As an experienced marketer and SEO specialist, I have witnessed the ever-evolving landscape of search engine optimization over the past 15 years. Despite the constant changes and the occasional declaration that SEO is dead, I firmly believe that SEO will never truly die. Search engines like Google are constantly adapting and improving, and as marketers, we must do the same. One of the most significant advancements in recent years is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into SEO practices.

In this article, I had the opportunity to speak with Tom Winter, the co-founder of SEOwind, a company that has developed an AI-powered tool for content creation on the Brands and Brews Marketing Podcast. Tom shared his insights on the role of AI in SEO and how it can revolutionize the way we approach content creation. We discussed the misconceptions surrounding AI, the importance of feeding it with knowledge, and the potential for humans and AI to work together to achieve even greater results.​

Embracing AI: From Skepticism to Acceptance

​Tom admitted that he was initially skeptical about the capabilities of AI. However, after witnessing its potential and understanding the importance of feeding it with data, he changed his perspective. He emphasized the need to view AI as a partner rather than a threat to human jobs:​

"I was really against AI. I felt like, okay, no way, it's better than humans. And I've been there. And to be honest, in my opinion, I was wrong... AI is far better in going through a lot of data than humans because it's faster... Let's not think that it will take over our jobs. It will if we will not think of it as a partner to work with."

Tom's insight highlights the importance of collaboration between humans and AI. By leveraging the strengths of both, we can achieve more significant results than either could accomplish alone.

The Power of AI in Content Creation

​One area where AI has already made a significant impact is in content creation. Tom shared his experience using AI tools for keyword research, reporting, auditing, and most notably, content creation. He explained how AI-powered tools like Chat GPT, Jasper, and By Word have made content creation more efficient and cost-effective:

"It's a lot cheaper to use AI... Every content writer will become a manager, an editor, an architect of content, managing a team of AI writers... If we think that we can beat AI in writing, like at scale, I think we're doomed... I can develop a lot more content at a higher velocity, at least equal quality."

Tom's perspective aligns with the idea that AI can enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. By utilizing AI tools, content creators can streamline their processes, increase productivity, and focus on higher-level tasks such as editing and adding value to the content.

The Importance of Knowledge and Data

​While AI has the potential to generate content, it is crucial to understand that it requires proper guidance and input. Tom emphasized the significance of feeding AI with knowledge and data to ensure the quality and relevance of the output:

"People think that they can go to Chat GPT and just ask a simple question, and if it answers wrong, the answer is wrong... You have to feed it with knowledge... If you don't feed it with data, you will not get value out of AI... So treat both parties the same and check out what will be the results."

Tom's advice highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to AI content creation. Simply asking AI tools to generate content without providing the necessary context and data will result in subpar output. By combining human expertise with AI capabilities, we can create content that is both valuable and relevant.​

The Cyber Method: Humans and AI Working Together

Tom introduced the concept of the "cyber method," which involves humans and AI working collaboratively to achieve optimal results. He envisioned a future where content writers become managers and editors, overseeing a team of AI writers:

"People working, like helping AI to get better and gaining superpowers from AI, it works two ways... If we're thinking that, like, no, I will not use it, I'm better than that, you will lose your job... You will have to amplify your skills, and people that use AI will be just faster and will do things better."

​Tom's vision aligns with the idea that AI is not a replacement for human creativity and expertise but a tool that can enhance and amplify our capabilities. By embracing AI and leveraging its power, content creators can achieve greater efficiency and productivity.

The Results: AI-Generated Content and SEO Performance

​To put the capabilities of AI to the test, Tom and his team embarked on a 30-day challenge, posting 100 AI-generated articles on their domain. The goal was to demonstrate the impact of AI on SEO performance and dispel the misconception that AI-generated content lacks value. Tom shared the impressive results they achieved within just 30 days:

"We started with a domain with over 1300 clicks per month. Within 30 days, we gained 77.7% in clicks... With the amount of impressions, we gained 125%... It's a typical normal domain with about 100 referring domains... We ended up with almost 2400 clicks within the last 30 days."

These results highlight the potential of AI-generated content to drive organic traffic and improve SEO performance. By combining AI capabilities with human input, content creators can create valuable and engaging content that resonates with their target audience.

The Future Outlook: AI as a Valuable Tool

​As AI continues to advance, it is essential to recognize its potential and embrace it as a valuable tool in the SEO arsenal. Tom emphasized the need to view AI as a partner rather than a threat and to continually adapt and learn:

"People that use AI will be just faster and will do things better... If we're thinking that, like, no, I will not use it, I'm better than that, you will lose your job... You have to amplify your skills... I believe strongly in what the CEO of Nvidia said. AI will not take over humans' jobs. People that use AI will."

Tom's perspective aligns with the idea that AI is not a replacement for human expertise but a tool that can enhance our capabilities. By embracing AI and continually learning and adapting, we can stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of SEO.

Conclusion: The Power of Collaboration

​The integration of AI into SEO practices has opened up new possibilities for content creation and optimization. By leveraging AI tools, content creators can streamline their processes, increase productivity, and deliver valuable content to their audience. However, it is crucial to understand that AI is not a standalone solution. It requires human input, knowledge, and guidance to achieve optimal results.

As the field of AI continues to evolve, it is essential for marketers and SEO specialists to embrace this technology and view it as a partner rather than a threat. By working collaboratively with AI, we can amplify our skills, achieve greater efficiency, and drive better SEO performance. The future of SEO lies in the cyber method, where humans and AI work together to create content that is valuable, relevant, and impactful. And that’s exactly how we utilize SEO at SpearPoint Marketing.

In conclusion, AI is not the end of SEO but a new chapter in its evolution. By embracing AI and leveraging its capabilities, we can unlock new opportunities and achieve greater success in the ever-changing world of search engine optimization. The future is bright for those who are willing to adapt, learn, and collaborate with AI to achieve their SEO goals.