Confessions of an AI Clickbait Kingpin: How Nebojša Vujinović Vujo Built a Digital Empire
Nebojša Vujinović Vujo, CEO of digital marketing firm Shantel, has been making waves in the online world with his AI-generated content empire. Operating over 2,000 websites, Vujo has turned abandoned news outlets into bustling platforms filled with algorithmically generated articles. While his model may irk writers and readers alike, Vujo argues that he is simply embracing the power of large language models, much like people embraced gas-powered vehicles over horse-drawn carriages.
Vujo’s journey into this world began when he stumbled upon the indie women’s blog, The Hairpin, which had shut down in 2018. Last month, the site resurfaced, but instead of its original witty and engaging content, it now churns out AI-generated, search-engine-optimized pieces on topics like dream interpretations and generic relationship advice. When contacted, Vujo revealed that The Hairpin is just one of his many ventures, all part of his AI-content-fueled empire.
At the core of Vujo’s business is domain squatting, a practice of buying up web domains previously associated with established brands and leveraging their reputation with search engines. This underbelly of the SEO industry has now taken a twist with the introduction of generative AI, and Vujo is leading the way.
During a conversation via Zoom, Vujo spoke candidly about his unconventional profession. He understands why writers are unhappy about their work being replaced by clickbait, but he defends his choices. Vujo highlights the hardships he has faced, from being a war refugee to having limited economic opportunities. He attributes his success to the path available to him.
Despite relying on generative AI, Vujo claims to maintain editorial standards. While he primarily uses ChatGPT for content creation, he has a team of human editors who review the work to ensure it remains within boundaries of appropriateness. Vujo’s aim is not to be a villain but to lead an ordinary life.
One of Vujo’s notable victories came when he acquired the domain associated with internationally renowned Italian chef Antonio Carluccio after it expired. Transforming it into a cooking-themed content mill, Vujo rejoices in his good fortune. He has also acquired domains such as Pope2you.net, an official Vatican website connecting the Pope with younger believers, and TrumpPlaza.com, named after residential towers developed by former President Trump.
Among his many acquisitions, Vujo considers women’s media outlet The Frisky as his most significant and consistently profitable purchase. The brand, known for its risque topics, has earned him over $500,000 in revenue in just one year. In addition to advertisements and backlink sales, Vujo attracts clients interested in sponsored posts from sex toy companies due to The Frisky’s reputation.
Nebojša Vujinović Vujo’s story sheds light on the growing trend of AI-powered content creation and the controversial practice of domain squatting. As he continues to expand his digital empire, his methods may draw criticism, but they also push the boundaries of what technology can accomplish in the world of digital marketing.
