In the age of AI, people click and care when content feels human, not just optimized. It’s not the polished perfection or keyword density that builds trust; it’s the messy, real, emotionally authentic stories that reflect lived experience. Whether it’s a vulnerable lesson, a behind-the-scenes moment, or a post that sounds like you (not a bot), connection, not automation, is what drives engagement going into 2026. In a world flooded with AI-generated sameness, what stands out is your voice, your truth, and your willingness to show up as you.
Why Is “Human Made” Content the Advantage You Need in an AI Flooded World?
Human made storytelling helps business leaders and entrepreneurs stand out by building emotional connection, trust, and brand loyalty, without relying on paid media (ads) or perfection. We’re living in an era where content is instant, AI is everywhere, and automation is the default setting. But the faster the tech evolves, the more people are craving something different… something REAL.
That hunger is not just personal connections with the people in our lives, it’s showing up in the way we work. In advertising, on LinkedIn, and even in how search engines rank content. People want to see the human behind the post, not the polished, airbrushed (or AI-brushed) version. Just the real, relatable, “everything went wrong last week” version of you.
In this Dopamine Dose edition, I’m breaking down how to ride this human first wave and why (even as an AI enthusiast) I believe it’s the single most powerful shift you can make for your brand in 2026.
Why Are Brands Shifting Back to Human-Made Content in 2025?
Brands are shifting back to human made content in 2025 because consumers are suspicious of AI-generated content. That’s why human derived content leads to higher engagement, loyalty, and conversions. What drives people towards brands today is not glossy production or perfect messaging. After a solid few years of AI-driven everything, audiences are tuning out anything that looks like, smells like, or feels like it’s robotic, and leaning into content that feels personal.
And it’s because people don’t want “perfect.” They want honest and relatable. The kind of content that feels like it was made by someone who’s been there not by a bot trying to be human. Here’s a few thoughts to keep in mind when you’re planning your content next:
🔵 AI writes for clicks, humans write for connection.
🔵 Human connection is where dopamine lives.
🔵 This is your green light to stop sounding polished and overanalyzing every post you put out.
Just be real, if there’s a small spelling mistake, so what, it shows YOU wrote it. So quit trying to pump the internet with your perfect ai generated content, share what’s real to you.
What Is the Human Algorithm and Why Does It Matter More Than LinkedIn’s?
The Human Algorithm is the emotional decision-making system that drives engagement, trust, and connection. and it’s more powerful than LinkedIn’s algorithm because people respond to stories, not just strategy. Your content can rank well and still fall flat, because what actually gets someone to comment, message, or buy? Emotion. That’s the Human Algorithm.
We recently talked about this on our YOUmanize™ Your Brand Podcast. It’s the unseen engine that powers every meaningful click, DM, and conversation. People don’t engage with automation (obviously). They engage with actual humans, with stories, with opinions, with real moments that remind them they’re not alone.
And if you’re scratching your chin, still unsure what to share, here’s a few suggestions to get you started:
If you want to see synergy on LinkedIn don’t try to “hack the feed.” Become the person people remember, not just the expert they scroll past. You literally can’t out algorithm someone who’s out connecting you 😂
How Has LinkedIn’s Shift to Search First Content Changed the Game?
LinkedIn’s shift to search first means every post, comment, and carousel is indexed like a mini blog, making tone, clarity, and human relevance important to showing up in search and staying visible.
So why are most people still posting like it’s 2020? Firing off feed filler posts or cranking out keyword stuffed newsletters, then hoping LinkedIn’s algorithm will do the heavy lifting. But what’s actually happening is this… your content is now part of a living, searchable portfolio, and if you’re not writing like a real person, you might as well be invisible.
Want some quick wins to show up in the right searches?
🔵 Sound like a person (like YOU)
🔵 Write like you’re helping one specific person and not broadcasting to thousands
🔵 Share stories, and real life learnings based on your actual life and work experience
This is why LinkedIn content written in a conversational tone gets more visibility and engagement than overly polished, formal posts. It’s allllll about showing up AND being found. That’s what this LinkedIn News article confirms: brands like Cadbury and Apple are betting on human made content because it connects, and that connection… it converts.
Why Is Human Centered Content Still Your Most Valuable Asset?
Because in a digital world overloaded with automation, what actually builds trust, loyalty, and buying decisions is human relatability. AI can mimic tone and structure, but it can’t replicate your lived experience, your values, or the emotional nuance that makes people feel something.
Human centered content is what makes your brand memorable, not just visible. It’s your edge in a world where everyone has access to the same tools, but not the same story, not the same truth, and not the same ability to connect. That’s why your voice, your vulnerability, and your vision are still your most powerful marketing assets heading into 2026.
👉 Here’s your homework: What’s the most human thing you could post this week? Do it and watch who shows up.
ICYMI: Personal Branding for Introverts (Full Breakdown) With Author + Cancer Survivor Goldie Chan
In this inspiring episode of YOUmanize Your Brand, we sit down with the vibrant and wise Goldie Chan, known as the “Oprah of LinkedIn”, and we get into personal branding, storytelling, and the introvert’s superpower. And most importantly about her new book PERSONAL BRANDING FOR INTROVERTS.
👉 Subscribe to our YouTube series “YOUmanize™ Your Brand for raw, real insights on how to show up authentically and lead with your voice.
Trust Is the New Power Move for B2B Brands
Our clients are real people, and we’re all experiencing a trust recession. There’s a ton of noise online, with AI, politics…you name it, so the best move you can do is focus on trust building marketing activities with some of these recommendations.
If you’re thinking about implementing a thought leadership strategy with your company, I’d love to connect with you more. And if you’re ready to focus on your own personal brand strategy that reflects your truth and builds real impact, I’m excited to open up space in our new LinkedIn Brand LaunchPad.
Together, we’ll uncover your voice, clarify your message, and build the foundation for a brand that is fully you, online and offline. BONUS 1-day photoshoot (in your city) included (worth $5000+ alone). The ROI on being SEEN by the RIGHT audience is impossible to calculate. Want to know our current investment level?
👉 Let’s talk. No pressure. No BS. Just a real conversation about where you are and where you want to be. Go from invisible to undeniable in just 30 days. CHECK IT OUT HERE
P.S. The special bonus is for the first 3 people only (once it’s gone, it’s gone).