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💯 What Makes Content Stand Out in the AI Era? Hands-On Testing + Human Insight

In a world of AI-generated listicles, here’s how we create articles readers (and search engines) actually trust.

Author

Kate Starr
June 13, 2025

Hi friends 👋

In the age of AI-generated content and Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), it’s getting harder to stand out — and easier for generic content to flood the web.

But here’s the thing:

People (and search engines) still reward content that feels trustworthy.

That’s why one of my favorite things about creating content at Backlinko is how collaborative the process is.

This week I wrapped up an article all about SEO plugins for WordPress. And while it might sound like a dry, technical topic, it turned out to be one of the most collaborative and insightful pieces I’ve worked on lately.

Here’s why:

At Backlinko, we don’t just list tools.

We test them. We compare them. We even debate them across the team and share our experiences with each other.

For this piece, I installed and tested a bunch of plugins to share my firsthand experience. But I didn’t stop there.

And this wasn’t just my perspective.

I also brought in the team’s insights to make the article more useful:

  • Chris, our editor, shared how WP Rocket significantly improved his site’s speed — and why it’s worth paying for

  • Leigh, our Head of SEO, said Rank Math is his top recommendation for anyone launching a new WordPress site

These real-world perspectives made their way into the final piece and honestly, made it 10x better.

So, which plugin should you use?

If you’ve got a new site (or want to audit your current stack), here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Rank Math is my top pick. It’s perfect for new sites or anyone who wants an all-in-one plugin without overwhelm. And its free version is solid.

  • WP Rocket is your go-to for speed. It’s not free, but the performance boost is real.

  • Semrush SEO Writing Assistant is great if you want real-time SEO guidance while writing. It works right inside WordPress and helps ensure your content is optimized before you hit publish.

These plugins can also work well together.

Let me know what tools you’re using. Or if you’re still figuring it out, reply and I’ll help you choose.

See you next Friday,

Kate 🌟