You’re looking for a good AI detector because you want to check if a text or image was generated using AI. Maybe you’re not sure which detector to pick.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help. First, check out our directory of AI detectors for a list of good options.
But since we might not have every detector listed, we created this post to give you insights on what to avoid and what you should look at instead when choosing a detector.
Interested? Good. Let’s get started.
As a first step, we should give you a short disclaimer that these tips will not guarantee that you will find the perfect tool but they will help you avoid some obvious scams.
So what AI detectors should you avoid?
It’s best to stay away from tools that claim to hide AI writing. These are often found on websites called “Humanizer Sites.“
Why should you be careful?
Because more often than not, these tools tend to classify everything as AI-generated in order to make you buy their humanizer product – it’s their business model.
Even we have some AI detectors listed from these sites. However, we have tested these tools and given them appropriate ratings to determine if they are legitimate.
So your first step should be checking what the website you’re visiting is primarily intended for.
Some SEO sites also offer subpar tools just to increase the appeal of their toolkit – be aware.
Some sites just expect you to upload your text or image, without telling you what they will do with this information. In such cases, we suggest using caution.
This doesn’t mean the tool won’t work, but most of us aren’t comfortable sharing our sensitive files with an unknown party.
Even we have some tools listed that are like this, but in such cases we cover it in the tool description.
If the site is broken – just stop.
This is a clear indicator that the tool is not the site owner’s priority, the project is abandoned, or it’s made by bad developers. So why would you have faith in the tool itself?
Bad web design or similar factors don’t matter, as we’ve found very good tools from sites that look like they were designed with Microsoft Paint.
There are websites that offer you the chance to use a white-label AI detector in order to collect clicks for a quick buck.
These tools often fail and can be spotted easily. Key signs include vague or missing FAQs, lack of details on how they work, and overall confusion in their presentation.
So why should you put your faith in such tools? You shouldn’t.
So how can you find a trustworthy AI detector? As mentioned before, your first step should be checking out our directory and giving the search function a go.
But if the tool is not listed, there are some things you can look out for:
More often than not, with good tools, there is a description of how the basics behind the tool work.
You don’t need to understand everything written there, but just glance over it and think to yourself if it makes sense.
If the tool is part of a university project created with grant money, there is usually a paper linked to the page you can read.
If the website is being serious about the public trust of their detector, they usually mention that it’s updated on a regular basis.
This is important because the world of AI is advancing at an incredible speed.
A tool created years ago may not work effectively today. Additionally, the file you’re checking for human authorship might already be using some kind of workaround to avoid detection.
If the site seems a bit sketchy to you, and you want to make sure that it’s legit before uploading any sensitive data to it – it’s a good idea to check its domain rating.
Domain rating is basically an indicator showing if other websites on the internet trust the site you are on or not.
There are a lot of free tools that can do this, but we suggest using Ahrefs’s Website Authority Checker.
A small disclaimer here is that if the site is new, the domain rating can be low. For reference, a domain rating over 15 indicates a solid site.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to check the company’s social presence. Do they have social media accounts and are they active?
Maintaining social presence is hard work, and scammers often don’t want to deal with it.
Check when the last posts were made – we have found many seemingly good tools that have been abandoned more than a year ago, essentially making them outdated.
In the rapidly evolving world of AI, finding a reliable AI detector is crucial.
By following the guidelines we’ve outlined, you can navigate through the maze of options and avoid potential pitfalls.
Remember to be wary of detectors on humanizer sites, tools lacking clear data handling policies, broken websites, and those with vague or missing information.
Instead, look for transparency in methodology, regular updates, a solid domain rating, and an active social media presence.
While these criteria aren’t foolproof, they significantly increase your chances of finding a trustworthy AI detector.
Always exercise caution and use your best judgment when sharing sensitive information online.
And don’t forget to check out our directory. Happy detecting!