The "AI-Smell" Test: 5 Signs Your Content Sounds Like a Bot

The internet is changing fast. Every day, millions of words are posted that were never actually written by a person. We are in a time where anyone can create content with just one click.

But there is a big problem. Even though there is more content than ever, the quality is dropping fast. Why? Because most of it has the "AI-Smell."

You know the feeling. You start reading a post or an article, and it feels... empty. It’s too polite, too perfect, and very boring. It feels like a textbook is talking to you. When a reader "smells" AI, they stop caring. They feel like you didn't put in any effort, so they shouldn't bother reading it.

If you want to use ChatGPT without hurting your reputation, you need to pass the "AI-Smell" test. Here are 5 obvious signs your content was made by a bot and how you can fix it.

1. The "Listicle" Habit (Everything is a List)

ChatGPT loves order. It is a machine that likes to be neat. If you ask it to write about "How to wake up early," it will almost always give you:

A short intro.
Five bullet points with bold titles.
A summary at the end.

Why this is a giveaway: Real people don't always think in neat lists. We tell stories. We go off on tangents. We make some points long and others very short. When a reader sees a perfectly even list of 5 points, their brain thinks: "Oh, another AI post," and they start to skip through it.

How to fix it:

Delete some points: If the AI gives you 5 tips, pick the best 2 and talk about them in detail.
Change the flow: Don't use a bullet point for everything. Try writing one long paragraph and then one very short, punchy sentence.
Make it messy: Human thoughts are a bit scattered. That’s what makes them interesting.

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2. The "Robot Words" (Search and Destroy)

There are certain words that ChatGPT uses way too much. These aren't "bad" words, but since the AI uses them in every single post, they have become red flags.

The "Red Flag" Words:

"Delve": This is the biggest one. Nobody says "Let’s delve into this" in real life.
"Tapestry": AI loves calling everything a "rich tapestry."
"Harness": As in "harnessing the power of..."
"In today's fast-paced world": This is the most common AI opening line.
"Ultimately": AI uses this to start every conclusion.

How to fix it: Stop using "fancy" words. Write like you are talking to a friend.

Instead of "Let's delve into the data," say "Let's look at the numbers."
Instead of "Harnessing the power of," say "Using."
Instead of "In today's fast-paced world," just get straight to the point.

3. Being Too "Nice" (The Lack of Opinions)

AI is programmed to be safe. It doesn't want to offend anyone, so it stays right in the middle. It never takes a side or gets "spicy."

Why this is a giveaway: If your writing is a lukewarm bowl of oatmeal, people will know a bot wrote it. Humans have strong opinions. We get annoyed. We have favorites. We think some things are great and other things are a waste of time.

How to fix it:

Pick a side: Don't just say "there are pros and cons." Tell the reader what you actually think.
Be a little bit blunt: It’s okay to say, "I think this idea is a total waste of money." An AI would never say that.
Show some emotion: Use words that show how you feel. Are you excited? Are you frustrated? Let it show.

4. No Personal Stories (The "I" Factor)

An AI can explain what a "bad boss" is, but it has never actually had a bad boss. It hasn't stayed up until 3:00 AM finishing a project. It hasn't felt the stress of a deadline.

Why this is a giveaway: AI writing is "generic." It speaks in general truths. If your post doesn't have any personal "I" stories, it feels like it came from a machine.

How to fix it: Add a "For example" from your own life every few paragraphs.

AI version: "Time management is important for success."
Human version: "I used to be terrible at time management. Last year, I missed a huge deadline because I spent too much time on emails, and it taught me a hard lesson."

Your life is the one thing the AI cannot copy. Use it.

5. The "Recap" Problem (Saying it Twice)

AI is worried you’ll forget what it just said. So, it summarizes its points at the end of every section and again at the very end of the post. It’s very repetitive.

Why this is a giveaway: In a short blog post, you don't need a summary. If you made your point well, the reader already gets it. Repeating yourself just feels like "filler" to make the post longer.

How to fix it:

Cut the conclusion: If your last paragraph starts with "In summary" or "To wrap up," delete the whole thing.
End with a question: Instead of repeating yourself, ask the reader what they think.
End with an action: Tell the reader one thing they should go do right now.

Summary: How to be a "Human" Writer

Using AI isn't a bad thing. It's a great tool for brainstorming and getting started. But you shouldn't just "copy and paste" what it gives you.

The internet is about to be flooded with "perfect" but boring AI content. In a world full of bots, the most valuable thing you have is your own voice.