Neal Schaffer's Top 10 Weekly News

April 19, 2025

​Monetizing Your Personal Brand In The Post-AI Era: Advanced Strategies For Modern Creators​

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In this deep-dive podcast episode, I share key insights from my UCLA Extension class on personal branding and monetization, updated with a sharp AI-driven focus. If you're ready to go beyond just brand deals and unlock new, data-backed income streams for your personal brand, this one's for you. I break down real tools, strategies, and examples to help you monetize smarter and scale faster—no matter where you're starting.

​At Monopoly Trial, Zuckerberg Redefined Social Media As Texting With Friends​

This perspective on Meta's trial update dives into a critical question: Is connecting with friends and family still the core of social media? Meta says no—it’s all about content discovery now, thanks to TikTok’s influence. But the FTC argues Meta still dominates the personal social space. With Zuckerberg admitting “the magic of friends has fallen away,” Meta’s trying to redefine social media itself to avoid monopoly claims. This moment could reshape how we all define—and use—social platforms.

​Publishers Seeing Increases In Referral Traffic From Facebook In March​

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Facebook referral traffic is making a comeback—up 74% year-over-year for major publishers, according to Similarweb. After years of suppressing political content, Meta is quietly reversing course, and it’s boosting traffic for select news sites. But don’t call it a full comeback yet—not all publishers are seeing the lift, and Meta’s algorithmic favor still feels… selective. If you're in content or media, keep an eye on this shift. It might be your moment to re-engage.

​Maximizing LinkedIn For Business Growth​

Explore and learn key strategies to leverage LinkedIn effectively, based on my latest book, Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth.​

​AI Overviews Reduce Clicks By 34.5%​

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This data-driven breakdown challenges Google's AI Overview claims—and the numbers don’t lie. After analyzing 300K keywords, researchers found a 34.5% drop in CTR for top-ranking pages when AI Overviews are present. While Google says AI links get more clicks, they’re not sharing transparent data. If your site relies on search traffic, this is a trend you can’t afford to ignore. The era of zero-click searches is here—time to rethink your SEO game.

​Instagram Now Lets You Combine Your Reels Recommendations With Friends​

Instagram just dropped “Blend,” a new invite-only Reels feed that mixes your video recommendations with a friend’s—all inside your DMs. It’s a fun way to see what kind of content your friends are into, discover fresh Reels, and get a peek at how Instagram’s algorithm really personalizes feeds. If your Reels are feeling repetitive, this could be the refresh your scroll needs—or at least a new way to laugh at your friend’s oddly specific For You vibes.

​How To Format A Blog Post With SEO And LLMs In Mind​

If you're blogging for visibility, engagement, or growth, this one’s a must-read. In this guide I wrote, I break down how to format your blog posts not just for people and Google, but also for AI-powered tools and LLMs. With clear structure, enriched content, and smart metadata, your posts won’t just look good—they’ll perform. It’s everything you need to level up your blog for today’s digital world.

​Outsmart The Algorithm.​

Hypefury automatically reposts your best posts, giving them a second life. Reach your audience in multiple time zones without any extra effort. We help you create engaging posts, maximize reach and build an income online.

​Social Media Advertising Costs In 2025: A Comprehensive Guide​

If you're unsure how much to spend—or where—on social media ads, this guide is for you. It breaks down how ad costs work across platforms, what drives pricing (think CPC vs CPM), and how to build a smart, flexible budget. With insights on ad formats, cost ranges, and pro tips for managing spend, it’s a must-read whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned marketer. Start spending smarter, not more.

​How I Prepared For A Month Of Social Media Content In One Day​

This post is such a relatable and real look at batching content for real life. Instead of chasing perfection, it shows how to build a flexible, low-pressure system that works even when life gets busy. From smart content pillars to lightweight text drafts and a mini backup library, it’s packed with practical steps you can actually stick to—especially if you’re planning travel or entering a full season. Bookmark-worthy for sure.

​15 Powerful LinkedIn Recommendation Examples That Stand Out​

This is a blog post I personally wrote to show why LinkedIn recommendations still matter—a lot. I break down what makes a strong testimonial, share 15 standout examples across roles, and offer templates and strategy tips to help you get (and give) recommendations that actually boost your visibility, credibility, and career. If you want your profile to stand out and convert, this guide is a must-read.

​7 Things I Love Most About Adobe Express​

I recently wrote this post about my role as an Adobe Express Ambassador, walking you through my 7 favorite features of this powerful yet simple design tool. Whether you're a content creator, marketer, or entrepreneur, Adobe Express makes it easy to create professional visuals without design experience. From ready-made templates to commercial-safe generative AI, this post is packed with real examples of how I use it—and how you can too.