Hey Reader,

I’ve got some tough love for you today.

Over the past 6 months, I’ve audited content for 50+ new SEO leads, and I see the same problem on literally EVERY. SINGLE. WEBSITE.

Low-quality AI-generated content that’s been published with zero human editing.

And it’s killing their SEO results.

The biggest SEO mistake in 2025, by a MILE, is publishing AI content without proper editing.

Here’s what’s happening: Everyone discovered AI can write blog posts in 5 minutes, so they’re cranking out 20+ articles per month thinking more content = better rankings.

Wrong.

What they’re actually doing is filling their website with generic, robotic content that Google sees right through.

Today, I’m going to share my exact AI content polishing process that turns bland AI drafts into content that actually ranks.

Why Your AI Content Isn’t Working

Before we dive into the solution, let’s talk about why most AI content fails:

The Dead Giveaways of Unedited AI Content

I can spot AI content from a mile away because of these telltale signs:

• Generic intros: “In today’s digital landscape…” or “Are you struggling with…”
• Zero personality: Reads like it was written by a committee of robots
• Vague advice: “It’s important to choose the right tools” (no shit)
• No real examples: Everything is hypothetical or made up
• Robotic transitions: “Furthermore,” “Additionally,” “Moreover” everywhere
• Wall of text: No formatting, just endless paragraphs
• Fake statistics: AI loves making up numbers that sound real
• No original insights: Just regurgitates what’s already ranking

Why Google Doesn’t Rank This Stuff

Google’s algorithm has gotten scary good at identifying helpful vs. unhelpful content.

Unedited AI content fails because it:

• Provides zero unique value
• Doesn’t demonstrate real expertise
• Fails to answer questions thoroughly
• Lacks the personal experience and insights users want
• Sounds like every other AI-generated article on the topic

My 8-Step AI Content Editing Process

Here’s the exact checklist I use to transform AI drafts into ranking content:

Step 1: Kill the Generic Intro (2 minutes)

❌ Before: “In today’s competitive business landscape, email marketing has become an essential tool for companies looking to engage with their customers and drive conversions.”

✅ After: “Last month, we sent one email that generated $47,000 in revenue. The subject line? ‘We screwed up.’ Here’s exactly how being honest about our mistakes became our highest-converting campaign ever.”

The fix: Use the PAS formula (Problem-Agitate-Solution) or start with a specific result/story.

Step 2: Add Real Examples and Data (5 minutes)

Go through every paragraph and ask: “Can I add a specific example, screenshot, or real number here?”

❌ Before: “Email segmentation can significantly improve your open rates.”

✅ After: “When we segmented our client’s 15,000-person list by purchase history, open rates jumped from 18% to 34%. Here’s the exact Klaviyo workflow we used: [SCREENSHOT]”

The fix: Replace every generic claim with specific, real data from your experience.

Step 3: Cut the Robotic Language (3 minutes)

Search for these AI phrases and delete them:

• “Furthermore” → “Plus” or “Also”
• “Additionally” → “And”
• “In conclusion” → “Bottom line”
• “It’s important to note” → Just state the point
• “Various” → Be specific
• “Numerous” → Give actual numbers

The fix: Write like you talk. Use simple, conversational language.

Step 4: Add Screenshots and Visuals (10 minutes)

AI content is always just text. Real content includes:

• Screenshots of actual tools/dashboards
• Custom graphics explaining concepts
• Before/after examples
• Step-by-step visual guides
• Charts showing real data

The fix: If you’re explaining how to do something, show it. No exceptions.

Step 5: Include Contrarian or Controversial Takes (5 minutes)

AI always gives safe, generic advice. Stand out by sharing:

• What most experts get wrong
• Controversial strategies that work
• Popular tactics you disagree with
• Counterintuitive insights from your experience

Step 6: Fix the Structure and Formatting (5 minutes)

AI loves creating walls of text. Make it scannable:

• Add bullet points for lists and tips
• Use short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max)
• Include subheadings every 200-300 words
• Bold key phrases for emphasis
• Add numbered steps for processes
• Include quotes or callouts for important points

Step 7: Fact-Check Everything (10 minutes)

AI hallucinates. A lot. Before publishing:

• Verify all statistics - if you can’t find the source, delete it
• Check tool features - AI often describes features that don’t exist
• Confirm pricing - AI pricing is usually outdated or wrong
• Validate examples - make sure companies/tools you mention actually exist

Step 8: Add Your Personal Touch (5 minutes)

This is what separates ranking content from AI fluff:

• Share a personal story or experience
• Add your opinion on industry trends
• Include lessons you’ve learned the hard way
• Mention specific tools you actually use
• Reference real clients or projects (with permission)

Bottom Line

AI is an incredible tool for beating writer’s block and creating first drafts. But it’s just that - a starting point.

The magic happens in the editing.

If you’re not willing to invest time in making your AI content genuinely helpful and unique, you’re better off not publishing at all.

Your readers (and Google) will thank you.

- Nick