4 Tips to Use AI So Your Content Doesn’t Sound Written by AI

No one wants to read generic, bot-written content. Especially not search bots ranking your website.

While AI-generated content has improved, it still has non-human characteristics: repetitive phrasing and forced transitions (think “moreover”), words that most people don’t use (looking at you, “robust”), and content that’s full of jargon and clichés (“unlock your potential”…“leverage your synergy”). 

You’ll quickly lose your readers’ interest if your content is obviously AI-generated. And though Google doesn’t explicitly penalize AI-generated content, it does downrank unoriginal, unhelpful content, which is often synonymous with unedited AI-generated content.

That said, though you’ll almost never get copy-paste-ready content from AI, it can be a helpful tool for busy business owners. Follow these 4 tips to create AI-assisted content without making it scream “AI-generated.”

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AI search bots and Google’s indexing process prioritize content that is original, unique, and valuable. If your content just reiterates preexisting web pages, Google might deindex your page, and AI bots will skip right over it. To increase Google and AI search visibility, add details only you would know, such as:

• Real Photos (not AI-generated or stock): Behind-the-scenes, team photos, before/afters. Add alt text and a short caption for each.
• Firsthand Data: Pricing ranges, timelines, customer outcomes/metrics.
• Attributed Quotes: From employees, partners, or happy customers. Keep them specific and relevant to the topic.
• Personal Anecdotes: Short, snappy, and tied to a clear takeaway.
• Niche Expertise & Advice: Common mistakes, case studies, pro tips, local nuances. 
  

Tip: Do a quick SERP scan. Ask: What’s missing? Then fill in a gap with one of the elements above.

Use AI as a writing tool to save time and money. It can be a part of the writing process, but not the whole writing process. Here’s how to incorporate it when creating content:

• Brainstorming: AI is great for back-and-forth brainstorming sessions, much like you’d have with colleagues in an office. Come with a general idea of what you want and hash it out with your AI. Bonus: you won’t offend it if you don’t like an idea.

• First Drafts: You’ll almost never get a perfect draft out of AI, but with the right prompt (see Tip 3), it can provide a decent starting point for you to shape into something publishable. 

• Editing: Alternatively, jot down your own rough draft and prompt AI to rate it and offer improvements. This lowers pressure to write perfectly and keeps your voice human.

Tip: Take AI edits with a grain of salt. Sometimes it offers valid improvements or catches small mistakes; other times, it provides unnecessary suggestions and tries to “AI-ify” your writing.

AI output is only as good as your input. If you put in a generic prompt, it’ll give you unoriginal content that’s bad for SEO and can be penalized by Google. Take time to form a detailed prompt and expect a lot of back-and-forth before you get something usable. 

• Provide Specific Instructions: State the purpose, intended audience, keywords, format/length, and any must-include points. 

• Give It an Outline: Provide a detailed outline to keep your AI on track and let it fill in the blanks. 

• Ask for Options: For example, request 10 blog post titles, tweak your favorite, and ask for 10 more along the same lines. Keep going until you get something you like.
  

Tip: Keep a list of effective prompts. If a prompt generates decent output, save it to reuse later. Refine over time (and for different projects) to fine-tune the output. 

Even after you have a solid draft, don’t publish it right away. Take time to review for AI signs, including:

• An Overuse of Em Dashes – As a lifelong fan of em dashes, it pains me that em dashes have become a “GPT-ism.” The occasional em dash is okay, but if your content is full of them, readers might assume it’s AI-generated.
• Symbols: AI 🤖 loves ♥️using 🪛 random ⚖️ emojis. Replace them with natural language and punctuation.
  

Tip: Read your draft aloud (or use text-to-speech). If it sounds unnatural, it’ll read awkwardly on-screen as well. 

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