Is AI Generated Content Good for SEO? What Google Actually States

As AI technology advances, its impact on content creation and SEO is becoming impossible to ignore. But the big question on every marketer’s mind is: Is AI generated content good for SEO, and does it actually rank in Google?

86% of SEO professionals are already using AI in their strategies.

As AI-powered search engines and SEO automation continue to evolve and take over the world of marketing, we’re here to cut through the noise and reveal the true impact of generative AI for SEO. 

Here’s what we’re covering in this blog:

• Google’s stance on AI-generated content.
• Whether AI-generated content can rank for Google or not. 
• Factors that may affect the rankings of AI-generated content. 
• Best practices to follow to ensure your AI-generated content ranks for SEO. 

Does AI content rank in Google?

The short answer is yes; AI-generated content can and does rank in Google. 

In fact, recent data shows that 19% of Google’s top-ranking content is AI-generated, marking a staggering rise from just 2.3% before the release of OpenAI’S GPT-2. 

This statistic alone shows that AI content for SEO is not only ranking but also performing well in search results.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. While AI content is making waves, it’s important to understand the full picture, exactly how Google and AI content work together, and how search engines view generative AI for SEO. 

As per Google Search Central’s guidance on AI content, their focus is on the quality and value of content, not the creation method. 

This means that well-crafted AI content that provides genuine value to users has just as much potential to rank as human-written content.

In short, Google doesn’t automatically penalize AI content. The search algorithms want to reward content that gives users real value, whatever its source, but several elements affect performance in search results:

Google looks at AI content through three basic rules:

1. Helpfulness: Content must meet user needs and offer valuable information.
2. Originality: Fresh insights and viewpoints matter more than generic, mass-produced content.
3. Relevance: Content should match what users are searching for.

These rules work the same for both human-written and AI-generated content. 

This means you shouldn’t simply create content for the sake of ranking in Google’s search engines. Your content should aim to answer human search queries–and for this, your content should be helpful by following Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines. 

In fact, Google is actively using AI Overviews in its search results. This is a clear indicator that Google is on board with generative AI content as long as it’s used ethically. 

💡 Read more about: How to Avoid AI Detection in Writing

Key factors that affect AI content rankings in search engines

When it comes to AI-generated content, not all pages are created equal in the eyes of search engines. Google has made it clear that they focus on content quality rather than how content is created. 

This means AI content can rank well—but only if it meets certain criteria.

Here are some of the key factors that determine whether your AI content will climb the search rankings or get lost in the web:

1. Content quality signals and information gain score

Information gain is a vital ranking factor, especially when you have AI-generated content. Google’s patent on information gain score (granted in June 2022) measures your content’s uniqueness against existing material on similar topics. 

The information gain score can boost or lower rankings based on originality. 

According to Google’s official guidance, content should be created “primarily to give users a helpful, reliable, people-first experience.” This applies regardless of whether the content is AI-generated or human-written.

Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines specifically highlight several types of low-value content that will perform poorly:

• Text that makes no sense but contains keywords. 
• Automated translations without human review. 
• Content generated without quality consideration. 
• Automated synonymizing or paraphrasing techniques. 
• Stitched-together content without value addition. 

To improve your information gain score, focus on:

1. Adding original insights: Include perspectives or information not found elsewhere. 
2. Providing comprehensive coverage: Address all aspects of a topic thoroughly. 
3. Offering practical value: Help users solve real problems or answer specific questions. 
4. Including unique data: Share original research, case studies, or expert analysis. 

2. User engagement metrics

User behavior tells search engines a lot about content quality. These metrics include:

• Dwell time: How long visitors spend reading your content. 
• Click-through rate (CTR): The percentage of users who click on your search result (industry averages range from 2-5%). 
• Bounce rate: The percentage of visitors who leave after viewing only one page (aim for below 60% for informational content). 
• Pages per session: The number of pages a visitor views during one visit. 
• Backlink growth: How many other websites link to your content over time. 
• Social shares: How often your content is shared on social media platforms. 

Strong engagement metrics suggest your AI content resonates with readers and meets their needs. This often translates to better search performance, as search engines aim to provide users with the most helpful and engaging content.

3. E-E-A-T considerations

Google uses it’s E-E-A-T framework for evaluating content quality, and it’s especially crucial for AI-generated content.

Here’s what each component of E-E-A-T represents, especially in terms of AI content for SEO:

• Experience: AI has no personal experience, so you need to incorporate real human experiences and first-hand knowledge.
• Expertise: AI can compile information but doesn’t have professional credentials or specialized training. Your content needs human expert input or validation through quotes or insights.
• Authoritativeness: Recognition and reputation come from industry leadership and citations from other experts—something AI alone can’t achieve.
• Trustworthiness: Content reliability and accuracy require fact verification, source citations, and regular updates by knowledgeable humans.

4. Relevance to search intent

Search intent optimization is a critical factor in Google’s ranking algorithm. Google’s mission is to organize information and make it useful, matching content to what users are looking for.

Search engines analyze search queries to understand:

• What the user is trying to accomplish
• What type of content would best serve their needs
• How to deliver the most relevant results

For AI content to rank well, it must align perfectly with search intent. This means:

1. Understanding query types: Informational, navigational, transactional, or commercial
2. Matching content format: Providing guides for how-to queries, comparisons for product research, etc.
3. Answering the specific question: Directly addressing what users want to know
4. Providing comprehensive coverage: Addressing all aspects of the topic users care about

5. Originality 

Search engines place a high value on original content, which presents a unique challenge for AI-generated material. Google’s guidelines explicitly warn against “spammy automatically-generated content” and emphasize the importance of adding unique value.

The helpful content system by Google specifically targets content that:

• Seems to have been created primarily for search engines. 
• Summarizes what others say without adding value. 
• Lacks originality or authentic insights. 
• Is mass-produced or part of a content farm. 

To ensure your AI content meets Google’s originality standards:

1. Avoid mass production: Don’t use AI to create multiple variations of the same content
2. Add human insights: Incorporate unique perspectives and expertise
3. Include original research: Share proprietary data or findings
4. Personalize for your audience: Tailor content to your specific readers’ needs
5. Combine AI efficiency with human creativity: Use AI as a starting point, not the final product

Search engines don’t play favorites when it comes to AI content for SEO. They’re looking for the same things they always have: quality, value, and relevance. 

To make your content noticed by search algorithms, focus on creating something truly useful for your readers. This means nailing the basics like content quality and user engagement while also paying attention to E-E-A-T factors, search intent, and originality. 

Remember, it’s not about tricking the algorithm—it’s about serving your audience. Do that well, and the rankings will follow.

💡 Related to your reading: Will AI Replace SEO?

Bottom line: Is AI content bad for SEO?

The short answer is no; AI content isn’t inherently bad for SEO. 

Google has made it clear that they focus on content quality, not how content is created. But certain types of AI content can absolutely tank your rankings.

What matters most is the value your content provides to readers. Google’s systems are designed to reward helpful, reliable, people-first content while pushing down content that seems to have been created primarily for ranking well in search results.

So, which types of AI content can hurt your SEO efforts? Let’s break it down:

1. Poor content quality

AI content quality issues are the number one reason for ranking penalties. When you generate content at scale without proper quality controls, it won’t rank in search engines. 

The March 2024 Google Core Update hit AI-generated content particularly hard, but it wasn’t targeting AI specifically – it was targeting low-quality content. Sites using AI to churn out shallow, repetitive articles with little original value saw significant traffic drops.

Here’s what makes AI content “poor quality” in Google’s eyes:

• Content that’s thin on information but stuffed with keywords. 
• Articles that simply rephrase what’s already available elsewhere. 
• Content that lacks depth, expertise, or original insights. 
• Material with factual errors or outdated information. 

Remember that Google’s systems are increasingly sophisticated at detecting content that doesn’t provide real value to users. If your AI content writing tool is just repackaging existing information without adding anything new, you will likely see poor search results performance.

2. Publishing raw AI content without human oversight

One of the biggest SEO mistakes is publishing unedited AI output directly to your site. Raw AI content often contains:

• Factual inaccuracies that damage your credibility. 
• Generic statements that don’t demonstrate expertise. 
• Awkward phrasing that creates a poor user experience. 
• Missing context and expert opinions that human writers would naturally include. 
• Lack of human emotion and personal anecdotes that engage readers.

The SEO impact of AI content is largely determined by how much human oversight goes into the process. When you skip the editing stage, you’re essentially publishing first-draft content – something no professional writer would recommend.

3. AI content that misses search intent

Even technically well-written AI content can perform poorly if it doesn’t align with what users are actually searching for. This happens when:

• You optimize for keywords without understanding the questions behind them. 
• Content addresses the wrong stage of the buyer’s journey. 
• Articles provide surface-level answers to complex questions. 
• Material that fails to address the specific problems users want to solve. 

For example, if someone searches “best running shoes,” they likely want comparisons, reviews, and recommendations, not a generic article about the history of running shoes. 

The negative impact of AI content on search engine rankings is most evident when there’s a mismatch between what users want and what your content delivers. 

This leads to poor engagement metrics like high bounce rates and low time on page–signaling to Google that your content isn’t satisfying users.

💡 Learn more: How To Use AI for SEO Optimization and Boost Your Visibility

Best practices for using generative AI for SEO

AI has changed how we approach SEO and content creation. When used correctly, AI tools can help you create better content faster, research more effectively, and optimize more efficiently. But there’s a right and wrong way to use these powerful tools.

Let’s explore the best practices for using AI in your SEO strategy to get the results you want without sacrificing quality–or rankings in search engines. 

1. Using AI for content ideation, optimization, and research

Coming up with fresh content ideas can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to publish regularly. This is where AI shines.

AI tools can analyze search trends, competitor content, and user questions to generate topic ideas that align with what your audience is actually searching for. 

For example, you can use AI SEO tools to conduct initial SEO research for your content. Tools like Chatsonic’s AI agent can:

• Identify content gaps for your blog pages. 
• Find questions people are asking related to your industry or niche. 
• Conduct competitor analysis and identify what’s working well for their SEO strategy. 
• Conduct keyword research to find long-tail keywords, high search volume terms, and low competition keywords. 

When planning your content for SEO, ask AI to analyze your competitors’ top-performing pages.

What topics are they covering? What keywords are they targeting? What questions are they answering? This information can help you create more comprehensive, valuable content.

When you learn how to use AI for SEO effectively, you can significantly reduce the time spent researching keywords, search intent, competitor analysis, and topic ideation. 

2. Implementing E-E-A-T principles in AI content

Google evaluates content based on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T). AI content often struggles with these elements because artificial intelligence lacks real-world experience and expertise.

To enhance the E-E-A-T score of your AI-generated content, you should:

1. Add personal experiences: Include real examples, case studies, or personal insights that AI can’t generate.
2. Cite credible sources: Back up claims with links to authoritative websites and research.
3. Include expert quotes or insights: Add perspectives from industry experts to boost credibility.
4. Show your credentials: Make sure your author bio highlights relevant qualifications and experience.
5. Update content regularly: Keep information current and accurate to maintain trustworthiness.

E-E-A-T principles should guide your AI content strategy from ideation to publication. For this, manual human editing is an absolute must to get your content to rank well in search engines. 

3. Quality assurance for AI-generated content

The difference between mediocre and outstanding AI content often comes down to your quality control process. AI writing tools can dramatically improve your content creation workflow, but they need proper guidance. 

Here’s how to get the most from these tools:

1. Create detailed prompts: The more specified instructions you use for ChatGPT prompts for SEO, the better the output. Guide AI models about your desired tone, style, target audience, points to cover, length, and what to avoid. Provide examples wherever possible. 
2. Use AI for first drafts: Let AI generate initial content, then refine and enhance it with your expertise. Do not rely on AI to produce final drafts. 
3. Maintain your brand voice: Provide examples of your brand’s tone and style to ensure consistency across AI-generated content.
4. Break complex topics into smaller prompts: Instead of asking for an entire article at once, create separate prompts for each section.
5. Iterate and refine: Don’t settle for the first output. Ask the AI to revise based on specific feedback.

Remember, using AI isn’t necessarily a bad thing for your content strategy or ranking for search engines. The key is to use these tools as collaborators or assistants for your existing workflow rather than a replacement.

4. Creating an effective AI-human workflow

The most successful approach combines AI’s efficiency with human creativity and expertise. Here’s a workflow that works:

1. Research phase: Use AI to analyze keywords, search intent, and competitor content.
2. Planning phase: Have AI generate content briefs and outlines based on your research, then review and refine them.
3. Creation phase: Use AI to draft sections based on your approved SEO blog outline.
4. Editing phase: Thoroughly edit AI content, adding personal insights, examples, and brand voice.
5. Optimization phase: Use AI tools to check SEO elements like keyword usage, readability, and content structure.
6. Review phase: Have a subject matter expert review the content for accuracy and depth.
7. Publication and monitoring: Track performance and use AI to suggest improvements based on data.

This workflow ensures you get the benefits of AI efficiency while maintaining the quality and authenticity that search engines reward.

5. Focus on quality over quantity

When it comes to AI-generated content and SEO, quality trumps quantity every time. It’s tempting to use AI to churn out tons of content quickly, but that strategy can backfire instantly. 

Here’s why quality matters more than ever:

1. Google’s algorithms are getting smarter: They can detect low-quality, mass-produced content more easily than ever before.
2. User engagement matters: High-quality content keeps users on your site longer, reduces bounce rates, and encourages return visits – all signals that Google loves.
3. Backlinks and shares: Other sites are more likely to link to and share high-quality, valuable content.
4. Building authority: Consistently publishing quality content establishes your site to have topical authority in your niche, resulting in higher rankings in the long run. 
5. Long-term sustainability: Quality content continues to perform well over time, while low-quality content often sees short-lived gains followed by penalties.

So it’s not about how much content you can produce with AI – it’s about how much value that content provides to your audience.

💡 Also check out: 12 Powerful AI SEO Tips to Skyrocket Your Google Rankings

Level up your AI SEO content with Writesonic and Chatsonic

Long story short, AI-generated content can rank—but only if it meets Google’s standards for quality, originality, and user value. 

While AI is a game-changer for SEO, the real key lies in how you use it. The right approach blends AI efficiency with human oversight, ensuring content isn’t just optimized for search engines but also engages and informs real readers.

Writesonic and Chatsonic help businesses create SEO-optimized content that aligns with Google’s best practices while maintaining authenticity and engagement.

Take Tasty Tours, for example. By leveraging Writesonic’s AI-powered content generation, Tasty Tours achieved top 5 rankings on Google, driving significant traffic to their site. 

Their success proves that when AI is used strategically—with a focus on originality, search intent, and E-E-A-T principles—it can dominate search rankings.

So, if you want to stay ahead in the AI-driven SEO game, let Writesonic and Chatsonic power your content strategy, ensuring your pages don’t just rank—but convert!

FAQs

1. Can SEO detect AI-generated content?

Yes, SEO tools and search engines can potentially detect AI-generated content using linguistic analysis, pattern recognition, and machine learning algorithms. 

Modern detection tools claim accuracy rates up to 99% for identifying content created by AI models like GPT-3 and GPT-4. However, detection isn’t perfect and can produce false positives, especially with heavily edited AI content or content that combines AI and human writing. 

Google has not confirmed using AI detection as a ranking factor, focusing instead on content quality regardless of how it was created.

2. Can you use AI to write SEO content?

Yes, you can use AI writing tools for SEO content creation. AI tools can help with keyword research, content outlining, first drafts, meta descriptions, and title tag generation. 

For best results, use AI as an assistant rather than a replacement for human expertise. Successful use of AI content requires providing clear prompts, fact-checking information, adding original insights, and ensuring the content meets E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines.

3. How much AI content is acceptable in SEO?

There is no specific percentage or amount of AI content that Google considers acceptable.

What matters is content quality, not how it was created. Google evaluates all content based on the same criteria: helpfulness, relevance, originality, and E-E-A-T factors. 

You can use AI for 100% of your initial drafts as long as you ensure proper human editing, fact-checking, and quality control. Writers should focus on creating value for users rather than worrying about the exact amount of AI involvement in your content creation process.

4. What makes AI content rank well in Google?

AI content ranks well when it meets the same quality standards as any high-ranking content. Key factors include:

1. Thorough human editing and oversight
2. Original insights and expertise not available elsewhere
3. Accurate information with proper fact-checking
4. Content that directly addresses user search intent
5. Strong E-E-A-T signals (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
6. Good user engagement metrics (low bounce rate, high time on page)
7. Natural incorporation of relevant keywords

Content that combines AI efficiency with human expertise tends to perform best in search rankings.

5. How can I improve AI-generated content for SEO?

To improve AI-generated content for SEO performance:

1. Start with detailed, specific prompts that include target keywords and user and search intent.
2. Always fact-check information and correct any inaccuracies. 
3. Add original research, personal anecdotes, or unique insights. 
4. Ensure proper formatting with clear headings, short paragraphs, and visual elements. 
5. Incorporate relevant internal and external links to authoritative sources. 
6. Optimize meta titles and descriptions using target keywords. 
7. Have subject matter experts review and enhance the content. 
8. Update content regularly to maintain freshness and accuracy. 

These practices help ensure your AI content provides genuine value to users while meeting search engine quality standards.

Saloni Kohli

Content Strategist

Saloni Kohli, content strategist at Writesonic, brings creativity and strategy to SEO content optimization and marketing. Known for her deep understanding and experience of SEO and content marketing in the B2B SaaS industry, she's passionate about boosting brand visibility and conversions.