AI chatbots like ChatGPT have turn out to be ubiquitous and very important to what number of information employees, content material creators, and enterprise house owners function.
However as highly effective as ChatGPT is, it’s not the one participant within the recreation — and typically, exploring alternate options can reveal new methods to streamline your workflow.
That’s the place this information is available in.
As an alternative of simply ranking chatbots based mostly on generic standards like accuracy, pace, and creativity, I needed to see how they carry out in a real-world content material workflow.
So, I paid for the subscriptions (courtesy of Buffer’s AI Instruments stipend that may assist me recoup these prices) and fed them information from my very own social media, and gave a structured problem to every one designed to guage how effectively they take current inputs and switch them into significant insights.
Let’s dive into the small print and decide which chatbot delivers the most effective outcomes.
The experiment: How I examined the chatbots
There’s no scarcity of AI chatbot comparisons on-line, however many deal with remoted prompts fairly than real-world use circumstances — particularly these related to you, our viewers of creators, and small enterprise house owners.
To actually check how helpful these instruments are for creators, I wanted a problem that mirrored how we truly use AI in a content material workflow.
So, as a substitute of throwing random questions at every chatbot, I arrange a structured experiment:
I uploaded a CSV file with 60 days of my LinkedIn posts and their efficiency information—actual engagement metrics from my newest posts.I gave every chatbot a collection of interconnected prompts to see how effectively it may analyze, generate, and refine content material.I stored every part inside one steady dialog, testing their skill to retain and apply context.
What I used to be testing for
This check was designed to guage every chatbot throughout 5 key areas:
Knowledge evaluation: Can it break down LinkedIn efficiency metrics and extract helpful insights?Creativity & content material technology: Can it generate recent, non-generic (tremendous essential) content material concepts based mostly on actual engagement information?Format adaptation: Can it remodel a high-performing thought into a number of content material codecs (LinkedIn put up, Twitter thread, short-form video script)?Strategic insights: Does it supply clear, actionable recommendation to enhance content material efficiency?Workflow optimization: Can it assist streamline content material planning, repurposing, and monitoring?
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It’s essential that I make clear right here: I am no machine studying engineer, merely somebody who has performed round with sufficient chatbots, and has an honest context of various social media wants. So for those who’re searching for a really technical evaluation, you received’t discover it right here.
The chatbots
I chosen 5 main AI chatbots for this experiment, every with totally different strengths, pricing, and options:
ChatGPTClaudeGoogle Gemini (previously Bard)Perplexity AIDeepSeek
Now, let’s get into the problem and see how they carried out.
The problem
Every chatbot was given the identical structured check — a steady dialog the place they needed to analyze LinkedIn efficiency information, generate new content material concepts, adapt content material throughout codecs, supply strategic insights, and create a workflow for ongoing content material success.
After importing the CSV file containing my posts and information, I requested every bot these questions:
Right here’s my LinkedIn efficiency information. What kinds of posts carried out finest and why?Based mostly on what labored, counsel 5 new LinkedIn content material concepts.Take the best-performing thought and switch it right into a LinkedIn put up, a Twitter thread, and a short-form video script.How can I enhance my LinkedIn engagement fee based mostly on this dataset?Create a content material workflow that helps me repurpose high-performing content material and observe engagement.
Listed here are the outcomes.
ChatGPT
Greatest at retaining context
Ranking: 3.5/5
Pricing: Free with restricted entry; $20 per 30 days for GPT-4
ChatGPT is OpenAI’s flagship chatbot and arguably probably the most well-known AI device on this checklist. With its skill to generate structured responses, adapt content material throughout codecs, and supply strategic suggestions, it’s a powerful contender for creators seeking to streamline their workflow.
ChatGPT began sturdy analyzing the common efficiency of every put up kind, displaying that evaluation, after which giving a powerful, nuanced checklist of takeaways and suggestions. It didn’t state something too distinctive (movies carried out finest, carousel posts had probably the most impressions), however the insights have been good to have.
Nevertheless, the request for engagement fee enchancment concepts confirmed off ChatGPT’s information evaluation capabilities even higher. It broke down the engagement fee information by put up kind, day, and even hour.
Then, extra impressively, it gave an inventory of actionable suggestions, together with the most effective time to put up on LinkedIn based on my information — one thing not one of the different instruments did. Different ideas it made have been to prioritize video and textual content posts and enhance my early engagement technique by responding to the feedback within the first half-hour of posting.
ChatGPT additionally actually shined in delivering hyper-relevant concepts. When requested for distinctive content material concepts, the bot gave me an inventory that performed off my current high-performing subjects and codecs. For instance, it really helpful I share a behind-the-scenes of my LinkedIn video course of, an thought I’ll undoubtedly be utilizing.
When requested to show one of many concepts into totally different codecs, it pulled from its reminiscence of our earlier chats, plus the context it had about my most popular voice and tone, to ship well-structured and related outcomes.
The ultimate request for a workflow initially appeared promising, with a clear, structured visible chart mapping out learn how to repurpose content material.
However whereas that was good to take a look at, it wasn’t till I requested for a extra sensible model — one thing i may flip right into a Notion web page or Google Doc, that it turned truly helpful. That is one thing I repeatedly battle with when utilizing ChatGPT to kickstart a visible reference for what my templates or dashboards would possibly seem like — getting something instantly actionable will be troublesome. And that’s the place the following device on our checklist excels.
I’ll conclude with a caveat right here: I’ve had a ChatGPT account for some time now — not less than a full yr — so the bot had numerous context to tug from as it could actually retain context from earlier chats. So, that undoubtedly influenced its efficiency and responses. Nevertheless, I’d name {that a} level in its favor because it implies that it gives you higher responses with frequent use.
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Remaining verdict: ChatGPT is a powerful possibility for content material creators who want structured insights, detailed engagement methods, and adaptable content material codecs. Nevertheless, its responses typically require extra refinement to turn out to be actually actionable. Frequent use improves its suggestions, making it a strong selection for the long run.
Claude AI
Greatest for producing workflow mockups
Ranking: 3.5/5
Pricing: Free with restricted use; $20 per 30 days
Developed by Anthropic, Claude AI is designed to be a conversational, long-form assistant with a deal with considerate and structured responses. In contrast to a number of the different chatbots on this experiment, Claude approaches duties with a extra methodical and arranged fashion, making it a compelling possibility for many who prioritize readability of their workflows. However how effectively does that translate to sensible situations?
Properly, as a substitute of going via the prompts chronologically, I wish to deal with Claude’s visualization capabilities and state, for the document, that they’re the most effective of the bunch.
From the primary immediate, Claude translated the information into one thing tremendous straightforward to take a look at, together with the suggestions that have been par for the course for each chatbot device. Having the information introduced in a bar chart instantly gave me a transparent understanding of my subsequent steps.
It continued this development all through the dialog with out being prompted.
My favourite factor about Claude, by far, is its skill to code and create a visible mockup of a workflow or database throughout the chat in slightly preview window on the suitable. This has made it ten instances simpler to create Notion pages that do precisely what I want, with minimal time spent determining the place to put which factor.
Claude had some attention-grabbing concepts on the content material entrance, together with a “creator instruments revealed” video and a suggestion to ask a group query every week. Nevertheless, attention-grabbing didn’t all the time translate to related, because it didn’t contemplate the precise content material of the posts throughout the CSV file it had in its reminiscence. Total, the concepts shared weren’t as related to me and my content material as they might have been.
Nevertheless, I used to be happy by the formatting of the concepts that it did gave me — when requested for a LinkedIn put up and short-form video script based mostly on the primary thought it shared, it delivered one thing that might have been pasted as-is (if not for the completely made-up info).
When it comes to offering a easy evaluation of the information, it returned some attention-grabbing outcomes, together with a suggestion to maintain posts to 600 characters or much less, which I’ll be utilizing going ahead.
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Remaining verdict: Claude AI stands out as the most effective chatbot for visualization and structured formatting. In the event you want clear, data-driven charts and workflow previews, it’s exhausting to beat. Nevertheless, its content material technology lacks precision and relevance, requiring further enter and validation to make sure accuracy. It additionally doesn’t have search capabilities, which is essential to contemplate earlier than you subscribe.
Perplexity AI
Greatest for analysis and discovery
Ranking: 2.5/5
Pricing: Free with restricted options; $20 per 30 days
Perplexity AI takes a novel strategy in comparison with different chatbots, permitting customers to pick totally different fashions, together with some already featured on this experiment. This flexibility makes it a powerful analysis device, significantly for content material creators who want AI help in uncovering developments, following up on key insights, and gathering info.
Though the consensus round Perplexity is that it’s an awesome device for analysis, not essentially for technique, and I’d be inclined to agree after this experiment. To begin with what was nice about it, Perplexity’s skill to ship you down a rabbit gap was a serious plus in my e-book.
Everytime you ask a query, it hyperlinks parts of the message which you can “observe up” on. Then, it makes use of the context of the message thread to create an honest follow-up. I can see this device being helpful within the analysis section of working in your content material technique, particularly when searching for inspiration.
Nevertheless, as a collaborative companion that may ideate alongside you, it didn’t carry out nice. The evaluation it did in each analytical questions was very floor stage, with good however generic suggestions on learn how to take motion.
Perplexity additionally returned a reasonably normal “AI made this” workflow that was good, however didn’t encourage any deeper thought for me. It did generate a useful each day workflow that may match properly into my present strategy to content material, so I gave it factors for that.
Its content material concepts additionally fell brief, with copy that didn’t contemplate my standard tone and magnificence and felt fairly normal for many AI instruments general. Regardless that this can be a widespread trait throughout most instruments, I anticipated higher for it having my information and content material in its reminiscence.
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Remaining verdict: Perplexity AI excels in analysis and content material discovery, nevertheless it falls brief in strategic execution. In the event you want a chatbot that helps you discover sources, observe analysis threads, and discover concepts, Perplexity is likely one of the finest choices accessible. Nevertheless, for content material planning, engagement methods, or workflow optimization, it doesn’t supply the depth or creativity wanted to be a powerful collaborative companion.
DeepSeek
Greatest for the budget-conscious consumer
Ranking: 2.5/5
Pricing: Free
DeepSeek is a lesser-known AI mannequin that positions itself as a free various to extra extensively used chatbots. Whereas that makes it an interesting possibility for budget-conscious customers, I used to be curious to see whether or not it may maintain its personal by way of content material ideation and strategic, data-driven suggestions.
Nevertheless, my expertise with DeepSeek wasn’t the most effective from the beginning, because it stored returning a “The server is busy” message. I spent extra time hopping again in to verify if my prompts would undergo, so maintain that in thoughts.
At first, I toggled on DeepSeek R1, the platform’s advanced-level considering characteristic. Nevertheless, the device spent a lot time “considering” that I made a decision to run two chats: one with and one with out.
The outcomes from the chat with out R1 have been fairly generic however not fairly as generic as, say, Gemini. I’d put the expertise with DeepSeek under Perplexity and above Gemini.
Whereas it caught sure subjects and gave attention-grabbing concepts, it didn’t go as deep or extensive as I’d have preferred. With R1, nonetheless (pictured on the suitable), its efficiency elevated considerably because it went past generic observations and suggestions. The one drawback is, in fact, its pace.
DeepSeek had some attention-grabbing concepts, however nothing I hadn’t seen earlier than. It really helpful the identical concepts as a few different chatbots, which is extra of an indication that you simply actually can’t outsource your considering to those instruments.
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Remaining verdict: In the event you’re on a price range and simply want an AI for fundamental brainstorming and content material structuring, DeepSeek in R1 mode is value attempting, nevertheless it’s not a device to depend on for strategic content material planning absolutely. It’s additionally nonetheless so new that it doesn’t fairly really feel truthful to match it to the opposite instruments. For its age and pace, nonetheless, I’d say it is a strong, free possibility.
Google Gemini
Greatest for simple integration into your current Google equipment
Ranking: 2/5
Pricing: Free with restricted options; $20 per 30 days
Previously often called Bard, Google’s Gemini is positioned as a real-time AI assistant with deep integration into Google Search and different instruments. Given its entry to stay info and Google’s huge dataset, I used to be curious to see whether or not it may present a extra data-informed and strategic strategy to content material planning. I additionally took benefit of the Buffer group’s entry to Gemini Superior, the just lately launched improve to the device.
Since I hadn’t used Gemini a lot earlier than this experiment, it was the primary device I attempted — however I shortly discovered that its suggestions have been fairly generic and likewise didn’t transcend surface-level analyses.
For instance, within the first response, it failed to acknowledge that although my carousel posts (the Paperwork) acquired extra impressions, they didn’t get as excessive engagement.
Gemini repeated the identical weak evaluation when requested for ideas based mostly on engagement fee information. Moreover, the urged methods are broad finest practices that don’t tie again to the precise information I shared.
Its content material creation and repurposing skills weren’t significantly better, because it solely produced generic concepts that had nothing to do with my content material. Nevertheless, I’ll give it one level for getting the construction of a LinkedIn put up down pat.
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Remaining verdict: Gemini is a fast and structured AI assistant that works in a pinch however falls brief for duties past surface-level requests. Whereas it could actually assist with fundamental formatting and brainstorming, it doesn’t but have the depth and personalization wanted for content material optimization.
Different chatbots to attempt
Microsoft Copilot
Together with a devoted web site, Microsoft’s Copilot comes free with Microsoft merchandise and has extra AI capabilities with enterprise plans. Nevertheless, I didn’t embrace it in the primary checklist as a result of it runs on ChatGPT anyway, in order that evaluation provides a way of what to anticipate from Copilot.
Meta AI
Meta AI is a free, conversational chatbot built-in throughout all Meta merchandise. Nevertheless, it didn’t make the checklist as you’ll be able to’t add recordsdata to it, putting it out in my e-book. It’s additionally typically much less superior in long-form content material technology and is extra of a real chatbot.
Bizi.cx
Bizi is the aspect challenge of Joe Delgado, a software program engineer right here at Buffer. It is a self-described work in progress with some tough edges, however he shared that it has changed his use of ChatGPT solely. It’s at the moment free to make use of.
Do your personal considering
If there’s one takeaway from this experiment, it’s that no AI chatbot can do your considering for you—however the suitable one can undoubtedly make the method simpler.
Every device on this checklist had its personal strengths. ChatGPT and Claude dealt with structured insights and content material adaptation effectively, whereas Perplexity excelled in analysis and discovery. DeepSeek confirmed promise, particularly in R1 mode, however wasn’t probably the most dependable. And Gemini? Quick and straightforward to make use of, an awesome possibility for those who use Google’s ecosystem closely.
However right here’s the factor: your wants will all the time decide the most effective device for you. Are you searching for a chatbot to refine your content material concepts? To investigate previous efficiency? To brainstorm in a approach that conjures up you? AI will help — however provided that you know the way to immediate it, refine its responses, and information it towards helpful outcomes.
On the finish of the day, AI chatbots are simply assistants, not replacements. The magic nonetheless comes out of your technique, creativity, and talent to execute. So, for those who convey AI into your workflow, ensure it’s working for you — not the opposite approach round.
