Credit: Getty

By Kurt Allen

Follow me on LinkedIn. Check out my website.

Kurt Allen, CLSSBB, Vice President, Marketing & Communications at Notre Dame de Numur University. Read Kurt Allen’s full executive profile here.

Sourced from Forbes

By Mike Smith,

3D advertising is erupting in the OOH space. Mike Smith, CEO of Open Media, the nationwide OOH advertising provider, explains the significance of the technology and the power it offers to brands.

The future is now

3D advertising was, initially, an extravagant approach for brands with high-end budgets. But today, 3D OOH is an exciting and affordable medium with endless capabilities, including interactive options and real-time data activations. Moreover, brands capture huge social media and word-of-mouth attention by harnessing the power of 3D.

According to the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) analysis, advertisements generating an above-average emotional response can lead to a 23% increase in sales. 3D OOH, blending the physical and digital worlds, offers countless creative possibilities to capture imaginations and ensure consumer attention is both gained and retained.

Another study by BCN Visuals found that 55% of people were likely to film a 3D advertisement to share with friends, combining the influence of mobile and OOH. Research conducted by Outsmart, meanwhile, showed a 17% uplift in smartphone brand actions when consumers are first exposed to an OOH advertisement. Furthermore, 68% viewed the brand as more premium after seeing their 3D OOH and 66% were more likely to purchase the advertised product.

Overall, 3D was found to be 3.5 times more effective than its 2D counterpart, with unique data elevations available including personalized content in real-time – influenced by things such as nearby events, location, or even the weather to ensure consistently relevant messaging.

By using programmatic buying in 3D OOH, brands can utilize audience data, proprietary insights, and analytics to measure outcomes in-flight, while post-campaign, a further range of hyper-specific insight is available to assess the impact of creative on audiences. This allows brands to seamlessly correlate the impact of their 3D activations with campaign KPIs and maximize ROI.

The science of 3D

3D OOH leverages our deep creative understanding of 3D content to captivate audiences. Our brains are wired to perceive the world around us in a certain way, and when something disrupts that perception, our attention is occupied.

This science is based on human biology. Our eyes don’t perceive things identically, with a slight difference in the angle of our view called binocular disparity. This allows us to perceive depth and the distance between ourselves and other objects. 3D OOH is an illusion that affects this depth perception.

In a 3D billboard, the display combines two pieces of footage from different angles into a single clip. This creates the 3D illusion, known as forced perspective, as our brain perceives the depth as entering our physical world.

With the ability to combine this with interactive elements, from simple touch interaction to complex augmented reality experiences, brands can captivate consumers with science and showmanship.

Online and offline benefits

3D technology creates advertising experiences that transform the consumer experience. But there are also huge benefits for brands – both online and offline – to ensure marketing impact and spend is maximized.

Screens can be targeted in real-time, with creative triggers based on many factors including location, footfall, and unfolding events. For example, we worked with SkyBet on their first-ever 3D activation in 2022 for the Championship play-off final. Leveraging our iconic BOXPARK Wembley Way site, SkyBet was able to display a range of copy based on the result of the match. This resulted in a 15% uplift in average session time and a 16% rise in attention time – as well as being named Ad of the Day by The Drum!

There are other strong case study benefits emerging from 3D advertising. BMW launched their X1 model with the car driving off the screen and into major cities across the world. The campaign went viral and was eventually viewed by 17 million people. Burger King enjoyed similar success during the 65th anniversary of the Whopper, as consumers were able to assemble a 3D burger in real time. This led to 70,000 drops in several hours for the iconic product, proving anniversaries, milestones and special occasions can all be influenced by 3D.

The real value of 3D OOH for brands is building a long-term relationship with audiences. With increased metrics in retention and social shareability, research suggests consumers remember a 3D activation long after engagement – with the visuals triggering the emotional responses of our brain and enhancing brand loyalty.

Celebrity sparkle

Open Media was delighted to work with international cosmetics leader Maybelline on the spellbinding 3D launch of their first-ever digital avatar, named May, who starred in an awe-inspiring OOH campaign alongside global ambassador Gigi Hadid. The inclusion of Hadid added additional weight to an already mesmerizing campaign and opened a new door of unique creative possibilities by merging the real and virtual world. We also collaborated with Paramount on a ground-breaking 3D campaign to advertise their streaming platform Paramount+, bringing iconic shows, famous faces, and world-renowned locations to life in a mind-bending 3D experience.

3D is no longer an extravagant approach. Brands can utilize its endless power on high streets and shopping centres to amaze audiences. We provide an entire full-motion 3D portfolio across the UK, and with increasingly in-depth and real-time data tracking available, 2025 is almost certain to be the year of 3D advertising.

By Mike Smith,

CEO, Open Media Open Media Open Mic 

Sourced from The Drum

By Gary Drenik

It’s no secret that artificial intelligence (AI) has been leading the charge on the evolution of technology across the customer service space.

But as we continue to explore how AI can enhance customer experience (CX), it’s essential to examine how different generations, particularly Gen-Z, view these changes. The digital natives, who have grown up in an interconnected world, are not only comfortable with technology but they expect it to be an integral part of their daily lives – and especially in their customer service interactions.

In today’s digital landscape, brands must strike the right balance between automation and the human touch, understand Gen-Z’s expectations around AI-driven CX adopt strategies that allow them to keep pace with the rising consumer demand in an age of digital interaction.

Consumer Sentiment Towards AI-Driven CX

The sentiment toward AI in customer service is divided, and there’s a generational divide emerging as a key factor. A recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey revealed that Gen-Z expresses mixed feelings about AI, particularly in customer-facing applications.

While younger generations are generally open to AI, they still have concerns – and one significant issue is trust. According to the Prosper Insights & Analytics data, 21.2% of Gen-Z respondents said they didn’t trust AI to have their best interests in mind. Additionally, 32.1% were worried that AI might provide incorrect information, proving a need for transparency and reliability in AI-powered systems.

However, it’s not all negative. Gen-Z seeks the convenience AI offers in certain situations; for example, in online shopping or entertainment services, nearly 30% of Gen-Z consumers prefer AI chat programs, according to the Prosper Insights & Analytics survey. This indicates that while Gen-Z is cautious, they also see the value in AI, especially when it can enhance their experience by offering faster and more efficient solutions.

Gen-Z’s Preferences and Expectations of AI in Customer Service

Gen-Z expects personalization, speed, and convenience, but they also want to ensure that AI solutions don’t compromise the human experience. When it comes to customer service, Gen-Z is typically more likely to favour AI in certain scenarios where speed and convenience are prioritized, like booking a flight or resolving a quick problem with an order.

However, in more complex or sensitive matters like healthcare or banking, the majority of Gen-Z, like other generations, still prefer speaking directly with a human. A recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey shows that 81.4% of Gen-Z respondents prefer a live person for banking assistance, and 82.5% prefer human interaction when it comes to healthcare-related matters.

The desire for a seamless blend of AI and human support is crucial for businesses to understand. What this means: Gen-Z isn’t opposed to AI; they just want it to complement rather than replace the human touch.

Striking the Balance Between AI-Driven Solutions and the Human Touch

As businesses look to integrate AI into their customer service offerings, they must carefully strike a balance between automation and human interaction. According to Niki Hall, Chief Marketing Officer at Intelligent CX Platform Provider Five9, “AI is an incredibly valuable tool for businesses, but it should never replace the nuance that only a human agent can provide. A seamless integration of AI and human service is key to providing an exceptional customer experience. AI can handle the repetitive tasks, but when a customer faces an issue that requires understanding, there’s just no substitute for a live agent.”

While AI is excellent for handling routine inquiries, triaging requests, and delivering speedy solutions, there are moments when customers need a personalized and human touch to feel heard and understood. Recent research from Five9 emphasized that 75% of consumers crave talking to a human, underscoring that the use of AI as a first line of defence, followed by escalation to human agents as necessary, has emerged as a successful strategy for many organizations.

By freeing up human agents from mundane tasks, businesses can ensure that their employees are focused on delivering high-quality, personalized service to customers who truly need it.

Strategies for Managing Increased Demand During Consumer-Driven Moments

A major challenge in customer service is managing the surge in demand during peak moments, from product launches to special promotions or even crises. This is where AI shines. By deploying AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants, companies can manage large volumes of customer inquiries at scale, offering instant answers to common questions.

“AI allows us to scale our customer service without sacrificing on the quality of those interactions,” says Hall. “During high-demand periods, we can rely on AI to handle basic questions, while ensuring that our live agents are available to resolve more complex or priority issues.”

Furthermore, businesses can leverage AI’s data-driven insights to anticipate peak demand times and prepare for them accordingly. By understanding consumer behaviour patterns, AI can help predict when demand will surge, allowing businesses to optimize their workforce and infrastructure in advance.

Adapting CX Strategies to Meet Evolving Consumer Expectations

To remain competitive, companies must continuously refine their customer experience strategies to meet shifting consumer expectations. As technology and customer behaviour evolve, the brand’s approach to customer service should as well.

We know Gen-Z’s expectations are high; they want fast and efficient service, but they also demand personalization and transparency. According to the Prosper Insights & Analytics data, 31.3% of Gen-Z consumers believe that AI needs human oversight, and 26% believe that AI should provide more transparency on the data it uses. Brands that can integrate ethical AI practices and provide clear information about data usage will earn the trust of this influential demographic.

As Hall emphasizes, “The key to adapting CX strategies is understanding what Gen-Z values, and that’s authenticity and personalization. They expect brands to use AI in ways that are transparent, responsible, and enhance their overall experience.”

Finding the Right Balance

In today’s digital-driven world, AI is reshaping customer service and adapting to meet the needs of Gen-Z and are shedding light on the future of CX. However, businesses must remember that while AI can improve efficiency and handle routine tasks, human agents still remain essential for addressing complex or sensitive issues. By finding the right balance between AI and human interactions, brands can deliver exceptional customer service experiences that meet the evolving needs of Gen-Z and beyond.

Check out my website.

Feature Image Credit: AdobeStock_159764616

By Gary Drenik

Gary Drenik is a writer covering AI, analytics and innovation.

Sourced from Forbes

By Felician Stratmann|Edited by Alexandra Levis

While digital asset markets are awash in data, they lack structure and standardization, deterring the entrance of institutional capital, says Outerlands Capital’s Felician Stratmann.

Data is an essential element of an efficient market. If market efficiency is the degree to which prices reflect all available information, having quality information is crucial. And to get to information, you need data. Traditional financial markets are data-rich and have high levels of standardization and accessibility, giving market participants abundant avenues for analysis. Digital asset markets are awash in data, but this data has less structure and little standardization, complicating many aspects of fundamental and quantitative analysis.

It’s somewhat ironic that data is a sticking point for digital assets since a much-lauded aspect of public blockchains is their transparency. Transactions and data on the blockchain are available essentially immediately to anyone with access to the system. But transparency does not equal accessibility and, much less so usability. Without prioritizing accessibility, dissemination and context, masses of raw blockchain data won’t automatically improve crypto market efficiency. And while blockchain data complexity may create alpha for savvy analysts, the lack of consistent data likely contributes to volatility, deterring institutional capital.

Feature Image Credit: Lerone Pieters/Unsplash

By Felician Stratmann

Felix Stratmann is the head of research at Outerlands Capital, a data-driven digital asset manager pioneering factor investing in Web3. He focuses on the Firm’s investment strategy and factor research and is the primary researcher

Edited by Alexandra Levis

Sourced from Coin Desk

By Scott Bartnick, Edited by Micah Zimmerman

A strong PR strategy creates buzz, attracts the right audience and ensures your event leaves a lasting impact.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic PR amplifies events, attracting audiences and securing lasting brand impact.
• Pre-event buzz, live engagement and follow-up maximize PR event success.
• Effective storytelling and media outreach turn events into memorable experiences.

By Scott Bartnick, Edited by Micah Zimmerman

Sourced from Entrepreneur

By Sabrina Ortiz, 

Data and analytics leaders should take these nine trends into consideration in their strategies for the upcoming year.

Data is at the heart of most organizations, fuelling everyday business functions. To help digital leaders better prepare their data and analytics (D&A) strategies, Gartner has identified the top D&A trends for 2025.

“D&A is going from the domain of the few, to ubiquity. At the same time D&A leaders are under pressure not to do more with less, but to do a lot more with a lot more, and that can be even more challenging because the stakes are being raised,” said Gareth Herschel, VP analyst at Gartner. “There are certain trends that will help D&A leaders meet the pressures, expectations and demands they are facing.”

Out of the nine trends Gartner identified, unsurprisingly, AI-related technologies made up more than half of the list, including the biggest AI trend of the time — agents. Agentic AI has begun permeating every business sector, with organizations finding ways to implement the autonomous assistance that AI agents offer.

Gartner advised D&A leaders to use agents to access and share their organization’s data across applications. The analyst also recommended that D&A leaders use AI agents to automate closed-loop business outcomes, where data-driven insights continuously inform and optimize decisions.

When generative AI first became mainstream, the focus for many D&A leaders and their organizations was developing and implementing large language models (LLMs).

However, greater emphasis has since been placed on the value of small language models (SLMs). These small models are lightweight, tailored, cheaper, and faster to train, which is better for specific use cases. As a result, Gartner advised D&A leaders to consider SLMs for more accurate and contextually appropriate AI outputs.

As there are so many different tools that D&A leaders can use, Gartner also recommended composite AI, which is the process of leveraging multiple AI techniques to increase technological effectiveness. This approach means exploring technology beyond generative AI and LLMs to take a deeper look at related disciplines, such as machine learning and data science.

Some of the trends that Gartner identified are indirectly related to AI. For example, the analyst encouraged using synthetic data to supplement areas where insight is missing or incomplete. This approach is especially valuable when using data for AI initiatives, as these projects require organized, complete data foundations for training and deployment. Another advantage of synthetic data is that it can replace sensitive data, prioritizing privacy, which is especially important for AI.

Building on this conception, Gartner identified metadata management solutions as an imperative trend, advising organizations to implement tools that automate finding and analysing metadata. The analyst said various metadata types, including technical and business metadata, can then be used for data catalogues, data lineage, and AI-driven use cases. In its multimodal data fabric trend, Gartner advised collecting and analysing information at the metadata stage of the data pipeline.

Other key trends highlighted by Gartner include decision intelligence platforms, which help organizations shift from simply using data to making smarter, decision-focused strategies. The analyst said this shift is critical to success.

Gartner also pointed to highly consumable data products as a trend, emphasizing the need for organizations to create useful, reusable data products that different teams can access to optimize and improve business-critical use cases over time.

Feature Image Credit: Getty Images/Eugene Mymrin

By Sabrina Ortiz, 

Sourced from ZDNET

By Jeff Beer

The Brandtech Group CEO David Jones explains how GenAI is revolutionizing advertising and brand building right now.

Feature Image Credit: Andres Garces/iStock/Getty Images Plus]

By Jeff Beer

Jeff Beer is a senior staff editor at Fast Company, and has been covering marketing, advertising, and how brands impact culture since 2006. . His coverage varies from in-depth features and interviews, to industry analysis and cultural commentary More

Sourced from FastCompany

By Griffin Kelly

Firms are building up their tech stacks with AI, according to a survey from Advisor360. They’re also expanding the C-suites.

Advisors are warming up to generative AI.

Some 85% of advisors said artificial intelligence has helped their practices, up from just 64% last year, according to a new survey from Advisor360. Around three-fourths of respondents said the benefits of generative AI tools were immediately noticeable. In fact, researchers found a “clear shift” in advisors’ attitudes toward AI compared with just a year ago. “Advisors are hungry for Gen AI-enabled tools that can boost their business,” Advisor360 President Darren Tedesco said in a statement.

And, wealth managers aren’t just dabbling with the tech to tighten up the occasional email, either. Some of the top use cases for generative AI include predictive analytics, marketing strategies, and administrative tasks, the survey found. It’s a major opportunity for advisors that can find ways to add the new tools into their workflows.

A Whole New World

Even with all the adoption, it’s still an understatement to call AI tools — like note-takers, copy-writing programs, and data analytics software —  game-changers. Today, only 8% of advisors see AI as a threat to their livelihood, quite the drop from 21% a year ago, the survey found. Meanwhile, just 9% said they don’t use AI tools at all.

Advisors’ enthusiasm for AI is only growing. Firms and organizations are expanding their C-suites to get ahead of the new technology and adapt to a changing landscape:

• Last week, Raymond James promoted Stuart Feld to the newly created role of chief AI officer.
• The position will be in charge of automating advisory tasks and providing advisors with better analytics tools.
• The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, investment firm AllianceBernstein, and even the Federal Reserve Board also appointed their own CAIOs.

There may come a day when humans are subservient to their AI overlords, but for now, advisors are using the tools to cut down time on grunt work and increase the time they spend with their clients.

Feature Image Credit: Markus Spiskevia Unsplash

By Griffin Kelly

Sourced from The Daily Upside

By Chance Townsend

Ads for the controversial gambling company are appearing on memes all across X.

As Elon Musk’s X continues its transformation into a right-wing fever dream, the platform’s dwindling population of irony-poisoned meme enjoyers has found a new reason to be annoyed: an onslaught of Stake gambling ads.

No matter where you lurk on X, it’s impossible to escape the flood of viral posts stamped with the Stake logo in the bottom right corner. Some of the biggest meme accounts, shamelessly recycling stolen content or churning out their own, have turned into walking billboards for the crypto-backed casino.

What is Stake?

Stake is an online sports betting and casino platform that lets users gamble with cryptocurrency. Founded in Australia in 2017 by Edward Craven and Bijan Tehrani, the company now operates out of Curaçao, a jurisdiction known for its lenient gaming regulations. But if you’ve heard of Stake, it’s probably not because of its product — it’s because of its relentless marketing machine.

The company has embedded itself deep in internet culture, striking lucrative deals with former Twitch stars like xQC and Adin Ross who now stream exclusively on Kick, the Stake-owned streaming platform. Beyond the gaming world, Stake is an official partner with the UFC, the main sponsor of Sauber Motorsport’s Formula One cars, and even has a deal with Drake, who’s responsible for this recent Stake ad.

In 2022, the company took its ambitions to the Premier League, slapping its name on Everton’s jerseys. That partnership didn’t last — by February 2025, according to The Athletic, Stake had pulled out of the UK entirely after the Gambling Commission launched an investigation into its advertising tactics.

The investigation was sparked by a Stake ad appearing on a video featuring English pornstar Bonnie Blue. A complaint filed with the Advertising Standards Authority argued that the placement violated UK regulations prohibiting gambling ads from being associated with “seduction” or designed to appeal to young audiences.

Why is its logo on all these memes?

First reported in late 2024 by 404 Media and Slate, Stake had struck deals with various content aggregators on X — paying them to slap its logo on all their posts. Thus, it’s created a low-effort, high-visibility advertising campaign for the crypto casino as X’s algorithm prioritizes content posted by subscribed users.

Making matters worse, Stake managed to squeeze even more free advertising out of X’s Community Notes system. Users attempting to call out the brand inadvertently boosted its visibility, as Notes explaining what Stake is — sometimes even linking directly to its website — spread across the platform.

The entire scheme appears to be a workaround for X’s own content policies, which explicitly ban undisclosed gambling ads and prohibit promotions for offshore casinos.

According to Slate, X user @FearedBuck was “ground zero” for Stake’s latest ad blitz. Once a Milwaukee Bucks fan page, the account pivoted to reposting clips from Kick, before abruptly stopping when it started drawing scrutiny for potential FTC violations. Now, meme accounts still slapping the Stake watermark on their posts have added a thin layer of plausible deniability, tacking on disclaimers like “Gamble Responsibly” or #AD.

In December, Musk took a brief stand, warning and suspending several accounts accused of manipulating the platform to push Stake ads. But the crackdown was more of a speed bump than a deterrent, as new accounts continue to surface, keeping the cycle alive.

And now, it’s getting even worse. Meme pages that first flooded X with Stake-branded content are taking their hustle cross-platform, reposting the same viral images — watermark and all — onto Instagram Reels and Facebook, spreading the crypto casino’s reach far beyond Musk’s already compromised platform.

Feature Image Credit: Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

By Chance Townsend

Currently residing in Chicago, Illinois, Chance Townsend is the General Assignments Editor at Mashable covering tech, video games, dating apps, digital culture, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master’s in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is a proud orange cat father. His writing has also appeared in PC Mag and Mother Jones. In his free time, he cooks, loves to sleep, and finds great enjoyment in Detroit sports.

Sourced from Mashable