Episode 493: #Tashmas Day 8: Bots and AI slop have done us a favour

I know this might be a bit of a hot take, but I honestly believe that all the bot-driven and AI-generated clutter in our social media feeds is actually doing us a favour as online business owners.

Before we get into it, let’s start with an easy place of agreement: Our feeds are stuffed full of content we just don’t want—especially the kind I call “AI slop.” It’s content designed to get your attention, distract you, and keep you scrolling, but it doesn’t actually give you anything valuable. Sometimes it’s engagement bait, rage bait, or pure opinion bait, but it doesn’t have to be. Even the bot-generated, automated stuff has changed our social media experience—and I know I’m not alone in hating it. But that’s not my controversial take. My real hot take? All this has actually created new opportunities for us.

Let’s break down what’s really going on, what we can do about it, and why being human has never mattered more.

PLUS for #Tashmas day 8, I have another special bonus.

Wait… What is #Tashmas?

I do it for both my birthday (1-12 March) and pre-Christmas (1-12 December) every year! Every day up to the 12th of December, there will be a new daily podcast episode, with a hot tip or practical strategy as per usual… but you ALSO get a gift! The daily gift could be a freebie, a special offer, a competition… but there will be something for YOU every single day.

Let’s get into it…

EPISODE 493: Listen using the player below, or click the links to your fave platform to subscribe and listen over there:

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifListen on YouTube

The Impact of AI Content and Bot Accounts

First things first, the insane amount of AI content and the rise of bot accounts have made it so much harder for us to truly connect as humans on social media. And, yes, this is a big deal for small business owners trying to grow organically. We’re not just putting out content into the void—we’re up against content designed by AI just to suck people in.

If you’re starting out, building a following can feel impossible. Sometimes when you post, it feels like only bots see the content. And, because I’ve started my business and my Facebook page back in 2013, I need to acknowledge the privilege that comes with a 12-year head start.

A lot of the advice out there—especially what you might hear from people with big audiences—simply doesn’t work for people just starting. What got results 6–8 years ago, or works if you already have traction, often does nothing for a newbie with zero reach. That’s why, in the Take Off program, I make it my business to keep up with what works for people starting from scratch—no built-in audience, no head start, nothing. And let’s be honest, getting seen online now means competing with a crowded, bot-filled space.

Changing Algorithms, Changing Strategies

On top of all that, algorithms have changed how we show up—and they’re still evolving. There’s a push in both Europe and Australia for the option to opt out of algorithms. But here’s what’s fascinating: before algorithms, if you wanted to get in front of anyone new, your options were posting in groups or paying for ads. The strategies were totally different then. Nowadays, what works to grow a following on social media has changed, and so has the kind of content that performs best.

If you want a really good, funny, and interesting deep-dive into “AI slop,” there’s a John Oliver segment on YouTube I highly recommend: WATCH HERE. He covers what AI slop is, why it’s everywhere, and how it’s designed for algorithms.

But with all this change, one thing hasn’t changed: social media is still about connection. It’s about humans wanting to connect with other humans—even if, lately, it can feel like we’re all just bots talking to bots.

People Want Real Human Connection

Here’s my point: the people I want to reach on social media aren’t there looking for AI slop. They’re not scrolling for bot-generated garbage. They’re looking to connect, be entertained or educated, and generally feel seen. Social media is fundamentally social.

Those who stay social on social media—who truly connect—are still getting rewarded. The challenge is finding those opportunities for connection and finding the other humans. But if you show up through the lens of “this is about real human connection,” your experience of social media as a business owner will change. The more bot-driven, AI-generated content we see, the more obvious and easy it is to spot it—and real humans stand out even more.

How AI Makes the Real Human Content Stand Out

It’s getting easier and easier to spot the “AI written all over it” content, even if some people use AI for support. The super-botty stuff jumps out. I catch myself asking, “Who made this, and why?” If I can’t see any human intention behind it, it’s pretty clear it’s just designed to grab my attention—nothing deeper.

I even went on an unsubscribing spree in November—over 50 email lists—because it was so obvious the emails were AI-generated. Sure, people are allowed to do what they want, but I don’t subscribe to hear what their AI has to say; I want them. Sometimes I’ll stay connected with someone on social media because their videos are still human, but unsubscribe from their list if the writing turns generically artificial. And even though I’m super intentional about looking for that human connection (maybe more so than most), I know people do this unconsciously too. They naturally engage less with stuff that doesn’t feel human.

This shift is actually what’s doing us a favour as business owners: we now stand out more easily just by being human. People are getting better at noticing and walking away from fakeness.

People Don’t Like Being “Botted”

It’s not just a gut feeling, either. A Business Insider survey found 40% of Instagram users said if they commented and got a clear bot response, they wouldn’t engage with that account again. I’ve seen this myself—accounts I used to enjoy now train me NOT to engage because if I comment, I get a bombardment of bot DMs set off by some keyword trigger. Sometimes I’ll still watch, but not engage, just to avoid all the chatbot drama. That’s happening everywhere: people hate being “botted,” or lured into fake content that was clearly AI-generated.

And now, there’s a growing movement to teach people how to spot AI videos, images, and fake engagement. Even new social platforms (and some old ones making a comeback) are cracking down on bots and AI with bans.

Lean Into Your Humanness and Get Rewarded

So if you’re wondering how to stand out and take advantage of this pushback against bots and AI, here’s my number one tip: show up as a real, imperfect human. The age of only sharing curated, photoshopped images is fading—unless, of course, you’re trying to be a model or influencer. People want the behind-the-scenes, real-life stuff. Even those with a brand built around perfection (like copywriters or editors) don’t have to let mistakes slip through—they just need to ensure their writing feels human, not copy-pasted from AI. These days, stories, questions, and face-to-camera videos catch people’s attention far more than perfectly scripted, edited content.

Personally, I’m making more quick selfie videos—just me, my microphone, and something on my mind. And guess what? They do really well. People comment things like, “It’s so lovely to see you in my feed.” It’s a reminder: the more I show up as a human, the more even strangers stop and listen. That’s something all of us can leverage, no matter our audience size.

We’re Tired of Perfect. We Want Real.

It used to be that an image with text or a watermark screamed “ad,” so people would scroll right by. Now, we’re becoming even quicker at spotting ads (and things pretending not to be ads). Selfies, conversation, and simply being present—this is what we’re all craving and responding to.

Being present doesn’t have to mean living online 24/7. It just means showing up, even with a simple “hello” if someone messages you, not an instant bot reply that makes it clear you’re not there.

Let me share a story: Not long ago, I reached out to someone whose content genuinely moved me and congratulated them on their business growth. I got a super generic reply about how their webinar was “perfect” for me. At that point, I realised I’d been talking to a bot, not a human, and I instantly unfollowed. Worse still, instead of exploring working with them, I started looking for someone else who could do what they do. That bot interaction pushed me away, and it’s proof that trying to automate all your relationship-building can actually cost you opportunities—and send potential clients straight to your competitors.

Connection Comes First—and It’s Easier Than Ever

Now more than ever, social media can be the follow-up—the way you continue building on human connections you make elsewhere, whether in real life or other online communities. This means when someone does follow or engage with you, they’re actually interested in connecting—not just passively scrolling.

There will always be people trying to game the system for pure numbers, just like those who collect business cards at networking events but don’t actually connect. You see it in online learning spaces, too: the folks sending out mass friend requests without ever talking to anyone. The ones who get the most from online experiences are those who engage, share, and go deep—not those who are just chasing numbers.

Building real, human relationships is now more valuable than ever, and more people can see right through the old “big numbers must mean success” story. If you simply treat social media as a numbers game, you’ll attract people who do the same. But if you approach it with the genuine intention to make friends, it will show.

So, what if your main social media to-do for today was to make three new friends—not just collect followers, but actually connect? That might feel a bit strange at first, especially if you’re not a natural extrovert or “connector,” but it’s not about personality type; it’s about the reality that business is about helping humans, and connection is essential for that.

Focus on Connection, Not Just Audience Growth

Making friends as an adult and in business takes a bit more intention. But if every day you spend just a few minutes connecting—learning about people in your network, showing you care—it builds over time. You could end up with a powerful, supportive, high-referral network that goes way beyond social media platforms or email lists.

If Facebook ended tomorrow, I know there are at least 1,500 to 2,000 people I’d go looking for elsewhere, not because of my follower count, but because I consider them friends. Yes, having a mailing list is a great “safe” business strategy, but if that’s the only way you could reach your audience, your network is probably a shallow one.

Doing It the Human Way Is Worth It

I get it—sometimes it sounds easier to just “set and forget” your content, automate, and let things work on autopilot. Maybe you’re burned out, tired, or just craving a shortcut. But even for those who shudder at the “extra work” of really connecting, I think there’s a real fulfilment and strength that comes from genuine relationships—not just money in the bank or followers on a chart.

Often, as soon as business owners switch the focus from content performance to connection, they see a shift. A lot less energy and content creation is needed, and more comes back your way when people genuinely want to see you succeed.

No matter what, don’t wait for a big event to embrace this human approach. Start now—on socials, in your business, everywhere.

Let’s be present. Let’s connect.

Your Day 8 #Tashmas Gift!

Want to win a 90-minute VIP session with me? If you’ve got your ticket to the 2026 Heart-Centred Business Conference in Noosa, come over to the Day 8 #Tashmas post on my FB Page and tell me why you’re coming! What’s your main reason (or two) that you’ve invested in coming to this event… and you’re entered.  

Haven’t got your ticket yet? Purchase your ticket at tashcorbin.com/conference, and you can still enter all the way up until 5pm AEST on 12th March 2025. Winner drawn 13th December 2026.  

Until next time, I cannot WAIT to see you SHINE.