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Social media has surpassed search, and is poised to overtake online display advertising as the No. 1 source of digital media planning and buying, according to the latest edition of a quarterly survey of U.S. advertising agencies. The survey, conducted by Strata, the agency media software and processing firm owned by Comcast, found that 69% of agency executives now consider social the "focus" of their digital ad spending -- up 32% over the past year, and now a close second behind display (71%) as the dominant digital media-buying platform in the minds of agency executives.

Word-of-mouth (WOM) recommendations from friends and family and user-generated content (UGC) are sources most trusted for information about the products people want and need, according to a new report by Nielsen. Among consumers surveyed in North America: 90% trust (completely or somewhat) the recommendations they receive from friends and family. 68% trust consumer opinions posted online. 61% trust editorial content such as newspaper articles.

It's hard to use the Internet anymore without being watched. Tracking cookies follow your every move, so advertisers can figure out what to sell you. Social networks keep you constantly signed in, in part so they can see what other websites you visit. Phone and tablet apps may be gathering information about you, including your contacts list or your camera roll.

After months of iterating on different marketing strategies, you finally find something that works. However, the moment you start to scale it, the effectiveness of your marketing grinds to a halt. Sound familiar? Welcome to the Law of Shitty Clickthroughs: Over time, all marketing strategies result in shitty clickthrough rates.

"Awkward, but not as awkward as a search for bi-coloured socks that uncovers image upon image of bi-curious tweens, which means you probably landed on the online home of American Apparel, purveyors of quality bodysuits and ads that are born to be banned. The most recent example of which happened on Wednesday, when the ASA declared the company's latest marketing to be exploitative and that it inappropriately sexualised young women."

Photoshop is a popular topic of discussion here in Fashion + Beauty, and I know that some readers grow tired of hearing about it. We should just assume that all ads and fashion spreads are altered to some degree, right?

Pepsi and Coke are among a multitude of companies buying into social media's ability to strengthen their brands. Consumers are 55% more likely to recall ads that include social-media components than non-social ads, according to a 2011 Nielsen survey.