Is AI generated content against Google’s guidelines?
AI-generated content is not in violation of its search engine guidelines. Google recently made a statement regarding its stance on this.
This is a departure from its previous position of banning AI-generated content, which had been in effect since the early 2000s. Google now believes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has advanced enough to the point where it can produce content that is indistinguishable from that which is created by humans.
Google’s new stance on AI-generated content reflects the company’s recognition of the potential for AI to be utilised for beneficial purposes. AI can be used to create content that is of equal or greater quality to that created by humans, and is capable of producing content at a much faster rate. This could help to improve search engine results, as AI-generated content could help to fill the gaps in terms of content that is currently lacking. Additionally, AI-generated content could be used to provide more detailed and accurate information on a wide range of topics, as AI is able to quickly analyse vast amounts of data and generate content accordingly.
Google’s change of heart has been met with both praise and criticism, as some members of the public are concerned about the potential for AI-generated content to be used for nefarious purposes. However, Google has assured the public that it is taking all necessary steps to ensure that AI-generated content is used responsibly and ethically, and that its search engine guidelines will be strictly enforced.
Here are the FAQs from their Google Search Central Blog on 8th February 2023
FAQ
To further help, here are some answers to questions you may have about AI content and Google Search:
Is AI content against Google Search’s guidelines?
Appropriate use of AI or automation is not against our guidelines. This means that it is not used to generate content primarily to manipulate search rankings, which is against our spam policies.
Why doesn’t Google Search ban AI content?
Automation has long been used in publishing to create useful content. AI can assist with and generate useful content in exciting new ways.
How will Google Search prevent poor quality AI content from taking over search results?
Poor quality content isn’t a new challenge for Google Search to deal with. We’ve been tackling poor quality content created both by humans and automation for years. We have existing systems to determine the helpfulness of content. Other systems work to elevate original news reporting. Our systems continue to be regularly improved.
How will Google address AI content that potentially propagates misinformation or contradicts consensus on important topics?
These issues exist in both human-generated and AI-generated content. However content is produced, our systems look to surface high-quality information from reliable sources, and not information that contradicts well-established consensus on important topics. On topics where information quality is critically important—like health, civic, or financial information—our systems place an even greater emphasis on signals of reliability.
How can Search determine if AI is being used to spam search results?
We have a variety of systems, including SpamBrain, that analyze patterns and signals to help us identify spam content, however it is produced.
Will AI content rank highly on Search?
Using AI doesn’t give content any special gains. It’s just content. If it is useful, helpful, original, and satisfies aspects of E-E-A-T, it might do well in Search. If it doesn’t, it might not.
Should I use AI to generate content?
If you see AI as an essential way to help you produce content that is helpful and original, it might be useful to consider. If you see AI as an inexpensive, easy way to game search engine rankings, then no.
Should I add author bylines to all my content?
You should consider having accurate author bylines when readers would reasonably expect it, such as to any content where someone might think, “Who wrote this?”
As a reminder, publishers that appear in Google News should use bylines and author information. Learn more on our Google News policies page.
Should I add AI or automation disclosures to my content?
AI or automation disclosures are useful for content where someone might think “How was this created?”. Consider adding these when it would be reasonably expected.
Can I list AI as the author of content?
Giving AI an author byline is probably not the best way to follow our recommendation to make clear to readers when AI is part of the content creation process.”