How to Publish AI Content Without Getting Penalized by Google

Welcome to the latest edition of SEOs Diners Club! This week, I'm bringing you another packed issue, covering everything from the role of AI content in the SEO world to Google's latest developments and the newest AI tools. Ready? Let's dive in!

How to Publish AI Content Without Getting Penalized by Google

Learn how to avoid Google penalties when creating content with AI and how to turn your AI content into an SEO advantage. Practical checklist and expert tips included.

One of the most frequent questions I hear lately: "Mert, will Google penalize us if we produce content with AI?" Short and clear answer: No.

Google focuses on the quality of its content and the value it provides to users, rather than how it's produced. As stated in Google Search's own guide on AI content, the real issue is avoiding spam and manipulative content production. So you can create great work using AI as a tool.

The Writing Style That Gives Away AI Content

However, AI content has a problem: It often gives itself away. According to Search Engine Journal's detailed analysis, the most distinctive feature of AI-generated content is its sentence structure and writing style.

AI writing has these characteristics:

• Short, choppy sentences

• Overly dramatic tone

• Each sentence is a separate paragraph

• Constant use of dashes (-)

• Presenting everything as a world-class event

AI Writing Style Example:

"The algorithm changed. Sites lost traffic. Panic spread. And the industry? Declared SEO dead — again."

Human Writing Example:

"When the algorithm changed, many sites experienced traffic drops. The panic was predictable. Within days, familiar headlines declared SEO dead. This cycle repeats every few years and has been proven wrong every time."

The difference is clear: One reads like an exaggerated ad copy, the other like real writing. AI's problem stems from training data. Large language models are trained on conversational texts, interviews, and podcast transcripts — "spoken but written down" content — so they bring conversational style to written content.

Common Misconceptions About AI Content

Let me address widespread myths about AI content one by one:

Myth #1: "Google detects and penalizes AI content."

Truth: According to Google's official statement, proper use of AI or automation is not against the rules. Google looks at content quality, not how it's created. The issue isn't whether content is written by AI or humans, but whether it's produced for spam purposes.

Myth #2: "AI detection tools are reliable."

Truth: Even the most effective AI detection tools have success rates below 50%, making them useless. Focus your energy on adding more value to content instead of trying to fool Google.

Myth #3: "Which AI model I use matters a lot."

Truth: When choosing between models like Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or Deepseek, you should use the one you're most comfortable with. If your output isn't what you want, it's likely not the model's fault but how you're directing it.

Myth #4: "AI content is always poor quality."

Truth: AI content quality depends entirely on how it's used. With proper prompting, human oversight, and editing processes, AI can be a powerful tool for producing high-quality content.

Stradiji's "AI + Human" Approach

The problem isn't AI itself, but how much value we add to it. Just pressing a button and publishing the output creates soulless, unhelpful content that can be perceived as spam. This is where we at Stradiji embrace the "AI + Human" approach.

In processes where AI-prepared content passes through our clients' expertise and our editorial oversight, we achieve fantastic results. In our client work, we combine AI's speed and data processing power with human experience and creativity to produce content that both ranks high in search engines and truly drives conversions.

Remember, AI can handle 90% of the work, but that final 10% of human touch is what makes content valuable.

AI Content Production Checklist

So how do you produce quality, Google-friendly AI content? Here's my comprehensive step-by-step checklist:

Pre-Production Preparation

Target Audience and Goal Setting:

• Clearly defined which target audience the content will address

• Defined content purpose (information, conversion, brand awareness)

• Listed the target audience's problems and needs

• Determined which search intent the content will answer

Keyword and Topic Research:

• Identified target keywords and long-tail keywords

• Analyzed competitor content and identified content gaps

• Listed frequently asked user questions

• Researched current developments on the topic

AI Tool and Prompt Preparation:

• Selected the AI tool to use

• Prepared detailed, custom prompts

• Added brand voice, target audience, and content format information to prompts

• Provided my own experiences, reference files, and case studies as sources to AI

During Content Production

1. Let Your Experience Speak (E-E-A-T)

AI doesn't have your experience. Add your own successes, failures, and unique perspective to the content.

Example Transformation:

• ❌ Before: "You can increase conversions by improving pricing pages."

• ✅ After: "In 2023, we reduced a SaaS client's pricing page from 5 tiers to 3, achieving a 34% conversion increase in 60 days."

Checkpoints:

• Added my own professional experiences to the content

• Shared concrete examples, case studies, and numerical results

• Added my perspective on current industry developments

• Used unique, specific information instead of general statements

2. Avoid AI Writing Style

As Search Engine Journal's analysis notes, AI's biggest problem is sentence structure and writing style. Making each sentence a separate paragraph, constantly using dashes, and an overly dramatic tone give away that your content is AI-generated.

Things to Avoid:

• Extended periods of single-sentence paragraphs

• Unanswered questions

• Dash (-) usage in every sentence

• Dramatic transitions like "And the truth?" or "Here's the secret:"

• Presenting every topic like a global crisis

Checkpoints:

• Combined paragraphs and ensured natural flow

• Minimized dash usage

• Avoided dramatic tone and used professional language

• Read content aloud to check natural flow

3. Cut Unnecessary Words, Focus on Essence

Long content doesn't always mean good content. A 1,500-word article that explains the topic clearly and concisely is far more valuable than a 3,000-word piece.

Tip: Throughout blog posts, use H2 or H3 headings to ask questions related to the topic, then immediately answer them in one paragraph as briefly and clearly as possible. This method increases the likelihood of your content being quoted in Google AI Overviews, GPT Search, and Perplexity.

Checkpoints:

• Identified unnecessary repetitions and filler words

• Ensured each paragraph has a purpose

• Kept sentences short (average 15-20 words)

4. Be Simple and Clear

Ensure your content can be easily understood even by an 8th-grade reader. This isn't about "dumbing down" content but making it "accessible" to everyone.

Comparison Example:

• ✅ Good: "Email marketing helps you build relationships with customers by sending valuable content directly to their inbox."

• ❌ Bad: "Email marketing facilitates the development of reciprocal customer relationships through strategic dissemination of value-added digital insights."

Checkpoints:

• Simplified unnecessary technical terms and complex expressions

• Aligned with brand voice

• Used active voice

5. Let Data Speak

Support your claims with reliable data and sources. If sharing research or statistics, always link to the source.

Checkpoints:

• Verified all statistics and data in the content

• Linked to reliable sources

• Added source links through meaningful anchor text

• Exercised extra caution on sensitive topics like money and health

6. Visualize

Long text blocks tire readers. Make content more engaging and understandable by adding visuals, charts, or videos that support what you're explaining.

Checkpoints:

• Added visuals supporting the content

• Wrote SEO-friendly alt text for all images

• Reduced image file sizes

• Checked image copyrights

7. Final Human Review

Never publish AI output as-is. It must be read by an editor or subject matter expert, aligned with your brand voice, and approved in final form.

Checkpoints:

• Read content aloud to check natural flow

• Checked spelling and grammar errors

• Had a colleague or editor review it

• Confirmed content aligns with brand values and ethical guidelines

Post-Production Optimization

SEO Optimization:

• Naturally incorporated the target keyword into the title tag

• Wrote meta title and meta description

• Strategically added internal links

• Added structured data markup

Performance Tracking:

• Checked indexing status in Google Search Console

• Monitored organic traffic, rankings, and conversion metrics within the first 30 days

• Analyzed user behavior metrics

Stradiji's Golden Rules

Five golden rules to keep in mind when applying this checklist:

1. AI is never a complete solution: AI can handle 90% of the work, but that final 10% human touch is what makes content valuable and unique.

2. Experience matters above all: Google's E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) criteria play a critical role in content ranking.

3. Quality over quantity: Producing 1 deeply researched piece with expert insights is more valuable than 10 generic AI articles.

4. Continuous improvement: Your work doesn't end after the content is published. Monitor performance and continuously update content.

5. Ethics and transparency: Be open about AI usage and always prioritize user benefit.

By following these steps, you can make AI your greatest assistant and produce truly helpful content that targets top search engine rankings.

⚙️ Algorithm & Search Engine Updates

The search world was quite active this week. Here are the highlights:

Google Search Service Disruption

Google Search experienced partial service disruptions starting October 3rd, affecting some regions due to a data center issue. Google announced on Search Engine Journal that the problem was server-related and they were working on a fix.

If you saw sudden fluctuations in organic traffic during these dates, this technical issue could be the reason. Google's recommendation: avoid panic and hasty site changes. These technical issues typically resolve quickly and aren't related to your site's performance.

ChatGPT Shopping Changes the Game

OpenAI is rewriting e-commerce SEO rules with its new shopping feature added to ChatGPT. Users now see product recommendations and comparisons directly within ChatGPT instead of long search results pages.

According to analysis on Search Engine Land, while traffic from this channel is still low, conversion rates are nearly 9 times higher than traffic from Google organic (~15.9% vs ~1.8%).

As Kevin Indig notes: "Clicks from ChatGPT are extremely qualified because users are directed close to purchase decisions after answering all their questions in ChatGPT."

This means e-commerce sites now need to optimize their product feeds, structured data, and user reviews for platforms like ChatGPT, too. If you don't make the shortlist, you might become invisible.

🤖 AI World News

The AI world shows no signs of slowing down. Here are the week's most important developments:

OpenAI's TikTok Competitor: Sora App

OpenAI announced Sora App, a TikTok-like social application, alongside Sora 2, the new version of its text-to-video model. According to TechCrunch, users will be able to add their own images to AI-generated videos through the "Cameos" feature and share them with friends.

Sora 2's biggest innovation is following physics laws much more accurately. In previous models, when a basketball player missed, the ball could suddenly teleport to the hoop. In Sora 2, the ball realistically bounces off the backboard. This development could mark the beginning of a new era in personalized video content creation.

Expectations from OpenAI DevDay 2025

OpenAI's developer conference, DevDay, taking placeon October 6th, could feature major announcements. With over 1,500 expected attendees, CEO Sam Altman's keynote and conversation with Apple's famous designer Jony Ive are highlights.

Rumors include updates about OpenAI's own AI-powered browser and the AI device developed with Jony Ive. New GPT Store features may also be announced. We're eagerly awaiting developments.

Perplexity's Comet Browser Now Free for Everyone

AI-powered search engine Perplexity made its Comet browser, previously only for paid subscribers, free for everyone. Comet works like an assistant beside you as you browse the internet, summarizing pages, answering questions, and even performing multiple tasks for you in the background.

The new "background assistant" feature for Max members is truly impressive. For example, it can simultaneously handle multiple tasks in the background, like "send an email, add the cheapest concert tickets to the cart, and find the best direct flight on a specific date." The browser race is heating up.

Visual Search Comes to Google AI Mode

With a new update to AI Mode, Google now enables visual searches in conversational language. For example, when you search with a specific request like "barrel jeans not too baggy," AI Mode presents visual options where you can shop directly.

The system uses Google Lens and Gemini 2.5's advanced multimodal capabilities to understand even fine details in images, running multiple queries in the background to deliver the most suitable results. With Shopping Graph containing over 50 billion product listings, you can access products ranging from major retailers to local stores. This is a significant step, making search and shopping experiences much more natural.

💡 Practical SEO Tips

Immediately applicable SEO recommendations from this week's topics:

1. Use Question-Focused Headings

In your content, use questions your target audience might ask as H2 or H3 headings, then provide clear, brief answers immediately below. This increases the likelihood of your content being featured in Google's AI summaries and other AI-powered search engines. Remember, in the AI era, your content should be optimized not just for humans but for AI too.

2. Adapt Product Pages to Conversational Language

Features like ChatGPT Shopping and Google AI Mode show users now search in more natural, conversational language. Enrich your product descriptions and category text to answer questions like "best," "how to choose," and "which is better." Keep your structured data current and ensure product reviews are visible.

3. Present Your Experience as Proof

Don't just provide theoretical information in your content. Share your own experiences, case studies, and concrete results to align with Google's E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) criteria. This is the most important factor distinguishing you from generic AI content. While competitors produce content quickly with AI, stand out with your experiences.

This Week SEO's Heart Beats at Search N Stuff Antalya Conference

I'll be presenting my "Search Everywhere Optimization" talk and conducting a workshop at the Search N Stuff conference in Antalya, October 9-12. I'm quite excited to be at the same conference as industry giants like Aleyda Solis, Mark Williams-Cook, Dixon Jones, Judith Lewis, and Gerry White!

If you're attending the conference, let's definitely meet up. In next week's SEOs Diners Club, I'll share my impressions and key takeaways from the conference.

Closing

We've reached the end of another SEOs Diners Club edition. As you can see, the digital world is in constant change and evolution. The way to stay standing and stand out in this dynamic environment is through determining the right strategies and producing quality work.

If you want to create a conversion-focused, data-driven SEO strategy that combines AI's power with human expertise for your business, you can always contact us through Stradiji.com. We'd be happy to help you reach your goals with customized solutions.

See you next week with new insights!

Best,

Mert Erkal

Special Offer from Our Sponsor

Semust: Smarter SEO Recommendations for Better Organic Traffic

Managing your entire SEO workflow just got easier.

In this GEO era, where automation is king, you still need reliable tools to track, analyze, and optimize your SEO efforts. That's where Semust comes in.

Semust combines powerful SEO tools in a single platform:

• Google Rank Tracker - Monitor your keyword positions with precision

• Technical SEO Checker - Identify and fix technical issues fast

• SERP Analyzer - Understand what's ranking and why

• Complete workflow management - From audit to optimization

Exclusive Offer for SEOs Diners Club Readers:

Get a FREE one-month Business Plan (normally $35/month) to supercharge your SEO workflow.

How to claim: Email: [email protected] Subject: "SEOs Diners Club - Free Month"

Learn more about Semust | View pricing plans 

Want to Support This Newsletter?

I love sharing the latest developments and strategies from the SEO world with you. If you find my content useful, you can support me by buying a coffee. ☕ Click 'Buy Me a Coffee' to contribute to knowledge sharing. Let's achieve more together!

© 2022-2025 SEOs Diners Club by Mert Erkal