What Cork Agencies Won't Tell You About 2026 (I Analyzed 50+ Businesses & Found Something Disturbing)
- PJ Rynd
- Jan 10
- 3 min read
Last week, I spent 40 hours analyzing Cork digital marketing agencies.
Pricing. Services. What they promise versus what they deliver.
And I found something that made me genuinely angry.
The Problem Nobody's Talking About
71% of images you see on social media are now AI-generated. Not just some. Nearly three-quarters of all visual content.
Meanwhile, Cork businesses are paying €800-€2,500/month for "professional social media management" from agencies using the exact same AI tools everyone else uses.
Here's what I discovered after analyzing 50+ Cork business accounts and calling 12 local agencies:
The Three Big Issues
1. Outdated Strategies at Premium Prices
Most Cork agencies are selling 2023 strategies at 2026 prices. Meta rolled out a completely new algorithm in late 2024 called "Andromeda." It fundamentally changed how content gets distributed.
I asked 8 Cork agencies about it. Six had never heard of it. Two knew the name but couldn't explain how they'd adapted.
Your €1,500/month retainer is funding strategies that the algorithm actively penalizes.
2. The Hidden Cost Problem
Average quoted price: €1,200/month
Average actual price after fees: €1,670/month
That's 39% more than quoted. The extras pile up: ad spend percentages, software licenses, stock assets, revision fees, setup costs.
Most agencies don't mention these until after you've signed.
3. The Results Gap
I analyzed 50+ Cork business social media accounts across hospitality, trades, and retail.
What I found:
78% never reply to comments
92% never engage with other accounts
82% post only static images (while Reels get 3x more reach)
67% don't check analytics at all
The agencies managing these accounts? Charging €1,200-€2,500/month.
Why This Matters Now
Instagram's CEO just publicly admitted (January 2026): "The bar is shifting from 'can you create?' to 'can you make something that only YOU could create?'"
Translation: AI-perfect content is dying. Authenticity wins. Raw beats polished.
But Cork agencies are still creating polished, AI-perfect content using the same templates as everyone else.
What Cork Businesses Actually Need
After 10 years in Cork and 25 years managing business operations internationally, here's what I see:
Cork businesses don't need:
Multi-platform presence
Award-winning creative
€2,500/month retainers
Cork businesses need:
Consistent presence (2 platforms, done well)
Authentic content (not AI slop)
Daily engagement (replies, comments, community)
Someone who understands Cork customers
Affordable pricing
The gap between these is where agencies make their profit.
The Window Is Closing
By Q3-Q4 2026, 6-8 Cork agencies will claim "AI-powered."
By 2027, "AI-powered" becomes meaningless.
Cork businesses who understand these changes now have a 6-12 month advantage.
Those who wait? Playing catch-up for years.
What You Should Do
If you're working with a Cork agency right now, ask them:
"How have you adapted to Meta's Andromeda algorithm?"
"What are ALL the fees, including percentages and software costs?"
"Show me the actual engagement metrics, not just impressions."
If they can't answer clearly - you're overpaying for outdated work.
Over the next few posts, I'll break down:
What Instagram's CEO admitted about AI content
The €86 to €13.87 algorithm secret
Exactly where hidden fees hide
The 5 mistakes killing your reach
What 2027 looks like (and how to prepare)
Want Honest Feedback on Your Social Media?
I offer free 30-minute AI Readiness Assessments for Cork businesses.
No sales pitch. Just honest feedback on what's working and what's not.
Sources & References:
Amra & Elma agency research on AI-generated content (2026)
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri public statements (January 2026)
InfluenceFlow Digital Marketing Pricing Guide 2026
Analysis of 50+ Cork SME social media accounts (January 2026)
12 Cork digital marketing agency consultations (January 2026)
About the Author:
PJ Rynd runs RYND, a Cork-based digital consultancy. After 25 years managing business operations across Central Europe, North America, and Asia, he settled in Cork 10 years ago to help local businesses navigate digital marketing without the corporate BS.
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