đź‘» Snapchat Fails Black Creators

CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER


Since the Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020, many platforms have pledged to support Black creators through dedicated funds and incubator programs. The creator economy, like many other industries, has been facing an ongoing reckoning over the racial biases impacting Black creators. Still, platforms are far from resolving their issues with inequity. TikTok, in particular, has come under fire for allegedly suppressing Black creators and Black Lives Matter-related content. Additionally, Black creators held a strike last July over the lack of recognition and compensation they receive for launching trends on the platform.  

Amid the backlash against TikTok, Black creators represented by Diversifi Talent say they were approached by Snapchat, which said the company wanted to provide resources and support to Black creators. Prasuna Chekru, influencer manager at Diversifi Talent, told Passionfruit contributor Charlotte Colombo that she and the creators came to Snapchat representatives with ideas for doing this, including insight on how TikTok’s moderation system disproportionately penalizes Black creators. Instead of taking their suggestions, they claim that Snapchat’s solution for support was to simply grant the influencers verification—and, therefore, monetization opportunities. 

The creators say their partnership with Snapchat started off well. However, they say the platform soon replicated the same community guidelines issues they had experienced on TikTok, leading to a loss of verification and income. In her report, Charlotte Colombo spoke with the creators about their experiences with Snapchat and how its display of support felt “performative.”


THE HIGHLIGHT

Black creators say Snapchat unfairly revoked their verification status after promising to support them

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that only the Black creators from my roster had their Snap Stars taken away.”

By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor

Snapchat Fails Black Creators

SEEKING A TREND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD

Creator Clash

Creator Clash takes the cash-grabbing and clout-chasing out of influencer boxing

The event was a night full of odd pairings between newbies duking it out for charity.

By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor


FROM THE INSIDE

Anthony Zaccaria

Linktree co-founder Anthony Zaccaria shares how creators can optimize their link-in-bio

“When you think back to why we created it, there’s got to be a better way to simplify this fragmentation.”

By Grace Stanley, Passionfruit Reporter


TIPS AND TRICKS

Tati Mitch

From cooking to “extra” reaction videos, TikToker Tati Mitch discusses the challenges of staying on top of trends

“Make your supporters feel like they are your friends.”

By Grace Stanley, Passionfruit Reporter


IN THE BIZ

  • TikTok videos teaching people how to make pipe bombs are gaining millions of views on the platform. (via Media Matters)
     
  • Linktree is integrating more Web3 tools into its link-in-bio service, including an NFT gallery function, setting up NFT profile pictures and background images, and NFT locks.
  • YouTube and TikTok creators are cashing in on the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial. (via Vice)
  • TikTok is partnering with Dazed to spotlight the platform’s “icons in the making.”
  • Link-in-bio company Koji is rolling out two email sign-up apps in its app store to help creators drive online sales.

TIKTOK MADE ME DO IT

A Doja Cat-themed treadmill workout.

Content for Creators.

News, tips, and tricks delivered to your inbox twice a week.

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • đź’« How Smosh Survived 16 Years of the Internet

    đź’« How Smosh Survived 16 Years of the Internet

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 45 | June 23, 2022 Together with: … Yesterday marked the start of VidCon, and the Passionfruit team is here to give you the rundown of what’s going on in Anaheim. After nearly three years away due to the pandemic, the conference is back, and the energy is chaotic. From legendary…

  • đź’° YouTube Drama Leads to Demonetization

    đź’° YouTube Drama Leads to Demonetization

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 44 | June 16, 2022 Creators have struggled against YouTube’s strike system and demonetization processes for years. Following the 2017 Adpocalypse, YouTube began vigilantly taking ads off of videos considered to be brand unsafe. This, coupled with a copyright strike system that can often be abused, has left creators extra cautious…

  • 🎮 Paving the Way for Black Women in Gaming

    🎮 Paving the Way for Black Women in Gaming

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 43 | June 9, 2022 Gaming is often a hostile environment for women and people of color. However, while gaming remains predominantly white and male, a recent study from NewZoo shows there is demand for more diversity in the industry and for companies to commit to curbing hate toward minority gamers.…