AI SEO: How AI Is Revolutionizing Search Engine Optimization

AI is becoming a major part of our world and how we search; so, how does this affect searches for your website? This article will discuss AI SEO, generative engine optimization, and what you can do to boost your website’s performance in search engine results.

What Is SEO as We Know It?

Before diving into the main subject of SEO AI, it is important to first have an understanding of what SEO is to begin with. A proper knowledge of SEO can help us gauge where we are starting from, and where tools like SEO writing AI and new forms of optimization can take us next. 

SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” In simple terms, it is the practice of improving your website’s visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs). The internet is overrun by billions of websites; only a select few will show up on the first page of search results. Internet users are very unlikely to click past this first page of results, which makes it all the more important to rank at the top of the SERPs. When your website is ranked highly, it becomes discoverable to web users, which in turn generates traffic, clients, and customers, ultimately helping you build your business. 

There are some beliefs that SEO is currently undergoing a period of serious transition; AI can be a big part of this, so it is important to have a well-rounded understanding of AI and the future of SEO as a whole. 

What Is AI?

Next, let us break down the secondary element of AI SEO: AI itself. What is AI and how does it work? 

AI stands for “artificial intelligence,” and refers to any human-like intelligence that is completed through a computer. This can mean something as simple as completing math problems, or as complex as writing full dissertations. 

There are three different types of AI that you should know about based on their capabilities, including: 

• Narrow AI – Also called “weak AI,” this type of AI is designed to perform a specific task and cannot learn to do things outside of its programmed purpose. Types of Narrow AI include Siri or Alexa, drone robots, IBM’s Watson, and more. 

• General AI – Sometimes considered “strong AI” or “artificial general intelligence,” this refers to an AI that can learn human tasks and use its knowledge in different situations. General AI does not yet exist, but researchers are predicting it will be achieved around 2040.
• Super AI – Super AI is when AI can complete tasks better than a human can. This concept of AI can feel emotions, needs, and desires. Super AI has not yet been developed, but it may be a possibility in the future.

AI is used in almost every industry in one way or another. When it comes to an AI SEO strategy, there are plenty of ways that you may consider using artificial intelligence to boost your website on the SERPs or make it stand out from its competitors. 

The Future of SEO

So, what does the future of SEO look like? With artificial intelligence beginning to play a part in SEO strategies and even in search engines themselves, what does SEO look like for the future? 

The main thing to keep in mind is that SEO is not dead or dying; it is simply evolving. SEO AI is going to become a larger factor as search engines themselves begin incorporating AI technologies, such as AI overviews. The way search engines interact with website content is changing, which means that websites must similarly evolve their engagement with search engines. 

This evolution can be a key motivator for using AI on your website or for increasing your overall usage. However, it is important to use AI tools very carefully and deliberately, especially when analyzing details such as the cost of AI and other factors. 

AI and Generative Engine Optimization

To expand on the details above regarding how AI overviews and generative AI searches are shifting the way businesses interact with SEO and with search engines in general, it is important to discuss optimizing generative engines (GEs). GEO is a new form of SEO that can change the way you optimize AI SEO. 

What Are Generative Engines?

GEs are AI-driven tools that operate alongside traditional searches, but elevate them. A traditional search might list a few different URLs that lead to resources, tools, and instructions on your query, but a GE can immediately offer you a step-by-step instructional guide, important details, and even embedded videos. These AI overviews and guides offered by GE are not just pulled out of thin air, however. Instead, the GE will use the highest-ranked websites and URLs from which to pull their information. 

SEO is all about optimizing your website to rank at the top of the SERPs. GEO, on the other hand, is focused on getting your website noticed by the generative engine. This can still help pull traffic to your website, increase your authority, and offer you new opportunities for recognition online. 

Getting recognized by GEs does not have to be difficult, but AI SEO tools can help you stand out even more. The only question is, how? 

Is SEO Writing AI Better?

If you have any familiarity with AI, you will know that writing is one of the most common uses for AI in everyday life. Tools like ChatGPT are used to generate short paragraphs, step-by-step instructions, lists, and even full essays when asked. So, it seems only reasonable that using this type of generated content on your website would have the same effect as anything written by a person. Some might even argue that because it is a computer’s writing, the content might even be better than anything written by a person. However, this is definitely not the case. 

All of the content on your website should be fact-checked, authoritative, and pulled from reliable sources. SEO AI cannot offer you these guarantees. Instead, content writing AI often pulls from what it assumes is authoritative, which is not always accurate. Additionally, GEs and search engine algorithms alike can detect AI-written content, which can make you appear less reliable overall. When you are writing content from scratch, fact-checking and doing your own research, you will find much more success. 

However, that does not mean that AI is useless for optimizing your SEO and GEO. We still need to discuss the right strategies, as well as how much does AI cost. 

A Better AI SEO Strategy

So, how can you use AI SEO tools to boost your website not only to the top of the SERPs, but also make the GEs pay attention to your business? Here are just a few ways that you can use AI SEO for your website, as well as ways you can use AI to help keep tabs on search engines themselves. 

AI for Your Website:

Here are just a couple of ways that you can use AI on your websites to help with your SEO and GEO. 

• Chatbots: Chatbots and virtual assistants can be a great way to utilize AI and help your customers or clients find exactly what they are looking for. 
• Writing Supplements: While you should not let AI write your articles or blog posts for you, supplementing with a spell-checker like Grammarly can be very helpful. 

AI for Search Engines

You can use different AI tools to help you learn about where your website ranks in the SERPs. These tools are called position tracking tools, and they can help you determine what you need to do to boost your rankings further. In fact, some tools may even offer you suggestions or guidance on how to improve.

How Much Does AI Cost?

When it comes to using SEO AI for generative engine optimization, you want to make sure that you are using the best tools at your disposal. But one question you may have is how expensive your AI tools are going to be. 

Most third-party AI tools cost between $50 and $500. This is a wide range, but it is highly unlikely that you will have to step outside of that range to get the tools you need for SEO and GEO. On average, you can expect to spend between $50 and $100 per month for a solid and reliable AI tool. However, there are some free tools you can use as well. 

AI SEO Tools

What are some of the best tools for AI SEO that you can find today? From SEO writing AI to chatbots, here are some great tools you can use to enhance your website and improve your SEO and GEO. 

Tools to Purchase: 

1. Paige by Merchynt
2. RankIQ
3. INK 
4. JASPER
5. SE Ranking
6. OutRanking (SEO Writer Plan)

 

Free Tools: 

1. ChatGPT 
2. Perplexity AI 
3. Quillbot AI 

SEO, AI, and SEO Design Chicago

If you are looking for more than just an SEO AI tool to help you take your website to the next level, consider working with SEO Design Chicago. Our team of experts can help you curate the perfect AI SEO strategy for your website. Contact us to get started today. 

FAQ: AI SEO and Generative Engine Optimization

1. Is it safe to use AI-generated content for my website’s SEO?

Using AI-generated content as your primary website content is not recommended for SEO success. Search engines like Google can detect AI-written content and may view it as less authoritative, potentially hurting your rankings. Additionally, AI content often lacks fact-checking and may contain inaccuracies. Instead, use AI as a supplement – for spell-checking with tools like Grammarly, brainstorming ideas, or creating outlines. Always write original, well-researched content yourself and fact-check any AI assistance to maintain credibility and search engine trust.

2. What’s the difference between traditional SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?

Traditional SEO focuses on ranking high in search engine results pages (SERPs) to get users to click through to your website. GEO, on the other hand, aims to get your content featured in AI-powered generative engines and AI overviews that provide direct answers without requiring clicks. While SEO drives traffic to your site, GEO helps establish your authority by having AI systems reference your content as a trusted source. Both strategies work together – good SEO helps you rank high enough for generative engines to notice and cite your content.

3. How do AI overviews and generative engines affect my website traffic?

AI overviews can reduce click-through rates for simple queries where users find complete answers directly in the AI-generated summary. However, for complex topics, users still visit websites for detailed information. To adapt, focus on creating comprehensive, authoritative content that AI systems will want to reference. When your content gets cited in AI overviews, it builds authority and trust, which can actually increase traffic for related searches. The key is becoming a go-to source that AI systems consistently reference and link to.

4. What AI tools should I invest in for my SEO strategy?

Start with affordable tools in the $50-$100 monthly range. For content optimization, consider RankIQ or INK for keyword research and content scoring. For technical SEO monitoring, SE Ranking offers AI-powered position tracking. Free tools like ChatGPT can help with brainstorming and research, while Grammarly improves content quality. Don’t forget about AI chatbots for your website to improve user experience. Choose tools based on your specific needs rather than trying to use every available AI tool – quality and strategic implementation matter more than quantity.

5. Will AI replace traditional SEO practices entirely?

No, AI will not replace traditional SEO but will evolve and enhance it. Fundamental SEO principles like creating quality content, optimizing page speed, mobile-friendliness, and building authority remain crucial. AI is changing how search engines understand and present content, but the core goal remains the same: providing valuable, relevant information to users. The future involves adapting traditional SEO strategies to work effectively with AI-powered search features while maintaining focus on user experience and content quality.

6. How can I optimize my content to be featured in AI overviews?

Create comprehensive, well-structured content that thoroughly covers topics with clear headings, bullet points, and step-by-step instructions when appropriate. Use authoritative sources and include proper citations. Answer common questions completely and factually. Ensure your content is easily crawlable with proper schema markup and meta descriptions. Focus on becoming an expert source in your niche – AI systems prefer referencing established, trustworthy websites. The same factors that help with traditional SEO (authority, relevance, user experience) also help with AI overview inclusion.

7. Should small businesses worry about implementing AI SEO strategies now?

Small businesses should start learning about AI SEO but don’t need to panic or completely overhaul their current strategies immediately. Begin with free AI tools to supplement your existing SEO efforts, like using ChatGPT for research or content ideation. Focus on creating high-quality, factual content that both traditional search engines and AI systems will value. Monitor how AI overviews affect your industry’s search results and gradually adapt your strategy. The fundamentals of good SEO still apply, so maintain those while slowly incorporating AI-friendly optimizations.