Google's head of search, Danny Sullivan, said last week that the search company will provide additional clarification on whether it is permissible or not to use AI to generate content for SEO purposes. In other words, Google has already said that AI (or any other means) cannot be used to generate content and manipulate search result rankings.
As mentioned earlier, the specific languages that Google has previously created are:
Using automation, including AI, to generate content whose primary purpose is to manipulate search result rankings is a violation of spam policies.
If that wasn't clear enough, Sullivan said: X“This is something I thought was pretty clear from last year's post.'' But he added: “Anyone reading this and interpreting this as somehow a 'free pass' should seriously think again. I'm sure we'll look into ways to make this even clearer,” he added.
Here's that tweet:
It's very clear from last year's post that “the use of automation, including AI, to generate content with the primary purpose of manipulating search result rankings violates our spam policy.” I was thinking: https://t.co/w4LGtiJRXI.
With the people who read it, somehow…
— Google Search Liaison (@searchliaison) February 8, 2024
Now, perhaps the problem is the word “primary”. So if you're creating content for both users and search engines, you tell yourself that it's primarily for users and only secondarily for search engines.
Yes, the word “primary” may be the problem here.
— Barry Schwartz (@rustybrick) February 8, 2024
This issue has come to the fore again thanks to a WIRED article called “Confessions of an AI Clickbait Kingpin.” This is worth a read.
Forum discussion X.
