Best AI Content Detectors and 5 Ways to Avoid Failing an AI Detector

Best AI Content Detectors and 5 Ways to Avoid Failing an AI Detector

The rise of AI content creation has introduced both opportunities and challenges for writers, marketers, and businesses. On the one hand, AI tools promise efficiency. Conversely, they blur the line between human creativity and machine-generated text. This is where AI content detectors come into play. These tools help identify AI-written content so you can ensure originality in everything you publish.

However, it’s important to note that these tools aren’t foolproof. Even human-written content can sometimes fail detection if it lacks quality. In this article, we’ll explore the best AI content detectors, how they work, and practical steps to ensure your content stands out while passing detection tests.

How an AI Content Detector Works

An AI content detector uses advanced algorithms to analyze text patterns and sentence structure to determine whether the content is AI-generated or written by a human.

They will flag various issues, including:

  • Repetitive Language: AI often overuses specific phrases or structures.
  • Overused Clichés: A clear sign of lower-quality or AI-generated writing.
  • Unnatural Tone: AI-written text sometimes lacks the rhythm and flow of human writing. 

These tools aren’t perfect, though. Poorly written human content can mistakenly be flagged as AI-generated, especially when stuffed with keywords or riddled with generic phrasing. This highlights the need for higher writing standards so your content can stand out above the rest.

The Best AI Content Detectors for You to Try

Screenshot of the Grammarly AI detection tool.

Grammarly AI detection tool

Ready to give these tools a try? Here are some of the best AI content detectors.

1. Grammarly’s AI Writing Tool 

Grammarly is a popular tool among writers as it’s a must for improving grammar and style, but did you know there’s an AI detector, too? Grammarly will scan your text for AI in real time and tell you the percentage of your content it thinks is AI-written. By breaking your text into smaller sections, it’ll highlight content typically written by tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and more. However, a paid Grammarly subscription is required to see which areas are likely AI.

2. Copyleaks

Copyleaks is an award-winning AI detector that has been studying human writing for nearly 10 years. With almost a decade of experience collecting and analyzing data, it’s a great one to check out. It features an easy-to-use interface and can provide detailed reports that explain why specific text has been identified as AI. This feature makes it easy to rewrite content, but you need to subscribe to use it.

3. Originality.ai 

For a tool that does it all, Originality.ai is sure to be your friend. Not only is it an AI content detector, but it also serves as a plagiarism and fact checker. It’s said to have a high accuracy rate and can support multiple languages if you’re not creating content in English. It does require a subscription, so you’ll need to be prepared to sign up if you want to take advantage of its features.

4. ZeroGPT

ZeroGPT was designed to detect AI-written content, specifically from platforms like ChatGPT. Copy and paste or upload a document to get your results. ZeroGPT will scan up to 15,000 characters for free. Should any of your content come back as an AI red flag, it’ll highlight problematic sentences so you can efficiently rewrite them. Should you want to use its premium features, a subscription is required.

 Screenshot of QuillBot AI detection tool.

QuillBot AI detection tool.

5. QuillBot

Once your text is uploaded, QuillBot will share the percentage of your content that’s AI-generated, AI-generated and AI-refined, human-written and AI-refined, and human-written. Any text that could be AI is highlighted to make it easy to see where you can improve. QuillBot also includes paraphrasing and grammar tools to quickly refine content before publishing.

Non-Software Methods for Identifying AI Content

As mentioned, these tools aren’t 100% reliable. Luckily, there are manual ways to spot potentially AI-generated text. Here’s what to look for when editing your content:

  • Inconsistent Tone: Does the writing shift back and forth between being overly professional and casual? This change in tone can indicate AI wrote the text.
  • Unusual Phrasing: Sometimes, AI creates odd sentence structures that can leave your content choppy.
  • Generic Examples: If examples lack specifics, it could be a tell-tale sign of AI.
  • Repetitive Patterns: AI can often repeat sentence structure, words, or ideas. 

These methods, paired with an AI content detector tool, will deliver the best results so that Google and its readers don’t perceive your content as AI-generated.

Why Human-Written Content Can Fail AI Detectors

Ironically, human writers can fall into patterns that make their work appear AI-generated even when it’s not. And when you’ve spent hours bringing your content to life, there’s nothing more frustrating. This happens because you’ve likely fallen victim to some of the most common writing culprits.

The first mistake is keyword stuffing. If you’re overloading text with targeted terms, you risk disrupting the natural flow of your work. It becomes choppy and disjointed because it’s written more for a search engine than your human reader.

Using generic phrasing, such as vague or repetitive language, mirrors AI tendencies and can put your content at risk of being flagged. Even content that lacks depth can read like a hastily generated response from an AI tool.

The takeaway? Good writing isn’t just about avoiding AI detection. It’s about meeting higher standards of originality and engagement to rank well in search results and appeal to your readers.

5 Best Practices for Avoiding AI Detection Issues

Are you worried about your human-written content failing an AI-written content detector? You aren’t alone. Here are some best practices you can implement to avoid any issues moving forward.

1. Write for Humans First

The internet is saturated, and the pressure to stand out online is greater than ever. Everyone wants their content to land at the top of Google’s search results. Unfortunately, many are taking the wrong route to get there.

Writing solely for Google or relying entirely on AI-generated content isn’t going to deliver the results you want. Instead, the best thing you can do is write with your human reader in mind. Focus on storytelling and cultivating a genuine connection that will keep people returning. Google is much more inclined to rank high-quality, valuable content over something that’s just been thrown together.

2. Avoid Overusing Keywords

Even though we’ve come a long way since the days of keyword stuffing, some writers still fall victim to this scary tactic. Because AI-generated content often overuses specific phrases, it can make it seem like you didn’t write your content if you’re overusing keywords.

While you want to incorporate focus and secondary keywords in your content so Google can rank it properly, do so wisely. Keywords should always be worked in naturally. It won’t flow if forced or overdone and could read like AI. If you feel like you’ve overdone it, you’re probably right. Swap out a few overused keywords or phrases for something synonymous.

3. Use Unique Examples

Incorporating real-world examples into your content is a great way to enhance understanding and make your work more relatable to its readers. If you want to avoid flagging your content by an AI content detector tool, you can make those examples more specific to your niche. This is because AI often struggles to produce hyper-specific details. So, get those creative juices flowing and develop a clear, detailed example that AI would have difficulty dreaming up.

4. Polish Your Content

Even the best writers need some help preparing their content for publication. This is where tools like Grammarly and Hemingway come in handy. Each of these tools provides suggestions for refining your writing without compromising authenticity. Take their suggestions into consideration and tweak your content accordingly. It also helps to pay attention to tips to strengthen your writing.

Watch for anything that might be detected as AI as you go through the editing phase — for instance, overusing the same words or phrases, choppy writing, or an unnatural tone. Even though you may be eager to hit publish on your next piece, you don’t want to skimp on editing.

5. Test Before Publishing

Once your content is complete, run it through an AI content detector tool to see how it stacks up. This will give you peace of mind so you can publish your work confidently without worrying that someone will think it’s AI. Because these tools will highlight exact sentences or paragraphs that could potentially be AI, making any necessary changes should be relatively easy.

The Importance of Hiring Experienced Human Writers

While AI can be helpful, it can’t replace the creativity and strategic insight of experienced human writers. This is especially true for brands that aim to establish themselves as authorities in their field or connect with their audience on a deeper level.

Hiring low-cost or inexperienced writers can be as risky as using AI alone. These writers may churn out content that’s just as mediocre. After all, you get what you pay for. Instead, it’s better to protect your brand by investing in professional writers who can bring the following:

  • Nuanced Storytelling: Crafting messages that resonate with specific audiences.
  • Creative Originality: Avoiding patterns and clichés.
  • Brand Consistency: Aligning tone and voice across platforms. 

According to recent studies, 48% of marketers use AI to generate content drafts. Do you want your content lost in a sea of AI-written blog posts? Of course not! Instead, work with trustworthy human writers to get the job done right.

Don’t Fall Victim to Low-Quality, AI-Written Content

AI has its place but is no substitute for the human touch. Whether you’re crafting content to build your brand, climb to the top of Google, or want to connect with your audience better, investing in experienced writers is the way to go. Luckily, our team at Express Writers can help.

Visit our Content Shop today to check out our services.