Guard Your Genius: 3 Ways to Protect Your Writing from AI Scraping
2 min read
Your words have weight. Your voice has value. But in the age of AI, both are at risk.
Artificial intelligence systems are trained using vast amounts of online content. If your writing is online and unprotected, there’s a good chance it’s already part of the mix. These machines aren’t just learning from books and news articles. They’re learning from you.
This week’s Writer Wednesday is about taking control. You don’t need to fear AI, but you do need to guard your genius.
- Own It — Officially
If your work isn’t registered, you’re vulnerable. Copyright happens automatically when you write something, but registration gives you legal firepower.
Visit copyright.gov
Register your poems, stories, books, and blog posts
Keep records of drafts, timestamps, and files
No one should profit off your words but you.
- Block the Bots
AI scrapers crawl websites like silent thieves. If you host a blog or personal site, block those bots.
Add a robots.txt file with disallow rules for GPTBot and other crawlers
Use anti-AI plugins if you’re on WordPress
Include a clear disclaimer:
“This content may not be used for AI training.”
This won’t stop everything—but it plants a flag.
- Publish with Awareness
Not every platform protects your work. Before you post:
Read the fine print
Avoid platforms that give themselves permission to redistribute or license your content
Post your own terms. Make it clear your work isn’t open-source
The goal isn’t to hide your voice. The goal is to control where it lands and how it’s used.
AI can’t create without consuming. Don’t feed the machine your brilliance without setting boundaries.
Writing is power. Protect yours like your future depends on it—because it does.
Share this with another writer today. Let’s protect each other while we build.
Want more tips on publishing, protecting your work, and thriving as a writer?
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