Do AI Tools Really Make Blogging Easier? My Ride With WA’s AI Author and ChatGPT
When AI tools for bloggers started showing up everywhere, I was both excited and a little doubtful. The promise sounded pretty sweet: write faster, crank out more posts, and spend less time staring at a blank page. But part of me wondered if using AI might just leave my blog feeling robotic. As I began using these tools, it became clear that blogging with AI has been a mix of next-level cool moments, some confusion, and a few surprising lessons along the way.
Meet the Tools: How WA’s AI Author and ChatGPT Stack Up
My jump into AI for blogging started with two big names. WA’s AI Author (part of Wealthy Affiliate’s platform) focuses on crafting entire posts or sections of posts instantly within its editor. ChatGPT, on the other hand, is a general-purpose AI from OpenAI. You can throw any topic or strange blog idea its way, and it’ll spit something out for you to riff on.
Initially, I was hunting for a way to save time on first drafts, brainstorm new blog post ideas, and maybe even keep a consistent tone when my creativity ran low. Plus, who wouldn’t be at least a little curious if a computer can write like a human?
The Upside: Where AI Tools Save You Time
The best part of using AI tools for blogging is moving quickly from a blank page to a solid draft. With WA’s AI Author, I choose a topic and fill out a handful of short prompts. Almost instantly, I get a draft ready to edit. I love using ChatGPT to brainstorm catchy titles, put together outlines, and even write question lists for expert interviews.
Take, for example, drafting a product roundup. It used to take me two or three hours. These days, with AI doing the heavy lifting for post structure and intros, I spend way less time stuck on the basics. Then I just step in to add my personal stories and real-world details. Not to mention, AI helps keep writer’s block at bay because there’s always some content to start shaping, even if it’s rough.
AI can also help folks who blog in English as a second language. The grammar and spelling corrections are applied automatically, making posting feel more user-friendly for a global audience. It’s also made team blogging easier, such as when collaborating with a friend on a travel blog, allowing us to quickly generate outlines and split up draft tasks.
The Downside: Why AI Isn’t a Magic Wand
But AI isn’t perfect. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, I spend a considerable amount of time addressing its quirks. Sometimes, the tone is just a little off, and it loves generic, bland phrases that don’t match my blog’s voice. Both WA’s AI Author and ChatGPT sometimes repeat themselves, and certain segments can sound straight out of a textbook. It’s not always the vibe I want.
Fact-checking remains really important. I’ve caught ChatGPT making up numbers or quoting sources that don’t exist. Since AI lacks lived experience, its posts can sometimes feel forgettable or even boring, unless you step in to inject your own stories. Every piece needs that final human touch, mostly to make sure my personality and style shine through.
Another thing to keep an eye out for is accidental plagiarism. Sometimes, AI-generated drafts borrow too closely from sources found online. Always running your content through a plagiarism checker is a smart move and part of my regular workflow.
AI for SEO: Does It Actually Help?
One area where AI tools are surprisingly handy is search engine optimization. Both WA’s AI Author and ChatGPT help write keyword-rich meta descriptions and headings. WA’s tool even suggests a structure based on trending keywords, which can be especially helpful if SEO isn’t your strong suit.
I’ve noticed that posts drafted or outlined with AI sometimes get indexed or rank a bit quicker, more because of improved keyword placement and organization. However, there’s a catch. AI-generated content can sometimes feel bland or repetitive on its own, and Google definitely prefers genuine, original insights. The best results happen when I let AI handle the framework, and then add examples, stories, and my own personal experiences to make the content truly unique.
My Blogging Workflow: When I Trust AI and When I Don’t
Here’s my game plan for using AI tools when blogging. First, I usually ask ChatGPT to help brainstorm topics or build an outline if I’m feeling stuck. Next, I use WA’s AI Author to build a first draft, or cherry-pick ChatGPT for sections like answers to FAQs or writing catchy intros. After generating those drafts, the real writing begins where I rewrite, add my own anecdotes, edit for voice, and check every fact.
For final edits or posts where my personal touch is key, such as reviews or case studies, I stay hands-on and rely on AI very little. Fresh eyes always make a difference before hitting publish. I’ve realized AI is more of a sidekick than a full ghostwriter, and the finished post always benefits from a healthy dose of human input.
Tips for new users:
- Use AI to automate the repetitive stuff, but keep your voice front and center.
- Experiment, adjust your prompts, and always double-check the facts before publishing.
Should You Use AI Tools for Blogging?
WA’s AI Author and ChatGPT can really speed up the writing process. If you’re blogging about straightforward subjects or just want a quick place to start, these tools are extremely handy. However, if building a loyal audience is your goal or if you enjoy storytelling, you’ll still need to add your own unique ingredients.
Battling writer’s block, needing research help, or simply wanting to pump up your productivity? AI tools are definitely worth tracking down and experimenting with. But if you’re the type who loves to craft every sentence by hand, you might end up finding AI a little uninspiring, at least for the fun, creative part of blogging.
What’s Your AI Blogging Experience? Tell Me Below!
AI writing tools aren’t some kind of magic wand, but they have seriously changed how I blog. I’m always interested to hear from others. Have you tried out an AI author or chatbot for your writing adventure? How did it work for you? Drop your stories, questions, or lessons learned in the comments, and let’s trade notes!
Thinking about jumping into AI blogging? The tools aren’t perfect, but with a little creativity and fact-checking, they can help you write smarter and faster. Time to roll, your next blog post might just be a prompt away.
Recent Comments
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I certainly agree with everything you say. AI does have a tendency to repeat the same words or phrases throughout the article. Words such as "resonate" and phrases like "not only but also" come to mind. It is so important to inject yourself into any AI draft.
Absolutely, Jenell! You nailed it—sometimes it feels like AI has a secret love affair with “not only but also” (and let’s not even talk about “resonate”… I see that word everywhere these days!). I’ve found the same thing—if you don’t jump in and rewrite, your post ends up sounding more like a chatbot than, well, you. That’s why my favorite part is adding all those real stories and quirks after the draft is done.
Have you caught any other repeat offenders in your AI drafts? I’m always on the lookout for the next overused phrase to ban from my blog!
Sonia