Most people can spot lifeless content without knowing exactly why. It feels flat - too perfect, too polished, and strangely forgettable. That's because AI-generated writing often leaves behind a trail of clues - awkward phrasing, missing context, recycled structure, and a voice that never quite lands. A breakdown of the most common signs content was written by no one in particular - and what to watch out for if you want your writing to actually connect.

No Pulse Content Written By AI

You Can Feel It's AI, Can't You?

There's a certain kind of writing that slides right off your brain. You click a promising headline. You skim the first sentence. And then it hits: This thing has no pulse.

It's all there — the structure, the keywords, the call to action. But the soul? Gone. It's content that checks every box and still misses the point. That's what happens when nobody's behind the wheel.

You don't need a trained eye to spot it. It's in the way the sentences feel pre-chewed. In the way every list has five neat points. In the way the "Ultimate Guide" teaches you absolutely nothing you couldn't guess.

AI Tools are just that Tools!

Let me be clear - this isn't about hating tools. I love AI tools. But content is not carpentry. You can't sand down the grain of thought and expect it to hold.

When people say AI wrote this, what they really mean is that it doesn't feel like anyone really cared. It's all form, no fight. The voice? Muffled. The ideas? Recycled. The stats? Date-free and drifting. It's like someone watched 100 TED talks and then tried to make a smoothie out of the subtitles.

Real content - the kind that grips, that earns trust, that moves someone to click or share or think - that kind doesn't come from templates. It comes from friction. From clarity. From actual insight, delivered without a safety net.

You want to make something people believe? Then say something you believe.

  1. Don't default to formulas.
  2. Don't hide behind “the tool.”
  3. Don't quote data you never looked up.
  4. Don't write 1,000 words just to hit a quota.
Start with something messy. Say something true. Then shape it until it's sharp enough to draw blood. That's what cuts through. You don't have to outwrite ChatGPT. You just have to write like a person - a person who knows what they're talking about. Avoid the predictable. Show your personality. Be helpful.

Why Your Blog Posts Sound Like Everyone Else's

This list of 27 signs your content was written by AI was taken from Samy Thuillier's linkedin page. Take a minute and give Samy a quick read, you'll see a tremndous amount of AI being used to market a marketer.

  1. Uses “Whether” or “From… to…” 3+ times >>> Replace with simpler sentences.
  2. Repeats the same H2 across posts >>> Write headings manually instead.
  3. Starts with “In today's fast-paced world…” >>> Cut intros, give your point of view.
  4. Lists exactly 5 bullet points per section >>> Sounds too perfect, vary the number.
  5. Repeats same long passive form >>> Mix lengths: 7–20 words per sentence.
  6. Quotes data without a source >>> Link to the original stat or remove it.
  7. Sentences reuse same opening clause >>> Vary sentence starts manually.
  8. Stats don't include dates >>> Add “in 2025” or current benchmarks.
  9. H1 and first H2 are almost identical >>> Rephrase with different angle or keyword.
  10. No internal links to other pages >>> Add 2–3 contextual links per article.
  11. Meta desc = 1st sentence copy-paste >>> Write your meta descriptions manually.
  12. Refers to product as “the tool” >>> Mention the brand or product name directly.
  13. Mentions a formula but no example >>> Add concrete example with real numbers.
  14. Image filenames are generic >>> Rename + write descriptive alt text manually.
  15. Lists tools but links to none >>> Include links to each tool mentioned.
  16. Links only to Forbes, HubSpot, etc. >>> Link to niche-relevant sources instead.
  17. Same CTA in every post >>> Tailor CTA to topic or product feature.
  18. “As a marketer…” but no author bio >>> Add real author + link to profile.
  19. Articles are always 1,000–1,100 words >>> Write to depth, not to word count.
  20. H1 is always “Ultimate Guide” >>> Use benefit-driven or problem-focused titles.
  21. No tool or brand mentions >>> Add named tools used by your audience.
  22. UX content ignores mobile >>> Add 1–2 mobile-specific insights or tips.
  23. No screenshots or visuals >>> Add 1 visual, chart, or UI reference.
  24. Every paragraph is 3 lines >>> Vary block size: 1–4 lines naturally.
  25. Same phrasing reused across posts >>> Rewrite intros/conclusions per piece.
  26. Uses 3+ buzzwords in 1 line >>> Cut and replace with plain terms.
  27. Doesn't say what NOT to do >>> Add 1 “don't” example per article.

Tip: Play around with and use this as a rule set in your GPT for maximum creative writing tasks.

Comments