Ultimate Guide: How To Do Keyword Planning With AI and ChatGPT

What’s in Store for You

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how AI has revolutionized keyword planning, making it more efficient, accurate, and—dare I say—enjoyable. We’ll delve into my personal experience of building a robust content cluster around lead generation, a highly competitive keyword in the B2B space. I’ll also walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to leverage AI tools like Google’s Keyword Planner and ChatGPT-4 for your keyword planning strategy. So buckle up, because we’re about to turn you into a keyword planning maestro!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
   • Brief overview of the old challenges in keyword planning
   • Introduction to the AI-driven approach
2. The Old Pain Points of Keyword Planning
   • Why it was a tedious process
   • Common pitfalls and challenges
3. The New Age: AI-Driven Keyword Planning
   • How AI tools have changed the game
   • Features that make AI-driven keyword planning efficient
4. How To Do Keyword Planning With AI
5. My Personal Experience: Building a Content Cluster
   • Strategy for creating a pillar article and supporting articles
   • Real-life example of pivoting to long-tail keywords
6. Step-by-Step Guide to My AI-Driven Keyword Planning Process
   • Using Google’s Keyword Planner
   • Uploading data to ChatGPT-4
   • Analyzing the data and generating URL slugs
7. The Importance of E-E-A-T (Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness)
   • How AI can help but why human input is still crucial
   • Adding personal experience, tables, and images
8. Scaling Your Content Strategy with AI
   • How AI allows a small team to act like a larger company
   • Future plans for expanding the team and content offerings
9. Common Mistakes to Avoid in AI-Driven Keyword Planning
   • Pitfalls that businesses often fall into and how to avoid them
10. Conclusion
    • Summary of the key takeaways
    • Call to action for the reader
11. Additional Resources
    • Links to other relevant articles, tools, or guides

Introduction

The Old Way: A Maze Without a Map

Keyword planning. Just hearing those words used to send shivers down my spine. It was like navigating a maze without a map, full of dead-ends and traps. You’d start with a list of potential keywords, then spend countless hours analyzing search volumes, competition levels, and relevance. And let’s not even talk about the constant algorithm changes that could throw your entire strategy off course. It was a game of cat and mouse, and more often than not, we were the mice.

What Made it So Daunting?

• Algorithm Changes: Just when you thought you had it figured out, Google would change its algorithm.
• Data Overload: Spreadsheets upon spreadsheets of keywords, search volumes, and competition metrics.
• Uncertainty: Even after all that work, there was no guarantee that you’d picked the right keywords.

The New Way: AI as Your Compass

But what if I told you that the maze has been replaced by a well-lit path, complete with signposts and a reliable compass? That’s what AI-driven keyword planning has done for us. It’s like having a GPS for SEO, guiding you through the complexities of keyword research with ease and precision. No more guesswork, no more endless spreadsheets, and no more algorithm-induced headaches.

Why is AI the Game-Changer?

• Real-Time Analysis: AI tools can analyze data in real-time, giving you the most up-to-date insights.
• Automated Suggestions: Say goodbye to manual brainstorming; AI can generate keyword ideas and even suggest content topics.
• Adaptability: AI tools can quickly adapt to algorithm changes, keeping your strategy on the right track.

The Old Pain Points of Keyword Planning

The Tedious Nature of Manual Research

Back in the day, keyword planning was a laborious task that required a lot of manual research. You’d start by brainstorming a list of potential keywords related to your business or industry. Then came the tedious part: diving into various SEO tools to gather data on search volume, competition, and relevance. You’d end up with a spreadsheet that looked more like a labyrinth than a strategic plan.

Common Tools Used in the Past

• Google AdWords Keyword Tool
• Moz’s Keyword Explorer
• SEMrush
• Ahrefs

The Guesswork Involved

Even after you’d gathered all this data, you were still left with a significant amount of guesswork. Which keywords would actually convert? Which ones were worth the investment in terms of time and resources? It was like playing a high-stakes game of roulette, except the wheel was Google’s search algorithm, and it could spin in any direction at any time.

Why Guesswork Was Risky

1. Budget Drain: Investing in the wrong keywords could be costly.
2. Time Waste: Hours spent on research could go down the drain.
3. Lost Opportunities: Missing out on high-converting keywords.

The Constant Algorithm Changes

Just when you thought you had it all figured out, Google would throw a curveball in the form of an algorithm update. Overnight, your well-researched keywords could plummet in rankings, leaving you back at square one. These constant changes made it difficult to maintain a stable, long-term keyword strategy.

Impact of Algorithm Changes

• Ranking Fluctuations: Your top-performing keywords could suddenly drop.
• Content Relevance: What was once a high-ranking article could become obsolete.
• Strategy Overhaul: Each update could require a complete strategy reevaluation.

The Struggle with Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords, those specific phrases that are less common but highly targeted, were another beast altogether. Finding these golden nuggets required sifting through mountains of data and often led to more questions than answers. Could you rank for them? Were they worth the effort? It was a constant balancing act.

Challenges with Long-Tail Keywords

• Data Scarcity: Often, there wasn’t enough data to make informed decisions.
• High Competition: Despite being specific, some long-tails had fierce competition.
• Content Fit: Ensuring these keywords fit naturally into your content was another hurdle.

The New Age: AI-Driven Keyword Planning

The Dawn of Real-Time Analysis

One of the most significant advantages of AI-driven keyword planning is real-time analysis. Unlike traditional methods that relied on historical data, AI tools can analyze current trends, search volumes, and competition levels. This real-time insight allows you to make data-driven decisions on the fly, ensuring that your keyword strategy is always up-to-date.

Benefits of Real-Time Analysis

• Immediate Insights: No waiting for monthly or quarterly reports.
• Adaptive Strategy: Make quick adjustments to your keyword focus.
• Competitive Edge: Stay ahead of competitors who rely on outdated data.

Automated Suggestions: The End of Guesswork

Remember the guesswork we talked about earlier? With AI, that’s a thing of the past. Advanced algorithms can now generate keyword suggestions based on your industry, target audience, and even your existing website content. These aren’t just random suggestions; they’re tailored recommendations designed to drive traffic and conversions.

How Automated Suggestions Work

1. Niche Analysis: AI tools scan your industry to identify trending keywords.
2. Content Review: They can also analyze your existing content to find gaps.
3. User Behavior: Some tools even consider user behavior to suggest high-converting keywords.

The Flexibility to Adapt

Algorithm changes? No problem. One of the most underrated features of AI-driven keyword planning tools is their ability to adapt to new search engine algorithms quickly. While traditional methods could leave you scrambling, AI tools update their analytics and suggestions to align with the latest algorithm changes.

Why Adaptability Matters

• Consistent Rankings: Less fluctuation when Google updates its algorithm.
• Future-Proof Strategy: Your keyword plan is less likely to become obsolete.
• Peace of Mind: Less stress about sudden drops in traffic or rankings.

The Rise of Content Clusters

AI has also made it easier to implement advanced SEO strategies like content clustering. Instead of isolated articles targeting individual keywords, AI tools can suggest a network of interrelated articles around a central pillar topic. This approach not only boosts the SEO value of each article but also enhances the user experience by providing a comprehensive resource.

Components of a Content Cluster

• Pillar Article: A comprehensive guide on a broad topic.
• Cluster Articles: Shorter pieces that delve into subtopics of the pillar article.
• Internal Linking: Strategic linking between the pillar and cluster articles.

How To Do Keyword Planning With AI

Preliminary Steps

• Identify Niche: Define your specific niche (e.g., LinkedIn Ads for B2B).
• List Keywords: Generate a list of preliminary keywords you think are relevant.

Research Phase

• Use Google’s Keyword Planner: Input your preliminary keywords to get search volume, competition, etc.
• Download Data: Download the keyword data for further analysis.

AI Analysis

• Upload to ChatGPT-4: Upload the downloaded keyword data to ChatGPT-4.
• Analyze with AI: Use ChatGPT-4 to identify high-potential keywords and suggest content topics.

Content Strategy

• Choose Pillar Article: Decide on a main keyword for your pillar article.
• List Supporting Articles: Create a list of long-tail keywords for supporting articles.

Content Creation

• Generate AI Drafts: Use ChatGPT-4 to generate initial drafts for each article.
• Add Human Touch: Edit the drafts to include your expertise and personal experiences, making them E-E-A-T compliant.

Post-Publishing

• Monitor Metrics: Keep an eye on organic traffic, keyword rankings, and conversion rates.
• Optimize: Make data-driven adjustments to your content and strategy based on performance metrics.

My Personal Experience: Building a Content Cluster

The Initial Challenge: Tackling “Lead Generation”

When I decided to focus on “lead generation” as my primary keyword, I knew I was diving into a highly competitive space. The stakes were high, but so were the potential rewards. The challenge was to create content that not only ranked well but also provided genuine value to the reader.

Why “Lead Generation” Was a Tough Nut to Crack

• High Competition: Many established players were already ranking for it.
• Broad Scope: The topic could span multiple industries and user intents.
• Constantly Evolving: New tools and strategies kept emerging, requiring frequent updates.

The Strategy: One Pillar, Multiple Supports

The solution was to create a robust content cluster centered around a pillar article. The pillar article would be a comprehensive guide on lead generation, covering all its facets. Surrounding this pillar would be a series of supporting articles, each focusing on a specific aspect or subtopic related to lead generation.

The Content Cluster in Action

• Pillar Article: “The Ultimate Guide to B2B and SaaS Lead Generation”
• Supporting Articles:
  • “Navigating B2B Lead Generation: A Comprehensive Guide”
  • “Selecting the Right B2B Lead Generation Companies”
  • “LinkedIn Marketing for B2B Lead Generation”
  • …and more!

The Role of AI: From Planning to Execution

This is where AI-driven keyword planning tools like Google’s Keyword Planner and ChatGPT-4 came into play. They helped me identify high-potential long-tail keywords, generate URL slugs, and even suggest content topics for the supporting articles. It was like having a digital marketing assistant that worked 24/7.

How AI Streamlined the Process

1. Keyword Identification: Suggested high-potential keywords based on real-time data.
2. Content Suggestions: Provided ideas for both the pillar and supporting articles.
3. URL Slug Generation: Created SEO-friendly URL slugs for each article.

The Pivot: Embracing Long-Tail Keywords

Initially, the focus was solely on “lead generation.” However, AI tools helped me realize the potential of targeting long-tail keywords like “LinkedIn lead generation.” This pivot not only made it easier to rank but also attracted a more targeted audience.

Why the Pivot Was Crucial

• Lower Competition: Easier to rank for long-tail keywords.
• Higher Conversion: More targeted traffic often leads to better conversion rates.
• SEO Boost: Ranking for long-tails can also improve the ranking of the main keyword.

Step-by-Step Guide to My AI-Driven Keyword Planning Process

Step 1: Starting with Google’s Keyword Planner

The first stop on our journey is Google’s Keyword Planner. This tool is a treasure trove of keyword data, offering insights into search volumes, competition levels, and more. But here’s the kicker: we’re not just using it as a standalone tool; we’re integrating it with AI for a more dynamic approach.

How to Use Google’s Keyword Planner

1. Log In: Access the tool through your Google Ads account.
2. Enter Keywords: Type in your primary keyword (e.g., “lead generation”).
3. Set Filters: Adjust settings like location, language, and search networks.
4. Download Data: Export the keyword data to a CSV file.

Step 2: Uploading Data to ChatGPT-4

Once you’ve downloaded your keyword data, the next step is to upload it to ChatGPT-4 for advanced analytics. This is where the magic happens. ChatGPT-4 can analyze the data and provide actionable insights, such as suggesting URL slugs or even entire content topics.

Uploading to ChatGPT-4

• File Format: Make sure the file is in UTF-8 format.
• Data Points: Ensure that the data includes search volumes and competition levels.
• Upload: Use the platform’s upload feature to import the CSV file.

Step 3: Analyzing the Data

After uploading, ChatGPT-4 will analyze the data and provide you with a range of insights. This could include potential URL slugs, long-tail keyword suggestions, and even content topics for your pillar and supporting articles.

What to Expect from the Analysis

• URL Slugs: SEO-friendly URL suggestions for your articles.
• Long-Tail Keywords: Suggestions for specific, targeted keywords.
• Content Topics: Ideas for both pillar and supporting articles.

Step 4: Crafting the Content

Armed with these insights, you’re now ready to start crafting your content. Remember, the goal is to create a content cluster around a central pillar topic, supported by articles targeting long-tail keywords. And don’t forget to sprinkle in some E-A-T (Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness) for good measure.

Content Crafting Tips

• Start with an Outline: Plan your content structure before diving in.
• Use Subheadings: Break up the text for better readability.
• Add Multimedia: Incorporate images, tables, and even videos to enrich the content.

Step 5: The Final Touches

Before hitting that “Publish” button, take a moment to review your work. Ensure that the content is not only informative but also engaging and easy to read. Add internal links to related articles, optimize meta descriptions, and double-check for any grammatical errors.

Final Checklist

• Internal Linking: Link to other relevant articles on your site.
• Meta Descriptions: Write compelling meta descriptions for SEO.
• Proofreading: A final check to eliminate any errors or inconsistencies.

The Crucial Role of E-E-A-T in Your AI-Driven Keyword Strategy

Understanding E-E-A-T: More Than Just an Acronym

E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. While it’s not a direct ranking factor in Google’s algorithm, it’s a cornerstone of Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines. These guidelines are used by “Quality Raters” to evaluate the quality of content across the web.

Key Components of E-E-A-T

• Experience: The new “E” in E-E-A-T emphasizes the importance of first-hand or life experience in the topic you’re writing about.
• Expertise: Your content should demonstrate a high level of knowledge in the subject matter.
• Authoritativeness: Your source should be recognized as an authority in the field.
• Trustworthiness: This is the glue that holds E-E-A-T together. Without trust, the other elements are moot.

Why E-E-A-T is a Game-Changer

The addition of “Experience” to E-A-T is a significant update. Google now places a premium on content where the author has first-hand experience with the topic. For instance, if you’re writing a review on the latest iPhone, you should have actually used the product. This shift is crucial because it aligns with what searchers often seek: authentic, first-hand information before making a purchase or using a service.

The Impact of Experience on Trust

• Credibility: First-hand experience enhances the credibility of your content.
• User Engagement: Readers are more likely to engage with content that comes from a place of genuine experience.
• SEO: While not a direct ranking factor, high E-E-A-T scores can positively influence your content’s performance in search results.

How to Infuse E-E-A-T into Your Content

Incorporating E-E-A-T isn’t just about listing your credentials or citing authoritative sources. It’s about creating content that genuinely helps your audience. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Showcase Experience: Share personal anecdotes, case studies, or real-life examples that demonstrate your first-hand experience.
2. Establish Expertise and Authority: Use data, cite reputable sources, and showcase testimonials or endorsements.
3. Build Trust: Be transparent about your sources and methodology. Make it easy for readers to verify your claims.

The Intersection of E-E-A-T and AI

While AI can’t provide the “Experience” component of E-E-A-T, it can assist in other areas. For example, AI can help identify reputable sources to cite or suggest data points that can bolster your arguments. However, Google advises against publishing AI-generated content without human review, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach.

AI’s Role in E-E-A-T

• Data-Driven Insights: AI can help find credible data to back your content.
• Content Optimization: Some AI tools can suggest improvements to enhance your content’s E-E-A-T score.
• Human-AI Collaboration: Use AI for initial drafts or research, but always incorporate your own experience and expertise to meet E-E-A-T criteria.

Practical Steps to Implement E-E-A-T in Your AI-Driven Content Strategy

The Challenge of Balancing AI and E-E-A-T

While AI tools like ChatGPT can generate content at scale, they lack the first-hand experience that’s crucial for high E-E-A-T scores. So, how do you balance the efficiency of AI with the need for authentic, high-quality content?

AI Limitations in E-E-A-T

• Lack of Experience: AI can’t provide first-hand experience, which is a key component of E-E-A-T.
• Limited Expertise: While AI can generate content based on data, it doesn’t possess expertise in the way a human does.

The Human-AI Collaboration Model

The key is to use AI as a tool that complements human expertise, rather than as a replacement. Here’s a step-by-step guide to implementing this model:

1. Initial Research: Use AI tools to gather data, identify keywords, and even draft initial content outlines.
2. Human Review: A subject matter expert reviews the AI-generated content, adding first-hand experience and expertise.
3. Optimization: Use AI tools to suggest improvements based on SEO and readability metrics.
4. Final Review: A final human review ensures the content meets E-E-A-T criteria, making adjustments as needed.

Benefits of the Human-AI Collaboration Model

• Efficiency: Speed up the content creation process without sacrificing quality.
• Quality: Maintain high E-E-A-T scores by incorporating human expertise and experience.
• Scalability: Easily scale your content production by leveraging both AI and human resources.

Case Study: Implementing E-E-A-T in a B2B Setting

Let’s say you’re a B2B company specializing in cold email marketing. How would you implement E-E-A-T?

1. Expertise: Share data-backed strategies for cold email campaigns.
2. Authority: Showcase testimonials from businesses that have successfully used your strategies.
3. Trust: Offer transparent reporting metrics.
4. Experience: Share case studies or personal anecdotes about what has worked for you in the realm of cold email marketing.

By following these steps, you not only create content that resonates with your audience but also meets the stringent criteria set by Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines.

Scaling Your Content Strategy with AI

The Power of a Small, Agile Team

In the past, you’d need a large team to produce the volume of high-quality content necessary for a robust B2B marketing strategy. But with AI, the game has changed. Now, a small team can produce content at a scale that rivals much larger operations.

Why a Small Team Works

• Agility: Easier to pivot and adapt to new strategies or market changes.
• Focused Expertise: Each team member can specialize, bringing a higher level of expertise to the table.
• Lower Overheads: Less staff means lower costs, allowing for more investment in tools and training.

How AI Amplifies Your Team’s Capabilities

AI tools can handle a variety of tasks that would otherwise consume a lot of your team’s time. Here’s how:

1. Automated Research: AI can scrape data, identify trends, and even suggest content topics.
2. Content Generation: Tools like ChatGPT can draft articles, generate SEO-friendly headlines, and more.
3. SEO Optimization: AI can analyze your content’s SEO performance in real-time, suggesting tweaks and improvements.

The AI Tools I Use

• Google’s Keyword Planner: For initial keyword research.
• ChatGPT-4: For content generation and data analysis.
• SEMrush: For tracking keyword rankings and backlink profiles.

Future Plans for Team and Content Expansion

As our strategy proves successful, the plan is to slowly expand the team. Each new member will be trained in leveraging AI tools, ensuring that we continue to operate efficiently as we grow.

1. Hiring More Writers: To diversify the types of content we produce.
2. Adding a Data Analyst: To delve deeper into performance metrics.
3. Investing in More Advanced AI Tools: To keep our strategy cutting-edge.

A Step-by-Step Example: How to Use AI for Keyword Planning in LinkedIn Ads

Step 1: Identify Your Niche and Target Keywords

Before diving into any tools, have a clear understanding of your niche. For this example, let’s say you’re focusing on LinkedIn Ads.

Action Items:

• Define your niche (e.g., LinkedIn Ads for B2B companies).
• List down preliminary keywords you think are relevant.

Step 2: Initial Research with Google’s Keyword Planner

Use Google’s Keyword Planner to get data on your chosen keywords. This will give you insights into search volumes, competition, and more.

Action Items:

• Input your preliminary keywords into Google’s Keyword Planner.
• Download the keyword data for analysis.

Step 3: Upload Data to ChatGPT-4 for Advanced Analysis

Take the downloaded data and upload it into ChatGPT-4 for more in-depth analysis. The AI will help you identify high-potential keywords and even suggest content topics.

Action Items:

• Upload your keyword data file to ChatGPT-4.
• Use the AI to identify high-potential keywords and content topics.

Step 4: Create a Content Cluster Strategy

Based on the analysis, create a content cluster strategy. Decide on a pillar article and supporting articles that you’ll write.

Action Items:

• Choose a keyword for your pillar article (e.g., “Ultimate Guide to LinkedIn Ads”).
• List down supporting articles based on long-tail keywords (e.g., “LinkedIn Ad Formats for B2B,” “How to Optimize LinkedIn Ad Budget”).

Step 5: Draft Content Using AI and Human Expertise

Use ChatGPT-4 to generate initial drafts for your articles. Then, add your own expertise and personal experiences to make the content E-E-A-T compliant.

Action Items:

• Use ChatGPT-4 to generate initial drafts.
• Add your own insights, examples, and data to these drafts.

Step 6: Measure, Analyze, and Optimize

After publishing, use analytics tools to measure the performance of your content. Make necessary adjustments based on the data.

Action Items:

• Monitor key metrics like organic traffic, keyword rankings, and conversion rates.
• Make data-driven adjustments to your content and strategy.

Conclusion: The Future is AI-Driven, Are You?

Keyword planning used to be a tedious, time-consuming task that often required a large team and deep pockets. But as we’ve seen, the landscape has changed dramatically with the advent of AI tools like Google’s Keyword Planner and ChatGPT-4. These tools not only simplify the research process but also offer advanced analytics and even content generation capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

1. AI Simplifies Keyword Planning: Gone are the days of manually sifting through spreadsheets. AI can automate much of the grunt work.
2. Human Expertise is Irreplaceable: While AI can do a lot, it can’t replace the E-E-A-T (Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness) that comes from human experience and expertise.
3. Small Teams Can Dream Big: With AI, a small team can produce a volume of high-quality content that rivals much larger operations.
4. Data-Driven Decisions: AI allows for a more analytical approach, helping you make data-driven decisions that yield better results.

Your Next Steps:

If you’re still relying on old-school methods for keyword planning and content creation, it’s time to step into the future. Start small if you must—perhaps with a single AI tool or a small set of keywords. But start you must, for the future is AI-driven, and those who don’t adapt risk being left behind.