Why does all AI-generated content sound the same?
Ever wanted to throw your laptop out of the window because ChatGPT or Claude are doing your head in with their overly used phrases and insistence on rocket ship emojis?
Despite your best efforts to tell them to stop, to train them to speak more naturally (more like you), every response still seems to have an AI trope hidden in it somewhere.
It’s annoying, but it’s not your fault.
Well… it might be your fault.
It might be your fault if you’re asking AI to write your content, and then just copy and pasting the first thing it spits out straight onto your website, or splashing it across your social media.
What a lot of people don’t understand is that AI learns by scanning existing content. It doesn’t create, it imitates. Every time AI-generated content is posted online, it gets added to the vast pool of information AIs pull from.
The next time you ask it to write something in ‘your tone of voice’, or as an expert in your industry, it’s likely to come across AI-generated content someone’s just copy and pasted, and it’ll assume that’s how people actually speak.
And so the cycle repeats, making it harder and harder to get AI to sound natural.
Why AI-generated content feels generic
You might have an affectionate nickname for your ChatGPT, or talk to it like it’s your friend, but your AI isn’t sitting there thinking, “How do I make this sound fresh and engaging for my bestie?”
Instead, it’s pulling from patterns, probabilities, and what already exists.
AI isn’t just learning from human-created content anymore - it’s learning from its own output. As more AI-generated copy gets published online, AI starts feeding off itself, creating a loop where the same phrases get reinforced.
Yep - it’s AI cannibalism. And the more AI feeds itself, the harder it is to get something fresh from it.
That’s why you keep seeing the same buzzwords popping up. Words that have been used so often that AI assumes they must be what people want to hear.
But there’s a big difference between content that sounds right and content that actually works.
Great content isn’t just about putting words on a page; it’s about making people feel something, and making them stand up and take action.
And that’s exactly where AI struggles.
It can predict, but it can’t think strategically. It can generate a polished-sounding and grammatically flawless sentence, but it has no idea if that sentence actually means something to your audience.
What you can do to break the cycle
If you’re using AI to assist with content creation, you don’t have to scrap it completely - it’s a super helpful tool. But to stop your brand voice from getting lost in the AI echo chamber, you need to know how to take control of your messaging.
So… here’s how:
1. Stop copying and pasting AI-generated content
AI can give you a rough draft; a starting point - but that’s all it should be.
Instead of accepting AI-generated content as-is, edit and refine it. Add your personality, inject storytelling, and remove anything that feels robotic or overused.
2. Teach AI more effectively
If you’re going to use AI, teach it properly.
Give it clear instructions, show it examples of your writing style, question its thought process, and tweak its output instead of accepting the first response it gives you.
Challenge it and don’t let it gaslight you into thinking the first output is the best.
Say it with me: The better your input, the better your output.
Instead of just saying “Write a LinkedIn post about my coaching services” try, “Write a LinkedIn post in a confident but approachable tone about how coaching helps small business owners overcome self-doubt. Make it direct, avoid fluffy language, and keep it to 150 words.”
The more specific you are, the less generic the output will be.
3. Work with a content writer to steer your messaging
Even the best AI prompts can’t replace human strategy.
A content writer doesn’t just string words together; they understand how to develop messaging that’s clear, compelling, and uniquely you. They know when to break the rules, when and how to use storytelling, and how to ensure your content actually connects with the right audience - something AI can’t replicate.
A writer makes sure your content isn’t just words, but a message with a clear purpose, that builds trust, drives engagement, and stands out.
Even if you plan to have AI do the writing, working with a human professional to develop your content marketing strategy will give you a big advantage by giving you clarity on what you need to be asking AI to produce.
A good writer doesn’t just write; they get into your head, and the minds of the people in your audience, and help you think, plan, and communicate in a way that AI simply can’t.
AI can assist, but it shouldn’t define your brand
AI-generated content isn’t going away. It’s here to stay, and we should embrace it for the time-saving tool it is. But don’t forget that it is just that - a tool (at least for now).
When used strategically, it can be helpful, but if you rely on it blindly, you risk making your brand sound like every other business using AI-generated copy. Even worse, you’re making it so that you, and every other AI user, have to work harder, and not smarter, when it comes to getting the right output to succeed.
Does that sound as counterintuitive to you as it does to me?
The important lesson is to be intentional. Use AI as a tool, not a replacement or cheap alternative to a content writer or a copywriter. Always edit, refine, and inject your own voice.
And if you want to be sure your messaging is clear, consistent, and actually resonates with your audience? That’s where working with a content writer makes all the difference.
If you want content that sounds like you - not a slightly tweaked version of everyone else - take a look at my content writing services.
