How to Humanize Your Content in 6 Easy Steps
Never get hit by AI detectors again
AI detectors are useless.
But they’re causing a TON of problems.
Businesses, editors, and content managers are relying on AI detectors without fully understanding their limitations.
And the result is what you might expect.
High-quality writers are getting flagged unfairly. Perfectly balanced articles are returned because some AI% appeared. Careers are put at risk.
Worst of all, the trust between creators and clients is eroded—all because people are ignorant of what these tools imply.
I know this firsthand.
As an online writer and editor, I’ve faced this issue a hundred times. I’ve seen stellar work reduced to a “percentage AI” metric. I’ve dealt with skeptical clients and editors misled by inaccurate tools.
And through trial, error—and a little creativity—I’ve designed my own way to solve the humanization issue: the Hourglass Framework.
This is my proven method for “humanizing” content. And no, it’s not just about “bypassing” AI detectors, although it’s certainly great at that. It creates writing that feels authentic, resonates deeply, and helps readers trust your voice.
Let’s dive right in.
What is Humanization in Content?
AI tools churn out passable content. They’re functional, even impressive. But they lack … something.
Some call it soul. Some would call it humanity.
I call it your Unpromptable Voice.
Whatever it is, that’s where you, the human creator, come in. How?
Not just by imitating your writing style. Oh no—AI can copy that with just a few well-worded lines. No, it’s the idea behind the words. The intention, the core values, your stories, philosophies, strong opinions, everything.
All the pesky things we associate as human, that’s what “humanizes” our content. Not just your “quirks” or your “style.”
Why Humanization Matters
To some, being made to “humanize” their content is offensive.
They think, “Isn’t it enough that I, a human, wrote this? Why do I have to prove it?”
To which, I say — no. It’s not enough. It’s never been enough to just write something. If you want to be read, you must write something good. Attention was always meant to be earned.
It’s just … worse, now.
AI is flooding the internet with a sea of robotic, lifeless content. Everywhere you look, there’s another soulless blog, tweet, whatever. And it’s not just bland. Oh no. AI is actively weaponized by bad actors, spreading disinformation or manipulating audiences.
Now, writers like you and me are caught in the crossfire. Editors, businesses, and managers—some of them clueless about AI’s true limitations—are relying on detection tools to measure “humanity.”
Even when you pour your soul into your work, they make you prove it.
Stings? Yep. Me too. So, what can we do about it?
My answer starts by learning how to rise above it all.
6 Foolproof Steps to Humanizing Content
AI-generated content often feels hollow because it lacks the elements that make writing unmistakably human: personality, purpose, and nuance.
The Hourglass Framework solves this by breaking humanization into two distinct phases: paring down (the Seive) and building up (the Tower). Here’s a simple illustration:
Here are six simple steps:
The Seive: Paring down to pure clarity
This phase removes everything artificial, weak, or unnecessary. Think of it as sifting through sand to find gold.
1. Remove HUE (Hallucinations, Undynamic structure, Enumerative sentences)
Strip away obvious red flags of AI writing. Hallucinations (inaccurate facts), repetitive sentence structures, and overuse of connector-heavy enumerations need to go.
How to do it:
Eliminate irrelevant or unverifiable claims like “AI can solve every problem.”
Shorten overly long lists or bloated explanations.
Add sentence variety for flow (short sentences followed by longer ones).
2. Remove CUT (Circular statements, Unnecessary sentences, Third-person POV)
Tighten your writing by removing repetitive ideas, filler phrases, and impersonal tones.
Here are some tips:
Hunt for sentences that repeat the same idea in different words.
Cut paragraphs that stray from the main point.
Rewrite sections into first or second person for direct connection with readers.
3. Remove AUB (Adverbs, Uncertain phrases, Big words)
Filter out overused adverbs (“really,” “very”), weak qualifiers (“might,” “possibly”), and unnecessary complexity (big words AI loves).
Here are some specific tips:
Swap “The results were very successful” with “The results were successful.”
Replace “This might be helpful to some people” with “This helps.”
Avoid convoluted words like “utilize” when “use” works.
The Tower: Building up with humanity
Once stripped of the artificial, it’s time to add the elements that make your writing undeniably human.
4. Add the Foundation (Your values and experiences)
Ground your content in personal truths. Vulnerability, advocacy, and authentic experiences build trust and relatability.
What are some examples?
Share a personal challenge or success that shaped your perspective.
Anchor your writing in values you care deeply about.
5. Add the Personal Lens (Your unique take)
Inject your personality into the narrative through strong stances, stories, and emotional tone.
Take a clear, confident opinion on the topic, even if it’s controversial.
Use anecdotes to illustrate your point.
Let your emotional tone shine—whether it’s humor, empathy, or passion.
6. Add the Aesthetic Finish (Your stylistic quirks)
These are the surface-level touches that make your content unmistakably yours.
Think rhythm, word choice, and flow:
Vary sentence structures to mimic your thought/speech patterns.
Use idioms, slang, or playful language to reflect your personality.
Break a few writing rules for effect.
Final thoughts: Humanizing is good writing
Now, you might be thinking — what happens when your “humanizing framework” is implemented by AI?
To which, I say … it probably already is.
There’s nothing unique about this framework, because these are simply the foundations of good writing. Just arranged in a way that makes sense to me, and hopefully to you as well.
Good writing must be clear. It must reflect your personality. It must follow the rules, and know when to break them.
AI already “knows” all this. As much as it can know anything. In fact, I’ve already given this same framework to my hyper-personalized AI writer. Which is how I’m writing all of these so quickly.
But I digress. The point is — how do you never get hit by AI content detectors? By discovering your Unpromptable Voice, and writing well from there.
If you want help, reach out. I’ve designed something to amplify your voice while keeping it authentic.