How to Avoid Errors When Using ChatGPT for Content Creation: A Guide for Wealthy Affiliate Users

As Wealthy Affiliate (WA) users, we often turn to tools like ChatGPT or other AI models to help us generate content quickly. These tools are incredible for producing articles, outlines, and creative ideas, but they also come with limitations that can lead to errors. In this article, I’ll guide you through how to avoid common mistakes caused by AI-generated content, how to think critically about what it produces, and why checking reliable sources is still essential—especially in certain niches.

1. AI's Limitations: Data Cutoff and Outdated Information

The first thing to understand is that ChatGPT’s data cutoff depends on the version you are using. For instance, with GPT-4o or later models, the cutoff is October 2023, which means it can provide more up-to-date information than earlier versions. However, if you're using an earlier version without real-time web capabilities, it might not include the most recent developments unless you supply it with that information.

It’s still important to cross-check data, particularly if you're relying on AI for rapidly evolving fields like technology or fitness. Although newer models have a later data cutoff, that doesn’t guarantee real-time accuracy across all topics.

2. Why You Need a Basic Understanding of Your Topic

One of the best ways to avoid mistakes when using AI for content creation is to already have a reasonable level of knowledge about the subject you're writing on. If you're familiar with the main concepts, you'll be able to spot when something generated by AI doesn't quite make sense. AI models can sometimes "hallucinate" or generate information that sounds plausible but is actually incorrect.

For instance, if ChatGPT gives you a study or claims that hypertrophy training requires 30 reps per set (which goes against typical best practices), you'll immediately recognize that as inconsistent if you're knowledgeable in the field. This is where critical thinking comes into play. AI can be incredibly helpful, but it's not infallible. If something seems off, double-check it. Use your existing knowledge as a filter.

3. The Importance of Thinking Critically

While AI can save a lot of time by drafting content, critical thinking is crucial in catching errors or misinformation. This is why it's important to take what AI writes and think critically about its validity before accepting it as fact.

Here’s a basic checklist for thinking critically about AI-generated content:

• Does it align with what I already know? If it sounds strange or unfamiliar, it’s worth investigating.
• Is the information verifiable? Can I find this same information from a reputable source?
• Is the tone and style consistent? Sometimes AI can shift tone or style in a way that makes the content seem disjointed.
• Does the explanation make logical sense? Even if it sounds credible, make sure the explanation logically follows from what you know about the subject.

For example, if ChatGPT tells you that "high-volume training is the only way to build muscle," but your own knowledge and experience say otherwise, you should dig deeper into the claim and see if there’s any substance behind it. The goal is not to take the output at face value but to treat it as a starting point for further investigation.

4. Checking for Updates Using Web Search Functions

One thing that many people don’t realize is that tools like ChatGPT can sometimes have a search function activated, which allows it to pull real-time data from the web. This is especially useful if you need to check for updates on topics like recent scientific studies, events, or new product launches. When using ChatGPT in this way, you’ll be able to ensure your content is more up-to-date, but it’s important to recognize when the tool is relying purely on pre-2021 (or pre-2023) data and when it’s using real-time web searches.

However, even with this functionality, the sources retrieved should still be cross-checked. AI might summarize current data but may not always pull from the most reputable or peer-reviewed resources. So, after you get results, cross-verify them using more reliable academic or specialized platforms, especially in technical fields.

5. Why You Should Still Use Google Scholar and Other Trusted Sources

There are certain niches where it’s especially important to go beyond AI-generated content and do your own research using platforms like Google Scholar, PubMed, or industry-specific databases. These include:

• Health and Fitness: New research on health, fitness, and nutrition is constantly being published. For example, guidelines on hypertrophy training, supplementation, or injury prevention may evolve with new studies. AI might give outdated advice if it isn’t cross-referenced with the latest data.
• Medical and Scientific Research: In fields like medicine, biology, and chemistry, it's crucial to base your articles on peer-reviewed studies. AI might give outdated or generalized advice, but relying on platforms like PubMed ensures you're pulling from the most recent and reliable research.
• Legal and Regulatory Information: Laws and regulations change frequently, and using outdated legal information could result in serious errors. Whether it's tax laws, GDPR compliance, or any industry regulation, always cross-check with official or up-to-date legal resources like LexisNexis or government websites.
• Financial and Investment Content: Stock markets, cryptocurrencies, and investment strategies are constantly shifting. Relying on real-time financial databases, news sources, and expert analysis is essential to ensure you're giving accurate and timely advice. AI-generated content might miss these fast-moving changes.

6. ChatGPT Can "Make Up" Articles and Agree with Incorrect Information

While AI models like ChatGPT are designed to be helpful, there are some pitfalls to be aware of. One of the most surprising issues is that ChatGPT can generate references to scientific articles that don't actually exist. I've experienced this firsthand when writing about strength and hypertrophy. It produced what sounded like credible references to studies, but upon checking, I realized those studies were completely fabricated.

This is why it’s absolutely critical to verify any sources that ChatGPT gives you. A reference that sounds solid could be entirely made up by the model, especially if the request is too specific or niche. Always search for the articles or studies yourself on platforms like Google Scholar to ensure they actually exist before using them.

Similarly, ChatGPT can sometimes "go along" with what you say, even when it’s wrong. For example, I once asked it about a famous quote from Grace Hopper, but I had the quote incorrect. Instead of correcting me, ChatGPT just assumed I was right and provided additional context as if the quote was accurate. This reinforces the need to approach AI-generated content with a critical eye—don’t assume it will automatically catch errors in your input.

7. Upload Articles to ChatGPT for Summarization

One useful feature that can save you time is the ability to upload articles to ChatGPT for summarization. If you’ve found a relevant study or article that you want to use, you can upload it to the model and let it summarize the key points for you. This is a great way to streamline your workflow, especially when dealing with long or complex research papers. It allows you to work from actual, verified sources while still taking advantage of the AI’s ability to quickly condense information.

By using this feature, you can avoid relying on potentially fabricated references and ensure that the AI is summarizing real, up-to-date research.

Conclusion

AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can be incredibly powerful for content creation, but they aren’t perfect. They can sometimes produce outdated or incorrect information, especially when it comes to rapidly evolving fields like fitness, science, or law. That’s why it’s crucial to have a basic understanding of the subject, think critically about what the AI generates, and cross-check facts with reliable sources like Google Scholar or PubMed.

One of the best ways to ensure you're using the latest AI technology is to take advantage of the Wealthy Affiliate (WA) content creator. WA automatically updates to the latest, stable versions of AI tools, such as GPT-4o, which has a data cutoff of October 2023. On top of that, the WA content creator provides great SEO tools that can significantly enhance your content, especially if you’re involved in affiliate marketing. With even more powerful models like GPT "next" on the horizon, WA ensures you’re always working with the most up-to-date and effective AI technology for your content creation needs.

Have you encountered errors or surprising mistakes when using AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini? How do you ensure your content is accurate before publishing? Share your experiences and tips in the comments so we can all learn from each other’s methods for detecting or preventing mistakes when working with AI-assisted content.