How to Avoid AI Detection: 6 Tips for Writers
AI can be a quick and convenient way to produce content, but it can’t replicate your unique voice and real-world experience: valuable elements of high-performing content. Can you leverage new technology, showcase your expertise, and still avoid AI detection?
As a freelance writer, standing out amongst AI-generated content is one of the biggest challenges. Unfortunately, even original writing can sometimes get flagged as AI by detection tools.
These six tips can help you avoid AI detection and ensure your writing is authentic.
1. Understand How AI Detection Tools Work
You may be wondering, “How does AI detection work?” To detect AI, tools like Originality.AI use artificial intelligence itself.
Detection tools will utilize artificial intelligence to determine how unique your writing is by comparing it to written content across LLMs (Large Language Models).
Other AI detection tools, such as ZeroGPT and Copyleaks, work similarly to Originality.AI and even comparably to ChatGPT. AI detection technology is made as a language module to analyze content rather than create it.
These detection tools aren’t 100% accurate. They are used to determine how likely content is to have AI-generated phrases and paragraphs.
2. Write in a Human-Like Style
How do you hold a conversation in real life? Consider this and try to write according to what you would say if you were explaining a topic to your peers.
The key is to be conversational enough to get the point across without making the reader do backflips. Pose rhetorical questions, use simple language, and don’t be afraid to use contractions.
Always reread your work out loud to see if everything sounds right. If it’s awkward for you to read, the intended audience will feel the same way. Consider using anecdotes and humor (if the topic calls for it) to make your writing approachable.
3. Follow the Client’s Unique Voice and Tone
Freelance writers often meet clients briefly or not at all before being assigned work. Still, it’s essential to get to know the client’s unique voice and tone via style guidelines and comprehensive content briefs.
When possible, connect with the client to find out their target audience, brand values, and overall tone. While some clients are willing to verbalize this information to you, it’s always a good idea to do your own research and ask questions as they arise.
Take a look at your assignment. What type of content are you producing? The best way to come up with ideas when you have a blank slate is by looking at aspirational client examples.
Read through their blog and resources page to understand their voice. After a few posts, you should be able to determine whether they prefer informal, friendly, professional, or other communication styles.
When you can adapt to your client’s unique voice and tone, you meet their expectations and take a step towards avoiding AI detection.
4. Use Real-World Examples
Although it’s essential to follow client instructions, don’t be afraid to add a personal touch to your writing if they allow it.
Sometimes, the best way to inform is to connect to the audience with a relevant experience or anecdote. This is something that AI isn’t capable of replicating. AI is innovative, but it relies on existing patterns to succeed.
Because AI can’t create experiences of its own, it’s not original. The role of AI is to analyze existing information and rearrange it based on a given prompt. When it comes to storytelling, human writers have the upper hand.
Google applauds writing techniques that offer creativity and anecdotes. Demonstrating that you have experience with a topic can rank you higher on search engine results. If your background is particularly impressive and relevant to the topic, write a strong byline to inform your audience and build trust.
5. Fact-check
AI-generated content is still nascent enough that not all of the kinks have been worked out. For example, if you ask ChatGPT to write an article based on something factual, it can fall short on accuracy due to AI bias.
AI bias occurs when AI tools use data that reflects human prejudice, incomplete information, or incorrect information. For example, it can make assumptions about race, gender, and socioeconomic status. This is another reason why doing your own research is important in your writing.
You can avoid AI bias in content when you focus your efforts on representative and diverse data rather than allowing machine learning to take on the task.
ChatGPT and other tools can create completely incorrect or fabricated information using coherent text that is not verified for accuracy. Inaccuracies of this sort are referred to as “hallucinations” and are a big problem for writers. If you’re writing content about YMYL topics or heavily-regulated industries, these hallucinations can be particularly problematic because the information needs to be up-to-date and accurate.
AI generators typically pull from the internet to create content, but not all of the information on the internet can be trusted.
For example, Wikipedia is commonly prohibited as a source because the site operates as an open-source encyclopedia where anyone can edit articles. If an AI tool takes information from a Wikipedia page to create content, the information may be incorrect.
Compare and contrast the information you get from a content tool with multiple sources. Websites that pass the CRAPP test tend to be more authoritative and trustworthy.
6. Avoid Robotic Phrases
AI-generated content uses typical patterns and language templates. Simply put, repetitive and predictable phrases can make you sound robotic. If you consistently have these issues in your writing, you may be flagged for AI use, having not used any at all.
While it’s important to keep writing simple for your audience, you can still diversify your sentence structure and word use. Avoid unnecessary formal language or outdated words and phrases (e.g. people don’t use “hitherto” nowadays).
If you ask ChatGPT to generate an article for you, you may notice the same sentence structure, word repetition, and common phrases or cliches. AI content often lacks originality, with little to no human expression.
Don’t make the same mistake that AI tools do. Instead, focus on the human value of your written content. If your original work is still popping up as AI-generated, check your structure and remove robotic phrases, words, and patterns.
The Importance of Human Input
Human input can not only prevent original work from getting flagged as AI, but it can also make your writing better. Writers who put in time to research data and connect with the client can write more authoritatively.
Google and your clients will recognize a great writer when you include human input and experiences in your content.
Google’s E-E-A-T
Search raters use Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines to evaluate content quality, which may impact where it falls in a Google search.
E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness. If your content provides value to your target audience and your domain is seen as a trusted source, you will have a better chance of ranking well on SERPs. Google uses data from these human evaluations of your content to improve search result quality.
How to Avoid AI Detection Like a Pro
Simply, the best way to avoid AI detection is to use it sparingly or not at all in the writing process.
Freelance writers are hired for jobs because of their industry expertise. Trust yourself and build on your skills as a writer. Expert writers, not expert AI users, are those who will thrive in the age of AI.
If limiting AI use in writing matches your beliefs, consider working for ContentWriters. Our freelance writers generate human-written content, strictly avoiding the use of AI. For more information about our AI content policies, read here.
Our network will open soon for new applicants. Those interested in writing for ContentWriters can sign up here!
