AI can do a lot for your SEO—from keyword research and optimising content to identifying engaging topics and crafting perfect meta descriptions.
This blog, we'll explore how AI can simplify the technical side of SEO while you stay in control, ensuring your content connects with both search engines and your audience.
What is SEO?
A quick reminder ... Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the process of improving your website so it ranks higher on search engines like Google.
Think of it as helping search engines understand your content and making it easier for your ideal customers to find you online. Good SEO means more traffic to your site and, ideally, more customers knocking on your virtual door.
Why use AI for SEO?
AI works by processing massive amounts of data quickly, identifying patterns, and providing insights that would take humans much longer to uncover.
For SEO, this means AI can streamline and enhance processes like keyword research, content optimisation, and analytics. It helps you:
Discover high-value keywords by analysing search trends and competition.
Optimise your content so it aligns with what both search engines and your audience are looking for.
Uncover engaging topics by highlighting trending or untapped ideas within your niche.
Generate meta descriptions and page titles that improve click-through rates and align with SEO best practices.
By automating repetitive tasks and providing data-driven suggestions, AI allows you to focus on adding the personal touch that resonates with your audience.
But remember, it’s a tool, not a replacement for your expertise.
How AI can help you master SEO tasks
Let’s get into how AI can specifically help with the key aspects of SEO:
1. Keyword research made simple
Keywords are the words and phrases your ideal customers type (or speak) into search engines when looking for information, products, or services.
Researching these terms is essential because it helps you understand what your audience wants and how they search for it.
By targeting the right keywords, you can improve your website’s visibility, attract the right audience, and ultimately drive more traffic and conversions.
AI tools like Ubersuggest and AnswerThePublic are game-changers for keyword research. They can:
Identify high-ranking keywords in your industry.
Suggest long-tail keywords (in other words, specific longer phrases) that match what your ideal customers are searching for.
Show search volume and competition levels so you can pick keywords that are both popular and realistic to target.
For example, if you’re a natural skincare business, AI might reveal that "eco-friendly sunscreen for sensitive skin" is a top search term. You can then create content targeting that keyword.
2. Optimising content for keywords
Optimising your content for keywords ensures search engines understand what your page is about, increasing its chances of ranking higher.
This process involves strategically placing keywords where they naturally fit, such as headings, introductions, and image descriptions.
Proper optimisation improves SEO and enhances the user experience by making your content clear and focused.
Once you have your keywords, tools like Yoast SEO (a WordPress plugin), Frase or Surfer SEO can help you weave them into your content without overloading it. These tools:
Highlight where to add keywords naturally, like in headings, the first paragraph, or image alt texts.
Flag when you’ve overused a keyword (a.k.a. keyword stuffing).
Suggest related terms to make your content more diverse and engaging.
Or you can use Chat GPT to do exactly the same thing - just use those bullet points as prompts.
3. Identifying content topics
Creating content that resonates with and attracts your audience starts with identifying topics they care about.
This is important for SEO because high-quality, relevant content keeps visitors on your site longer and encourages them to engage.
AI can help uncover trending topics, frequently asked questions, and gaps in your industry’s content, helping your blog or website stay fresh and valuable.
Stuck on what to write about? AI brainstorming tools can:
Generate a list of blog ideas based on your keywords.
Analyse what’s trending in your industry and suggest relevant topics.
Help you structure content clusters—a collection of blogs that link to a central topic, boosting your website’s authority.
For instance, if "organic skincare" is your main keyword, AI might suggest topics like "The Benefits of Organic Ingredients for Sensitive Skin" or "How to Build an Eco-Friendly Skincare Routine."
4. Writing meta descriptions and page titles
Meta descriptions and page titles are the first impressions of your content on search engine results pages (SERPs).
A well-crafted meta description encourages clicks by giving a sneak peek of your content’s value, while an optimised page title signals relevance to search engines. Together, they improve your click-through rate, which is a key factor in SEO rankings.
AI tools can take the hassle out of crafting catchy meta descriptions and page titles. These are crucial for SEO because they’re what people see on search engine results pages (SERPs). Tools like Jasper can:
Generate meta descriptions that include your focus keyword and encourage clicks.
Suggest engaging page titles that align with SEO best practices (e.g., under 60 characters).
Example: Instead of a dull title like "Our Products," AI might suggest "Shop Natural Skincare—Gentle on Skin, Tough on Results."
5. Polishing your writing for SEO
AI tools like Grammarly and Hemingway can help make your content clear and reader-friendly, which is great for both SEO and your audience.
They:
Suggest simpler phrasing to improve readability.
Highlight sentences that might lose readers’ attention.
Ensure your tone matches your brand (e.g., friendly and approachable).
SEO & AI tools to try (without breaking the bank)
If you’re ready to dip your toes into AI for SEO, here are a few beginner-friendly tools:
Ubersuggest: Great for keyword research.
AnswerThePublic: Perfect for brainstorming blog topics.
Yoast SEO: Handy for optimizing your blog posts if you've got WordPress or Shopify.
Jasper: Ideal for generating meta descriptions and page titles.
Grammarly: Helps polish your writing.
ChatGPT or Claude: Your brainstorming buddy.
Many of these tools have free versions, so you can experiment without committing to a pricey subscription.
Does AI negatively affect SEO ranking?
One common concern is whether using AI tools for content creation can hurt your SEO.
The good news? Google doesn’t penalise content just because it’s AI-generated.
What matters is the quality and value of your content. If it’s helpful, well-written, and relevant to your audience, Google will reward it regardless of how it was created.
That said, low-quality or spammy content (AI-generated or not) can harm your ranking.
To stay on Google’s good side, make sure AI is helping you create content that’s unique, engaging, and tailored to your audience.
Always review and tweak AI-generated text to ensure it reflects your voice and expertise.