Apps & Consumer
Grammarly’s ‘expert review’ feature faces criticism over naming
Grammarly’s 'Expert Review' feature appears to suggest writing revisions from subject matter experts, though critics argue no actual experts are involved in the process.
In August 2025, Grammarly, an AI-powered writing assistant company owned by parent company Superhuman, launched its Expert Review feature as part of a broader set of AI-powered features. The tool, which appears in the sidebar of Grammarly’s main writing assistant, purports to suggest writing revisions from the perspective of subject matter experts. According to Wired, Grammarly frames this feedback as if it were coming from well-known authors, whether they are living or dead. The Verge also reported on the feature’s appearance, noting that the system can present feedback as though it originates from specific journalists and writers at various publications. For example, the tool may prompt users to add ethical context, leverage anecdotes for reader alignment, or pose larger accountability questions in the style of these writers.
The tool has faced pushback from critics who argue that the feature seems ill-conceived. Historian C.E. Aubin criticized the tool in comments to Wired, arguing that the feature does not provide expert reviews because no actual experts are involved in generating the feedback. Aubin stated, “These are not expert reviews, because there are no ‘experts’ involved in producing them.” This criticism highlights that none of the writers or journalists referenced by the tool appear to be involved in the Expert Review feature, nor have they given Grammarly permission to use their names.
In response to the criticism, Grammarly and its parent company have defended the feature’s design. Alex Gay, the vice president of product and corporate marketing at Superhuman, told The Verge that the experts mentioned in the feature are cited because their published works are publicly available and widely cited. Additionally, Grammarly has asserted that references to experts in the feature do not indicate affiliation or endorsement. According to Grammarly’s user guide, references to experts in the feature are for informational purposes only and do not indicate any affiliation with Grammarly or endorsement by those individuals or entities.
Why it matters
Grammarly’s ‘Expert Review’ feature has drawn criticism for implying endorsements from prominent authors and journalists without their permission, raising questions about the validity of the ‘expert’ label.