The Ways I Use To Recognize That You’ve Used ChatGPT To Write Content
Hi again. I’m Marie, as you might already know me. If you do, then you are my secret fan. I really appreciate you reading my content every day or maybe occasionally.
Well, today I’m writing this blog post to tell you some of my secrets, that I never thought that I’ll be sharing with you. But, I’ll be honest with you. I use ChatGPT a lot, and it’s a very helpful tool. It saves me time, and sometimes it even surprises me with fresh perspectives. But here’s the thing: I can always tell when someone else has used it in an instant. And I don’t mean just because I’ve gotten good at spotting patterns, I mean to say that just because ChatGPT leaves fingerprints. It writes content that has little stylistic quirks and habits that scream out aloud that this wasn’t written by a human.
Today, I want to break those secrets, and believe me, it’s funny. Moreover, it might actually help you if you’re trying to write better. I know some people use it differently; somehow, they exploit it even without noticing. But on a serious note, I believe you should use it to write more natural content. It is a really very helpful tool.
Let's find out the secret to recognize ChatGPT Content
1. The Overly Polite and Balanced Tone
ChatGPT is like that friend who never wants to take sides. It’s diplomatic to a fault. If you ask it about something controversial, it will immediately serve you a perfectly balanced platter of “on the one hand... but on the other hand...”
When I see an article or essay that feels like it’s walking on eggshells, carefully phrasing everything so no one gets upset, I raise my eyebrow. Humans don’t write like that. We’re messy and we have biases, quirks, and strong opinions. Even if we try to be objective, you’ll hear some edge in our words.
AI loves to smooth everything and use exaggerated sentences, Moreover, the second, I feel like I’m reading Switzerland’s national blog post? I know ChatGPT wrote it.
2. Perfectly Structured Paragraphs
You know how in school, a teacher could tell a student had learned the formula but not much else? That's what ChatGPT is.
Its paragraphs typically seem perfect, with a clear introductory line, an expansion, a supporting point, and a clean little ending. In the end, as you finish reading, you realize you didn't really learn anything new. It's all on the surface level only. It's like eating cotton candy: it's fluffy, colourful, and enjoyable for a second, but then it melts into nothing.
That's a red flag for me when I encounter writing that has a rhythm so mechanical that it almost sounds like a metronome. People break trends. However, we talk a lot and we go to describe the stories. Sometimes we forget to end things correctly. That flaw is what gives literature a life. It’s the charm of a human written context.
3. The Overuse of Transitional Phrases
If I had a dollar for every “in addition,” “one step at a time,” or “on the other hand” I’ve seen in AI-written text, I’d have enough to buy OpenAI myself.
Don't get me wrong. Transitions and conjunctions are important. Even I love to use it to connect the sentences but ChatGPT really write them in robotic manner. It seems like every single paragraph is carefully glued to the next with textbook connectors. Have you ever noticed real people’s writing? We don’t talk like that. We just... move on naturally, we keep writing in our own manner and every person who write have a unique style. I’ve studied human writing closely.
I laugh when I find an article where every part is too much obvious that it’s written through AI tool. The most funny part is that whoever person posted it didn’t even took little bit of time to edit it. It's like ChatGPT has a list of things to do: “Ah, yes, time for a smooth bridge sentence before we go on.” People are more direct in writing their personal thoughts. Like me, I used Chatgpt for research and all but I’m definitely writing this by myself. Every other person who is writing by themselves doesn't always tell you when we're about to change the subject; we just do it.
4. The “Fake Depth” Problem
This one might be my biggest complaint about AI content. ChatGPT is a master at sounding deep while saying nothing important at all. I’ve noticed this many many times that it exaggerate the sentences and write content that just describe simple thing. You can definitely write those long exaggerated sentences into one simple sentence to convey the message. It stacks clichés on top of each other until it looks something actually written, like a Hallmark card on steroids.
Just consider this sentence as an example, “In today’s fast-paced world, adaptability isn’t just a skill—it’s a necessity.”
Sounds good, right? Maybe it might also sound professional to you, but does it really convey any message? Not really, I don’t think so! I can simply write this same information in a short sentence and in simple words to convey the message directly. Because I won’t let me twist and turn the words to explain it. It’s the kind of sentence that feels polished, but it’s null.
Similarly, when humans write in depth, we usually stumble a little. We bring in a personal story, or we admit our confusion, or we contradict ourselves. That’s what makes real depth resonate; it feels raw. Whenever I read something that feels like it belongs on a motivational poster at a corporate office, I instantly think: yep, ChatGPT.
5. Lack of Humor unless you give it a better prompt
AI doesn’t really “get” humor. Oh, it can try to add humour; however, it will toss in a dad joke or a pun if you ask. But the natural, off-the-cuff humor that spills out when humans write, right? Definitely because that’s hard to fake.
When you’re reading someone’s blog post and suddenly they throw in a weird metaphor about raccoons in the trash, or they admit they’re writing while eating cold pizza, that’s humanity. ChatGPT won’t do that on its own. It’ll stick to safe, neutral, PG-level “humor.”
So, when I see writing that’s competent but dry as a saltine cracker, I assume AI was behind it. Because even the most boring human usually lets their personality leak through in a weird joke or snarky aside.
6. The Ending “Wrap-Up Recap”
Here’s what I’ve notice when humans writes is usually, they end writing in one of three ways: abruptly (like we just got bored), thoughtfully (sharing a personal reflection), or unpredictably (some random twist).
However, I’ve also noticed that ChatGPT loves a recap, every single time. For example, “In conclusion, while there are many factors to consider, it’s important to remember that balance, awareness, and adaptability are the keys to success.”
Boom! It does it like a high school essay. When I read that kind of ending in any article or blog, I don’t even need to check or confirm it; I just know that it’s AI.
7. No Real Vulnerability
Humans always overshare stuff about their experience, about other people experience or maybe they made it from their thoughts. We talk about our insecurities, our awkward mistakes, our weird little fears. That’s what makes blogs and personal writing so compelling.
AI, however, doesn’t have those. It can fake vulnerability (“many people struggle with self-doubt”), but it can’t feel it. It never sounds like it’s confessing something. It sounds like it’s reporting something.
When writing lacks such cracks, then those moments where the author says “ugh, this might just be me, but…” Then, I know the author isn’t human or if they are, they outsourced too much of their voice from AI.
8. Repetitive Word Choice
This one is a dead giveaway. AI loves certain words: “crucial,” “significant,” “remarkable,” “essential,” and “impactful.” If you see those sprinkled everywhere, you’re probably looking at ChatGPT’s work.
Humans are more random; therefore, we use slang, and we contradict ourselves. Additionally, we describe things in messy and inconsistent ways. AI has a little comfort zone of adjectives it leans on like a crutch.
When I read a piece that feels like it was written with a thesaurus but only the “formal” section was unlocked, I smile and think: “Hello again, ChatGPT.”
9. The Missing “I”
This one’s subtle, but a powerful one that I’ve noticed so far. Most AI-generated pieces avoid the first-person perspective unless you explicitly ask for it. It defaults to writing in this general and impersonal style that’s detached from living experience.
However, humans can’t resist putting ourselves in the story. “I remember when...” “One time I...” “I’ll be honest with you...” Even when we’re writing “professional” stuff, our voice slips in.
If a piece of writing has no “I,” no fingerprints of a human being behind it. Then I don’t just suspect AI, I’m almost certain about it.
10. The Overall “Too Clean” Vibe
At the end of the day, the biggest tell is this: ChatGPT’s writing is too clean. No typos. No messy tangents. No random capitalizations or run-on sentences. It’s like reading something that went through three rounds of corporate editing before it saw the light of day.
But humans are messy creatures, and we often forget to put commas. Moreover, we do mistakes in grammar and it’s possible if you are solely writin on your own. Then, we might mistakenly make mistakes in content writing. We also throw in an extra “really” when we’re passionate. We break grammar rules because it feels right. Our content has our specific fingerprints. And most commonly is that each person have specific writing style. However, AI wears gloves.
Should You Avoid Using ChatGPT to write content?
Not at all, like I said at the start, I use it, too. It’s a tool, and definitely a useful one, but the trick is to add yourself back into the mix. Use it to get started, to brainstorm, to help you with structure, but don’t let it erase your voice.
Because here’s the truth: people don’t just want polished sentences. They want you. They want the messy, funny, and contradictory person behind the words.
So, if you’re worried about me spotting ChatGPT in your writing, don’t just edit for grammar. Edit for reality, to share your real voice and real experience. Add your stories, your quirks, your humor, and your little imperfections. That’s what makes writing worth reading. Moreover, your audience will be able to trust your shared information.
And hey, if I ever read something of yours and can’t tell whether it was you or AI? That means you’ve nailed it.
Happy reading! Keep supporting me. :)
