There is a strange loop that takes up social media at the moment. Scroll Tiktok, YouTube Live or Instagram, and you will see a parade of digital marketing experts to promote their latest PDF guide, online course or coaching program. What is it? Digital marketing. But not the type that helps real companies to improve performance, it is a course on how to sell a course on the sale of courses. Welcome to the infinite funnel.
Digital marketing is not new
Some of these influencers act as if they had discovered a gold mine that no one else knows. They present digital marketing as a revolutionary idea in 2025, positioning themselves as Hustlers in a fresh and unexploited niche. What they do not do (or ignore) is that digital marketing has existed for decades. The platforms evolve, but the fundamentals … The creation of value, targeting, conversion … have not changed.
These self -proclaimed innovators do not pass new terrains. They sell warmed versions of what thousands of others have already given for free.
What they really sell
Look more closely, and reality becomes obvious: their main product is a course on how to sell digital marketing lessons. It is a pdf pyramid. There is no value of the end user, no customer service, no commercial utility. The only people who buy are others who want to learn to sell the same thing. It is a cycle of recycled content, disguised as entrepreneurship.
And speaking of PDF, can we talk about format? The PDFs are awkward and obsolete. They are horrible on mobile devices, which is exactly where the target audience consumes this content. The mobile design first is a basic digital principle that these “experts” seem to be completely missing.
AI feeds fire
The generative AI lowered the barrier to the entrance. Anyone can now create a smooth “course” in a weekend. Some Chatgpt prompts, some Canva graphics, and suddenly, they are an educator. But the speed does not correspond to the value. These courses are often superficial, filled with filling and built without experience behind them.
Instead of using AI just to produce marketing funnels and PDFs, people should explore the real power of AIBecause the possibilities go far beyond the creation and promotion of courses.
You can use AI for:
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Create automation tools that save repetitive working hours
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Generate tailor -made customer support scripts and chatbot flows
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Analyze data trends and create reports that stimulate smarter decisions
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Write and optimize SEO content that really ranks
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Personalize large -scale marketing campaigns depending on the behavior of the public
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Prototype of product ideas with models and user flows generated by AI
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Translate and locate content for global markets
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Help coding, debugging and developing software
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Improve productivity with custom GPT tools for internal teams
These are Real world applications which add value to businesses and create opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
If everyone does the same thing, selling generic courses generated by AI, the competition is brutal, the public is skeptical and the product is forgettable. But if you can use AI in creative and practical means to solve real problems, You stand out immediately.
So if you are interested in AI, learn to use it As a lever, not a shortcut. Do not just regurgitate the content. Explore, experience, build and apply it in areas that matter. There has never been a better time to learn – and fortunately, there are dozens of free and paid resources available to help you start.
Check the platforms like:
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YouTube … For step -by -step procedures, tool notices and project constructions
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OPENAI's own documents … To use Chatgpt and API integrations
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Face … For deep learning models and experimentation
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Sureddits … For cases of real world use and questions
By investing a little time to understand what I really can do, you will be equipped to create something much more precious than another printed course; You will be able to solve real problems, innovate and build something lasting.
No real world experience
Ask them on customer work. Ask them to carry out real campaigns in industries outside their own funnel. Ask them about referencing SEO, the meeting of the generation of a law firm or the management of advertising expenses for a B2B software company. You will get waves or a change of subject.
They do not show results, only income from the sale of the course. It is not digital marketing. It is content arbitration.
YouTube has everything (free of charge)
Another embarrassing truth: everything they sell is already on Youtube. And generally better. Video procedures, tutorials, case studies, expert interviews, tool notice, you call it. Free, high quality and proven. Why pay a PDF when you can watch someone build a real step -by -step campaign?
Mark on the substance
What these influencers are good is Brandishing themselvesNo marketing of products or services. Their competence is in aesthetic conservation, posing in front of the cars, buying subscribers and modifying coils with the motivation audio. It is not a digital strategy. It is the personal management of the image.
A virtual echo room
The whole scene is a giant echo room. They cite each other, refer to the same tactics and run the same stories. This creates the illusion of generalized success and expertise, but below the surface, everything is down.
Targeting the vulnerable
These patterns often attack those looking for fast victories. Young people, burned professionals and home parents are attracted to the dream of passive income. It is not said that real digital marketing requires learning platforms, test campaigns, data analysis and yes, sometimes failing.
Instead, they are said to be: “Download this PDF. Start your course. Look at the money roll.” It is not advice. It's a bait.
They hang the dream of a passive income with daring complaints like “Leave your job in 30 days” or “start to win $ 10,000 / month from your phone”. What they don't show is reality: real digital marketing is a job. Experience, continuous learning and a basis in the real business needs need.
A common tactic is the “Live strategy call” or invitation of webinar. They publish it as a chance to speak with an expert, get personalized advice and move on to your success. But in reality, these calls are only polished sales arguments-often pre-recorded or hosted by a generic representative, not the influencer themselves. Once you have bought, this head-to-head mentoring disappears. There is no expert access, no real comments, just a labyrinth of generic content and ascending sales.
To increase their credibility, they also use platforms to host their content, which makes it official and complete. Dashboards, progression bars and lesson titles create the illusion of depth. But once inside you often find shallow videos, recycled models and surface advice. It's a presentation, no power.
That said, Some fall on really useful toolsLike a good AI content generator, an analysis plugin or a productivity hack. These are the Real jewelsBut they are generally buried in noise. If you are going to explore this space, your goal should be to extract these dispersed nuggets and assemble your own organized toolbox, not follow someone else's funnel in a hollow business model.
Also, don't forget: Google is still your friend. With a little effort and a critical reflection, you can find better tutorials, more honest criticism and more detailed failures of experienced marketing specialists, often from legitimate blogs, agency sites or established professionals.
In the end, you make yourself vulnerable when you buy the idea that Success requires no effortWhether you can ignore research, learning curve, trials and errors. This state of mind is the real scam.
Where is the real value?
Real digital products solve problems. They help companies to develop, automate workflows, acquire prospects and improve customer experience. They are built with a goal and tested in nature.
The courses that only exist to teach others how to build the same course are empty ships. They do not improve operations. They do not create jobs. They don't move the needle.
