AI-generated images - will Google penalise me?

Hey all

I wanted to get a vibe check on the use of AI-generated images.

As I understand it, Google doesn’t penalise AI-generated images just for being AI-generated. What matters most is:

• Relevance: Does the image help the user understand the content better?
• Originality: Is it unique, or just another generic stock-style render?
• Contextual value: Does it enhance the user’s experience?
• Performance: Does it load fast and display well on all devices?

Google has repeatedly stated that useful, high-quality content (including images) is what gets rewarded, regardless of how it was created.

Has anyone experienced any penalties that would suggest otherwise?
How would you recommend I use AI-generated images? (i.e. 50:50 with real images?)

Thanks for your insights!

Hey, as long as your AI-generated images are unique, relevant to your content, and properly optimized (think descriptive filenames and alt text), Google won't penalize you just because they're AI-made. In fact, unique visuals can enhance user experience and help with image search rankings. Avoid using low-quality or misleading images, and you should be good to go.

If it looks like junk or stock filler, it’ll hurt UX and signals. Google’s more likely to care about how the image fits the page than how it was made.

No, you won't get penalised for using AI-generated images unless they are nasty ones.

it won't, stop overthinking
nobody, not even google can distinguish AI stuff at the current level it is