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  • AI Content Sites: A New Threat to the Advertising Market and Business

    AI Content Sites: A New Threat to the Advertising Market and Business

    In the world of digital advertising, a new “headache” is emerging for businesses – the rapid growth of websites filled with low-quality AI-generated content (AI Slop Sites). These resources, disguised as ordinary platforms, pose a serious threat to legitimate market players and can jeopardize brand reputation. How to choose a contractor and avoid becoming a victim of fraudsters when placing ads on such resources? Read more about this below.

    Introduction: The Rise of AI Sites and Challenges for Ad Tech

    In the world of digital advertising, a new “headache” is emerging for businesses – the rapid growth of websites filled with low-quality content, generated by artificial intelligence (AI Slop Sites). These resources, disguised as ordinary platforms, pose a serious threat to legitimate market players and can jeopardize brand reputation. How to choose a contractor and avoid becoming a victim of fraudsters when placing ads on such resources? Read more about this below.

    DecryptAds Research: The Scale of the Problem and “Risky Geos”

    According to DecryptAds research, the number of websites using AI-generated content is growing exponentially. Initially, the analysis was conducted on examples of websites with culinary recipes, but similar schemes are used for news aggregators, automotive, anime, and gaming forums.

    It’s breathtaking to realize that thousands of such resources are already integrated into ad networks.

    “The idea that US citizens, including potentially government officials, could be accessing these sites, their data could be collected by ad tech, and potentially they could be targeted by malicious ad schemes, raises serious cybersecurity concerns,” said Zach Edwards, co-founder and head of product and research at DecryptAds.

    DecryptAds found that monetization of such resources is often carried out through SSPs (Sell-Side Platforms), which work with advertising partners from so-called “risky geos”. These include countries associated with high levels of cybercrime or having strained relations with the US, such as Russia, China, Cyprus, Turkey, and the UAE. This creates additional risks for businesses.

    How do AI sites deceive advertising systems?

    These resources use various tactics to bypass moderation systems and maximize ad impressions:

    • Human Content Mimicry: Sites create the appearance of real human authorship using AI-generated avatars, stock images, or even altered photos of celebrities like Emily Blunt.
    • Violation of Google’s Rules: New Google Search rules, effective this month, explicitly state: “Fabricating creator profiles (e.g., using AI-generated photos, fictitious names, or false credentials to make content appear as if it was written by human experts) is a form of deception. Any form of deception makes a page untrustworthy to both users and our automated quality systems, and is a signal of a low-quality page.” However, some SSPs believe that these rules apply only to Google’s search business and do not extend to Google Ads.
    • Manipulation of Viewability Metrics: Sites are literally “stuffed” with ad units positioned to artificially inflate viewability metrics, but offering questionable value to the advertiser. This is similar to the situation with MFA (Made for Advertising) sites.
    • Content Copying and “Uniquification”: They duplicate viral trends or copy popular pages from other sites, creating “almost identical” versions that clearly haven’t been human-vetted.

    Problems of Detection and Accountability

    One of the main problems is the difficulty in identifying such resources. Networks of AI sites are designed to look as natural as possible. DecryptAds’ research identified over 2,100 such sites that have infiltrated the programmatic advertising chain through convoluted reseller relationships.

    SSP Responsibility: Zach Edwards emphasizes that SSPs are not always directly to blame. The complexity of the programmatic chain allows unscrupulous operators to hide. Nevertheless, this raises the question of the need for more thorough vetting of publishers when connecting to platforms.

    Сайты с AI-контентом: новая угроза для рекламного рынка и бизнеса — illustration 2

    Market Player Reactions

    • HBAgency: This SSP, according to DecryptAds, monetizes 1,631 of the 2,116 detected AI sites. A representative from HBAgency stated that the company thoroughly vets publishers and also uses independent third-party providers to combat fraud. HBAgency does not operate in sanctioned countries such as Russia, Belarus, Iran, and North Korea.
  • MonetizeMore: This SSP was observed monetizing 11 AI sites. The company’s CEO, Kean Graham, stated that they do not place ads on these resources and are conducting an internal review to identify and deactivate sites that do not meet their standards.
  • Ezoic: This SSP, which, according to DecryptAds, monetizes 407 AI sites, disputes the idea that AI authorship automatically makes content low-quality. The company claims to evaluate content based on quality and usefulness, not on how it was created, rejecting over 98% of site applications.
  • Mintegral: This ad tech provider, based in China, denied direct ad placement on the mentioned site dailytastekitchen.com and noted that the company’s geographical location should not be a basis for generalized assumptions about data security.

How to Protect Your Business: Contractor Selection Criteria

For businesses aiming for effective comprehensive promotion through short videos and outsourcing content for social media, it is crucial to carefully select a contractor. Here is a checklist to help you avoid “headaches” and financial losses:

  1. Transparency: Demand full transparency regarding the platforms where your ads will be placed.
  2. Check ads.txt and sellers.json: These files, though imperfect, are the only public tool for verifying relationships between publishers and ad tech vendors.
  3. Contractor Reputation: Choose companies with a proven reputation and positive reviews. Ask about their methods for combating fraud and low-quality traffic.
  4. Compliance with Google Standards: Ensure your partner adheres to Google’s new guidelines for content quality and authorship.
  5. Traffic Audit: Request reports on traffic sources and their quality. Use third-party tools for auditing.
  6. Geographical Restrictions: Discuss with the contractor the possibility of excluding “risky geos” from your ad targeting.
  7. Content Uniqueness: Prioritize partners who value uniqueness and the creation of original content, rather than just repurposing or AI-generated materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are “AI Slop Sites”?

“AI Slop Sites” are websites whose content is primarily generated by artificial intelligence, often of low quality, and which are used to deceive advertising systems for profit.

Why do “risky geos” pose a threat?

“Risky geos” are countries associated with high levels of cybercrime, a lack of data transparency, or strained relations with other states, which increases cybersecurity and data privacy risks.

How Google Fights AI Sites?

Google has updated its guidelines, stating that fabricating creator profiles (e.g., using AI-generated avatars) is a form of deception and indicates low page quality, leading to a drop in search rankings.

Should you order everything from one place?

Yes, ordering everything from one place from a reliable partner who offers full-cycle video production turnkey and SMM team replacement can significantly save your budget and nerves. The main thing is to carefully choose such a partner, using the above criteria.

Conclusion: The Importance of Vigilance and a Strategic Approach

The growth of AI sites is not just a technical problem; it’s a challenge for the entire advertising industry. For businesses that aim to order a banner, editing, and posting, the key is not only effectiveness but also the security of advertising campaigns. In conditions where AI or real clipping become a matter of choice, and comparing repurposing and shooting from scratch comes to the forefront, a strategic approach to partner selection is necessary. Only vigilance, demanding transparency, and focusing on proven methods will allow you to avoid pitfalls and effectively develop your brand. Do not let mass posting quality criteria become an empty sound. Protect your budget and reputation!

  • Claude tightens rules: combating fake sources for AI responses

    Claude tightens rules: combating fake sources for AI responses

    Anthropic, the developer of the Claude neural network, is significantly tightening its platform usage rules, effective November 12. It is now explicitly forbidden to use Claude to “seed” search engine and AI system sources with misleading content. This applies to materials that misrepresent their origin, authorship, or independence. Imagine a network of websites that pretend to be independent but promote the same claims – this is what Anthropic will fight against, striving to ensure the purity of the information space.

    Anthropic tightens rules: fighting fake sources for AI answers

    New section “Prohibition of misleading campaigns”

    The key change in Anthropic’s policy is the introduction of a new section titled “Do not engage in deceptive campaigns or artificial activity.” This section clearly states the unacceptability of manipulating sources from which search engines or AI systems draw answers. For example, creating networks of websites that pretend to be independent sources but confirm the same claims is now strictly prohibited. This is critical for maintaining trust in information generated by neural networks.

    • Prohibition of using fake personas, publications, and reviews.
    • Dissemination of content through “fake or supposedly independent publications, websites, or accounts” with the aim of concealing a common source.
    • Prohibition of creating tools for deceptive campaigns and selling such services.

    Previously, similar rules were scattered across various sections of the policy concerning elections, fraud, privacy, and disinformation. Now everything is collected in one place, which significantly simplifies the understanding and application of the new norms.

    Lessons from September: real cases of deception

    Anthropic is not just introducing new rules, but also reinforcing them with real examples from its September threat analysis report. The company identified about 70 websites masquerading as independent local news outlets. All of them were linked to one advertising agency from France.

    “The operation involved using Claude to create articles in a uniform format, each containing three to four internal links, for automatic publication.”

    These articles, of which there were at least 8913 in approximately 20 languages, were specifically designed to increase the authority of the sites in search engines. Although most of them did not receive significant audience response, Anthropic promptly responded by blocking the Claude account and the organization associated with this activity.

    Automated Publishing: No Longer “High Risk”

    An interesting change has affected automated content publishing. Previously, “automated generation and publication of content for external consumption” was considered a high-risk scenario. This point has now been removed from the list. This does not mean complete permissiveness, but indicates that Anthropic sees potential in mass AI video generation and other content formats, provided they do not violate other rules, especially regarding misinformation.

    The list of high-risk areas requiring review and disclosure now includes 11 items, such as legal, medical, and financial advice, as well as decisions about credit, housing, and employment. The requirements for reviewing recommendations in these areas remain unchanged: a qualified professional must review the findings, and users must be notified that the content was created with AI involvement. This opens new horizons for AI video for ads and AI UGC for crypto projects, where AI-powered subscription production could become the standard.

    Claude tightens rules: fighting fake sources for AI answers — illustration 2

    Google and Anthropic: A United Front Against Spam

    Google is also actively fighting the manipulation of generative AI responses in search, calling it spam. An updated document from May 15 clearly stated that these policies apply to generative AI responses. While Google applies its rules to websites, which can lead to their ranking being lowered or removal from search results, Anthropic acts at the user level for Claude, restricting or revoking access. This demonstrates a unified approach by tech giants to ensure the integrity of the information space.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What has changed in Claude’s usage policy?

    The main change is the prohibition of using Claude to create and disseminate misleading content that manipulates information sources for search engines and AI. A new section on “Prohibition of Misleading Campaigns or Artificial Activity” has been added.

    Why did Anthropic introduce these changes?

    The changes are aimed at combating misinformation and manipulation that can affect search engine and AI responses. This is a response to identified cases where Claude was used to create networks of fake news websites.

    How will this affect AI content creation?

    This does not prohibit AI content creation as such, but establishes strict frameworks for its use. For example, mass video generation by neural networks or the creation of AI avatars with subtitles are still possible if the content does not mislead about its origin or authorship. It is important to be transparent and ethical.

    What are the “high-risk” areas of Claude’s use?

    High-risk areas include legal, medical, financial advice, as well as decisions affecting credit, housing, and employment. In these cases, mandatory verification by a qualified specialist and user notification that the content was created using AI are required.

    Is automatic content publishing now prohibited?

    No, automatic content publishing is no longer considered “high-risk.” This opens up opportunities for an AI pipeline of 500 videos per day or an AI video factory for e-commerce, provided all other rules are followed, especially those concerning misinformation and manipulation.

    Conclusion

    Anthropic’s updated policy is an important step towards more ethical and responsible use of generative AI. This is not only about protecting users from misinformation but also about creating a more transparent environment for technological development. For businesses that use AI video for advertising or neural networks for UGC advertising, this means being even more attentive to the origin and presentation of content. We see that the effectiveness of AI versus real UGC continues to grow, but with it, so does responsibility. It’s time to adapt and build a future where technology serves for good, not for deception. If you are looking for where to order AI UGC for crypto or other projects, make sure your partner adheres to high standards of ethics and transparency.

  • Google is Hiring Engineers to Create AI Content in Discover

    Google is Hiring Engineers to Create AI Content in Discover

    Google is opening new horizons in the world of personalized content by hiring engineers to develop and implement artificial intelligence into its Discover service. This strategic decision aims to create a dynamic, ever-changing stream of information that will meet users’ deepest interests. If you’ve ever wondered how to make 100 unique pieces from one source, Google seems to have found the answer in AI.

    According to job postings, the Discover Feed Recommendation team will “recommend AI-generated content (AIGC) to meet user interests.” This is not just a recommendation, but an entire system capable of circumventing traditional algorithms and offering something completely new, unique to each user.

    How Google Plans to Transform Discover with AI

    Job postings reveal Google’s ambitious plans to transform Discover into a “proactive, hyper-personalized concierge service.” This means that the platform will not just show you content, but also anticipate your needs, offering information that will help you achieve your goals.

    Roles and Responsibilities of New Specialists

    • Staff ML Engineer: This role involves quality control, topic discovery, and content understanding for the Discover team’s AI-generated content. Tasks include building agent flows that generate content for “proactive surfaces” like Discover and Notifications. Special attention is paid to fact-checking, relevance, coherence, and tone, as well as feedback mechanisms for finding and delivering engaging stories worldwide.
    • Senior Staff ML Software Engineer: Similar work, but at a higher level, with an emphasis on the quality of AI-generated content used across all major Google platforms.
    • Principal UX (Director+): This leadership design position aims to transform Discover into a “concierge experience” that helps users progress towards their goals. The salary for this position ranges from $275,000 to $382,000 USD plus bonuses and stock. The specialist will work with YouTube, Shopping, Chrome, and Android teams, scaling AI formats in the feed while keeping the human voice and sources at the forefront.

    “Our goal is to help people dive deeper into their interests and move from inspiration to action,” one job posting states.

    This is not just content repurposing; it’s its complete repackaging and adaptation to individual needs, almost like creating “video DNA” for each user.

    Google is already actively integrating AI into Discover. In October 2023 (presumed typo correction in the original), AI previews for trending topics were launched in the US, South Korea, and India, each linking to content on the internet. This is an excellent example of how video uniqueness and articles can help bypass anti-plagiarism and attract new audiences.

    Features already available or being tested:

    • Discover Customization: Since August, users can customize their feed, indicating what they want to see more or less of.
    • “Dive Deeper” Button: In September, Robbie Stein, VP of Product at Google Search, announced testing a button that opens a brief overview of a topic with links to related stories, starting with videos. This is a kind of “video matryoshka,” where many small pieces of content, adapted for TikTok, Shorts, and Reels, can be obtained from one large piece of content.

    The Discover Experience team, responsible for the user-facing part of the feed, including AI integration, serves over 500 million active users daily, making Discover one of the largest products in the world.

    Google hires engineers to create AI content in Discover — illustration 2

    Search Console Report and Control over AI Content

    Search Console already provides reports on when links to your site appear in Discover’s generative AI features. This allows webmasters to track the effectiveness of their pages in Google’s new recommendation “matrix.”

    • The report shows impressions of links to your site in Discover’s generative AI features, grouped by page, country, and date.
    • The “Pages” view lists the canonical URLs that provided the information shown in these features.

    It’s important to note that the inclusion of your site in Discover’s generative AI features is regulated through Search generative AI control, which also covers AI Overviews and AI Mode. Excluding a site from these features prevents its links and content from appearing in generative AI Search.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is content repurposing in simple terms?

    Content repurposing is the process of transforming existing content into new formats or for new audiences. For example, turning a webinar into 50 short clips for social media or adapting an article into an infographic. This allows you to scale content and get more return on invested resources.

    Should I order uniqueness or create new content?

    It depends on your goals and budget. Video uniqueization and other content can be significantly cheaper and faster than creating new content from scratch, especially if you already have high-quality source material. For bypassing ad bans or for generating variations for A/B tests, uniqueization is a powerful tool.

    How does AI help in bypassing anti-plagiarism?

    AI can analyze text or video, identify key elements, and rephrase them, change the structure, background, voice timbre, creating new, unique versions. This allows you to get a uniqueization package that passes originality checks while maintaining the main meaning and message.

    Conclusion

    Google is actively investing in the development of AI-generated content for Discover, striving to create the most personalized and proactive user experience. This opens up new opportunities for content creators in the field of repurposing and uniqueization. Monitor Search Console reports and experiment with adapting your content to make the most of these innovations. Start adapting your content for different social networks today to be at the forefront of this digital transformation!