Key takeaways:
- AI isn’t great at counting words, but you can still get long articles with the right tricks.
- Use detailed prompts, research prompts, and even “obstacles” to push for more words.
- Choosing the right AI model with bigger output limits makes a huge difference.
Ever tried getting ChatGPT to spit out a 3,000-word article and ended up with just a few paragraphs? Yeah, it’s a common headache for anyone using AI for content. The problem is, these tools aren’t built to count words—they just want to finish the answer and move on.
But don’t stress. I’ve spent way too many hours testing every trick out there, and I’m breaking down how you can actually get those long-form pieces without losing your mind or your time.
Why AI Struggles With Word Count and What You Can Do About It
AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are built to answer questions, not count words. If you ask for a 2,000-word article, you’ll probably get way less. Even if you say “write 3,000 words,” AI just tries to complete the task, not hit the number. It’s a known issue, and honestly, it’s not getting fixed anytime soon.
So, how do you get around this? Here’s what actually works.
Use Super Specific Prompts for Every Section
The more details you give, the longer the output. Don’t just say “write an article.” Break it down:
- Specify the writing style (casual, formal, etc.).
- List out every heading you want.
- Say how many paragraphs per section.
- Mention paragraph length, sentence style, and if you want bold or italics.
For example, when I want a long blog post, I’ll tell AI exactly what each heading should be, how many paragraphs, and what kind of sentences to use. All those little details add up and force AI to fill more space.
Get AI to Do Real Research, Not Just Guess
If you’re using a tool with internet access (Perplexity, Gemini, etc.), tell it to “do deep research” or “thorough research.” This makes AI pull info from more sources, which means more detail and more words.
Here’s a cool trick: ask AI to research a related subtopic, not just the main one. For example, if you’re writing about electric cars, ask for a section on charging infrastructure or battery recycling. This pulls in fresh info and bulks up your article.
Add Obstacles and Banned Words to Make AI Work Harder
This one’s wild but super effective. If you tell AI to avoid certain words, it gets creative and writes more. For example, ask it to describe a “dog in the park” without using “dog” or “park.” Suddenly, you get a much longer, more detailed answer.
I actually keep a list of cliché words to ban from my prompts (there’s a link in the video description for my list). Removing these forces AI to find new ways to say things, making your content longer and more unique.
Use a Model With a Big Output Token Limit
Not all AI models are created equal. Some just can’t handle long outputs. For example, GPT-4 can handle 8,000 tokens, while GPT-3.5 is stuck at 4,000. If you want those monster articles, you need a model with a big limit.
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get enough words, it might be time to switch to a different model. I use Perplexity because it lets me pick from multiple models and usually gives me the longest responses for free.
Bonus: Split Your Article Into Parts
Even with all these tricks, AI sometimes just stops mid-article. No sweat. Just break your request into parts:
- Ask for “Part 1” of the article.
- When it finishes, say “continue” or “write Part 2.”
- Keep going until you hit your word count.
You can also use prompts like “expand,” “go on,” or “add more detail” to push for extra words.
Table: Prompt Tricks for Longer AI Content
| Trick | What to Say in Your Prompt | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed structure | “Write 5 sections, each with 3 paragraphs…” | Forces AI to fill out each section |
| Deep research | “Do thorough research using online sources” | Pulls in more info, more words |
| Banned words/obstacles | “Don’t use these words: [list]” | Makes AI get creative, adds length |
| Split into parts | “Write Part 1 of 6” | Lets you control output, avoid cutoff |
| Continue/expand prompts | “Continue,” “expand on the above,” “go on” | Extends the response |
| Use bigger model | “Use GPT-4 or Claude 3” | Handles longer outputs |
FAQs
How do I get ChatGPT to write more than 3,000 words in one go?
You probably can’t in one shot. Break your request into sections and use “continue” or “expand” prompts to keep going.
Why does AI stop before hitting the word count I asked for?
AI isn’t built to count words. It just tries to answer the question as best it can, then stops when it hits its token or word limit.
What’s the best prompt to get a long article?
Be super specific. List out every heading, how many paragraphs, what style, and ask for deep research. Add banned words for extra length.
Which AI model should I use for long articles?
Models with bigger output limits, like GPT-4 or Claude 3, work best. Perplexity is great because it lets you pick the model.
Can I just ask ChatGPT to “write 5,000 words” and get it?
Nope. It’ll try, but you’ll usually get less. Use the tricks above to get close, then stitch the parts together yourself.
That’s the real talk on getting ChatGPT to write those long articles. It’s not perfect, but these tricks get you way closer to your word count goals. Happy writing! ✍️🚀
