How Do People Really Feel About AI-Generated Content?
Recently, I asked a prospective client about their social media strategy – their response: “Yeah, we just copy something from Chat (ChatGPT) and throw it up with a picture.”
The half-hearted results spoke for themselves. Their marketing output looked like it was run by a robot.
It seems everyone is using AI-generated content. But as is the case with all new technology, we need to ask questions.
First and foremost: How do people actually feel about AI-generated content?
Does it actually matter if your content is created with AI?
A recent YouTube campaign by Fiverr claimed that “Nobody cares if you’re using AI to create your content.” It’s a bold statement, especially in an era where AI is transforming industries faster than you can say “algorithm.”
The real question is: Is it true? Do your customers care if your words, images, or strategies come from artificial intelligence or a human brain?
Apparently, some people do care. Natalie Fear of Creative Bloq lamented that the YouTube campaign was “a tasteless miscalculation that alienates the very talent it relies upon.”
But is this the opinion of all people… or most people? Or is it the sentiment of a blogger missing the way things used to be?
Neil Patel’s team ran a 12-month study to get to the bottom of this.
The average traffic per post for AI-generated articles vs. human-generated articles. (credit: Neil Patel)
Content type gaining traffic in 2025 (credit: Neil Patel)
Spoiler alert: AI isn’t the magic wand some think it is — especially if you’re chasing long-term results. But does that mean you should ditch AI altogether? Not at all.
In this post, we’re going to unpack the data, explore why authenticity still matters, and figure out how to use AI as a tool — not a crutch — in your content strategy. Let’s dive in.
What the Data Says About AI Content
AI content is fast, efficient, and scalable. But here’s the kicker: just because you can use AI to generate content doesn’t always mean you should.
Neil Patel’s 12-month study paints a revealing picture.
AI-generated articles are a shortcut for increasing content output. But when it comes to long-term SEO performance, human-written content still reigns supreme.
On average, human-generated content outperforms AI content month after month in driving consistent traffic.
Why? Because human content often connects better, provides more depth, and resonates emotionally in ways AI struggles to replicate.
Take a look at the data: In Neil Patel’s study, AI content traffic plateaued early, while human content grew over time.
The reason? AI lacks nuance — it can churn out grammatically correct sentences, but it often misses the mark on storytelling, creativity, and cultural context.
A survey from Statista found that 49% of respondents believe AI content lacks the personal touch needed to resonate with audiences. Another report from Perplexity highlighted concerns about quality control, with some readers even describing AI content as “robotic” or “generic”.
The lesson? While AI-generated content might be fine for things like ideation and first drafts, it often falls short when used as the final product. Readers (and Google) seem to value substance and originality over convenience.
Does this mean AI content is useless? Not at all. It means that AI is a tool — not the entire toolbox.
What Do People Really Care About?
Let’s be honest: most people don’t sit around wondering if the content they’re consuming was written by AI or a human — we have better things to do.
They care about one thing — results. Does the content solve their problem, answer their question, or make their life easier?
A recent study by Morning Consult found that while some consumers are indifferent to AI, they do care about how it affects the quality of their experience. In fact, 56% of respondents said they’re fine with AI-generated content as long as it’s accurate and helpful.
It’s like going to a restaurant: nobody cares whether the chef used a food processor or chopped by hand. They just care if the meal tastes great. Similarly, if your AI-generated article is packed with value and easy to read, your audience likely won’t care.
But when content lacks depth, feels robotic, or misses the emotional connection people crave, that’s when they notice.
For example, a 2023 report from Edelman revealed that 62% of consumers feel more loyal to brands that communicate with “human warmth” and empathy. AI struggles in this department—it can write about feelings, but it can’t truly feel them.
What people really care about boils down to three questions:
Does this content solve my problem? Whether it’s AI or human-generated, people are looking for answers.
Is this easy to understand? AI can overcomplicate things, while human writers often simplify and connect better.
Does this feel genuine? Audiences are drawn to authenticity. If the content feels generic, it risks losing trust.
How Transparency Builds Trust
When it comes to AI, transparency is the difference between building trust and destroying it. Your audience doesn’t necessarily need to know every tool you use.
But if you’re leaning on AI for key aspects of your business, being upfront can actually work in your favor.
Take the example of The Washington Post, which openly uses its in-house AI tool, “Heliograf,” to generate news updates and summaries. By being transparent about their AI usage, they’ve shown that they’re committed to leveraging technology to enhance their journalism—not replace it.
This openness has helped maintain reader trust.
Why does transparency matter?
It humanizes your brand: Sharing that you use AI (and explaining why) frames it as a smart, thoughtful decision rather than a shortcut. For example, saying, “We use AI to research faster, so we can spend more time crafting unique solutions for you,” shows intent and care.
It mitigates skepticism: If customers find out you’re using AI but you never mentioned it, they might feel deceived — even if the content itself is great.
It sets expectations: Transparency helps you avoid overpromising. If people know AI plays a role, they won’t expect every interaction or piece of content to feel entirely “human.”
The Fine Line Between Automation and Authenticity
AI is a powerful tool, but it’s not magic (despite what previous generations might think).
It can automate tasks, generate ideas, and even write content, but what it can’t do is replace the human touch. This is where brands need to tread carefully. The balance between automation and authenticity is what separates brands that thrive from those that feel robotic.
The Automation Advantage
Let’s start with the obvious: AI is a productivity booster. It’s fantastic for brainstorming, creating first drafts, and even handling repetitive tasks like answering FAQs.
Tools like ChatGPT and Jasper AI can help you scale content production quickly.
But here’s the thing: speed and quantity mean nothing if your audience can’t connect with your message.
For instance, you might use AI to generate an email template, but that email still needs a human eye to ensure it aligns with your tone, values, and brand.
The Authenticity Imperative
Authenticity comes from understanding your audience and speaking directly to their needs and emotions.
This is where AI can fall short: It can mimic human language, but it can’t truly empathize or convey real-world experiences.
Imagine a customer service interaction where an AI chatbot provides technically correct but overly formal responses. Compare that to a human rep who adds empathy, humor, or warmth. Which one do you think the customer will remember?
Authenticity isn’t just a feel-good buzzword — it’s a necessity.
According to Edelman’s Trust Barometer, 81% of consumers say they need to trust a brand to buy from them. Trust comes from knowing there’s a real, relatable person (or team) behind the brand.
How to Strike the Balance: Creating AI-Generated Content Humans Want
Here’s the sweet spot: Use AI to enhance, not replace.
Automate the repetitive: Use AI for research, content ideation, and basic templates to save time.
Humanize the final product: Have a human refine the message to ensure it reflects your brand’s values and voice.
Lean into empathy: Whether it’s a social media post or an email, make sure your content feels personal and relevant.
Be clear about AI’s role: As mentioned earlier, transparency about your AI usage reinforces trust.
How to Make AI Work for You
AI is here to make your job easier. But the key to success is knowing how to use AI to enhance your content without losing your human touch.
Here’s how you can accomplish that:
1. Use AI for the Heavy Lifting
Let AI handle the grunt work:
Research: AI tools like ChatGPT can summarize topics or provide quick overviews, saving you hours of digging.
Keyword Analysis: Tools like Jasper AI or SEMrush can help identify high-impact keywords to optimize your content for SEO.
Content Ideation: Struggling with writer’s block? Let AI generate a list of blog or social media ideas.
Pro Tip: Don’t rely on AI-generated content as-is. Think of it as a rough draft that needs a human touch to truly shine.
2. Humanize Everything AI Touches
Your audience isn’t a fan of robotic, cookie-cutter messaging. After AI gives you a draft, edit it with your brand’s unique voice and personality. Here’s how:
Add anecdotes or real-life examples.
Inject humor or empathy when appropriate.
Simplify overly formal or clunky AI-generated language.
Example: If AI writes, “Our product delivers optimal solutions for achieving success,” you might rewrite it as, “Our product helps you crush your goals — without the guesswork.”
3. Use AI Where It Adds Real Value
AI isn’t just for content creation. Use it to enhance your processes and free up your team’s time for high-value tasks.
Customer Insights: AI can analyze data to reveal trends and preferences, helping you create content that speaks directly to your audience.
Chatbots: Use AI for quick customer responses, but ensure there’s a human option for more complex issues.
Personalization: AI can help tailor emails, ads, and website experiences based on user behavior.
4. Test and Iterate
AI isn’t an out-of-the-box solution—it’s a tool that requires experimentation. Test different AI applications and measure their effectiveness. Does your audience respond better to human-written emails? Do AI-generated ideas spark better engagement on social media? Use the data to refine your approach.
5. Always Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
AI can churn out mountains of content, but if that content doesn’t provide value, it’s just noise. Focus on creating fewer, higher-quality pieces that genuinely resonate with your audience.
Conclusion: Do People Care if You’re Using AI?
Customers don’t necessarily care how you create your content — what they care about is the outcome. Is it helpful, relevant, and genuine?
If AI helps you create value faster, great. But it shouldn’t come at the expense of quality or human connection.
The data is clear: while AI has its place in modern marketing, human creativity and storytelling are still irreplaceable.
Here’s the bottom line:
Leverage AI as a tool, not a crutch. Use it to enhance your workflows, generate ideas, and save time, but don’t rely on it to do all the heavy lifting.
Keep the human element alive. Whether it’s refining your brand voice, connecting emotionally with your audience, or ensuring authenticity, human oversight is critical.
Be transparent. Customers appreciate honesty. Let them know how AI helps you serve them better.
AI isn’t going anywhere, and businesses that embrace it wisely will have a competitive edge. But the secret sauce to long-term success? Combining the speed and efficiency of AI with the nuance and authenticity that only humans can deliver.
The world is changing, and AI is becoming a bigger part of it. But one thing will never change: people will always value connection, trust, and quality. Keep those at the heart of your strategy, and it won’t matter whether your content comes from a human, AI, or a little of both — it’ll resonate.