Skip to main content

% blog read

AI-generated content is now officially on Google’s radar

Hector Westcroft

By Hector Westcroft

15th Apr 2025

SEO

Google is now telling its quality raters to flag AI-generated content as “Lowest quality” if it shows little effort, originality or value

AI-generated content is now officially on Google’s radar

AI-generated content is now officially on Google’s radar

As of the January 2025 update to the Search Quality Rater Guidelines, Google is telling its quality raters to flag AI-generated content as “Lowest quality” if it shows little effort, originality or value.

Here’s the important bit:

“The Lowest rating applies if all or almost all of the MC on the page (including text, images, audio, videos, etc) is copied, paraphrased, embedded, auto or AI generated, or reposted from other sources with little to no effort, little to no originality, and little to no added value for visitors to the website.” – Google, Section 4.6.6

According to Search Engine Land, this is the first time Google has formally defined “Generative AI” in these guidelines:

“Generative AI is a type of machine learning (ML) model that can take what it has learned from the examples it has been provided to create new content, such as text, images, music, and code. Different tools leverage these models to create generative AI content. Generative AI can be a helpful tool for content creation, but like any tool, it can also be misused.”

The key takeaway here is that using AI to support content creation isn’t inherently bad, but if your pages are mostly AI-driven, copied or lightly paraphrased without human input or curation, they’re now at serious risk of being rated the lowest quality.

We’ve touched on this issue before, but if you’re leaning on AI tools for content, real editorial input and value for users has to be considered and reflected in the content.

Want to find out more?

Embark on a journey with us to transform your digital presence. Our collaborative approach ensures tailored solutions. Let's bring your vision to life together.
Get me started

Latest industry insights.

Explore the forefront of industry trends and innovations through our latest blogs where we unpack cutting-edge strategies, share expert perspectives, and keep you informed about the dynamic.
Core Web Vitals explained – and why they matter for SEO
30 April 2025

Core Web Vitals explained – and why they matter for SEO

Core Web Vitals are Google’s key metrics for measuring user experience, and they play a crucial role in how your website ranks in search results.

AI-generated content is now officially on Google’s radar
15 April 2025

AI-generated content is now officially on Google’s radar

Google is now telling its quality raters to flag AI-generated content as “Lowest quality” if it shows little effort, originality or value

The shifting landscape of Google Search and AI Content Generation
27 November 2024

The shifting landscape of Google Search and AI Content Generation

2024 has been an interesting year for the world so far. Perhaps the biggest changes, however, have not been quite as devastating as a giant hurricane, nor as dramatic as an election. No – the largest shifts have, in many ways, happened in a world not visible without the use of a device: the online world. 

We Create Digital Logo
Got a project in mind?