AI will change SEO strategies! A complete guide to keyword research for beginners [Updated for 2025]
Hello! I'm John, a veteran blog writer. When writing a blog post, have you ever wondered, "What keywords should I use to get a lot of people to read it?" This task of "keyword research" is actually extremely important in the world of SEO (search engine optimization, i.e. measures to rank highly on Google, etc.). But to be honest, it's a mundane and time-consuming task...
But don't worry! In recent years, AI (artificial intelligence), which is fundamentally changing the way we work, is also revolutionizing the world of keyword research. Tasks that previously took hours or even days can now be completed in just a few minutes with AI, and even innovative approaches that humans would never think of can be found. In this article, we will thoroughly explain the latest keyword research techniques using AI technology, especially generative AI such as ChatGPT, from scratch so that even complete beginners can understand. By the time you finish reading this article, you too should be able to use AI to freely find keywords that will attract readers!
What is AI Keyword Research?
Let's start with the basic "ki".AI keyword research is the process of using AI technology to find keywords to target on blogs and websites.Traditional keyword research required a lot of time and effort, such as using specialized tools and analyzing rival sites one by one.
AI can dramatically change this process. The main problems it solves are:
- Time saving:AI will take over the tedious task of collecting and analyzing data.
- Preventing idea exhaustion:It will suggest an endless number of new keyword combinations (long-tail keywords) and related topics that you would never think of on your own.
- Deep understanding of search intent:When a user searches for that keyword, AI will perform a deep contextual analysis to determine what they want to know (search intent).
- Streamline your competitive analysis:It instantly analyzes what keywords rival sites are ranking for and helps you discover the "hidden gem" keywords that your own site should target.
In short, AI can be your personal SEO assistant, helping you develop a smarter, more efficient content strategy.
Major AI keyword research tools you can use today!
You may think, "AI seems difficult...", but there are now many tools that anyone can use easily. Here we will introduce some of the most common ones.
1. ChatGPT
It goes without saying that ChatGPT is a representative of conversational AI. In fact, ChatGPT is also very good at keyword research. You don't need to subscribe to any special tools.By using creative prompts, you can create surprisingly high-quality keyword lists.
[Example of a keyword research prompt using ChatGPT]
あなたはプロのSEOコンサルタントです。これから「ブログ 初心者」というメイントピックに関する記事を作成します。この記事で狙うべき関連キーワードを、以下のカテゴリに分けて50個提案してください。
1. 質問形式のキーワード（例：「ブログ 何から始める？」）
2. ロングテールキーワード（3語以上の組み合わせ）
3. 比較・検討キーワード（例：「はてなブログ note 比較」）
4. 「〇〇 とは」系の基本用語解説キーワード
In this way, by giving the AI your role (persona) and specific instructions, you can get a strategically categorized list rather than just a list of keywords.
2. Google Bard (now Gemini)
This is an AI developed by Google, and like ChatGPT, it can also be used for keyword research. Gemini's strengths are:Linked to Google Search, it is easy to get real-time information based on the latest trends.This is especially useful when looking for keywords related to current topics or events.
3. AI-powered SEO tools
For those who want to get more serious about SEO, many specialized tools equipped with AI functions have appeared. For example, tools such as "NEURONwriter" and "GetGenie" not only conduct keyword research, but also semi-automatically create article structure proposals based on those keywords and compare content with competitors. Many of them are paid tools, but the appeal is that you can also obtain more detailed data such as the keyword search volume (how many times it is searched per month) and the strength of competitors.
How can AI find keywords? A simple explanation of how it works
Some of you may be wondering, "I understand that AI suggests keywords, but how exactly does it work?" Here, I will briefly explain the technology behind it using the analogy of curry rice.
At the heart of AI keyword research is"Large-scale language models (LLM)"This technology is like a very intelligent brain that has "learned" from the vast amount of text data on the Internet (blog articles, news, social media posts, etc.).
- Gathering materials (data learning):
First, the AI reads all kinds of text from websites around the world. This is the process of collecting curry ingredients (potatoes, carrots, meat). It inputs information such as which words are often used together with which words, and what questions people are asking. - Cooking (Natural Language Processing):
Next, you cook the ingredients (words and sentences) that you have collected."NLP (Natural Language Processing)"This is a technology. Just as humans understand the meaning and context of words, AI also tries to understand the relationships between words. It maps the relationships between words, such as "SEO, keywords, and top rankings are a friendly group." - Presentation (suggestions):
Finally, when we give an order (prompt) such as "Tell me keywords for 'blog beginners,'" the AI will consider the optimal combination from the knowledge it has learned and provide it in a beautiful arrangement. This is the keyword list we see. The AI doesn't just give out keywords, it also guesses the user's hidden needs (search intent), thinking, "People who search for this keyword will surely also want to know how to monetize it," and suggests highly relevant keywords.
In this way, AI can use its vast amounts of data and intelligent analytical capabilities to unearth "treasure keywords" that would be difficult for humans to find on their own.
Traditional Research vs. AI Research: What's the Difference?
Let's see how the advent of AI has changed keyword research and compare it to traditional methods.
- speed:
Previously:It takes several hours to several days. There is a lot of manual work involved, such as investigating using tools, visually checking competing sites, and managing using Excel.
AI:It takes just a few minutes to a few tens of minutes. Once you enter the prompt, the AI will instantly list hundreds of candidates. - Breadth of ideas:
Previously:You tend to stay within the scope of your own knowledge and experience, and you may run out of ideas.
AI:It proposes unexpected combinations and niche topics that humans would never think of, breaking down the barriers to imagination. - Search intent analysis:
Previously:It relies heavily on experience and intuition, and requires manually analyzing the top sites in search results.
AI:We statistically analyze massive amounts of data to find out what users want and provide more objective insights. - cost:
Previously:Highly functional specialized tools can cost tens of thousands of yen per month.
AI:There are many tools such as ChatGPT that you can start using for free, allowing you to conduct advanced research while keeping costs down.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that all traditional methods are no longer necessary. The final selection of keywords and whether they fit with the brand strategy are still the responsibility of humans.AI is merely a highly capable "bouncing ideas off each other" and a "research assistant"It would be better to think of it this way.
It's convenient, but you need to be careful! Risks and precautions when using AI
AI is a very powerful tool, but it's not an all-purpose tool, and there are some things to be aware of when using it.
- Accuracy of Information (Hallucination):
AI sometimes tells plausible lies. This is called "hallucination." Make it a habit to fact-check suggested keywords and information by using a separate tool or actually searching to see if there is real search demand and whether it is based on fact. - Lack of uniqueness:
If everyone starts relying on AI, there is a possibility that articles with similar keywords and similar content structures will increase. The AI suggestions are merely a "rough draft" and adding your own experience and unique perspective will lead to differentiation from others. - Don’t rely too much on keywords:
Just because a keyword is suggested by AI doesn't mean it will necessarily rank highly. You need to choose it strategically, taking into account data such as keyword search volume and competitive strength. - Dependence on AI:
If you rely too much on AI, you may lose your ability to think for yourself. The key to long-term success is to think about why the AI suggested a keyword and to learn the basics of SEO at the same time.
Rather than blindly trusting AI, it is important to be conscious of using it wisely and become a "user."
AI and the Future of SEO: Keyword Strategies for the Future
The evolution of AI is set to bring even greater changes to the world of SEO. Of particular note is the fact that Google is introducing"SGE (Search Generative Experience)," also known as "AI Overview".
This is a feature that displays a summary generated by AI at the top of the search results. Users will increasingly be able to get answers just from the AI summary without having to take the trouble to click on individual sites (zero-click search).
Given these changes, what will your keyword strategy look like going forward?
- More complex and conversational keywords are important:
In addition to short keywords such as "recommended cafes in Tokyo," you will need to respond to more conversational, specific question-type keywords (colloquial queries) such as "What is a hidden cafe in Tokyo where I can go on a weekday afternoon to have a leisurely chat with friends?" - Content that answers the why and how:
AI-generated summaries are good at summarizing facts (what). Therefore, human-written content will be more valuable when it provides deeper insights and personal experiences, such as the "why" behind the content and the specific steps (how). - Increased focus on EEAT:
Google has set EEAT (experience, expertise, authority, and trustworthiness) as the standard for evaluating the quality of content. In the age of AI, content that is filled with a person's unique experience and expertise will be valued even more than thin content generated by AI.
AI keyword research can also be a powerful ally in finding clues to respond to these new types of searches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q1: Is keyword research using AI free?
- A1: Yes, you can start for free. The free versions of ChatGPT and Google Gemini are sufficient for advanced keyword research. If you want more detailed data and features, you should consider using a paid professional tool.
- Q2: Will AI replace SEO experts?
- A2: No, it won't replace them anytime soon. AI is good at "tasks" such as data analysis and idea generation, but human experts are still needed for "thinking" such as overall strategy planning, understanding brand image, and final decision-making. It is believed that the demand for SEO experts who can use AI effectively will increase.
- Q3: Which AI tool do you recommend the most?
- A3: We recommend that you start by trying ChatGPT, which is free to use. Depending on the prompts, you can use it in a variety of ways, so it's ideal for getting used to AI. Once you have a clear purpose (for example, you want to automate competitive analysis or create article structures), it is efficient to look for a specialized tool that specializes in that function.
- Q4: Can I use the keywords suggested by AI as is?
- A4: It is best to avoid using them as is. AI suggestions are merely "candidates." It is important to consider whether the keyword really suits your blog's readership, whether there is too much competition, and above all, whether it is a topic that you are passionate about, and ultimately choose at your own discretion.
Summary: Enjoy creating content with AI as your best partner!
In this article, we have explained the latest keyword research using AI, from the basics to applications and future prospects.
- AI can dramatically reduce the time and effort required for keyword research.
- Free tools like ChatGPT can also help you do professional-level research if you use prompts.
- AI learns from vast amounts of data and suggests keywords and search intent that humans would not think of.
- The key to success is not to blindly accept AI suggestions, but to add fact-checking and your own unique perspective.
- Going forward, SEO will need to work with AI to create content that responds to users' deeper concerns.
AI is not going to take away jobs from us content creators, but it will take over the tedious tasks so that we can focus on more creative work."The strongest partner"So why not start incorporating AI into your keyword research today and start creating more fun and effective content than ever before!
Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide information about AI technology and SEO, and does not guarantee any specific search rankings. Use of tools and final content strategy decisions are at your own discretion and risk.
Related Information and Learning Resources
- ChatGPT Official Website
- Google Gemini official website
- Mangools SEO Blog – Quality SEO information source