Wikipedia’s WikiProject AI Cleanup team has put together a practical guide to help editors spot AI-generated content. The guide explains how AI writing tends to use over-the-top language—think phrases like “stands as a testament” or “plays a vital role.” For example, a description of Douéra, an Algerian city, might lavish praise on its proximity to Algiers and its role as a cultural hub. This kind of promotional tone runs counter to Wikipedia’s commitment to neutrality, especially in cultural entries.
The guide also reminds us to be cautious when we see editorial commentary. Phrases such as “it’s important to note” or “no discussion would be complete without” can signal a personal take rather than a neutral summary. You might also notice an essay-like flow from words like “moreover” or “furthermore,” or even section-ending summaries—practices that stray from typical Wikipedia style. The technical side isn’t overlooked either: using title case in headings or Markdown formatting instead of the usual sentence case can be another clue.
Other red flags include remnants of ChatGPT’s work. Since February 2025, the appearance of “turn0search0” codes has hinted at attempted link insertions. Made-up citations—complete with broken links or fake DOIs—and a spike in 404 errors (especially when the Internet Archive can’t recover the links) further point to AI involvement. Even casual chatbot phrases like “I hope this helps” or default disclaimers such as “as of [date]” have occasionally crept into articles, along with chatbot refusals like “as an AI language model.”
Of course, no single cue conclusively proves content was generated by AI. Experienced editors know that human-written text can sometimes share these traits. That’s why the guide advises a balanced approach: while automated detectors are useful, your own judgement remains key. Since 2023, the AI Cleanup group has maintained a list of potentially AI-written entries, and despite some concerns from Wikipedia’s founder about potential source fabrication, there’s still room for generative AI to support diligent editing.
