• Digital Marketing & Artificial Intelligence

AI Cannot Do Decent Keyword Research - Yet

  • Felix Rose-Collins
  • 5 min read
AI Cannot Do Decent Keyword Research - Yet

Intro

Keyword research is a crucial component of any successful digital marketing, content creation, or SEO strategy. It involves identifying and analyzing the specific words and phrases that users enter into search engines when looking for information, products, or services online. This process goes beyond merely identifying popular keywords; it delves deep into understanding user intent, industry trends, and competitive landscapes.

However, the process of keyword research is not as straightforward as it seems. It requires a strategic plan for keyword activation, which AI currently cannot provide. AI generates keyword ideas based on synonyms, but these do not include critical SEO metrics such as search volume and keyword difficulty. Even if AI had access to such tools, the process of keyword research involves more than just generating a list of keywords. According to Forbes, none of this will be fully replaced by AI anytime soon.

AI can provide inspiration and group keyword data

AI, while capable of aiding in the analysis of keyword data, falls short in comprehensively understanding the intricate dynamics of search behavior. The limitations become evident as AI lacks the capacity to account for external factors and changes that influence search behavior. Unlike human writers, AI tools cannot capture brand personality and style, nor can they comprehend the context and trends that significantly impact keyword demand and popularity.

Although AI tools can suggest keywords for content writers, they often prioritize keywords at the expense of being informative to the reader. The inherent lack of understanding of user intent for queries and the absence of common sense in predicting human behavior are key areas where AI struggles. This shortfall is notable in the prioritization of keywords over providing valuable and relevant information to the audience.

Moreover, AI-generated content frequently lags in Google results compared to human-created content. This disparity arises from the inability of generative AI tools to produce the nuanced experience and contextual understanding that human writers bring to the table. The intricate balance of creativity, personalization, and contextual relevance that humans naturally incorporate into their writing is a facet that AI has not yet mastered.

The ease with which AI-generated content can be identified remains a challenge for both search engines and users. Obvious disparities exist between content created by an AI tool and that crafted by a human. AI-generated content often lacks the creativity and personalization that distinguish human writing. The emotional intelligence required to weave compelling narratives and create engaging stories is a realm where AI falters, making it easier for both search engines and users to discern the origin of content.

In SEO, where visibility and ranking are paramount, AI-generated content's deficiencies become pronounced. The inability to infuse content with a unique brand voice, adapt to evolving trends, and resonate with user emotions results in lower rankings on search engine results pages. Human-created content, with its ability to encapsulate brand personality, respond to shifting trends, and evoke emotional responses, enjoys higher visibility and engagement.

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While AI plays a valuable role in assisting with keyword-related tasks, its limitations underscore the indispensable nature of human creativity, emotional intelligence, and contextual understanding.

SOLIT Keyword Activation Strategy

The success of SOLIT Keywords and central to SOLIT's offerings is the SOLIT Keyword Activation Strategy, a testament to Kersbergen's commitment to delivering tangible and ready-to-implement solutions. This strategy encapsulates the culmination of his years of experience and deep-seated understanding of keyword research dynamics.

The Custom** SOLIT Keyword Activation Strategy** not only reflects keywords used for SEO, but also serves as a tool for product trend discovery and as a guide to create great content that people actually want to read.

For businesses seeking to amplify their online presence and navigate the complexities of SEO, tapping into the expertise of SOLIT becomes imperative. SOLIT offers a custom keyword activation strategy that underscores the critical role of human expertise in optimizing keyword research for maximum impact.

Beyond SEO: Keywords for trend discovery and content planning

Keywords play a pivotal role in product trend discovery and content planning. They provide insights into current consumer demand and emerging trends, helping businesses stay ahead of the curve. Tools like Google Trends, Keyword Trend Research, and Keyword Discovery can be used to identify keywords with a rising search frequency, indicating potential trending products

These tools can also reveal related trending topics and "people also search for" suggestions, offering a broader perspective on the market. In content planning, keywords are instrumental in creating content that resonates with the target audience and ranks well in search engine results. Keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Rank Tracker, Ahrefs, or SEMrush can help identify the most relevant and high-traffic keywords for a specific industry or niche.

These keywords can then be incorporated into various elements of the content, including titles, meta descriptions, headers, and body text, to optimize the content for search engines

While AI has its place in SEO and content creation, it cannot replace the human touch required for effective keyword research and strategy. The expertise of companies like SOLIT is essential in navigating the complex landscape of keyword research and SEO strategy.

Future of keywords and keyword research

The future of keywords and keyword research is poised for an exciting transformation, fueled by technological advancements, shifting user behaviors, and evolving search engine algorithms. As we navigate the ever-changing digital landscape, several trends and developments emerge, shaping the trajectory of keyword research and its role in digital marketing strategies.

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One prominent trend that is expected to influence the future of keywords is the rise of voice search. With the proliferation of virtual assistants and smart devices, users are increasingly relying on voice commands to perform online searches. This shift demands a reevaluation of traditional keyword strategies, as natural language patterns and conversational queries become more prevalent. Businesses will need to adapt their keyword research methodologies to incorporate long-tail phrases and conversational language to align with the nuances of voice search.

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The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into keyword research tools is another transformative aspect of the future. Advanced AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data, providing more nuanced insights into user intent, preferences, and behavior. AI-driven tools can offer predictive analytics, helping businesses anticipate trends and optimize their content strategies accordingly. Additionally, machine learning can enhance the efficiency of keyword targeting by adapting to real-time changes in search patterns.

Semantic search is set to play a pivotal role in the future landscape of keyword research. Search engines are becoming increasingly adept at understanding the context and meaning behind user queries, moving beyond the literal interpretation of keywords. This shift requires a more holistic approach to keyword research, focusing on the intent behind user searches rather than just specific keywords. Content creators will need to craft highly relevant and contextually rich content to align with the evolving requirements of semantic search.

The future also holds promising developments in the realm of visual and video search. As visual content gains prominence, search engines are incorporating image and video recognition technologies. This presents new challenges and opportunities for keyword research, as optimizing for visual and video searches requires a different set of strategies. Businesses will need to explore ways to incorporate descriptive keywords, metadata, and tags to enhance the discoverability of visual content.

The increasing emphasis on user experience and personalized search results is reshaping keyword research strategies. Search engines prioritize delivering tailored and relevant content to individual users based on their preferences, location, and search history. This necessitates a more nuanced approach to keyword targeting, with an emphasis on understanding user behavior and crafting personalized content that resonates with specific audiences.

Felix Rose-Collins

Felix Rose-Collins

Ranktracker's CEO/CMO & Co-founder

Felix Rose-Collins is the Co-founder and CEO/CMO of Ranktracker. With over 15 years of SEO experience, he has single-handedly scaled the Ranktracker site to over 500,000 monthly visits, with 390,000 of these stemming from organic searches each month.

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