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ARTICLE #20
Table of contents
How to detect AI-generated content? Manually and with tools
Written by:
5 min read
Updated on: March 15, 2024
Roo Xu
Chief Growth Officer
Growth Leadership, Team Collaboration, Client Impact, Customer Focus
Roo Xu
Chief Growth Officer
Growth Leadership, Team Collaboration, Client Impact, Customer Focus
Almost every day, there’s a new headline celebrating or criticising artificial intelligence. Right now, two worthy topics are AI content generators and the detectors designed to spot them. Who knows if the article you’re reading was typed by a real person or conjured by a machine? As more people experiment with tools like ChatGPT, many are starting to ask that very question. Maybe you’ve tried an AI writing app yourself and felt the results seemed, well, too tidy and predictable. There’s often something missing—that spark of human warmth that comes from genuine experience rather than algorithmic guesswork. It’s a bit like tasting a dish that looks perfect but somehow lacks flavour.
In a perfect world, AI detectors would give us a definitive answer. But in reality, these detectors rely on language models similar to those behind tools like Claude or ChatGPT, so they’re not foolproof. You can’t just hand everything over to a bot and assume it will get it right. That’s when your own judgment comes in. Below, let’s look at how to spot AI content on your own and how a few established detectors can help.
Almost every day, there’s a new headline celebrating or criticising artificial intelligence. Right now, two worthy topics are AI content generators and the detectors designed to spot them. Who knows if the article you’re reading was typed by a real person or conjured by a machine? As more people experiment with tools like ChatGPT, many are starting to ask that very question. Maybe you’ve tried an AI writing app yourself and felt the results seemed, well, too tidy and predictable. There’s often something missing—that spark of human warmth that comes from genuine experience rather than algorithmic guesswork. It’s a bit like tasting a dish that looks perfect but somehow lacks flavour.
In a perfect world, AI detectors would give us a definitive answer. But in reality, these detectors rely on language models similar to those behind tools like Claude or ChatGPT, so they’re not foolproof. You can’t just hand everything over to a bot and assume it will get it right. That’s when your own judgment comes in. Below, let’s look at how to spot AI content on your own and how a few established detectors can help.
Incorrect and outdated information
Incorrect and outdated information
AI content often appears polished, but it can be riddled with mistakes or out-of-date references. If you see factual errors, irrelevant data, or hallucinations that seem completely off-base, chances are that they are computer-generated lines.
Interestingly, statistics show that over 15% of freelance writers already use an AI tool to sharpen their work. However, an AI-driven draft can easily repeat old information, churn out plagiarism, or slip in inaccuracies. That’s a risk many businesses don’t want to take—after all, they’re after unique, well-researched, and properly optimised content.
When companies publish flawed content, it not only damages their brand image but also wastes their marketing budgets. If your blog posts sound suspiciously bland or seem to echo every other article on the internet, a machine might be the culprit.
AI content often appears polished, but it can be riddled with mistakes or out-of-date references. If you see factual errors, irrelevant data, or hallucinations that seem completely off-base, chances are that they are computer-generated lines.
Interestingly, statistics show that over 15% of freelance writers already use an AI tool to sharpen their work. However, an AI-driven draft can easily repeat old information, churn out plagiarism, or slip in inaccuracies. That’s a risk many businesses don’t want to take—after all, they’re after unique, well-researched, and properly optimised content.
When companies publish flawed content, it not only damages their brand image but also wastes their marketing budgets. If your blog posts sound suspiciously bland or seem to echo every other article on the internet, a machine might be the culprit.
Lack of depth and personal touch
AI tools generate text based on patterns in training data. That’s why they can crank out content in seconds but tend to miss out on fresh viewpoints or genuine insights. You might get a coherent write-up, but it often reads like a summary of stuff that already exists—no new angles, no deep exploration. While that can be good enough for pumping out quick posts, it usually doesn’t have the spark a human writer can bring.
Even the way AI composes text reveals its limitations: it doesn’t really “understand” the context or emotions behind the words. That’s why AI-generated pieces tend to sound either blandly neutral or stuffed with clichés—it’s all just reworked data patterns. In other words, you get shallow answers without true critical thinking or self-awareness. If you are aiming for something more thoughtful, you’ll notice this “machine echo” right away. Then there’s the lack of personality. AI doesn’t have life experiences, it doesn’t hold opinions, and it can’t empathize with people’s struggles or victories. It simply generates text that matches what it’s seen before. It’s no surprise AI-driven content often feels robotic or detached, which can be a real turnoff if your goal is to connect with readers on a human level.
On the flip side, a copywriter or journalist dives into real conversations with industry gurus, does the messy work of fact-checking, and unearths personal anecdotes that AI tools can’t replicate. They bring their own voice and style, plus whatever one-of-a-kind interviews or stories they’ve uncovered along the way. That depth, combined with a real person’s curiosity and creative flair, makes the final piece resonate in ways a purely AI-crafted text can’t easily match.
AI tools generate text based on patterns in training data. That’s why they can crank out content in seconds but tend to miss out on fresh viewpoints or genuine insights. You might get a coherent write-up, but it often reads like a summary of stuff that already exists—no new angles, no deep exploration. While that can be good enough for pumping out quick posts, it usually doesn’t have the spark a human writer can bring.
Even the way AI composes text reveals its limitations: it doesn’t really “understand” the context or emotions behind the words. That’s why AI-generated pieces tend to sound either blandly neutral or stuffed with clichés—it’s all just reworked data patterns. In other words, you get shallow answers without true critical thinking or self-awareness. If you are aiming for something more thoughtful, you’ll notice this “machine echo” right away. Then there’s the lack of personality. AI doesn’t have life experiences, it doesn’t hold opinions, and it can’t empathize with people’s struggles or victories. It simply generates text that matches what it’s seen before. It’s no surprise AI-driven content often feels robotic or detached, which can be a real turnoff if your goal is to connect with readers on a human level.
On the flip side, a copywriter or journalist dives into real conversations with industry gurus, does the messy work of fact-checking, and unearths personal anecdotes that AI tools can’t replicate. They bring their own voice and style, plus whatever one-of-a-kind interviews or stories they’ve uncovered along the way. That depth, combined with a real person’s curiosity and creative flair, makes the final piece resonate in ways a purely AI-crafted text can’t easily match.
Overly formal or mechanical language
If you have ever skimmed through an article that sounded like it ate a thesaurus for breakfast—loaded with words like “utilise,” “ascertain,” or “elucidate”—you might suspect an AI wrote it. Let’s be real: how many humans lean into those terms in everyday writing or even casual business content? Most of us simply say “use,” “find,” or “explain” because they are more natural. AI, on the other hand, often peppers in these “fancy” synonyms, partly because it’s pulling from a massive dataset where formal language pops up a lot.
Beyond the formality, AI can also flub slang and idioms. It tries to mimic colloquial speech, but it doesn’t have the lived experience to use phrases effortlessly. You might see an idiom that’s just a bit off or used in the wrong context. That’s often a giveaway. If a chatty blog post or social media caption sounds unexpectedly stiff or if the slang reads like a toddler trying to be hip, there’s a good chance an AI tool had a hand in it.
Some of AI’s other go-to words—like “harness,” “unleash,” “unravel,” and “delve”—turn up so often that you might wonder if these models are stuck in some poetic loop. However, just because you see “dive,” “discover,” or “resonate” in a piece of writing doesn’t mean it’s definitely machine-generated. After all, these tools learned from human content in the first place, which means any phrase we commonly use, they can use too. If you suspect AI, pay attention to the overall style: Is it too polished? Repetitive in its structure or synonyms? Missing that human nuance? Those clues can help you figure out if a bot did most of the work.
If you have ever skimmed through an article that sounded like it ate a thesaurus for breakfast—loaded with words like “utilise,” “ascertain,” or “elucidate”—you might suspect an AI wrote it. Let’s be real: how many humans lean into those terms in everyday writing or even casual business content? Most of us simply say “use,” “find,” or “explain” because they are more natural. AI, on the other hand, often peppers in these “fancy” synonyms, partly because it’s pulling from a massive dataset where formal language pops up a lot.
Beyond the formality, AI can also flub slang and idioms. It tries to mimic colloquial speech, but it doesn’t have the lived experience to use phrases effortlessly. You might see an idiom that’s just a bit off or used in the wrong context. That’s often a giveaway. If a chatty blog post or social media caption sounds unexpectedly stiff or if the slang reads like a toddler trying to be hip, there’s a good chance an AI tool had a hand in it.
Some of AI’s other go-to words—like “harness,” “unleash,” “unravel,” and “delve”—turn up so often that you might wonder if these models are stuck in some poetic loop. However, just because you see “dive,” “discover,” or “resonate” in a piece of writing doesn’t mean it’s definitely machine-generated. After all, these tools learned from human content in the first place, which means any phrase we commonly use, they can use too. If you suspect AI, pay attention to the overall style: Is it too polished? Repetitive in its structure or synonyms? Missing that human nuance? Those clues can help you figure out if a bot did most of the work.
Predictable patterns (e.g., common phrases)
AI isn’t exactly a fountain of original insight—it just mimics human content from its training data. If you keep spotting the same tired phrases or sense a heavy rotation of identical words, that’s a clue the text might be AI-generated. Another giveaway is overusing certain catchphrases or emojis, like the infamous rocket emoji (🚀) in every other social post. Sure, a rocket now and then can be fun, but when a piece of marketing copy is blasting off in every sentence, it starts looking fishy.
Spotting the repetition
You might notice AI content starting with that classic line: “In today’s digital landscape…,” a setup so cliché it practically screams “machine at work.” Similarly, transitions like “furthermore,” “moreover,” or “consequently” can pop up every few lines—way more than a regular human writer would naturally use. Not to say you’ll never find these words in real human writing, but when they keep turning up in a predictable rhythm, it raises eyebrows.
Keyword stuffing, courtesy of spammy AI tools
Some auto-generated SEO articles shove a keyword into every other sentence, destroying readability in the name of “optimisation.” But if it feels like you can guess the next word because the text is so formulaic, chances are a bot has taken the helm. Remember, too many alliterations or repeated phrases can be a sign that AI is trying too hard to sound “stylish.”
If you come across a piece that looks oddly mechanical—littered with filler phrases, stuffed with the same transitions, or addicted to certain emojis—take a closer look. It might be the result of an AI model that’s learned those habits from reams of data and is now robotically reusing them. That’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it’s worth knowing if you’re trying to discern authentic human tone from well-trained AI.
AI isn’t exactly a fountain of original insight—it just mimics human content from its training data. If you keep spotting the same tired phrases or sense a heavy rotation of identical words, that’s a clue the text might be AI-generated. Another giveaway is overusing certain catchphrases or emojis, like the infamous rocket emoji (🚀) in every other social post. Sure, a rocket now and then can be fun, but when a piece of marketing copy is blasting off in every sentence, it starts looking fishy.
Spotting the repetition
You might notice AI content starting with that classic line: “In today’s digital landscape…,” a setup so cliché it practically screams “machine at work.” Similarly, transitions like “furthermore,” “moreover,” or “consequently” can pop up every few lines—way more than a regular human writer would naturally use. Not to say you’ll never find these words in real human writing, but when they keep turning up in a predictable rhythm, it raises eyebrows.
Keyword stuffing, courtesy of spammy AI tools
Some auto-generated SEO articles shove a keyword into every other sentence, destroying readability in the name of “optimisation.” But if it feels like you can guess the next word because the text is so formulaic, chances are a bot has taken the helm. Remember, too many alliterations or repeated phrases can be a sign that AI is trying too hard to sound “stylish.”
If you come across a piece that looks oddly mechanical—littered with filler phrases, stuffed with the same transitions, or addicted to certain emojis—take a closer look. It might be the result of an AI model that’s learned those habits from reams of data and is now robotically reusing them. That’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it’s worth knowing if you’re trying to discern authentic human tone from well-trained AI.
Superficial treatment of complex topics
If you are skimming an article that simply dumps facts and figures—without ever diving into why those numbers matter—you might be looking at AI-generated content. Machines can do a solid job collecting data and rehashing established knowledge, but they aren’t so hot when it comes to taking that knowledge and spinning it into genuine insights or fresh perspectives. They’ll spit out data points in a “just the facts, ma’am” kind of way and call it a day.
The problem with critical thinking
ChatGPT, for instance, can sometimes generate false or imaginary facts because it’s essentially remixing bits of information from its training data. Ask it to evaluate an argument or propose a unique angle on a complex issue, and you’ll often get a bland, surface-level take. It might list common pros and cons, but rarely pushes beyond that into original analysis or a deeper line of questioning.
Watch for lack of nuance: If the piece never challenges assumptions, asks bigger “why” questions, or delves into multiple viewpoints, it’s a red flag that a human might not be steering the discussion.
Static vs analytical: AI generally excels at static writing—like summarizing historical events or repeating basic definitions—but stumbles when forced to weave context, emotion, and critical reasoning together.
Truly engaging content often unearths subtleties or addresses real-world implications that go beyond “Here are the facts.” It can spark an “aha!” moment or prompt you to think differently. AI content, conversely, tends to serve up a paint-by-numbers approach: plenty of data but little depth. So if the writing never digs deeper than a list of bullet points and doesn’t attempt to interpret or challenge the information, it’s a likely sign you’re dealing with something AI-built—lacking the creative touch or critical lens that a human writer would naturally bring.
If you are skimming an article that simply dumps facts and figures—without ever diving into why those numbers matter—you might be looking at AI-generated content. Machines can do a solid job collecting data and rehashing established knowledge, but they aren’t so hot when it comes to taking that knowledge and spinning it into genuine insights or fresh perspectives. They’ll spit out data points in a “just the facts, ma’am” kind of way and call it a day.
The problem with critical thinking
ChatGPT, for instance, can sometimes generate false or imaginary facts because it’s essentially remixing bits of information from its training data. Ask it to evaluate an argument or propose a unique angle on a complex issue, and you’ll often get a bland, surface-level take. It might list common pros and cons, but rarely pushes beyond that into original analysis or a deeper line of questioning.
Watch for lack of nuance: If the piece never challenges assumptions, asks bigger “why” questions, or delves into multiple viewpoints, it’s a red flag that a human might not be steering the discussion.
Static vs analytical: AI generally excels at static writing—like summarizing historical events or repeating basic definitions—but stumbles when forced to weave context, emotion, and critical reasoning together.
Truly engaging content often unearths subtleties or addresses real-world implications that go beyond “Here are the facts.” It can spark an “aha!” moment or prompt you to think differently. AI content, conversely, tends to serve up a paint-by-numbers approach: plenty of data but little depth. So if the writing never digs deeper than a list of bullet points and doesn’t attempt to interpret or challenge the information, it’s a likely sign you’re dealing with something AI-built—lacking the creative touch or critical lens that a human writer would naturally bring.
Lack of credible references and citations
Another telltale sign of AI-generated content is the lack of solid sourcing—or, worse yet, citations that appear official but lead nowhere meaningful. ChatGPT, for instance, sometimes spits out references that look legitimate at first glance, but the links might be dead or the formatting makes no sense. If you notice awkward or incomplete citations, it’s a strong indicator that an AI model generated the text without human oversight.
Struggling with new or up-to-date info
AI can do a decent job regurgitating historical facts pulled from massive data sets, but it often fails when it comes to more recent developments or cutting-edge research. It simply doesn’t have a direct pipeline to the latest journals, news articles, or ongoing studies—so you could end up with outdated, incomplete, or flat-out wrong data. And if you rely on that info to make a point, you could quickly lose credibility if someone checks your sources and realizes they’re no good.
Spot-check those links: If the content cites a study or article, click through to see if the link works or if it even references the topic in question. AI can inadvertently fabricate references that don’t exist.
Damage to authority: Publishing “facts” that aren’t properly backed up (or that reference nonexistent links) can harm trust with your audience, especially if your industry values precision and expertise.
When content is loaded with sketchy references, readers quickly realize something’s off. People expect you to back up your claims, and if the citations don’t hold water, they’ll wonder if you really know your stuff. So if you see mysterious links or citations that fail to connect with actual research, you might be looking at an AI-driven piece. Ultimately, if you want to preserve your reputation (and stay on Google’s good side), verifying each citation and ensuring you have real, up-to-date sources is non-negotiable.
Another telltale sign of AI-generated content is the lack of solid sourcing—or, worse yet, citations that appear official but lead nowhere meaningful. ChatGPT, for instance, sometimes spits out references that look legitimate at first glance, but the links might be dead or the formatting makes no sense. If you notice awkward or incomplete citations, it’s a strong indicator that an AI model generated the text without human oversight.
Struggling with new or up-to-date info
AI can do a decent job regurgitating historical facts pulled from massive data sets, but it often fails when it comes to more recent developments or cutting-edge research. It simply doesn’t have a direct pipeline to the latest journals, news articles, or ongoing studies—so you could end up with outdated, incomplete, or flat-out wrong data. And if you rely on that info to make a point, you could quickly lose credibility if someone checks your sources and realizes they’re no good.
Spot-check those links: If the content cites a study or article, click through to see if the link works or if it even references the topic in question. AI can inadvertently fabricate references that don’t exist.
Damage to authority: Publishing “facts” that aren’t properly backed up (or that reference nonexistent links) can harm trust with your audience, especially if your industry values precision and expertise.
When content is loaded with sketchy references, readers quickly realize something’s off. People expect you to back up your claims, and if the citations don’t hold water, they’ll wonder if you really know your stuff. So if you see mysterious links or citations that fail to connect with actual research, you might be looking at an AI-driven piece. Ultimately, if you want to preserve your reputation (and stay on Google’s good side), verifying each citation and ensuring you have real, up-to-date sources is non-negotiable.
5 tested AI content detectors that are getting better every day
Spotting AI-generated content just by reading closely is doable, but it’s not always a breeze, especially if you are juggling deadlines or dealing with stealthy “humanised” AI outputs. That’s where AI detectors come in. The market is flooded with free and paid tools, though not all of them are reliable. Below are five we've tested that are constantly improving. Just remember: none of these solutions are foolproof, so use them for guidance, not gospel.
1. Writer.com AI Content Detector
Writer.com is better known for its AI-powered writing services aimed at business teams, but it also provides an AI detector. You can paste a URL or text snippet into their interface and click “Analyse Text” to see what percentage might be machine-generated.
Pros
No sign-up needed for the AI detector.
Teams can share one membership account if they want a more collaborative approach.
Produces instant results with minimal fuss.
Cons
Fails to highlight the specific parts it suspects are AI.
Results can be hit-or-miss, so don’t bank on them 100%.
Writer.com’s main selling point is simplicity. If your team’s already using Writer for AI content creation, adding its AI detector might be a convenient add-on. Just make sure you cross-verify with other tools if accuracy is a big deal.
2. GPTZero
GPTZero measures what it calls perplexity and burstiness. Perplexity checks how random the text is to an AI model, and burstiness looks at whether that randomness changes over time because human writing is more varied. You can sign up for a free account to check up to 5,000 words at a time or skip creating an account for a quick demo. It’s particularly tuned to detect GPT-based content.
Pros
Completely free, with no login required for checking up to 5,000 words.
Offers more detail on whether text was likely generated by GPT, which can be handy for pinpointing suspect lines.
Cons
Lacks built-in plagiarism or fact-checking features
Doesn’t have a built-in readability checker
If you are working with GPT-based content daily, GPTZero can be a good safety net. You can upload or paste text, and in seconds, you’ll see whether it flags it as human-like or bot-like. That said, it’s still not immune to errors, so keep an eye out for weird readings.
3. ZeroGPT
ZeroGPT checks whether the text comes from an AI tool like ChatGPT, Google Bard, or a real person. It relies on what it calls “DeepAnalyse” technology. ZeroGPT boasts an accuracy rate of over 98% and claims to support all major languages.
Pros
Has processed over 10 million articles and texts for AI detection
Simple interface: paste your text, click “Detect Text,” and see the percentage of AI content
Promises privacy by not saving your text
Cons
No built-in proofreading or editing features after detection, so you’ll have to do that yourself.
High accuracy claims are impressive, but always expect some false positives or false negatives.
If you are after a minimalistic, quick tool to sniff out AI text, ZeroGPT might be your pick. Just know that “98% accuracy” is a bold claim; in real-world scenarios, results can vary.
4. Originality.ai
Originality AI is a popular choice if you need both AI detection and a plagiarism scanner. Its readability checks can be helpful, though it occasionally misclassifies human writing. Like everything else on this list, it’s not foolproof.
Pros
Often returns accurate results, especially for straightforward AI text.
Flexible pricing options, plus a free test on their site.
Cons
Only works in English.
Doesn’t give super detailed explanations if it flags something as AI.
Struggles with highly “humanised” or heavily edited AI pieces.
If you also need to check for plagiarism, Originality.ai is a solid two-for-one deal—AI detection plus a plagiarism check. But keep in mind, truly advanced AI content might still slip under its radar.
5. QuillBot
QuillBot is known for its AI-powered paraphrase, but it also includes an AI detection feature. It claims to work with GPT-4, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and more.
Pros
No login needed, so you can test it out quickly.
Extensions available for Word, macOS, and Chrome.
Includes a free language translator—handy if you’re dealing with multi-lingual content.
Cons
Accuracy can swing between 45% and 80%, so it’s not exactly a sure bet.
Doesn’t highlight the suspicious segments—just offers a general percentage.
QuillBot’s biggest perk is its ecosystem: if you’re using their paraphraser or translator, you can check for AI content in the same place. Just don’t rely on it as the final word—especially if you’re analyzing sensitive content.
Spotting AI-generated content just by reading closely is doable, but it’s not always a breeze, especially if you are juggling deadlines or dealing with stealthy “humanised” AI outputs. That’s where AI detectors come in. The market is flooded with free and paid tools, though not all of them are reliable. Below are five we've tested that are constantly improving. Just remember: none of these solutions are foolproof, so use them for guidance, not gospel.
1. Writer.com AI Content Detector
Writer.com is better known for its AI-powered writing services aimed at business teams, but it also provides an AI detector. You can paste a URL or text snippet into their interface and click “Analyse Text” to see what percentage might be machine-generated.
Pros
No sign-up needed for the AI detector.
Teams can share one membership account if they want a more collaborative approach.
Produces instant results with minimal fuss.
Cons
Fails to highlight the specific parts it suspects are AI.
Results can be hit-or-miss, so don’t bank on them 100%.
Writer.com’s main selling point is simplicity. If your team’s already using Writer for AI content creation, adding its AI detector might be a convenient add-on. Just make sure you cross-verify with other tools if accuracy is a big deal.
2. GPTZero
GPTZero measures what it calls perplexity and burstiness. Perplexity checks how random the text is to an AI model, and burstiness looks at whether that randomness changes over time because human writing is more varied. You can sign up for a free account to check up to 5,000 words at a time or skip creating an account for a quick demo. It’s particularly tuned to detect GPT-based content.
Pros
Completely free, with no login required for checking up to 5,000 words.
Offers more detail on whether text was likely generated by GPT, which can be handy for pinpointing suspect lines.
Cons
Lacks built-in plagiarism or fact-checking features
Doesn’t have a built-in readability checker
If you are working with GPT-based content daily, GPTZero can be a good safety net. You can upload or paste text, and in seconds, you’ll see whether it flags it as human-like or bot-like. That said, it’s still not immune to errors, so keep an eye out for weird readings.
3. ZeroGPT
ZeroGPT checks whether the text comes from an AI tool like ChatGPT, Google Bard, or a real person. It relies on what it calls “DeepAnalyse” technology. ZeroGPT boasts an accuracy rate of over 98% and claims to support all major languages.
Pros
Has processed over 10 million articles and texts for AI detection
Simple interface: paste your text, click “Detect Text,” and see the percentage of AI content
Promises privacy by not saving your text
Cons
No built-in proofreading or editing features after detection, so you’ll have to do that yourself.
High accuracy claims are impressive, but always expect some false positives or false negatives.
If you are after a minimalistic, quick tool to sniff out AI text, ZeroGPT might be your pick. Just know that “98% accuracy” is a bold claim; in real-world scenarios, results can vary.
4. Originality.ai
Originality AI is a popular choice if you need both AI detection and a plagiarism scanner. Its readability checks can be helpful, though it occasionally misclassifies human writing. Like everything else on this list, it’s not foolproof.
Pros
Often returns accurate results, especially for straightforward AI text.
Flexible pricing options, plus a free test on their site.
Cons
Only works in English.
Doesn’t give super detailed explanations if it flags something as AI.
Struggles with highly “humanised” or heavily edited AI pieces.
If you also need to check for plagiarism, Originality.ai is a solid two-for-one deal—AI detection plus a plagiarism check. But keep in mind, truly advanced AI content might still slip under its radar.
5. QuillBot
QuillBot is known for its AI-powered paraphrase, but it also includes an AI detection feature. It claims to work with GPT-4, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and more.
Pros
No login needed, so you can test it out quickly.
Extensions available for Word, macOS, and Chrome.
Includes a free language translator—handy if you’re dealing with multi-lingual content.
Cons
Accuracy can swing between 45% and 80%, so it’s not exactly a sure bet.
Doesn’t highlight the suspicious segments—just offers a general percentage.
QuillBot’s biggest perk is its ecosystem: if you’re using their paraphraser or translator, you can check for AI content in the same place. Just don’t rely on it as the final word—especially if you’re analyzing sensitive content.
Is AI-generated content bad for SEO?
Many businesses worry that if their writers rely on AI to churn out web copy, it’ll tank their search rankings—effectively wasting their marketing budget. But according to Google, AI-created content isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker for SEO, as long as it meets the quality bar. In other words, Google doesn’t care how your content is made; it cares that it’s original, helpful, and relevant to what users are searching for.
EEAT still matters
You’ve likely heard of Google’s EEAT framework, which stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. AI can’t magically bypass that. Even if your content is machine-generated, you’ll still need to show some real know-how. A piece slapped together with no insights or verifiable facts might come off as spammy—especially if its only goal is to manipulate search rankings.
Experience: Provide firsthand or clearly documented knowledge. If you’re listing data or statistics, back them up with legitimate sources.
Expertise: Demonstrate actual expertise. AI might gather facts, but you should edit for accuracy and relevance.
Authoritativeness: Publish on sites that already carry weight (like your well-maintained blog or credible third-party platforms).
Trustworthiness: Stick to authentic information. Attempting to pass off sloppy AI text as professional advice might raise flags.
Google’s stance on spam
Google has long stated that automated content aimed solely at manipulating search results violates its spam policy. So if your entire strategy revolves around mass-producing shallow AI copy to flood your site with keywords, Google may penalize you. On the flip side, if you’re using AI as a tool, maybe to draft an outline or compile quick facts, and then revising it into a genuinely valuable article, search engines don’t mind.
Always give your AI-generated drafts a thorough human pass. Fill gaps, verify references, and add personal perspectives or expert opinions that AI can’t replicate. That’s how you keep your content from sounding lifeless or generic—and ensure it actually ranks well.
Many businesses worry that if their writers rely on AI to churn out web copy, it’ll tank their search rankings—effectively wasting their marketing budget. But according to Google, AI-created content isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker for SEO, as long as it meets the quality bar. In other words, Google doesn’t care how your content is made; it cares that it’s original, helpful, and relevant to what users are searching for.
EEAT still matters
You’ve likely heard of Google’s EEAT framework, which stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. AI can’t magically bypass that. Even if your content is machine-generated, you’ll still need to show some real know-how. A piece slapped together with no insights or verifiable facts might come off as spammy—especially if its only goal is to manipulate search rankings.
Experience: Provide firsthand or clearly documented knowledge. If you’re listing data or statistics, back them up with legitimate sources.
Expertise: Demonstrate actual expertise. AI might gather facts, but you should edit for accuracy and relevance.
Authoritativeness: Publish on sites that already carry weight (like your well-maintained blog or credible third-party platforms).
Trustworthiness: Stick to authentic information. Attempting to pass off sloppy AI text as professional advice might raise flags.
Google’s stance on spam
Google has long stated that automated content aimed solely at manipulating search results violates its spam policy. So if your entire strategy revolves around mass-producing shallow AI copy to flood your site with keywords, Google may penalize you. On the flip side, if you’re using AI as a tool, maybe to draft an outline or compile quick facts, and then revising it into a genuinely valuable article, search engines don’t mind.
Always give your AI-generated drafts a thorough human pass. Fill gaps, verify references, and add personal perspectives or expert opinions that AI can’t replicate. That’s how you keep your content from sounding lifeless or generic—and ensure it actually ranks well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Google identify AI-generated content?
Yes. Google uses multiple methods to spot whether text is AI-generated, even if the material seems accurate. It’s constantly refining its systems to detect artificially produced articles.
How to pass the AI content detector?
If you want to reduce the likelihood of detection, vary your sentences and choice of words. Mix short, punchy lines with more complex structures. Add a personal angle wherever possible and avoid repetitive statements or a uniform style.
Does Google penalise AI content in 2024?
Google penalises low-quality or deceptive text, no matter who (or what) wrote it. AI content that meets EEAT criteria can still rank, as long as it’s original, trustworthy, and helpful.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, nailing down whether a piece of content is AI- or human-written isn’t foolproof—AI tools don’t leave neat little watermarks, and at best, we’re making educated guesses based on style clues or using AI detectors that offer partial accuracy. If you really want to know, your best bet is combining multiple detection tools with your own common sense.
That said, AI-generated content is only going to get better and more human-like, so the real challenge is not just spotting it but fine-tuning it. If you’re using AI in your own content creation, remember to add that all-important human polish: unique angles, personal insights, and a bit of personality that an algorithm can’t replicate. That’s how you end up with a story that resonates—rather than just reads like another generic post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Google identify AI-generated content?
Yes. Google uses multiple methods to spot whether text is AI-generated, even if the material seems accurate. It’s constantly refining its systems to detect artificially produced articles.
How to pass the AI content detector?
If you want to reduce the likelihood of detection, vary your sentences and choice of words. Mix short, punchy lines with more complex structures. Add a personal angle wherever possible and avoid repetitive statements or a uniform style.
Does Google penalise AI content in 2024?
Google penalises low-quality or deceptive text, no matter who (or what) wrote it. AI content that meets EEAT criteria can still rank, as long as it’s original, trustworthy, and helpful.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, nailing down whether a piece of content is AI- or human-written isn’t foolproof—AI tools don’t leave neat little watermarks, and at best, we’re making educated guesses based on style clues or using AI detectors that offer partial accuracy. If you really want to know, your best bet is combining multiple detection tools with your own common sense.
That said, AI-generated content is only going to get better and more human-like, so the real challenge is not just spotting it but fine-tuning it. If you’re using AI in your own content creation, remember to add that all-important human polish: unique angles, personal insights, and a bit of personality that an algorithm can’t replicate. That’s how you end up with a story that resonates—rather than just reads like another generic post.
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