Is AI Content Good for SEO? Statistics, Case Studies, and More

Every day, millions of AI-generated articles flood the internet. Some pieces claim top rankings on Google, while others are buried on the second page. So, here’s the question: Is AI content good for SEO, or are we just in too much of a hurry?

Many tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Perplexity promise to write content in minutes instead of hours. That’s exactly why businesses, from startups to enterprise-level companies have lost their minds.

In this blog, I’ll provide eye-opening statistics, proven case studies, and answer the question: Does AI content help or hurt your organic rankings? Whether you’re a small business owner, a seasoned SEO professional, or a curious content creator, this is where you’ll find the answers you’ve been searching for.

What is AI Generated Content?

AI-generated content refers to text, images, audio, or videos created using artificial intelligence algorithms and models. AI models (such as large language models) are trained on large datasets—often billions of words, images, or videos—to “learn” the structure and context of the information. The more diverse and high-quality the training data, the better the model’s output typically becomes.

During training, the AI identifies patterns and relationships within the dataset (e.g., how words typically follow each other in sentences, or how images are composed). Models like GPT (for text) learn from these patterns to predict the next likely word or phrase given a certain prompt.

Percentage Usage of Different Types of AI-Generated Content

The model uses the learned patterns to generate new text, images, or multimedia based on your prompt. For text, it might produce sentences or paragraphs that seem to mimic human writing style.

Can AI-Generated Content Rank on Google?

Yes, AI-generated content can rank on Google. As an SEO professional who has been in the field long before AI-generated text took off, and who has experienced the evolution of AI content, I can confidently say that well-crafted AI articles can secure top positions in search results.

Google’s algorithms prioritize helpful, relevant, and in-depth content. Whether a human, an AI, or both in collaboration produce that content, the end result must satisfy user intent. As long as your content delivers real value, adheres to SEO best practices, and follows Google’s content guidelines, it has the potential to rank.

Case 1: When AI Content Does Not Rank

You prompt an AI model, like ChatGPT, to produce an article on a specific topic. You accept the text verbatim: no added expertise, no fact-checking, no extra depth. The result? A piece that is often generic, containing no unique perspective or original research.

You don’t incorporate your expertise, personal experiences, or actual data. The piece reads like a general summary that could be found on dozens of sites.

You won’t rank because AI sometimes generates false or outdated information (often called “AI hallucinations”), and the content might not cover specific pain points or give actionable steps. Plus, in some cases, automatically generated copies focus on stuffing keywords rather than natural flow and user-friendly structure.

Case 2: When AI Content Can Rank

You use your expertise to guide an AI tool, treating it as a capable ‘assistant’ rather than a replacement for human insight. You add value by fact-checking, refining the story, and enhancing the depth of the piece.

Expert Input

• As an industry expert, you provide a thorough outline and context based on your research.
• You instruct the AI to cover specific subtopics and provide references or unique data.
• You might add personal opinions, case studies, or examples drawn from experience.

Fact-Checking & Accuracy

• After the AI drafts the text, you verify its claims, correct mistakes, and update any stats or references.
• You make sure the final version meets high factual standards.

Depth & Original Insights

• You improve sections where the AI is unclear, adding personal insights, field-specific knowledge, and additional resources.

Meeting User Intent

• You analyze search intent for your target keywords. If users are looking for solutions to complex problems, you address them in detail.
• The final piece includes actionable tips, visuals, or supporting data to comprehensively satisfy users’ needs.

Google’s Perspective on AI Content

Google emphasizes that high-quality content is what matters, regardless of whether it’s created by humans or generated using AI. The key is to follow Google’s longstanding focus on E-E-A-T (expertise, experience, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness) and to produce “people-first” material rather than content solely intended to manipulate search rankings.

Google confirms that spammy, automated tactics violate Google’s policies and are targeted by systems like SpamBrain. Google acknowledges that the responsible use of AI can enhance creativity and efficiency—much like how automation has historically provided useful updates for sports scores or weather forecasts.

Ultimately, creators are advised to ensure originality and credibility in their work, maintaining clarity about who is producing the content, how it’s made, and why it exists, to stay aligned with the principles that Google continues to reward.

Should You Get Rid of AI Detection?

First of all, the question is why you want to get rid of AI detection. Below is a deep dive into whether or not you should remove or bypass AI detection, covering different scenarios, motivations, and consequences.

The answer will address the core question—why someone might want to “get rid of AI detection” in the first place—and break down the issues surrounding content quality, client expectations, and Google’s ranking factors.

Fundamentally, AI detection tools exist to identify text that may have been produced by large language models or other automated systems. People may want to avoid detection for various reasons.

Let’s look at three specific scenarios:

Scenario 1: You told your client you’d write their content entirely by hand, yet you used an AI tool to generate (or heavily assist) in creating the text. Now you’re concerned the client may run the copy through an AI detector.

Scenario 2: You fear that Google will penalize or fail to rank articles flagged as AI-generated. You want to bypass AI detection tools (like Originality.ai) to “prove” your content is human.

Scenario 3: You hired an SEO agency or a content writer to produce original, human-written content. Now, you want to verify whether they delivered on that promise or relied heavily on AI.

How to Detect AI Without Online Tools

There are many ways to detect AI content even without online tools. For example, you can check the writer’s past work. If the new piece significantly differs in sentence structure or vocabulary, it might be partially AI-generated.

Ask for Drafts: If you suspect the text was largely AI-generated, you can ask the writer for earlier drafts or an outline. A human writer usually has a clear process and intermediate steps.

Discrepancies in AI Detector Results

Different Tools, Different Percentages: AI detection tools often rely on specific statistical markers (like “perplexity” or unusual word patterns). Each detector has its model and data, leading to conflicting results.

False Positives & Negatives: Real human writing can sometimes appear “AI-like” if it uses common phrasings or a predictable style. Conversely, well-edited AI text might score as largely human.

Vocabulary and Grammar: Some detectors focus on certain patterns (e.g., extremely consistent grammar or symmetrical sentence lengths), but excellent human writers can also produce these patterns. Conversely, an AI text that’s heavily edited by a good writer might read just like human prose.

How Do AI Detectors Work?

AI detectors generally rely on analyzing patterns, linguistic structures, and statistical features within the text to determine whether it was generated by a human or by a machine learning model. These systems can be trained on large datasets of both AI-generated and human-written samples, allowing them to spot subtle differences in tone, word choice, syntax, and coherence.

Advanced detectors might also measure perplexity—a metric that assesses how likely certain words are to appear in a sequence—since AI models often produce language that follows very predictable or uniform patterns.

In addition, some AI detectors examine the probability distributions of different words or phrases and compare them to those found in known AI outputs. If the text’s distribution closely matches the content generated by a particular model, the detector is more inclined to label it as AI-produced.

The detectors may also analyze the text’s overall structure, looking for repetitive phrasings or a consistent rhythm that could be characteristic of automated generation.

Best Practices to Use AI Content for SEO

I’ve seen too many websites fail because they overlook the human touch. You can’t just feed an AI a topic, hit ‘generate,’ and expect Google to shower your site with traffic. It doesn’t work that way. In the next section, I’m going to walk you through actionable steps and proven tips to make sure your AI-generated content has the best chance of ranking. Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

Don’t Focus on Quantity

Everyone is using AI to produce content faster than ever before. Thousands of blog posts, product descriptions, and listicles are flooding the internet daily. It seems like the speed is the only rule.

However, quantity doesn’t equal quality. There’s no depth, no voice, no connection. But, readers are noticing. Search engines are noticing.

So, here is what I would advise you:
Focus on quality while others are busy producing low-quality AI articles. You have the opportunity to stand out from the crowd.

Dive deeper into topics. Add real value, and make your content feel human. This is the best time to take advantage of AI content creation—not to do what everyone else is doing, but to do what they’re not.

Combine AI with Human Editing

The combination of AI with human editing is a secret sauce. As an SEO strategist, I’ve integrated AI into various stages of my workflow—research, idea generation, and initial drafts.

The first step is to create a solid foundation by providing detailed prompts to the AI. Instead of typing a few words and hoping for the best, I provide context about the target audience, core objectives, and key points I’d like to cover.

I often discover redundant sentences, factual inaccuracies, or a lack of organization that hurts the clarity of the piece. Here, my role is part editor, and part subject matter expert—fact-checking data, restructuring paragraphs, and incorporating the tone and style that reflects my brand.

Once I have the draft in workable form, I dive deeper into validating the content with practical experience. Wherever possible, I add humor, personal stories, and references to ongoing trends or research that I’ve personally encountered.

Apart from cleaning up grammar or syntactical errors, I intentionally remove overused words like “leverage,” “utilize,” “harness,” or any similar words or phrases that I see repeated in many AI-driven texts.

I find that readers and even clients are tired of such stale vocabulary.

I also try to connect ideas and make sure each paragraph flows into the next. During this process, I pay attention to any incomplete or nonsense sentences.

Optimize for Google E-E-A-T

You can not believe but I’ve guided many businesses through the complexities of balancing AI-driven writing with Google’s E-E-A-T standards.

This is especially important for YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) topics—finance, healthcare, legal, and similar topics (Industries) where misinformation can have serious consequences.

So, how should you proceed?

Google values content that demonstrates firsthand knowledge. AI-generated text, on its own, often repeats general information copied from various sources. That’s why it’s essential to incorporate your personal experience when talking about a specific topic.

AI-generated content can sometimes confidently provide inaccurate data, so it’s your job to thoroughly verify every claim. Cite reputable journals, government sites, or recognized industry figures, and provide direct links to original studies where appropriate. If you’re discussing a sensitive topic like “ways to manage diabetes,” back up any dietary or medical recommendations with peer-reviewed research or credible health organization guidelines.

You can also create robust author profiles that detail education, certifications, years of hands-on experience, and any notable achievements.

For example, if you’re publishing an article on estate planning, mentioning that you’ve worked alongside certified financial planners or attorneys, or that you’ve got a background in legal journalism, will highlight your authority in Google’s eyes.

If you’re discussing medical or legal issues, include disclaimers clarifying that the article is for informational purposes and encourage readers to seek professional advice.

Craft People-First Content

One of the biggest mistakes I see in content creation today is the tendency to write for search engines before people. Yes, we all want our pages to rank, but Google has made it increasingly clear that what truly matters is satisfying user intent.

Always crafted content with human readers in mind. Identify common questions your audience has—through forums, social media, or direct customer feedback—and provide clear, in-depth answers. Break down text into short paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings that mirror the logical flow of a conversation. Visual aids like infographics, images, or short videos can further clarify complex topics.

If you can reference case studies, client experiences, or personal successes and failures, do it.

Optimize On-Page SEO

Google and other search engines can only measure content quality through certain signals—relevance, structure, internal/external linking, keyword usage, and user engagement metrics like bounce rate or time on page. If your content lacks these essential markers, search algorithms may struggle to understand its value.

I often say that unique value is the single best way to stand out in crowded search results.

Start with internal linking. If you create a new AI-generated piece, link to it from an older, high-performing article, or let’s say, if your AI-generated content covers “beginner cooking tips,” link internally to your articles about “kitchen knife basics” or “top 5 spices for new chefs.

Image source

I would also highly recommend you use external links. If your AI content references statistics or studies, link to the original source. Google sees external linking to high-quality, reputable domains as a sign that you’re delivering valuable information.

Cover Low-Hanging Fruit Keywords

High-competition keywords (“insurance,” “car loans,” “best laptops”) might be difficult to rank for, especially if you’re just starting or lack domain authority. Low-hanging fruit keywords—long-tail phrases with moderate search volume and relatively low competition—are your hope.

So, conduct in-depth keyword research and incorporate some low-hanging fruits into your AI-generated content.

Need some guidance?

Research First: Tools like AnswerThePublic, SEMrush, or Google’s own Keyword Planner can reveal terms your competitors aren’t fully optimizing.

Prompt Your AI Intentionally: If you see a keyword like “best vegan snacks for busy moms,” you can instruct the AI to generate content specifically covering subtopics like cost, nutrition, and quick recipes.

Add Depth: Once the AI draft is ready, enhance it with real-life tips, personal examples, or expert interviews.

Use ChatGPT for SEO

One of the biggest benefits of AI is that it can handle repetitive tasks. If you’re comfortable issuing structured prompts, you can use ChatGPT (or similar models) to automate several SEO tasks:

Meta Descriptions: Provide your AI content to ChatGPT and request a 145-155-character summary for a meta description. You can ask for multiple variations—then pick the one that best fits your brand voice.

Title Tag Suggestions: Provide your main keyword and let ChatGPT suggest five compelling, SEO-friendly title tags. Adjust them to maintain a human touch.

Outline Creation: For a series of related articles, ChatGPT can help generate outlines that guarantee you’re covering relevant subtopics and internal linking structures.

Keyword Variations: Prompt the AI to provide synonyms or related phrases for your main keyword, making sure your content remains natural and not over-optimized.

Pro Tip: I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on using ChatGPT for SEO tasks. If you’re interested in automating your workflow—while still maintaining quality—I invite you to check it out.

Best AI Content Generators at a Glance

I’ve tried many AI writing tools but ChatGPT stands out in ways that many other platforms simply can’t compete with (Yet). Of course, there are many AI solutions out there—Perplexity is a popular alternative, and you’ll hear about Jasper, Copy.ai, Writer, Bard, and many others.

However, after extensive hands-on experimentation, I keep coming back to ChatGPT for my day-to-day workflow. However, your choice of AI tool depends on your specific goals, budget, and the type of content you produce.

A Case Study That Shows the Real Impact of AI Content

In 2023 we began running SEO campaigns for a local dental clinic, our primary goal was to improve their organic rankings and establish them as a trusted authority in dental care within a highly competitive market. The dental industry, is dominated by established giants like Healthline and Medical News Today.

Honestly, our client was very excited about using AI content writing tools because it was a good way to provide SEO services at an affordable cost, perfectly matching our client’s budget.

Of course, we did a lot of staff, but what’s interesting is that we hired a retired dentist with over 30 years of clinical experience. He provided invaluable direction, making sure that every piece of content was accurate and rich with real insights and practical advice.

Our team produced over 270 pieces of content, thoroughly crafted to cover a wide range of dental topics. We implemented a content hub strategy, organizing our articles into clusters and pillar pages

The result? From 0 to 30,000 monthly visitors within eight months.

By the fourth month, the brand was already moving up the rankings for several key dental-related keywords. By the eighth month, the site was attracting 30,000 organic visitors monthly.

The success of the dental clinic’s SEO campaign highlights the potential of AI-generated content if you combine it with human oversight and robust on-page SEO practices.

This case study is not unique. Across various projects, I’ve seen how AI-assisted content creation, guided by expert input and optimized for SEO can provide unbelievable results.

Inspired by the success of the dental clinic? Get in touch with us today to discover how our SEO strategies can level up your organic presence, drive organic traffic, and help you stand out in your industry.

AI vs Human Writing: Comparison

What Types of Content Can AI Generate?

AI tools like ChatGPT can draft well-structured and informative pieces on virtually any topic. They can also generate product descriptions for eCommerce sites, emails and newsletters, personalized messages, and more.

Furthermore, you can also generate videos, images, and even music via AI software.

How Much AI Content Is Acceptable in SEO?

Search engines like Google do not evaluate content based on whether it was written by a human or an AI. Instead, they focus on the value the content provides to users. This means that as long as your AI-generated articles are informative, well-structured, and aligned with user intent, they can perform exceptionally well in search rankings.

In fact, you can entirely rely on AI to write your articles and still achieve high rankings on search engines.

Will ChatGPT Content Rank on Google?

Yes, ChatGPT-generated content can rank on Google. It doesn’t matter whether the content is crafted using ChatGPT or other AI tools. I can confidently affirm that AI-generated articles have the potential to achieve high search engine rankings and it does not matter which tool you utilize.

Can Google Detect ChatGPT Content?

Google can detect spammy and low-quality content, but it doesn’t specifically target ChatGPT or other AI tools. As an SEO expert, I’ve observed that Google’s primary objective is to deliver the most relevant, helpful, and high-quality content to its users.

The false assumption that Google is actively targeting AI-generated content can lead to unnecessary anxiety.

Instead of worrying about being detected as AI-generated, focus on producing exceptional content that adheres to Google’s quality standards. Make sure your articles are well-researched, accurately fact-checked, and enriched with unique insights and perspectives.

Is It Legal to Use AI Content?

Yes, using AI-generated content is generally legal. One of the primary legal considerations when using AI content revolves around copyright ownership. Typically, content generated by AI is considered to be in the public domain because it lacks human authorship, which is a key requirement for copyright protection.

This means you can freely use, modify, and distribute AI-generated content without infringing on copyright laws.

However, if you incorporate substantial human input, such as editing, adding unique insights, or combining multiple AI outputs, you may establish your own copyright over the final work.

Can Google Penalize You for AI Content?

Google can penalize your website for AI-generated content if it is spammy or low quality. It’s important to understand that Google’s primary concern isn’t whether your content was created by an AI tool, but rather the quality and value it provides to users.

Whether the content is human-written or AI-generated, if it fails to meet Google’s standards for originality, relevance, and usefulness, your site could face penalties, including removal from search results or deindexing of specific pages.

Moreover, Google continuously updates its guidelines to better identify and penalize content that manipulates search rankings without offering real value.