Interviews, insight & analysis on digital media & marketing

Large Language Models: the game-changer marketing professionals can’t ignore

by Oleg Egorov, CMO at Flowwow

The global market for Large Language Models (LLMs) is rapidly expanding, projected to reach $259.8 billion by 2030. These models are already changing the face of marketing, offering game-changing capabilities in content creation, personalization, and customer engagement. As AI advances, LLMs are expected to play an even larger role, reshaping the way businesses connect with consumers. In this article, we’ll explore how LLMs are enhancing marketing strategies, their benefits, challenges, and risks.

The role of LLMs in marketing transformation

Salesforce data reveals that 76% of marketers use generative AI for basic content creation, while 71% view it as a source of creative inspiration. Beyond generating copy and refining messaging, LLMs streamline the content creation process and reduce time spent on routine tasks. This allows marketers to focus on high-level strategy and creative ideas. However, research by HubSpot indicates that 57% of marketers feel pressured to learn how to use AI to stay relevant, reflecting the growing importance of these tools in the marketing landscape.

Redefining SEO and search efficiency

While Google continues to dominate the internet search space with 91% market share in the $50 billion market for search ads, the growing integration of LLMs into search engines signals a shift. By 2028, 50% of search traffic is predicted to be driven by AI-powered models.

Unlike traditional search engines, which rely on keyword matching and backlinks, LLMs understand content through semantic analysis, prioritising authoritative, high-quality sources from platforms with a high level of editorial control. For example, Flowwow focuses on producing original industry research and expert commentary on emerging trends. Introducing these strategies into their marketing has significantly boosted the company’s visibility in LLM search models like ChatGPT and DepSeek, demonstrating the importance of credibility and value-driven content.

Enhancing customer engagement and personalisation

LLMs are becoming an essential tool in marketing, particularly in shaping customer interactions at key decision-making stages. In fact, 45% of service decision-makers now use AI, a sharp increase from 24% in 2020, highlighting its growing role in meeting customer expectations. Since customer support often serves as a crucial touchpoint before or after a purchase decision, leveraging LLMs at this stage helps businesses provide instant, personalised responses, improving satisfaction and conversion rates.

For example, Amazon’s use of LLM-powered chatbots has led to faster resolution times, greater accuracy, and higher customer satisfaction. Similarly, Wolken Software increased the efficiency of its customer service team by using LLM technology to refer to articles from its knowledge base and tailor responses to individual customer queries, ensuring potential buyers receive the right information at the right time.

Powering content with data-driven Insights

AI-driven tools like LLMs are revolutionising content marketing. According to HubSpot, 72% of marketers leverage AI for personalisation, highlighting a shift towards customised content. Furthermore, LLMs improve traditional analytics, providing deeper insights and more accurate predictions that lead to more effective marketing strategies.

LLMs can process vast amounts of unstructured data, such as social media posts, customer reviews, and market reports. This enables marketers to uncover emerging trends, customer preferences, and opportunities. Additionally, LLMs can analyse competitors and industry benchmarks, providing valuable insights that help brands stay ahead of the curve.

An example of LLM-powered product review analysis is Attekmi’s approach to understanding customer feedback, which influences product development and marketing strategies. By interpreting consumer feedback through LLMs, brands can align their products with market demands, creating more compelling campaigns.

The risks and challenges of LLMs in marketing

Despite their immense potential, Large Language Models (LLMs) come with a set of significant risks. One major concern is the quality of AI-generated content. Nearly half of marketers worry about this, as LLMs rely on vast datasets, making them vulnerable to data breaches. Hackers could manipulate inputs or outputs, potentially spreading false or harmful information. 

Furthermore, LLMs lack an understanding of time, logic, or mathematical principles, which can lead to inaccurate interpretations, especially in complex fields like finance. Ethical and legal issues also arise. Since AI models can generate content without proper attribution, questions about copyright and ownership are becoming increasingly pressing, exemplified by the 2023 lawsuit from The New York Times and other major media outlets.

To mitigate these risks, businesses should implement robust safeguards, including regular audits, data controls, and human oversight. By taking a proactive, responsible approach to AI, marketers can harness the power of LLMs while minimising the associated risks and ensuring that they align with legal and ethical standards.

Large Language Models are already reshaping the marketing landscape, offering powerful tools for content creation, customer engagement, and data analysis. However, their potential must be balanced with a cautious approach to data privacy, legal implications, and ethical concerns. By leveraging LLMs responsibly, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and create more effective, personalised marketing strategies that resonate with customers.