Articles & Advice

Three Simple Ways to Make Your AI Ads Look Less Like AI

You're in charge of your AI ads. Remember that. Read on to learn three AI prompts that will make you look like a marketing expert.

Which one would you choose? Which one would you want to use for your business? What would you change, and why?

Using AI to create social media ads for your small business?

Great idea! But don't publish the first ad AI creates for you.

AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can help you create an ad in minutes. That's great if you're a busy plumber, gardener, electrician or small business owner who doesn't have time to spend hours on marketing. I use AI myself to do what it used to take hours to do! But I keep a very close eye on it. Why?

With AI-generated graphics in 2026 there's still a problem.

These ads will probably look "very 2026" in a hurry. Currently, AI loves making everything look fancy. Bright colours, shiny graphics, smiling models, lots of icons and flourishes and big promises about being the best in the business.

Before you know it, your simple ad looks like a billboard in Las Vegas.

The good news? You don't need to start again. You just need to tell AI what to change. You can also try prompts in both ChatGPT or Google Gemini for a final look you like.

Ad with tons of AI slop, offers, starbursts, smiling model, before and after photos, CTA and all the details, meaning way too much information for an ad.

The AI slop like this loveliness can easily get out of control. The more information you try to squeeze into your ad, the more it will do exactly what you tell it to do. And this may not be as effective as you were hoping for.

Here are three simple prompts you can copy and use to get an AI-generated ad that is more effective.

1. Get Rid of the Clutter

AI often puts far too much into one ad. The result can be so busy that people don't know where to look.

Try telling AI this:

"Make this ad simpler. Remove the extra graphics, bright effects, unnecessary icons and anything that doesn't help explain what my business does. Leave plenty of empty space so the important information stands out."

One more thing: If AI has added a picture of a smiling plumber or electrician, replace it with a real photo of yourself, your team or your work.

Your customers want to know who they're dealing with. Don't be afraid to add human-inspired touches.

2. Make It Sound Like a Real Person

AI loves phrases like "Premier Home Solutions" and "Delivering Excellence Every Time."

But would you actually say that to a customer?

Probably not.

Try this prompt:

"Rewrite the headline in plain, friendly English. Use fewer than eight words. Make it sound like something I would actually say to a customer. No fancy marketing language or exaggerated promises."

For example:

Instead of:

"Your Premier Plumbing Solutions Partner"

Try:

"Got a leak? We can help."

Short, clear and easy to understand.

3. Tell People What You Actually Do

Your ad doesn't need to tell people everything about your business.

It needs to tell the right people why they should call you.

Try this prompt:

"Make the ad focus on three common problems my customers need help with. Use short, simple phrases. Remove anything that doesn't help someone understand what I offer. Make my phone number easy to see."

For a plumber, that might mean:

Fix leaking taps and pipes
Clear blocked drains
Repair water heaters

two ads both created with AI. Left ad is very busy, showing a plumber. Right ad just shows a couple of bullet points and much more white space. Cleaner, easier to understand and not obvious "AI slop"

How did these three prompts change the actual Northridge Contracting ad full of AI slop that was posted above? Take a look!

In the case of the Northridge Contracting ad, I applied the exact three recommended prompts, and ChatGPT delivered this ad. Better?

Northridge ad, with three prompts applied results in this very clean ad version.

Of course, only advertise services you actually provide.

And if you have a special offer to add, make sure it's clear, genuine and worth mentioning.

Style can also differ, same content, different presentation. Style, and also ad dimensions, is something you prefer and can specify. Choose what you like better, the content is the same so it is your own preference that guides the voice and style used for your business.

Errors can be made! They need to be corrected by a human prompt. So humans are still needed to proof and choose the final ad to be posted.

Two styles of an AI ad, one from chat gpt and one from Gemini.

One of these ad variations is made in ChatGPT, the other is Gemini. You can choose which style you like more to represent your business. Then continue to prompt for edits. You can add an offer or what you think is your best selling point. You can add your location, or areas served. (And look out for errors! Can you spot the error in the second ad? ** )

One Last Thing: Look at Your Ad Like a Customer

Before you post it, ask yourself three questions:

Who am I trying to reach?
What do I want them to know?
What do I want them to do next?

If your ad answers those questions, you're on the right track.

AI can help you create an ad. But you know your business, your customers and what makes you worth calling.

You get the idea: :You're in charge. Use AI to help you get your strongest message across, not to advertise everything you do! And styles can be different, that is ok. Just don't let the ad itself drown out your message.

** The error is in an automatic abbrieviation of the testimonial. AI omitted "and easy" to work with, and omitted that the work "was top" quality in the second ad.

Susanna Kelland
Digital Marketing Consultant

Proof & Presence Marketing.
Be Found. Be Understood. Be Trusted.

November 8, 2026

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse