How to Spot ChatGPT-Written Text (And Why It Matters)

Work with AI Responsibly!

Feb 03, 2025

AI-generated content is everywhere. From blog posts to social media updates, even emails, there’s a good chance you’ve read something today that was crafted by an AI like ChatGPT. Let’s be honest, sometimes it’s painfully obvious. The writing feels a little too structured, a little too polished, and just... off. Other times? It’s nearly indistinguishable from human writing.

So, how do you tell the difference? More importantly, why does it even matter? Let’s break it down.

Why Should We Care About AI-Generated Text?

For some, detecting AI-written content is just a fun challenge. For others, like educators, marketers, and journalists, it’s a big deal. Here’s why:

Academic Integrity – Schools and universities don’t want students submitting ChatGPT-generated essays as original work.
Authenticity in Content – Readers trust content more when they know a real person wrote it, not an algorithm following patterns.
SEO & Search Rankings – Google has hinted that mass AI-generated content without human refinement could get penalized.
Misinformation Risks – AI can generate confident-sounding but completely false information, which is a phenomenon called "hallucination."

At the end of the day, we need to ensure that AI is helping us, not replacing authenticity and original thought.

How AI-Written Text Stands Out

AI, for all its advancements, still struggles with certain nuances. Here are some telltale signs that a piece of writing may have come from ChatGPT rather than a human:

1. The Sentences Feel a Bit Too Perfect

Ever read something that sounds technically correct but oddly lifeless? AI loves structured, balanced sentences. It rarely interrupts itself. It doesn’t wander off into unexpected tangents. It never writes like this:

"I was going to talk about AI detection, but then I realized something. Have you ever had one of those moments where you just know something’s off? That’s how AI writing feels sometimes."

Instead, an AI-generated version would be something like:

"AI-generated text often follows structured patterns that make it easy to detect."

See the difference? The human version meanders, asks questions, and breaks the rhythm. The AI version is too clean, too predictable.

2. Lack of Personal Anecdotes

Humans love telling stories. AI does not. When we write, we reference our own lives, our experiences, and the weird, unexpected things that make us us.

For example, if I were writing about the first time I encountered an AI-generated article, I might say:

"The first time I read an AI-generated blog post, I didn’t even realize it at first. Something felt weird. It was like eating a meal that looked perfect but tasted like cardboard. No spice. No warmth. Just... words."

AI wouldn’t do that. It doesn’t have experiences to pull from. It can simulate stories, sure, but they often feel generic or oddly neutral.

3. Overuse of Transition Words

AI-generated writing loves transitions like Moreover, Furthermore, Additionally, and In conclusion. People don’t talk like that. Instead, we say things like:

"You know what’s weird? AI loves structured writing, but real conversations are messy."

Compare that to an AI version:

"Additionally, AI-generated writing often follows structured transitions, making it distinguishable from human text."

One sounds like a person. The other sounds like a machine trying to sound like a person.

4. Repetitive Phrasing and Word Choices

ChatGPT sometimes falls into loops where it repeats words or rephrases the same idea multiple times. You’ll notice phrases like:

"AI-generated content can be helpful in many ways. However, AI-generated content also has limitations. One limitation of AI-generated content is that it lacks emotional depth."

A human writer would have caught that repetition and rewritten it more naturally.

5. Unnatural Emotional Tone

AI-generated text often lacks emotional depth, or worse, tries too hard. Sometimes, it sounds robotic. Other times, it feels overly dramatic:

"The power of AI is truly transformative. The revolutionary nature of AI-generated text is unparalleled."

A human writer wouldn’t sound like a marketing brochure unless they were trying to. We’d dial it back.

AI-Detection Tools: Can They Spot the Difference?

If you’re curious (or just suspicious about a piece of text), AI-detection tools can help. Some popular options include:

GPTZero – Built for educators, it analyzes sentence complexity and randomness.
OpenAI’s AI Classifier – From the makers of ChatGPT, though it’s not always accurate.
Turnitin AI Detection – A tool widely used in schools to catch AI-written essays.
Writer.com’s AI Detector – Helps businesses ensure content isn’t overly AI-generated.

While these tools can be helpful, they’re not perfect. The best way to tell if something is AI-written? Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.

How to Make AI Writing Feel More Human

Maybe you’re using AI to help with writing (which is totally fine!), but you don’t want it to sound like AI. Here are some quick fixes:

1. Rewrite in Your Own Voice

If something sounds too stiff, change it up:

AI: "AI-generated text often follows structured patterns."
Human: "Ever notice how AI writing feels kinda same-y? There’s a reason for that."

2. Add Personal Stories

If AI wrote something generic, inject a real-life experience into it.

3. Cut the Corporate Speak

AI loves long-winded, business-y language. Replace phrases like:

"This innovative solution provides enhanced capabilities for industry professionals."
With: "This tool makes life easier for people in the field."

4. Mix Up Sentence Lengths

Throw in a short, punchy sentence. Then a longer, flowing one. It makes the text feel alive.

5. Break the AI Pattern

If a paragraph feels robotic, throw in something unexpected: a joke, an opinion, a rhetorical question.

"AI-generated text is efficient, sure. But would it know the joy of sneaking an extra fry from someone’s plate? Didn’t think so."

That’s the human touch.

Final Thoughts: AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement

At the end of the day, AI writing isn’t bad. It’s just different. It’s useful for generating ideas, summarizing information, or speeding up content creation. But if you want writing that truly connects with people, you still need a human touch.

AI can generate words. It can’t replicate personality, humor, or the messiness of human thought. And honestly? That’s what makes writing fun in the first place.