No, I Don't Want to Write For Your AI Slop Blog
Writers are getting flooded with "contributor" invites that look legit at first glance. Many of these sites aren't looking for your voice - they're looking for your name to dress up AI-generated filler.
If you care about your byline, your rates, and your reputation, vet these offers fast. Here are the clearest red flags and quick checks to run before you say yes to anything.
Red flags your "opportunity" is an AI slophouse
- The authors probably aren't real. Generic names, perfect headshots, no social presence. Right-click an avatar, open it in a new tab, and check the filename. Prompty strings like "photo-of-a-30-year-old" or "smiling-woman-with-curly-hair" are a giveaway. You'll often see subtly warped earrings, hands, or glasses too.
- Topic sprawl with no editorial spine. If a "recipe" blog posts about bed frames, heat pumps, and budgeting hacks, that's not range - that's a content mill. Real editors protect focus. Mills publish anything that might rank.
- Inhuman publishing velocity. Eighty to ninety posts a month across unrelated topics doesn't come from one editor and a few freelancers. Skim timestamps. If every day looks like a firehose, assume AI drafts with light human cleanup.
- They have no history, despite big claims. Some sites say they've been around "15+ years," but their oldest live posts start last summer. Use monthly archive URLs if it's WordPress, and check snapshots on the Wayback Machine. If there's no past, there's no credibility.
- Fake social proof. "As seen on" rows filled with TV and publisher logos are easy to fake. Look for an actual press page with links to coverage. You can also search those outlets for mentions. If there's nothing, assume the logos are there to trick you. The FTC has clear guidance on endorsements and claims - this stuff matters: FTC Endorsement Guides.
- Dead bylines and empty mastheads. Click the author name. No bio, no portfolio, no LinkedIn, no editorial leadership? That's a shadow operation, not a publication.
How to vet a site in 90 seconds
- Open 5 posts across different categories. Does the voice read identical, generic, and padded with fluff? That's a strong sign of AI with light edits.
- Open two author avatars in new tabs and check filenames. Look for prompt-like strings or stock-site patterns.
- Hit the monthly archives and the Wayback Machine for earliest snapshots. Do the dates match their claims?
- Scan the homepage for an "As seen on" strip. Click through to find the actual features. No links, no proof.
- Find an editorial or AI policy. If they don't state one, ask. If they dodge, pass.
Questions to ask before you agree to anything
- Editorial process: Who edits? Will I work with a named editor? How many rounds?
- AI policy: Do you use AI in drafts, edits, or headlines? Are AI tools allowed on my byline? What's disclosed to readers?
- Scope and rights: Topic focus, word count, kill fee, payment timeline, and ownership. Do you strip bylines or republish under house names?
- Attribution: Will my bio include links to my site and socials?
If their answers are vague, you're being treated as a façade, not a contributor. Protect your name and move on.
Template reply you can use
"Thanks for reaching out. I only work with publications that have a clear editorial process, a stated AI policy, and transparent attribution. If you can share your editorial lead, AI policy, rates, rights, and examples of recent human-bylined features, I'll review. Otherwise, I'll pass."
Why this matters for writers
Your byline is your asset. Lend it to a slophouse and you dilute your trust, undercut your rates, and make it harder to land quality work later.
Use AI if you want - as a drafting or research assistant - but keep your standards high and your voice intact. If you're building a responsible workflow, these resources can help: AI courses by job.
The internet doesn't need more filler. It needs clear thinking, focused expertise, and writers who refuse to be window dressing for ad farms. Say no fast, then put your time into places that respect the work.
Your membership also unlocks:
