Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most common questions users have about generating Turnitin reports with DocxDetector:

• 1. Why doesn’t DocxDetector ever index my paper in Turnitin, no matter how many times I check?

  Our Turnitin integration is configured to never store submitted papers. This means you can run unlimited checks without worrying your work will be saved in Turnitin’s database.

• 2. What does “%” mean in the Turnitin AI report?

  As of July 16, 2024, if Turnitin estimates that 1%–19% of your paper was AI-generated, it will display “%” instead of a specific number. Exact percentages are shown only for 0% or 20% and above. This reflects Turnitin’s position that AI detection is less reliable within this lower range. If your institution does not require a 0% AI score, “%” is generally considered acceptable.

• 3. Will the AI score from DocxDetector match what my school sees in Turnitin?

  Yes — if you submit the exact same content, the AI percentage should be identical. However, even minor edits (e.g., rephrasing sentences, adjusting formatting, or fixing grammar) may cause discrepancies in your school’s results. To ensure alignment, we strongly recommend re-checking with DocxDetector after any revisions.

• 4. Can I use DocxDetector after submitting my paper to my school’s Turnitin?

  Yes — but be aware: if your paper has already been submitted to your institution’s Turnitin account, running it again through DocxDetector will likely trigger a high similarity score, since your original submission is now stored in Turnitin’s database. That said, your AI detection score remains unaffected and can still be verified.

• 5. Why was my work flagged as AI-generated even though I didn’t use tools like ChatGPT?

  No current tool — including Turnitin — can detect AI-generated content with 100% accuracy. Even writing assistants like Grammarly or Quillbot may unintentionally influence how your text is interpreted. To reduce the risk of being flagged, consider simplifying or rewording overly formal or robotic-sounding passages.

• 6. What happens if I don’t download my report within 24 hours?

  For privacy protection, all documents and reports are automatically deleted 24 hours after processing and cannot be recovered. However, a copy is also emailed to your registered DocxDetector address — so be sure to check your inbox if you miss the download window.

• 7. Is my reference list included in the similarity score?

  No. Our Turnitin detector is configured to automatically exclude reference lists from similarity analysis, aligning with standard practices at most universities and academic journals.

• 8. Why does Turnitin show 0% AI while GPTZero shows a high score?

  Turnitin uses a more conservative and refined AI detection model designed to avoid unfairly flagging students. It focuses on identifying fully AI-generated submissions rather than every potential AI-like phrase — which is why its scores may be lower than those from tools like GPTZero.

• 9. Why did my AI report fail to generate?

  Turnitin’s AI report will not generate if your document:

  • Is written in a language other than English, Japanese, or Spanish
  • Contains fewer than 320 words or more than 29,999 words

  If neither applies, please try resubmitting your document.

• 10. Will my 0% AI score in Turnitin remain unchanged forever?

  Not necessarily. Turnitin regularly updates its AI detection algorithm. While your current report shows 0%, future updates may slightly adjust past scores. However, this will not affect assignments already submitted and graded.

• 11. Why did previously unflagged sections get marked as AI after I edited my paper?

  AI detection evaluates your entire document as a cohesive unit — not individual sections in isolation. Editing one part can shift the overall linguistic pattern, causing the system to reinterpret other sections.

  For example: Sam wrote a 1,000-word paper divided into Sections A–E. Initially, only Section C was flagged. After revising Section C, a re-check might clear Section C but flag Section A instead.

  This happens because AI detection reassesses the full context each time. Results are not tied to specific sentences — they reflect the current state of your entire document.

• 12. Will my 0% AI score in Turnitin remain unchanged forever?

  Not necessarily. Turnitin regularly updates its AI detection algorithm. While your current report shows 0%, future updates may slightly adjust past scores. However, this will not affect assignments already submitted and graded.