Do you want to learn how to automate your time-consuming SEO efforts using artificial intelligence? Let’s dive into the world of AI SEO below to see how it might work for you!
The role of AI in search engine optimization
Search engines like Google already use artificial intelligence to power their complex algorithms. There’s no reason why we can’t do the same thing to dominate those algorithms.
AI SEO involves leveraging machine learning tools to improve your website’s ranking in organic search results. While you cannot use AI to magically improve everything on your website, advanced algorithms speed up many of the time-consuming, traditionally manual tasks of SEO. AI tools comb through massive data sets in seconds, offering powerful insights to inform your SEO strategies as you look toward increasing traffic.
Traditional SEO methods may have been effective in the past. Today, the highest-ranking websites leverage AI for informed and efficient decision making. You must do the same to keep up with Google’s frequent algorithm updates.
Automating manual SEO processes with AI
As an experienced marketer, you already know that Google considers over 200 factors when ranking websites. Attempting to master every Google ranking factor requires a serious investment of time, consideration, and effort. You could dedicate an entire marketing department solely to keyword research or find answers in minutes using machine learning algorithms.
AI is ideal for automating many manual SEO tasks, including the following:
- Keyword research and optimization
- Rank tracking
- Content idea curation
- SEO site auditing
- Backlink campaigns
- Review management
- Online directory management
- And more
When you automate highly manual tasks, your marketing team has more time to invest in complex jobs like writing content, communicating with clients, etc.
Optimizing content with machine learning
Content is one of your website’s strongest tools for attracting organic traffic, but knowing what type of content to create and where to incorporate keywords can feel like a guessing game. Machine learning tools optimize the content generation process in many ways.
Of course, tools like ChatGPT are capable of producing entire blog posts in seconds, but they won’t get you very far. Instead, we recommend leveraging AI to enhance each step of your writing process. How does this work?
First, use AI-powered keyword research tools to discover terms, search intent information, and details about your target audience. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be better informed and ready to write content that actually matters.
Then, enter chosen keywords and content ideas into AI SEO software to quickly generate your article title, content outline, and headlines. You may use this as a starting point or simply as a helpful resource when writing.
After authoring the content, run it through AI-powered keyword optimization and proofreading tools to ensure you’ve optimized everything correctly. The right tools will highlight areas where you should remove or add keywords for the best performance rates.
Personalizing user experiences with advanced segmentation
Users engage most with content that speaks to their needs, and search engine algorithms rank content higher when users engage with it. AI SEO tools curate personalized user experiences by segmenting your content with highly specific keywords.
For example, AI-powered SEO tools allow you to locate hyper-specific keywords for niche audiences. By personalizing your web experience for target personas as you generate content around these terms, you will ideally boost user engagement and organic rankings without investing more time in highly specific SEO research.
Leveraging AI to dominate local search rankings
If you own a local storefront or service-based company, you will want to focus primarily on local SEO. Local SEO allows you to appear on Google Maps when people search for “best restaurants in San Francisco” or “car accident lawyer near me.”
Local SEO involves even more complicated tactics than global SEO. You need to worry about your off- and on-page SEO, technical website health, listings across local directories, online reviews, and more.
Artificial intelligence streamlines the following tasks:
- Directory listing management: Manually managing your business’s listings across Google Business Profile, Yelp, and dozens of other directories is a full-time job in and of itself. SEO AI tools automatically update profiles across listings with a click of a button, allowing you to update business hours, photos, or anything else in seconds.
- Online review management: Your online reviews directly impact how your local business ranks on Google Maps, Google Business Profile, Yelp, and other directories. Leverage AI tools to request reviews from clients, respond to negative feedback, analyze ratings, and more.
- Localized content generation: AI software boosts local SEO content generation as it does general content optimization. Discover competitive content ideas, blog titles, local keyword opportunities, and more.
- Local SEO audits: AI-powered tools automate the local SEO audit process for fast, informative insights. Monitor rankings, discover keywords, and locate website errors in one quick scan to improve your rankings.
Can you use AI to understand or predict user intentions?
The use of AI in understanding or predicting human behavior is somewhat controversial, especially since ChatGPT became a household name in 2022. In search engine optimization settings, though, we use these algorithms to better understand how people use Google to find information online, making it extremely useful for marketing purposes.
Understanding why and how people search online
One way to increase organic traffic is by ensuring your content perfectly answers user questions whenever they search for information online. You can only do this by understanding why and how your target audience uses Google.
Big data models reveal which types of searches often lead to zero clicks because of Google’s featured snippets. For example, people searching for “How long is the Golden Gate Bridge?” will easily find a quick answer at the top of Google results without needing to click on any links.
If you wanted to rank your web page high for the target term “How long is the Golden Gate Bridge?” you would need a fast, accurate one-sentence answer with a more detailed follow-up. You could use data from AI models to determine whether you should optimize content for zero-click searches, People Also Ask questions, full user clicks, and so forth, based on your keywords. Building your content around AI boosts your site’s performance rates.
Predicting user search intentions
You may also leverage AI to predict user search intentions. For example, if you sell archery targets, “targets near me” might seem like the most logical keyword. With informed user intent predictions, you’ll quickly discover that most people searching for “targets near me” are actually looking for the retailer corporation Target, meaning you should select a different term to reach your audience more effectively.
Many AI SEO tools use Natural Language Processing (NLP) to interpret and comprehend complex human language. Artificial intelligence understands what people search for, analyzing the “why” behind their searches and the results they consider the most authoritative. Use all of this information to your advantage when curating content.
Automated and efficient SEO audits with AI algorithms
SEO audits ensure that your efforts aren’t going to waste. You’ll discover website errors, improvement opportunities, performance metrics, and more. That said, the auditing process involves many steps, taking valuable time away from your marketing team.
AI SEO tools automate the auditing process, crawling your website and delivering easy-to-digest reports in seconds that fit seamlessly into any marketing plan.
Software like Semrush locates all of the following concerns in an automated site audit:
- Missing or non-optimized meta tags
- Missing alternative descriptions
- Broken links
- HTML errors
- Keyword cannibalization issues
- Duplicate content
- Indexing issues
- Page speed concerns
- Lacking mobile responsiveness
- Poor core web vitals
- And more
This enhanced and efficient level of error detection ensures optimal site performance around the clock. Predictive SEO audits offer insights on where you should incorporate keywords or content on your website to see improved rankings. For example, AI software may suggest adding 100 more words to your “About Us” page to boost authority.
Can AI help with technical SEO?
Technical SEO often falls into a gray area between web development and marketing, where teams may need help completing tasks in an efficient manner. As a marketer, you may not know much about web indexing or crawling but you may find yourself attempting to edit lines of JavaScript to ensure that your website performs correctly.
Artificial intelligence bridges this gap, helping marketers easily identify technical SEO errors so they can complete development tasks without knowing much about coding. Running site audits with AI SEO tools optimizes your site’s schema markup based on action items provided in the crawl.
By optimizing your schema markups, Google understands how to correctly analyze and display your web page, allowing your content to land in featured snippets and other high-traffic locations.
You may also leverage AI-powered tools to locate mobile responsiveness errors across your web pages. Testing how your site performs on all different device sizes requires ample time. Automated crawling tools immediately identify and resolve mobile errors, slow responsiveness, and other concerns to keep your website technically sound.
Emerging AI SEO trends
Artificial intelligence and search engine optimization continue to evolve rapidly. As we move into the end of 2024 and beyond, we’re seeing the following trends emerge in spaces where AI has taken on a dominant role:
- AI for voice search: Ranking in voice searches involves researching a new set of keywords while aiming for the featured snippet slot. AI tools aid in voice search optimization as it gains popularity.
- Visual search and AI: Similar to voice searches, visual image searches continue to gain popularity, requiring websites to optimize alternative descriptions and web pages in new ways. As AI aids in visual search engines, it also aids in your ability to rank high on these platforms.
- Predictive analytics in SEO: Predictive SEO analytics lead to more informed marketing decisions regarding future strategies and campaigns. For example, AI-powered predictive data might reveal future keyword opportunities based on consumer trends, content ideas, and more.
Breaking down AI and SEO myths
You might be a bit apprehensive about adopting AI based on the myths you’ve heard. But where do we draw the line between what’s possible and pure exaggeration? Let’s go through some of the top concerns raised over AI in SEO and why they aren’t really concerns at all:
Myth 1: AI will replace SEO professionals
Nothing about where AI is or even where it is currently going indicates that it will ever replace marketers, SEO experts, content writers, and editors. While artificial intelligence may automate some of your daily tasks, it cannot replicate everything you do, experience, and know.
Search engine optimization still requires complex decision making, expert knowledge in niche fields, and analysis that only humans can conduct. AI is fantastic for automating certain tasks, allowing you to dedicate more of your time to complex jobs like web design, content curation, branding, strategizing, etc.
Myth 2: AI solves all SEO challenges
AI only solves SEO challenges that involve large datasets or basic tasks. Machine learning tools become effective when leveraging algorithms that efficiently comb through information.
For example, you cannot use AI to author unique, creative content effectively. AI tools may inspire you to come up with ideas, but they cannot always offer solutions to challenging problems, like coding errors on your website.
Myth 3: AI is only for large enterprises
Many AI SEO tools are available for free or for a low subscription price. You do not need to have an enormous client base to justify using AI. Small businesses without marketing departments often stand to gain the most by automating their efforts with AI software.
Our recommended AI SEO tools
So, what AI SEO tools should you start with as you begin automating your manual efforts? Here are some popular options for content creation, keyword research, and performance tracking:
Content creation and optimization tools
Many AI tools can generate entire essays for you in seconds, but that doesn’t mean you should use this feature without a second thought. For optimal results, restrict your use of AI-powered content creation tools to generate SEO ideas or optimize existing content.
The following are some popular AI platforms for content:
- ChatGPT: Can help you generate and analyze bodies of text
- Jasper: Specifically designed for marketers and works similarly to ChatGPT
- Claude: An AI assistant for many business purposes
- SurferSEO: Can help you optimize keywords within your content as you write
AI-powered keyword research tools
If you want to use AI to improve your keyword research, we recommend the following:
- ChatGPT: Ask prompts to receive succinct, well-researched questions
- Ahrefs: Use the Keyword Generator tool to source relevant terms quickly
- Semrush: Leverage the Keyword Planner, Keyword Magic Tool, and more for helpful suggestions
AI tools for competitor analysis and rank tracking
Dedicated AI SEO platforms typically feature excellent competitor analysis tools, rank-tracking metrics, and reporting options. We recommend the following platforms:
FAQs
What is AI SEO?
AI SEO entails using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to inform, enhance, and automate your search engine optimization efforts. For example, you may use AI to analyze large databases for faster keyword research or AI-powered software for automated site audits. AI SEO extends to many applications that help marketers scale their efforts as search engines continue evolving.
How does AI improve keyword research?
AI improves keyword research by allowing you to analyze massive datasets in seconds for better insights regarding which terms your business should use for the best ranking outcomes. AI-powered filtering personalizes your research, allowing you to discover terms relevant to your business. AI software offers predictive information on user search intentions, zero-click searches, and more, so you understand which terms will yield the right results for your needs.
Is AI content penalized by Google?
No, Google does not penalize you for using AI-generated content, though the algorithm still favors highly authoritative, relevant, and trustworthy content. You must always analyze, edit, or oversee any content or information you generate with AI-powered tools.
What are the most common AI-powered SEO tools?
The most common AI-powered SEO tools are as follows:
- ChatGPT
- SurferSEO
- Ahrefs
- Semrush
- Jasper
- Claude
How does AI understand user intent?
AI understands user intent by leveraging Natural Language Processing (NLP) and vast datasets. NLP allows AI to evaluate complex human language, while machine learning algorithms comb through vast datasets to predict how users may behave based on previous patterns.
Can AI improve local SEO?
Yes, AI can improve local SEO as it helps businesses automate online review and directory management while streamlining local keyword research and content curation. Leverage tools to keep your listings in GBP up to date, optimize keywords in blog posts, collect customer reviews, and more.
Final thoughts
So, should you use AI for SEO?
Yes, AI helps improve your website’s organic traffic rankings through highly intelligent, efficient, and automated suggestions. As Google algorithms continue to progress, most websites must use various AI tools to keep up with the competitive landscape.
With that being said, you must not rely solely on AI. Google still prefers highly authoritative content, which you can only create by combining AI SEO tools with human expertise.
