{"id":3545,"date":"2022-12-21T12:47:02","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T17:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalstristg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=3545"},"modified":"2025-10-20T14:05:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T19:05:35","slug":"ai-in-digital-marketing-what-it-is-how-to-use-it-trends-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digitalstrike.com\/ai-in-digital-marketing-what-it-is-how-to-use-it-trends-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"AI in Digital Marketing – What It Is, How to Use It, Trends & Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

With sci-fi movies frequently portraying artificial intelligence (AI) as something uncontrollable and destructive, it’s no wonder that many people have misconceptions about what AI really is and what it can (and cannot) do for individuals and businesses alike. We’re here to tell you to stop doom scrolling online and take a deep breath\u2014you can use AI in digital marketing to optimize performance and sales (and you won’t be recreating <\/span>The Terminator<\/span><\/i> in the process, either).<\/span><\/p>\n

What AI Is (Not)<\/b><\/h2>\n

Before we discuss what AI is, let’s first cover what it is <\/span>not<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s not the Steven Spielberg movie. It’s also not a front for Skynet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Artificial intelligence is simply a type of machine learning; that is, it’s machine-based decision-making abilities, pattern-recognition capabilities, and learning aptitude as opposed to the organic problem-solving skills we and non-human animals possess.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite what the news will have you believe, AI technology cannot replace most jobs in the digital marketing industry in its current state. Although, it <\/span>can<\/span><\/i> assist humans in this industry to optimize performance, profitability, and customer experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s dig into these strategies a little more.<\/span><\/p>\n

AI Marketing Strategies 101<\/b><\/h2>\n

The ins, the outs, and the in-betweens of AI marketing.<\/span><\/p>\n

5 E-Commerce Examples<\/b><\/h3>\n

See how other companies are using AI to get inspired with your own digital marketing strategies<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Starbucks Product Recommendations<\/b><\/h4>\n

This coffee shop giant makes smart use of AI technology to encourage customers to buy products and join rewards programs\u2014and it works!<\/span><\/p>\n

The company’s AI\/machine-learning program is appropriately known as Deep Brew. Among other functions, it helps Starbucks give their mobile app users and loyalty program members personalized product recommendations using a combination of weather forecasting software and customer data (such as previous Starbucks purchases and location data). For example, Starbucks may give a sweet tooth-having user a hot, sugary drink recommendation on a cold overcast day, and a light fruity drink recommendation during a sweltering heat wave.<\/span><\/p>\n

This personalization is far more effective than standard one-size-fits-all advertisements of years past. Deep Brew launched in 2019, and, in that same year, “<\/span>Starbucks reported U.S. same-store sales growth of 6%<\/span><\/a>.” That’s a <\/span>latte <\/span><\/i>extra sales!<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Apple and Amazon Virtual Assistants<\/b><\/h4>\n

Currently available virtual assistants like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa aren’t quite on par with Tony Stark’s JARVIS. They can, however, use AI and voice recognition technology to provide convenient, hands-free tools like voice searches. These virtual assistants are able to work so well with voice input thanks to the use of natural language processing technology, or technology that allows AI to analyze and interpret human speech and synthesize this information to interact with real people in real time in a way that feels natural.<\/span><\/p>\n

But virtual assistants do more than simply analyze voice data; they also keep track of plenty of other kinds of useful user information, such as search history, location data, and product purchases. By keeping a database of user information, Alexa and Siri<\/a> can offer personalized recommendations, such as suggestions on new restaurants to try nearby.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hey, Siri: how do you like them apples?<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Netflix Viewing Recommendations and Content Curation<\/b><\/h4>\n

It might be Netflix and chill for you and bae, but, behind the scenes, this streaming platform is anything but relaxed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Netflix’s algorithm works overtime to display content early in your feed that it thinks you will like. It bases these recommendations on what viewers similar to you rate highly or what content you have watched in the past. Based on viewership numbers, AI also helps Netflix executives predict what types of shows will be successful in the future, helping the streaming platform decide which shows to greenlight and which to cancel.<\/span><\/p>\n

The goal of these algorithms is to keep people watching more content for longer periods of time\u2014and renewing their subscriptions year after year. These algorithms are effective, too;<\/span> some estimate<\/span><\/a> that as much as 75% of what users on the platform watch is discovered via auto-generated recommendations. Think about that the next time you log into your (or your friend’s) account.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Amazon Product Promotions<\/b><\/h4>\n

It might seem like Amazon can read your mind, but the truth is far less glamorous: all those<\/span> spot-on product recommendations<\/span><\/a> are curated by algorithms sifting through massive amounts of consumer data.<\/span><\/p>\n

You see, as the largest retailer on the planet, Amazon knows a thing or two about targeted AI marketing. Their most profitable use of AI marketing is using consumer data to generate product recommendations customized to each user (including you!).<\/span><\/p>\n

What sort of data, you ask? Data that makes Amazon’s product-recommendation algorithm so efficient includes:<\/span><\/p>\n