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Socrates Documentation

AI Tells (2026)

Current AI writing patterns the engine strips out.

AI Tells — 2026 Refresh

Drop-in reference for the stop-slop skill. Save this as references/ai-tells-2026.md inside the installed stop-slop skill, and add one line to that skill's SKILL.md (e.g. under "Core Rules"): "For current high-frequency AI vocabulary and 2026-specific tells, see references/ai-tells-2026.md." (I didn't repackage stop-slop directly because its existing reference files aren't in hand — adding this file is safer than risking the bundle.)

Why refresh

The tells move. Detectors and readers both flag AI copy: roughly half of consumers reduce engagement when they suspect AI authorship, and some platforms cut its reach. Treat the vocabulary list below as a snapshot — re-pull it periodically (GPTZero publishes a continuously updated "most overused AI words/phrases" list).

Highest-signal 2026 tells

  1. No first person / detached narrator. The strongest current tell. AI writes from an omniscient, textbook remove. Fix by writing from a real, named author with first-hand specifics ("when we retrofitted a 1930s semi, the airflow problem was…"). Doubles as the E-E-A-T "Experience" signal. Three+ sentences in a row with no human subject = rewrite.

  2. Overused vocabulary clusters. Phrases models use far more than humans: - "provide a valuable insight", "left an indelible mark", "plays a significant/pivotal role", "it's important to note", "in today's fast-paced world", "when it comes to", "navigate the complexities of", "a testament to", "underscores the importance" - Single words: delve, tapestry, landscape, realm, pivotal, multifaceted, robust, leverage, seamless, crucial, foster, elevate, unlock, harness, embark. - None is banned outright, but three or more in one piece is a reliable AI signature. Prefer the plain word: use not leverage, help not facilitate, important not crucial.

  3. The "it's not X, it's Y" reflex and other formulaic contrasts. State Y directly.

  4. Uniform rhythm and structure. Every paragraph the same length, every list three items, every section the same shape. Vary sentence length deliberately; let some paragraphs be one line, some five.

  5. Hedging and adverb pile-up. "It's worth noting that this can sometimes potentially…" Cut the qualifiers; find the actor; use active voice.

  6. Empty summary sentences. "In conclusion, X is a powerful tool that can transform your approach." Either say something specific or stop.

Quick gate

A piece that contains the detached-narrator voice and three+ vocabulary-cluster items fails on authenticity regardless of other scores — rewrite before it goes near a final draft.