I have a question for you.
Do you enjoy talking to a robot?
When you call customer service and get a machine that says "Please say your account number," do you feel happy? Or do you scream "AGENT!" until a human picks up?
If you hate robots, why are you writing for them?
For the last decade, SEO "Experts" taught business owners to write like machines. "Repeat your keyword 10 times." "Make sure the H1 matches the meta tag exactly."
The result? The internet is full of garbage that sounds like this:
"Are you looking for the best dentist in Chicago? Our Chicago dentist offers the best dental services in Chicago for your Chicago family."
Nobody talks like that. And in 2026, Google hates it too.
The Algorithm Has Evolved (NLP)
Google uses something called Natural Language Processing (NLP). This means its AI is smart enough to understand context, humor, and nuance.
It doesn't need you to repeat "Chicago Dentist" 50 times to know you are a dentist in Chicago.
In fact, if you write unnaturally, Google flags your content as "Over-Optimized" (Spam). It assumes you are trying to trick the system, and it buries you on Page 10.
"We provide top-notch plumbing services. Our plumbing services are affordable. Contact us for plumbing services today."
Result: High Bounce Rate. User leaves bored.
"Got a leaky pipe keeping you up at night? We can fix it fast, usually in under an hour. Let's get your home dry again."
Result: High Engagement. User calls you.
Write for the "Host," Not the "Bot"
Imagine your website is a dinner party. You are the Host. The visitor is your Guest. Google is just the Uber driver who dropped them off.
You don't cook dinner for the Uber driver. You cook for the Guest.
If the Guest has a great time (stays long, reads more pages, shares the link), the Uber driver (Google) notices. He says, "Wow, everyone I drop off at this house stays for hours. I should bring more people here."
User Experience (UX) is the new SEO.
The "Skimmability" Factor
Humans are busy. We don't read; we skim.
If your website is a giant "Wall of Text" with 20-sentence paragraphs, humans will leave immediately. Google sees this "Pogo-Sticking" (clicking back instantly) and lowers your ranking.
To write for humans, you need to format for the human eye:
The Human-First Formatting Checklist
Short Paragraphs (2-3 sentences max)
Use Bold to highlight key points
Use Bullet Points (Like this list)
Use clear Headings (H2, H3)
Stop Obsessing Over Word Count
There is a myth that "Longer is Better." People think they need to write 3,000 words to rank.
If you can answer the question in 300 words, do it.
If I search "What time is the Super Bowl?", I don't want a 2,000-word history of football. I want "6:30 PM ET."
If you force a human to scroll through fluff to find the answer, they will hate you. Be concise. Respect their time.
🧠 The "Readability Score"
Aim for an 8th-grade reading level. Don't use big words like "utilize" when "use" works fine. Don't say "facilitate" when "help" works fine. Simple language builds trust. Complex language builds walls.
Conclusion: Be a Human, Rank Like a Boss
It sounds counter-intuitive, but the best way to beat the algorithm is to ignore it.
Focus entirely on the person on the other side of the screen. What are they afraid of? What do they need? How can you help them?
If you solve their problem with clear, empathetic, human language, the rankings will follow.
Does Your Content Sound Like a Robot?
We offer a "Human Content Audit." We review your site and rewrite your key pages to sound natural, engaging, and persuasive—while still keeping the keywords Google needs.
Humanize My Content