How To Humanize AI Content

For small businesses looking to stay competitive, AI content tools can be a game-changer — but only when used strategically. Right now, there are many businesses on the band wagon of generating mass AI articles on their website to improve rankings but that doesn’t mean that long term that is a good strategy and could even hurt your business down the road. Want to know why? Read on.

The Problem: Beware of future AI and GPTs, they will know older AI content that you make today.

Just like a Gen-Z can spot the lack of rizz from a millennial or Baby Boomer, so too will future AI GPTs and know that your articles were created using older forms of GPT.. So beware of what might be short term gains from AI content and don’t overdue it.

“Bruh, that GPT you used is straight up ancient with zero rizz, your site’s crusty and low-key sus like a bot, no cap.” – GPTs of the Future

Having more human-written articles has actually been show to increase site engagement and time onsite as well as 5.44x as much traffic over a 5 month period vs AI article. 

The Solution: Humanize your content, don’t only rely on AI to write your articles, actually do the work and write your editorial for 5.44x the traffic.

The solution is to humanize content on your website. Over 20 years ago, I started in the magazine industry. We scrutinized our editorial and our writers had great pride in the workmanship of their delicately crafted pieces that would be published each month. As a business owner, treat your website like the editorial wing of a magazine. Think about what you publish, why you write it, and especially, how the reader is going to be excited to read the answers and insights you provide to them.

Here’s how local businesses can use AI content tools to level up their content marketing and SEO without losing their human touch and how to humanize AI content.

Best Practices: Don’t Let the Robot Run the Show

If you’re going to use AI tools effectively, follow a few key rules:

• Start with a strategy. Know your audience, goals, and what makes you different. AI can’t create a content strategy from scratch — that’s on you.
• Edit like a human. Always have a human review content for tone, clarity, and accuracy.
• Add your local edge. Mention Columbus neighborhoods, events, or specifics only a local would know.
• Avoid sounding generic. AI defaults to bland unless you tell it otherwise. Add personality. If you treat it like an encyclopedia then it will sound like one. You can add personality to outputs by asking it to roleplay in any creative voice you wish. 
• Use AI originality checker tools online like Originality.ai to check if content is original or AI created and check for plagiarism.

• Originality.ai checker finds if an article is original or has a plagiarism issue

Why Small Businesses Should Care About AI Content Tools

Columbus is quickly becoming a tech hub, with a growing startup scene, innovation districts like the one near OSU, and a thriving small business community. But with opportunity comes competition — and visibility matters.

That’s where AI comes in.

Content drives search engine rankings, brand credibility, and customer engagement. But producing quality content consistently takes time and money. AI tools offer a shortcut — when used wisely.

What AI Content Tools Can (and Can’t) Do

Let’s clear something up: AI can generate content fast, but it doesn’t replace strategy or human insight. It’s a tool — not a magic wand.

Watch this reel First to see what is important about AI Tools

Here’s what AI can help with:

• Brainstorming blog ideas based on your niche and audience
• Generating drafts of blog posts, product descriptions, or social captions
• Optimizing for keywords to improve SEO
• Repurposing content (turning a blog post into a LinkedIn post or email)
• Improving tone or clarity with editing suggestions
• Treat it like an Intern, it can help research but you should still fact check. It can bring ideas together and help you polish your thoughts.

But here’s what it can’t do:

• Understand local market nuances
• Replace brand voice or subject matter expertise
• Create trust-building content without oversight

If you’re in HVAC, law, finance, real estate, or running a coffee shop in German Village — your voice, your experience, and your local knowledge still matter. AI is here to assist, not replace.

Smart Ways Companies Are Using AI for Content

1. Local SEO at Scale

AI tools can help create geo-targeted landing pages or blog content that includes neighborhoods, landmarks, and local search terms. Think: “Best roofing company in Upper Arlington” or “What to expect from a downtown Columbus CPA.”

Pro tip: Don’t just stuff in “Columbus” — use real local knowledge to build trust. AI can handle the draft, but human input should finesse it.

2. Blog Content That Doesn’t Burn Out Your Team

Many Columbus marketing teams (especially at small businesses) don’t have the bandwidth for weekly blog posts. AI can cut the time it takes to go from outline to draft by more than half. That frees up time to focus on strategy, outreach, or creative ideas.

3. Keeping Your Website Fresh for Google

Search engines reward regularly updated websites. AI makes it easier to keep your blog active and relevant without exhausting your internal team. Use it to update older posts, rewrite metadata, or create new takes on evergreen topics.

4. Email and Social Content Without the Guesswork

AI is great at suggesting subject lines, social post variations, or email copy frameworks. For Columbus-based service businesses or ecommerce stores, this helps keep your content pipeline full without hiring extra writers.

Final Thoughts

Yes, AI tools are powerful — but they’re not plug-and-play. As a business owner in Columbus, I’ve seen firsthand that the best results come from blending AI efficiency with human strategy and local insight.

You don’t need to hand over your content to a robot. You just need to use AI smartly — as an assistant, not the author.

At Kow Abundant, we help local businesses like yours create content that ranks and resonates. We combine AI tools with real strategy, SEO expertise, and a deep understanding of the Columbus market — so your brand stays authentic and competitive.

Let’s connect and talk about how we can grow your content marketing the right way — smart, local, and effective.