SEO Content Types That Outperform in the Age of AI
Core Principle
AI fails when the task requires choice, interaction, trust, locality, or sensory validation.
1. Comparison & Alternatives Content
| Dimension | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Why AI-resistant | Users don’t trust a single synthesized answer for purchasing decisions |
| What AI lacks | Accountability, up-to-date pricing, edge cases |
| User intent | Decision / evaluation |
| Click behavior | High CTR, long dwell time |
| Examples | “Tool A vs Tool B”, “Best alternatives to X” |
| Why it survives | Users want to see tables, screenshots, and bias |
| Client value | Closest to conversion |
2. Tools, Calculators & Interactive Pages
| Dimension | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Why AI-resistant | AI can describe, but cannot execute custom logic reliably |
| What AI lacks | Interactivity, input handling, real outputs |
| User intent | Action / simulation |
| Click behavior | Very high engagement |
| Examples | ROI calculator, audit tools, generators |
| Why it survives | Users must click to use |
| Client value | Measurable leads & retention |
3. Geo-Specific & Contextual Pages
| Dimension | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Why AI-resistant | AI generalizes; users want specificity |
| What AI lacks | Local nuance, regulation, culture |
| User intent | Applicability check |
| Click behavior | Moderate CTR, strong relevance |
| Examples | “SEO agency for fintech in Singapore” |
| Why it survives | AI answers are too generic |
| Client value | Lead generation |
4. Opinionated / Experience-Based Content
| Dimension | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Why AI-resistant | AI avoids strong opinions |
| What AI lacks | Credible lived experience |
| User intent | Trust evaluation |
| Click behavior | Lower volume, higher quality |
| Examples | “Why we stopped doing X” |
| Why it survives | Human authority still matters |
| Client value | Brand differentiation |
5. Visual, Image-Heavy, and Video-First Content ⭐
This directly matches your intuition.
| Dimension | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Why AI-resistant | AI cannot see like a human |
| What AI lacks | Visual judgment, aesthetics |
| User intent | Sensory validation |
| Click behavior | Very high CTR |
| Examples | Design inspiration, tutorials |
| Why it survives | Users want to look, not read |
| Client value | Engagement + brand |
Important:
Even multimodal AI still cannot replace browsing for:
- UI inspiration
- Before/after comparisons
- Real screenshots
- Subtle differences
6. Step-by-Step “Do-Along” Tutorials
| Dimension | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Why AI-resistant | Users need verification while executing |
| What AI lacks | Real-time environment context |
| User intent | Task completion |
| Click behavior | Repeated visits |
| Examples | “How to set up GA4 screenshots included” |
| Why it survives | Users cross-check visually |
| Client value | Sticky traffic |
7. Templates, Downloads & Assets
| Dimension | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Why AI-resistant | Users want ready-to-use artifacts |
| What AI lacks | Compliance, formatting guarantees |
| User intent | Productivity |
| Click behavior | High conversion |
| Examples | Notion templates, Sheets models |
| Why it survives | Users want to take something |
| Client value | Lead capture |
8. Fresh / Fast-Changing / Time-Sensitive Content
| Dimension | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Why AI-resistant | AI lags reality |
| What AI lacks | Real-time trust |
| User intent | Accuracy |
| Click behavior | Spiky but strong |
| Examples | Pricing updates, policy changes |
| Why it survives | Users want confirmation |
| Client value | Authority |
9. Community, Reviews & Social Proof
| Dimension | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Why AI-resistant | AI summaries lack authenticity |
| What AI lacks | Real voices |
| User intent | Risk reduction |
| Click behavior | Strong CTR |
| Examples | Case studies, testimonials |
| Why it survives | Humans trust humans |
| Client value | Conversion |
10. The Meta-Rule (This Is the Lens You Should Use)
Before creating content, ask:
Does the user need to see, choose, input, judge, or trust?
If yes → AI cannot fully absorb it → clicks survive.
If no → AI Overview will eat it.
11. Why video & images are especially powerful
You’re 100% correct:
- AI can describe images
- AI cannot replace browsing visual examples
That’s why:
- YouTube
- Dribbble
…are growing, not shrinking.
SEO is shifting from “reading” to “browsing.”
12. How to use this in client conversations (simple line)
“We optimize for content where users must interact, verify visually, or make decisions — not content that AI can answer in one paragraph.”
That sentence alone reframes everything.
