Great content is king; without great content, your blog, website, and social media posts, almost anything media based is worthless. This might sound dramatic, but it’s true.
Recently Google changed its algorithms to reflect the importance of original content; in response to this, many web admins and content writers began to panic, wondering how on earth they could check if their content were original.
Google’s new algorithms update places high importance on fresh, unique content – which is why it’s essential to ensure your content is up to par.
There are lots of ways to create content. For instance, find an excellent experienced content or copywriter; these talented beasts are not easy to find, so when you find that person hang on to them.
But even the best writers need tools, and just like a plumber or carpenter, writing tools are available if you search in your tool bag hard enough.
There are also a few excellent ways to check if your content is original or has been plagiarised or copied.
Copyscape – an effective plagiarism tool
The first way, and probably the most effective way, is to use a service like Copyscape. Copyscape is a service that allows you to enter a URL or piece of text and will then scan the internet for any instances of that exact text.
If your article shows up as being copied elsewhere on the internet, Copyscape will let you know. Then you can take the correct steps to have the duplicated content removed.
Grammarly – is excellent for catching minor errors
Grammarly is an excellent tool for writers and can help ensure that your content is original. Grammarly will catch any small errors in your text, such as typos, spelling mistakes, and grammatical misdemeanours.
It’s important to note that just because your content has no typos or grammatical errors doesn’t mean it’s necessarily original.
However, if you’re using Grammarly in conjunction with Copyscape, you’ll be able to ensure that your content is error-free and original.
Just remember, Grammarly doesn’t know everything; it’s an American invention and doesn’t really understand British grammar. So if you’re not an advocate of the serial comma, then Grammarly is not for you.
EndNote – when research matters but you’re time poor
Research can be a nightmare, and one of the best tools to ensure your writing is factual is EndNote. EndNote is a multi-skilled research toolbag that helps the time-poor search for information in online databases and full-text abstracts, managing and auto-completing all of your references to save time.
EndNote also enables you to share your research data with your team. If you prefer to work solo, you can do that by saving and managing your research results with unique tags for better access.
QuillBot – for when your brain hurts
While I don’t condone the use of a word spinner, sometimes, after a long day on the keys, you need simply can’t get the words out.
This is where QuillBot comes in – it’s a paraphrasing tool that will help you rewrite sentences and paragraphs quickly.
It’s important to note that QuillBot is not a miracle worker; feeding it garbage will only mean it will regurgitate garbage.
However, if you need help paraphrasing a sentence or two, it’s an excellent tool that can save you time and headaches.
While many other writing tools are available, these are some of the best for ensuring your content is original and error-free. Finally, if the worst comes to the worst, there are always Google Alerts.
Google Alerts – a great way to keep track of your online presence
Google Alerts is a tool that allows you to enter a search term and then receive an email notification whenever that term is mentioned online.
You can use Google Alerts to track your brand name, website URL, or even your name. Google Alerts effectively keeps track of your online presence and ensures that people use your content with your permission.
If you find someone plagiarising your work, you can take the necessary steps to remove the content or request credit for the original piece.
Bottom line
Content is essential – there are no two ways about it. Using the tools mentioned above helps ensure that your content is original and of the highest quality.
But nothing beats a human brain. In this age of AI, it’s easy to think anyone can write. But that’s not true. There are still people who can write better than a machine. Professional writers have spent years practicing their craft; they know how to engage an audience and how to write compelling copy.
If you’re serious about your online presence, it’s worth investing in a good writer. But if you can’t afford one or you’re just starting, the tools mentioned above will help ensure that your content is original and error-free.
