AI-Generated Content and Google’s Algorithms: Friend or Foe?

AI-generated content isn’t going away. But neither is Google’s scrutiny.

The real question isn’t ‘should we use AI to write content?’ — it’s ‘how do we make it work for search and humans alike?’

Google’s 2025 Stance on AI Content

As of the March 2025 core update, Google’s position is clear: AI content isn’t penalised outright — but low-quality, unoriginal, or mass-produced text is.

The key lies in E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness. AI content must be edited and supplemented with genuine insight to meet these expectations.

In NZ’s financial advisory sector, a Tauranga-based firm boosted organic rankings by combining AI-drafted FAQs with verified answers from licensed advisors.

Originality Over Volume

AI is great at scale. But scale without originality is noise. Algorithms are now better at spotting repeated phrasing, lack of author input, and generic tone.

Instead of pumping out daily posts, we’ve helped an Adelaide-based SaaS provider reduce their publishing frequency by 40% — while doubling organic conversions — simply by focusing on authority-based content editing post-AI generation.

Human Touch Is a Ranking Signal

We’re seeing better results from hybrid workflows — where AI drafts are reviewed, expanded, and localised by human editors.

Adding first-party insights (like case studies or internal data), inserting commentary from real staff, and using regional examples are key to making content Google respects and users trust.

Metrics Media POV: AI is the Assistant, Not the Author

AI is your smart intern, not your strategist. It gets the first draft done — we turn it into content that ranks and converts.

We integrate AI into every layer of our SEO content model: ideation, briefing, draft, and optimisation. But every piece still goes through human refinement to meet both algorithm and audience expectations.

Want content that’s AI-assisted but strategy-led? Let’s build it.

Talk to Metrics Media.

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