In the last few years, many people have started using AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude AI, Google Gemini, and others without editing the content they receive. This gave rise to the term “AI Slop,” coined by people tired of reading content with nothing in it but words.
Can you tell when content is AI-created, or do you define AI slop as even human-written content? Let’s explore seven warning signs of AI slop, and how to make your content sound “normal” again, like it was before AI.
1. It Opens With a Predictable, Generic Introduction
Sometimes, if you ask AI to write a 500-word article, or a 2,000-word one, it just fills space. Concepts are repeated multiple times in the same text, and that’s a strong signal of AI slop.
There’s content that starts with phrases that tell you nothing. You expect a “medias-res” jump into the article, but it’s a continuous extension of the title.
So your text may read professionally, but it offers no insights for your readers. That’s an alarming sign they spot almost in real time.
So, if you decide to write your article with AI, and not by hand like I’m doing with this blog post, remember to look out for:
- Broad claims
- Useless scene settings
- Introductions that take too long to reach the point
The same happens in books, reports, video scripts, and a lot of other content, so after you exercise enough of your “AI slop muscle,” everything will be right.
Start your articles, or tell AI to start with:
- Surprising observations
- Concrete problems
- Your personal experience
- A specific question for your public
If the article feels right from the introduction, you are doing it right, and people will notice, spend more time on it, and not close it with that AI-slop expression. Yes, you know it.
2. It Uses Many Words, But Says Very Little
AI slop often looks informative because it includes multiple headings, subheadings, a gazillion bullet points, and polished paragraphs.
Anyway, when you finish reading, you may realize you learned nothing new. And that you threw away a lot of time reading… garbage.
So look out for
- Obvious advice presented as a discovery
- The same point is repeated in different words through the text (this happens a lot of times!)
- Long explanations without examples
- Conclusions that are only a mere recap of the introduction
Try to do something intelligent.
- Remove half the article. If almost no meaning is lost, the original was probably “pumped up” to be longer, as I already told you in point one.
- Add real examples, stories, and facts that confirm your opinion.
- Explain the important concepts in detail.
This is the best way to turn long content into something useful. It’s like watching a YouTube video to learn a new concept, but the person talks about a lot of rubbish and doesn’t get to the core of the video.
3. The Structure Feels Too Repetitive
Often, AI creates content with a rhythm that isn’t perfect.
- Every section has the same length, and it’s pretty short.
- Every paragraph follows the same pattern.
- Every heading contains three supporting points.
- The conclusion repeats every previous section.
- The most important part of the content is pushed near the end.
You may also notice famous recurring constructions such as: “It’s not just about X—it’s about Y.”
A better approach is to rewrite the text like this.
First, vary section length, then sentence rhythm. Add tangible examples, give numbers, and especially your opinion. Articles that don’t take sides help no one, and you know it.
Put yourself in your customer’s shoes, and add what people want to find. Otherwise, it’s the purest form of AI slop, and no one cares.
4. It Has No Point of View
AI slop tries to sound balanced, agreeable, and natural. The problem is that while it does all of this, AI writes emotionally flat content. It explains every side of the topic without reaching a real conclusion or offering value.
People who come to check your point of view leave with no ideas, exactly as they came.
So try to check if content has:
- No strong opinions
- No personal judgments
- No uncomfortable truths
- No ideas of what the writer would actually do
- Frequent endings such as “Ultimately, the choice depends on your individual needs.”
Useful content should help the reader decide or take a side, not just list every option.
Choose one side and stick with it.
5. It Lacks Many Details
Human expertise usually leaves fingerprints, and you can find some mistakes, observations, screenshots, numbers, customer questions, different types of examples, and lessons learned through experience.
AI slop often contains none of these.
So, instead of saying “Email marketing can help businesses increase engagement,” say, “After removing the name field from the signup form, we received 34% more subscribers from the same traffic.”
As you can see, the second phrase adds something interesting: a detail the reader can test or a value they can take away.
Obviously, any number or result you put in your article should be genuine, and not random.
6. Its Facts Sound Real, But Cannot Be Verified
AI can produce convincing statistics, quotations, studies, product features, or references that are inaccurate or entirely invented. The problem is that AI never tells you, so you have to verify the text.
Check suspicious content when:
- A precise statistic has no source.
- A source is mentioned but not linked.
- The cited study cannot be found online.
- A quotation appears nowhere else on the web.
- The information contradicts the official website.
- Dates, names, or numbers change within the article.
Important claims should always lead back to trustworthy sources. So always take the time to verify what AI writes, because sometimes it can be surprising.
7. It Doesn’t Understand the Reader
AI-generated content may be grammatically correct, but missing the audience’s real situation.
For example, an article for a beginner affiliate marketer might recommend expensive advertising tools, advanced tracking systems, or a large content team without considering their limited budget or experience.
So always check for:
- Advice that ignores budget, skill level, or available time
- Examples not related to target audience.
- Explanations of common things readers already know
- Missing answers to the questions readers actually have (check other content for this, on social media and YouTube)
- Recommendations that sound good but are difficult to implement
The best content doesn’t just discuss a topic. It makes the reader think you understand him and what he’s dealing with.
And this is the best way to sell whatever your content is promoting: affiliate offers, digital products, memberships, coaching, or physical products.
Final Tips And Tricks
AI assistance isn’t the real problem. Publishing unedited, unverified, personality-free content is. Use AI to accelerate your thinking, and don’t replace it.
Take the time to read everything AI writes, and if you spot one or more of the problems I listed in this blog post, act immediately. Make your content more human-made, and you will get back visitors’ attention, which is the most important payment.
