How SEO Professionals Are Using ChatGPT (and How You Can Too)

Content Creation: More Than Just Filling the Page

Content creation is where most SEO professionals start with ChatGPT. You might be using it to write blog posts, product descriptions, or even social media copy. But, it’s not about asking ChatGPT to spit out 1,000 words and calling it a day. Successful users break down the process, requesting content in manageable chunks like paragraphs or sections. This allows for more control and refinement. One user shared how they generate multiple variations of each section to find the perfect fit before moving forward.

By getting ChatGPT to create variations of the content, you can evaluate the tone, structure, and quality, before settling on the best output. The tip here is clear: don’t settle for the first draft ChatGPT provides. Iterate, refine, and treat it as a collaborative tool, not a replacement for your own expertise.

Beyond Content: Using ChatGPT for SEO Strategy

SEO isn’t just about words on a page – it’s a strategic game, and ChatGPT can help here too. SEO pros are using it to build and refine strategies. One effective technique is to start with an outline created by ChatGPT. Then, poke holes in it. Ask the AI questions that test the structure and suggest improvements. Tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs can help you fact-check and align your strategy with real-world data, but ChatGPT’s ability to quickly mock up a game plan can save you time in the early stages.

This back-and-forth process of refining outlines and strategy is a great way to build a more robust approach to your SEO efforts. And you don’t have to stop there. Use ChatGPT to simulate different approaches, giving you multiple options to choose from. By running several “what if” scenarios, you’ll have a much clearer picture of which tactics are worth pursuing.

Keyword Research: The Creative Side of Numbers

Keyword research has always been data-heavy. ChatGPT won’t replace tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Keyword Planner, but it can add a creative layer to your research. Once you’ve pulled your keywords from your usual sources, feed them into ChatGPT. Ask it to brainstorm content ideas around those keywords or even group them into themes.

Some users have also developed custom tools, integrating ChatGPT with keyword APIs like DataForSEO, to automate parts of their keyword transcreation (tailoring keywords to different languages or markets). This method saves time and, in one case, cuts costs by 90%.

The actionable takeaway? Use ChatGPT to supplement your keyword research by brainstorming content ideas, creating content clusters, and expanding on the keywords you’ve already chosen.

Backlinking and Outreach: Personalised at Scale

Outreach is one of the most time-consuming parts of SEO, but it’s essential for building authority and ranking well. ChatGPT can help streamline this process by writing personalised outreach emails. Whether you’re reaching out for backlinks, partnerships, or guest posts, ChatGPT can draft emails that feel human and relevant.

A smart approach is to create multiple versions of each email, tailored to different types of prospects. For instance, you could ask ChatGPT to write a formal version for larger organisations and a more casual tone for smaller businesses. Again, don’t take the first draft – refine it until it sounds like you.

One user shared how they’ve used ChatGPT to structure their backlink outreach campaigns by feeding it data about their prospects and goals. The AI can then help create a strategic plan for which types of backlinks to pursue and how to go about getting them.

Collaboration and Workflow Management with ChatGPT

SEO is often a team effort, and ChatGPT isn’t just for individual use. If you’re working with a team, consider how ChatGPT can be integrated into your workflows. Several users mentioned using their own private accounts for generating content and ideas before consolidating it into a shared team file.

But there are also options to collaborate directly within ChatGPT itself. If you’re using a paid version or something like ChatGPT Teams, you can work together in real-time, sharing chats, outlines, and ideas without switching platforms.

Some professionals have taken this even further by using tools like BrainChat.ai, a platform that combines ChatGPT with other large language models (LLMs) under one roof. This means SEO teams can switch between different AI models depending on their task, whether they need content generation, keyword suggestions, or backlink analysis. The key benefit here is cost savings and speed – paying for just what you use rather than a flat monthly fee.

The Meta-Prompting Hack: Getting More Out of ChatGPT

You might have heard about meta-prompting, a technique to supercharge your interactions with ChatGPT. Meta-prompting is essentially crafting your queries in a way that extracts better, more nuanced responses from the AI. It’s about pushing ChatGPT to dig deeper, giving you richer insights or more creative ideas.

For example, instead of just asking for a blog post outline, try asking ChatGPT to “provide three different outlines, each focusing on a different perspective of the same topic.” This trick gets you multiple approaches, which you can then refine.

Another example is requesting ChatGPT to “critique its own outline” or ask it to “imagine the flaws in this strategy.” This method makes ChatGPT act as a devil’s advocate, pointing out potential weaknesses or areas for improvement you might have missed.

Training and Fine-Tuning Your Own Model

Many ChatGPT SEO users use the idea of “training” a model, but there’s a lot of confusion about what this really means. To clarify, unless you’re an AI engineer working at OpenAI or a similar company, you’re not technically “training” ChatGPT in the way it was originally built. However, you can fine-tune the model to make it work better for your specific needs.

For instance, if you want ChatGPT to mimic your writing style or follow a strict set of guidelines, you can feed it examples of your past work and instruct it to follow that format in future responses. Some users have found success by using this method to keep the AI’s tone consistent across large projects.

However, be aware that this approach doesn’t mean the model is learning in the way we traditionally think of learning. It’s more about giving ChatGPT context that helps it generate more accurate and tailored responses.

Using ChatGPT for Real-Time Problem Solving

Many SEO professionals are using ChatGPT in a way you might not expect – as a sounding board. Whether you’re working through a technical issue, building an internal SEO tool, or trying to make sense of a complex project, ChatGPT can act as a “sparring partner.”

ChatGPT can be used to explore different approaches SEO workflows. You simply throw ideas at the AI, asking for feedback or suggestions on how to improve. This method is particularly useful for those working on custom SEO tools or automating workflows, as ChatGPT can help you think through problems without having to consult an external expert.

If you’re working on a big project, consider using ChatGPT in this way. You don’t have to follow its advice to the letter, but having an unbiased, endlessly patient brainstorming partner can make problem-solving more efficient.

A Holistic Approach to SEO with ChatGPT

To get the most out of ChatGPT, you really need to take a holistic approach. It’s not just about content creation, and it’s not just about data. The key is to use ChatGPT in combination with other tools and human insight. Don’t forget: You’re the expert – ChatGPT is just one of the many tools at your disposal.

When used correctly, it can save you time, enhance your creativity, and give you a competitive edge. But it’s not going to replace everything. You’ll still need manual work, especially when it comes to crafting the final product, analysing the market, and making strategic decisions. But with ChatGPT in your toolbox, you can move faster and more efficiently, allowing you to focus on what really matters: driving results.

Final Thoughts

If you’re not already using ChatGPT for your SEO work, it’s time to start. From content creation to keyword research, strategy building to backlink outreach, it’s a versatile tool that can handle a lot more than you might think. Just remember, the key to success is in how you use it. Don’t settle for a one-size-fits-all approach – experiment, refine, and use ChatGPT as your co-pilot in the ever-evolving world of SEO. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.