AI can be more than just glitz and glamor. It offers practical benefits as well. For example, you can maximize these benefits by using smart prompts without incurring high costs.
However, as AI is used more in content creation for blogs and other media, certain undeniable peculiarities become apparent. It flows unnaturally, overuses jargon, and, most tellingly, repeats the same stale phrases that AI language models are infamous for. In the age of artificial intelligence, recognizing AI-generated text can be a fun challenge, and it’s easier than you think if you know what to look for. Even though ChatGPT can be used to maximum advantage when prompted correctly, you can still expect some peculiarities that almost always stand out without a proper prompt. Here are the top 7 dead giveaways that what you’re reading wasn’t penned by a human but by a machine, such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini.
There’s no clearer sign that you’re dealing with AI-generated content than the word “delve.” For some reason, AI models love this word, especially when introducing deeper analysis or exploration of a topic.
Human writers might say, "explore," "dive into," or "take a closer look," but AI? It prefers to delve. It’s as if every AI-generated article, blog post, or email can’t resist making the reader delve into the subject matter. This is one of those words that stands out as a programmed choice rather than something natural and conversational.
The problem isn’t just that it’s overused—it’s that it feels a bit too academic or formal for everyday writing. A person trying to sound approachable or casual wouldn’t use "delve" half as much as AI does.
There’s nothing quite like the phrase, “It is important to note that,” to scream, “An algorithm wrote this.” While technically correct, this phrase is the epitome of filler. It adds no value and could easily be replaced by something more concise or, better yet, omitted altogether.
In human writing, especially in casual or engaging content, we tend to skip unnecessary framing and get to the point. "It is important to note" is often a waste of space—a way to add gravitas without substance. Yet, AI models love to use it as a transition, making the text sound more serious and authoritative, even if what follows is obvious or doesn’t need special emphasis.
If you see this phrase pop up, chances are you’re dealing with an AI trying to sound thoughtful and measured—but instead, it just sounds robotic.
Ah, “In summary.” If there were an award for the most mechanical way to conclude a piece of writing, this phrase would win hands down. AI often uses “in summary” to signal the wrap-up, probably because it’s a straightforward and formulaic way to restate what’s already been said.
Human writers, on the other hand, are more likely to find creative ways to close out their arguments or conclusions. A summary can be implicit, subtly woven into the final thoughts of the piece without needing an explicit “here’s the recap” signpost. When a conclusion starts with “in summary,” it’s like the AI is holding up a neon sign saying, “Hey! I’m closing this out now!”
This phrase also tends to show up in pieces where there isn’t much left to say, but the model is still trying to hit a word count.
“In the dynamic world of [insert industry],” is practically a running joke at this point. Whether it’s technology, business, marketing, or any other field, AI models lean on this tired cliché to set the stage.
What does “dynamic” even mean in this context? Sure, industries change quickly, but that’s not unique or new. It’s just a filler adjective designed to add flair to an otherwise boring sentence.
If you see this phrase kicking off an article, the odds are high that an AI model is behind it. Most human writers would introduce a topic more naturally and specifically, perhaps referencing actual trends, changes, or insights rather than lazily relying on a blanket statement that applies to virtually everything.
The phrase “When it comes to” is another favorite of AI models. Why? Because it’s an easy way to segue into just about any topic. Want to talk about AI? “When it comes to AI, there are many advancements happening.” Want to discuss marketing? “When it comes to digital marketing, strategy is key.”
It’s a basic and generic way to introduce a subject, and it’s something we’ve seen a thousand times. While human writers might occasionally use it, they don’t rely on it as heavily as AI does. Instead, a human might dive right into the subject or use more specific context to frame the discussion.
“When it comes to” is a hallmark of cookie-cutter content, and it’s one of the easiest tells that a machine, not a person, wrote what you’re reading.
If the phrase “game-changer” makes you roll your eyes, you’re not alone. AI models love buzzwords, and “game-changer” is one of their absolute favorites. This term gets thrown around in all sorts of contexts—whether the topic is about technology, business strategies, or even lifestyle trends.
The problem with “game-changer” is that it’s vague and overhyped. It’s supposed to convey that something is groundbreaking, but it’s often used for things that are far from revolutionary. Human writers are more likely to describe a genuine impact or innovation without resorting to such tired jargon.
When you see “game-changer” in an article, especially when it feels unearned or exaggerated, it’s often a red flag that you’re dealing with AI-generated content. Real people tend to be more specific, describing why something matters rather than relying on a worn-out buzzword.
This one is a bit meta, but some AI-generated texts (usually more formal ones) include the disclaimer “As a large-scale language model” when giving information. This phrase serves as a direct admission from the AI that it’s, well, AI.
While this might sound like a helpful clarification, it’s also a dead giveaway that a human didn’t write what you’re reading. No person would start a sentence by identifying themselves as a “large-scale language model.” It’s a phrase that feels jarring and out of place in any piece of writing, instantly breaking the illusion that a human crafted the text.
When you see this phrase, there’s no guessing needed—the text was 100% generated by AI.
While these seven phrases are the most obvious giveaways, there are other subtle clues that AI may have written what you’re reading. Look for:
In the end, while AI is getting better at mimicking human language, these telltale signs still stand out. Whether it’s overusing certain words, relying on buzzwords, or inserting unnecessary filler phrases, AI-generated content often lacks the natural touch of a human writer. Now that you know what to look for, spotting AI text can become your new favorite game.
