November 29, 2024

AI and Digital Marketing: How New Technology is Transforming the Space

With the advent of AI the digital world has changed for good. The total revenue of AI usage in marketing is expected to reach 36 billion US dollars by the end of 2024. And this is only the beginning.

Armed with this new technology, brands can now create phenomenal marketing campaigns that are best suited to the target audience. Businesses can study the behaviour of their consumers in real-time and then predict trends accurately. This way they can come up with brand experiences that connect deeply with customers. 

Any business that wants to stay competitive in this extremely fierce market must stay abreast of the changes in AI and digital marketing. 

Read on as we bring you up to speed on how this new technology is changing the digital space. 

What is AI in Digital Marketing?

Artificial intelligence refers to the use of advanced technologies through which machines and computers simulate human thought processes.

AI in digital marketing can analyse huge amounts of data with speed and accuracy and help brands in decision-making. It can plan, implement and then continually optimise marketing campaigns to get maximum results.

How to Use AI in Digital Marketing.

It has now become impossible to imagine a marketing campaign without using AI which has made a range of capabilities possible for marketers.

 

Below are major ways of using AI in digital marketing:

Content Creation

AI-powered tools can come up with content ideas, engaging headlines, and even produce exciting write-ups. Platforms like AI-driven graphic design tools help in churning out life-like visual content, saving time and maintaining consistency in branding. 

An example is the campaign created for CELYSTM compostable fibre by Bigger Agency. With the help of AI, the company was able to produce 3-D visuals that were in keeping with the business and reflected its core values.

Data Analysis

AI excels at processing large amounts of data quickly and accurately. It can analyse customer behaviour, preferences, and past purchasing patterns. The result is actionable insights produced for the brand and this can be a great help for marketers in refining their strategies.

Personalisation

Any campaign that touches the pain points of customers is sure to be a success. And AI can help deliver exactly such a marketing plan. It can predict customer behaviour based on historical data and previous interactions. It then delivers personalised recommendations, targeted ads, and custom-tailored emails, which bring in excellent conversion rates.

Research

AI tools like natural language processing (NLP) assist in conducting market research by studying trends, consumer sentiment, and competitor strategies. These insights allow brands to stay ahead in the market. This tool has become so indispensable in digital marketing technologies that the NLP market is expected to reach a value of USD 328.8 billion by 2030.

Chatbots

AI-driven chatbots provide 24/7 customer support, answering common questions, guiding users through processes, and even recommending products. They are being employed by businesses from all industries and the chatbot market revenue is at a staggering USD 2.2 billion today. These chatbots improve user experience and free up human resources for complex tasks.

Automated Emailing

AI automates email marketing campaigns by segmenting audiences, determining optimal send times, and writing personalised email content. This ensures higher open rates and improved engagement.

Real-Time Campaign Adjustments

During marketing campaigns, AI can analyse performance metrics in real-time and offer feedback. It allows marketers to tweak strategies instantly, maximising ROI.

Real-Life Examples of AI in Digital Marketing

Here are some real-life examples of brands effectively employing AI in digital marketing:

  1. Amazon uses AI to analyse customers' past purchases and browsing history. This helps the company come up with tailored recommendations for the viewer.
  2. H&M chatbots help users find outfits based on their style preferences.
  3. Netflix uses AI to analyse viewing habits and predict content preferences, helping in user retention.
  4. Alibaba uses AI to create personalised marketing banners and product descriptions at scale.
  5. Facebook uses machine learning algorithms to show ads that match users' browsing behaviours and choices.
  6. Starbucks utilises AI for personalised email campaigns, suggesting products based on past purchases.
  7. Cadbury designed a video campaign using AI that personalises content based on user data such as name and location.

Benefits of AI in Digital Marketing

These are countless and varied.

  • AI helps in studying user behaviour and preferences and thus helps in delivering highly personalised campaigns that are targeted to suit the audience.  
  • It helps in improving efficiency since repetitive tasks such as email marketing and ad placements can be automated 
  • Targeted advertising and efficient customer segmentation result in higher conversion rates and increased ROI.
  • AI can process large datasets helping in reaching optimum decisions.
  • AI can do the job of many and so can end up being cost-effective for the brand.
  • It provides feedback in real time helping adjust strategies for better results. 

Challenges of Implementing AI in Digital Marketing

There are some drawbacks of using AI that need to be considered.  

  • AI tools and technologies initially require significant investment for setup and implementation.
  • Their effectiveness depends on access to accurate and diverse datasets. It can get risky if the data is incomplete or biased leading to flawed strategies.
  • Although AI can study patterns it lacks human emotional intelligence for truly creative campaigns. There is a chance it can turn into an impersonal robotic activation. 
  • AI relies on collecting vast amounts of user data, which can lead to privacy issues if mishandled.
  • Potential misuse, such as overly invasive ads or exploiting vulnerabilities in consumer behaviour can backfire.

How to Incorporate AI in your Digital Marketing Strategy

When you decide to start using AI in digital marketing, keep these steps in mind.

  1. Be clear about what it is you wish to achieve. Do you want to increase your reach, or drive sales? Do you want to save costs and time? This will help you decide on the way forward. 
  2. Make sure to begin with small steps. Start by applying AI tools to specific tasks before going onto the bigger ones to get a feel of the process.
  3. Do not skip the training part. Invest time and money to learn how best to employ this technology to make the most of it.
  4. Ensure that the data you employ is clean and accurate. 
  5. Partner with agencies that are equipped to help you through the entire process. 

Making the most of it

AI is here to stay. It has given digital marketing technologies a facelift. 

However, using AI effectively needs a thoughtful strategy that balances innovation with responsibility. Brands must be aware of all ethical considerations and make sure they use data transparently and respectfully. 

AI should not replace human creativity and oversight. Instead, it should be employed to improve efficiency while maintaining a much-needed human touch!