A score is a signal, not a verdict
A Similarity percentage tells you how much text overlaps with known sources. It does not automatically prove plagiarism, and a low score does not guarantee perfect originality.
The useful work is in the highlighted passages: quotations, bibliography, common methods language, copied explanations, and poorly paraphrased source text need different decisions.
What to review first
- Long highlighted blocks from one source
- Unquoted sentences that preserve another author’s structure
- Repeated matches in argument or analysis sections
- References and boilerplate that should be excluded from judgment
How AI reports fit in
AI detection and Similarity answer different questions. A passage can be original but machine-like, or copied from a web page without looking AI-generated.
Review both reports together and revise for authorship, citation quality, and clarity instead of chasing a single magic number.