.png){kind=small}
If you’ve spent any time reading SEO blogs, you’ve probably noticed they all sound… kind of the same. The intros kick off with “whether you’re a business owner or a marketer,” they’re crammed with bullet points, over use em dashes (–) and they rarely say anything you haven’t heard a hundred times before. It’s like they were all written by the same bland AI, oh wait, most of them probably were.
So, why does this happen? And more importantly, how can you make your content stand out without tanking your SEO? Let’s dig into why SEO blogs are so formulaic, why that strategy sometimes works, and how to write content that sounds like it came from a real human being instead of a bot with a blog addiction.
1. The Problem: Why Most SEO Blogs Sound Like Bots Wrote Them
Here’s the thing: most SEO blogs follow the same template. You get a generic intro, a bunch of subheadings, and a parade of bullet points that barely scratch the surface. It’s like SEO Mad Libs.
Overused Phrases: You’ve seen them—“not just about”, “whether you’re a business owner or a marketer,” and my personal favourite, “in today’s digital world.” These phrases might help with keywords and readability, but they make your blog sound like it was written by a chatbot who’s read too many LinkedIn posts.
Formulaic Structure: A catchy H1, a brief intro, some headers, and a conclusion that basically just repeats the intro. It’s efficient, sure, but it doesn’t offer anything original or interesting.
SEO Overkill: In an attempt to rank, a lot of blogs end up stuffing keywords in the most awkward ways possible—like a kid cramming broccoli into a napkin to make it look like they’ve eaten their veggies.
2. The Strategy Behind It: Why People Write Like This
Alright, so if everyone agrees these blogs are boring, why keep doing it? It turns out there’s some method to the madness.
1. SEO Optimisation:
Search engines reward clarity and structure. If Google’s bots can quickly figure out what your content’s about, you’ve got a better shot at ranking. That’s why we see so many keyword-heavy headers and short, snappy paragraphs. It’s about getting the SEO blog structure just right to please the search algorithms.
2. User Experience:
Most readers don’t actually read—they skim. Bullet points and subheadings help them find what they need fast. The problem is, this style also makes your content feel like it was written by a microwave manual. A blog that’s been overly simplified in structure and language might hurt its engagement. This is where you need to find the balance in writing for SEO and readers—optimising for both.
3. Algorithm Detection (and the Human vs AI Content Debate):
Ironically, writing like a bot is sometimes meant to avoid sounding like a bot. Algorithms look for complex sentences and varied vocabulary to flag AI content. Simplifying things is a way to dodge those flags, but it ends up making the content sound generic and, well, robotic.
3. How to Actually Write Content That Feels Human
So how do you balance writing for SEO and sounding like an actual person? Here’s what to try:
1. Find Your Voice—And Use It:
Your audience is full of real people, not search bots with ad budgets. Ditch the corporate speak and write like you talk. Opinions, humour, and a bit of sarcasm are all fair game—just make sure it’s still valuable. This helps you avoid sounding like a generic, AI-generated blog post.
2. Go Beyond Bullet Points:
Lists are great for quick reads, but don’t stop there. Break down why each point matters with a bit of analysis or a quick story. For example, don’t just say, “Use internal links.” Explain how internal linking helps Google crawl your site more effectively and keeps users clicking around longer. This makes your blog not only SEO-friendly but also engaging for readers.
3. Offer Contrarian Takes:
If everyone’s saying the same thing, saying something different makes you stand out. Disagree with popular advice (when it makes sense) and back it up with real-world examples. People love a good “hot take” as long as it’s got some truth to it. It’s an excellent way to add value beyond just SEO blog writing tips.
4. Quick Fixes to Make Your Content Feel More Real & Avoid Sounding AI-Generated
If your blog already sounds a bit AI-ish, here are a few quick fixes:
Nix the Generic Intros: Start with a story, a strong opinion, or a question that hits your audience's pain points. Avoid the overused, AI-generated intro lines.
Tone Down the Keyword Stuffing: Use keywords naturally. If it sounds weird out loud, rewrite it. Making this habitual will help you avoid keyword stuffing and improves the SEO readability of your blog.
Add a Hot Take or Two: It’s okay to say some popular advice is rubbish, it's just important you explain why. Challenge conventional SEO wisdom and show your audience that you have unique insights. This helps create SEO content that stands out from the crowd.
Wrapping It Up
If you’re tired of SEO blogs that read like instruction manuals, it’s time to do things differently. Write like a human who happens to know a lot about SEO, not a robot who’s read too much Moz. When your content sounds real, people stick around longer, share it more, and—bonus!—you’re less likely to get flagged as AI.
Want to see how this approach works in action? Check out the rest of our blog for more no-BS marketing advice on how to write SEO blogs that feel human while still ranking well in search engines.
