Published 2026-04-04

How to spot AI writing in the wild

Look for signal clusters, not one magic clue. A single phrase proves nothing; multiple converging patterns can justify deeper review.

High-value clues

  • Repetitive discourse markers that sound interchangeable.
  • Uniform sentence pacing across multiple paragraphs.
  • Abstract claims with low concrete detail density.
  • Overly safe tone with reduced stance and specificity.

What not to do

Do not treat one detector score as final proof. Do not infer intent from style alone. Do not skip human review.

Cross-check your interpretation

Use How It Works for scoring context and Limitations for false-positive risk. Evidence page: False Positive Hall of Fame.

Run the pattern check