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Amazon’s Deal with The New York Times, Instagram’s New Photo Format, and Bluesky Battles X for Influencers

by Colling Media - June 05, 2025

Amazon’s Deal with The New York Times

Amazon just inked a deal to license content from the New York Times for its AI platforms. As major tech companies compete for trusted content to train large language models, Amazon is signaling that quality journalism will be core to its AI strategy. For marketers, this underscores the growing importance of brand-safe, premium inventory, especially in a changing media landscape where content licensing could shape what consumers see and trust.

Instagram’s New Photo Format

Instagram now supports 3:4 aspect ratio photos, offering a vertical format that feels more native to mobile without occupying the full 9:16 Reels layout. This update opens the door for brands to test new creative formats that blend photo storytelling with vertical immersion. For marketers aiming to maximize thumb-stopping power, this subtle shift in layout is an invitation to rethink the visual hierarchy of their content.

Bluesky Battles X for Influencers

Bluesky is gaining traction among news influencers, but data shows that X still dominates. Only 6% of influencers are exclusive to Bluesky, while 37% use both platforms, and nearly half remain X-only. For marketers, this signals that while diversification is emerging, X still commands scale. Staying nimble across both platforms is key as social media fragmentation continues to challenge audience targeting strategies.

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