Polished Writing Isn’t the Enemy (No Matter What They Say)

I’ve read several SEO articles this week about the state of the industry and how writers can fight back against AI tools. Several of them suggested that readers want authentic voices. In the next sentence, we’re told our writing isn’t trustworthy if it’s “polished.”

I have some thoughts about that.

What Does Polished Writing Mean?

Before AI tools were popular, the word “polished” meant writing that was free of grammatical errors. This is the kind of writing we all wanted to create.

Polished writing is professional, and it allows readers to focus on meaning instead of mechanics. It signals credibility, and as a writer, it also typically leads to a higher payment.

Polished writing typically stems from education and experience. Writers know how to craft solid sentences without errors. They also know how to infuse sentences with their voice and personality, so the pieces sing.

What Doesn’t Polished Writing Mean?

When people rail against polished writing, they’re typically discussing anodyne content. These are blogs and white papers that have been pushed through AI tools so many times that any personality has been wiped away.

Content like this doesn’t contain grammatical errors. However, it also doesn’t contain much personality or flair. It sounds like everything else online, and so it doesn’t perform well with readers or search engines.

What Should We Do Instead?

Insecure writers hoping to avoid the dreaded polish are opting to include spelling errors, tangled sentences, and missing punctuation. This is really silly.

A better option is to keep your personality within your writing. Study your style guides and learn about the terminology and language that’s expected within your content. Then, play around with structure and voice to make the piece seem original.

Can you use AI tools and make your writing accurate? Of course. I use AI to ensure my work doesn’t contain grammatical errors, unintended plagiarism, or factual mistakes. However, I never accept rewording suggestions, as they often obliterate my voice without adding anything of substance.

Final Thought: Trust Your Writers

I’ve talked a lot about what writers can do to fight back against AI overoptimization. There’s something clients can do, too.

If you’ve hired someone to help you create content, allow them to write. Don’t ask them to game the system by including mistakes or errors. Instead, know that they’re professionals who want to do a good job for you. Let them do it.

And remember: If you’re looking for a writer, I’m available. Contact me to find out more.