Spotting the red flags of low-effort content 🚩

Bad content. Crappy writing. They’re out there, doing businesses no favors—oh god, they’re right behind you! Whether it’s a blog post riddled with tpyos or a website that screams “what is proofread,” low-quality content can tank your credibility quicker than you can say “SEO.” The good news? Once you know the red flags, spotting poorly written or edited material becomes second nature. Here’s a handy list of what to look out for:

1. Typos, grammatical errors, and awkward phrasing

Let’s start with the obvious: errors. A single typo might be forgivable depending on context, but when they pile up, that's a problem. Grammar mistakes and clunky sentences tell your audience you don’t care enough to polish your message. If the content reads like a high school rush job, it’s not doing your business justice, and it's definitely not building any trust.

Quick test: If you’re stumbling over sentences when you read them aloud, chances are your audience will too.

2. Keyword stuffing and overhyped jargon

Yes, keywords matter, but there’s a big difference between strategic SEO and keyword stuffing. Content packed with repetitive phrases feels unnatural and robotic—not exactly the vibe you want to give off (unless you're selling unnatural robots, in which case what the hell do I know). The same goes for overusing buzzwords or industry jargon. If it sounds like a sales pitch written by ChatGPT, your readers are probably going to tune out.

Hot tip: Aim for clarity and authenticity. If your keywords stand out, it’s high time to revise.

3. A lack of structure (or too much of it)

Bad content often has one of two problems: it’s either a chaotic mess with no clear direction, or it’s so rigidly formatted that it feels unnatural. Walls of text? Instant turn-off. Overuse of bullet points? That's a demerit. The best content strikes a balance, guiding readers with clear headings and a logical flow, but it doesn't feel overly rigid.

Fix it: Think like a reader, and be really honest with yourself. Would you keep scrolling or click away? If it’s the latter, rework the format.

4. No real takeaways

Good content delivers value. Whether it’s teaching your audience something new or solving a problem, there should always be a clear takeaway. If readers walk away thinking, “What was the point of that?”—you’ve missed the mark.

Ask yourself: What do I want my audience to learn or do after reading this? If you don’t have a strong answer, neither will they.

5. Inconsistent voice and tone

Your brand voice is the key part of your identity. Low-quality content often sounds like it’s been written by five different people with zero coordination, like how some people think Shakespeare was actually a whole group of dudes, except they apparently knew what they were doing. One paragraph is playful, the next is stiff, and suddenly you’ve lost your audience. Consistency builds trust; make sure your content feels cohesive from start to finish.

Audit it: Does your tone match your brand? Does your brand match your socks? If not, it’s time to realign. Get it together, jeez.

6. Overlooking visual elements

Nobody wants to read a block of plain text. Not even me, and I literally get paid for it. Low-quality content often ignores the importance of visuals—whether that’s images, graphics, or even just breaking things up with paragraphs or subheadings. The result? Readers bounce out before they’ve made it halfway through.

Pro move: Use visuals to enhance your message. A well-placed image, infographic, or even line break can make all the difference.

7. Ignoring the audience

At its core, bad content ultimately fails because it’s not written for the reader. Maybe it’s too technical, or maybe it’s answering a question nobody’s asking. Either way, if you’re not addressing your audience’s needs, they’ll quickly move down their search results to someone who is.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself: Who is this for, and why should they care? If you can’t answer that, start over.

The bottom line: quality matters

Low-quality content is more than just an eyesore—it’s a trust killer. If your audience can’t rely on you for polished, valuable material, why would they rely on you for literally anything else? The key to avoiding these red flags? Always put yourself in your reader’s shoes. Would you stick around or click away?

Spot the signs. Fix the issues. Watch your content (and credibility) soar. Be sure to drink your Ovaltine.