Clutch

Influencer marketing is not new, but the way brands approach it needs to evolve. A new Clutch report reveals that more than half of consumers trust a product recommendation less if the influencer is paid. At the same time, 87% believe that influencers have actually used the products they promote. This shows that consumers are not necessarily turned off by paid partnerships. They are simply asking for honesty and authenticity. In her recent byline for Small Business Currents, Anna Peck, Content Marketing Manager at Clutch, explains how brands can close the trust gap in influencer marketing. She highlights the importance of investing in long-term relationships, encouraging influencers to share real product use stories, and leading with transparency in every collaboration. Smaller creators and user-generated content also play an important role in rebuilding trust. Micro-influencers often have stronger connections with their audiences, and their recommendations tend to feel more genuine. Ultimately, consumers are not against paid promotion, they are against dishonest promotion. Brands that understand this will be the ones that earn lasting loyalty. Read the full article with the link here for more insights 👉 https://lnkd.in/eSYfugKJ #InfluencerMarketing

AI is changing how we work, but it’s creating opportunities for those who adapt.🌀 New Clutch data from a survey of over 400 full-time professionals shows the benefits of up-skilling in AI fluency. Survey results show nearly nine in ten workers who completed AI training received a promotion or raise in the past year, while regular AI users were 1.5 times more likely to earn a raise or promotion. Two-thirds of respondents say AI gives them a competitive edge over colleagues who don’t use it, and 62% report that using AI has improved their work-life balance. The message is simple: investing in your skills drives results. By learning to work smarter and leveraging new tools, employees can grow their careers and create more impact while enjoying a better balance in their workday. More with the link in the comments ⬇️ #SurveyData

Thank you to everyone who joined us at last week’s event with SmartSites 💡, Intuit Mailchimp, FreshBooks, and Chimney Rock Advisors! 👏 We loved connecting with so many B2B leaders who are ready to level up their digital strategies. The conversations around smarter lead generation, data-driven marketing, and practical growth tactics were nothing short of inspiring. 

Everyone keeps asking if AI will replace marketers. The better question is: who’s teaching AI what good marketing looks like? 👀 Ryan Black, Senior Marketing Manager at Accelerated Digital Media, explains why the future of advertising still depends on human strategy. As Google and Meta hand more control to machines, agencies that understand how to test, train, and translate AI are the ones that will stay ahead. Read the full article with the link here 👉 https://lnkd.in/edZYcwzB

Huge thanks to Rand Fishkin and Amanda Natividad for putting together such a thoughtful, energizing (and yes, spark-filled) event last week. 🎉 We headed back with new ideas, fresh inspiration, and maybe a few too many “we should totally try this” notes. Until next time, team SparkToro — thanks for the inspiration and for making marketing feel human again. 🙂 #SparkTogether

Huge thanks to Rand Fishkin and Amanda Natividad for putting together such a thoughtful, energizing (and yes, spark-filled) event last week. We headed back with new ideas, fresh inspiration, and maybe a few too many “we should totally try this” notes. Until next time, team SparkToro — thanks for the inspiration and for making marketing feel human again. 😊 #SparkTogether

Can you tell the difference between AI-generated images and real photos? 👀 According to a recent Clutch quiz, 57% of people can't spot all the fakes (even though most felt confident going in). We created a 7-question photo quiz to test how well people can identify AI imagery. It’s quick, eye-opening, and a little harder than you might think. Some of the biggest surprises? • Many struggled to spot fake landscapes • AI-generated portraits fooled more than half of respondents • Product photos with small flaws were easier to catch Take the quiz and see how you stack up with the link below, then share your score and challenge a coworker to beat it! 💥 Take the quiz 👉 https://lnkd.in/evf-7GkG

Most marketers are still figuring out where GEO fits in their budget, if at all. That’s starting to change. Clutch data shows 78% of companies now invest in generative engine optimization, nearly matching SEO and PPC. Even more telling: 63% plan to increase GEO budgets next year. 📈 It’s not replacing traditional search, but it’s not experimental anymore either. The bigger challenge? Most teams still aren’t aligned on how to measure success. Until that’s solved, GEO’s role will stay murky, even as budgets grow. Full report in the link in the comments ⬇️

As AI becomes a core part of e-commerce, brands face a simple choice: Design it well or lose trust fast. AI is running more of your online shopping than you realize, and most people still find it frustrating. New data from Clutch shows a huge disconnect: 🛍️ 81% of consumers say AI tools like chatbots, search, and recommendations are helpful 🚫 93% say those same tools have made their experience worse at least once People are using AI more than ever, but trust and satisfaction haven’t kept up. Clunky chatbots with pushy recommendations and interruptions that break the flow are the culprit. Our data shows that 87% of users still need a human to fully solve their problem, and 90% say: just be honest when AI is involved. More insights (and what brands can do about it) with the link in the comments! ⬇️  

We are proud to sponsor Conductor’s C3 Conference! 🎉 This week, our team members, Tim Condon and Omar Mohammed, headed to New York to represent Clutch and connect with marketers, SEOs, and content leaders who are shaping the future of organic growth. C3 brings together the best minds in content and search, and we’re thrilled to support Conductor’s mission to help businesses grow through authentic, data-driven marketing. #C3Sponsor