Podcast Summary: Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson

Episode: What’s Up THIS WEEK: ChatGPT HUGE Change! 🐦 Threads Catching Up. 📊 3rd Grade Level Marketing Works! | Ep. 425
Date: October 7, 2025
Host: GURU Media Hub

Episode Overview

This week's quick-hit update dives into crucial new marketing tech developments, platform shifts, and a surprising study on what really works in conversion copywriting. Jay Schwedelson highlights key changes from ChatGPT instant checkout to Threads vs. X user metrics, plus practical AI hacks and social platform news. The episode blends smart, to-the-point insights for digital marketers with a dose of pop culture and light commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ChatGPT Rolls Out Instant Checkout

[00:53]

• OpenAI’s Big Move: ChatGPT is beginning to offer instant purchases via direct checkout in its chat interface, enabled by a partnership with Stripe.
  • Users can, for example, search for products (“Where can I get the newest lip gloss?”) and purchase directly in the chat window.
  • Debuting with Etsy sellers; expansion to Shopify merchants on the horizon (brands like Glossier, Skims, Spanx among first to trial).
  • Implication: Major shakeup for e-commerce, both for B2C and, in future, B2B.
  • Quote:

    "If you're in e-commerce at all, this is a game changer." — Jay [01:38]

2. Threads vs. X Usage Stats

[02:04]

• Similarweb Study Results: Threads (Meta’s Twitter competitor) now matches X (formerly Twitter) in daily active users.
  • Host is skeptical about actual user engagement:

    “I go on Threads once in a while and I just don't see anything going on.” — Jay [02:35]

  • Notes that Instagram connections are automatically ported to Threads, inflating the “following” count.
  • Takeaway: Marketers should not ignore Threads; it’s poised to grow even further.

3. AI Browser Hack: Perplexity’s Comet Browser

[03:22]

• New Tool Alert: Perplexity’s Comet browser, a free AI browser, launched worldwide.
  • Enhanced user experience; hosts touts the browser’s ability to locate real-time discount codes before checkout.
  • Quote:

    “I've done this... the Comet browser will find you that discount code. So this is a really cool hack as you go into the holiday season if you want to save some money.” — Jay [04:07]

4. Landing Page Copy: Simpler Converts Better

[04:33]

• Unbounce Study: Analyzed 57M conversions, 41K landing pages. Simpler language (5th–7th grade reading level) drives significantly higher conversions.
  • Simpler pages: 11% conversion rate (56% higher than 8th–9th grade level content; more than double “professional level” writing).
  • Complex words (three+ syllables) negatively impact results — 24.3% decrease in conversion rates.
  • Quote:

    “You have to write like one word syllables, talk to everybody like they're a doofus like me. Wow, that is wild, wild stuff.” — Jay [05:41]

5. Instagram Shifting Default Home Tab to Reels

[06:13]

• Platform Change: Instagram is piloting making Reels (short-form video) the default home content (currently live in India, soon global).
  • Data: Video watch time up 20% year-over-year; Reels = 50%+ of time spent on IG.
  • Marketing takeaway: If you're not creating short-form video, you’ll soon be left behind.
  • Quote:

    “If you're not, number one, focused on short-form video... you're soon to be left out in wherever's ville.” — Jay [06:48]

6. Quick Hits: Pop Culture & Brand News

[07:26]

• Cracker Barrel Parts with Logo Design Agency:
  • Public breakup after logo refresh backlash; Jay feels the agency was unfairly made the scapegoat.
  • Quote:

    “Is that really their fault?... I kind of feel like, is that really their fault?” — Jay [08:12]

• TV & Streaming Nuggets:
  • Jay’s mixed review of Netflix’s new “Black Rabbit” (Jason Bateman, Jude Law): too slow to hook him.
  • “Dancing with the Stars”: Robert Irwin (Steve Irwin’s son) wows as a dancer, speculation about Bachelor franchise.

    • “Never say never.” — Robert Irwin (as quoted by Jay) [09:25]

  • Excitement over the return of “Scrubs” with the original cast.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On ChatGPT’s instant checkout:

  “This is a huge, huge move for ChatGPT. I mean this is going right after Google...” — Jay [01:18]

• On Threads vs. X stats:

  “As a marketer, we need to really start looking at Threads differently. If you're not thinking about your marketing there, you're not thinking about your company page there, you need to.” — Jay [02:54]

• On copywriting simplicity:

  “That means that we're all stupid, or at least I am.” — Jay [05:27]

• On Instagram’s shift to video:

  “They're replacing basically the home tab... with reels... you're going to go there and as the default, you're going to see short-form video.” — Jay [06:20]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Summary | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 00:53 | ChatGPT rolls out instant checkout | | 02:04 | Similarweb: Threads and X user parity | | 03:22 | Perplexity's Comet AI browser; discount code hack | | 04:33 | Unbounce: Simple landing page copy converts best | | 06:13 | Instagram testing default to Reels (short video) | | 07:26 | Cracker Barrel agency breakup and pop culture round-up |

Tone & Style

Jay’s delivery is lively, fast-paced, conversational, and laced with humor and asides. He uses “I don’t know,” and “wild stuff” to emphasize surprise or skepticism, and often adds self-deprecating touches and quick recommendations.

Takeaways for Marketers

• Watch for changes: New buying capabilities in AI (ChatGPT) and evolving social landscape (Threads, Instagram Reels) demand attention and new strategies.
• Emphasize simplicity: Clear, accessible language in copy wins out; ditch jargon and keep messages at a middle-school reading level.
• Adopt new tools: Explore AI browsers like Comet to streamline mundane or deal-finding tasks.
• Create short-form video: As Instagram and other platforms favor this content, prioritize it for reach and engagement.

End of summary