resend.com
scanned 2026-09-15 06:57 UTC · defs 2026.09
category overview
the breakdown
7 of 27 patterns flagged✓ clean, no tells in this category.
VibeCode Purple — filled indigo/violet CTAs
Vibe purple
Tailwind's `indigo-600` (#6366f1) and `violet-500` (#8b5cf6) became the de-facto primary color for v0.dev, Cursor, Bolt, and Lovable templates.
Hero gradient text (background-clip:text)
Gradient text
Hero H1 with `background-clip: text` + linear gradient (usually purple→pink) is the most-copied 'make the headline pop' trick in AI templates.
Gradient-heavy backgrounds (5+ elements)
Gradient bgs
5+ gradient-background elements means decorative blobs, glows, conic rainbow swirls, or 'aurora' panels everywhere.
Perma dark mode + medium-grey body text
Perma dark
Dark background + mid-grey body text (#a0a0a0 region, HSL saturation <15%, L 0.35–0.75) is the AI default for 'premium' feel.
Identical feature cards with icon on top
Icon cards
3+ identical feature cards, each with a small icon on top, then a 2-3 word title, then a one-sentence description.
Numbered "1 · 2 · 3" step sequences
Numbered steps
Numbered 1·2·3 'How it works' sections are AI's go-to filler.
✓ clean, no tells in this category.
Gradient-letter avatars (testimonial slop)
Letter avatars
Small circular avatars with 1-2 initials on a solid or gradient background, used in a testimonial row, signal 'I have no real testimonials'.
the four axes
slop: lower is better · system & AEO: higher is better
design slop
34/100
Heavy
copy slop
not run
system · DESIGN.md
none
no DESIGN.md
AEO · agent-readable
not run
scan to evaluate
You've seen the score. Now fix it.
7 tells, heaviest first.
VibeCode Purple — filled indigo/violet CTAs+8
whyTailwind's `indigo-600` (#6366f1) and `violet-500` (#8b5cf6) became the de-facto primary color for v0.dev, Cursor, Bolt, and Lovable templates. Any saturated purple/indigo CTA in the HSL 240–295° range reads as 'AI-coded'.fixPick a primary color anchored to your actual brand, not the LLM default. Avoid HSL hue 240–295 entirely for filled CTAs. High-contrast neutrals (pure black, off-white, rich brown) are the safest reset. If you want color, pick one saturated accent that has *meaning* (Stripe purple has a 10-year story; yours probably doesn't yet).ruleNo #6366f1, #8b5cf6, or any HSL hue in 240–295° on filled CTAs.
Hero gradient text (background-clip:text)+6
whyHero H1 with `background-clip: text` + linear gradient (usually purple→pink) is the most-copied 'make the headline pop' trick in AI templates. It signals 'I asked Cursor to make my hero look cool' more than any other single decision.fixReplace the gradient with a single solid color. If you need emphasis, use one of: (a) italicize one word in a serif accent, (b) change one word to your brand color, (c) use weight contrast (300 + 700 in the same line), (d) add a small mark/underline behind one phrase.ruleNo `background-clip: text` on H1. The headline either earns attention through copy or it doesn't.
Gradient-letter avatars (testimonial slop)+5
whySmall circular avatars with 1-2 initials on a solid or gradient background, used in a testimonial row, signal 'I have no real testimonials'. Meng To called this out specifically in May 2026: 'the AI often will generate these generic letters and backgrounds or gradient to express the customer.'fixUse real photographs of real people with real names, real job titles, and real company logos. If you don't have real testimonials yet, REMOVE the testimonial section entirely. An empty section is infinitely more honest than fake initials-on-gradient avatars.ruleNo avatars showing initials on a gradient or solid colored background. Either real photos or no avatars.
Gradient-heavy backgrounds (5+ elements)+4
why5+ gradient-background elements means decorative blobs, glows, conic rainbow swirls, or 'aurora' panels everywhere. This is the AI template equivalent of a 2008 MySpace page.fixAim for zero decorative gradients. At most ONE subtle gradient if it has structural purpose (a section background that aids hierarchy). Replace decorative gradients with: solid color blocks, a single tasteful photograph, real product UI screenshots, or negative space.rule≤1 gradient element total on the page.
Perma dark mode + medium-grey body text+4
whyDark background + mid-grey body text (#a0a0a0 region, HSL saturation <15%, L 0.35–0.75) is the AI default for 'premium' feel. The mid-grey body text fails WCAG AA and signals 'I let v0 pick the colors'.fixEither: (a) go full light mode with crisp dark text on cream/white, OR (b) keep dark but increase body text contrast to at least #d4d4d8 (L 0.85+). Better: ship both themes and respect `prefers-color-scheme`.ruleBody text on dark backgrounds must have L ≥ 0.85. No defaulting to dark — the user's system preference is the default.
Identical feature cards with icon on top+4
why3+ identical feature cards, each with a small icon on top, then a 2-3 word title, then a one-sentence description. This is the single most-copied component from Tailwind UI and shadcn. Every AI-generated landing page has one.fixReplace the grid with something that shows the actual product. Options: (a) one large annotated product screenshot with callouts, (b) a comparison table, (c) a vertical scrolling list with one row = one feature + real screenshot, (d) a single demo video. If you must keep cards, vary their sizes and use real product imagery instead of generic icons.ruleNo grid of ≥3 sibling cards each with a top-aligned icon. If you have a feature grid, ≥1 card must contain a real product screenshot, not a generic icon.
Numbered "1 · 2 · 3" step sequences+3
whyNumbered 1·2·3 'How it works' sections are AI's go-to filler. They almost never describe an actual product flow — they describe a generic 'sign up / use it / love it' loop.fixReplace the numbered steps with the actual product flow shown in real UI. A single annotated screenshot or 15-second video tells the user more than 1-2-3 generic verbs. If steps are essential (e.g. an actual checkout flow), make them visual — show the screen at each step.ruleNo numbered steps section with generic verbs like 'Sign up / Connect / Get started'. If you keep numbered steps, each must include a real product screenshot.
npx slop-detect resend.com --fix