How to Use AI for SEO: Gravitate Toward What Actually Works

Most brands using AI for SEO are doing it wrong. They're either pumping out thin content that doesn't rank, or they're paralyzed by the hype and doing nothing. One client went from $20K/mo to $80K/mo in organic revenue by using AI the right way — not as a replacement for strategy, but as a tool that executes faster than any freelancer or agency ever could.

Here's what actually works when you use AI for SEO in 2024 — and how to gravitate toward tactics that move rankings instead of just burning budget.

What It Actually Means to Use AI for SEO

Using AI for SEO doesn't mean replacing your entire content strategy with ChatGPT prompts. It means automating the parts of SEO that don't require human judgment — keyword clustering, schema markup generation, content outlining, distribution — so you can focus on the parts that do.

The brands winning with AI SEO right now are doing two things:

• Automating content production — generating schema-rich blog posts at scale ($10/post vs. $150 for a freelancer)
• Optimizing for AI-powered search — targeting Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini alongside traditional Google rankings

This second part is critical. Google's AI Overviews now appear in 15-20% of searches. ChatGPT has 200M+ weekly active users. If your content isn't optimized for these platforms, you're invisible to a massive audience.

That's why Founding Engine — the agency behind BloggedAI — built AI search optimization as a standalone service. For brands with high domain authority or complex technical needs, a tailored strategy beats a tool every time.

Traditional SEO vs. AI Search Optimization

Traditional SEO targets Google's blue links. AI search optimization (also called AEO or GEO) targets the AI-generated answers that now sit above those links.

Here's the difference:

Traditional SEO	AI Search Optimization
Optimize for keywords	Optimize for entities and questions
Focus on backlinks	Focus on citations and schema markup
Goal: Page 1 ranking	Goal: AI Overview or ChatGPT citation
Content for humans	Content for humans + LLMs

You need both. A complete ecommerce SEO strategy in 2024 includes traditional on-page optimization, technical SEO, and AI discovery tactics.

If you're running a Shopify or WordPress store and want to test this without hiring an agency, BloggedAI handles both automatically. Every blog includes JSON-LD schema for Article, FAQ, and BreadcrumbList — the exact markup that increases your chances of being cited in AI Overviews.

AI Content Creation That Ranks

Google's official stance on AI content: it's fine, as long as it's helpful. Their March 2024 update specifically targeted thin, low-value AI slop — not all AI content.

The difference between AI content that ranks and AI content that gets filtered out comes down to three things:

1. Schema Markup

Every post needs structured data. At minimum: Article schema, FAQ schema, and BreadcrumbList. This tells Google (and ChatGPT, Perplexity, etc.) exactly what your content is about and how to cite it.

Most AI writing tools don't add schema. BloggedAI does — automatically, on every post. That's why clients see page 1 rankings within 10 days instead of waiting months.

2. DA-Aware Keyword Targeting

If your domain authority is 15, you can't rank for "best running shoes." You need long-tail keywords with lower competition — "best trail running shoes for wide feet" or "running shoes for overpronation under $100."

Most AI tools don't account for your DA. They suggest keywords you'll never rank for. BloggedAI's keyword engine analyzes your domain authority and only suggests keywords you can actually compete for. That's the difference between content that ranks and content that disappears into page 47.

3. Distribution + Backlinks

Publishing a blog on your site isn't enough. You need backlinks to DR 90+ platforms (Blogger, WordPress, Tumblr) and indexing signals (IndexNow, Google Search Console pings) to tell Google the content exists.

This is where most DIY AI SEO strategies fail. You create the content, but you don't distribute it. BloggedAI's Growth and Dominate plans include automated distribution and backlink placement — the same tactics agencies charge $3K-$10K/mo for.

DA-Aware Keyword Research with AI

Keyword research is where most brands waste the most time. They pick high-volume keywords with no chance of ranking, or they target keywords so niche that even a #1 ranking drives zero traffic.

Here's the framework to use AI for keyword research the right way:

1. Check your domain authority — use Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush. If you're DA 10-20, you need long-tail keywords. DA 40+, you can compete for mid-tier terms.
2. Find question-based keywords — these rank in AI Overviews. Use AnswerThePublic, AlsoAsked, or ChatGPT to generate "how to," "what is," "best," and "vs" queries.
3. Filter by search intent — informational keywords (guides, how-tos) are easier to rank than transactional keywords (product names, "buy" queries).
4. Prioritize schema-friendly formats — FAQs, how-to guides, product comparisons. These formats naturally support structured data.

If this sounds like a lot of work, it is. That's why tools like BloggedAI exist — you input your target keyword, and the AI handles the rest. It analyzes your DA, suggests related keywords, and generates a full blog optimized for both Google and AI search engines.

For brands that need a more tailored approach — like mapping keywords to specific product categories or building topic clusters — schedule a strategy call with Founding Engine. The agency team builds custom keyword strategies based on your competitive landscape and revenue goals.

How to Show Up in Google AI Overviews

Google AI Overviews (formerly SGE) pull from content that's clear, concise, and structured. If you want to appear in these AI-generated answers, follow this checklist:

• Answer the question in the first 100 words — don't bury the lede. State the answer immediately, then expand.
• Use FAQ schema — add 5-7 questions with direct answers. This is the easiest way to get cited.
• Structure with H2/H3 headings — Google's AI pulls from well-organized content. Use descriptive headings that include keywords.
• Cite authoritative sources — link to .edu, .gov, or high-DR sites. This signals credibility to Google's AI.
• Keep paragraphs short — 2-3 sentences max. AI Overviews favor scannable content.

One client saw a 4x increase in organic revenue after optimizing their blog content for AI Overviews. The traffic didn't come from traditional rankings — it came from being cited in AI-generated answers.

If you're running an e-commerce store, this is especially important. AI Overviews are showing up for product-related queries ("best moisturizer for dry skin," "top-rated kitchen knives"). If your content isn't optimized, your competitors are getting the clicks.

For a deeper breakdown of technical optimization, read our guide on technical SEO for ecommerce.

The AI SEO Tools Stack

Here's the stack that actually works for brands using AI to scale SEO:

Content Creation

• BloggedAI — schema-rich blog posts at $10 each. Best for e-commerce brands that need volume.
• ChatGPT — good for outlines and ideation, but requires manual schema and optimization.
• Jasper — more expensive ($49-$125/mo), better for long-form content but no built-in schema.

Keyword Research

• Ahrefs — industry standard, but expensive ($99-$999/mo).
• SEMrush — similar to Ahrefs, better for competitor analysis.
• BloggedAI's DA-aware targeting — built into the platform, no extra cost.

Technical SEO

• Screaming Frog — crawl your site for broken links, missing schema, duplicate content.
• Sitebulb — visual site audits, better UX than Screaming Frog.
• Google Search Console — free, essential for tracking rankings and indexing.

AI Search Optimization

• Founding Engine's AI Search Optimization — full-service AEO for brands that want to rank in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. Learn more here.

Most brands don't need all of these tools. If you're just starting out, use BloggedAI for content and Google Search Console for tracking. Once you're publishing 20+ blogs per month, add Ahrefs for deeper keyword research.

If you're scaling past $100K/mo in revenue and need a custom strategy, talk to Founding Engine. They'll audit your site, build a keyword roadmap, and handle the full execution — from on-page SEO to backlink placement to AI discovery optimization.

FAQ: How to Use AI for SEO

Copy, Paste, Rank

The brands that win with AI SEO aren't the ones using the fanciest tools. They're the ones that ship content consistently, optimize for both Google and AI search engines, and match their keyword strategy to their domain authority.

If you're a Shopify or WordPress store doing less than $100K/mo in revenue, start with BloggedAI. Your first blog is free. After that, it's $10/post vs. $150 for a freelancer — and every post includes schema markup, FAQ sections, and AI-generated hero images.

If you're scaling past $100K/mo and need a custom strategy — keyword mapping, technical audits, backlink campaigns, AI discovery optimization — talk to Founding Engine. They'll build a strategy that fits your competitive landscape and revenue goals.

For more tactical guides, check out the ecommerce SEO checklist or read the case study on how one brand hit 695% traffic growth in 5 months.