Slop
Low-quality, generic AI-generated content that lacks originality, insight, or genuine value to readers.
Definition
Slop refers to AI-generated content that technically answers a prompt but provides no real value—it's generic, repetitive, stuffed with filler phrases, and often factually shallow. The term emerged as AI content flooded the internet, much of it mass-produced without human curation or quality control.
Slop is characterized by vague language, circular definitions, excessive hedging, and the absence of specific insights or examples. It reads as if written by someone (or something) with no genuine expertise or perspective on the topic.
Why It Matters
Understanding slop helps marketers avoid producing content that damages brand credibility and SEO performance. Search engines are increasingly sophisticated at identifying low-value AI content, and audiences quickly recognize generic filler.
The antidote to slop is using AI as a starting point, then adding genuine expertise, specific examples, original research, and authentic voice—elements that only humans can provide.
Examples in Practice
Generic slop: "Marketing is important for businesses because it helps them reach customers. Good marketing strategies can lead to success. There are many ways to do marketing effectively."
A website publishes 500 AI-generated city pages with nearly identical content, just swapping city names—providing no genuine local insight.
An AI writes "In conclusion, it's important to consider all factors when making this decision" at the end of every article, adding no value while padding word count.