The freelance writing landscape has always been a fluid one, with client demands and requirements and competition changing quickly. With the rise of AI language models, our world is changing even faster. In 2023, writing assistants, AI chatbots, and AI tools are the talk of the town.
On the one hand, AI offers new possibilities and opportunities for writers. On the other hand, we face the ever-present fear that machines might replace us.
You know what I’m going to say about this, right? If we want to survive—and thrive—in the freelance writing niche, we have to adapt and get ahead of the technology.
So, we continue to look at generative AI tools to ensure we are up-to-date with new developments.
Google Bard and ChatGPT
Google Bard and ChatGPT are two prominent AI language models that have gained recognition in the field of natural language processing. As long as you have access to the internet, you can use Bard and ChatGPT.
Google Bard, developed by the search engine giant, focuses on generating creative and engaging content, making it suitable for various writing tasks. Whereas ChatGPT (powered by OpenAI’s GPT technology) excels in conversational interactions and can be used to create conversational agents or chatbots.
Both Google Bard and ChatGPT have unique features and capabilities, making them valuable resources for freelance writers. In this post, we compare these two AI writing assistants, cover their functionalities, look at their strengths and limitations, and assess which AI language model may be better suited for freelance writers in various contexts.
Before we continue, it’s worth noting that there are many other popular AI chatbots, including Bing Chat. For the purposes of this post, however, we focus on the two at the head of the pack.
Google Bard: A Quick Look
Google Bard is a large language model (LLM) from Google AI. It is trained on a massive dataset of text and code. It can generate text, translate languages, write different kinds of creative content, and answer your questions in an informative way. Bard is still under development, but it has learned to perform many kinds of tasks, including:
- Following instructions and completing requests “thoughtfully”
- Using its knowledge to answer questions in a comprehensive and informative way, even if they are open-ended, challenging, or strange
- Generating different creative text formats of text content, like poems, code, scripts, musical pieces, emails, letters, etc.
Google Bard is also full of features and capabilities that make it beneficial for freelance writers.
- Creative content generation: Google Bard excels in generating imaginative and unique content, making it useful if you’re seeking inspiration or assistance with creative writing projects.
- Language understanding and context handling: The model has been trained extensively on a vast amount of text data, enabling it to understand and contextualize input prompts effectively. This helps in communicating your requirements easily and receiving tailored responses.
- Customization options: Google Bard allows users to fine-tune the style, tone, and specificity of the generated content, providing flexibility to adapt the output according to your preferences and project requirements.
You can also use it to:
- Research topics and gather information
- Write outlines and drafts of documents
- Proofread and edit your work
- Translate documents into other languages
- And more
ChatGPT: A Quick Look
OpenAI’s ChatGPT is an AI chatbot specifically designed for conversational interactions. It utilizes the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer), GPT-4 model being the latest, technology to generate human-like responses in a chat-based format. ChatGPT facilitates dynamic and engaging conversations with users, making it a versatile tool for freelance writers looking to create interactive content.
ChatGPT offers several key features and capabilities that help freelance writers:
- Conversational prowess: ChatGPT excels in engaging in interactive conversations, allowing freelance writers to create chat-based applications or chatbots that can interact with users in a natural and coherent manner.
- Language understanding and context retention: The model has been trained on a diverse range of conversational data, enabling it to understand user inputs and retain context throughout the conversation. This helps freelance writers create chat-based content that feels fluid and responsive.
- Customization and fine-tuning: ChatGPT comes with the ability to customize and fine-tune the model’s behavior, ensuring that the generated responses to any query align with the desired style, tone, and objectives of the freelance writing project.
You can also use it to:
- Create personalized content for clients
- Generate marketing copy
- Write social media posts
- Create email campaigns
- Write product descriptions
- Summarize text
- And more
Google Bard vs ChatGPT: A Comparison for Freelance Writers
Speaking from experience, I can say that both chatGPT and Bard are useful in freelance writing. However, they do have strengths and weaknesses, so let’s look at the two AI chatbots more closely.
1. Language generation and quality of output
The most important thing for me is to ensure that I produce excellent work. So, whatever I am using an AI language model for, I want to check for the quality of its output.
Accuracy, coherence, and naturalness
Google Bard is generally better at generating text that is accurate and factual. This is because Bard is trained on a massive dataset of text and code, which includes a lot of factual information. This can be helpful for freelance writers who need to generate content that is factually accurate, such as blog posts or articles.
ChatGPT, on the other hand, is better at generating text that is creative and engaging. This is because ChatGPT is trained on a dataset that includes a lot of creative writing. This can be helpful for freelance writers who need to generate content that is creative and engaging, such as marketing copy or social media posts.
Ability to understand specific writing instructions and requirements
Both ChatGPT and Google Bard are able to understand specific writing instructions and requirements. However, there are some subtle differences between the two models.
Google Bard is generally better at understanding instructions that are specific and detailed. This can be helpful for freelance writers who need to generate content that follows specific instructions, such as technical documentation or grant proposals.
ChatGPT, on the other hand, is better at understanding instructions that are more general and open-ended. This can be helpful for freelance writers who need to generate content that is more open-ended and creative, such as blog posts or articles. Additionally, you can only use ChatGPT for information until September 2021, the cut-off date for its dataset. So, when considering accuracy in terms of real-time data, Bard is better. This key difference gives Google’s AI chatbot an edge.
Customization options for writing style and tone
When it comes to customization options for writing style and tone, both Google Bard and ChatGPT offer certain capabilities, although there are differences in how they handle this aspect.
Google Bard provides users with several options to customize the writing style and tone of the generated content. These customization options allow freelance writers to tailor the output according to their specific audience or purpose. Some key features of Google Bard’s customization options include:
- Style and tone selection: Google Bard allows users to select from a range of predefined writing styles and tones. This feature enables writers to adapt the generated content to suit different contexts, whether it’s formal, casual, professional, or humorous.
- Audience targeting: With Bard, freelance writers can customize the content to resonate with a specific target audience. By specifying the target demographic or characteristics, such as age group or industry, writers can generate content that aligns with the preferences and expectations of their intended readers.
- Contextual prompts: Google Bard also excels in understanding and retaining context. Users can provide contextual prompts to guide the generation process, allowing them to generate content that is coherent and consistent with the desired context. This feature enables freelance writers to maintain a consistent tone throughout their content.
While ChatGPT focuses more on conversational interactions, it still offers certain customization options for style and tone. These options enable freelance writers to create chat-based content that aligns with their desired writing style and tone. Some key features of ChatGPT’s customization options include:
- Fine-tuning and prompt engineering: ChatGPT allows users to fine-tune the model’s behavior by providing explicit instructions and examples during the training process. This enables writers to guide the model to generate responses that adhere to their preferred writing style and tone.
- Persona selection: ChatGPT offers the ability to select a predefined persona or character for the generated content. This allows freelance writers to create chat-based applications or chatbots with distinct personalities, enhancing the user experience and engagement.
- Iterative refinement: Writers can engage in iterative conversations with ChatGPT, providing feedback and guidance to shape the model’s responses. This iterative refinement process helps writers achieve the desired style and tone in the generated content. This may be my favorite aspect of ChatGPT!
ChatGPT vs Google Bard: Customization Options
In summary:
- Flexibility: Google Bard offers a broader range of predefined styles and tones, allowing users to select from various options. This gives writers more flexibility in tailoring the content to different purposes and audiences. In contrast, ChatGPT’s customization options are more focused on fine-tuning and persona selection, which may provide more nuanced control over the generated responses.
- Context handling: Google Bard’s strength lies in its ability to understand and retain context, making it well-suited for generating content that adheres to specific contextual requirements. ChatGPT, while also capable of contextual understanding, is primarily designed for conversational interactions. As a result, it may excel in generating content that feels more conversational and dynamic.
- Conversational nature: ChatGPT’s customization options are particularly beneficial for writers looking to create chat-based content or chatbots with specific writing styles and tones. Its persona selection feature, in particular, allows for the creation of more engaging and interactive conversational agents.
TEST 1: Social media caption
Let’s see these two AI language models in action, shall we?
I asked ChatGPT and Bard this prompt: “Write a Facebook caption for a photo of a sunset viewed from the beach.”
Compare the results below.
ChatGPT
- “Witnessing nature’s masterpiece: a breathtaking sunset by the beach. 🌅✨”
- “When the sun kisses the horizon, magic fills the air. Another stunning beach sunset captured. 🌅✨”
- “Nature’s daily farewell performance: a mesmerizing sunset on the beach. Take a moment to soak in its beauty. 🌅✨”
- “As the sun bids adieu, the beach becomes a canvas painted with vibrant hues. Captured this stunning sunset moment. 🌅✨”
- “Savoring the golden hour at the beach, where the sky meets the sea in a breathtaking symphony of colors. 🌅✨”
Bard
- “The sky is ablaze with color as the sun sets over the ocean. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of change, there is always beauty to be found.”
- “Sunset on the beach is my happy place. It’s a time to relax, reflect, and be grateful for all the good in my life.”
- “The sunset is a reminder that even though the day is coming to an end, there is always hope for tomorrow.”
- “The sky is a canvas, and the sunset is the artist’s brushstrokes. It’s a beautiful sight to behold.”
- “Sunset is my favorite time of day. It’s a time to let go of the worries of the day and just enjoy the moment.”
The verdict: They’re on the same level.
But this is just a short caption for social media.
TEST 2: Question
Let’s try asking a question.
ChatGPT: “Where can I find freelance writing jobs?”
Google Bard: “Where can I find freelance writing jobs?”
The verdict: ChatGPT gives a more straightforward answer, complete with links, so it’s easier to verify if the content is correct.
TEST 3: Introduction for a blog post
ChatGPT: Write an introduction for a blog post titled “How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners”
Google Bard: Write an introduction for a blog post titled “How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners”
The verdict: ChatGPT generates more polished content, but Google Bard gives you more information—an outline complete with bullet points that can help you with the entire article.
BOTTOM LINE
In terms of content quality, it depends on what kind of content you’re working on and the degree of your reliance on the output. If you want a practically ready-made introduction, for example, then ChatGPT is better. However, I caution against using the generated content as is, especially if you want to keep your own voice and ensure that the content is accurate.
Even when using AI writing assistants, always, always edit.
2. Speed of generating content
Personally, I am not too concerned with the speed of generating content. But, if it is a consideration for you, here are the results of a quick test I did.
Prompt 1: What’s faster at generating content, ChatGPT or Google Bard?
I’m not pulling your leg—they gave the answer both exactly in the same timeframe! But, I like Bard’s answer better as it is more definitive, and it even provides a comparative table.
ChatGPT: 7.95 seconds
Google Bard: 7.95 seconds
Prompt 2: Write an outline for an article about the advantages of using Grammarly.
While Bard said that ChatGPT is faster, my experience shows they’re almost the same in terms of speed. If you look at the generated outline, however, ChatGPT provides a more comprehensive outline, while Bard used more info and adds a bit more insight.
ChatGPT: 10.17 seconds
Google Bard: 9.69 seconds
So, in terms of speed, the differences between ChatGPT and Google Bard are almost nil, BUT their answers to questions and how they approach generating responses are quite different. Bard can offer additional information while ChatGPT takes the cake when it comes to a “ready-to-use” outline.
3. Cost-effectiveness and accessibility
Freelance writers, especially beginning ones, may not have the luxury of purchasing every awesome tool or subscription we stumble upon. So, one of the main considerations when comparing AI language models is, naturally, the cost. What’s the difference between ChatGPT and Bard in terms of cost and accessibility?
- Pricing models and affordability
- Google Bard is free to use for anyone with a Google account. This makes it a very affordable option for freelance writers, especially those who are just starting out.
- ChatGPT has free and paid access. The free version of ChatGPT allows users to ask up to 100 questions per day. The paid plan (ChatGPT Plus) costs $20 per month and allows users to ask unlimited questions. The paid plan is also supposed to be faster.
- Availability and ease of access
- Google Bard: Available to anyone with a Google account. It can be accessed through the Google Search bar or the Google AI website.
- ChatGPT: Available to anyone who has a ChatGPT account. Accounts can be created for free, but users must be approved by ChatGPT before they can start using the service.
- Potential for maximizing freelance writing income
- Google Bard: Can be used to improve writing skills, generate ideas, and create content. This can help writers to produce higher-quality work and to get more clients.
- ChatGPT: Can be used to help freelance writers with a variety of tasks, including research, writing, and translation. This can help writers to save time and to produce more work.
Again, it’s pretty much a tie in terms of cost and access.
4. User experience and interface
Not everyone is tech-savvy, but even those who are techie appreciate user-friendly software. How do Google Bard and ChatGPT fare in this regard?
User experience
Both platforms strive to provide intuitive interfaces and smooth interactions. Google Bard offers a clean and visually appealing interface, integrating seamlessly with other Google products. Its interface is designed to be user-friendly, with easy-to-understand features and functionalities. One thing that takes (a little) away from the experience is that you have to reset your chat everytime you want to create a different document. To see old activity, you have to navigate away from the page by clicking “Bard Activity.”
Similarly, ChatGPT focuses on providing a user-friendly experience, offering a straightforward interface that allows writers to input text and receive generated responses in a conversational manner. The goal is to create a user interface that feels natural and minimizes any learning curve. What I like is the ability to create new chats so you can have an archive of your work.
Availability of support and resources for freelance writers
Google Bard benefits from the extensive resources and support network associated with the tech giant. Users can access comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and community forums to seek assistance and explore advanced features.
ChatGPT uses the rich ecosystem of OpenAI. It provides resources such as API documentation and developer guides. It is also better (arguably) when it comes to a supportive community of users. While both platforms offer valuable support, the availability and specific nature of resources may vary. Writers should consider their individual needs and preferences when evaluating the support and resources offered by each platform.
The verdict? I like how you can create new chats with ChatGPT
5. Ethical considerations (of generative AI in general)
Ethics is at the core of the AI writing assistance debate. One of the major aspects to consider is bias in the generated content. Both platforms employ various measures to address this issue. Google Bard utilizes sophisticated algorithms and natural language processing techniques to identify potential biases and minimize their impact.
Chat GPT also incorporates measures to mitigate bias, leveraging large-scale training data and ongoing research to improve fairness and inclusivity. However, it is important for freelance writers to remain vigilant and critically evaluate the generated content to ensure it aligns with ethical standards and values.
And, just like with everything digital, the protection of user data is another critical ethical consideration. Freelance writers must have confidence that their personal information and content are handled securely. Google Bard and Chat GPT implement data privacy and security policies to safeguard user data. Google, as a tech giant, has established stringent privacy measures and adheres to industry standards to protect user information.
OpenAI, the organization behind Chat GPT, also places a strong emphasis on data privacy and employs encryption and access controls to ensure the confidentiality and security of user data.
Last, but definitely not least: transparency and explainability. Users—that’s you and me— should have a clear understanding of how the AI models generate responses and suggestions. Google Bard provides transparency by offering explanations for suggested changes and highlighting grammar and style rules it follows.
Chat GPT, though primarily focused on generating human-like responses, strives to provide clearer indications when it lacks information or encounters limitations. It is important for writers to critically evaluate and validate the AI-generated content, considering the context and purpose of their writing.
6. Limitations and challenges
We’ve talked about this before—AI tools have their limits. If we are to use them to our advantage, we have to know the limitations and challenges we may face when using them.
Limitations of Google Bard for freelance writers
- Still under development: a relatively new AI language model, and it is still under development. This means that the model may not always be accurate or reliable.
- Not always creative: good at generating factual content, but it is not always as good at generating creative content.
- Can be repetitive: can sometimes repeat itself, especially when generating long pieces of text.
- Availability: exclusively within the Google ecosystem, which may restrict compatibility with certain platforms or tools preferred by writers.
Limitations of ChatGPT for freelance writers
- Can be biased: trained on a massive dataset of text and code, which may contain biases. This means that the model may generate content that is biased or offensive.
- Can be inaccurate: not always accurate, especially when generating factual content.
- Can be difficult to control: a complex model, and it can be difficult to control. This means that it may be difficult to get the model to generate the desired output.
- Can be too verbose: due to its more conversational nature
Addressing challenges and mitigating limitations
Knowing that there are limitations, freelance writers can make the most of Google Bard or ChatGPT. This helps avoid disappointment and bad output.
We should use Google Bard and ChatGPT carefully, meaning using the models for the right tasks and being aware of the potential for bias and inaccuracy.
Here are some additional limitations and challenges to consider when using AI language models for freelance writing:
- They may not be able to understand the nuances of human language.
- They may not be able to generate content that is original or creative.
- They may not be able to generate content that is factually accurate.
7. Future prospects and improvements
There’s no doubt about it—we are only going to see more improvement in the future for both language models.
OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, has demonstrated a dedication to continuously advancing its AI language models. They have a track record of releasing updates and improvements to address limitations and expand capabilities. Future updates for ChatGPT may focus on enhancing conversational abilities, improving response coherence and clarity, and addressing domain-specific knowledge gaps. OpenAI’s commitment to research and development suggests that ChatGPT will continue to evolve and offer even more sophisticated writing assistance for freelance writers.
Whereas Bard is backed by Google, a company known for its commitment to research and innovation. As such, it is reasonable to anticipate ongoing research and development efforts to enhance the capabilities of Google Bard. This could include advancements in grammar and style suggestions, improved contextual understanding, and increased compatibility with third-party tools and platforms. Google’s extensive resources and expertise in natural language processing and machine learning provide a strong foundation for future improvements to its Ai chatbot.
ChatGPT vs Google Bard: Which Is Better?
So, which is the best AI chatbot?
Long answer: Both models have their strengths and limitations, they can be utilized effectively depending on the specific needs of a writing project.
ChatGPT is known for its conversational prowess, engaging in interactive conversations, and producing creative and engaging content. It is particularly useful for generating chat-based applications or chatbots. Whereas Google Bard excels in generating accurate and factual content, making it suitable for tasks that require precision and adherence to specific instructions. It is also adept at customizing writing style and tone to match a specific audience or purpose. On the other hand,
The choice between Google Bard and ChatGPT depends on the nature of the content, the level of customization required, and the specific objectives of a freelance writing project. You should consider factors such as content quality, speed of content generation, cost-effectiveness, user experience, ethical considerations, and limitations when selecting an AI writing tool.
Frustrating, I know. Who like long answers?
Here’s what I’m going to tell you, though: I use both tools, especially for outlining. I like how ChatGPT gives me a comprehensive outline, but Bard’s output gives me another perspective.
So, much like the research we do when planning content, the more sources, the better.
I leave you with this…(which I do most of the time when talking about AI writing assistants):
⚠️ Remember that while AI language models are valuable tools, they are not a substitute for human creativity, expertise, and critical thinking. Always review and edit the output generated by these tools to ensure accuracy, maintain our own voice, and be ethical.
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