How to Make Your AI Content Sound More Human

Star Trek: The Next Generation fans are often endeared with Data, who was always programmed to say “I can not” rather than I can’t.” He was unable to use contractions, making him sound like the AI robot that he was. This is the world we are living in today.

AI tends to sound the same and it’s pretty easy too spot. AI often gravitates toward certain words like “innovative” and “exceptional,” which can make it sound a bit like a broken record. I get multiple requests every week from people want to “guest-post” on my blog. When the article starts out with, “In today’s digital landscape,” I immediately reject it.

Why? If you have ever read something that feels like it was written by a robot, you are probably right. My colleague Neil Patel did a study that found that 94.12% of the time human written content outranked AI-created content and that human-generated content received 5.44X more engagement than its AI counterpart. As AI-generated content becomes more common, it’s no surprise that many pieces lack that special human touch. We crave that personal connection, those quirks and stories that make writing come alive. If you want your AI-produced content to feel more human, here are some practical tips to help you out, even if you use AI as a tool to help you write.

1. Understand Common AI Language Patterns

AI-generated texts often exhibit specific language patterns that can make them identifiable and less engaging. Recognizing and modifying these patterns is the first step toward humanizing your content.

• Overused Words and Phrases: AI tools tend to overuse certain words, leading to repetitive and monotonous content. For instance, terms like “innovative,” “exceptional,” and “proven” are frequently employed. Over-reliance on such vocabulary can make the text feel mechanical. I found it funny when researching this article that copysmith.ai had an article about making AI copy sound more human and it began the article, “The digital landscape is constantly evolving.” This phrase is a sure sign that the copy was AI-generated.
• Formal Tone and Complex Sentences: AI-generated content often adopts an overly formal tone and complex sentence structures, which can hinder readability and fail to connect with readers on a personal level.
• Words to Avoid: avoid using these words when possible, as these are all a sign that the content was AI-generated. Whenever I see the word moreover, I really wonder how AI’s were ever trained to use that word in the first place.

Nouns:

annals efficiency endeavor innovation inquiry institution integration implementation key landscape nuance optimization paradigm professionalism realm tapestry transformation

Verbs:

adhere augment captivate convey cultivate delve dive into embark embrace emerge employ ensure enhance evolve facilitate foster highlight leverage maximize revolutionize resonate streamline supercharge underscore unleash

Adverbs:

absolutely accordingly additionally arguably certainly consequently definitely especially exceedingly exceptionally extremely furthermore hence however incredibly indeed moreover nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding remarkably thus ultimately undoubtedly unquestionably

Adjectives:?

adept comprehensive cutting-edge data-driven diverse dynamic effective efficient ever-evolving exemplary fast-paced game-changing indelible meticulous multifaceted paramount pivotal proven remarkable seamless synergistic thought-provoking transformative unparalleled unique

2. Employ Conversational Language

Adopting a conversational tone makes your content more relatable and engaging. This approach mirrors natural human communication, fostering a connection between the writer and the reader.

• Use Contractions: Incorporate contractions like “don’t,” “can’t,” and “it’s” to create a friendly and informal tone. You aren’t Data. This simple adjustment can significantly alter the perception of your content.
• Include Colloquialisms and Slang: Appropriate use of colloquial expressions can add character to your writing, making it sound less robotic. However, ensure that such language aligns with your audience and subject matter.

3. Vary Sentence Structure and Length

Monotonous sentence structures can make content dull and uninviting. Humans naturally use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences, which adds rhythm and flow to writing.

• Mix It Up: Alternate between short and long sentences to create a dynamic reading experience. This variation mimics natural speech patterns, enhancing readability.
• Break Up Long Sentences: Overly lengthy sentences can be taxing to read. Splitting them into shorter segments can improve clarity and engagement.

4. Incorporate Personal Anecdotes and Examples

Sharing personal stories or relatable examples adds authenticity to your content, making it more engaging and trustworthy.

• Add Personal Touches: Including personal experiences or hypothetical scenarios can illustrate points effectively, fostering a connection with readers.
• Use Analogies and Metaphors: These literary devices can simplify complex ideas, making your content more accessible and relatable.

5. Edit Rigorously for Clarity and Coherence

AI-generated content may lack the coherence and clarity that human editing provides. Thorough editing is crucial to refine the text and ensure it aligns with your intended message.

• Eliminate Redundancies: Remove repetitive phrases and unnecessary jargon that do not add value to the content.
• Ensure Logical Flow: Reorganize sentences and paragraphs to maintain a logical progression of ideas, enhancing the overall readability.

6. Customize AI Prompts for Specific Outputs

The quality of AI-generated content heavily depends on the prompts provided. Crafting detailed and specific prompts can guide the AI to produce more human-like text.

• Define the Audience and Tone: Clearly specify the target audience and desired tone in your prompts to tailor the content appropriately.
• Provide Contextual Information: Offering background information helps the AI generate content that is relevant and coherent.

7. Utilize AI Humanizer Tools

Several tools are designed to refine AI-generated text, making it sound more natural and human-like. These tools can be instrumental in enhancing the quality of your content. I offer such a tool to my mastermind and fractional AI Officer clients. Here is a short demo:

8. Maintain Consistency with Brand Voice

Ensuring that AI-generated content aligns with your brand’s voice is essential for authenticity and credibility.

• Develop a Style Guide: Create a comprehensive style guide that outlines the tone, language, and style preferences for your brand.
• Review and Revise: Regularly assess AI-generated content to ensure it adheres to your brand’s voice, making adjustments as necessary.

9. Incorporate Current and Relevant Information

Humans naturally reference recent events, trends, or developments in conversations, which gives the dialogue a sense of timeliness and relevance. To make your AI-generated content sound more human, ensure it reflects up-to-date information.

• Include Recent Developments: Incorporate the latest insights, news, or advancements related to your topic to add authenticity and relevance.
• Use Specific Examples: Providing concrete examples or case studies can make your content more relatable and engaging.

10. Solicit Feedback and Iterate

Continuous improvement is key to mastering the art of humanizing AI-generated content. Seeking feedback and making necessary adjustments can significantly enhance the quality of your writing.

• Peer Reviews: Have colleagues or peers review your content to provide constructive feedback on its human-like qualities. Consider asking them questions like:
• Does the content feel engaging and authentic?
• Are there sections that sound robotic or unnatural?
• Is the tone consistent and appropriate for the target audience?
• Audience Feedback: Utilize surveys, comments, or analytics to understand how readers perceive your content. Pay attention to engagement metrics like time on page, bounce rates, and click-through rates to identify areas for improvement.

11. Embrace Emotion and Empathy Humans naturally express emotions in their writing, and empathetic content can resonate deeply with readers. To humanize your AI-generated text:

• Use Emotional Language: Instead of stating facts plainly, add emotion to your descriptions. For instance, instead of saying, “The product is efficient,” you might say, “This product saves you precious time, letting you focus on what truly matters.”
• Anticipate Reader Concerns: Address questions or worries readers might have, showing that you understand their needs. For example, if writing about a new app, acknowledge potential concerns about usability and then reassure them with a solution.

12. Avoid Over-Optimization for SEO AI tools often create content heavily focused on stuffing keywords, which can degrade the quality and natural flow of the text.

• Prioritize Quality Over Keywords: While SEO is essential, ensure the content reads naturally. Keywords should blend seamlessly into the writing without appearing forced.
• Optimize Subtly: Use synonyms, related terms, and latent semantic indexing (LSI) keywords to maintain naturalness while improving SEO performance.

13. Add Visual and Multimedia Elements Humans process visual information much faster than text. Including multimedia can make your content feel more interactive and engaging.

• Infographics and Charts: Use visuals to simplify complex information, making it more digestible and appealing.
• Embedded Media: Include videos, audio clips, or interactive content to create a richer experience for readers.
• Images with Captions: Use descriptive captions that add value, rather than repeating what’s in the image.

14. Incorporate a Clear and Engaging Introduction and Conclusion Humans often focus on storytelling and impactful beginnings and endings in their writing. AI, on the other hand, may lack finesse in these areas.

• Craft a Hook: Start with an intriguing question, surprising fact, or compelling anecdote to grab the reader’s attention immediately.
• Wrap It Up: Summarize key takeaways and provide actionable advice in the conclusion. Ensure readers leave feeling informed and satisfied.

15. Avoid Generic Content AI can sometimes produce bland or overly generic output. Adding specificity is a simple way to counteract this issue.

• Add Unique Insights: Share niche information, lesser-known facts, or personal perspectives that AI alone might not provide.
• Use Diverse Sources: Reference varied and credible sources to enrich your content, showing depth and thorough research.

16. Integrate Feedback Loops into Your Workflow Continuously refining your AI-generated content requires a robust feedback loop.

• Iterative Editing: Treat the AI’s output as a draft, refining and polishing it into a final product that feels truly human.
• Track Improvements: Keep track of the changes you make to AI-generated drafts to identify common weaknesses and adjust your future prompts.

17. Make Use of Active Voice AI tends to rely on passive constructions, which can make sentences feel weaker or less engaging.

• Rephrase to Active Voice: For example, change “The task was completed by the team” to “The team completed the task.” This adds energy and clarity to your writing.

18. Use Humor and Wit (Where Appropriate) Injecting humor can make your content feel more relatable and engaging, but it must be used sparingly and appropriately.

• Keep it Relevant: Humor should align with the subject matter and audience.
• Avoid Overdoing It: A few lighthearted touches can add charm, but too much humor might detract from the message.

19. Test AI Models to Find the Best Fit Not all AI writing tools are created equal. Experiment with different models to find the one that aligns best with your goals.

• Compare Outputs: Test various tools for tone, creativity, and language patterns. Some AI models are better suited for certain tasks than others.
• Custom Fine-Tuning: Consider training an AI model on your specific brand voice or industry language for more tailored results.

20. Stay Informed About AI Writing Trends AI technology evolves rapidly, and staying updated on trends can help you adapt and enhance your humanization techniques.

• Follow AI Communities: Engage with online forums, webinars, and resources to learn the latest tips and tools.
• Experiment with Emerging Features: New features, such as AI models fine-tuned for specific industries, can offer more human-like results.

Striking the Balance

Humanizing AI-generated content is not about hiding its origins but about improving its quality, readability, and relatability. By incorporating conversational language, varied sentence structures, emotional depth, and rigorous editing, you can create compelling content that feels authentic and engaging.

With these strategies, you not only make your content enjoyable for your readers but also build trust and credibility, ensuring that your work stands out in an increasingly AI-driven world. Remember, technology is a tool—it’s the human touch that brings it to life.