Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a trending topic this year thanks to content creation tools like ChatGPT, ByWord, and ChatGenie. According to Salesforce Research's most recent State of Marketing Study, marketers' use of AI soared between 2018 and 2020, jumping from 29% to 84%. These tools help website owners looking to streamline their content creation process. There is no denying that AI has the potential to quickly and effectively revolutionize content creation. New technology has many advantages and drawbacks, and AI content creation tools are no different. Below, we look at the pros and cons of utilizing these tools and offer some insights to help you determine if they can benefit you.
Pros of AI-Generated Content
1. Cost Effective
AI can help generate content at a fraction of the cost of a full-time writer or freelancer. Authors can be paid hundreds for writing requiring specific expertise and thousands in yearly wages. AI subscriptions cost a fraction of that.
Takeaways: For small businesses and startups, AI-generated content can provide a good starting point for a relatively small fee. This being said it's important to understand that writing done by a person is a worthwhile investment for those looking for personalized, well-researched, quality content.
2. Quick Turnaround
No one can deny the speed of AI. With properly worded instructions, AI provides almost immediate results for speedy content creation, no matter how complicated the subject may be. From experience, human writers can't compete for speed, even at their most productive. It can take hours to craft quality blog posts or marketing materials. Your average AI tool will take under a minute to write what you ask for.
Takeaways: If you are willing to pay and choose the right software, you can have unlimited access to content creation. Marketers can use the software to fill backlogs of content and improve content marketing plans or their social media calendars.
3. No Writer's Block
Constantly coming up with new ideas and content is exhausting. Add in deadlines, and it becomes downright stressful. AI-generated content can help reduce the burnout rate among writers and content creators and can help keep everyone on schedule by giving you multiple ideas for one subject.
Takeaways: AI writing tools aren't an either-or thing. They are great ways to contribute toward generating content ideas to help with article writing. Writers and content creators will agree that one of the biggest hurdles is simply getting started. AI can help you move beyond that step and make the rest more manageable.
4. Better SEO
AI-generated content gives you some pretty impressive SEO-related capabilities that are hard for humans to duplicate. AI writing tools can scan already popular SEO-optimized content on your desired topic — adding major value and a huge help for people who don't know how to write about specific keywords or structure their pages.
Takeaways: AI could be a step in the right direction to get started developing your content and becoming more familiar with SEO. Tools like Byword can show examples of optimized keyword clusters and formatting that can help you gain visibility.
Cons of AI-Generated Content
1. Plagiarism Concerns
Anyone using AI for content creation faces a serious risk of committing plagiarism. AI pulls from multiple sources to create but never provides citations. It is important to be aware that there is a real legal risk. You could be sued by an author or artist if your content is too closely related to their original piece.
Takeaways: Don't forget the benefits of reverse image searching and fact-checking all your AI-generated content. You can't trust all the information you receive because you aren't sure if it is from a verified source.
2. Inconsistent Quality
Every time you use AI to generate content, you receive a different level of quality in the response provided. The amount of information available on topics varies based on how much relevant content already exists on the subject. In short, this means you won't have a consistent output of informative content across all the subject matter you're interested in.
Takeaways: Getting specific with your AI content search queries will help reduce the likelihood of this problem. If you require AI content creation that mimics a particular visual style or reading level, including that information in your instructions increases the chance of getting a more consistent result.
3. Potential Devaluation by Google
Google is now introducing the concept of E-E-A-T to its helpful content update, which stands for
- Experience
- Expertise
- Authoritativeness
- Trustworthiness
Search engines evaluate content through a lens of understanding and 'trust' at the concept's center. AI-generated content may miss out on these criteria if left unaltered.
Takeaways: Don't be afraid of using AI in your content creation. Use it wisely to help develop your creativity — covering elements like grammar-checking long or short-form content creation.
4. Human Vetting Requirement
It doesn't serve anyone to upload AI-generated content without proofreading or editing it beforehand. Humans are better at identifying cluttered, inaccurate, or offensive content that AI doesn't recognize.
Takeaways: If you use AI-generated content, remember to use it as a base for an idea instead of the finished product. Take the results you receive and adapt them into something original that provides the human aspect Google and humans are searching for.
AI Content Is An Imperfect Solution
Even the best writers need a hand from time to time. AI-generated content can provide that help, but it does have drawbacks. You should never rely entirely on AI for content creation. Focus on using AI to grow your business in a way that incorporates your creativity to create unique, original content. AI writing tools can be a great productivity tool to help optimize your work!
We hope this article, which is 100% generated by humans, has not only answered any questions you may have about AI-generated content but has shown you the power of taking the time to craft personal, original content. Contact us today for your Needs Assessment and learn how the Alley Kat Web Consulting professionals can help you create authentic and human content, develop your marketing plan, and much more! You can create brilliant content, and with the proper use of AI tools, it can help take that content and your business into the future.