Seven Ways People Know That You Are Writing With ChatGPT

We know you wrote that post with ChatGPT.

Dear friend.

I regret to inform you that you are being shared this link because you have a problem.

You use ChatGPT for your LinkedIn posts. Or your blogs And we can tell.

First of all, it’s cool. We do too. But we KNOW you do.

How? Because you’re leaving these tells in your LinkedIn posts, Slack messages, marriage proposals, and notes to teachers explaining that your homework ate your dog. Whoever sent you this link wants to help.

What Gives Away That You Wrote It With ChatGPT

So here are seven ways to sound less like you’re spending all day copy/pasting:

1. Those Damn Emojis . Never in the history of humankind have so many emojis been banged out by so many people who literally think that 💇 is a picture of a person with scissors in their head. I don’t know why ChatGPT was trained on a 12-year-old girl’s Snapchat account, but that’s not how LinkedIn posts go. Emojis should add flavor, not clutter.

2. Titles Overkill . LinkedIn posts are not the Chicago Bulls in the ‘90s. They don’t need so many titles. You’re not submitting a college thesis or writing the Great American LinkedIn post. It’s a quick note about how you just threw the words “AI” onto the end of a commoditized feature that everyone else has. Or a Slack message that your team shipped a few more blog posts. Your lightning emojis aren’t welcome here. One clear, engaging title will do.

3. Bullets in Bold . Do you remember the last time you wrote bullet points with a two-word title…and bolded those titles? Neither do I. ChatGPT loves it, but it’s a dead giveaway. Keep your bullets simple and to the point. Bold headings are for major sections, not every bullet point.

4. SAT Test Style. . If you write like an SAT test, people will want to read what you write about as much as they want to read an SAT test. In other words, your AI-powered symphony of words sucks, dude. Talk like a human if you want humans to read you. Simple language is key. Avoid the thesaurus temptation. Big words don’t equal big impact.

5. #The #Hashtags . Oh, the hashtags. Stop. Just. Stop. hashtag#Please. Your message is not a trending topic; it’s a conversation. Use one or two relevant hashtags if you must, but don’t turn your post into a hashtag soup.

6. Personal Anecdotes Missing . Remember that time that I forgot my entire life experience and posted without any personal anecdotes or examples? Kinda reminds me of the time THAT I WAS A COMPUTER! Ms. Fasano called me the smallest kid in the first grade with the biggest mouth (she was right). Ms. Fasano isn’t anywhere near ChatGPT’s posts, though. I think. Share a story, a real one, even if it’s short. It makes you relatable and human.

7. Overly Enthusiastic Enthusiasm . Over-thought thoughtfulness. Posts about innovation that repeat “cutting-edge,” “modern,” and “innovative” like a twisted Silicon Valley drinking game circa 2011. Posts with one idea. Want to impress me? Walk the wire. Have more dimensions than Prince of Persia. ChatGPT will be able to do that over the next year or so. For now, flaunt it. Show some nuance and depth in your enthusiasm. Be excited, but also be real.

Stop it.

Here’s the deal: AI is a powerful tool. Use it. Embrace it. But make sure it works for you instead of watering you down into a much, much lamer version of yourself.

We’re here for you, not for ChatGPT. Authenticity matters. And just so you know, I still have enough integrity (today) that ChatGPT didn’t write this post. That would be too synergistic. Keep it real, keep it you.

By the way, it is possible to write with your own style with ChatGPT (just check out this tutorial on building your own personal ChatGPT). Just make sure you follow these rules for creating great content and that you don’t fill the internet with lies.