Latest Digital / Social Media Marketing News & Insights

​Presented by Neal Schaffer​

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In this week's newsletter:

• Tired of the social media grind? Learn why posting every day is not the move
• OpenAI just made a big move in its race against Google
• Disney sets to make waves with $1 Billion OpenAI investment

Hey Reader,

We are all still trying to navigate the post-AI world, and from a digital marketing perspective, the biggest disruption is happening in discoverability and search.

I had my own epiphany moment when I realized a way to translate my Library of Content concept from Digital Threads to apply it to AI search.

The need for discoverability, the first "S" in my SES Framework from Digital Threads, will always exist. But how we become discoverable in LLMs requires us to not only change our tactics, but our mindset.

That is the topic of my new podcast this week, which I could have also titled "In Defense of AI Slop." Check it out and I would love to hear what you think!

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.

This Week's Podcast Episode

​AI Slop And The Long-Long-Tail: Your Biggest Missed Opportunity​

Everyone cringes when they hear the term “AI slop,” but in my latest podcast episode, I argue that it might be the key to staying seen in an AI-first world. I explain why smart, ethical AI-assisted content helps you show up for the long-long-tail questions tools now answer, and how to do it without hurting your brand. This is a fresh look at content volume that can shift how you plan your next moves.

This Week's Video

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​Stop Posting Every Day! The 4-Post Social Media Strategy (More Leads, Less Work)​

Posting every day is not the answer. In this video, I talk with Katie Brinkley about her 4-post strategy that helps you get more leads with far less work. We dig into why community beats virality, how to guide people from awareness to action, and how to cut your weekly effort by 80%. It’s a calm, clear path for anyone tired of the social media grind.

This Week's Sponsor

​Explore Hootsuite: What’s In The Dashboard?​

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.

This Week's News

OpenAI Releases GPT-5.2 After “Code Red” Google Threat Alert - OpenAI just dropped GPT-5.2, and it’s a big move in its race with Google. The model brings faster work, deeper reasoning, a huge context window, and far fewer errors. While the benchmarks look great, the real win is how it helps you get more done with less effort. It’s a strong signal of where AI-powered work is heading next. Ars Technica​

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Google Launched Its Deepest AI Research Agent Yet — On The Same Day OpenAI Dropped GPT-5.2 - Google’s new Gemini Deep Research agent shows how fast AI is moving. In this piece, This piece break down how it uses Gemini 3 Pro to pull insights from huge info sets and power the next wave of agentic AI. It’s a clear sign that search, research, and work tasks are changing fast — and staying informed now gives you a real edge. Techcrunch​

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Disney Invests $1 Billion In OpenAI, Licenses 200 Characters For AI Video App Sora - Disney just made a bold move: a $1B investment in OpenAI and a deal letting Sora create videos with 200+ Disney characters. In this blog-style recap I wrote, I highlight how this partnership shifts the fight over AI, copyright, and storytelling. It’s a huge signal that major studios now see AI as a creative force—not a threat—and the ripple effects will be big. Ars Technica​

Recommended Digital Marketing Agency (see all of my recommendations on my Clutch Digital Marketing Agency List)

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More News

Meta Expands Creator Partnership Opportunities For Brands - Meta just rolled out updates that make creator partnerships easier and more effective for brands. In this piece, I explain how new tools like the Partnership Ads Hub, fresh APIs, and smoother permissions help you find creators faster and launch campaigns with less friction. With partnership ads driving stronger results than regular ads, these changes open real doors for smarter social growth. Social Media Today​

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Home Depot Builds Bridge To Influencers With Creator Portal - Home Depot just rolled out a creator portal to team up with influencers who make home-improvement content. It gives creators a hub for ideas, brand deals, and training while tapping into the huge rise of affiliate marketing. With ties to big names and the coming World Cup, it shows how brands are leaning on creator voices to reach real customers in smart new ways. Marketing Dive​

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Feeling Behind On AI Search? How To Catch Up In 2026 - AI search is changing fast, and this guide explains why it matters and how you can stay visible. You’ll learn what GEO is, why long-tail queries drive AI answers, and how to boost your AI mentions and citations with clear, expert content. It also covers the new metrics you should track so your brand keeps showing up as search shifts in 2026 and beyond. Semrush​

Recommended Newsletters Of The Week

​Digital Threads​

This comprehensive playbook demystifies digital marketing, offering a clear roadmap to building and growing your brand on a realistic budget.

Latest From My Blog

How To Run Facebook Ads For Real Estate (Proven Strategies + Examples) - If you’re a real estate pro trying to get seen today, this blog post I wrote breaks down how to run Facebook ads that actually bring in leads, not just clicks. I walk through the rules, the best formats, and smart ways to target people who are ready to move. You’ll see how to build trust, manage costs, and plug ads into your full funnel so your pipeline stays strong. Neal Schaffer​

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15 Best SEO Agencies Helping Brands Win In Search In 2026 - Finding a great SEO partner is tough, so in this blog post I wrote, I spotlight 15 SEO agencies that truly drive real growth, not vanity wins. I explain how each one stands out, who they best serve, and how to choose the right fit for your goals. It’s a clear, honest guide to picking an SEO team you can trust for long-term success. Neal Schaffer​