# Negative prompting

> Telling the model what to avoid — a tone, a claim, a format, a topic — alongside what to do, so unwanted output is ruled out explicitly.

Source: Promptea — https://www.promptea.me/en/glossary/negative-prompting · Language: English · Last updated: 2026-11-09

## What it means

- Definition: negative prompting adds explicit exclusions to a prompt ('do not use jargon', 'no bullet lists', 'do not mention pricing').
- Why it matters: an exclusion closes off a failure you already know about, such as hype words in ad copy, filler openings or content outside the scope you were given.
- How to apply it: keep each exclusion specific and testable, pair it with what to do instead ('no jargon; explain terms in plain words'), and put only the few that matter. A long list of 'don'ts' is hard to follow.
- In image prompting, a negative prompt is a separate field that lists things to leave out of the picture; there it is a feature of the tool rather than a sentence in the prompt.

## Example

```text
Rewrite this product description for a landing page.
Do: plain language, one concrete benefit, max 60 words.
Avoid: superlatives ("best", "revolutionary"), unverifiable claims, exclamation marks.
Instead of hype, state what the user can do with the product.

Description:
"""[paste]"""
```

[Open in Promptea](https://www.promptea.me/en/analyzer?prompt=Rewrite+this+product+description+for+a+landing+page.%0ADo%3A+plain+language%2C+one+concrete+benefit%2C+max+60+words.%0AAvoid%3A+superlatives+%28%22best%22%2C+%22revolutionary%22%29%2C+unverifiable+claims%2C+exclamation+marks.%0AInstead+of+hype%2C+state+what+the+user+can+do+with+the+product.%0A%0ADescription%3A%0A%22%22%22%5Bpaste%5D%22%22%22&purpose=marketing&target=claude)

## Frequently asked questions

### Do 'don't' instructions work as well as positive ones?

They work best when paired with a positive alternative. 'Don't be vague' is weaker than 'name the metric, the date and the owner'.

### Where should exclusions go in the prompt?

Next to the rules they refine, in a short 'Avoid' list, not scattered through the text.

## Related

- [Negative prompting: how to tell AI what not to do](https://www.promptea.me/en/guides/negative-prompting)
- [Marketing prompts without hype (safe claims)](https://www.promptea.me/en/guides/marketing-prompts-without-hype)
- [Image generation prompts: structure, style, and composition for better AI images](https://www.promptea.me/en/guides/image-generation-prompts)
- [Constraints](https://www.promptea.me/en/glossary/constraints)
- [Role prompting](https://www.promptea.me/en/glossary/role-prompting)