Google updates AI content guidance to require manual fact-checking

The new wording, added after the “Focus on accuracy, quality, and relevance” opening line, includes three sentences that explain that generative models predict word sequences, can hallucinate, and that all AI‑generated content should be reviewed for accuracy and trustworthiness. The metadata line now reads “This review also applies to metadata.” The update aligns the guidance with Search Quality Raters guidelines and follows earlier calls from Google engineers such as Gary Illyes and Roger Montti.

The update means teams using AI for content production must now include a fact‑checking step for both article text and metadata. Google logs major changes on its documentation updates page, so sites should monitor that page for future edits.