What Is Auto-Generated Content?
Auto-generated content or automatically generated content is content that is automatically generated leveraging a program or code. It is considered a black hat SEO tactic, hence is typically used to manipulate rankings on Google.
Google explicitly explains that the following is classed as auto-generated content:
- Content that makes no sense to a reader but contains heavy amounts of keywords.
- Content that is spun through an automated tool without human input or edits prior to publishing.
- Content that is generated through an automated process, such as Markov chains.
- Content that is generated using automated synonymising or obfuscation techniques.
- Content that is generated via website scraping methods.
- Combining content from different web pages without adding in additional value.
Auto-generated content goes against Google’s guidelines and can lead to manual actions against your website.
Is Auto-Generated Content Important for SEO?
Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish whether content is difficult to tell whether it has been automatically generated or written by human. However, with close attention to detail auto-generated content exposes itself through jumbled or hard to read sentence structures.
While automatically generated content can from time to time work to increase search engine rankings in the short term, leveraging it as part of a comprehensive SEO strategy is not recommended.
Google’s algorithm continually updates and improves itself in order to provide more and more value to users. Automatically generated content is an aspect Google is aware of and implementing this on your website puts you and your business at risk for a manual action.
The Power of Human-Written Content for SEO
SEO content is design to rank in search engines like Google. The core difference between auto-generated content and human written SEO content is that SEO content is designed to rank on Google as well as provide value to users…which results in ranking on Google.
Here are some tips on how to create SEO content:
Find a Relevant Topic
When exploring blog topics, think about what your ideal target audience are looking for. For example, if you own a clothing brand, your target audience may be searching for styling idea, how to dress for [X] occasion.
One you have an idea for a blog topic, leverage tools like SEMRush, AHrefs, or Google Keyword Planner to find keyword topics.
Understand the Search Intent
Once you have drilled in on the blog topic, writing to match the search and user intent is key! An easy way of identifying the search intent is by using the three C’s principle:
- Content Type: If the top-ranking pages are coming up as primarily service or product page content, then clearly the topic is not suitable for a blog post or article.
- Content Format: Are the top results how-to guides, listicles or news articles? You are more likely to rank if you follow a similar structure.
- Content Angle: Identify whether there is a pattern in the top ranking pages – do they include terms such as cheap, simple, top [x] etc. etc.
Start Writing!
So by now you will have your blog topic and an understanding of the search intent, now it’s time to start writing! It’s always helpful to start with an outline so you have a purpose whilst writing/typing.
Once you have this, you can start writing until you have a well rounded blog. Try to write with easy readability and use simple language so it is easy to digest for most users.
Make It Pretty
Besides the content, we want the blog piece to look good. Break up large areas of content with spacing, relevant brand imagery or even videos to keep the user engaged on the post.
