August: AI Isn’t Welcome Anymore! (Or How LinkedIn is Punishing Lazy Posting)

And the social media world keeps moving forward.

Changes are happening across the platforms but what’s interesting is the u-turn people and platforms are making against AI.

But there’s a problem with how it’s being done.

LinkedIn Leads The Pack

In March of this year, LinkedIn rolled out their “Authenticity Update”.

The idea? Make sure original, human, authentic content was being posted.

Not reposts, not copy and pasted posts, and most importantly not AI generated content.

This has meant one thing in particular has been happening.

AI content is suffering.

What Does This Actually Look Like?

LinkedIn is actively suppressing AI generated images, text, and automated "engagement pods." 
FINALLY THE ENGAGEMENT PODS ARE DYING!
HALLELUJAH!!! 

Anyway… where was I? Oh yes…

What’s interesting is that those who are using AI prolifically to write their posts, create their images, etc are being punished for doing so.

This includes a lot of people and businesses that cannot afford fancy marketing teams, have little money, or can’t outsource an amazing agency like us.

This approach taken by LinkedIn is running counter to what many people expected it to do, but there has been a positive response to it all…

…
…with a caveat.

We’re Still Seeing Slop

AI slop is still present. 

And don’t get us wrong, we love AI but hate the slop.

But, naturally, people are lazy and trying to get away with the minimum of effort, adjusting their posts just enough to make it appear human.

Some have even gone so far as to put deliberate spelling mistakes into a post to make it appear as if it was written by a human.

The irony being, if they put as much effort into making the posts from scratch it would work out the same (and better quality).

Despite the reach penalty, though, LinkedIn has taken drastic action.

Enter The Button

LinkedIn has done the unthinkable and actually made an update.
They put in a button for people to report AI Slop.

No, really, you can go and flag a post that you think is AI Slop.

There’s only one issue, with great power on the internet comes grat irresponsibility.

People are likely to use and abuse this to demote other businesses, just troll/be nasty to people, or just flag something they personally don’t like.

There is no real oversight we have seen enabled by the button.

They also haven’t defined “slop” which brings us to a more salient point.

So when will there be an actual solution? Who knows, but watch this space.

AI Isn’t Really The Issue

As we’ve said before, using AI isn’t really all that much of an issue. It’s a fantastic tool.
The problem is the prevalence of laziness when using it.

There’s no originality. No creativity.

Instead, people are just typing in a prompt and pasting whatever… rubbish comes out.
Because of this, no one (despite what people say) can really tell what’s AI generated or not.
Even the supposed “AI detectors” people use are flagging books like the Bible and paintings of Van Gogh as AI slop when they are in fact human made.

Use AI platforms (like SoAIsy) as ways to automate the boring parts of the process but leave the creativity to the humans. AI is a launchpad of ideas, a tool, not the whole solution.

What Else Has Been Happening?
THE BAN

DUN DUN DUN!!!

The UK government has, once again, announced a ban (of sorts) on social media.

At the moment it appears to be a two-tiered approach:

• Under 16s: A complete ban from platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube.
• 16- and 17-year-olds: A default "midnight to 6 AM" curfew where apps are unavailable.

Additionally, addictive features like auto-play and infinite scroll will be turned off by default for this age group.

It’s going to be interesting to see if this goes ahead and how it will work on the platforms.

TikTok’s Gone Loco For Local

TikTok has aggressively expanded its "Local Feed," pitting itself against the likes of Google Maps, Yelp, and TripAdvisor.

And to be honest, it’s kind of working.

The algorithm is now serving hyper-accurate content to users based on their immediate geographic radius.

Local businesses, seize your moment!

Instagram's "Originality" Push

“Be Original. Be Authentic.”

It’s enough to make you gag.

But the platforms want what they want.

Instagram recently updated its algorithm to demote "aggregator" accounts and content that isn't original.

That’s right, reposting, sharing, and otherwise using other people’s content in any way and you can say au revoir to your visibility.

Insta is also cracking down heavily on overly polished, templated content that looks like it was mass-produced by AI (again the really lazy style where no effort was put in).

Focus on making your own content well and ease up on the reposts to maintain your visibility.

What’s The Team Been Up To?

Jem

Jem has spent most of this month either as a human pin cushion, being wined and dined, or meeting all of her friends and clients.

Let’s start with the human pin cushion.

I wasn’t exaggerating! Jem’s only gone and got a whole new hole in her ear as well as a brand new tattoo.

Although I must say, I love the tattoo design.

Aside from this she has been all over the place, wined and dined, with her closest friends, nearly all of whom have been either former clients or met them on the internet.

What started out as a professional friend request has led into amazing friendships that have truly stood the test of time.

Sarah B

Bostock has been hard at work in her own projects meaning she has barely come up for air. However, like the shark she is she has kept on swimming and done some truly incredible things.

Most notably, she has officially launched her clothing line after having to conduct an impromptu fashion shoot of all her designs when her friends came over and insisted this happen.

 
Not only this, she has begun to really infuse even greater, clearer purpose into her Sparky Shark persona and been in deep conversations with those interest in ocean conservation. Passion and purpose going a long way.

And last but by no means least, she went to see her favourite childhood nostalgia band, My Chemical Romance and I'm not jealous… at all….. Nope…. Nuh uh……

Sarah A

Twinnie has been having a relatively quiet month, choosing to focus on her work and family and keep her head down. 

However, one major announcement is that she is going to try and take her driving test again!

That’s right watch out on the roads for a brand new driver. *ducks for cover*

Freddie

The Squirrel has been in full nesting mode for the ever looming arrival of a new baby Squirrel.

So it’s been DIY and gardening madness to try and get the home into a somewhat respectable state.

Summing Up

All in all, it’s been a great month for the Jems, and despite the heat and storms, we have persevered and helped all of our clients see great success.

If you’re not convinced, why not talk to Jem and see for yourself the magic and passion that you can share in.