The Rise of AI-Generated Content: A New Era for Online Writing

A recent study by the SEO firm Graphite reveals that as of May 2025, 52% of newly published articles on the internet are generated by artificial intelligence (AI). This significant shift follows the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, which catalyzed a rapid increase in AI-generated content. The analysis, which examined 65,000 English-language articles published between January 2020 and May 2025, utilized an AI detection tool named Surfer to classify articles as AI-generated if they contained 50% or more machine-generated text.

Graphite: 52% of new content is AI-generatedTechRadarRelevant MagazineAI content now outnumbers human-written articles on the internet, but the good news is that the slop seems to have plateaued, for nowAI Written Content Now Outperforms Online Writing

Before the introduction of ChatGPT, AI-generated content constituted approximately 10% of new articles. This figure surged to over 40% by 2024, peaking at 55% before stabilizing around the 50% mark. Despite this high volume of AI content, only about 14% of the highest-ranked articles on Google are identified as AI-generated. This discrepancy highlights the challenges AI-written articles face in achieving visibility and ranking well in search results.

Graphite: 52% of new content is AI-generatedTechRadarRelevant MagazineAI content now outnumbers human-written articles on the internet, but the good news is that the slop seems to have plateaued, for nowAI Written Content Now Outperforms Online Writing

The proliferation of AI-generated content has raised concerns about quality. Many AI-generated articles are perceived as low-value, with watchdog organizations like NewsGuard identifying thousands of sites producing shallow, error-filled content. The ease and low cost of producing AI content have led to an influx of poorly crafted articles, often referred to as "AI slop." However, search engines are reportedly improving their algorithms to filter out such low-quality content, which may explain the plateau in AI content growth.

Graphite: 52% of new content is AI-generated

Graphite's findings suggest that while AI content is on the rise, it is not necessarily replacing human authorship. Experts indicate that the current landscape represents a collaboration between human and AI content creation rather than a complete takeover. Publishers are increasingly aware that quality, not just quantity, is crucial for visibility in search results.

Graphite: 52% of new content is AI-generated

Critics argue that the rise of AI-generated content could lead to a degradation of overall content quality on the internet. Concerns have been raised about potential feedback loops where AI models train on poor-quality data, further perpetuating low standards. Additionally, public sentiment remains skeptical, with surveys indicating that many readers are uncomfortable with AI-generated news, particularly on sensitive topics.

Graphite: 52% of new content is AI-generated

While Graphite's study indicates a significant rise in AI-generated content, other analyses suggest that the actual impact of this content on search rankings and user engagement may be overstated. For instance, a separate study found that AI-written articles often struggle to rank highly due to their lack of depth and sourcing, leading to a cautious approach among publishers regarding full automation.

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As the landscape of online writing evolves, publishers and brands are encouraged to prioritize depth, verifiability, and editorial judgment in their content strategies. The future may see a more integrated approach where AI assists human writers rather than replacing them, fostering a more balanced and quality-driven content ecosystem.

AI Written Content Now Outperforms Online Writing

• “Experts suggest the trend represents a symbiosis between human and AI content creation rather than a complete replacement of human writers.” — Graphite Study

Graphite: 52% of new content is AI-generated

• “Where there is a struggle for visibility, quality, not automation, wins in search results and assistant responses.” — Industry Expert

AI generates more than half of the texts on the Internet, but human materials dominate the output and responses of assistants

• “The winners will be the companies and teams that leverage AI without sacrificing editorial judgment — and can prove it to both algorithms and audiences.” — Industry Insight

AI Written Content Now Outperforms Online Writing