diff --git a/backend/igny8_core/ai/functions/generate_content.py b/backend/igny8_core/ai/functions/generate_content.py
index 128c5bfd..9ab262dc 100644
--- a/backend/igny8_core/ai/functions/generate_content.py
+++ b/backend/igny8_core/ai/functions/generate_content.py
@@ -197,7 +197,9 @@ class GenerateContentFunction(BaseAIFunction):
             secondary_keywords = parsed.get('secondary_keywords', [])
             tags = parsed.get('tags', [])
             categories = parsed.get('categories', [])
-            content_status = parsed.get('status', 'draft')
+            # Content status should always be 'draft' for newly generated content
+            # Status can only be changed manually to 'review' or 'published'
+            content_status = 'draft'
         else:
             # Plain text response (legacy)
             content_html = str(parsed)
@@ -256,7 +258,9 @@ class GenerateContentFunction(BaseAIFunction):
         else:
             content_record.categories = []
 
-        content_record.status = content_status or 'draft'
+        # Always set status to 'draft' for newly generated content
+        # Status can only be: draft, review, published (changed manually)
+        content_record.status = 'draft'
 
         # Merge any extra fields into metadata (non-standard keys)
         if isinstance(parsed, dict):