This might ruffle some feathers 🤍

From my experience in marketing, the traditional funnel model is really becoming less relevant today. The idea that consumers move through a linear funnel of Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action simply doesn't hold up in an age dominated by AI's influence. Nowadays, AI algorithms analyze user behavior and preferences so deeply that they can predict and influence decisions even before potential customers actively engage. This shift means marketers need to pivot from just driving traffic to creating AI-friendly strategies. Instead of focusing purely on increasing website visits or impressions, the focus is on how AI synthesizes data to surface content, products, or services that users might not even know they want yet. This creates a kind of pre-approval phase that AI manages, where humans only finalize decisions after AI has narrowed down options. In practice, this can mean investing in AI tools that optimize personal recommendations, content creation, and customer engagement in real time. Marketers should also think about how to gain approval from these AI systems by designing campaigns that align with AI's decision-making criteria—using high-quality, relevant content and semantic SEO. This approach is radically different from relying on organic traffic alone. If your current marketing strategy still depends heavily on traffic volume, you risk falling behind. By embracing AI-driven marketing processes earlier, you can stay ahead of the curve and ensure your brand remains visible in emerging marketing ecosystems. Navigating this new landscape is challenging but exciting. Marketers who adapt by integrating AI synthesis and human approval loops into their strategies will meet consumer needs more effectively and drive better engagement and conversions in the years to come.