AI vs. human copywriting: what Google (and social media) really want
Small biz besties!! We are living in the coolest times right now, no doubt.
3D letters ‘AI’ with a colorful teal and pink abstract swirl pattern, standing upright on a neutral background.
On one hand, we’ve got AI tools popping up everywhere, cranking out blogs, captions, and ads with the quickness. On the other hand, we’ve got the human side of things: creativity, empathy, and storytelling that no machine can match. Which brings us to the hot topic debate: Should businesses rely on AI-written content, or stick to 100% human-crafted copy?
With tools like ChatGPT exploding in popularity, many business owners are tempted by the speed and cost savings (uhm… yeah!). But here’s the real question – What do search engines and social platforms think of 100% AI-written content?
Spoiler: They’re not fans of low-quality automation. And if your business depends on visibility, authority, and trust, you can’t afford to get this wrong. So, buckle up, we’re diving in.
Why AI Content Became So Popular
Person typing on a laptop with an AI text generation interface on the screen, sitting at a desk with a tablet and office supplies
I mean, it’s kind of obvious, isn’t it? Type in a prompt, and an AI tool spits out a blog post in seconds. And for small businesses and startups, that feels like time and cost-saving magic. AI can do so much: help brainstorm topics, rephrase sentences, help with grammar, or even outline posts. But here’s the hard truth.
AI lacks originality. It’s remixing existing content, not creating new insights.
AI struggles with nuance. Voice, tone, empathy, and cultural awareness often fall flat.
AI can get it wrong. Misinformation and ‘hallucinations’ (AI making things up) are common.
So, while AI can be a huge helper, it can’t replace the strategic thinking and creativity of human copywriters.
What Google Actually Says About AI Content
Black and white image of the word Google spelled out with letter tiles on a dark background.
Here’s where most business owners get confused. Does Google punish AI-written content? The short answer: Google doesn’t care who writes it; they care about quality.
According to Google Search Central, their ranking systems reward content that demonstrates E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.
Translation: If AI generates thin, repetitive, or generic content, it won’t rank. If a human copywriter creates original, expert-driven, experience-based content, it stands a far better chance. Additionally, Google is very good at detecting low-quality or spammy patterns in content, and those often show up when AI is used without human editing or oversight.
Just so we’re on the same page, that means AI copy is fine if it’s edited and guided by a human who knows their stuff. But, 100% AI content, slapped online without care? That’s a fast track to invisibility. And we don’t want that.
How AI-Written Content Performs on Social Media
Social platforms are different. They aren’t ranking content in the same way Google does, but they still reward originality and engagement. Here’s the deal:
TikTok and Instagram push posts that feel authentic, entertaining, and personal.
LinkedIn rewards thought leadership and firsthand insights.
Facebook prioritizes posts that spark conversation.
Can AI spit out a funny, heartfelt Instagram caption about your morning coffee spill, or create a LinkedIn post about how your experience landed you in a top leadership position? Of course, it can – but it’s not the same.
What’s missing? Personality, timing, and that lived-in touch that makes people stop scrolling. Your audience can tell the difference between something that’s been flattened into “content” and a real story. They are smart!
On socials, personality wins, and that’s something that AI just can’t replicate 100%.
The SEO Risk of 100% AI Content
Even if AI helps you pump out 20 blog posts in a week, that doesn’t mean they’ll rank or bring in traffic. Without depth and originality, Google simply has no reason to feature them. Here’s the thing: more doesn’t always mean better. In fact, it could be quietly dragging down your traffic instead of boosting it.
Here’s what happens when you lean too hard on AI:
Content Clones- AI pulls from what’s already out there. If your blog sounds like 500 others, why would Google rank yours?
Shallow Ponds: AI loves surface-level explanations. Without your stories, data, or real-life examples, the content feels thin.
·The E-E-A-T Gap: Google wants to see Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. AI can’t bring “real experience” to the table, only you can.
Why Human-Written Copy Still Wins
At the end of the day, your content and copywriting amount to far more than just words on a page. It’s your brand’s personality, your customer’s story, and your strategy all rolled into one. That’s where humans shine, and where AI can fall flat.
So, where do humans shine, everywhere AI struggles:
Voice: A human copywriter can capture your brand’s personality, whether it’s playful, polished, or persuasive.
Emotion: Only people can weave empathy, humor, and storytelling into words in a way that makes your audience feel seen. AI can describe a coffee spill, but it can’t make your followers laugh with you about it.
Strategy: Great copy isn’t just about filling a space. It’s about aligning with your business goals, knowing your target audience, and adapting to trends. That’s strategic thinking only a human can provide.
How to Use AI the Right Way
Here’s the real deal: AI doesn’t have to be the villain. The smart move is to use AI as a tool, not a writer. For instance, in this article, I used AI to create an outline of everything I wanted to cover. It saved me hours of creating the outline, allowing me to dive directly into my research.
Here are ways you might use it without hurting your SEO or authenticity.
Generate topic ideas or headlines.
Summarize research (then fact-check it).
Reformat existing copy into different versions (Email to social post).
Help with first drafts that a human polishes, then rewrites.
Think of AI as your brainstorming buddy, not your ghostwriter.
The Future: What Search Engines Want
As algorithms become more sophisticated, Google and social media platforms will prioritize authenticity, expertise, and originality more than ever. And the brands that win will be the ones that publish consistent, helpful, authentic content.
If you know how to use it, absolutely use AI to speed up workflow, but never as a replacement for your or your customers’ experience. In the end, we want to build credibility with real voices, real experiences, and real authority.
Final Word: 100% Human-Crafted Copy That Works With AI
AI is an incredible tool, no doubt about it. It can save time, spark ideas, and help you get past that blinking cursor on a blank screen. But here’s the truth: by itself, AI can only get you so far. What really moves the needle is strategy, personality, and experience layered on top.
That’s where I come in.
At Lilli Copy Co., my promise is simple: your content will always be 100% human-crafted. Because your business deserves words that sound like you, connect with your audience, and keep search engines happy.
Need consistent, high-quality copy without the stress? Discover my monthly packages, designed specifically for small business owners who require fresh, high-converting blogs, social captions, and newsletters.
xx- Andrea 😊
