In a world where AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude have totally taken over the world of writing, you’ve probably wondered if you can use AI for SEO. Can you use AI to make your content strategy? Can you use AI for blog writing? Can you use AI tools for website SEO? After all, it’s quick, it’s free (or cheap), and it can write a blog post in a matter of seconds.
Here’s the thing: all that convenience can come with negative tradeoffs (if you’re not wise about the way you use AI for SEO!)
We don’t see AI as a shortcut; we see it as a tool. One that’s best used alongside a solid SEO strategy, a strong understanding of your audience, and that special something only you can bring: your voice, your experience, and your brand’s point of view.
In this post, we’re breaking down how to use AI for SEO, how we use it in our own process, and why AI for blog writing still needs a human touch if you want to rank and resonate in 2025.
What AI can (and can’t) do for your content strategy
A few years ago, we would have totally skipped using AI for SEO. But AI tools have come a long way, and they’re not going anywhere. But knowing where it shines (and where it falls short) is so important when it comes to using it well.
Here’s what we like to use AI for:
Brainstorming blog topics. If you’re feeling stuck on what to write, AI can offer dozens of prompts in seconds.
Drafting outlines. Need a jumping-off point for structure and what to say? AI can help outline the bones of your next blog post.
Generating title variations. AI can whip up 10+ compelling, SEO-friendly blog titles so you can easily pick the most clickable one.
Speedy inspiration. When you’re on a deadline or out of steam, AI is like a creative caffeine to get the ideas flowing.
What AI can’t replace
Strategic keyword research. AI doesn’t actually search live data, so it won’t give you accurate keyword volumes or trends the same way tools like Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner can.
Understanding audience intent. AI doesn’t know your clients the way you do. It can’t read between the lines or pick up on the nuance of what they really want to know.
Technical SEO best practices. AI can suggest tags and headings, but it doesn’t build an SEO strategy.
Your brand voice. AI writes in a default tone that’s often generic. Your blog deserves more than that.
Original insights and thought leadership. AI doesn’t have lived experience. It can summarize what already exists on the internet, but it can’t think for you.
Our AI for SEO strategy
We suggest using AI, but using it with intention. Using AI for blog writing or AI tools for website SEO can help you move faster and better, but when you blend it with human nuance and intuition, is when the real magic happens.
Is AI content bad for SEO?
Yes and no. If you just use AI to generate a page, post, or SEO strategy…it’s not going to be that great. However, if you use it to supplement and guide your efforts, then it can be really, really good for SEO.
We love using AI to speed up brainstorming or get unstuck during content planning. But here’s the deal: AI doesn’t think. It predicts.
Every time you ask it to write a blog post, AI runs billions of calculations to deliver what it believes is the most common, most likely next word. That means what you get is usually a polished version of the most average blog on the internet.
AI can’t create unique insights, mirror your personality flawlessly, or get inside of your brain to understand your client experience—so it will never be able to write the type of unique, thought leadership content you can. (At least, not the AI we have right now! 😉)
That’s why we use AI to generate possibilities and ideas, but we choose the 2 or 3 that actually support your content strategy, business goals, and SEO plan.
Keyword strategy still needs real tools
Multiple times, we’ve had clients come to us with keywords they thought they wanted to use, only to find out they were AI-generated (and have zero actual Google searches.) AI can throw out ideas like “how to grow your business” or “interior design tips,” but without real keyword research, it’s a shot in the dark. We use Ubersuggest to uncover long-tail keywords with actual search volume and intent behind them, so we can write content that people are actively looking for on the internet. For example, we assess:
- What your audience is really searching for
- Whether the keywords align with your offers
- How competitive the topic is
- Whether your content can bring something new to the conversation
When AI gives us a list of ideas, we put them through the SEO lens before they ever get drafted.
Copywriters make content human, searchable, and sellable
Even the most advanced AI can’t truly replicate a real person’s voice, empathy, or storytelling ability. At Southern Creative, our writers bring personality, polish, and purpose to every piece.
Here’s how we take content from basic to brilliant:
- Infuse voice and tone that reflects you
- Add real-life examples, stories, or analogies
- Structure content for both readability and SEO
- Use CTAs that actually lead to conversion
We also fact check everything. AI is notorious for “hallucinating” — making up data, sources, or claims that sound real but aren’t.
And if your goal is to become a thought leader or trusted expert? AI content isn’t enough. You need perspective. You need clarity. You need you and your brand in it.
How to use AI for SEO (responsibly)
You don’t have to choose between AI and human-created content. In fact, our best-performing blog strategies combine both. At Southern Creative, we’ve built a workflow that uses AI as a creative partner, without handing over the keys.
Here’s what that actually looks like:
1. Start with strategy
We begin every blog project with the client in mind: it’s about your goals, your brand, and your ideal audience. Then we build out a custom keyword plan using tools like Ubersuggest. This ensures every blog post is built on search demand, not AI guesses.
2. Use AI for ideas and efficiency
AI helps us:
- Brainstorm blog topics based on keyword buckets
- Draft outlines for long-form blog posts
- Generate multiple versions of SEO-friendly titles
- Research competitors to identify positioning gaps
This saves time in the early phases and helps us find new angles you might not have considered.
3. Human-first writing + SEO
Once the direction is clear, our copywriters get to work making those ideas unique and you. We use your brand voice, your expertise, and our SEO knowledge to create blog posts that feel real, not robotic.
Each blog is:
- Written with a human touch, so the voice, insights, and empathy are on point
- Structured for readability and conversion
- Reviewed for SEO best practices, including headings, internal linking, meta data, and alt text
- Tailored to your niche and services
AI content red flags you need to know
Let’s talk about the elephant in the search bar: not all AI-generated content is created equal. While Google has clarified it’s not anti-AI, it is anti-low-quality content. And unfortunately, most AI-only content falls into that category.
Here’s what you’re risking when you rely too heavily on AI without human strategy and oversight:
1. Thin or duplicate content
AI tools pull from existing content across the internet, which means your blog may end up repeating what’s already out there. That’s not great for your rankings or your readers. Search engines reward original thought, not repackaged content.
2. Off-brand, off-track, or off-the-mark
AI doesn’t know your voice, your values, or your industry expertise unless someone carefully guides it. Left unchecked, it can generate content that:
- Feels generic or robotic
- Wanders off topic
- Uses incorrect terminology or tone
- Confuses your audience more than it helps
3. Zero personality or authority
You’re the expert. Your content should sound like it. When AI creates a post from scratch, it lacks the personal perspective, storytelling, and credibility your potential clients are looking for.
4. Long-term SEO losses
Even if AI-written content ranks now, that might not last. Google is constantly refining how it measures content quality. If your site is flooded with low-value, AI-first blogs, don’t be surprised if rankings dip over time.
Search engines want to serve up helpful, high-quality content, which is the kind of content that is written best by humans.
AI for SEO is doable!
AI tools are definitely here to stay, and that’s a good thing (if you know how to use it!) Used well, they can be a huge help to working smarter and faster in your business. But without real strategy, research, and brand voice? You’re just adding more noise to the internet without doing much for your SEO strategy.
Your blog and your website should be as thoughtful as your business. So, we recommend using AI for SEO to spark ideas and streamline the process…but never as a full replacement for writing quality content.
Want to learn more about blending AI efficiency with expert SEO strategy and human-crafted content?
Book an SEO Strategy Session and let’s make your content work smarter (not just faster!)
