Andrew joined the State of Digital Publishing team in 2021, bringing with him more than a decade and a half of editorial experience in B2B publishing. His career has spanned the technology, natural resources, financ… Read more
Andrew joined the State of Digital Publishing team in 2021, bringing with him more than a decade and a half of editorial experience in B2B publishing. His career has spanned the technology, natural resources, financ…Read more
Top Picks
Disclaimer: Our top picks are based on our editors’ independent research, analysis, and/or hands-on testing. Editorial policy
While search engine optimization’s (SEO) importance to digital publishing is clear, knowing which tools help on this front is often less obvious.
A publisher’s success will, more often than not, depend on improving their visibility within the search engine results pages (SERPs). This comes down to producing well-optimized content that attracts more readers, generates more revenue and builds a stronger brand.
While a solid foundation in publisher SEO is key, trying to succeed without the right tools will be an exercise in frustration as well as squandered resources. For example, relying solely on manual reviews of competitor keywords makes little sense when an artificial intelligence (AI) driven application can complete the task in mere seconds.
In the fiercely competitive landscape of digital publishing, such differences in efficiency can mean the difference between first and last place.
Google received an average of 85.4 billion monthly visits in the six months to April 30. Source: Statista
There are several AI-driven tools available on the market, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and we’ve drawn together what we consider to be the 10 best AI SEO tools for publishers.
AI SEO Use Cases
Here are some specific ways in which AI-based SEO tools can be deployed to improve SEO strategies:
Keyword analysis: AI SEO tools can identify relevant keywords, analyze search trends and understand the competitive landscape. Publishers can use this information to develop targeted keyword strategies and create content that is more likely to rank well in search engine results pages (SERPs) and generate organic traffic.
Content optimization: AI SEO tools can be used to analyze content for SEO performance, identify improvement areas and generate optimization recommendations. This includes keyword usage, title tag and meta description optimization, and image optimization.
Technical SEO: AI SEO tools can be used to detect and fix technical SEO issues, such as broken links, duplicate content and page speed issues. Addressing these issues can improve website crawlability and indexability, which can lead to better rankings in SERPs.
Content creation: AI SEO tools can be used to generate content ideas and write and edit content in multiple languages. This can help publishers create more content more quickly and in more languages much faster.
What Is an AI SEO tool?
An AI SEO tool is software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help improve a website’s search engine ranking by providing insights into relevant keywords, competitive landscape and content optimization.
AI SEO tools can be used to identify relevant keywords, analyze the competition for those keywords and create high-quality content that is optimized for search engines.
They use a variety of technologies to provide insights and suggestions for improving search engine rankings, including natural language processing (NLP). NLP is a branch of computer science that deals with the interaction between computers and human languages.
AI SEO tools use NLP to understand the meaning and context of content, which not only allows them to provide more accurate and relevant insights and recommendations but also write better content.
Top 10 AI SEO Tools
Please note that because these are not deep-dive reviews, we’ve listed the following platforms alphabetically rather than in order of preference.
1
Alli AI
Alli AI presents a no-code solution for streamlined website optimization and SEO management, seamlessly integrating with any CMS for swift code and content modifications.
Its centralized dashboard supports comprehensive SEO tasks, from site optimization to keyword research, audits and backlink building. It features AI-driven interlinking, which identifies keywords and seamlessly creates links to relevant pages within the website
Installation is simplified through a code snippet compatible with major content management systems (CMSs), enabling users to review and control SEO recommendations effortlessly. For example, the Live Editor feature allows content to be edited and optimized from within the browser, without having to go through the publisher’s CMS.
The user-friendly approval process facilitates quick deployment, allowing changes to go live within minutes.
This point-and-click system allows its users to implement a vast number of on-page code optimizations directly from the dashboard, offering scalability and efficiency in website enhancement.
Alli AI stands out as a versatile platform, providing a seamless and user-friendly approach to managing extensive SEO tasks with no coding expertise required.
Alli Ai offers three pricing plans:
Consultant — $299 per month
Agency — $599 per month
Enterprise — $1,199 per month
Alli AI
Features
AI-driven interlinking
Live Editor allows browser-based content editing
Bulk on-page optimization
Pros
Provides Alli Ai content editor as a Chrome Extension
Thousands of code and content changes in minutes
Manage SEO from a single dashboard
Automated A/B testing
Offers a free trial for 10 days
Cons
Missing key features such as a keyword research tool and competitive analysis
Analyzing a website can be slow
Expensive for small businesses
2
Diib
Diib offers a straightforward yet impactful solution for businesses, delivering concise analysis, reporting and visuals to provide a clear understanding of performance and actionable insights.
With a focus on simplicity, Diib facilitates easy automation of SEO tasks, enabling users to track essential SEO keywords and backlinks effortlessly.
The platform extends its utility by allowing users to monitor competitors’ rankings and changes, providing a comprehensive view of the competitive landscape, And to simplify the understanding of website performance, Diib provides a daily health score, combining 12 metrics into a single score that assesses the website’s overall performance.
This tool is a great option for businesses that want an easy-to-use, affordable, and effective SEO tool. Its automated SEO tool quickly identifies and fixes SEO issues, and its reporting and analytics help businesses track SEO progress and identify areas for improvement. Diib also manages social media presence and tracks website ranking for relevant keywords.
Diib offers two pricing plans:
Free
Pro — $7.99 per month
Diib
Features
Competitor analysis
Daily website scans
Website speed and performance monitoring
Tracking of the website's backlinks and social media mentions
Alerts for potential SEO problems
Pros
Affordable pricing plans
Ability to add up to six competitors and track their rankings and traffic
Cons
Doesn't show if a backlink is do-follow or no-follow
Doesn’t offer any chrome extension like others on this list
3
Frase
Frase is a dynamic AI-driven content writing and optimization platform catering to publishers and SEO professionals.
The standout feature is its ability to generate full-length, optimized content briefs within seconds through AI. The platform uses AI to propose heading and subheading ideas, aiding in the creation of SEO-friendly copy inspired by specific target queries.
Frase offers a comprehensive suite of tools encompassing SERP analysis (which can also help with Google News SEO), content brief generation and an AI writing assistant. This writing assistant accelerates the crafting of SEO-optimized content, providing support for briefs, outlines, introductions, paragraphs, and more.
Frase excels in content optimization by identifying opportunities to enhance existing content, suggesting keyword additions, improving readability, and addressing SEO issues.
Frase offers three pricing plans:
Solo — $14.99 per month
Basic — $44.99 per month
Team — $114.99 per month
It also offers a Pro Add-On tier for an additional $35 per month, unlocking features such as the Frase AI Writer, monthly keyword search volume, and domain authority and backlink data for SERP results.
Frase
Features
SERP Analysis
Keyword research
Content brief generation
AI writer
Outline builder
Pros
Intuitive and easy-to-use user interface
Collaborative tools for seamless teamwork
Chrome extension to summarize web articles in real time
Cons
AI writer is locked behind Pro Add-On
Lacks complete SEO functionality such as link building tools
4
GrowthBar
GrowthBar is an AI-powered SEO writing tool that simplifies SEO content creation through streamlined dashboards.
Key features include a one-click scan of Google SERP results, producing SEO-optimized outlines with headings, keywords and internal links. The AI writing assistant accelerates the transition from just an outline to a 1,500-word blog post in two minutes.
The 2-Minute Blog Builder offers drag-and-drop functionality for efficient post creation and real-time SEO optimizations.
The platform supports content planning with plenty of keyword suggestions, difficulty scores and competitor insights. All this data is visually displayed in their dashboard.
GrowthBar extends beyond SEO, offering tools for chat, product descriptions and press releases, consolidating various marketing efforts into one platform.
GrowthBar offers three pricing plans:
Standard — $79 per month
Pro — $139 per month
Agency — $249 per month
GrowthBar
Features
AI blog outline creator
On-page SEO audit tool
Blog topic generator
Keyword research tool
Site inspector for competitor research
Pros
Able to monitor numerous keywords simultaneously in real time
GrowthBar Chrome Extension comes with every subscription
Unlimited keyword research in all paid plans
Cons
GrowthBar only offers live chat for its most expensive plan
Lacks complete SEO functionality such as link building tools
5
Jasper
Jasper, a cloud-based writing assistant, harnesses AI to create high-quality content across diverse formats, such as blog posts, articles, website copy and social media posts.
Tailored for SEO applications, Jasper simplifies the process by allowing users to input a topic or keyword, prompting the tool to generate a range of content ideas. Users can then choose preferred ideas, and Jasper becomes an active aid in content composition.
An additional feature is Jasper’s compatibility with Surfer SEO, enabling seamless integration for enhanced optimization capabilities.
This collaborative synergy enhances the tool’s utility in refining content for search engine visibility.
Jasper’s Surfer SEO integration and AI-driven content generation make it a versatile asset for publishers seeking efficient and effective content creation with a specific focus on SEO.
Jasper offers three pricing plans:
Creator — $39 per month
Teams — $99 per month
Business — Custom pricing
Jasper
Features
Train AI engine on a specific brand voice
Supports AI writing in more than 20 languages
Surfer SEO integration
Plagiarism checker
Pros
Grammarly and Surfer SEO integration
Custom tone of voice
Chrome extension provides access to Jasper regardless of writing surface
Cons
Lacks complete SEO functionality such as link building tools
6
NeuronWriter
NeuronWriter is an AI-driven content optimization platform designed for content creators and SEO professionals seeking to elevate content quality and streamline the creation process.
Offering a comprehensive suite of tools, the platform uses natural language processing (NLP) to suggest words and phrases derived from top-ranking Google competitors, facilitating content creation with NLP-based recommendations and addressing knowledge gaps.
The DRAFT generator adds efficiency by generating content outlines based on competitors’ best headlines and relevant Google questions, eliminating the need for extensive research.
With advanced commercial language models accessible in a few clicks, NeuronWriter enables users to draft entire articles with AI assistance within minutes, complemented by built-in AI templates.
NeuronWriter offers five pricing plans:
Bronze Plan — $23 per month
Silver Plan — $45 per month
Gold Plan — $69 per month
Platinum Plan — $93 per month
Diamond Plan — $117 per month
NeuronWriter
Features
SERP analysis and competitor research
Optimization suggestions and SEO scoring
Internal link suggestions
Content management and team collaboration tools
Plagiarism checker
Pros
Live editor provides suggestions for improvement in real time
Built-in document management
NeuronWriter CONTADU Chrome Extension comes with every plan
Cons
Offers limited AI content templates
Lacks complete SEO functionality such as link building tools
Variety of price points
7
Outranking
Outranking is an AI-driven SEO content creation and optimization tool designed to empower users to craft high-ranking content for search engines. Its functionalities encompass keyword research, content generation and on-page optimization.
The platform not only analyzes but dynamically enhances content by integrating missing keywords and suggesting improvements based on SEO best practices.
The SEO Writing Assistant elevates content creation by generating personalized SEO content aligned with brand-specific style guides.
Advanced features such as Keyword Prioritization and SEO Strategy help improve the competitiveness of content through strategic keyword analysis.
Outranking offers four pricing plans:
Starter — $29 per month
Seo Writer — $79 per month
SEO wizard — $179 per month
Custom — Custom pricing
Outranking
Features
Automatic content optimiser
SEO writing assistant
Keyword research
Generates SEO content briefs
Plagiarism checker
SEO optimized outline generator
Pros
Content generation in more than 13 languages
Quick Wins tool for optimizing existing content
Enhances content’s SEO
Cons
Doesn’t offer a Chrome extension like some other tools on the list
Lacks complete SEO functionality such as link building tools
8
ScaleNut
Scalenut is a powerful AI-driven SEO platform designed to empower businesses by automating the entire SEO workflow, simplifying management and fostering growth in online visibility.
Trusted by more than 100,000 marketers globally, Scalenut facilitates enhanced search rankings and revenue generation through effective SEO strategies. Its features cater to diverse SEO needs, offering AI-generated content creation, robust auditing, editing and optimization tools.
The platform excels in keyword planning and clustering, refining content strategies. Collaboration is streamlined with document-sharing capabilities, and seamless WordPress integration allows one-click publishing.
A notable feature is the Cruise Mode, which represents a complete workflow for generating AI content from scratch, which adds versatility to its offerings.
ScaleNut offers four pricing plans:
Essential — $16 per month
Growth — $32 per month
Pro — $60 per month
Enterprise — Custom pricing
ScaleNut
Features
Keyword planner
Blog ideas generator
Content optimizer
Content outline generator
Pros
Reasonable pricing plans
AI-powered writer extension comes with all subscriptions
Cons
Cruise Mode capped at 30 articles per month
Doesn’t offer multilingual support unlike other SEO tools in the market
9
SEO.ai
SEO.ai is an AI-powered content writing and SEO optimization tool that helps users create high-quality content that is optimized for search engines.
It has a range of features such as keyword research, AI content generation, AI-powered suggestions and recommendations, and an SEO score that helps users track their progress and identify areas for improvement.
One standout feature is that SEO.ai can adjust the tone of the content for different projects, helping publishers connect with diverse audiences. The platform also speeds up content optimization by suggesting AI-generated headlines and titles that are both engaging and friendly to search engines.
SEO.ai offers three pricing plans:
Basic — $49 per month
Plus — $99 per month
Premium — $199 per month
SEO.ai
Features
Generates SEO optimized content
AI-powered keyword research tool
SERP analysis
AI editor
Pros
Google EEAT optimized AI content generation
Free seven day trial
Real-time SERP analysis
AI and SEO tools included in both tiers
Cons
Even the highest plan comes with a content creation cap
Doesn’t offer a Chrome extension unlike some other tools on the list
Lacks complete SEO functionality such as link building tools
10
Surfer SEO
Surfer SEO is an integrated SEO tool facilitating keyword research, content creation and website optimization.
Its content editor is widely praised by agencies and writers for real-time feedback on critical elements such as keyword density and frequency, content length, number of headlines, etc. It offers insights on NLP terms, word count, headings, images, and more, allowing users to fine-tune their content to perfection.
Surfer SEO also has Surfer AI, which automates content research, writing and optimization. This solution blends SERP and NLP analyses and users can publish content knowing that it meets optimal SEO standards.
The tool stands out as a comprehensive and efficient solution for content optimization, appreciated for its powerful content editor and time-saving Surfer AI.
Surfer SEO offers four pricing plans:
Essential AI — $139 per month
Advanced AI — $279 per month
Max AI — $499 per month
Custom — Custom pricing
Surfer SEO
Features
Keyword research
Content editor
Content optimizer
AI outline generator
AI writer
Pros
Full automation of content creation process
Chrome extension for Google Docs
A complete set of traditional SEO tools
Cons
Limited collaboration tools
Can get expensive for small businesses
Lacks complete SEO functionality such as link building tools
Final Thoughts
In the rapidly evolving landscape of SEO, the integration of AI tools is paramount for staying competitive.
The above tools showcase the industry’s diversity, offering solutions for everything from keyword analysis to content optimization. The tools offer invaluable efficiencies for publishers looking to gain an edge over their competitors.
At the same time, however, paying for a tool will never replace a strong foundation in SEO strategies and principles. As such, while we recommend reviewing the tools we also have to emphasize the need for a holistic approach, one that combines insights from these tools with a deep understanding of user behavior and search engine algorithms.
Success lies in the ability to adapt to industry changes, prioritize user experience and leverage the power of AI to refine and amplify SEO strategies for optimal online visibility.