Is it Ok to use AI (Artificial Intelligence) Tools to create your content?
Several of my clients have asked me about AI tools like ChatGPT recently
As my challenge (and theirs) is always getting more content actually created and published- and the temptation to just ‘bash out’ some content using AI, we all need to be clear on whether it is a Yes or No for Google (and the other Search Engines)
Right now a debate is raging in the SEO community about the use of these GPT-3 tools and whether they are or are not acceptable from Google’s POV/perspective
10 years ago, everyone was concerned about the rise in mass-produced Human-generated content eg article “spinning”
In response, Google improved its own systems to reward quality content, rather than a knee jerk reaction penalising on all human-generated content
Google’s focus on rewarding quality content, regardless of who or what produced it, continues through its ranking systems and helpful content system introduced last year…..
*UPDATE*
On September 14, 2023 Google quietly made a small, yet critical, update based on the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
Before the update it read : “ensure people see original, helpful content written by people, for people, in search results”
However, after September 14, that same line in Google’s documentation reads, “ensure people see original, helpful content created for people in search results”
In other words Google deleted “written by people”
By making this small change to their documentation, Google is effectively telling us that content can be written by AI and that some AI generated content actually deserves to rank high in the search results.”
So, let’s dive deeper into what’s “on the record”.
I have seen these these article headlines /information :
Google Says AI Generated Content Is Against Guidelines
This article says..
“Google’s Search Advocate John Mueller says content automatically generated with AI writing tools is considered spam, according to the search engine’s webmaster guidelines……Mueller says content written by AI falls under the category of auto-generated content, which could lead to a manual penalty.
However, Google’s systems may lack the ability to detect AI generated content without the assistance of human reviewers.
Automatically Generated Content Is Against Google’s Webmaster Guidelines
Regardless of the tools used to create it, content written by machines is considered automatically generated.
As Mueller is quick to point out, Google’s position on auto generated content has always been clear……
“I think the biggest takeaway from this particular Q&A is that Google’s algorithms aren’t able to automatically detect content generated by language models such as GPT-3,” says Miranda Miller, Sr. Managing Editor here at Search Engine Journal.
“The message here is that if Google detects automatically generated content, the webspam team could take action. But we aren’t talking about the article spinners of 2003.”
Ok….But Wait!
Google confirms AI-generated content isn’t against Search guidelines
AI is set to change the game in some big ways in the near future, and AI-generated content is one of the more controversial elements.
Now, Google is broaching the subject, confirming explicitly that AI-generated content isn’t against Search guidelines.
In a new post to the Google Search Central blog, Google clarifies its stance on AI-generated content and how Search treats that content.
The short version is that Google Search guidelines don’t directly ban AI-generated content.
Rather, Google will reward “high-quality content, however it is produced.”
The company defines “high-quality content” based on “expertise, experience, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness,” or “E-E-A-T.”
While Google won’t penalize AI-generated content directly, it does say that using AI to create content that carries the “primary purpose of manipulating ranking in search results” is still a violation of policy, but that not all use of automation is considered spam.
In direct response to the question of why Google Search doesn’t ban AI-generated content, Google said:
“Automation has long been used in publishing to create useful content. AI can assist with and generate useful content in exciting new ways.”
The post goes on to explain that explicit disclosures for AI content aren’t required, though they should be “considered,” and that websites should “make clear to readers when AI is part of the content creation process.” Google also notes that an influx of content generated by artificial intelligence should be caught by the same systems used to “tackle poor quality created by humans.”
Google Sets The Record Straight: AI Content In Search Results
Google has released a statement regarding its approach to AI-generated content in search results. The company has a long-standing policy of rewarding high-quality content, regardless of whether humans or machines produce it.
Above all, Google’s ranking systems aim to identify content that demonstrates expertise, experience, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T).
Google advises creators looking to succeed in search results to produce original, high-quality, people-first content that demonstrates E-E-A-T…….
Using automation, including AI, to generate content with the primary purpose of manipulating ranking in search results violates Google’s spam policies.
So what else does Google itself say?
Bringing the benefits of AI to everyone
Google’s mission has always been to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.
We’re excited about the transformational power of AI and the helpful new ways it can be applied. From research that expands what’s possible, to product integrations designed to make everyday things easier, and applying AI to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most-we’re committed to responsible innovation and technologies that benefit all of humanity.
And..
A new era for AI and Google Workspace
We’re now making it possible for Workspace users to harness the power of generative AI to create, connect, and collaborate like never before. To start, we’re introducing a first set of AI-powered writing features in Docs and Gmail to trusted testers.
As the world’s most popular and secure cloud-native communication and collaboration suite, getting this right — and at scale — is something we take very seriously. We know from our deep experience in AI and productivity that building features with AI requires great care, thoughtful experimentation, and many iterations driven by user feedback. We do all this while building safeguards against abuse, protecting the privacy of user data, and respecting customer controls for data governance.
Conclusion?
Your focus always need to be working on delivering your content to show E-E-A-T.- Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness
IF you use AI as a basis for written content, you really should either declare it, or better yet, research, add in more relevant information on the topic to any AI generated Article- and ALWAYS fact check
There is no escaping that Quality content demands you do more than type in and let AI do all the work!
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