<\/p>
AI has created insecurity for content writers, where their jobs could be in jeopardy from machine-generated content at scale.<\/p>
The reality is that many content writers may be displaced, but the ones that can survive and be in demand are the ones who embrace the current changes in search and adapt.<\/p>
Writers can be irreplaceable by learning how to create valuable content that is optimized for large language model (LLM) inclusion. They can also stand out by creating the kind of content that takes advantage of LLM and machine content limitations.<\/p>
To offer real, actionable advice, we reached out to a selection of the leading voices in producing content to ask how they\u2019re doing it and what \u201chigh performing\u201d content will mean by 2026.<\/p>
Our contributors agree: Staying relevant means honing the skills AI can\u2019t replace and learning how to make it work for you, not against you.<\/p>
Chelsea Alves opens with a reminder that experimentation defines this era: \u201cThe AI era is all about testing.\u201d She advises writers to \u201cpair their creative intuition with thoughtful analysis\u201d and focus on what AI can\u2019t replicate: \u201cgenuine insight, storytelling, and subject-matter expertise.\u201d<\/p>
\u201cWriters should sharpen their ability to synthesize data and human context, not just summarize information.\u201d<\/p>
Alves also suggests a modern workflow where AI becomes a partner: \u201cWriters will want to view AI as a collaborator, rather than as a competitor,\u201d especially for \u201cresearch acceleration (with human fact-checking), ideation, and outline while retaining full authorship over tone and empathy.\u201d<\/p>
But it only works when the writer knows how to communicate with AI effectively. \u201cFeeding AI detailed, structured, and contextual prompts is imperative for it to deliver accurate and relevant results.\u201d<\/p>
Her closing warning points to a changing discovery environment: \u201cMulti-format fluency is crucial,\u201d because audiences now discover and engage with content through summaries, voice search, or in-platform experiences.<\/p>
Andy Betts shares what he learned: \u201cPosition yourself as the strategic thinker who uses AI to research and aid your ideas, not replace them.\u201d<\/p>
\u201cThere is a real opportunity for marketers who lean into their core creative instincts and foundational optimization skills to amplify messaging, positioning, and branding. That is the gap AI cannot fill.\u201d<\/p>
\u201cI shifted from tactical content to strategic content that builds authenticity for AI citations and references,\u201d Betts adds, and then points to the signal coming from the biggest players in the market: \u201cOpenAI, Meta, Google, PayPal are all hiring content strategists to shape CEO narratives and storytelling. If you are willing to own the strategy piece, that is where you genuinely stand out.\u201d<\/p>
Heather Lloyd-Martin takes the long view: \u201cWriters who thrive in the AI era will double down on what machines can\u2019t replicate: nuance, strategy, and authentic voice.\u201d Even as AI accelerates research, she reminds us that fundamentals haven\u2019t changed.<\/p>
\u201cGreat writing still sells, teaches, and builds trust.\u201d<\/p>
She shares techniques, including \u201cstudying conversion writing to weave micro-conversions into every piece. Hone your storytelling to capture attention in an increasingly automated feed. Get comfortable with \u2018messy prompting\u2019 AI, and discover how to use it as a research assistant\/creative wingman. And most importantly, infuse every line with brand personality and point of view.\u201d<\/p>
For her, differentiation in 2026 won\u2019t come from writing speed or awesome prompts, but from \u201cinsight, strategy, amazing storytelling, and knowing how to use the power of AI to make your content even better.\u201d<\/p>
\u201cWriters should not adapt; they should continue to produce human-level content written for humans,\u201d argues Adam Riemer.<\/p>
\u201cAI can mimic, but it cannot replace. Humans being able to verify and fact-check, create content that they see being used is something only we can do.\u201d<\/p>
He adds, \u201cHumans know what to look for and how to write for it. The biggest difference in skills is when we get stuck on wording, have character maximums or minimums, or need alternative word suggestions. This is where AI can shine.<\/p>
\u2192 Read More: This Is Why AI Won\u2019t Take Your Job (Yet)<\/em><\/p> When asked how their writing has shifted in the age of LLMs, each expert landed on the same truth: the mechanics of good writing haven\u2019t disappeared, but the structure carrying that writing has become far more intentional.<\/p> With the days of writing content for traditional SEO long gone, Alves advises writers to structure content with machine readability in mind. This means ensuring \u201cclarity, consistency, and rich context so that LLMs can accurately summarize your content.\u201d<\/p> \u201cTopical relevance is more important than ever, as well as schema-informed structure.\u201d<\/p> Instead of letting meaning build linearly, she now aims for \u201cwriting sentences that stand alone with context.\u201d<\/p> For her, fundamentals are still as important. \u201cToday\u2019s writers must incorporate internal links, definitional clarity, and clear takeaways to make content easier for humans and machines to process.\u201d<\/p> But she notes that writing for machines doesn\u2019t mean flattening voice or storytelling. \u201cIt\u2019s more about creating a layered content experience: a clear, structured skeleton for the machines and a compelling, emotive experience for the humans,\u201d explains Alves.<\/p> For Betts, his core writing has not changed much, but his approach to structure has. \u201cI am spending more time on prompts and briefs that guide AI rather than just writing final copy,\u201d he explains.<\/p> \u201cThe content optimization tricks I have used for 25 years still work.\u201d<\/p> But he\u2019s learned to write deliberately for how AI understands context, nuance, and brand intent.<\/p> His take on what matters: \u201cI always own the final output. That is non-negotiable.\u201d And the real win? \u201cIt is writing smarter \u2013 less content overall, but each piece carries more weight. Your influence-per-word ratio goes up when you are directing AI instead of racing it.\u201d<\/p> \u201cI wrote about this on LinkedIn,\u201d Lloyd-Martin shares. \u201cMost \u2018LLM writing rules\u2019 echo what I\u2019ve been discussing for over 20 years. Write clear, eye-catching subheads, and link to related pages. Understand search intent, and write engaging, standout content that answers questions and showcases your expertise.\u201d<\/p> Where she experiments is structure. \u201cI\u2019ll add quick takeaways at the top to help both readers and machines grasp the value fast, or FAQs when they make sense.\u201d AI now plays a role in deep research, too, \u201cidentifying where competitors earn LLM citations and where we don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p> But even with those tools, her north star hasn\u2019t budged.<\/p> \u201cAI may have enhanced my process, but it hasn\u2019t changed how I write.\u201d<\/p> \u201cLLM inclusion is based on tons of potential signals,\u201d Riemer says, keeping the conversation grounded in audience experience.<\/p> \u201cWriting for a human audience at the audience\u2019s needs and skill levels is what everyone should do. If you write higher or lower, overcomplicate or simplify, or add more because of a concept being touted as \u2018fan out queries,\u2019 then you\u2019re creating a horrible user experience.\u201d<\/p> He adds that \u201cAI isn\u2019t your customer \u2026 do not change your writing because of it; write for your audience and make sure AI can find, understand, and reference it.\u201d<\/p> \u2192 Read More: How To Get Your Content (& Brand) Recommended By AI & LLMs<\/em><\/p> The conversation around content performance has shifted from volume to value. When asked what holds up no matter how search or AI shifts, our experts reveal a comforting throughline: content built on depth, trust, and expertise isn\u2019t going anywhere.<\/p> Alves opens the conversation by pointing out that AI hasn\u2019t completely derailed the content frameworks that used to work. \u201cMany content best practices remain the same, such as authority-driven frameworks like data storytelling, original research, and expert commentary.\u201d<\/p> These, she notes, are more likely to be shared, trusted, and noticed by humans and search engines alike. \u201cCase studies, proprietary data reports, and first-hand experiments continue to outperform derivative content, both in organic search and boosting brand credibility.\u201d<\/p> She also sees the staying power in educational content built on empathy. Examples are tutorials, explainer videos, and playbooks that anticipate user needs and provide helpful, actionable next steps.<\/p> Alves also reminds us that even as AI delivers answers in an instant, audiences will still turn to trusted brands for depth and application.<\/p> \u201cConsumers still favor and prefer human expertise over machines.\u201d<\/p> \u201cI am betting big on frameworks only experienced writers understand,\u201d Betts says, pointing to brand storytelling rooted in company knowledge, executive messaging that shapes how people perceive your organization, and content strategy demanding real human judgment about stakeholder needs.<\/p> He also stresses that creative writing, the deeply human element, does not go away.<\/p> \u201cPositioning writing as a strategic function, not a production task, drives business outcomes.\u201d<\/p> He adds, \u201cThe briefs, editorial standards, and voice guidelines that train AI? Those matter now. That is where you multiply value.\u201d And when it comes to measurement, he found that \u201cmeasuring content by genuine business impact, not just visibility metrics, is where success truly lives.\u201d<\/p> Lloyd-Martin keeps her focus on the assets many brands overlook. \u201cRefreshing older blogs, guides, and sales pages often delivers faster wins than starting from scratch, and you can repurpose the content for different platforms.\u201d She\u2019s seen clients gain quick lifts from updated headlines, improved internal links, and repromotion.<\/p> \u201cGreat content doesn\u2019t expire; it just needs a little love every once in a while.\u201d<\/p> And no matter how AI or search evolves, she always recommends maintaining an email list. For her, \u201cowning your audience and showing up in their inbox will always be a smart, sustainable marketing move.\u201d<\/p> Riemer takes the most streamlined approach: \u201cSame as always, proper page structure and follow best practices.\u201d<\/p> When the conversation turns to proving return on investment (ROI), our experts tie value to measurable outcomes rather than volume.<\/p> Alves leads with evidence: \u201cAs with any marketing endeavor, it\u2019s crucial to provide tangible evidence of success.\u201d For her, the indicators have shifted. \u201cTraffic and clicks used to be a top indicator of success; however, engagement quality (scroll depth, time spent on page), assisted conversions, lead quality, and influence on customer journeys are now key indicators of content\u2019s impact.\u201d<\/p> She emphasizes attribution and visibility across the funnel. \u201cIt\u2019s paramount to have visibility into how content is fueling conversions.\u201d<\/p> She also looks at \u201ctrust metrics,\u201d lending credence to brand credibility, share of voice, appearance in AI summaries, and mentions in third-party articles\/media.<\/p> Betts centers his measurement on strategic influence. \u201cI have stopped counting words and started tracking what matters,\u201d he explains. He focuses on the broader role content plays. \u201cI focus on how my editorial direction shapes company communications, including AI-generated content.\u201d<\/p> He points to what executive content drives: \u201crecruitment quality, investor conversations, brand positioning that sticks.\u201d He then highlights a shift in how stakeholders see content.<\/p> \u201cIt is no longer \u2018content is overhead\u2019. It is \u2018content strategy multiplies organizational output while staying authentic.\u2019 That wins investment.\u201d<\/p> \u201cRankings and citations still matter, but I focus on what those metrics mean,\u201d Lloyd-Martin shares, watching for these behavioral indicators: \u201cIs the content attracting qualified visitors? Are they taking the next step, or bouncing? Traffic without reader resonance doesn\u2019t drive revenue.\u201d<\/p> She also pays close attention to how content shows up in conversations. \u201cWhen sales teams mention prospects referencing our articles, that\u2019s impact. For clients with limited rankings, especially local or service-based businesses, we analyze which pages are already positioning (often blogs) and expand visibility for queries that matter most.\u201d<\/p> She notes that the goal is creating content that converts and builds authority. \u201cAI can help you write faster, but it takes an experienced writer to understand if the output is any good and how to improve it.\u201d<\/p> Adam Riemer demonstrates impact through contrast and accountability. He explains, \u201cSome clients want to see the before and after, so we share examples of sites that got tanked because of the AI content. In other cases, accuracy becomes the deciding factor. \u201cWe send the non-factual content to legal for review, and that puts an end to it.\u201d<\/p> For his clients who want to use AI for content, he sets up policies in place for \u201cfact-checking, conversion testing, and other controls that require human assistance.\u201d<\/p> \u201cThis helps keep humans employed until companies realize AI should not be writing and generating content without human intervention.\u201d<\/p> Our experts share what they believe will define content success next year. Hint: The loudest or the fastest won\u2019t win. It\u2019s value, depth, and authenticity that will set the bar.<\/p> \u201cNothing new, it\u2019s the same as it always has been,\u201d says Riemer, describing the current landscape. He sees an opportunity created by declining content quality. \u201cIt\u2019s just easier now to compete since a lot of companies are creating spammy AI and LLM-generated content.\u201d<\/p> In his view, the core dynamic hasn\u2019t changed. \u201cSame as it was after article spinners lost their time in the spotlight for the same thing. You could take articles from 10 sites or have 10 writers write them, add the macros to insert and spin them, then spit out new content. Same quality as we\u2019re seeing here with AI.\u201d<\/p> Alves notes the saturation AI has created, but audiences and search engines will reward content that proves real-world insight can only be produced by humans. \u201cThis will look like data from proprietary sources, first-hand interviews, unique frameworks, or any content that demonstrates lived experience.\u201d<\/p> But ultimately, she believes visibility will be tied to originality.<\/p> \u201cDifferentiation will be key and will hinge on human touch \u2026 Your content should sound unmistakably human in a sea of sameness.\u201d<\/p> Lloyd-Martin believes \u201chigh-performing content will still be measured by the same timeless standard: business impact.\u201d For her, the right questions remain constant: Does it attract the right audience, support the buyer journey, and drive conversions? Is that AI citation making you money, or is it just a vanity metric?<\/p> \u201cClarity, credibility, and conversion power will always define content success.\u201d<\/p> For Betts, \u201chigh-performing content will be strategically directed and authentically executed, AI- AI-assisted but human-guided.\u201d<\/p> He foresees big companies course-correcting. \u201cExpect those who cut experienced strategists and relied on AI writing to come back hiring content leaders.\u201d For him, the differentiator is not speed but \u201cstrategic wisdom: knowing what to say and ensuring it reflects genuine human creativity and judgment.\u201d<\/p> He also predicts: \u201cThe scarcest resource will not be content; it will be experienced judgment. Writers who master directing AI while maintaining creative integrity will command premium value.\u201d<\/p> AI may have changed how content gets discovered, but not what makes it valuable. The experts agree: The edge now lies in structure, strategy, substance, and human judgment.<\/p> LLMs surface what they can understand. Readers choose what they can trust. High-performing content in this era succeeds when it satisfies both.<\/p> A huge thank you to our contributors for sharing their time, experience, and insights.<\/p> Editor\u2019s note: All interviews have been lightly edited for clarity, brevity, and adherence to our Editorial Guidelines. The views expressed by the interviewees in this column are theirs alone and do not necessarily represent the view of Search Engine Journal.<\/em><\/p> More Resources:<\/strong><\/p> Featured Image: TierneyMJ\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p> <\/div> Content Creation,Content Trends#Content #Writing #Tips #Experts #Survive #sejournal #beacarlota171768433530<\/p> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AI has created insecurity for content writers, where their jobs could be in jeopardy from machine-generated content at scale. The reality is that many content writers may be displaced, but the ones that can survive and be in demand are the ones who embrace the current changes in search and adapt. Writers can be irreplaceable […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1525,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[2770,185,2768,80,2769,2767,2766],"class_list":["post-1524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-accessibility","tag-beacarlota17","tag-content","tag-experts","tag-sejournal","tag-survive","tag-tips","tag-writing"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/longzhuplatform.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1524","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/longzhuplatform.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/longzhuplatform.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/longzhuplatform.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/longzhuplatform.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1524"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/longzhuplatform.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1524\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/longzhuplatform.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1525"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/longzhuplatform.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/longzhuplatform.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/longzhuplatform.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}How Do You Write And Structure Content For LLM Visibility?<\/h2>
5. Structure For LLMs And Readers With Equal Intention<\/h3>
6. Write Less, But Make Every Word Work Harder<\/h3>
7. SEO Writing Fundamentals Still Matter, But Experiment With Structure<\/h3>
8. Write For Your Audience & Make Sure AI Can Find Your Content<\/h3>
What Content Still Works And Will Invest In No Matter How Search Or AI Changes?<\/h2>
9. Authority-Driven Frameworks Still Win<\/h3>
10. Human Element Keeps Strategy Relevant<\/h3>
11. Refresh Old Content And Own Your Audience<\/h3>
12. The Same Rules Still Apply<\/h3>
How Are You Proving Business Impact In Human-Written Content?<\/h2>
13. Provide Tangible Evidence Of Success<\/h3>
14. Prove The Business Value Of Content Leadership<\/h3>
15. Tie Rankings To Conversions And Conversations<\/h3>
16. Let The Results (And The Legal Team) Speak For Themselves<\/h3>
What Do You Predict Will Define High-Performing Content In 2026?<\/h2>
Same Fundamentals, New Advantage<\/h3>
Visibility Will Be Tied To Originality<\/h3>
Clarity, Credibility, And Conversion Power Will Define Content Success<\/h3>
Strategic Wisdom Is The New Content Currency<\/h3>
In Summary<\/h2>