Small Business Boost: Mastering the Art of Generative Engine Optimization

AI has become essential for SEO, automating tasks like keyword research, content optimization, and technical audits. Here's a quick overview of how AI is reshaping SEO:

• Smarter Content Creation: Tools like Jasper AI and Writesonic streamline content optimization using AI.
• Efficient Technical SEO: Platforms such as Rank Math and SEMrush simplify audits, schema markup, and Core Web Vitals improvements.
• Real-Time Competitor Tracking: AI tools like Surfer SEO and BrightEdge analyze competitors' strategies and predict rankings.
• Voice Search Optimization: With over 50% of searches now voice-based, AI helps optimize for natural, conversational queries.

Quick Comparison of AI SEO Tools

AI tools are powerful, but human oversight is still crucial to ensure quality and ethical practices. Whether you're optimizing for voice search, tracking performance, or improving technical SEO, combining AI insights with human expertise is the key to success.

5 AI SEO Hacks to Rise Above Your Competition

AI SEO Tools and Systems

AI-powered SEO tools have come a long way, providing advanced solutions for improving search rankings and optimizing content. By using machine learning and natural language processing (NLP), these tools offer precise strategies that help businesses enhance their online visibility.

Top AI SEO Tools

AI Ranking Skool, founded by Nico Gorrono, stands out as an educational platform offering tutorials and templates to help businesses make the most of these tools. With machine learning at their core, these tools are reshaping how SEO experts approach optimization.

The Role of Machine Learning in SEO

Machine learning powers many AI SEO tools, enabling them to predict trends and automate complex tasks. As Kyle Roof, Co-Founder & Lead SEO at POP, puts it:

"Machine learning is revolutionizing SEO by providing powerful tools and insights that enable businesses to optimize their online presence more effectively".

Some ways machine learning enhances SEO include:

• Keyword research tailored to trends
• Identifying content gaps strategically
• Prioritizing technical audits
• Predicting rankings with data-driven insights

Machine learning works hand-in-hand with NLP, analyzing patterns while understanding language, to create smarter content optimization strategies.

Using NLP for Content Optimization

NLP builds on machine learning by helping create content that ranks well and resonates with readers. Danny Sullivan, Google's public search liaison, highlights the importance of human involvement in AI-generated content:

"It's unlikely some AI content is going to feel written by people without some degree of human review".

NLP applications in SEO include:

• Improving alignment with search intent and semantic relevance
• Structuring content for better readability
• Optimizing for voice search

The NLP market is expected to grow to $453.3 billion by 2032, emphasizing its growing role in SEO. Tools like SEMrush and Hubspot use NLP for semantic analysis and readability scoring, helping creators align content with search intent effectively.

For the best results, these AI tools should be paired with human expertise to ensure content remains engaging and meets SEO standards.

Content and Keyword Optimization with AI

AI has reshaped how we approach content creation and keyword optimization, offering smarter tools for crafting search-engine-friendly and natural content.

AI Keyword Research Methods

Platforms like SEMrush and BrightEdge bring advanced features to keyword research, helping marketers analyze intent and spot trends with ease.

AI-Driven Content Planning

HubSpot uses AI to analyze customer behavior and suggest personalized content ideas, making strategies more precise and effective.

AI tools streamline content planning by:

• Identifying Market Gaps and Predicting Outcomes: AI pinpoints untapped opportunities and forecasts how content will perform, guiding better decisions.
• Creating Content Briefs: AI generates detailed outlines based on top-performing examples, ensuring your content covers all the necessary points.

By integrating AI into your content planning, you can also prepare for the growing importance of voice search.

Voice Search Optimization

Voice search is now a major player, with over half of all searches happening this way. Among users aged 25-49, 65% regularly rely on voice search, making it a priority for digital strategies.

Here’s how to optimize for voice search:

• Write content that answers common questions in a conversational tone, mirroring how people speak.
• Structure content to appear in featured snippets, as these often serve as voice search answers.
• Use AI to refine your content for natural, spoken-language queries.

"Voice search optimization is essential for maintaining a competitive edge in today's AI-driven digital landscape."

The key is finding the right balance between automation and human input. AI excels at providing insights and handling repetitive tasks, but human creativity ensures content stays engaging and relatable. Regularly reviewing AI suggestions helps maintain quality and avoid over-optimization.

Technical SEO and AI Tools

Technical SEO has become much easier thanks to AI. Tasks that used to require significant time and effort can now be handled with accuracy and speed. Popular platforms like SEMrush and Ahrefs have integrated AI to simplify complex technical processes.

AI Website Audits

AI tools can scan websites thoroughly, spotting technical issues that impact search rankings. They examine several critical areas at once:

These tools don’t just find problems - they also help with implementing solutions, like structured data, which is vital for technical SEO.

Schema Markup with AI

AI-powered tools such as Rank Math make schema markup much easier. They can identify the type of content on a page, create structured data in JSON-LD format, and even verify its accuracy. This ensures search engines can better interpret your site’s content without requiring manual coding.

Core Web Vitals Optimization

Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, enhanced with AI, provide specific recommendations to improve Core Web Vitals. They identify issues like slow loading speeds, delays in interactivity, or unexpected layout shifts and suggest practical fixes to address these problems.

Although platforms like Moz Pro and SEMrush offer robust automation features, human input is still critical. A person needs to ensure these optimizations align with the website’s goals and functionality. AI tools are transforming technical SEO, making it easier to monitor and improve performance effectively.

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SEO Performance Tracking with AI

AI tools are changing the game for SEO tracking, offering real-time updates, spotting unusual trends, and automating reports. These capabilities help businesses make smarter decisions, fine-tune their strategies, and stay ahead in the competitive SEO landscape.

AI Analytics Tools

Platforms like Databox and Qlik use AI to handle and analyze large amounts of SEO data across multiple platforms. They provide insights that are both timely and actionable, thanks to features like automated reports and real-time tracking.

SEO Result Prediction

Tools like BrightEdge and Conductor take SEO forecasting to the next level by analyzing data to predict trends and performance. They help businesses:

• Spot Emerging Keywords: Identify trending search terms before they peak.
• Evaluate Ranking Potential: Assess the chances of ranking for specific terms.

"AI isn't the boogeyman. If anything, it can be a helpful tool that reshapes what SEO looks like, both for businesses and their customers." - Amanda Nze, SEO Content Writer

While forecasting your own rankings is essential, understanding what competitors are doing is equally important to stay ahead.

AI Competitor Analysis

SEMrush and Surfer SEO provide tools to monitor and analyze competitors’ strategies. These platforms focus on key areas like content, backlinks, and ranking metrics to help businesses refine their approach.

Combining AI’s ability to process data with human expertise is the real key to success. AI can handle the heavy lifting - analyzing trends and spotting patterns - but marketers must interpret these findings within the context of their industry and goals.

GrowthMachine uses AI to analyze massive datasets, helping businesses anticipate algorithm changes and adapt before their rankings are affected. Staying proactive with these insights ensures companies are ready for shifts in the SEO landscape.

As AI continues to reshape SEO tracking, the focus will also need to include ethical considerations and the potential for future advancements.

Ethics and Future of AI SEO

As AI continues to transform SEO, ethical practices and responsible use are becoming more important than ever. The rise of AI in search optimization brings both exciting possibilities and challenges that demand thoughtful management.

Human Input in AI SEO

AI tools are excellent at processing data, but human expertise is still essential for making strategic decisions and ensuring ethical practices. The goal is to strike the right balance between automation and human judgment.

"AI must be designed and used in ways that prioritize transparency, accountability and fairness" - Irina Proskurina, CEO of E-PR Online

That said, while AI holds great promise, it also introduces challenges, especially in areas like bias and fairness.

AI Bias in SEO

AI bias can significantly impact SEO, particularly in content creation and search result rankings. Common issues include:

• Gender stereotypes in AI-generated content
• Algorithm biases affecting content visibility
• Lack of diversity in training data

To tackle these problems, companies should:

• Conduct regular algorithm audits
• Use tools that detect bias
• Train AI systems with diverse datasets
• Continuously monitor and refine AI outputs

As AI tools improve, they aim to address these shortcomings while opening up new possibilities.

New AI SEO Tools

Emerging AI SEO tools are designed to overcome current challenges and broaden functionality:

"Ignoring alternative search engines tied to AI chatbots risks missing untapped audiences" - TDMP

The SEO market is forecasted to grow to $122.11 billion by 2028, underscoring the importance of ethical AI practices. To stay ahead, businesses should:

• Create clear guidelines for AI usage
• Prioritize strong data privacy measures
• Train teams in AI-related skills
• Ensure transparency in how AI is applied

Balancing technological progress with ethical responsibility is key to thriving in AI-driven SEO. Companies that focus on building trust and delivering value will stand out in the ever-changing digital world.

Conclusion

Main AI SEO Guidelines

As AI reshapes the SEO landscape, following these principles can help businesses maximize its benefits.

AI SEO tools are only as effective as the way they're used. For example, users of Jasper AI and Writesonic report better content results when pairing AI insights with human input. These tools are most effective when tailored to meet specific business goals and industry needs.

With these principles in place, the next focus should be on actionable implementation.

Next Steps

To apply AI SEO strategies effectively, take these steps:

Start by reviewing your current SEO setup. Tools like Ubersuggest offer free assessments to highlight immediate areas for improvement. This helps establish a starting point to track future progress.

Then, create a detailed AI integration plan. Begin with accessible tools that offer core features while helping your team build expertise. For instance, ChatGPT can generate keyword suggestions and content ideas, making it a great starting tool for businesses new to AI SEO.

Lastly, set up a system to track performance. Many successful organizations use a mix of AI analytics tools and human oversight to ensure high-quality outcomes. This balanced approach prevents over-reliance on automation and maintains strategic control.

For seamless implementation, integrate AI tools with analytics platforms, train your team to use prompts effectively, and consistently monitor results to adjust strategies. Stay updated with the latest tools and technologies to keep your AI SEO efforts on track.

FAQs

Which is the best AI for SEO?

The best AI SEO tool depends on your specific goals, whether you're focusing on technical SEO, content optimization, or starting out as a beginner. Here's a breakdown of some top options and their strengths:

• Alli AI is a top choice for technical SEO, offering strong automation features that help agencies and teams handle technical fixes efficiently.
• For beginners, Ubersuggest provides free tools that make it easy to establish a solid SEO foundation.

"The most effective AI SEO strategies combine AI's analytical power with your creativity, intuition, and industry knowledge."

When choosing a tool, keep these factors in mind:

• Integration: Make sure the tool works well with your current tools and systems.
• Scalability: Pick a platform that can grow with your business.
• Support: Look for tools with good documentation and customer service.

For video SEO, TubeBuddy and VidIQ are great options, offering features like title and tag optimization.

Many SEO professionals rely on SEMrush for competitor analysis and use Surfer SEO for optimizing their content. With these tools, you can tailor your AI SEO strategy to meet your business needs.

Related Blog Posts

• Common AI SEO Mistakes: How to Avoid and Fix Them
• AI Keywords Research: Step-by-Step Tutorial
• SEO Automation Tools Comparison: 2025 Guide

Background

Steven B. Marks, a member of our premium community, came to the group in November 2024 with a simple but powerful question: Should I create city pages for my client’s local SEO strategy? His client had four physical locations but wanted to target an entire state for one key service. The challenge was clear: without Google Business Profiles (GBPs) for every city, how could they capture that traffic?

The advice given was to build city-specific service pages: highly targeted pages optimized for transactional keywords like “plumbing services in Houston” or “24-hour emergency plumbing services in Houston.” This approach sparked a journey that completely transformed his client’s business.

Strategy Breakdown

1. Transactional Keyword Focus

Rather than chasing broad informational queries (which are increasingly answered by AI Overviews and GPT search), the strategy honed in on transactional intent keywords. These are the searches people make when they’re ready to buy or book, making them far more valuable.

2. Service + City Page Mapping

• Create a hub page for each city: e.g. “Plumbing Services in Houston.”
• Under that hub, build individual service pages: e.g. “24-hour emergency plumbing in Houston,” “pipe repair in Houston,” etc.
• Every service has its own page. No dumping everything onto one catch-all page.

3. Handling Duplicate Content Concerns

Many hesitate to create city/service combinations out of fear of duplication. Steven’s approach avoided issues by:

• Customizing title tags and HTML headers
• Using schema markup to signal exactly what each page covered
• Ensuring each page had unique value signals for Google

4. Indexing Best Practices

Don’t try to index everything at once. Roll pages out gradually, about 10 per week, so you don’t throw up red flags to Google. This slower pace also gives you time to check whether new pages are actually getting indexed. If you see the dreaded “crawled but not indexed” message (Google’s polite way of saying, “I read your page, I just don’t like it”), fix those issues before pushing hundreds more pages live.

5. Scaling with Automation

Creating thousands of service + city pages doesn’t have to mean thousands of hours of manual work. The process can (and should) be automated.

Why Segmenting Matters

When building at scale, resist the temptation to generate full pages in a single GPT or Claude prompt. Doing it in one shot leads to problems:

• Inconsistent word counts
• Variations in tone and style
• Higher risk of hallucinations

Instead, segment each page into structured sections and generate them individually. For example:

• context section
• Why hire us in {location}
• benefits of {service}
• FAQ section
• {on page schema}
• Meta Description

Each section is handled by a different automation node, ensuring consistent structure across all pages.

Example Build

The screenshot provided shows a real automation flow:

• Google Sheets provides the data inputs.
• Router distributes the tasks.
• Each GPT node creates one section of the page.
• Google Docs assembles the final draft.
• The output is pushed back to Sheets for tracking.

Benefits of This Approach

• Scalability: You can generate 1,000+ pages with the same structure, adjusting only the local service and city.
• Consistency: Pages look uniform while still being tailored to each location.
• Efficiency: The process is fast and cost-effective—limited only by your API budget.

With this method, producing hundreds or even millions of pages is possible without sacrificing quality or spending endless hours writing.

Results

• November 2024: Started with just 127 indexed pages.
• April/May 2025: Over 1,122 pages indexed. Phones and calendars flooded with leads.
• January 2025: Client hit 99 booked appointments in one month (not counting phone bookings). Best month ever.
• August 2025: Google Search Console shows 1,200 clicks in 28 days, up from just 600 in April 2023.
• Business Impact: Client had to hire additional attorneys and paralegals to handle demand. Filing totals for 2025 are already surpassing previous years, with months left to go.
• Zero Ad Spend: All growth came from organic traffic.

Why This Worked

1. Scalability: Hundreds of city + service combinations covered all the transactional keywords competitors ignored.
2. High Intent: Focused traffic meant higher conversions, not just vanity metrics.
3. Community Collaboration: The original idea came from sharing openly in the community, which gave Steven the confidence to execute.

Key Lessons

• Don’t lump all services into one generic “Our Services” page.
• Map out every service you want to rank for, then replicate it across every city you want visibility in.
• Transactional keywords are where the money is. Informational queries are often swallowed by AI Overviews.
• Organic traffic can outperform paid ads when structured correctly.

Final Word

What started as a question about whether to create city pages turned into a textbook example of local SEO domination. With no ad spend, Steven’s client now enjoys record-breaking growth, proving that the right content structure can scale a business faster than most people imagine.

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If you want to learn how to do this and get support from an active community, consider joining us at AI Ranking Premium.

With GPT‑5, OpenAI has basically simplified the whole “which model do I pick?” dilemma down to three core modes. Auto. Fast. Thinking. That’s it. But there’s nuance in how and when you should use each one. And trust me, if you get this right, you’ll save yourself time, frustration, and possibly a few grey hairs.

1. GPT5 Model Selection

Auto

Auto is like the GPS of GPT‑5. You tell it where you want to go, and it decides the best route. If your request is simple, it’ll quietly send it through Fast. If it senses complexity, it’ll switch to Thinking without you lifting a finger. It’s smart. But sometimes it’ll overthink a “what’s the capital of Chile?” type of question and route you to Thinking. Slightly annoying, but that’s just how OpenAI optimised GPT‑5 to balance compute efficiency.

OpenAI has been pretty upfront about this: one of the big pushes with GPT‑5 was to cut down on server strain while giving us better reasoning capacity at scale.

Fast

This is your go‑to for 99% of tasks. Quick answers, brainstorming, simple copy. If you’re drafting an email subject line or asking it to summarise a short text, Fast is perfect. It’s built to be responsive – you’ll actually feel the difference. In many ways, this is a little bit what GPT‑4o felt like: snappy, fast responses that made everyday tasks flow smoother... except now its smarter.

Thinking

Thinking mode is where GPT‑5 flexes. It’s slower, yes, but with a massive 196k token context window (about 4x GPT‑4o’s). Use it when you’re doing deep strategy work, coding problems, or anything with multiple moving parts. The trade‑off is speed, but the payoff is accuracy and depth.

Legacy Models

Missing your old friends GPT‑4o, 4.1, o3? They’re still tucked away. Go into Settings → General → Show additional models. Flip that toggle, and you’ll see them under the “Legacy Models” dropdown. Not essential for most people, but nice to have in case you want to compare outputs.

2. Tools You Actually Need to Know

Here’s where GPT‑5 goes from “chatbot” to “Swiss army knife.” These tools are what make the Plus plan worth it.

Add Photos & Files

Upload up to ~20 files at once. Docs, spreadsheets, PDFs, even images. This turns GPT into a multi‑modal assistant, it can read your PDFs, analyse your data, or even look at a photo and give insights. Super useful for research and SEO workflows (think uploading a CSV of keywords or a competitor’s brochure).

Search

Search gives GPT real‑time internet access. Officially, it’s powered by Bing. Unofficially, some SEOs testing the responses claim it’s pulling Google results more often than not. Either way, the point is: this is your way to cut hallucinations and get fresh data.

*Important side note* more and more sites are blocking AI crawlers (Cloudflare being the biggest culprit). So don’t assume GPT can access every corner of the internet. But when it works, it’s gold.

Deep Research

This is not just “search but slower.” It’s a Plus‑exclusive mode that basically turns GPT into your AI research assistant. Instead of a quick lookup, it actually performs multi‑step searches, not just scanning the top answers, but digging deeper into related areas, following interesting leads, and going further down the rabbit hole until it collects all the useful information. It’ll then spend 2–30 minutes combing sources, asking you clarifying questions, and producing a fully cited report.

Limits: ~25 deep research sessions/month on Plus. But that’s plenty if you save it for the big stuff – competitor analysis, market research, or building the foundation for a new content campaign.

Agent Mode

Think of Agent Mode as hiring an AI intern who also knows how to use a computer. It can:

• Browse sites like a human (click links, fill out forms).
• Run code in a terminal.
• Pull data into spreadsheets.
• Generate slide decks with charts.
• Even generate leads.

The key difference: unlike normal GPT where you guide every step, an Agent executes multi‑step workflows autonomously. You stay in control (it’ll ask permission before big actions), but this is the closest thing to an AI employee. And just to be clear, OpenAI isn’t the only one with this kind of autonomous agent tools like Manus or GenSpark offer similar functionality. Personally, I like having everything under one subscription, but it could be worth testing those out too since they bundle in other useful tools.

Canvas

Canvas is my personal favourite. It’s basically a Google Docs‑meets‑GPT editor where you and the AI can write side‑by‑side. Instead of GPT spitting out text in chat for you to copy, it edits inline, with suggestions, highlights, and even “track changes” style edits.

It’s a game‑changer for:

• Blog drafts
• SEO content refinement
• Code debugging
• Client deliverables
• Creating simple but useful HTML apps you can embed in your site

You can even throw a meeting transcript in there and have it convert it into a structured, sharable HTML report.

Create an Image

Built on OpenAI’s GPT‑4 image model (a huge upgrade from DALL·E). It handles text in images very well which used to be the Achilles heel of AI art tools. Great for social graphics, blog headers, or quick visuals when you don’t want to fire up Photoshop. That said, whilst this is an incredible AI image tool, in my opinion it’s by far not the best. If you want images that are almost indistinguishable from real photos, you should check out Flux from Black Forest Labs or Google’s new Nano Banana generator. At the end of this section, I’ll drop three images below from three different image generators with the same prompt: GPT‑4o, Flux, and Nano Banana. This way, you can make up your mind about which one you like better.

Prompt: High-angle over-the-shoulder photo of a person, showing the back of their head and shoulder. Their smartphone is in focus, displaying an Instagram post on the screen with the words "AI image generation." The background is softly blurred to emphasize the phone.

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Study & Learn

This is more niche. Essentially GPT builds custom study programs. Perfect if you want to learn a new skill (SEO, coding, algebra homework for your kid). If your kid asks for help with algebra or quadratic equations, stuff you’ve totally forgotten, you can definitely use this tool to get you out of the pickle. Not something every business owner will use daily, but it’s there...

3. Customisation & Settings You Shouldn’t Skip

Here’s where you turn GPT from “a tool” into your tool.

• Custom GPT profile: Add your name, role, and tone. More importantly, use the “traits” field to set shortcuts. Example: prefix with C for concise one‑liners, L for long‑form detailed answers. Total time‑saver.
• Memory: Toggle this on. GPT will remember how you like things done, your writing style, even recurring workflows. You can edit or delete memories anytime. I think this is really the kind of unsung hero of all the GPT settings. The more memory and things that GPT remembers about you, the more personalised your ChatGPT experience will be. Yes, it can feel a little scary having an AI remember so much, but the deeper you go the better it gets. Think of it like Apple’s ecosystem effect: once your iPhone, AirPods and MacBook all work seamlessly together, it’s tough to leave. Same here, the more GPT remembers, the harder it is to imagine switching to another app.
• Connectors: Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, Notion, Canva. Once hooked up, GPT can fetch info and act directly in those apps.
• Personality features: GPT‑5 also lets you set a personality style. You can make it more formal, friendly, cynical, or even playful depending on what suits you best. This goes beyond shortcuts – it actively changes how the model frames responses, almost like giving it a new voice. For example, a ‘cynic’ personality will give you blunt, witty replies, while a ‘coach’ might be more encouraging and structured. This is brand new in GPT‑5 and worth experimenting with. If you want to go deeper into this, we've created a detailed guide on GPT-5's new personality, which you can check out here.
• Data control: Disable “Improve the model for everyone.” Otherwise, you’re giving OpenAI consent to train on your data. Especially critical if you’re in law, healthcare, or finance.
• Voices & Themes: More cosmetic, but advanced voice mode is actually fun if you like talking to your assistant instead of typing.

4. Best Practices (a.k.a. Don’t Do Dumb Stuff)

• Use Fast by default. Only switch to Thinking when you’re tackling strategy or complex analysis.
• Don’t waste Deep Research. Save it for competitive research or market deep dives, not “what’s the best pizza topping.”
• Lean on Canvas. If you’re drafting or editing, don’t settle for chat bubbles – put it in Canvas and collaborate properly.
• Treat Agent Mode like a junior hire. Give it clear tasks, review the outputs, and never let it run wild with sensitive stuff.
• Stay organised with Projects. For ongoing campaigns, group your chats, files, and settings in one place. Keeps you sane.

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FAQ

1. What’s the difference between Fast and Thinking modes in GPT-5?
Fast gives you quick, snappy answers (like GPT-4o), while Thinking takes its time with deeper reasoning and a much larger context window.

2. Can I still use older GPT models like GPT-4?
Yes. Toggle Show additional models in Settings and you’ll see legacy models like GPT-4o, 4.1, and mini versions in the dropdown.

3. How is Deep Research different from normal Search?
Search pulls quick results from the web. Deep Research runs multi-step queries, follows leads, and produces a fully cited report — perfect for competitor or market analysis.

4. What can Agent Mode actually do for my business?
It can browse websites, fill out forms, run code, generate reports, or even schedule meetings — essentially acting like a junior AI employee under your supervision.

5. Is Canvas just for writing?
Not at all. It’s for writing and coding. You can refine SEO drafts, debug scripts, or even build simple HTML apps you can embed on your site.

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