India’s $1B Creator Economy Investment

India is making a massive push to solidify its status as a global leader in the creator economy with a $1 billion investment. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister of India, announced the monumental investment at the 2025 WAVES Summit. As per Tubefilter, the new $1 billion creator fund aims to help Indian creators scale, enhance their production quality, and expand into international markets. 

Amidst the uncertainty of TikTok’s ban, Indian creators are thriving, especially on YouTube with long-form and short-form content. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan shared at last year’s Brandcast event in Dehli that Indian creators amassed over a trillion lifetime views on Shorts alone.

Entrepreneur reports that the Indian creator economy is composed of over 4 million influencers and is estimated to reach a valuation of 33.7B rupees, or $391M USD, by 2026. With government backing, this international sector of the creator economy is poised for even greater growth, ensuring that India’s digital talent reaches audiences far beyond its borders. 

Creator-Led Good Good Golf Secures $45M Investment

Good Good Golf, one of YouTube’s biggest golf brands, just secured a $45 million investment to expand its media and commerce ventures. The funding round, led by Creator Sports Capital and backed by over 50 investors, including Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, will help the brand scale its content, retail partnerships, and live events.


Founded in 2020 by Garrett Clark and Matt Kendrick, Good Good has built a massive following with nearly 2 million YouTube subscribers and 10 million monthly views. The group’s high-energy golf challenges, often featuring PGA pros, have made the sport more accessible and engaging. Beyond YouTube, Good Good has launched an apparel line, collaborated with Dick’s Sporting Goods, and developed its own golf equipment with Topgolf Callaway Brands.


With its latest investment, Good Good plans to expand retail distribution, translate content for global audiences, and explore new media formats like podcasts. “This investment allows us to scale our media and commerce initiatives, bringing even more exciting content, products, and experiences to our rapidly expanding community,” Good Good Golf CEO Matt Kendrick shared in a statement. To learn about more trailblazing influencer-founded brands, check out our official Influencer Marketing Factory blog today!

Buffer Data Reveals Best-Performing TikTok Videos

New data from Buffer suggests that longer TikTok videos are outperforming shorter ones in both reach and watch time. While 86% of TikToks are under a minute, videos exceeding 60 seconds achieve 43.2% more reach and 63.8% higher watch time on average. Buffer reports that this shift in performance indicates that TikTok’s algorithm may be favoring longer content to keep users engaged on the platform.


Buffer’s recent analysis of 1.1 million TikToks revealed a steady increase in performance as video length grows. Videos over a minute long receive 70.3% more reach than those between 10-30 seconds, while watch time skyrockets by 175.6%. Though short-form content remains dominant, creators experimenting with longer clips may see higher engagement.


However, video quality and strong hooks remain critical to success on the favored short-form platform. While TikTok’s algorithm rewards longer watch times, only compelling, high-quality content will keep viewers engaged. For creators and brands, testing longer formats could be a strategic way to maximize exposure and retention.

YouTube’s Nationwide Creator Collective Tour

YouTube is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025 with a nationwide tour of nearly 40 Creator Collectives, bringing creators together in cities across the United States. These events, running from February to May, will offer networking opportunities and strategy sessions, with a special focus on short-form content. “Whether you’re just getting started on YouTube, building a community or feeling established and looking to expand your network, we're coming to you – wherever you call home,” YouTube shared.


Previously, YouTube engaged with creators through its YouTube Spaces, but with those closing during the pandemic, the platform has pivoted to regional events. The Creator Collectives reflect this shift, acknowledging that top creators are emerging from beyond traditional hubs like Los Angeles. Major gatherings will take place at industry events like SXSW, VidCon, and DreamCon, while additional meetups will provide direct access to YouTube’s team.


With plans to make these events a recurring series, YouTube aims to strengthen its creator community nationwide. As per YouTube’s official blog, one standout event in the Creator Collectives tour will take place in Kansas City on April 23, marking the exact 20-year anniversary of YouTube’s first video. For the complete list of Creator Collectives events and where to RSVP, check out YouTube’s blog post here.