Keyword research is the foundation of a good SEM policy. Any online resource will tell you so.
But have you ever stopped to think about why? What are your keywords for SEM telling you? Are you using them in all your campaigns? Are you using the most effective keyword tools to get the results you can use?
Of course, in today’s world, those questions can quickly lead you to AI. Artificial intelligence is changing every aspect of marketing, including keyword insight. How can you use AI to get more out of your research?
Why Keyword Research Is Still Crucial for Digital Marketing
Google recently released information showing it processes more than five trillion searches annually. They state that the volume of commercial queries has increased since the launch of AI Overviews, without releasing the exact percentages. But with more than five trillion searches per year, it’s safe to say it’s a lot.
If you hope to see even a fraction of those searches, for your business to thrive online, you must align your content with the search terms your audience searches for. Keyword research is the solution. It’s more than just a handful of words and phrases. Keyword insight tells you:
- What problems your potential customers are searching for answers for
- What words and phrases they use while searching
- How many other businesses are targeting those search terms
Keywords for SEM are all about intent. SEO casts a wide net, finding keywords and phrases to drive organic traffic. SEM narrows it down, looks for relevant keywords that drive the greatest majority of results, and focuses on bringing in as much traffic as possible. Successful marketers know this and utilize the right tools for the job.
How AI Keyword Search Is Offering You More
Using keyword tools saves you time, optimizes your campaign, and boosts your ROI. It’s something every good marketer strives for. And there are a lot of tools to choose from. Google Ads Keyword Planner has long since been a favorite to find the most relevant keywords for your business.
AI takes keyword research a step further. SEM is all about intent. AI tools leverage machine learning to understand user intent. AI processes vast amounts of data in a fraction of the time it would take a human. This helps you generate and target high-volume keywords perfect for your business.
Just like more traditional keyword search tools, there are ways to leverage AI in your keyword research process.
Start with Clear Goals
AI can only help if you clearly define what you want to achieve. There will be different keywords depending on your goals. Do you want to promote specific products and services? Are you building brand awareness? Do you want to improve your rankings in search results? Utilize that goal as you develop your AI prompts for your keyword strategy.
Keep Your Customers in Mind
When you start seeing data so quickly, it’s easy to get excited with the potential. Ask yourself: Does this data align with what I know about my customer base? Keep your audience’s actual behavior in mind as you build your campaigns.
Diversify Your Tools
Online tools are only as good as the programmer behind them. They each have their own capacity and focus. It’s important to remember that no tool can provide you with 100 percent of your results. Utilize a variety of tools for a deeper understanding of your keywords.
Test, and Then Do It Again
Marketing is always about testing the results and then looking for another angle. Advancements are occurring daily, especially with AI tools. Monitor your results and pay attention as trends change behavior. Use different strategies to remain competitive and effective in your approach.
Key Benefits of AI Keyword Tools
Imagine if you could predict behavior and be where your customers will be … tomorrow. That’s what separates traditional keyword tools from AI. Traditional keyword research tools suggest keywords for SEM based on historical data. AI analyzes data in real-time, then predicts trends and adapts output based on algorithm and user behavior.
AI is great at automating repetitive tasks, meaning it can help with a lot of the content analysis that originally went along with SEM work. It is often more accurate and comprehensive, meaning you can get deeper insights into trends and analysis.
Where it excels is in personalization. AI can tailor content and user experiences based on individual preferences. Want higher engagement with everything you create? AI can lead the way.
What tools work now?
ChatGPT
ChatGPT has led the way in AI since its launch in 2022. Its conversational approach makes it a leading favorite for keyword research. To use it effectively, ask for recommended keywords in your niche. For instance, “Generate 60 keywords typically associated with [niche].” Then, you can refine the results to go deeper into your industry.
ChatGPT is also good at crafting content and using that content to build campaigns. Its conversational format gives you an easy way to brainstorm more ideas. Just ask!
Ahrefs Keyword Explorer
Ahrefs is a popular SEO tool with a robust keyword feature. It provides detailed results for keyword metrics and helps find high-traffic keywords with high relevance. People use Ahrefs because of its metrics. It estimates the number of clicks users make from Google searches, making it easier to identify top converting keywords for SEM.
Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner has always been one of the best free keyword research tools, and that’s not going to change. If you’re looking for new keyword ideas, this is the place to search. Currently, its AI capabilities aren’t advanced, but what it does offer is a chance to get results directly from Google. Other AI tools don’t have the direct access to information that Google Keyword Planner does. It will continue to be an insightful way to refine your strategy further.
Developing Your AI Keyword Strategy for SEM
AI promises to take your keyword research and your SEM strategy to new heights. From brainstorming ideas to advanced analytics, AI helps uncover untapped opportunities that will help you make even better decisions.
How do you choose what tools to work with? We say dive in. This is about learning new things to amplify your results. And if you’re ready to take your SEM to a new level, why not talk with one of our experts to help drive your success today?
