Hand on heart: Do you still write your blog posts yourself, or is AI doing it for you?
If you’re worried that AI-generated content ranks worse in search engines, I have good news. A recent analysis by marketing software provider Semrush of 20,000 blog URLs shows:
🖍️ AI-written content ranks almost as well as human-written content. In fact, 57 percent of AI-generated posts made it to the top 10 search results – compared to 58 percent of human-written posts.
🖍️ Surveys among online marketers confirm these findings: 64 percent report that their AI-generated content performs just as well, if not better. Only 9 percent say it performs worse.
🖍️ And what about traffic? The impact seems positive. According to respondents, 39 percent have seen an increase in traffic since they started using AI-generated content. My personal guess? The rise in traffic is likely due to the fact that companies can now produce more content, faster. More content means more reach. Only 5 percent report a decline in traffic.
What makes AI-generated content successful?
✅ Strategy first: AI is a great tool, but clear goals and a solid content strategy are essential.
✅ AI as an assistant, not an author: The best results come when AI suggestions are edited and enriched by humans. Tone, style, and emotions make the difference.
✅ SEO with intention: Smart keyword placement, optimized meta descriptions, and clear, readable content – Google and humans both love clarity.
✅ More than just words: Visual elements, internal links and punchy headlines significantly boost performance.
✅ One golden rule remains: Quality over quantity. Churning out mass-produced AI content risks creating bland, forgettable articles – something neither readers nor Google appreciate.
How to elevate AI content?
One crucial thing must not be forgotten in this AI content revolution – and this is my personal take:
It’s not just about SEO. It’s not just about summarizing information. Anyone can now reproduce existing content with tools like ChatGPT or NotebookLM.
But do you want to stand out in the sea of semi-AI-generated sameness?
Then write something personal. Something only you can write – a commentary, a personal experience, an interview with a fascinating person, or a compelling case study.
Because these will be the gold standard of content marketing in the future.
Happy weekend
Yours, Verena
🧠 Preparations for ChatGPT-5 underway
Microsoft is preparing for the launch of new AI models from OpenAI, including GPT-4.5 and GPT-5. GPT-4.5 might launch already next week, while GPT-5 is expected at the end of May. GPT-5 will integrate the o3 reasoning model, which should drastically improve the use of ChatGPT. Microsoft will host these models on its servers and is also working on the further development of its own AI chatbot Copilot. >>> The Verge
🫣 TikTok: AI instead of moderators
TikTok operator Bytedance is following Meta’s dubious model. The Chinese company is also downsizing its trust and security department and increasingly relying on AI for content moderation on TikTok. Hundreds of moderators are to be made redundant in the process. The move comes at a critical time: the US is threatening a ban and the EU is also investigating the platform for possible violations of youth protection and advertising guidelines. >>> Reuters
🍔 Burger King needs new CMO
Pat O’Toole, former CMO of Burger King, is moving to Unleashed Brands as the new Head of Marketing. After two years at Burger King, where he implemented the "Reclaim the Flame" strategy, O’Toole is now taking over the marketing management for over 1,300 franchises in the area of children and youth development. Burger King must now find a new CMO to continue the initiative launched in 2023, which envisaged 400 million dollars in advertising and digital investments. >>> AdWeek
🎞️ YouTube plans "Premium Lite" subscription
YouTube is planning to launch a "Premium Lite" subscription in the USA, Australia, Germany and Thailand. The offer is to provide "mostly ad-free videos", although the exact prices are still unknown. It is positioned as a cheaper alternative to the existing Premium subscription (€12.99/month), which is completely ad-free and allows downloads. YouTube had already tested a similar model in 2021, but did not pursue it further. The relaunch could be a reaction to customer dissatisfaction following price increases. >>> Bloomberg
🔫 Amazon is now the boss of James Bond
Amazon has taken creative control of the James Bond franchise after long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepped down. This decision ends an era of over 60 years in which the Broccoli family was at the helm of 007. Amazon MGM Studios is now planning to shape the future of James Bond, which could potentially lead to new films and TV spin-offs on Amazon Prime Video. >>> Hollywood Reporter
🧑💼 DMEXCO: How the Social Selling Index works at LinkedIn
In their column in the DMEXCO blog, Maud Schock, expert in personal branding and corporate ambassadorship, and Michael Schreck, Social Data Analyst, explain how LinkedIn’s Social Selling Index (SSI) works. The SSI evaluates a user’s effectiveness in four areas: Building a professional brand, finding the right contacts, interacting with insights and building relationships. A high SSI can increase visibility and success on LinkedIn. >>> DMEXCO
🎯 Rewe and Pioneers: geo-targeting doesn’t work
In an interview with W&V, Rewe Media CEO Jan Flemming and Pioneers Managing Director Joel Koch criticise the massive shortcomings of geo-targeting. Tests showed only 10 per cent accuracy for postcode-specific advertising. Out of 100 adverts, only 3-4 were seen in the target region. The reason: mobile devices and inaccurate IP addresses. The problem affects both large and small providers. The managers are calling for a uniform measurement standard. >>> W&V (€)
👁️ New tool: How AI sees brands
Brands increasingly need to consider how AI models perceive their products as more and more people rely on AI recommendations. The "Share of Model" tool from Jellyfish analyses how different AI systems interpret a brand in order to adapt its presentation accordingly. Different AI models can convey varying impressions, which underlines the need for targeted optimisation for AI systems. This could lead to a whole new type of SEO. >>> t3n
📱 Apple relies on Munich location
Apple has unveiled its new entry-level iPhone 16e for 699 euros – 250 euros cheaper than the standard iPhone 16. One highlight is the first in-house 5G modem C1 developed in Munich, which extends battery life by four hours. The Munich Campus thus emphasises its central importance for Apple’s technology development. The 16e offers modern features such as Face ID and the latest A18 chip. >>> Apple
🗽 Smarter than Musk? Böhmermann writes in the New York Times
German TV host Jan Böhmermann reacts to Elon Musk’s AfD recommendation with a satirical piece in the New York Times. In an explanatory video, he addresses Germany’s Nazi past and warns against the AfD’s obliviousness to history. He criticises Musk’s influence on the Bundestag elections this sunday and shows a controversial gesture by the tech billionaire. Musk had previously caused a stir with his support for the right-wing populist AfD on X and in "Welt am Sonntag". >>> Horizont (€)
