For years, we have worked with our partners to develop content that shares their insights on issues that matter to their industries. This thought leadership is critical for collective awareness, growth and helps our partners build credibility.
But with the rise of AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, some in the workforce have begun leaning too heavily into artificial intelligence, mistaking the value of quantity over quality.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, 41% of long-form posts on LinkedIn between April and June 2025 were generated by AI. That’s a staggering amount of content not generated by real people—and it’s overshadowing the perspectives that actually deserve attention.
The overuse of AI-generated content on LinkedIn is so prominent that LinkedIn has stepped in to try to control it. Dubbed “AI slop” for its low-effort, mass-produced feel, it’s burying the good stuff on LinkedIn. LinkedIn’s credibility and its usage are at stake when users open their feeds only to find the same lack-of-true-perspective content coming from dozens of sources.
LinkedIn’s efforts include the rollout of a new feature to mitigate the overuse of such low-quality content: the “Seems like AI slop” button. Now users can flag posts they believe were AI-generated.
The penalty? LinkedIn’s algorithm now dings posts that are flagged as AI slop— meaning the post will remain on LinkedIn but it will be less likely to show up in people’s feeds. The penalty is discreet, but over time, it can dramatically reduce the user’s reach and ability to share their perspective with others.
What this means for your content strategy:
- Focus on quality vs. quantity. What matters most is thoughtful perspectives, backed by real insights or data, that can make a difference to your community. Everyone’s perspective is unique—so even if an executive’s LinkedIn post is ghostwritten, it should still incorporate their unique anecdotes or be based on their experiences to provide an authentic perspective.
- Leverage AI for ideas, not content. AI has its purpose. At FoodMix, we view it as a tool to “get the paper dirty,” so to speak. It can be a helpful drafting device to express a real point of view, but it cannot substitute a real voice.
- Monitor your content. Keep an eye on your analytics to see if you’re getting flagged as slop. Since the penalty shows up as erosion of reach rather than an obvious takedown, you may miss it unless you’re tracking the trend over time.
The bottom line: Be authentic. Content that lacks personality and experience won’t just get buried by the algorithm; it can damage the reputation you’re trying to build.
At FoodMix Marketing Communications, we help B2B and B2C food and beverage brands build reputations—and Brand Love. If you’d like to work together to share your story and help you appear in the AI results, reach out today!
