Leveraging AI to Generate High-Ranking SEO Blog Content

Table of Contents

• Conducting Keyword Research to Identify SEO Opportunities
• Analyzing Existing Top-Ranking Content As Source Material
• Structuring the AI-Generated Content for Optimal SEO
• Reviewing and Refining the AI-Generated Draft
• Conclusion and Next Steps

Conducting Keyword Research to Identify SEO Opportunities for Content Strategy for Nonprofits

As explained in the video, the first step when creating SEO content with AI is to conduct keyword research to identify promising opportunities. We used the AI tool ChatGPT to generate an initial list of over 100 related keyword ideas around the concept of using AI for content writing. We then validated and narrowed down this list using tools like SEMrush and Keywords Everywhere to identify longer, more specific keyword phrases that have relatively low competition while still having some search volume.

The specific phrase we settled on optimizing around was "content strategy for nonprofits." Using Keywords Everywhere, we can see metrics around the competitiveness and search volume for this term. With a KEI score of around 40, it looks to be relatively medium difficulty to rank for, but still achievable since we'll be using existing top-ranking content as source material. The search volume is a bit lower but could bring targeted traffic. Overall this looks like a good SEO opportunity.

Using ChatGPT for Initial Keyword Brainstorming

In the video, the first step taken is leveraging ChatGPT, a newly popular AI tool from Anthropic, for initial keyword brainstorming. After providing some basic context around the content promotion goals, ChatGPT was prompted to generate a list of "100 keyword ideas" relevant to using AI for content writing and creation. ChatGPT returned a wide list of semantic keyword ideas spanning topics like AI copywriting, content creation tools, content strategy, content formatting, etc. This provides a starting point of ideas to then validate and prioritize with other tools.

Validating Keywords with Tools Like SEMrush and Keywords Everywhere

While ChatGPT provides a helpful starting point for keyword ideas, the next step is researching and validating them with SEO keyword tools before deciding what to optimize around. By searching terms like "content strategy" in SEMrush and Keywords Everywhere, we can view keyword difficulty scores, search volume data, and other metrics to narrow down to more viable long-tail keywords. As explained in the video, we specifically looked for low KD but still decent search volume terms. This research led to identifying "content strategy for nonprofits" as a good balance of still having search volume while being reasonably achievable to rank for with AI-generated content.

Analyzing Existing Top-Ranking Content from Nonprofits As Source Material

As the video outlines, a key reason for first identifying top-ranking pages for our target keyword is so the AI has high quality 'source material' to learn from. By feeding the AI content that already ranks highly in Google for that keyword, it increases the chances the AI-generated content will also satisfy that search intent.

In the demo, the top 5 ranking posts for "content strategy for nonprofits" were pulled from Google. Scanning those quickly shows a pattern around topics like creating content calendars, starting a blog, developing informative content around donor interests, using multi-media, calls-to-action, etc. The AI will study all the details of these pages as input.

Pulling Multiple Top-Ranking Pages As Input for the AI

Once the target keyword of "content strategy for nonprofits" was selected, the next step was to analyze the content currently ranking on the first page of Google for that term. Specifically, the top 5 results were scanned and their full page content copied to then provide as source material input to the AI content writer. By supplying multiple top results across different sites like Constant Contact, Shorthand, and Donorbox, the AI has even more insight into the themes, topics, types of information, tone, and other elements that currently satisfy searchers. This increases the chances that its newly generated content based on these patterns will also perform well with Google and users.

Structuring the AI-Generated Content Around Nonprofit Content Strategy for Optimal SEO

When prompting the AI to write new content purely from scratch with no guardrails, results can be hit-or-miss from an SEO perspective. A key technique outlined in the video is first having the AI generate a detailed outline covering all the essential topics, sub-topics, and logical flow of information. This outline then serves as the skeleton that the AI uses to flesh out into a full piece of content.

By starting with an outline, we can prompt the AI tool to ensure optimal structure and organization from the start based around the keyword phrase we're optimizing for. The end result is an on-topic, well-structured long-form article finely tuned for that term right out of the gate before having to refine much further.

Starting with a Detailed Outline Based on the Keyword and Sources

The video demonstrates first prompting the AI to generate a blog post outline using the keyword "content strategy for nonprofits" along with all the existing top content that was input as source material and context. This resulted in a nicely organized outline hitting all the key sub-topics around nonprofit content like steps for planning a blog, ideas for written & visual content that resonates with donors, calls to action that inspire support and engagement, distribution strategies, and measuring results. Having the AI focus first on structuring an outline ensures all the critical elements are covered before it starts writing paragraphs on each one. This organized structure following logically from the keyword also helps with SEO relevancy to then build upon.

Expanding the Outline into a Long, Information-Rich Article

With a tightly focused outline acting as the blueprint, the AI was then prompted to generate a full 2000+ word blog article on nonprofit content strategy using that outline as basis for expanding each section. The resulting article followed the exact structure and talking points while going very deep on each one. Paragraphs are rich with details, explanations, examples, expert quotes, statistics, and other elements that users love and Google favors. The final output is an extremely thorough informational article optimally covering the target keyword in an authoritative way. The length and detail also helps satisfy search intent while providing tremendous value.

Reviewing and Refining the AI-Generated Content Draft

Once the initial content draft is created by the AI, an essential next step covered in the video is thoroughly reviewing it and refining as needed. While AI writing quality continues improving, there still may be areas that need polishing for readability, accuracy, grammar, or seamless integration of the sourced material.

During review, I checked for things like: repetitive or awkward phrasing, improper punctuation usage, fragmented or run-on sentences, unnecessary filler words, inaccurate statistics or facts, uneven tone or voice, and opportunities to enhance flow or organization. For an SEO focused piece like this, I also confirmed keywords were distributed well throughout and subheadings were logical.

After refinements, the 2000+ word article flows extremely well as a comprehensive guide to content strategy tailored specifically to nonprofits. It stays tightly aligned to the target keyword while expanding into numerous related sub-topics in a cohesive way.

Conclusion and Next Steps for Content Creation

This demonstrates an end-to-end workflow for leveraging AI to research keywords, analyze top-ranking source material, structure effective content, write long-form articles at scale, then refine into polished, SEO-optimized assets ready for publishing and promotion.

To build an authoritative site or funnel that ranks across numerous terms, this process can be systematized and repeated. Other next step ideas are expanding into other formats like videos and podcasts or localizing content. The key is strategically providing the AI what it needs - keyword targets along with topical source material - to unlock its potential for automated content creation.

By combining human creativity and strategy with AI's untiring writing capacity, content engines can be built faster than ever that align to search intent and drive organic growth. As the AI keeps rapidly improving, leveraging this technology properly positions one to tap into those advancements and maximize quality traffic.

FAQ

Q: How can AI be used for SEO content generation?
A: AI tools like ChatGPT can be provided existing top-ranking content as source material to generate new long-form blog posts optimized for specific SEO keyword targets.

Q: Why structure an outline first before generating the full article?
A: Starting with an outline allows the AI to establish the logical flow and structure before expanding into paragraphs and full detail.

Q: What tools help find the best SEO keywords to target?
A: Keyword research tools like SEMrush and Keywords Everywhere identify search volume and competition to validate the best SEO keywords.

Q: How much can AI-generated content be automated?
A: The research, outline, and initial draft can be automated, but expect to invest some time refining and editing the content before publishing.

Q: Does AI-generated content pass as original?
A: No, AI-generated content should be presented as human-refined but not claimed as originally authored.

Q: Can I rank #1 right away with AI-generated content?
A: No guarantees, but providing existing top-ranking content as source material gives a strong chance to rank well over time.

Q: What if my niche doesn't have existing top 10 content to feed the AI?
A: Get as close as possible with authoritative sites in your space, tweak prompts for ideal tone of voice, and refine extensively before publishing.

Q: Is there any manual effort still required when leveraging AI?
A: Yes, tasks like final review, editing, formatting, meta data, linking out, image enhancements still provide value before publishing.

Q: Can I scale this SEO content generation process?
A: Yes, the research can be manual but outline and draft generation can scale to thousands of posts once the AI prompt is refined.

Q: Are there any risks associated with scaled AI content generation?
A: Yes, be wary of thin content, duplicate content penalties, plus reputational risks if quality is not maintained.