Last Updated on July 8, 2025
Combining SEO and AI is transforming how we create content – it must serve not only search engines and algorithms, but also real audiences and AI.
Use AI as a helpful partner, not a substitute for your skills, to work more efficiently, enhance your content, and connect more effectively with your audience.
This article explores practical ways to integrate AI into your SEO process, from effective prompt engineering to editing and optimization, ensuring your content stands out in search results while genuinely addressing your readers’ needs.
Think of AI as Your Enthusiastic Intern
Say hello to Allan – your enthusiastic intern. Allan isn’t here to replace your expertise, and neither is AI.
Think of AI like every eager intern who shows up with a stack of ideas and endless energy. They still need your guidance to turn those ideas into something meaningful. And, who knows – if you train Allan right, you might get that promotion; otherwise, you may be stuck in your job until they can replace you.
Tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and even Semrush’s SEO Writing Assistant can generate outlines, suggest titles, and even draft entire articles. But these are starting points, not finish lines. The magic happens when you add your experience, your voice, and your understanding of what your audience needs.
Remember: creativity is instrumental to success. Every AI suggestion is a conversation starter, not a final answer.
Master the Art of Prompting
If you’ve ever baked a cake or cooked a complicated meal, you know how essential a recipe is. And if you’re preparing dinner for a crowd, it’s important to know if you’re serving ten or 50 guests. In the same way, prompts act as our recipe cards and instructions, guiding us through the process, just like in the kitchen.
The difference between useful AI output and generic fluff comes down to how you ask the question. Don’t just tell ChatGPT to “write a blog post about SEO.” Give it context:
- Who’s your audience? (Small business owners? Marketing managers? Complete beginners?)
- What’s your goal? (Drive traffic? Generate leads? Educate?)
- What tone works for your brand? (Professional? Conversational? Authoritative?)
- Can you provide examples of what you like?
This is Digital Thinking in action – understanding where your customers are today and where they’ll be tomorrow. When you invest time in crafting thoughtful prompts, AI responds with genuinely helpful content.
Tip: Effective Prompting for AI
- Clearly define the context and role for the AI (for example: “you are a tech seo professional”)
- Use the “PARTS” rule (Persona, Aim, Recipients, Theme, Structure)
- Ask the 5 W and 1 H questions: What, Where, How, Who, When, Why
- Specify the desired format, tone, and structure
- Use a scale of 1-10 for formality (1 = very casual, 10 = very professional)
- https://warrenlainenaida.net/services-ai-prompt-engineering-and-creative-writing-workshop/
Start with Structure, Build from There
Unsure where to start? Use AI to help start from scratch, extend what you’ve started, and edit what you’ve created.
Warren Laine-Naida
AI excels at creating logical outlines. Use this strength to your advantage. Before you worry about perfect prose, ask yourself:
- Does this structure answer your readers’ real questions?
- Are you including fresh data or unique insights?
- Is there room for your own stories and experiences?
- Are your E-E-A-T bases covered?
Digital Thinking isn’t about the latest technology – it’s about understanding your world and your audience’s place in it. Build your structure with intention, then let your voice bring it to life.
What is E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust)? Another way of thinking about it: What have you done in your field of expertise that proves you are a credible source of information?
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/wlainenaida_seo-eeat-activity-7057600256674254848-KHeQ
Edit Like Your Reputation Depends on It
AI drafts are raw material. To turn them into content that connects with readers and ranks well, you need to:
Craft compelling openings. Your headline and first paragraph need to grab both human attention and search engine interest.
Add your expertise. Share real examples, personal insights, or case studies. Maybe tell the story of how AI once led you down a rabbit hole that taught you something valuable.
Fact-check everything. AI can hallucinate facts and figures. Verify claims and anchor vague statements with solid sources.
Weave in SEO naturally. Include your target keywords, add internal links, but always prioritize readability over keyword density.
Use Tools That Actually Help
Platforms like Semrush don’t just automate tasks – they suggest opportunities. They help you find keywords your competitors missed, suggest content clusters that make strategic sense, and track how your pages perform in search results.
The key is to participate actively with these tools. Try things, learn from what doesn’t work, and adjust your approach. As I always say: just do it. The best way to learn digital marketing is by doing it.
14 best AI SEO tools & how to use AI in 2025 [new data] – hubspot.com
AI Challenges Us to Think Better
AI isn’t replacing creativity – it’s demanding more of it. It forces us to ask better questions, develop stronger strategies, and focus our human energy where it matters most: building genuine connections with our audience.
Digital skills are foundational precisely because they adapt as technology changes. Use AI to streamline your workflow and sharpen your strategy, but never lose sight of what really matters: creating content that serves your readers’ needs.
Your AI Action Plan
Ready to put this into practice? Here’s how to start:
1. Upgrade Your Prompting Skills
- Be specific about your audience and goals
- Define the voice and tone you want
- Provide examples of what good looks like
- Include format requirements and desired length
2. Use AI for Structure, Not Substance
- Let AI create your outline and heading structure
- Review the flow – does it make sense for your readers?
- Check that key topics are covered without redundancy
- Build your unique insights on this foundation
3. Rewrite, Don’t Just Republish
- Improve headlines to work for both humans and search engines
- Add original research, examples, and personal experiences
- Remove AI hallucinations and verify all facts
- Optimize for keywords without sacrificing readability
4. Leverage Smart SEO Tools
- Use tools like Semrush and Sistrix to find low-competition, high-potential keywords
- Track how AI Overviews affect your search visibility
- Plan content clusters that support your overall strategy
- Monitor what’s working and adjust accordingly
The Bottom Line
“AI simulates human thinking (e.g., chatbots). Generative AI creates new content (e.g., text, images). Understanding how AI generates content helps SEOs craft prompts and structure inputs for tools like ChatGPT to streamline ideation, drafts, and optimization tasks.” Warren Laine-Naida
AI won’t do your SEO for you, but it can help you work smarter and faster. Use it to speed up research, improve your content workflows, and free up time for the strategic thinking that drives results.
The future of SEO isn’t about outsmarting algorithms – it’s about collaborating with them to create content that genuinely helps your audience. That’s Digital Thinking in action, and it’s how you build sustainable success online — whether you’re a senior strategist or just getting started like Allan, your enthusiastic intern.