Daily Edition · Page 9

THE DAILY INDEX

Technology, AI, software, security, crypto and business

GENERAL

TLDR Marketing

YOUR ALGORITHM, YOUR WORDS: NEW WAYS TO SHAPE WHAT YOU SEE ON FACEBOOK

Facebook is using AI to let users shape Feed and Reels recommendations by describing their interests in their own words. Its new “Your” algorithm tool lets users add and manage topics, while expanded feedback options let them explain why they want more or less of certain content. Large language models combine this direct feedback with existing engagement signals to update recommendations in real time, including during the same session.

HOW TO SPOT AND FIX CRAPPY CASE STUDIES

B2B case studies often underperform because they document completed projects instead of telling compelling customer stories. Audit your last 3 by checking whether they explain the customer's original problem. If the stories feel interchangeable, interview a customer stakeholder for 30 mins to uncover what went wrong and what improved. 3-5 distinctive case studies can be more persuasive than 20 generic ones. Use anonymous stories when needed and repurpose them across newsletters and social media.

SHOPPING IS PART OF THE PRODUCT

AI is changing e-commerce discovery by presenting shoppers with product shortlists instead of sending them to search results. A study on AI Mode found that 74% of participants chose the top-ranked product, while only 10% chose a product ranked third or lower. The author outlines a five-stage organic growth loop: earn AI recommendations through product feeds and third-party signals, convert visitors with tools such as quizzes, encourage user-generated content through packaging and product experiences, generate repeat purchases through customer relationships, and build brand recall. Shopping infrastructure and marketing automation are increasingly table stakes, while customer relationships, creator partnerships, community, first-party data, and brand recall create longer-term advantages.

WHAT POKEMON POKOPIA TAUGHT ME ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MARKETING

Creativity comes from experimenting and adapting rather than simply generating a finished result. As AI makes content production faster, marketers risk losing the problem-solving and creative judgment that come from hands-on work. A study in 2024 found AI-assisted stories were rated as more creative but also more similar to one another. To stand out, teams should automate repetitive tasks while protecting time for play and experimentation to develop distinctive taste.

WHAT DOESN'T GET CHEAPER

AI is making websites cheap enough to build for short-term experiments and one-off events that previously weren't worth the cost. However, enterprise websites still require complex integrations. AI can automate production and support decision-making but cannot eliminate the human effort needed to align stakeholders. Generative tools also create collaboration challenges when multiple companies need to edit the same work. As production costs fall, experimentation will expand while complex projects remain expensive because coordination still requires people.

TLDR IndexPage 9