IT General

It's lovely being a proud pet owner. What isn't quite as lovely, though, is the reality of pet hair. On the carpet. In the car. All over your furniture. Everywhere.

Indeed, anyone with a cat or dog — a "fur baby" as they're known on social media — will agree that staying on top of pet hair is a tough job. But someone's got to do it (i.e. you). So why not enlist the help of a vacuum cleaner that's specially designed to suck up pet hair? It just makes life as a pet owner that little bit easier.

Modern vacuum cleaners are so high-spec that there’s lots to get your head around. Not to mention all the different brands to consider. But choosing one is like choosing a puppy or a kitten. There's one out there that will perfectly suit you and your home, and you'll know which one you were destined to have as soon as you see it. Here’s everything you need to know to help you choose the right vacuum for pet hair.

What is a pet vacuum?

Essentially it's a regular vacuum with additional features for pet homes. These might include extra attachments, such as motorised brushes that agitate and loosen hair within carpet fibres, or advanced filtration systems to trap allergens and pet dander. Look out for HEPA or multi-level filtration systems, for instance. Other pet-specific vacuums include handheld models, designed for quick and easy spot cleaning.

Is Dyson the best vacuum brand?

Dyson is still the standard to beat when it comes to high-power, high-tech vacuums, but it’s not the only option. Which will come as a relief if you don’t want to pay Dyson prices. You’ll find some great alternatives to Dyson on this list.

Corded vs. cordless vacuums — which are the best?

The kind of power you need for a pet vacuum is traditionally found in upright corded vacuums. But cordless vacuums are getting more powerful and more high-spec all the time. It’s more a case of which vacuum best suits your needs and lifestyle.

Corded vacuums — the classic style vacuum that plugs into the wall — tend to provide more suction power and have a larger capacity. That means they’re better for larger homes and houses, and — of course — homes with pets. The downside is that they’re heavier. Dragging them around the house takes a bit more effort.

If you’re after something lighter and more portable, try a cordless vacuum instead. Cordless vacuums can clean overhead areas and reach under the furniture more easily. But with a smaller capacity, usually somewhere between 0.5 and 1 litre, they’re better suited to smaller homes and smaller pets.

What types of vacuum cleaner are available?

There are plenty of vacuum types out there, with something for everyone.

Upright vacuums — The classic vacuum. Good for covering large areas, these use motorised brushes for a deep cleaning. Even on thick carpets. The downside is they’re clunky and hard to store. Usually best suited if you have under-stairs storage.

Canister vacuums — These are good for hardwood floors and less-demanding carpets. Once again, they can be tricky to store, thanks to the combo of the canister and sometimes-cumbersome wand. But the easily manoeuvred wand and brush head makes these vacs good for curtains, blinds, and reaching under furniture.

Handheld vacuums — If you need something that’s lightweight and always-to-hand, this is a great option — though perhaps best as an additional vacuum rather than your main machine. They tend to have less power than other vacuum styles due to their compact size, but handheld vacuums are great for quick pick-ups.

Robot vacuums — A robot vacuum does the cleaning for you, while you can just sit on the sofa and catch up on Netflix. Robot vacuums use sensors, lasers, and motherboards to move around your home. They don’t have the power or capacity of traditional vacuums, but they truly are a cleaning revolution. Some can even mop.

Bag vs. bagless — which is best?

Once again this comes down to personal preference but if you want a vacuum purely for cleaning up pet hair, bagged vacuums may be better — they have a bigger capacity and also seal in dust and dirt more securely. That said, bagless vacuums dominate the market now (thanks to Dyson), so you'll find more of those below. And don't get us wrong — bagless vacs are excellent for different reasons and sometimes have advanced filtration systems to prevent dirt and hair from escaping.

What is the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair?

We’ve scoured the internet, done the research, and read the reviews to select the best vacuums for tackling pet hair. Whether you’re looking for an upright bagless model or a cordless option, we’ve got the best options to keep you and your pet living together in hair-free harmony.

These are the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair in 2025.

Haliey Welch, better known as 'Hawk Tuah' girl, continues to be followed by controversy at VidCon 2025.

During a live recording of her podcast Talk Tuah Thursday night, which she co-hosts with her friend Chelsea Bradford, Welch and guest Whitney Cummings quickly lost the attention of the crowd.

Welch is responsible for one of the biggest memes of 2024, but is also linked to one of the year's highest profile crypto scandals. In November 2024, Welch launched her own cryptocurrency $HAWK, which quickly crashed and cost investors millions. After weeks of silence, Welch finally released a statement in December of 2024 and has since released a video about the incident.

We're covering VidCon live this week: Check out our live blog and follow along.

Thursday's podcast, hosted in Spotify's Podcast Theater at VidCon 2025, started off with a rowdy crowd chanting "Hawk Tuah" as Welch, Bradford, and Cummings entered the room. As the crew sat down, Cummings seemed to step into a guest host role, driving the conversation as Welch took a backseat and fell into the role of guest.

As Cummings steered the conversation to Welch's work as a content creator, Welch said her rise to notoriety was a matter of her being "at the right place at the wrong time." As the recording got underway, the crowd remained quite boisterous, prompting Cummings to tell the crowd several times to "Shut the f*** up."

These comments dampened the energy in the room, seemingly disappointing the audience, many of whom got up and left. As the conversation veered into Cummings' raunchy comedy, including mentions of oral sex, more people shuffled out of the room.

While things seemed to temporarily settle down, Welch shared that her career dream was to get killed in a horror movie. Cummings encouraged Welch to make it happen by producing her own film. As Cummings shared her own experience in Hollywood, which involved the creation of her own sitcom, Whitney, she urged Welch and the crowd to make their own content rather than waiting for someone else to hire them.

Her speech rambled into her thoughts on Hollywood. Cummings described the industry as full of nepo babies and "nerds trying to meet hot women."

In describing her struggles as a taller woman in the entertainment industry, Cummings prompted more walkouts by describing everyone in Hollywood as a m***** or a d****.

YouTuber Jack Manifold commented on the incident on X, posting, "slurs dropped at talk tuah live tonight. so disappointed #notmyhaliey."

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As the podcast went on, things seemed to settle down as they moved into an audience Q&A.

When asked by a fan about the late 2024 launch of her cryptocurrency, which was estimated to have cost investors millions and sparked a lawsuit, Welch said, “Does this look like the face of a girl who could talk to you about crypto?” Welch said that if the crypto scam had happened to a man, then it would have gone over differently and he “probably would have been promoted.”

As the panel wrapped up, about half of the original crowd remained, with fans excitedly looking to ask Welch about her life and work.

Mashable will be live at the Anaheim Convention Center this week covering VidCon 2025. Check back in the days ahead at Mashable.com, where we’ll be talking to your favorite creators, covering the latest trends, and sharing how creators are growing their followings, their influence, and making a living online.

YouTube isn't the same website it was 20 years ago, and creators Hank Green, Rosanna Pansino, and Dr. Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper) know that better than most.

The three creators, who have been on the platform for 18, 15, and 14 years, respectively, reflected on how their process and understanding of content creation has evolved over the years during their VidCon 2025 panel "YouTube Legends: The OG Creators Who Paved the Way."

"Being an OG creator just means you're a fighter," Pansino said. "And we have fought every algorithm change, and Adpocalypse, since 2008 and continue to do so."

When they started on YouTube, no one expected that finding an audience could lead to a career, brand deals, or a book deal.

SEE ALSO: VidCon 2025 liveblog: All the latest from your favorite creators

The moderator of the panel, Kali B. (otherwise known as FunkyFrogBait), started on YouTube in 2021. "The landscape has changed so much because of that, because of the direct work that you guys have done," they said, citing the opportunities offered to successful creators these days by media institutions beyond YouTube. "You turned something that was, 'Well, of course no, you can't do that,' to 'Yes, this is the obvious next step.'"

So, what did these creators face that put them into the position of paving the way? Here's what the panelists had to say.

YouTube was more of a passion project than a career

Because YouTube launched as a platform to casually share videos, people didn’t flock to it to build careers. Lee said she posted her first blackhead extraction videos because she thought they might be interesting. Then, she discovered the pimple popping community on Reddit.

"I posted my videos there, and they loved them," she said. "And I was like, I could be their queen."

Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Green put it succinctly, saying, " When we started, there was no way to make money and there was also no status tied to it." He would later explain why that was part of the appeal: “Nobody [was] getting paid well, but everybody's together, loving it, and community, it turns out, is more important for happiness than money. I miss those days when I was making $20,000 a year with a bunch of nerds who didn’t expect that it would ever become a cultural force or phenomenon,” Green said. “But I’m also very happy that there is an opportunity for really talented people who would never be able to have creative careers, to have those careers now.”

Brand deals weren't part of the deal

Brand deals may be common these days, but there was backlash when Michelle Phan, a popular beauty creator at the time, posted one of the platform's earliest brand deals.

"People were mad at us for getting sponsors at VidCon," Green chimed in. "And I was like, 'You guys. They're paying for your tickets.'"

While sponsorships and brand partnerships are a huge part of the creator economy, once upon a time, people were even more suspicious of brand involvement than they are these days.

Pansino offered some advice for creators that shows just how much the landscape has changed: "As you are financially able, diversify. And just get as many multiple revenue streams going as possible."

Traditional media didn't understand YouTubers

Pansino recalled being perceived as "weird" back when she started YouTube. "When I started, journalists and news media and outlets — just to excuse my French — they just treated us like dog shit because we were the newest celebrity."

Pansino encountered this treatment when she was seeking her first book deal — the publishing company initially lowballed her. " I knew that book was gonna become a New York Times bestseller. I knew my analytics, and they were offering me peanuts," she said.

Green had a similar story of a company that pitched a show to him and his brother, John Green. The brothers weren't thrilled with the premise, and even less thrilled with the offer they received by email. " They sent us how much they'd pay us to host the show. And I replied to John, 'This number is missing at least one zero.' And it turned out I replied to all, and then they wrote back and they said, we can talk about that." Green declined the offer, " because if you just low-balled me an order of magnitude, I never wanna talk to you again."

These days, it's hard to imagine a world where brands don't see the value in working with digital creators. As Pansino reflected on all the barriers that no longer exist, she reminded the audience, “We took a beating to open those doors, so walk through them. And keep kicking those doors down," she said.

Mashable will be live at the Anaheim Convention Center this week, covering VidCon 2025. Check back in the days ahead at Mashable.com, where we’ll be talking to your favorite creators, covering the latest trends, and sharing how creators are growing their followings, their influence, and making a living online.

 To say Blair Imani is a content creator just brushes the surface. Imani is an activist, historian, podcaster, and author, too. She's best known for her short-form content and series Smarter in Seconds, which delivers succinct lessons on social justice and history.

At the heart of her work is activism, and in 2020, in light of the racial reckonings in the United States, Imani found her work blowing up and her follower count doubling and then tripling overnight. Now with 173.9K followers on TikTok and 859K followers on Instagram, we spoke with Blair Imani on her rise as a content creator while attending VidCon 2025.

Credit: Blair Imani / Mashable Composite As a creator, what was your experience in gaining a following? Was it one video that really took off? Or a slow and steady build?

It was basically 2020, you know, back when everyone suddenly realized overnight that racism was a big issue that we should all care about and talk about it. There were these hashtags like #sharemelanatedvoices and #shareblackvoices.

And prior to that, I had been involved in the movement for Black Lives, and I was also basically a historian who would guest lecture at different universities. I was talking about how we can effectively raise our voices, and why half the country seems to be pissed off, and why the other half seems to be apathetic.

And literally overnight, I went from having 50,000 followers to 150,000 followers the next day, 250,000 followers. And it's just this reminder that, you know, we all don't go viral overnight, but you have to kind of operate in a way where you're prepared for such an inevitability or a possibility because you have to meet that opportunity with your preparation and that's how you get success.

And that sudden increase in followers, did that change your strategy at all? Or were posting as you always were?

I think it made me take myself more seriously. And I think for a lot of us who've been involved in politics and activism, we thought, oh, you can't ever do influencing or content creation and do politics.

But that's really changed from where we were five or 10 years ago. I kind of felt pressured to be like other content creators, posting my outfits and stuff like that. And then I had to get back to my roots, which was people wanting to watch my videos 'cause they wanna learn about race, they wanna learn about gender, they wanna learn about how to be more compassionate.

And so I have to stay true to what I started doing. Sometimes you have to lean on your audience to help you be reminded of why you got started in the first place.

Absolutely, and your activism and values are at the heart of your content. How does that shape your work?

One of the things I care about the most is the combination of lived experience and expertise. So if I'm doing a video about limb differences, I wanna be working with people who have limb differences. People whose bodies might look different from normative expectations.

If I'm doing a video on Down syndrome, I wanna be featuring content creators who have Down Syndrome. And I think that's a huge part of the activism because there is the phrase from the disability rights movement, which is, "Nothing about us without us," and that really is what drives my work. I love featuring other people in my show Smarter in Seconds.

It makes the work much deeper and then it also makes the networks deeper, and then you don't feel as isolated as a content creator.

Your content handles such vast and important topics, and you're turning them into short form content. How do you manage to make them both educational and engaging at the same time?

So I have ADHD and that has been the best life hack in doing content creation because if I'm bored editing my video, I'm gonna be bored watching it. So it means having innovative hooks, it means not saying things like, "Here's some things you might wanna consider when it comes to race" and instead "Here's four things you should stop saying if you don't wanna sound racist."

You're catching people off guard and then also answering questions. So for example, after Kendrick [Lamar's] Super Bowl performance, one of the top searches on Google Trends was, "what is 40 acres and a mule?" And I was like, "Great, I have a video on Jim Crow" and I'm gonna share it and we'll talk about 40 acres and a mule and how it was this conversation about reparations in the United States.

It's taking viral pop culture moments and turning that into like hardcore history, critical race theory, and education. My goal is that you come away learning something, but you don't feel like you just attended a lecture.

Was there a moment post-2020 where you realized this is your full-time job now?

I was able to start working with this amazing agency called DBA (Digital Brand Architects), and Raina Penchansky took me under her wing and really showed me what was possible as a content creator because I had come from the non-profit world.

And so a lot of the work that you're doing is sometimes underpaid and sometimes undervalued. And so now I'm in this career field that is highly valued and highly sought after. And so I had to really change the way I was looking at business.

Working with DBA, that was the first time I had like a savings account and wasn't in credit card debt. And I was like, "Wow, I can plan for a future. I can start thinking about having kids 'cause I can afford that now." It was a big game changer. But I think that moment happened later in 2020, when I was featured by the New York Times and they wanted to do like a day in the life.

And it made me go, "Okay, well if the New York Times is interested in my day-to-day work, maybe I should take myself very seriously."

With all of the wisdom and insight you've gained in these five years, what advice do you have for creators who are just beginning their careers?

I think one of the most important things, and it's a lesson that I keep learning over and over again, is that you have to really take it seriously when you do a brand collaboration. All these brands, they know how valuable you are and sometimes they think you're more valuable than you might even realize. And so they wanna work with you, and they want you to promote different things, but you have to recognize that when you put your name on something, you're also associating yourself with that.

It's not just a check, it's also your name. It's your legacy, it's your credibility. There's tons of ways to continue living your values and to do brand collaborations and partnerships.

If you're ever under the impression that you have to do this work by yourself, you're gonna be lonely and you're not gonna grow as much. Try to find your coworkers in the space, people who are also in your niche, and collaborate with them because, they'll understand what you're going through more than anyone else, and it helps you get outta that spiral of it just being you versus the algorithm.

It's also great because when a brand works with you, then you're able to kind of collaborate and talk about [it with other creators], Asking each other are we getting paid competitively? And then that's how we start to organize, right? So that just bringing back the activism into it.

Pixar's Elio features not just one but two end-credits scenes: One serves as a sweet button to the whole film, and the other teases what's to come in Pixar's next feature, Hoppers. Let's break them down.

SEE ALSO: 'Elio' review: Pixar's cosmic tale of friendship will cure your loneliness

The film centers on 11-year-old orphan Elio Solís (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), whose greatest dreams come true when he's abducted by aliens. He finds himself in the Communiverse, a group of the universe's greatest alien minds, all of whom believe he's Earth's leader.

By the end of the film, Elio makes a fast friend in alien Glordon (voiced by Remy Edgerly). He also gets an offer to be Earth's ambassador to the Communiverse, even though his fellow ambassadors know he lied. However, Elio realizes that his place is on Earth with his Aunt Olga (voiced by Zoe Saldaña).

However, as the mid-credits scene shows, Elio hasn't totally lost contact with his alien friends. The mid-credits sequence shows Elio and his new (human) friend Bryce (voiced by Dylan Gilmer) fiddling with their ham radios on the beach. Elio is wearing Masters of Ham gear, suggesting he's found even more friends in the ham radio community. As he and Bryce work with the radios, they manage to contact Glordon, proving his and Elio's friendship is alive and well.

Elio's end-credits scene teases 2026's Hoppers. Credit: Pixar

Far later, at the very, very end of the credits, Pixar gives us an end tag that hints at its next movie, Hoppers. In this end tag, a lizard repeatedly types a lizard emoji into a phone, with a text-to-speech reader saying "lizard" with each push of a button. So, how does this texting lizard tie into Pixar's next film?

In Hoppers, scientists have found a way to "hop" their consciousnesses into lifelike animal bodies in order to communicate with animals. Animal lover Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda) decides to use this technology to hop into a beaver body and try to get animals to help stop Mayor Jerry's (voiced by Jon Hamm) environmentally destructive construction project.

"It's kind of like Avatar, but cuter," Pixar's chief creative officer Pete Docter told journalists at a June 5 presentation in New York City.

During the presentation, Docter also screened footage of Hoppers, which featured a scene where Mabel and the Elio end tag's lizard try to communicate with Mayor Jerry using text-to-speech. Looks like we can expect a lot more animal emojis in Hoppers.

Elio is now in theaters. Hoppers hits theaters March 6, 2026.

Scripting isn't always the best way to create a video, but if you're working as a full-time content creator, it can keep you on topic, on track, and make your videos flow that much better.

At VidCon 2025, four experts — digital media executive Filup Molina who produced MrBeast’s Beast Olympics, Sambucha, a YouTuber with nearly 10 million subscribers, actress and content creator Shuang Hu, and animator VivziePop who has more than 10 million subscribers — sat on the panel "Write, Create, Captivate: Script Writing Fundamentals for Creators" and gave the audience a curious variety of insights into how they plan out their videos.

VivziePop, Shuang Hu, Sambucha, and Filup Molina Credit: Mashable / VidCon 2025

Before even getting started on a script, think about who your audience is and who your characters are, Molina recommends. For instance, VivziePop picks out strong character beats before starting an episode or show, but says she writes the episodic scripts for her shows years in advance, because, of course, "animation takes a long time." Sambucha tries to ensure all of his work has a broad enough audience that he (a 29-year-old man), his fiancé (a mid-20s Asian woman), and his friend (a white guy in his 60s) enjoy the content. And Hu says she starts with a punchline and works backwards — all while writing for her childhood self.

"The ideas for their content [are] based in curiosity," Molina said, noting a trend at VidCon in general — curiosity is king when it comes to content.

As far as hooks go, Sambucha says you only have three seconds to get people interested in your video — and, ultimately, you have to lead with high stakes. One way to do that, Molina says, is to restate the title of your video as soon as possible. "It's an easy shortcut to that hook," he said, adding that he front-loads his shows with the best content.

"You have to say something, do something, or write something in the first three seconds that the audience needs answered in order to feel complete," Hu said. "If it's an interesting enough question, the audience will stay to find out why."

VivziePop hooks her viewers with different tools depending on the vibe of the episode, so she'll often set it up with a scene that teases the rest of the episode. "There's no one way, that I've found, to do it," she said.

Finally, the script writing begins. Hu said she follows a classic process. She starts with the hook, then adds in the setup, which answers the who, what, when, where, and how of her story. Then she hits the escalation, followed by the twist, or something unexpected, and it all ends with a payoff.

The panel took a look at screenwriting from a more obscure perspective, but if you're looking for something more specific, multiple fans and creators in the audience recommended "Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need," a book on screenwriting by Blake Snyder, which provides readers with line-by-line tactics for writing a script.

Mashable will be live at the Anaheim Convention Center this week, covering VidCon 2025. Check back in the days ahead at Mashable.com, where we’ll be talking to your favorite creators, covering the latest trends, and sharing how creators are growing their followings, their influence, and making a living online.

I've got some good news and some bad news about 28 Years Later.

The good news: 28 Years Later is a rip-roaring beast of a movie, part stress-inducing nightmare, part searing examination of toxic masculinity's persistence in the apocalypse, and part hopeful look toward the future. The bad news: Oscar winner Cillian Murphy, who played bike courier-turned-survivor Jim in 28 Days Later, is nowhere to be found. (He is an executive producer, though, reuniting with director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland for the first time since 2007's Sunshine.)

Featured Video For You Say More: Danny Boyle reveals the tech and origins of '28 Years Later's most shocking moments

Granted, that news isn't that bad when the rest of the film — and performances from Alfie Williams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes — is so damn great. But the lack of Murphy may come as a surprise to some, given that Sony Motion Pictures Group CEO and chairman Tom Rothman told Deadline in a 2024 interview that Murphy would be returning.

"Yes [he will be back], but in a surprising way and in a way that grows, let me put it that way," Rothman said.

(Upon the release of the film's first trailer, fans even speculated that an emaciated infected figure shown in the footage was none other than Jim's corpse. That is not the case: The Guardian reported the role was being played by art dealer Angus Neill.)

SEE ALSO: Review: '28 Years Later' is a triumphant return, one of the scariest films of the year

However, in Jan. 2025, 28 Years Later producer Andrew Macdonald told Empire that Murphy would not be appearing in 28 Years Later.

"He is not in the first film, but I’m hoping there will be some Jim somewhere along the line," Macdonald said.

That "somewhere along the line" is coming sooner rather than later, as Boyle has already confirmed that Murphy will be returning in 28 Years Later's sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels), 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has already been shot and is set for a Jan. 16, 2026, release. It's the second in a planned 28 Years Later trilogy.

Of Murphy's involvement in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Boyle told IGN: "He is in the second one. I shouldn't give away too much. I'll get killed."

Obviously, that means Jim's future is under wraps. Will he cross paths with young Spike (Williams), or Teletubby-loving gang leader Jimmy (Jack O'Connell)? More importantly, will I be able to keep the film's various Jims and Jimmies straight in my head? We'll have until 2026 to find out.

28 Years Later is now in theaters.

With 28 Years Later, director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland are not only picking up the zombie-focused franchise they began in 2002 with 28 Days Later; they're also charting a spinoff trilogy focused on the family introduced in their latest gnarly thriller. But there's more to family than blood, which the climactic finale makes clear and concerning.

If you've watched 28 Years Later and are wondering what's up with the ending and what it can tell us about Boyle and Garland's plans for the sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, we're here for you.

Below, we'll dig into the hidden details of the 28 Years Later finale, including spoilers and details from Mashable's Say More's interview with Danny Boyle.

Featured Video For You Say More: Danny Boyle reveals the tech and origins of '28 Years Later's most shocking moments

So, let's begin with the big question:

Who is Jimmy in 28 Years Later? Jimmy and his sisters are warned to stay in the room in "28 Years Later." Credit: Screenshot: YouTube

There's more layers to this answer than you might expect. On the top level: Jimmy is the name of the boy who appears in the film's gruesome beginning. In the early days of the Rage Virus outbreak, a room full of blonde children sit watching Teletubbies on TV, while the sounds of adults shouting and violent smashing can be heard through the wooden door of a cozy living room. Jimmy is the only one we know makes it out alive.

After his mother is attacked, she demands that he run. And he does — to a nearby church where a pastor kneels in prayer. Jimmy calls him "Dad" and says his mom has been attacked. But his father disagrees, telling the boy that this is God's plan. "This is a glorious day," the father proclaims, "A day of judgement!" Then, he gives Jimmy a golden crucifix necklace, saying, "My son, keep this with you always. Have faith!"

SEE ALSO: Review: '28 Years Later' is a triumphant return, one of the scariest films of the year

The infected storm the church and attack the pastor, who relishes joining their ranks. But young Jimmy hides, clutching the gold crucifix necklace. As the rampaging horde leaves, the boy shivers and says, "Father, why have you forsaken me?" A message that might speak to God the Father in the Christian faith or to his own father, who chose the horde of undead over protecting his son.

From there the movie leaps to "28 years later" — and you might look for Jimmy, even wondering if Spike's dad is the boy from the beginning. But his name is Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson).

By the end of 28 Years Later, 12-year-old Spike is on his own, like Jimmy was 28 years before. And just when Spike needs someone to save him from the rampaging infected, they meet, Jimmy introducing himself by name.

The movie lingers on this Jimmy (Sinners' chilling and beguiling Jack O'Connell), his blond hair, the gold crucifix hanging upside down from his neck. All of this suggests this is the boy from the opening, all grown up. And he's clearly a leader, as he drips in gold jewelry (necklaces and rings on every finger), regarding the others like members of his court as he wears a glittery tiara as a crown.

But what else can we glean from this scene?

Jimmy is a dangerous cult leader. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams go hunting in "28 Years Later." Credit: Sony

The first clue that Jimmy is the head of a cult is that he's flanked by followers who dress like him. They all have longish blonde hair. They all wear velour track suits. And, if you look at the credits, they are all called Jimmy.

While O'Connell is credited as as just "Jimmy," his gang is credited as Jimmy Ink, Jimmy Jones, Jimmy Snake, Jimmy Shite, and Jimmy Fox. Further bolstering that Jimmy is a crucial figure in this movie and its already-shot sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is that even the characters in the first scene are credited in connection to him: "Jimmy's mom," "Jimmy's dad," and "Jimmy's sisters."

Jimmy's name appears in other places across Spike's journey ahead of their meeting. On his first day on the mainland, Spike and his dad come across an abandoned house, where an infected man has been hung upside down from the ceiling. His hands are bound behind his back. His head has a plastic bag tied around it, filled with pooled blood. Spike is shocked by the scene, and his dad explains this is "maybe a punishment. Maybe a warning." On the man's torso, spelled downward vertically, five letters are carved into the flesh: J I M M Y.

Later, as Spike leads his mother (Jodie Comer) deeper into the mainland in search of Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), they walk past a house with graffiti that includes the name "Jimmy." Both these things suggest that Jimmy's reach is wide on the mainland. And he's used it to create a cult that seems a slap in the face to his father's religion.

He not only wears his crucifix upside down (a symbol sometimes considered Satanic), but also the corpse bearing his name was hung upside down. And in that final fight scene, one of the Jimmys leaves an infected dangling the same way. None of this suggests that Jimmy's kingdom is as wholesome as his core inspiration.

What do the Teletubbies mean in 28 Years Later? TV showing the Teletubbies is splattered with blood in "28 Years Later." Credit: Screenshot: YouTube

As teased in the trailer, the iconic British children's series makes its appearance in the film's opening. It serves the initial purpose of establishing that this scene is set in 2002, when the show was hugely popular, and when the Rage Virus first took hold. Perhaps Boyle and Garland were also amused at juxtaposing such violent imagery against the weirdly cheerful series, where the sun is literally the face of a giggling baby. But Dipsy, Laa-Laa, Tinky-Winky, and Po have a bigger meaning within the movie.

In the ending, adult Jimmy is wearing a tracksuit that at a glance looks black. But as the sun shines on it, you can see it's actually purple. His fellow Jimmys wear similar athleisure wear in the colors red, yellow, and green. They are wearing the colors of the Teletubbies in soft fabrics that suggest the touch of their branded toys.

Whether Jimmy intended to or not, he's memorialized that moment of childhood trauma, surrounded by his blonde sisters watching the Teletubbies. He's made himself Tinky-Winky, building his new family with his own Dipsy, Laa-Laa, Po, and — whoever the Jimmy in blue is emulating.

To hammer home the connection, the slamming soundtrack by Young Fathers pays homage to the Teletubbies by scoring the Jimmys' battle against the infected to a hard rock cover of the show's theme song. It's an utterly bonkers moment of cinema, but also a callback. After all, the untouched version of the theme song opens 28 Years Later, ahead of the reveal of Jimmy and his sisters watching the show. So, 28 Years Later creates a repetition, just as the Teletubbies did in their show. And this repetition is reflected in the film's montage sequences, which compress centuries of British war, using archers and child soldiers, to express the relentlessness of history repeating.

What does Jimmy mean for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple? Alfie Williams and Ralph Fiennes hand off a skull in "28 Years Later." Credit: Sony

This already-shot sequel, directed by Nia DaCosta (The Marvels, Candyman) and written by Garland, is slated to come out next year. From the title, you might expect it'll deal more with Dr. Kelson, who in 28 Years Later built numerous structures of bone as a memento mori. ("Remember death. Remember we must die.") However, we've seen how Kelson's territory and Jimmy's are in close proximity through abandoned, dangling bodies and graffiti. So, could there be a coming conflict between these two allies of young Spike?

In an interview with Mashable's Say More, Boyle teased how Garland pitched the first two films of this emerging trilogy to him: "[Garland] said the first script is about the nature of family, and the second film's about the nature of evil."

This quote suggests Spike is in for an even more brutal journey than he's already endured. Seeking a path of his own, Spike comes across a man who was once a boy forced to do the same. But even in the brief moments we spend with Jimmy in the finale, it seems he is dangerously stunted by his childhood trauma. He's rebuilt his family like a Clockwork Orange crew, favoring eccentric costumes and relishing in grisly violence as if it's a game. It's hard to feel Spike is in safe hands.

Will his father Jamie come to find him and cross Jimmy in the process? Will Jamie and Dr. Kelson become unlikely allies as they seek to find Spike or understand the mystery of his adopted sister, Isla? Will Jimmy become a father figure that Spike turns to in his earnestness to rebel against his father's brand of masculinity? ("Father, why have you forsaken me?") Or will Garland plot something we absolutely can't predict?

We'll have to wait and see.

28 Years Later is now playing in theaters. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is slated for theatrical release on Jan. 16, 2026.

If you've just come out of 28 Years Later and have found this article, let me just say — are you OK? Deep breaths, bud.

Director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland have reunited to resurrect the zombie thriller franchise they began in 2002 with 28 Days Later. And Mashable's Shannon Connellan proclaimed this sensational sequel "a triumphant return and one of the scariest movies of the year."

So, if you're in a cold sweat, know you're not alone! But perhaps as the fog of fear and excitement subsides, you might begin wondering about the movie's ending, what it has to do with the Teletubbies, or even if this is a sequel to 28 Weeks Later at all.

Featured Video For You Say More: Danny Boyle reveals the tech and origins of '28 Years Later's most shocking moments

Let's dive into the last question with some help from Boyle himself, who was a guest on Mashable's interview podcast, Say More. He explained how this film relates to its predecessor, and how 28 Years Later is the start of its own spinoff trilogy.

Be warned: Some spoilers for 28 Years Later lie ahead.

Has the Rage Virus spread worldwide in 28 Years Later? Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams run across water in "28 Years Later." Credit: Sony

If you need a refresher on 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, we've got you covered. But broad strokes: Global spread of the virus was a rumor Jim (Cillian Murphy) heard in the first film. Then, in the second, it was confirmed with the climactic image of the infected around the Eiffel Tower. However, 28 Years Later's introduction reveals the virus has been battled back and exists solely on the island that harbors the United Kingdom's England, Wales, and Scotland. The United Kingdom was seen as a lost cause by the international community and determined to be a quarantine zone, from which no one was allowed to escape.

In 28 Years Later, 12-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams) learns from his mentor/father Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) that international patrol boats circle the island to ensure no one escapes. The lights of their ships can be spotted at night. Spike will actually meet a Navy soldier whose surveillance mission went horribly awry. His appearance, conversation, and iPhone confirms the world beyond the UK is thriving without fear of the Rage Virus. Everyone on the island — living or undead — was left for dead.

What happened to the cure proposed in 28 Weeks Later? Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes muse in "28 Years Later." Credit: Sony

Another setup from the 2007 sequel that's been dropped is the potential of a cure coming from the Harris family.

In Juan Carlos Fresnadillo's 28 Weeks Later, mum Alice (Catherine McCormack) and her son Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton) are carriers but asymptomatic, meaning they can pass on the virus but aren't rampaging zombies. Alice proves to be the source of the sequel's outbreak action. But before all infected hell breaks loose, she was floated as a source for a cure (think The Last of Us). It's possible that Andy surviving might have been how the virus was beat back internationally. Perhaps they did create a cure from his blood! But there's no mention of it in 28 Years Later.

Danny Boyle didn't take the expected path from 28 Weeks Later to 28 Years Later. Danny Boyle directs Jodie Comer in "28 Years Later." Credit: Sony

Boyle visited Mashable's studios as a guest of Say More, our interview podcast. Speaking with myself, Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko, he shared how he and Alex Garland returned to their post-apocalyptic world because they'd found an angle that excited them. But he noted it veered away from Fresnadillo's 2007 sequel, which he and Garland executive-produced but did not helm or write.

In the episode of Say More, Boyle described the ending of 28 Weeks Later, with the virus spreading wide, as "the traditional route" of such a story. "[Garland and I] sort of counterintuitively decided to do the opposite," he said of 28 Years Later. "We imagine that the EU or the UN had forced the virus back into the UK, because it was very easy landscape to blockade and quarantine, and we thought, that's the setting." 

SEE ALSO: Say More: Danny Boyle reveals the tech and origins of '28 Years Later's most shocking moments

Confining the virus back to the UK, "put a restriction" on the creative team, giving them a place to build fresh. Of Garland's approach to the script, Boyle said, "He wrote this epic story, which is across three films… It's a much bigger idea than if we'd gone large-scale [with the virus], across Europe and into Russia, or whatever people were imagining that we might do with it."

So, did Boyle and Garland dump the plotline from Fresnadillo's sequel?

Yes and no. Within the world of 28 Years Later, those events could have occurred. But they don't play a significant role in 28 Years Later — at least not yet.

Subsequent films in this branching trilogy could bring these previous threads back into the fold. As Boyle himself teased in his interview with Mashable, a curious new player comes onto the scene in the finale of 28 Years Later, one who could bring a dramatic shift to the story and the fate of this family. 

From Aaron Taylor-Johnson to Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes, Boyle said 28 Years Later is "populated with British actors entirely — other than one guy who turns up, which I won't tell you about. It's quite well worth looking forward to that bit later on, [to see] who turns up from somewhere else." 

To uncover this mystery, see 28 Years Later and look out for our ending explainer. 

28 Years Later is now playing in theaters.

TL;DR: Live stream Saudi Arabia vs. USA in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Most fans expect USA and Saudi Arabia to progress from Group D in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, but which team will top the group? There are a number of important group-stage games in this competition, but Saudi Arabia vs. USA is arguably the biggest of the bunch.

If you want to watch Saudi Arabia vs. USA in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Saudi Arabia vs. USA?

Saudi Arabia vs. USA in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup kicks off at 9:15 p.m. ET on June 19. This fixture takes place at the Q2 Stadium.

How to watch Saudi Arabia vs. USA for free

Saudi Arabia vs. USA in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

These free live stream is not available all around the world, but fans in excluded territories can still watch this game for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Gold Cup from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Italy

4. Visit YouTube

5. Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Saudi Arabia vs. USA (plus the rest of the tournament) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for YouTube?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on YouTube, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Italy

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

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• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Throwing spaghetti at the walls and seeing what sticks can work — but it's not particularly reliable. If you're truly trying to grow as a content creator or influencer, you want to know what's working for you and what decidedly is not. That's where a good understanding of your metrics come in, according to experts who participated in the "Metrics that Matter in a Mature Creator Economy" panel at VidCon 2025.

Six experts — Ally Anderson, the director of strategy and insights for brand partnerships at LTK, Fernando Parnes, the CEO at super.fans, Gwen Miller, the senior director of growth at Mythical Entertainment, Josiah Hritsko, the director of digital strategy at Theorist Inc., Michael Lim, the director of media at acquisition.com, and Sophie Lightning Jamison, the content creator talent acquisition specialist at Cookpad — walked us through exactly which metrics creators should be paying attention to.

"There is a data-backed formula to getting views on YouTube," Hritsko said during the panel, "Metrics that Matter in a Mature Creator Economy." But you'll need to know what metrics to follow in order to avoid becoming a one-hit wonder. Here are six metrics you need to follow to ensure your success online, according to the panelists.

Discovery

The viewer relationship starts at discovery, Miller says. She says your mantra should be "connected TV," because YouTube users watch more YouTube on their TVs than they do on their phones. People watch longer on TVs, Miller said, so they'll get through more ads — and you'll get more money.

Before you change your content to optimize it for the TV, make sure you actually need to do that. Check your data to see where your viewers are watching your content by navigating to advanced move, more, and then device type. This will tell you where a majority of your audience is viewing from. You can also look at your audiences age and gender, because audiences over the age of 25 are more likely to watch on a TV.

You want to make sure your content is 4K, because that looks a lot better on a TV than lower-quality videos, and that your content is over 20 minutes long. Reframe for a larger screen, use thumbnails that have a clear focal point and not much text, and you should ensure that you have quality control on TV.

Sentiment

Parnes says you should be tracking these types of sentiments: how your audience feels about the topics you cover, how your audiences feel about you personally, and the tone and emotional stance you bring to your content. Brands look at this "to effectively determine whether or not to begin working with you in the first place."

You don't necessarily have to be positive or negative, Parnes says. The only sentiment that has to be positive is how the audience feels about you personally. There are differences, though. If you are an extremely positive channel, you're going to have much more brand and Adsense flexibility. More negative channels have more flexibility with their own audiences, but less flexibility with brands.

This matters because it defines your audience fit, your brand opportunities, leads to stable growth, and guides content strategy. You can find sentiment using specialized tools or by reading the comments and likes and dislike ratios.

Trust

"Creators are selling trust, and that trust is earned over time," Anderson said. "Consumers are engaging with creators at higher and higher rates every year."

Consumers aren't just shopping from creators, Anderson argues, but they're relying on them for decision-making. You can build trust through storytelling and, specifically, through video content.

Influence

Typically, a traditional influencer campaign will look at engagement rates and follower numbers. But Lightning Jamison argues that these metrics don't actually do enough. Views and like matter but, she says, "we can do so much better." Instead, she recommends focussing on a long-term value score, which is a combination of creator affinity index, earned media multiplier, and save-to-like ratio. People go back and watch their saved videos more often than they do their liked videos, after all.

"In today's creator economy, attention is the most valuable product, but it is not a simple nor passive metric," Lightning Jamison said. "It is dynamic, emotional, and co-created experience shaped by authenticity and community trust."

And you can measure that across all platforms.

Efficiency

It's important to make sure your metrics are actually useful because, as Lim says, pulling data has a cost — you're spending time and, sometimes, money on data gathering. So track less data, but do more with it. He recommends looking at three things.

The first is the WTFDIDWT? Spectrum: What The F Do I Do With This? When you look at data, ensure that there is something you can actually do with the data once you pull it. The second is the automation matrix, which is a matrix with "easy, not useful" at the top left, "easy useful" a the top right, "hard, not useful, at the bottom left and hard useful at the bottom right. Behavioral reinforcement is the third thing, which includes clear rituals, infrastructure and tech, and save example analyses and prompts.

Experimentation

Hritsko says the way to combat complacency is experimentation. Continuously experiment, but do it responsibly: understand performance, make a hypothesis based on data, test major variables, measure results, and repeat.

Two variables you can try testing out are audience tests and conceptual tests. Audience tests include core viewers, returning view, and new viewers. Conceptual tests can include traditional theory, modern YouTube, and match the series.

In the end, it all comes down to understanding your viewer.

Mashable will be live at the Anaheim Convention Center this week, covering VidCon 2025. Check back in the days ahead at Mashable.com, where we’ll be talking to your favorite creators, covering the latest trends, and sharing how creators are growing their followings, their influence, and making a living online.

GIFs remain one of the most popular image formats on the internet, despite their age. They're even natively integrated into most messaging apps. Now, Microsoft is testing the ability to create and export them using Windows’s native screenshot and screen recording tool.

I was tired of spending a premium to get HomeKit-certified gear and thought there must be a better way. That’s when I found Home Assistant, and it completely changed the game for me.

Jenny Solares is a runner, a home cook, and a beauty aficionado, but what makes her fans love her so much is her humor — and relatability.

"ahhhh man I thought I was watching myself," one commenter said in one of Solares' TikTok videos about how her attitude changes when she drives.

"FINALLY AN AUTHENTIC VIDEO WE CAN RELATE TO. Girl!!!! Get your miles anyway you can. You where glowing," one person commented under one of Solares's running videos.

It's that relatability that has helped her garner more than 32,000 followers on YouTube, 942,000 on Instagram, and a whopping three million on TikTok.

Mashable sat down with Solares at VidCon 2025, where she was a featured creator, to talk about how she finds inspiration for her videos, how her platform has taught her how to use your voice, and what she's done to make her channel so successful.

Where do you find inspiration for your videos? How do you not run out of ideas?

Ever since I was little, I've always had these creative juices flowing. [For instance], my song parodies. I remember taking road trips from California to Arizona a lot, and I would see road signs and I'd literally make up little songs out of those signs. I'd put a little tune to it or use a tune that already existed and then just put the words on it and my parents would be like, "Oh, gosh." 

Just in general, my family is always laughing, all the time. We're always making jokes. It really stems from using my real life experiences and my creativity to just bring [content] to life.

All of the comments on your singing videos are like, 'Your voice is so beautiful. It's so amazing. When's the album coming out?'

I like the idea of being a singer, but I like it more that I'm able to do everything I like under one umbrella. I know it sounds weird, but I'm outgoing with people that I'm close to, but when it comes to big groups, I tend to pull back a little bit. I'm a little bit shy. I do not like to be the center of attention or anything like that. So being on stage is scary to me. The fact that I can do something on my phone and still share what I share — that works out perfectly for me.

Another thing that I've noticed about your content particularly over the past couple weeks is that you use your voice to talk about what's affecting your community. A lot of creators talk about how scary that is. 

In past situations, it's been a little trickier just because maybe I'm not fully aware of the scope of the situation, or I don't know how to speak on it per se. But with something like this… My parents were immigrants and they didn't come here legally. It's fine now, but I felt compelled [to speak on it]. I just couldn't hold back. The challenging thing for me is I never want to come from a place of hate towards anyone. It's very hard to convey your message and still sound like you're coming from a place of love. And that's what I always want to put out. Really trying to figure out the tone and your words — there's always going to be somebody that's mad at you. 

I put it up and then shut my phone off for my mental health. Thankfully social media apps [can] hide the comments from [the creator].

What topics have you covered this year that have surprised or challenged you?

It's not surprising to me that I spoke about it just because, like I said, it was just like, it was like word vomit almost, you know? It was like a thing that I had to say. Look what's happening. It's not so surprising that I said something, because, even in my real life, I'll stand up for my people. I'll defend the people close to me. 

But running [content] was not on my bingo card, for sure. I am not a runner — I love fitness and I love going to the gym, but last year I tried to run and it did not happen. [Recently], I've been pretty consistent. 

What kind of feedback have you gotten?

Just a lot of encouragement and then people saying like, "oh, I started running too." And I'm like, "Oh my gosh." It's pretty awesome.

How do you engage with your community in that way? 

I am very active in my DMs, especially when I upload stories and people reply — it makes it a lot easier to communicate that way through comments. For my mental health, I'll post something and then maybe for like 30 minutes to an hour I'll reply to comments, and then I set my phone down. For the most part, it's through DMs that community is built. 

Can you walk me through your workflow?

Sometimes the idea comes to me on the spot, and I'll say, "Oh my gosh, I have to film this now." And I'll put on makeup or whatever it may be and film right on the spot. My notes app is full of pieces of an idea. Later I'm like, "Oh, okay. This is how I'm gonna bring it together." Because sometimes I'll have a part of an idea, but I don't know how I'm going to bring it to life. And then with my song parodies, sometimes I'll do it without realizing that I'm doing it and I have to write it down. 

What do you use to edit?

My phone.

What app?

I've been using CapCut and am starting to play with Edits from Instagram… CapCut is a little bit more established. But I definitely want to play with Edits more.

Do you use AI in your content creation right now?

I used to have to find images for green screen backgrounds on Google, and when I had to do sponsorships and stuff like that, it was hard. But now I'll use ChatGPT. That helps a lot.

Do you use it for idea ideation at all?

Sometimes. I'll have the idea and I just want to see how I can bring it to life. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't.

What are some of your tips for creating viral content?

It's a little tough because sometimes the videos that you expect to go viral don't, and the ones that you least expect to [go viral] do. I would say not to hold back on being yourself fully. Don't be scared to put your full personality into something. And be consistent. 

Do you remember your first video that went viral?

It was a song parody. It wasn't like millions and millions of views, but it was 500,000. I was like, "What is happening? That's huge." It was a song parody and it was during the pandemic when none of the restaurants were open and I really wanted to go out to eat. 

I was on a lunch break at my job, and I would film on my lunch break all the time. I would park in this dock where semi trucks would park. I would hide in the corner. And I was thinking of all the food that I wanted to eat. And then I made this little song.

When did you decide to quit that job and do content creation full-time?

Little by little, these bigger brands started approaching. I was at this point where I'm like, should I quit my job? Should I not quit my job? And everybody close to me said, "you're never gonna know if you don't try." 

Are those brand deals mostly how you make money on social media? Or do you use other monetization methods?

I do use other monetization. But they are my main source of income. TikTok Creator Fund; Facebook has a payment system. I do the affiliate program on Amazon. I have an LTK shop.

Mashable will be live at the Anaheim Convention Center this week, covering VidCon 2025. Check back in the days ahead at Mashable.com, where we’ll be talking to your favorite creators, covering the latest trends, and sharing how creators are growing their followings, their influence, and making a living online.

You probably haven't actually used a computer with a FireWire port in years, but it was still supported within macOS. It was the original USB killer before USB got improved on later. Now, though, FireWire is getting completely killed off, for good this time.

Finding a three-row SUV that offers space, features, and reliability without stretching your budget can be tough. But one model in 2025 delivers all that and more, making it a top pick for families who want maximum value without compromise.

VidCon has always been a crash course in internet fame. It's a place where creators trade advice, swap war stories, and figure out how to survive (and thrive) online. And this year, as algorithms shift, platforms evolve, and audiences grow ever more discerning, the creator playbook is being rewritten in real-time.

This year's VidCon schedule reveals what it actually takes to make it as a digital creator in 2025. Whether you’re just starting out or already juggling brand deals and burnout, there’s wisdom to be found at every panel, Q&A, and meet-and-greet.

SEE ALSO: VidCon 2025 liveblog: All the latest from your favorite creators

We’ve rounded up the most useful, surprising, and brutally honest takeaways from today’s VidCon sessions. From niche-building to mental health boundaries to turning content into a long-term career, these are the lessons creators are walking away with — and the tips you’ll want to bookmark, screenshot, and maybe even live by.

Curiosity is the foundation of video retention

Kai Plunk, the creator behind some of MrBeast's most popular videos, said during his masterclass "Why'd They Click Off" that strong video retention relies on understanding human psychology, solid planning before production, and using compelling visuals and sound design.

As with all the most valuable content, it seems, building a relationship with your audience is key — and you can do that through consistent posting and storytelling driven by curiosity. Retention isn't about flashiness; it's about quality.

-Christianna Silva

Not all engagement is good engagement

Todd Beaupré, senior director of growth and discovery at YouTube, shared in the "YouTube Decoded" panel exactly how the platform's algorithm makes its recommendations.

Beaupré said the algorithm uses a system of collaborative filtering that takes everything it knows about a user to rank videos that will appear on suggested feeds. In addition to user data, it pulls from users with similar watch histories to suggest new content. With this information,

Beaupré says it's important for content creators to really understand their audience because not all engagement is good engagement. Dislikes on videos do matter and can affect a video's ranking.

-Samantha Mangino

This story will be updated throughout VidCon.

Mashable will be live at the Anaheim Convention Center this week, covering VidCon 2025. Check back in the days ahead at Mashable.com, where we’ll be talking to your favorite creators, covering the latest trends, and sharing how creators are growing their followings, their influence, and making a living online.

Klarna, the finance company best known for its “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) service, now wants to be a mobile carrier. The company is rolling out 5G service in the United States, powered by AT&T’s nationwide network.

So, it happened: You've been compromised. Maybe someone used AI to impersonate you, or your Instagram account was hacked, or, scarier yet, you've been a victim of doxxing.

Digital privacy and cybersecurity should be important for everyone. But when your livelihood — both creatively and financially — is dependent upon your digital reputation and your social media accounts remaining independent and safe, it's particularly crucial that you avoid scams and prioritize your digital health and safety.

SEE ALSO: The top internet scams to be aware of in 2025 (so far) Patrick Ambron, the founder and CEO of BrandYourself.com and HelloPrivacy.com and head of privacy solutions at Array, at VidCon 2025. Credit: Mashable / VidCon 2025

"There is an unprecedented amount of information out there that makes us more vulnerable than ever before to privacy and security risk," Patrick Ambron, the founder and CEO of BrandYourself.com and HelloPrivacy.com and head of privacy solutions at Array, said at VidCon 2025.

SEE ALSO: VidCon 2025: YouTube experts decode the algorithm for you

During the panel, "Hacked: Creator Privacy & Security," Array gave a dozen tips for staying safe online in three main categories: physical protection from stalkers and doxxers, cyber hacking protection from ransomware and account takeovers, and brand reputation from deepfakes and impersonators. Here's some tips from Ambron on how to stay safe from doxxing and more online:

Physical protection: Minimize the information publicly available

1. Remove yourself from data brokers and people search sites

2. Google yourself and remove what you can

3. Scrub photos from real estate sites and Google

4. Check social media and delete any unnecessary personal information

5. Use a P.O. Box or virtual business address for fan mail and business inquiries

6. Never use personal phone or address on any material — digital or otherwise

Brand reputation: Be mindful of what you share

1. Avoid photos that reveal location clues, like license plates, house exteriors, street signs and addresses, or even landscapes and trees

2. Set Google Alerts for your name, user name, and brand phrases to monitor for deepfakes and impersonation

3. Reverse image search regularly

4. Verify all of your official accounts

Cyber hacking protection

1. Secure your most important accounts. You can do this by conducting a dark web scan, setting up two-factor authentication, use a password manager, and manage permissions for anyone with access to your accounts.

2. Use a separate email that you never share for financial accounts

3. Complete a Google Privacy check-up

4. Use an Ad-Blocker

5. Use secure platforms for browsing and searching like DuckDuckGo, Brave, or Tor.

If you are compromised or targeted, Ambron recommends notifying the platform immediately. He says you can report it quickly, use copyright or DCMA claims, leverage new laws like the Take It Down Act and warn your audience. But ultimately, Ambron says, it can be incredibly difficult to fix this once you are compromised, so taking preventative action is very important.

Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.

Mashable will be live at the Anaheim Convention Center this week, covering VidCon 2025. Check back in the days ahead at Mashable.com, where we’ll be talking to your favorite creators, covering the latest trends, and sharing how creators are growing their followings, their influence, and making a living online.

So, you're waiting on the next GPU refresh before you finally upgrade your system. I've been there too, but, over the years, I've realized that it's not always worth waiting. Sometimes, it's best to just pull the trigger now instead of waiting for the perfect time—here's why.