The Future of AI: Is It OK to Use AI Blogging Tools?

Gosh, there is so much confusing information out there right now about blogging and AI. Is it OK? Is it not OK? I’ve dabbled with AI here on the blog, and the results have been very much mixed. So, maybe some AI isn’t so bad, but what’s the truth? With opinions on AI content changing rapidly, it takes a lot of work for content creators to keep up.

Google’s View on AI Content

Since Chat GPT’s initial release on 30th November 2022, Google has made it pretty clear that using AI doesn’t go against their terms. In fact, now, when you Google anything, the first thing you’ll see is an “AI Overview.”

When I ask Google if using AI to generate content is an alright thing to do, they clearly state their guidelines are as follows:

• “Appropriate use: Google’s guidelines allow for the appropriate use of AI or automation. 

• No penalties: Google will not penalise users for using AI to write blog content. 

• Quality content: Using AI smartly can help boost visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs).”

However, Google then states that it’s against their Spam Policies to use AI primarily to manipulate search rankings. So, in other words, asking Chat GPT to churn out a keyword-heavy blog post and doing no personal editing probably isn’t going to make Google happy.

Next, we have:

“Google’s official recommendation is to evaluate all content based on who, how, and why. Google’s E-E-A-T principle, which stands for Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness, can also help.”

What’s made clear here is that you will fail if you’re thinking of running a multiple-niche website dominated by AI content. Google still asks for someone behind the site who knows what they’re talking about, has some form of credentials, and exhibits passion in their words.

To sum up, yes, we can use AI to speed up the content creation process. However, Google still expects a clearly defined and polished blog with a natural, human voice behind the text.

What Do the Ad Networks Say?

Google may state that AI is OK within reason, but what about monetisation partners? Now, things start to get complicated.

There was little talk from advertising networks in the months following Chat GPT’s release. I guess it was a case of wait and watch. However, on 7th March 2024 this year, ad network giant Mediavine released a pretty big statement: “AI and Our Commitment to a Creator-First Future.” You can read the complete statement by clicking here.

Mediavine don’t mince their words here at all. The tone is heavy-handed and threatening in a kinda friendly way, but also not that friendly.

“We do not monetize low-quality, mass-produced, unedited or undisclosed AI content that is scraped from other websites.”

“If previously-vetted websites begin producing lower quality content instead, we will catch it and take immediate action.”

So, if you’re a publisher currently approved by Mediavine and have started using AI to speed up content creation, maybe stop? As far as I can see, there is no definite way to measure what is deemed responsible AI use and what breaches Medivine’s fair usage terms. How much Chat GPT input is OK? Does anyone know?

Asking Chat GPT, or one of the now numerous AI alternatives to generate a 1000-word blog post for you, which you then edit heavily, may be OK with Mediavine – or not. I’ve posted about this very topic on community blogging groups, and no one can give a solid answer.

Mediavine’s stance is genuinely admirable, and that’s the bottom line. They’re looking out for creators who care about what they produce in the best way possible. I’ll admit, the number of times over the last year or so, I’ve seen Reddit posts by people asking fellow Redditors to “give feedback” on their clearly AI-generated website because Google Adsense has rejected them. I can only sit and sigh.

Whilst no other ad network has yet put out something equally firm, it feels like only a matter of time. As Mediavine reminds us:

“As both an independent publisher and internet giant, we are uniquely positioned to meet regularly with and influence industry leaders on behalf of creators.”

My Experience Using AI

Soon after the Chat GPT roll-out, I got curious. How transformative was this new thing going to be? I’d ask Chat GPT to write me a 1,000-word blog post centred around a chosen keyword. At first, I was amazed. All that content in seconds?

The problem is, the tone of the writing just wasn’t me. Of course, this is a widespread complaint, but I soon discovered that I absolutely loathe editing AI. The task often takes me longer than writing from scratch, leaving AI somewhat redundant.

But did my readers like the content? Well, no. The AI articles I’ve published receive far fewer views and saves on socials than completely organic output. It doesn’t matter if I’ve heavily edited the words; people can still tell.

So, What’s the Solution?

Publishing AI content, even if heavily edited, isn’t for me. I don’t enjoy the process. There’s very little opportunity to be creative, and that’s a big problem. I also cringe at a lot of what Chat GPT and co put out, so that’s not good.

Having said this, I believe AI can be a fantastic tool for prompting and structuring an article. Don’t know how to break down each paragraph? AI to the rescue. Edit each suggested subheading and write around the topic. You may have spent hours brainstorming how to break down the article, otherwise.

The Future of AI in Blogging Sum Up

How much or little you want to use AI is up to you. If you know you need to get out lots of content and fast, it’s an incredible tool.

The issue is that we may be at the precipice of tables turning. Say you want to monetise your blog. If all major ad networks follow Mediavine’s lead, which I’m presuming they may well, then what? Also, the big question hangs in the balance: How much AI use is OK? Will this change going forward? Likely so.

Knowing that I don’t enjoy editing AI, the way forward is clear in my case. Will I use AI blogging tools as a prompting aid after I’ve spent hours staring into the abyss and on the brink of an existential crisis and failed to write 100 words? Absolutely.