Y Combinator applications are getting longer, with more em dashes. Guess why.
Applications to Y Combinator grew 60% in length over the past three years, one partner wrote. Another pointed out the use of em dashes, suspecting AI.
YC applications have lengthened by 60% in the past three years, according to partner Tyler Bosmeny. The trend is marked by a rising use of em dashes and the word "wedge". A partner Pete Koomen suggested this change might be linked to AI-generated writing. Em dashes started appearing in around 50% of YC applications by summer 2025, with spaced em dashes seeing a spike in the same period.
The word "wedge" appeared in more than 20% of applications by the same time, correlating with the launch of Anthropic's Opus 4. However, not all words associated with AI are on the rise. The word "delve" spiked in winter 2024 but never exceeded 1.25% of applications. YC doesn't offer guidelines on AI usage in applications, a stance shared by its CEO Garry Tan, who uses AI, yet former cofounder Paul Graham has expressed skepticism, noting that AI-written emails feel dishonest.
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