Ask HN: Add flag for AI-generated articles

#1

Post by levkk » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:24 AM UTC

Should HN add the ability to flag articles as AI-generated? This doesn't have to act as a regular flag, i.e., it won't de-rank the article; it could just show up as an indicator, allowing others (like myself) who don't like reading AI-generated text, to skip it.

Open questions:

1. Why is the regular voting system not enough?

2. Should HN change in response to the gen AI era? It has been successful not changing fundamentals.

Re: Ask HN: Add flag for AI-generated articles

#2

Post by ranger_danger » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:47 AM UTC

Similar discussion on the other site: https://lobste.rs/s/ktew3s/who_does_anubis_actually_stop#c_c...

Re: Ask HN: Add flag for AI-generated articles

#3

Post by edoceo » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:48 AM UTC

Maybe just adding down-vote to submissions would do?

Re: Ask HN: Add flag for AI-generated articles

#4

Post by dawnerd » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:52 AM UTC

Considering YC invests in AI I doubt you’ll get anything of the sort. Too many people here also think you just have to give in and accept (abuser mentality IMO).

Re: Ask HN: Add flag for AI-generated articles

#5

Post by JimsonYang » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:53 AM UTC

> why is the regular voting system not enough

Voting systems can be gamed and as HN becomes bigger and bigger it'll start to attract unsavory audiences who have an agenda.

Re: Ask HN: Add flag for AI-generated articles

#6

Post by jagged-chisel » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:53 AM UTC

edoceo wrote: post #3

Maybe just adding down-vote to submissions would do?

We have “flag”

Re: Ask HN: Add flag for AI-generated articles

#7

Post by JimsonYang » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:54 AM UTC

edoceo wrote: post #3

Maybe just adding down-vote to submissions would do?

Hn rarely allows people to downvote,only after you become an active member for many years

And im sure this was designed in order to encourage positive discussion

Re: Ask HN: Add flag for AI-generated articles

#8

Post by jagged-chisel » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:56 AM UTC

JimsonYang wrote: post #7

edoceo wrote: post #3

Maybe just adding down-vote to submissions would do?

Hn rarely allows people to downvote,only after you become an active member for many years And im sure this was designed in order to encourage positive discussion

There is no longer a downvote on submissions.

Re: Ask HN: Add flag for AI-generated articles

#9

Post by JimsonYang » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:59 AM UTC

jagged-chisel wrote: post #8

JimsonYang wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hn rarely allows people to downvote,only after you become an active member for many years And im sure this was designed in order to encourage positive discussion

There is no longer a downvote on submissions.

Do you know the reason? Allowing down voting on comments but not on submissions?

Re: Ask HN: Add flag for AI-generated articles

#10

Post by CqtGLRGcukpy » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:59 AM UTC

A problem I see is that what someone may consider to be AI-generated actually isn't. And the AI checkers aren't reliable enough to definitely enough say something is AI-generated.