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Latest Digital / Social Media Marketing News & Insights
Presented by Neal Schaffer
In this week's newsletter:
- What is AI Slop, and what should you be doing
- LinkedIn steps up the fight against fake engagement
- AI SEO is reshaping how marketers think about search
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Hey Reader,
I just came back from an inspiring week in Las Vegas attending the premiere conference for authors, Author Nation, and then presenting on the power of user-generated content at DigiMarCon (I"ll be speaking at DigiMarCon San Jose next week on the same topic if you live in the area!)
It was amazing to see the extent that automation and artificial intelligence were beginning to emerge in the world of book writing. Some presenters were speaking about building agents with N8N and communicating directly with Amazon and Facebook Ad APIs for their own research or custom reporting, while others were using TypingMind, Airtable, Make.com and Google Docs/Sheets to create their own automated empire.
I am still trying to discern all that I learned to present in a better way to you, but I did take advantage of TypingMind's Black Friday deal (visible when you go to their pricing page) to become a customer so that I can tap into LLM APIs directly and better organize my work with AI. I suggest you check it out as well!
Now on to this week's top news and insights!
Please note: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.
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This Week's News
LinkedIn Vows To Take More Action Against Engagement Pods LinkedIn is stepping up its fight against fake engagement—from AI comments to engagement pods that artificially inflate reach. VP of Product Gyanda Sachdeva confirmed that LinkedIn is boosting its detection systems, limiting visibility of suspicious content, and preparing to crack down on third-party automation tools. While off-platform coordination makes enforcement tricky, this move signals a stronger push for authentic interaction and fair visibility across LinkedIn feeds. Social Media Today
impact.com’s Global State Of Affiliate Marketing Report Shows Sharp Rise In Partnerships Driving Long-Term Value And Growth impact.com’s new Global State of Affiliate Marketing Report reveals a major shift in how brands are driving growth in 2025. With 74% of companies boosting affiliate budgets amid rising ad costs, marketers are betting big on long-term partnerships and influencer collaborations. The study highlights how AI, creators, and diversified partnerships are transforming affiliate strategies into sustainable, performance-driven ecosystems for smarter, more cost-effective marketing. Martech Series
What Is AI Slop? How Brands Can Overcome Sloppy Content The internet’s overflowing with “AI slop”—generic, low-effort content that leaves audiences cold. Emily Smith explains how this wave of soulless posts is fueling distrust and what brands can do to stand out. Her “Slop Test” helps marketers ask the right questions before hitting publish, focusing on originality, effort, and authenticity. In a world tired of digital spam, the cure is simple: create with humanity and purpose. Brandwatch
Should Marketers Jump Into Vibe Coding? Vibe coding is shaking up how marketers can create — fast. This article dives into how AI-powered, low-code tools are letting non-tech pros build landing pages, prototypes, and more without developers. But it’s not all smooth sailing. You’ll learn where vibe coding makes sense, where it doesn’t, and why now’s the time to experiment, not wait. If you’ve ever waited on IT to bring your idea to life, this is worth your 5 minutes. CMS Wire
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Save time, simplify, and grow faster on social media: Hootsuite is designed to help you manage social media faster, smarter, and with way less effort. See the content that brings in the most engagement and revenue and measure how you’re performing against your competitors. Plus, get personalized suggestions for how to win in your industry!
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More News
How To Generate AI Images Using ChatGPT Want to create AI images without coding or subscriptions? ChatGPT now lets you generate, edit, and even tweak existing photos using just your words. This quick guide shows you how to get started, how to refine your prompts, and even how to mask and edit image sections like a pro. It’s not always perfect, but with a little patience, you can turn ideas into visuals in minutes — no design skills required. Engadget
Traditional SEO vs AI SEO: What You Actually Need To Know AI SEO is reshaping how marketers think about search. This guide breaks down the key differences between traditional SEO and AI SEO, showing how optimization now extends beyond Google into tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity. You’ll learn how to structure content for AI extraction, track new metrics like AI mentions and citations, and balance both strategies for long-term visibility. It’s a must-read for anyone future-proofing their SEO strategy. Semrush
Posting On TikTok For 100 Days Changed Me: Here’s The System That Made It Possible Posting on TikTok for 100 straight days sounds intense — but Kachi Eloka proves it’s transformative. In this candid breakdown, she shares the simple system that helped her beat overthinking, stay consistent, and grow views by 357%. From Notion trackers to AI-assisted prep, her process shows how structure fuels creativity. If you’ve ever struggled to post consistently or feared “cringe,” this read will change how you show up online. Buffer
How To Establish Thought Leadership On YouTube If you’ve been creating YouTube content but still rely on word-of-mouth for clients, this article is your roadmap. Michael Stelzner and Amy Landino reveal a 4P framework—Problem, Package, Promise, Process—to turn your expertise into videos that build authority and trust. You’ll learn how to speak to your perfect viewer, craft irresistible titles and thumbnails, and use YouTube’s longevity to position yourself as the go-to thought leader in your niche. Social Media Examiner
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This comprehensive playbook demystifies digital marketing, offering a clear roadmap to building and growing your brand on a realistic budget.
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Top LinkedIn Live Tips For More Engagement Ready to elevate your live-streaming game on LinkedIn? I’m happy to share sharp, actionable tactics for transforming your LinkedIn Live sessions from ignored broadcasts into meaningful business conversations—starting with the right hook, technical setup, and engaging format. Dive in to learn how to capture attention within seconds, keep viewers tuned in, and build relationships that matter. Neal Schaffer
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Warm regards,
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Fractional CMO / Author / Speaker / Educator
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