What's Happening?
A recent report by the SEO firm Graphite reveals that over half of new articles on the internet are AI-generated. The study analyzed 65,000 English-language articles published between January 2020 and
May 2025, using an AI detector called Surfer. Articles with 50% or more content written by large language models were classified as AI-generated. The report highlights a significant increase in AI-generated content following the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, with a peak in November 2024. Currently, AI-generated articles account for 52% of new content, indicating a plateau in their growth. The analysis also suggests that human-written articles may be underrepresented due to paywalled websites blocking Common Crawl indexing, which is used for training AI models.
Why It's Important?
The rise in AI-generated content has implications for search engine optimization and the visibility of human-written articles. As AI content becomes more prevalent, search engines may prioritize human-written articles, affecting the reach and engagement of AI-generated content. This trend could impact small businesses and content creators who rely on search engine visibility for traffic. Additionally, the reliability of AI detectors is questioned, as they sometimes misclassify human-written articles as AI-generated. This blurring of lines between AI and human content could influence how content is created and consumed, potentially leading to changes in content creation strategies and the role of AI in the creative process.
What's Next?
The plateau in AI-generated content suggests that AI content farms may be adjusting their strategies due to decreased visibility in search engines and chatbot responses. As AI tools become more integrated into the creative process, the distinction between AI and human content may continue to blur. This could lead to new approaches in content creation, where AI assists rather than replaces human writers. Stakeholders such as SEO firms, content creators, and businesses may need to adapt to these changes by developing strategies that leverage AI while maintaining the authenticity and quality of human-written content.
Beyond the Headlines
The ethical implications of AI-generated content are significant, as the line between machine-made and human content becomes increasingly indistinct. This raises questions about authorship, originality, and the value of human creativity. As AI tools become more sophisticated, the potential for misuse or over-reliance on AI in content creation could challenge traditional notions of creativity and intellectual property. Furthermore, the impact on employment in content creation industries may be profound, as AI tools could replace or augment human roles, necessitating a reevaluation of skills and job functions in the digital age.
