How to Humanize AI Text

As more people embrace AI tools for writing, they're starting to realize the text leaves something to be desired: that is, it doesn't sound human enough. And while most people would agree that a human should edit any AI-generated text, not everyone knows how to go about improving its quality.

Fortunately, humanizing AI text doesn't have to be stressful or hard. If you're considering using AI to write website or marketing copy, this primer can give you some tips to help it sound more realistic.

Remember: As with all AI use, it's important not to misrepresent how the content was created. While it's one thing to streamline and emulate your own voice, in certain situations it may be inappropriate to pass off AI-generated text as written by a person.

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What is AI-generated text?

AI-generated text involves using products powered by artificial intelligenceand custom prompts to generate copy. AI writers generate copy using prediction-meaning it constructs each sentence based on its analysis of common language patterns. Article headlines, taglines, blogs, and even poems are just a few of the written formats AI tools can mimic in response to user prompts or queries.

AI tools can be helpful at the brainstorming phase, especially if you have a clear idea of what you'd like to produce. But while AI can speed up the writing process, it does present a number of pitfalls when it comes to factual research and publishing content.

Consider the following downsides, which you'll want to keep in mind when humanizing the content.

• Risk of inaccuracies: AI tools are trained on vast amounts of data, which may have societal and cultural biases. If the data is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated, it could return misleading information. Some well-known tools are also known to "hallucinate," or make up references, offer inaccurate summaries, and make false claims.

• Plagiarism and copyright issues: Another concern with AI tools is that they could repurpose or lift writing without authors' permission. In some cases, AI may not visit the page it claims to summarize and hallucinate instead.

• Ethical issues and biases: AI tools have raised concerns about copyright, and many experts agree that an overreliance on AI could pose a threat to the livelihood of creatives who make their living creating content. Beyond that, research has shown that people tend to subconsciously adopt automated biases, which can harm those in marginalized groups.

• Stiff or unnatural phrasing: AI-generated content can mimic different styles of writing and tones of voice, but it still carries the risk of using awkward phrasing, overly technical language, or repetitive patterns that impact content quality.

• SEO concerns: AI tools produce an aggregate of information, however, SEO seeks to amplify helpful, engaging, and unique content. If a web page isn't helpful or presented in a way that feels current, its search rankings can suffer.

Benefits of humanizing AI text

Simply wanting your text to sound human and more like yourself is a good reason to edit it. But there are others, such as wanting to boost engagement. Here are some advantages to making your text sound a little more personal.

• Boost engagement. Good writing and a distinct tone of voice connects with people and makes them want to engage. If you're trying to convince people to interact with you or your brand, your writing needs to stand out, and it needs to sound human.

• Build loyalty. Millennials and Gen Z value brands that feel authentic. It helps build trust and loyalty, which can lead to repeat purchases, recommendations, and useful feedback. Humanizing your text shows people that you genuinely care how they feel and that there's a real person behind your brand they can trust.

• Improve SEO. Engaging content gives people a reason to stick around, and often convert. Authentic content with experience and expertise also boosts search engine rankings, which are meaningful when it comes to social shares, getting discovered, and lower bounce rates.

A human reader can also catch quality issues that an AI tool might not. For example, an SEO expert could identify linking and keyword opportunities. Someone with an editorial eye could improve readability and flow or awkward phrasing and structural suggestions. Some AI tools offer editing or humanizing functionality, but it's still worth reviewing the AI text personally, as you know your tone and audience best.

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Start humanizing AI text in 4 steps

Now that you know the value of humanizing AI text, it's time to give it a try. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you get started.

1. Tell a story

Nothing captivates quite like a story. If your copy feels stiff or generic, think about the story you're trying to tell and how you hope to impact the reader. Are you trying to get their attention? Pitch the value of your experience? Get them excited about a product?

Then, try sprinkling in words or details that genuinely evoke those emotions. If you still feel unsure, consider how you'd voice the things you want to highlight and use that to inspire you.

2. Tailor the content to your audience

Content feels bland if it sounds like it was written for everyone. To stand out, try finding ways to show your audience that you get where they're coming from and who they are. Research can help you get a sense of their values and lifestyle, and it helps to consider your tone and language. The more personal your content feels, the more likely it is to resonate.

Personal experiences can be helpful to mention as well. Insert your own anecdotes and examples, link to relevant data, or ground your copy in your knowledge. Doing each of these helps your content stand out and feel uniquely valuable and trustworthy compared to something generic.

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3. Edit for clarity

A great way to keep AI-generated content from sounding robotic: Focus on clarity. Looking for opportunities to avoid jargon helps, as does breaking down any terminology, acronyms, or abbreviations lay people won't know. Return to your audience research: How would you say this in a conversation with them? Can you edit the copy to sound more natural?

Here are some other things to look out for in AI copywriting.

• Use active voice. Active voice, or sentences in which the subject performs the action, sound more lively. It also keeps content from sounding ambiguous or getting tied up in prepositional phrases. Watch for "by" phrases, which can indicate passive voice.

• Keep it simple. Precise vocabulary and correct terminology are powerful tools; so is not being wordy. Long sentences stuffed with obscure or academic-sounding words won't impress anyone and may confuse readers.

• Check for readability. Check if your copy sounds ambiguous. Ask yourself: "Does this make sense?" "Does this help get across the point that I'm trying to make?" If not, then it's back to the drawing board.

• Avoid repetition. Repetitive phrases can drag a text down. Consider reviewing your text and trying to eliminate anything that's already been said.

4. Check for commonly used words and phrases

Last summer, Ars Technica reportedthat a study found a number of words surged in popularity when language-learning models, or LLMs, were introduced in late 2022. Naturally, words go in and out of style. However, it's helpful to keep certain "style words" in mind if you don't want your text to sound stuffy.

Here are some common words to watch out for.

• Delve

• Showcasing

• Underscores

• Potential

• Findings

• Crucial

If you can simplify less conversational words like these, like trading "showcasing" for "shows" or "findings" for "results," that's ideal for your reader. That said, LLMs are trained on human-authored text. If these or other "style words" are genuine to your tone and brand, it doesn't mean you have to cut them entirely. Just be thoughtful about how you're using them and whether another phrasing might be more clearer for your target reader.

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