Carter Edsall's Linkedin Analytics

I sat through yet another “AI for Marketers” course. All sizzle. No steak. “AI can segment this. It can automate that. It can generate anything.” It was a sales pitch masquerading as education. Nobody bothered to explain even the first step toward actual implementation. I don’t know if it’s intentional. Or just plain lazy. But we, the marketers, have hyped ourselves into a frenzy. We sing AI’s praises.
 We promise unimaginable capabilities.
 But we leave out the instruction manual. The part that helps brands, entrepreneurs, and business leaders get from “what” AI can do ... to “how” they can do it. So, I decided to tackle that missing link. With a simple framework for determining whether a use case requires: 1. DIY (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) 2. Off-the-shelf (w/ an AI-powered app) 3. Fully custom (aka: hire a developer) All AI use cases are not the same. It’s time to stop hyping and start helping. Get the full story at AI Marketer: https://lnkd.in/gTrRQuGm And while you’re there, subscribe for free.

The deeper I go into building AI Marketer, the more I notice something unsettling: The loudest stories in AI, the model drops, billion-dollar rounds, founder beefs... get all the attention. But the most important stories? They’re slipping through the cracks. The ones that actually matter to marketers. To brands. To business leaders trying to stay relevant. They’re not always flashy. Not always viral. But they’re the ones that deserve the spotlight. That’s why I’ve become obsessed with raising the questions nobody else is asking. Highlighting the stories nobody else is catching. And sharing the resources nobody else is offering. Because in the AI era, the people who thrive won’t be the ones following the crowd. They’ll be the ones thinking, creating, and building differently. That’s what AI Marketer is here for → to help those people lead. Honestly? It’s refreshing. Cutting through the noise. Staying grounded. And it’s only motivating me more. If you’re seeing gaps, issues, or conversations you think deserve more attention... I’d love to hear them. Let’s stay focused on what matters.

Marketers are all talking about AI agents. But most aren’t putting them to use. We hear about them daily—these digital teammates that will soon write our emails, create our content, handle customer service, and make all the human grunt work disappear. But where exactly are they? 👉 Agent AI I’ve been tinkering with the platform ever since HubSpot Co-Founder & CTO Dharmesh Shah casually announced his new side project last June. Is it perfect? No, but that’s not the point (with any AI tool). He’d be first to admit it. Is it a great place for marketers and other AI-curious folks to actually get their hands on agents and see what all the fuss is about? 100% Read my full review at AI Marketer: https://lnkd.in/g33k89dp And while you’re there, subscribe for free.

If you're an AI startup and not studying the dot-com bubble,
 you’re already on the wrong side of history. Sure, AI is unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed. But the unrelenting hype? We’ve seen this movie before. The late 90s was a gold rush too. Just like today’s AI craze. The startups that survived weren’t the ones making the boldest claims, blowing the most smoke, or fueling the most hype. They weren’t the ones overpromising and underdelivering. They were the ones who built trust. With customers. With investors. With the market. As audiences continue to lose patience with half-baked AI products and empty marketing claims, smart startups will take a page out of history and get back to brand building basics. And that starts with trust. This week on AI Marketer, I outline the path back to sanity with a timely history lesson for startups: https://lnkd.in/gy2BzZkF ----- Like this? You’ll love AI Marketer. ✨ JoinAIMarketer(dot)com. It’s free.

The internet exploded over ChatGPT-4o image generation. Yet, through all the debate about AI and IP colliding, I felt there was a bigger story... A story about the far-reaching, potentially devastating ways AI-generated images can be weaponized. The lawsuits and debates around intellectual property are, in a sense, a convenient decoy. Everyone’s understandably focused on that burning issue. But meanwhile, I can't help but wonder if we're entering The Golden Age of Fraud. If the worst we could do with generative AI was produce unauthorized artwork, we might count our blessings. The technology’s true capabilities have much darker potential. Consider one small anecdote: within hours of ChatGPT’s image update, users reported using the system to generate convincing sales receipts. In the blink of an eye, these fraudulent documents could be integrated into expense reports or insurance claims. That’s not just a neat party trick. It’s a massive liability for businesses and taxpayers alike. What would happen if this spread half as quickly as Ghibli-fication? Maybe it already has. And that’s just one way generative AI is making it easier than ever to fake, forge, fool, falsify, and fabricate. Where is this headed? Get the whole story at AI Marketer: https://lnkd.in/gc87BP5C And chime in with your thoughts. ----- Like this? You’ll love AI Marketer. ✨ Subscribe for free at JoinAIMarketer(dot)com.

The big news at Adobe Summit 2025? The creative heavyweight is stepping into the AI ring. Not just with image generation and Photoshop tricks. That’s old news. Now, its plans to define Customer Journey Orchestration in the era of AI. What exactly does this buzzword salad mean? It means Adobe has entered the "AI agent" fray, taking on Salesforce and Microsoft in the enterprise space. Adobe's new autonomous assistants are designed to handle everything from predicting user behavior to fixing website issues, creating targeted content, and optimizing marketing campaigns. A demonstration showed how an AI agent could assemble a fully personalized webpage in minutes. Fetching images, pulling product data from Adobe Experience Platform, and pushing the final design live in Experience Manager. The company is also battling the likes of Canva in the “everybody’s a designer” space with its Adobe Express offering. And fighting off legions of niche AI tools from Midjourney to Sora with its Firefly generative AI models. The hardest part of writing this new article for AI Marketer? Wrapping my head around Adobe’s sprawling ecosystem of products, platforms, and features. Is the software giant spreading itself too thin? Or is it well positioned to restore its dominance? Here’s my take: https://lnkd.in/g4TsmHC5 What’s yours? ----- Like this? You’ll love AI Marketer. ✨ Subscribe for free at JoinAIMarketer(dot)com.

While most marketers were fawning over the latest ChatGPT update, Google quietly dropped a bombshell last week. At 2025 Search Central Live in Madrid, John Mueller (Senior Search Analyst and Search Relations team lead at Google) revealed that web pages created primarily with generative AI tools risk being tagged as “lowest quality” by the company’s quality raters. Raters? Quality? Lemme explain... Every so often, Google updates its “Search Quality Rater Guidelines,” a lengthy rulebook used by around 16,000 contract workers known as quality raters. These raters evaluate search results and provide feedback to Google on how to improve them. Although Google frequently reminds us that its raters don’t directly impact rankings, their evaluations do influence how the broader search algorithms evolve. And the most recent guidelines update (January) explicitly directs raters to classify pages made by AI as “lowest quality” if the main content shows the hallmarks of automation without sufficient human oversight or originality. This means third-party Google contractors are in charge of deciding how much AI is behind your content. And how little originality. This filters back into Google’s algorithms to “improve” the search experience, theoretically keeping AI slop out of SERPs. Sounds harmless. Unless you’re leveraging AI for content and your traffic starts to drop. In fact, raters could be lumping your content into the same "lowest quality" bucket as websites deemed “untrustworthy, deceptive, harmful, or otherwise highly undesirable.” Is Google’s campaign against low-effort AI content fueled by a genuine desire to improve search? Or are there ulterior motives at work? And, is there anything you can do about it? Get the full story at AI Marketer: https://lnkd.in/gahEF4Yu And while you’re there, subscribe for free. ✨

Journalists don't publish content without fact-checking.
 Marketers, on the other hand? We’ve got deadlines. Client demands. 
 And now, AI that spits out instant copy. That’s where things are getting dangerous. What if your “original” article isn’t so original after all? How will you spot inaccuracies? Or hallucinations? If we really want to act like publishers, we need to adopt their rigor. With a thorough process that ensures integrity and protects the trust we’re trying to build with our audiences. Sound like more work?
 It is. But it’s a lot easier with a simple framework: https://lnkd.in/gbCmeVSa ----- Like this? You’ll love AI Marketer. ✨ Subscribe for free at JoinAIMarketer(dot)com

Marketers aren’t just fueling the AI hype. They’re driving it. But shouting about what AI can do easy. The hard part? Showing people HOW to do it. There’s no shortage of AI use cases for brands of all sizes. Yet most can’t get past these 3 questions: - Can I do this with ChatGPT? - Is there an app for that? - Or do I need to hire a developer? Answering these is the first step to implementation. It’s how to get from: “AI can predict who will buy next.” “AI can create personalized experiences” “AI can optimize our ad campaigns” To actual results. But for all of our hype, marketers have become the barrier to adoption. In our rush to tout the wonders of AI, we’ve managed to omit a simple instruction manual. So, I wrote one on AI Marketer: https://lnkd.in/gTrRQuGm

 A simple 3-part mental model to help you find the right path to implementation with less second-guessing and fewer false starts. Take a peek and let me know what you think. And while you’re there, subscribe for free.

I sympathize with Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki and artists around the world who are watching their life’s work become an AI party trick. It’s a messy situation. It’s morally fraught. Legally complex. The courts will spend years parsing out copyright and trademark disputes that spin out of generative AI. Still, there’s a distinction to be made between creators struggling to safeguard personal expression and global brands whose influence grows whenever people talk about them, even if that talk is sparked by an AI tool. In other words, brands need to embrace AI as a copycat medium. History suggests those who try to stand in the way of new creative technology soon find themselves out of tune with the cultural zeitgeist. We saw it play out with the music industry. - In the 80’s, hip hop artists stole beats from funk and soul classics. - In the 90’s file sharing sent record labels into a tizzy. - In the 2000s an entirely new model was born. Most responded with fierce opposition. But a few saw golden opportunity. Today, smart brands see it happening all over again. - Coca-Cola encouraged fans to create UGC with iconic Coke images. - Marvel shared and retweeted fan-made mashups of its characters. - Adobe challenged fans to remix movie posters with its AI tools. Lawyers may be squirming, but these brands are actively unlocking new forms of fan engagement. They know the future is here. Whether we like it or not. As a creative, I don’t want to see Studio Ghibli images cheapened by AI. But as a marketer, I do want to see brands recognize the difference and get on board. It’s a fascinating debate no matter how you slice it. Get the full story at AI Marketer: https://lnkd.in/g2bCz8vS Where do you stand? ----- Like this? You’ll love AI Marketer. ✨ Subscribe for free at JoinAIMarketer(dot)com

It's a question on every marketer's mind, but a conversation most are avoiding. Should they be fully transparent about using AI for content and other work? Or will clients see the wizard behind the curtain and ask: “Why are we paying you so much if a machine can do this?” It’s a touchy subject. But it shouldn’t be. At all. Clients aren’t stupid. They've experimented with the same AI tools. They've generated headlines, drafted emails, cranked out a blog post. What clients may not fully grasp, however... is that raw AI output is not a polished, final product. The best marketers and agencies aren't just spitting out AI generated content. They are crafting it. With skill, nuance, and value. And if we don’t address that distinction, clients will come to their own conclusions. Don't be afraid to pull back the curtain. ----- Go deeper with the full story on AI Marketer: https://lnkd.in/gknPqQBV While you’re there, subscribe for free and get a weekly perspective on AI and marketing you won’t find anywhere else.

The winners in the AI era won’t just keep up with the news. They’ll read between the headlines. They’ll understand how the technology is evolving. They’ll know why the rivalries are so heated. They’ll separate the hype from the substance. Because they have something few others do... Context. Want some? Read Genius Makers by Cade Metz. It’s the fascinating backstory of AI that reads like an international spy novel. But it’s more than a behind-the-scenes tech drama. It’s the ultimate primer for marketers and brand leaders looking to join the conversations happening all around them today. And it’s a historical perspective that will bring tomorrow’s developments into sharp focus. In other words, read it and you’ll understand more about AI than most folks. And that’s a major advantage. For a sneak peek, you can read my full review at AI Marketer: https://lnkd.in/g2e8PAaf And while you’re there, subscribe for free.

Marketers love to boast about “thinking like publishers.” But few embrace the serious editorial standards real publishers live by. It’s easy to understand why: Content marketing thrives on speed and volume. White papers, blog posts, social updates, newsletters. The more, the better. But as technology accelerates, old-fashioned cut-and-paste plagiarism is being overshadowed by a more insidious form of duplication, enabled by the same AI tools that deliver efficiency and productivity. What constitutes plagiarism with AI-generated content? Who’s already involved in major legal tangles? Are small agencies and freelance marketers at risk? I tackle these questions and more in my latest piece on AI Marketer, along with a blueprint for survival in these uncharted waters. Check it out and let me know what you think: https://lnkd.in/gbCmeVSa And while you’re there, subscribe to AI Marketer for free. ✨ JoinAIMarketer(dot)com ✨

AI video avatars and digital clones have taken a massive leap forward. But I’ve got questions: Are they convincing enough that viewers can’t tell they’re not real? If they do look off, do we even care? If they’re 99% believable, will that final 1% be all anyone notices? Those questions led me to examine multiple AI avatar providers—Synthesia, HeyGen, D-ID, Lemon Slice, and more. But the goal isn’t to publish another affiliate-laden list. The goal is to create my digital clone and save tons of time on video. That is, if it’s not creepy. I picked the most promising tool and set to work. Here’s what happened: https://lnkd.in/eTpjaczw ----- Like this? You’ll love AI Marketer. Subscribe for free at JoinAIMarketer(dot)com.

Tech? Finance? Engineering? All male-dominated. But marketing? It's a space where women thrive. Women have climbed the ranks to hold 60% of marketing jobs in North America and more than half of Fortune 500 CMO roles. They don’t just have a seat at the table—they are often at the head. Could that be changing as AI reshapes the marketing industry? Look at the major voices driving AI’s future. ↓ ↓ ↓ Sam, Elon, Jensen, Demis, Dario, Yann, Andrej, Ilya, Mark. Look at the shifting skills. ↓ ↓ ↓ Data science, AI engineering, MarTech. Women hold far fewer positions in these areas. Look at the uphill battle. ↓ ↓ ↓ Biased training data guides everything from text and image output to AI-driven hiring systems and performance reviews. It’s a topic that should be on every marketer’s mind. So I published this article on AI Marketer to get the conversation going: https://lnkd.in/gjfKHuzn Would love your thoughts.

Self-confidence comes from mastery.
 Not the other way around. I heard that line from author Susan Cain on Lenny's Podcast last week. It was in reference to the power of introverts. But it instantly made me think of AI. Right now, countless professionals are grappling with self-doubt when it comes to AI.
 They hesitate in meetings, feel behind the curve, and quietly wonder if they’re being left behind. But we're all in the same boat. There's no "fake it until you make it" with AI. Confidence comes after you roll up your sleeves. After you try. After you build a little muscle memory. So if you’re feeling like a newbie, here’s what I’ve learned:
 Just pick one use case. One tool. One article or video.
 Start there. As I build AI Marketer, my mission is to support exactly that journey. Demystifying the noise, ignoring the hype, and helping people move from passive observers to confident creators​. That line reminded me how important it is to meet people where they are.
 Because the future of marketing isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about being willing to learn. Where are you on the journey? ----- Like this? You’ll love AI Marketer. Subscribe for free at JoinAIMarketer(dot)com.

AI is already bulldozing marketing agencies. But some are immune. In a few corners of the industry, AI is opening up new possibilities and fueling growth. Beneath the lost retainers and frantic pivots, one constant remains... Agencies that deliver real value still have a future. A bright one at that. The challenge, however, lies in uncovering new forms of value creation. Agency leaders who are ready to navigate the AI reckoning would be wise to examine the value they provide. Value that is demonstrable, unique, and expensive to replicate. Value clients will pay for. How? In a future where clients have access to the same AI tools, four pillars of value creation will stand out for agencies determined to remain indispensable. Get the full story on AI Marketer: https://lnkd.in/eXVPXAff And while you're there, subscribe for free.

If you’re old enough to remember Napster and Limewire, generative AI is feeling a lot like those early days of pirated music. It’s the Wild West. Content is fast, cheap, and easy. But is it free? Somewhere out there, the other shoe is starting to drop ... and the plagiarism police are already sniffing around. Maybe not outside your door. Yet. But there are massive lawsuits underway. And a whole lot of grey area to be figured out. I dig into the current landscape of AI, IP, copyright infringement, and straight up content theft in a new piece this week. If you’re a marketer or brand leader ... this is for you. Also this week on AI Marketer, I offer a framework for getting beyond ‘what’ AI can do and ‘how’ to actually get the implementation train moving. And, Adobe makes AI headlines. Is it a last ditch cry for help? Or a bold entry into the AI fray? If you’ve read this far, you might as well head over to JoinAIMarketer(dot)com and get in on the conversation. And while you’re there, subscribe to the The Download – a free roundup of the week’s articles delivered every Sunday. See you there. ✨

You can use ChatGPT right out of the box. Like everyone else. It’ll write your emails, your social posts, your articles.
 It’ll even help with your marketing strategy and personal goals. But there’s one problem:
 It agrees with everything. It’s helpful.
It’s polite.
 And it’s painfully vanilla. You’ll get nice answers.
 Which lead to safe decisions.
 Which produce forgettable results. So I made a change. I turned ChatGPT into a challenger. A tough-love mentor.
 A critical thinker that pushes back, asks hard questions, and calls out bad ideas. The result? ⚡ Sharper strategy
 ⚡ Clearer thinking
 ⚡ Content that actually differentiates It’s not about being edgy for the sake of it.
 It’s about building something that actually makes you better. How I did it and why it works: https://lnkd.in/eXuc8U9S ----- Like this? You’ll love AI Marketer. ✨ Subscribe for free at JoinAIMarketer(dot)com.

Great reminder to challenge what you see out there today... Perception ≠ Reality