How Marketers Can Use AI to Generate SEO Keywords
SEO isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days when stuffing a few keywords onto a page could magically push your site to the top of Google. Today, marketers need a strategy that blends a deep understanding of user intent, the ability to identify niche opportunities, and the creation of content that truly resonates.
At Paradigm, we use AI as a collaborative tool in our SEO efforts, following a six-step process. While AI helps us work more efficiently, it is not a substitute for the diligence required to achieve exceptional results—nor does it replace the human insight necessary to make critical decisions.
Why AI Isn’t a Magic Wand, But a Powerful Tool
AI certainly gets its fair share of hype—and rightly so. Tools like ChatGPT, GPT-4/5, and AI features in platforms like SEMrush or Ahrefs can reduce the number of hours it would typically take to brainstorm manually. But here’s the catch: blindly relying on AI can lead you astray if you’re not careful, resulting in generic content that Google will likely overlook.
The key is to use AI as a starting point—a tool that can help you brainstorm ideas worth exploring, but that still requires careful vetting, evaluation, and refinement. The results AI provides might not be perfect right out of the gate, and often require multiple iterations to get right. Once you apply your key messaging, tone, and ensure real-world relevance, those AI-generated ideas can become the foundation for something great.
While the way AI fits into your workflow will vary, here’s a basic framework to follow if you’re looking for a solid starting point.
Step 1: Start With a Keyword Seed List
Every campaign begins with a seed keyword—the core concept you want to rank for. Let’s say you sell plant-based supplements. Your seed keyword phrase might be "vegan protein powders."
When prompting AI, context is everything. Instead of just asking, "keywords for vegan protein powder," try something like:
"Give me 20 keyword ideas for vegan protein powders, focusing on health benefits, recipes, and supplements for athletes."
For best results, it’s essential to approach AI with a diagnostic mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement. Equally important is knowing when additional iterations no longer yield meaningful improvements. Without this insight, it’s easy to get lost in endless rabbit holes, wasting time and extending project timelines. By asking the right questions the right number of times, you ensure your keyword list remains relevant, targeted, and aligned with your audience.
Step 2: Understand Search Intent
Here’s where many marketers stumble. Just because people are searching for a term doesn’t mean every keyword is created equal. Keywords typically fall into three categories:
- Informational – Users want to learn something. Example: "best vegan protein powder for beginners"
- Transactional/Commercial –Users are ready to buy or compare. Example: "buy vegan protein powder online"
- Navigational – Users are looking for a brand, review, or specific resource. Example: "Vegan protein powder reviews 2025"
AI can categorize these quickly, but don’t trust it blindly. Ask yourself: would a real person find this useful? If the answer is "maybe," dig deeper.
Step 3: Focus on Long-Tail Keyword Phrases
Long-tail keywords are the hidden gems of SEO: less competition, higher intent, and often better conversions. Instead of targeting a broad term like "vegan protein powder," consider:
- "best vegan protein powder for athletes"
- "vegan protein powder with added vitamins"
- "easy vegan protein shake recipes for beginners"
AI can generate dozens of these variations in minutes. The real skill lies in choosing the ones that fit your audience and your campaign goals.
Step 4: Sprinkle in Related Terms
Google isn’t just looking at your main keyword — it wants context. That’s where LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) and semantic keywords come into play. They show Google that your content is comprehensive and relevant. If your main keyword is "vegan protein powder," related terms could include:
- plant-based protein
- protein shake recipes
- vegan supplements
Weave these naturally into headings, bullet points, or meta descriptions. Don’t force them — if it reads awkwardly, tweak it. Natural flow matters more than keyword density.
Step 5: Prioritize Keywords Strategically
Not every keyword is worth chasing. Once you have your list, check:
- Search volume – How many people are actually looking for this?
- Keyword difficulty – How competitive is it to rank?
Marketers should focus on high-value keywords that are achievable, not on aspirational terms that will drain time and resources.
Even after leveraging AI tools for keyword discovery, it’s essential to validate your selections through real-world testing. A simple but powerful step is to type each vetted keyword phrase into Google and analyze what appears on the search results page. This exercise provides the human touch that reveals valuable insights — showing whether your chosen terms truly align with user intent, or uncovering new angles and opportunities that even the smartest AI might miss. Think of it as the acid test for keyword verification: a final layer of intelligence that ensures your SEO strategy is grounded in actual search behavior.
Step 6: Map Keywords to Content
Keyword mapping is like matchmaking: pairing the right keywords with the right pages. More importantly, it ensures that these keywords appear not just in metadata, but also naturally within the page content itself. Best practices include:
- One primary keyword per page
- Two to three secondary or related keywords sprinkled naturally
- Meta titles, headings, and descriptions optimized without sounding forced
Keep in mind that AI can suggest titles and headings, but always read them out loud. If it sounds stiff or awkward, reword it. Google favors readability — and so do humans.
Let AI Do the Heavy Lifting — But Keep Experts in the Driver’s Seat
AI is an incredibly powerful tool, capable of responding to almost any inquiry — but it works best when used alongside subject matter experts. It can transform how marketers approach keyword development and SEO, as a tool, not as a shortcut to skip critical steps or run on autopilot.
While AI can be learned in seconds, mastering it takes years of practice, judgment, and real-world experience. At Paradigm, our SEO experts have navigated AI’s nuances through trial and error, turning it into a precision tool that drives real results.
If you’re new to AI or would like some guidance on using it more effectively, contact us today. We’ll help you uncover opportunities you never imagined.