How To Identify AI-Generated Content
I write and edit SEO content for bloggers and websites. I do not use AI writing programs. It’s satisfying when your work ranks on Google’s front page. My clients know the content I provide for them is not the product of an algorithm.
It’s frustrating when an AI-generated blog post outranks something that you’ve written and edited. Employers do not care. If their website or blog ranks on Google’s first page, they won’t think twice about who wrote the content or how it was generated.
When you outrank a blog post, for example, that was manufactured by an AI writing program, you’re overcome with a sense of victory for defeating the machine.
After reviewing a few AI writing programs, I can tell when I’m reading content that wasn’t written by a human. I’ve been editing news articles and magazine stories for three decades. Among skilled editors, detecting AI content is easy.
As an experiment, I used SEMrush to find Google’s top-ranked articles on “How To Write SEO.” After analyzing the top two blog posts on SEO writing, I discovered both were AI-generated. What I found amusing about the blog posts was how the writers failed to recommend using AI writing software.
“How to Write SEO” from Titan Growth features the basic hallmarks of AI-generated content.
Below are a few phrases that caught my attention. My comments are in parentheses.
“It’s no secret” (Common AI phrase)
“…post-click is crummy” (A human wouldn’t write “crummy.”)
“…make your content go further” (the phrase also appears as an H2)
“Write for your audience first” (“first” is redundant, another feature of AI writing programs)
“…and do it better than your competition.” (Repetition)
“…make them count! “ (the exclamation point is a giveaway.)
“…have tagging capabilities already built-in.” (ending a sentence with a proposition is another AI feature. Plus, the way “built-in” is used a hyphen isn’t necessary. When “built-in” precedes a noun, a hyphen is required. AI writing programs make more grammar mistakes than you might think. The sentence could end with “capabilities” and hold the same meaning.)
“Make your posts pop with images!” (Again, with the exclamation mark.)
…aim for quality! (see above)
The last paragraph is a rewrite of the first paragraph, evidence that AI writing is redundant.
The over usage of exclamation marks screams AI writing. Google representatives have confirmed on multiple occasions that their algorithm does not read punctuation. When have you used an exclamation mark while searching for something on Google?
The #2 ranked “How to write SEO content” article is from Antonio Tinoco at Rock Content.
“SEO Writing: The 10 Rules For Creating Optimized Content”
This one is easy. Everything you need to know about the flaws of AI-generated writing is in the first two sentences.
“Getting organic traffic is an important part of any Digital Marketing strategy. And the best way to increase your traffic is by getting better rankings on Google.”
Who starts a sentence with “getting”? And to use it again in the second sentence indicates a human didn’t write the content. Also, why is “Digital Marketing” capitalized?
The real giveaway is the second sentence. I had to read it more than a few times. I’m sure everyone here understands the best way to increase web traffic on Google is to write engaging content. However, the sentence forgets to mention the catalyst required before one receives greater traffic and higher page rankings. So, we’re provided with a sentence comprised of two similar-meaning phrases that form an illogical idea. This mistake illustrates how AI writing has a long way to go.
Examples:
“If you want to better understand SEO writing, keep reading!”
If you know how to write, you wouldn’t use “to better understand.” What’s “to better”? Also, another telltale AI content phrase is “keep reading” followed by an exclamation point.
Here are a few common AI-generated words and phrases:
Opt (I’m not sure if I’ve ever used this word in writing. Since entering the SEO arena, I see it often. AI loves it.)
Don’t worry- We’ve got you covered
Cozy
Conclusion
AI-generated content is not the future of writing. SEO gurus often preach the benefits of AI writing programs. Ignore them. Do not give them your money. They don’t know how to write. If you think for yourself and develop a unique writing style, you will win.
