AI Content Optimization: A Guide on Getting Started

AI content optimization is a powerful tactic for digital marketers in 2024. With artificial intelligence, marketers can enhance new and existing content through more informative briefs and faster surfacing of search engine optimization (SEO) wins.

Keep reading to learn more about using AI for content optimization now!

What is AI content optimization?

AI content optimization uses artificial intelligence to optimize new or existing content. AI-powered optimizations for new content include topic research and brief generation, while optimizations for existing content include SEO audits and content gap analysis.

AI content optimization shouldn’t be confused with answer engine optimization, which refers to optimizing content for AI search results.

What are some common AI content optimization use cases?

Common use cases for AI content optimization include the following:

While some marketers use AI to write content, it’s a strategy we don’t endorse here at WebFX.

We don’t endorse AI-generated content because people-generated content tends to provide more value to users. With people-generated content, users hear from authoritative voices in a specific sphere and learn how to solve their problems from experts.

What are the advantages of using AI for content optimization?

The advantages of using AI for content optimization include the following:

• Streamline communications: Artificial intelligence can provide valuable feedback in improving communications, whether it’s a content brief or editing feedback. With greater clarity, teams can reduce errors and improve production speeds.
• Optimize time: In its supporting role, AI can also help team members optimize their day-to-day. Whether using AI to generate headline ideas or build effective briefs, AI helps team members focus on more critical tasks, like writing content that ranks well in search results.
• Fill skill gaps: You can also fill skill gaps, like designing images, with AI. For teams without a dedicated designer, for example, AI image creation tools make it possible to create a beautiful, on-brand image to use within content.
• Unlock insights: Artificial intelligence in content optimization also offers a new perspective. Feeling stuck on what to write about? Use AI to uncover new potential topics based on your audience, services, and brand.

Together, these benefits make it possible for teams to enhance their work (and content).

What are the disadvantages of using AI for content optimization?

However, there are some disadvantages to using AI for content optimization, including:

• Accuracy: Hallucinations are one of the most common issues with AI. When AI produces inaccurate information, it’s ineffective. That’s why it’s critical for team members to vet what AI produces before using it.
• Throttling: Depending on the AI model used, like ChatGPT, businesses might experience throttling, which slows the AI’s outputs. AI platforms like TeamAI (which is free) can help companies bypass throttling and continue to move at speed.
• Effectiveness: AI isn’t for all content optimization tasks — though its effectiveness can depend on the prompt. For example, while AI can produce content, it’s unlikely to match human-generated content.

Use these disadvantages to inform how you use AI for content optimization.

What are the most popular AI content optimization tools?

If you’re considering using AI within content, popular AI content optimization tools include:

• ChatGPT
• Surfer
• Jasper
• TeamAI

Jasper can provide a place to surface AI content optimization use cases, but ChatGPT provides an excellent place to experiment with these use cases. While ChatGPT is free, Jasper requires a paid subscription.

When should I use people vs. AI for content optimization?

Before exploring when to use people vs. AI for content optimization, remember the following:

1. Check AI outputs to ensure the output’s validity
2. Use people vs. AI models to write content
3. Review content optimization prompts to ensure their accuracy and usefulness

Now, when considering whether to use people vs. AI for content optimization, ask the following:

• Is the AI able to complete the task effectively?
• Does the end user find the output helpful?
• How does the AI help the user?

One potential consideration is whether the AI can complete the task 80% as well as the person, and is 80% acceptable? If it is, consider experimenting with using artificial intelligence for the task, but remember to get feedback from the team on the AI’s effectiveness since that’ll affect adoption.

How do I get started with AI content optimization

Getting started with AI content optimization begins with the following:

1.     Audit existing processes

Look at your existing workflow and processes to surface potential opportunities for using artificial intelligence. Think about team members, too, and their roles. For instance, if you opened time for so-and-so, could the organization start on a new initiative?

You’ll also want to consider who could help bring AI to these processes during this stage.

2.     Outline use cases

Next, outline potential use cases for AI, like:

• Creating content briefs
• Generating image alt text
• Evaluating content against the brand’s buyer personas
• Analyzing competitor content

Keep in mind the above are AI content optimization ideas. Depending on your business and its content strategy and processes, the above ideas might not align with what would work best for your organization.

Talk with team members to also discover use cases that would help them.

3.     Create prompts

Next, start drafting prompts for the chosen use cases. If you’re new to prompt writing, try these tips:

• Use “Act like a ____ expert,” like “Act like a content marketing expert”
• Use direct, concise language like “Do use bulleted lists”
• Allow for dynamic directions, like “Write a content brief for the following topic: [Topic]”
• Request variations, like “Generate four variations”

Prompts require time and experimentation, so set aside time to draft them. When it comes to adopting AI content optimization, this step often requires the most time and research. In some cases, AI tools (like TeamAI) will include prompts.

4.     Get feedback

After drafting and testing the different prompts, get feedback from team members on the output. You’ll want to learn what works and what doesn’t. Based on their feedback, decide whether refining the prompt or removing it from consideration makes sense.

Then, get feedback on the updated versions.

5.     Do a learning launch

Finally, do a learning launch. Make the prompts available to a few team members (preferably those most interested) and get feedback on how the prompt performs within the company’s content workflows and processes.

If possible, limit updates to critical fixes. Completing too many updates at once can create a haphazard user experience (due to so much change) and result in mixed reviews associated with different prompt versions.

6.     Measure effectiveness

Following the learning launch and post-launch updates, measure the effectiveness of using AI content optimization. Consider multiple metrics, like user satisfaction (you can use Net Promoter Score), average time to complete tasks, and number of projects that require revisions.

Remember that metrics share just one part of the story — it’s also important to talk with team members one-on-one to understand their experiences, concerns, and expectations when using artificial intelligence for content optimization.

Create better content with AI

Get started with creating better, more helpful content with artificial intelligence now. For professional help with leveraging AI content optimization, consider our AI-powered marketing services.

Contact us online today to learn more!