Online Platforms Cracking Down on AI-Generated Content

Since the introduction of AI-generated content, there’s been a lot of debate around the authenticity and reliability of what’s being published online. Not to mention the potential impacts on artists and creatives who could have their art ripped off by AI or lose work due to companies leveraging AI instead. It seems online platforms are cracking down on AI-generated content.

Not surprisingly, online platforms are adjusting their policies to ensure transparency and human interaction in the digital content space.

From the beginning, I’ve been cautious about how much I adopt AI. I wholeheartedly believe it can improve our lives and businesses in many ways. Especially if we use it to handle the mundane, manual day-to-day tasks that are repetitive and time-consuming.

When it comes to content, the line between use and misuse in content creation is thin. Tools that assist in scheduling or repurposing content are invaluable, yet when it comes to generating entire pieces, it’s important to take care. Ensuring content does not mislead or manipulate is a core principle I uphold, especially when leveraging AI to enhance my work. The goal is always to infuse personal flair into AI-assisted outputs, maintaining my unique essence that resonates with my audience. I can often tell when I’m reading purely AI-written content and I assume others would know if I was doing that too. So I want to ensure that’s not happening.

Recent policy updates from major platforms like YouTube, Meta, and Medium show a collective stance—online platforms are cracking down on AI-generated content. These platforms require clear labelling of AI-generated material, with Medium taking a step further to exclude such content from monetisation avenues in their Partner Program starting May 1, 2024. These measures reflect a broader industry effort to ensure users can distinguish between human and AI-generated content.

YOUTUBE POLICIES

The first to update their policies was YouTube. They came out in November 2023 with their policy update requiring any AI-generated content to be labelled as such. They stated, “We’ll introduce updates that inform viewers when the content they’re seeing is synthetic.”

For the full YouTube statement go here.

META POLICIES

Last week Meta made a similar announcement. “We will begin labelling a wider range of video, audio and image content as “Made with AI” when we detect industry standard AI image indicators or when people disclose that they’re uploading AI-generated content.”

For the full Meta statement go here.

MEDIUM POLICIES

And this morning I received an email from Medium with similar stipulations. “Beginning May 1, 2024, stories with AI-generated writing (disclosed as such or not) are not allowed to be paywalled as part of our Partner Program. Accounts that have fully AI-generated writing behind the paywall may have those stories removed from the paywall, and/or have their Partner Program enrollment revoked.”

To read the Medium policy updates go here.

THE PROBLEM WITH AI-GENERATED CONTENT

AI-generated content often lacks the nuances, emotional depth, and authenticity that human writers bring to their work. While it can produce information quickly, it may inadvertently spread misinformation, lack critical thinking, or miss the mark on engaging the target audience effectively.

If you are using AI to support your content creation, it’s always important to check the work and add your personal touch to it.

DOES USING AI-GENERATED CONTENT HARM ONLINE REPUTATION?

Relying heavily on AI for content creation can impact the perceived authenticity of a brand. Audiences value genuine interactions and content that reflects human insight and experience. Overuse of AI might lead to a disconnect, undermining trust and engagement.

DOES USING AI HURT SEO?

Search engines prioritise valuable, relevant, and original content. AI-generated content, especially when used excessively without human review, may not align with these criteria, potentially affecting SEO performance. However, when used strategically, AI can support SEO efforts by assisting in keyword research, generating outlines, or suggesting improvements.

IS AI-GENERATED CONTENT BAD FOR SEO?

Not inherently, but quality matters. Search engines are becoming adept at identifying AI-generated content. To maintain and improve SEO rankings, it’s crucial to ensure that any AI-assisted content is high-quality, relevant, and supplemented with human insight.

HOW DO I PROTECT MY CONTENT FROM AI?

Protecting your content involves regular monitoring and using digital tools to detect unauthorised use or replication. Incorporating unique, personal stories and insights can also make your content less susceptible to being mimicked by AI.

WILL CONTENT CREATORS BE REPLACED BY AI?

The short answer is no. AI excels at handling repetitive and time-consuming tasks, but it lacks the human touch essential for creating deep, meaningful connections with audiences. Content creation thrives on authenticity and personal expression—qualities AI cannot replicate.

Not to mention, if platforms are cracking down on this content, as creators we need to be aware of their policies and ensure we’re adhering to their terms. Or we risk losing all our content.

IS IT LEGAL TO USE AI CONTENT?

Yes, but with caveats. It’s essential to use AI responsibly, crediting sources when necessary, and ensuring content adheres to legal and ethical standards. Transparency about AI’s role in content creation is becoming a norm, as evidenced by recent policy updates from major online platforms.

For instance, I originally wrote this as a shorter Instagram post then had support from ChatGPT to tweak it, answer some commonly asked questions, and optimise it for search engines. Before publishing, I have reviewed, reworded and edited it to sound like me.

If you’re unsure about how to work with AI read some of my previous posts:

• Ethical Technology and Innovation
• How I Used ChatGPT to Define My Brand Message
• Creative Content Generation with ChatGPT

SO, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US AS CONTENT CREATORS?

It’s more important than ever to create authentic content. If you want to build genuine connections and something long-term, sustainable and lasting, then showing up as yourself and expressing and sharing your unique essence is the best way to do that. While AI content can have its perks, it’s important to be balanced with a well-rounded content strategy that showcases your personality.

While AI-generated content has its place, the heart of content creation remains in the human touch. Online platforms are setting boundaries to preserve the integrity and authenticity of digital content. For content creators, this era marks a pivotal moment to be leverage AI’s power responsibly.

To navigate these changes and confidently create content, explore my new course Content Codes.

Some other resources that may be supportive are my free Tech Witch Tools Spreadsheet which contains all my favourite online business and content creation tools, or my comprehensive Tech Witch Toolkit, equipped with all my checklists and SOPs (including content calendars, trackers, planners and more!)

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this evolving space. Have you used AI in your content creation process? Do you interact with AI-generated content? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below.