Keep it real: A new creator advocacy campaign

Without creators, the internet would be a bland, untrustworthy, homogenous place. It certainly wouldn’t be a source of inspiration or creativity—after all, who wants design ideas from a robot that’s never been in a real room, or a birthday cake recipe generated by something that doesn’t have taste buds? 

If Big Tech continues to implement AI without regulation or regard for creators, that could be the future of the internet.

But it doesn’t have to be.

In the first half of 2024, we’ve been advocating on behalf of content creators: speaking in Congress, exploring legal avenues, talking to Google, and amplifying creator and publisher stories in the press and at key events such as the Axios AI+ Summit and Independents’ Day. 

Today, we’re kicking off the next phase in creator advocacy to raise awareness about the pivotal role creators play in keeping the internet human. 

We’re supporting Keep it Real, a new creator-led campaign, to amplify an important message: creators are the heartbeat of the internet. As AI evolves, creator livelihoods and the future of the internet are at risk. By keeping it real, we support a diverse, open, human-centered internet where creators can thrive.

Launch day

For us, the best part of the internet has always been and will always be you: the creators who built the internet and continue to make it something we rely on every day. We come to your websites for your expertise, humor, insights, and honesty, knowing that your content helps make our lives better in so many ways. 

We’ll be collating creator stories in a new website—check it out for stories from your favorite creators, along with details on how to submit your own story! We’ll add new stories over time for an ongoing chronicle of how creators like you are keeping the internet real.

We’re also celebrating the launch of Keep it Real with an event in NYC, featuring a creator panel and an insightful discussion with top advertisers. You can view the event livestream here, and we’ll share a recording afterwards.

Get involved

As part of the launch, we hope that hundreds of creators will share their stories across their social channels to help people understand what’s at stake. That means you, too! We’d love to see creators from across the internet telling their stories—how you got started, the impact your business has on your readers, and how tech companies’ irresponsible use of AI threatens to harm creators and the open internet. 

 Here’s how you can help spread the message:

• Share your story on social media with the hashtag #keepitreal
• Tag @weareraptive so we can amplify your posts
• Use our customized giphy stickers and creative assets
• Encourage your audience to spread the message
• Re-share your favorite creator stories on social media
• Sign the open letter to show your support
• Read The Raptive Report for a data-rich look at how creators built the internet and where things stand today 

AI is here to stay, and we believe it can be an incredible tool for efficiency and innovation—but not at the cost of small businesses and human connection. We hope you’ll join us in letting big tech know that we all want the same thing: let’s keep it real. 

The creator manifesto

We are the creators, the entrepreneurs, the humans who built the best part of the internet. 

We create millions of jobs and inspire billions of people.

Our content helps people navigate their daily lives. 

Now, big tech companies are using our content without permission or compensation to build AI tools that compete with us. 

Help us keep the internet a place that values human creativity and trust.

Let’s keep it real.