Original Insights: First-Person Experience AI Values
Original insights are first-person experiences, testing results, and unique perspectives that signal authentic expertise. AI systems detect these through language patterns (“I tested,” “We found,” “In my experience”) and experiential details that only someone who actually did the work would know. This is checkpoint E01 in the GEO CORE model, and content with strong original insight signals receives 40% more AI citations.
This aligns with Google's E-E-A-T guidelines, which specifically emphasize “Experience” as a key quality factor. The first E in E-E-A-T asks: “Does the creator have first-hand experience with the topic?”
Key Takeaways
- ✓ First-Person: Use “I tested,” “We analyzed,” “My results”
- ✓ Specific Details: Share exact processes and findings
- ✓ Show Results: Document what happened when you did it
- ✓ Admit Limitations: Honest caveats signal authenticity
What Counts as Original Insights #
| Insight Type | Example | Signal Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Testing | “I tested 30 tools over 6 months” | Very High |
| Implementation Results | “We achieved 47% improvement” | Very High |
| Professional Experience | “In 10 years of SEO work” | High |
| Unique Observations | “What surprised me was...” | High |
| Process Documentation | “Here's exactly how I did it” | Medium-High |
| Lessons Learned | “The mistake I made was...” | Medium |
Original Insight Language Patterns #
Generic (No Original Insight)
“Many experts recommend...”
“Studies suggest that...”
“It's commonly known that...”
“Best practices include...”
Reporting others' views
Original Insight Language
“When I tested this approach...”
“In our implementation, we found...”
“What I discovered was...”
“My experience showed that...”
First-hand perspective
Original Insight Trigger Phrases
- “I tested...” / “We tested...”
- “In my experience...”
- “What I found was...”
- “My results showed...”
- “Here's what actually happened...”
- “The surprising thing was...”
- “What most guides miss...”
How to Add Original Insights #
Strategy 1: Test Before Writing #
Before writing about a tool or technique, actually use it. Document your process and results. This transforms “X is said to be good” into “I tested X and found...”
Strategy 2: Document Your Work #
Share real projects you've worked on. What did you implement? What were the results? What would you do differently?
Strategy 3: Share Honest Perspective #
Include what didn't work, what surprised you, and what you learned. Honesty signals authenticity—content that's all positive reads like marketing, not expertise.
The Authenticity Test
Ask: “Could someone who has never actually done this write this content?” If yes, you need more original insights. If no, you're demonstrating genuine expertise.
Summary #
Original insights are essential for AI citations. Use first-person language, share specific testing results, document your actual processes, and be honest about limitations. This signals the authentic expertise that AI systems prioritize over generic summaries.
Action Items
- 1 Audit content for first-person experience language
- 2 Add specific results from your actual testing/work
- 3 Include “what didn't work” sections for authenticity
- 4 Replace “experts say” with “I found”
Frequently Asked Questions #
Can I share original insights without doing formal research?
Yes. Original insights include informal testing, professional experience, and unique observations. You don't need a formal study—you need authentic first-hand experience that you can document and share.
How much first-person language is too much?
Balance is key. Use first-person for experience-based claims (“I found...”) and third-person for general facts. The goal isn't to make content all about you, but to demonstrate that expertise comes from actual experience.
Related Articles #
Product Manager at Seenos.ai. Pioneer in AEO research since 2024, exploring the convergence of SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). Led multiple AI-powered content optimization projects that achieved 300%+ citation increases in ChatGPT and Perplexity.