10 visual markers that indicate AI-generated text

In a world where AI content is becoming more and more common, such visual (formal) markers can help to recognize generated text without analyzing the content. Below is a list of the most typical visual features that may indicate AI generation.

Visual markers of generated text

1. Use of long dashes (–) instead of hyphens (-)

AI models are often trained on well formatted sources that use a typographical dash rather than a regular hyphen. Real texts often have hyphens because no one cares about typography.

• AI style: A professional team is the key to the success of any project.
• Human style: A professional team is the key to the success of any project.

2. Empty lines between items in a list (especially a bulleted list)

Generators strive for visual readability. They play it safe and add extra spacing – even where it is not stylistically necessary. AI inserts blank lines for readability, but this is a marker of non-commercial content.

AI style:

• Professional team
   
• Modern equipment
   
• Guaranteed results

Human style:

• Professional team
• Modern equipment
• Guaranteed result

3. Excessive punctuation: full stops after each item in the list

AI often forms lists as complete sentences, even if the items are just phrases or headings. Humans only put periods if the item is a complete sentence.

AI style:

• Professional team.
• High-quality equipment.
• Guaranteed results.

Human style:

• Professional team.
• High-quality equipment
• Guaranteed result

4. Formalized or «template» structures

AI models often structure their responses according to a template, even if the request does not require it. This reflects their training on technical specifications, marketing templates, etc. AI thinks in blocks. Humans think in a stream.

For example:

• Subject
• Objective
• Target audience
• Benefits
• Bottom line.

AI style:
Theme: Business planning
Objective: To help entrepreneurs plan
Audience: Startups and small businesses
Benefits: Structure, risk management, flexibility

Human style: How to start a business? Planning is the key to survival. Let’s figure out how and why to do it.

5. Abuse of quotation marks or hyphens in nouns («smart growth strategy», «SEO approach»)

AI tends to intelligentize text by adding extra quotation marks or separators to make it look smarter or more journalistic. AI often «encloses» words in quotation marks when it wants to emphasize something but doesn’t know whether it’s a term or a figure of speech.

• AI style: We offer an «innovative solution» for your business.
• Human style: We offer a new solution for your business.

6. Obsession with second-level headings (H2), subheadings, bullet points, and labels

The model strives for structure and often restructures even simple sentences. Humans rarely make tabular order where you can just say, AI does the opposite.

AI style:

1. Research

2. Planning

3. Implementation

4. Analysis of results

Human style: The process is simple: research first, then planning, implementation and analysis.

7. No formatting required (bold text, italics, lists where a simple sentence is enough)

AI has a pattern of «making everything beautiful», so it often uses formatting as a decoration, even if it is stylistically superfluous. AI «loves» visual embellishments: bold, italics, underlining – all at once.

AI style:
Advantages:

• Speed
• Quality
• Flexibility

Human style:  Advantages – speed, quality, flexibility.

8. The presence of «exaggeratedly correct» paragraph division

Each thought in a separate paragraph, as if according to the rules of book style. AI wants to look structured even when it is not. AI often «gives out» information in short sentences, which makes it easier to digest, but it’s not natural.

• AI style: We have developed a new system. It allows reducing costs by 30%. The technology already works in 12 countries. We plan to scale it up.
• Human style: We have developed a new system that can reduce costs by 30%. It already works in 12 countries, and we plan to scale it up.

9. Widespread use of neutral/universal vocabulary without stylistic markers

The model does not want to offend, make mistakes, or impose a style, so it writes sterilely. AI does not take risks, it writes academically because it is afraid to say something controversial.

• AI style: Our product optimizes processes and increases efficiency.
• Human style: This thing really saves a lot of time and nerves.

10. Frequent use of template introductory phrases:

These are patterns that AI uses to make logical transitions to look smart. Human simplifies. AI chews it up as politely as possible.

«On the other hand…», «Summarizing the above…», «It is equally important to note…», «It is not just…»

• AI style: It is equally important to note that the choice of hosting affects the speed of the site.
• Human style: Hosting also plays a role – if it is slow, the site will slow down.

What else should you pay attention to?

• If the text is too correct, without abbreviations, without emotions, but with a lot of meaning, this is also a signal
• If all the lists are the same length, the structure is template-based – it is most likely AI
• If the level of vocabulary is consistently academic, without any slumps in style – another sign
• Try to take a paragraph and manually rewrite it in a human way, intuitively. If the text breaks down, it is generated. If it sounds natural, but a bit chaotic, it was probably written by a human.

Let’s try to identify these markers

Below are 5 fragments of text. Try to explain with the help of visual markers which text is written by a person and which is generated.

Text 1

Successful business is not only about profits, but also about trust. When a customer comes back for a second time, it’s not an accident, it’s a strategy. We believe that reputation is built not by words, but by actions, and that is why each of our offers is not just another template, but a balanced decision.

Text 2

SEO optimization is a set of measures aimed at improving the visibility of a website in search engines. It includes technical audit, work with content, external optimization, and analysis of the competitive environment. The goal of SEO is to increase organic traffic and increase conversions.

Text 3

Let’s be honest: no marketing strategy is worth anything if the team is in chaos. You can have the best ad in the history of mankind, but if the person responsible for requests is always at lunch, you won’t make any money. First, you have to put things in order. Then – lead generation.

Text 4

Our team utilizes cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to deliver outstanding digital experiences. Through continuous optimization and user-centric design, we ensure our platforms not only meet but exceed client expectations in a competitive digital landscape.

Text 5

So you’re sitting there, looking at your dashboard, and instead of growth, there’s a cliff. It’s as if someone cut the cable to Google Analytics. Traffic is flying down, customers are silent, the team is panicking. And the reason is trivial – someone rolled back the release, didn’t inform SEO, and now the site has no metadata. Classic.

The correct answers:

• Text 1 – AI
• Text 2 – AI
• Text 3 – Human
• Text 4 – AI
• Text 5 – Human

Now let’s analyze the markers in these text fragments in detail

Text 1: «Successful business is not only about profits…»

Why is it AI?

• Too correct wording
• Phrases like «not just another template, but a balanced decision» are textbook AI journalism
• Smooth style, without torn intonations
• Typographic dashes

Text 2: «SEO optimization is a set of measures…»

Signs of generation:

• Template definition as if from a textbook
• Complete lack of emotions
• Structure: definition – listing – conclusion: a very typical AI template
• Typographical dashes

Text 3: «Let’s be honest: no strategy is worth…»

Why is the author alive?

• «Always at lunch» is everyday sarcasm that AI does not generate easily
• There is a real emotion, frustration
• The phrase construction and focus on the problem are very human

Text 4: «Our team utilizes cutting-edge technologies…»

Signs of generation:

• Universal business slang
• Phrases such as «user-centric design» and «exceed client expectations» are from the AI lexicon
• No specifics, no sharpness

Text 5: «So you’re sitting there, looking at the dashboard…»

Why it is human:

• Humor, dramatization, choppy pacing
• «As if someone cut the cable» – a metaphor with experience
• Accusations, direct speech, specifics («rolled back the release, did not inform SEO») – a typical office narrative

Oleksandr Shmidko

SEO Specialist

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