How to create a top-ranking article with the help of Chat GPT and Surfer SEO
Spoiler: there are no ‘seven magical steps’ to guarantee a #1 ranking on Google, primarily because Google does not disclose this information.
Google algorithm updates (which you can find at Google Search Central Blog) do offer general guidelines. And certain tactics have been proven to bring significant results, namely: getting high-quality backlinks and data-driven on-page SEO.
Backlinks act like votes of confidence from other reputable sites, signaling to Google that your content is valuable and authoritative. You can get them through guest posting, using HARO to secure media coverage, collaborations with other bloggers, etc.
And on-page SEO is about creating the most comprehensive article and optimizing it to match top-performing Google pages. This can be maximized with the help of Surfer SEO.
Surfer compares your content with top-performing pages in Google search results and offers optimization recommendations, such as ideal word count, semantically related keywords & how many times to use them, suggested headings, number of images, etc. By implementing Surfer’s advice, you can fine-tune the on-page SEO of your article to its maximum potential.
While Chat GPT can help streamline this process, it’s important to use it cautiously.
Let’s peel back the layers of this SEO onion.
How to create a top-ranking article with the help of AI
For example, we’re writing an article about the process of SEO content creation.
Step 1: Identify the primary keyword for the article
This keyword will be the main focus of your content and will help search engines understand what your article is about. You can use Ahrefs free keyword generator to find the right target keyword. Simply enter a topic related to your article, and the Ahrefs will provide you with a list of keyword suggestions.
We can type “create SEO content” in Ahrefs and receive keyword recommendations.
So, we can select “how to create SEO content” as the main target keyword for the article.
Step 2: Analyze search intent to make your content relevant
Search intent reflects what the user is trying to achieve or find when they enter a specific keyword or phrase into a search engine. By analyzing search intent, you can gain valuable insights into the type of content users are seeking and align your content to match their expectations.
There are four common types of search intent:
- Navigational intent: Users search for specific pages or websites (e.g., “Facebook login,” “Amazon Prime video”).
- Informational intent: Users are looking for information about something (e.g., “what is keto,” “benefits of meditation”).
- Commercial intent: Users research before making a purchase (e.g., “top running shoes,” “iPhone X review”).
- Transactional intent: Users are ready to complete a specific action, like making a purchase (e.g., “buy concert tickets,” “book hotel in Paris”).
To identify search intent, you can utilize various tools and techniques. Here are some methods you can use:
Method 1: Start with Google Search
Begin by manually searching for the keyword on Google and examining the top-ranking results. Analyze the types of content that appear, such as product pages or informational articles. This initial research will give you insights into the intent behind the keyword.
Method 2: Ask Chat GPT
OpenAI’s GPT can help you analyze the intent behind a keyword by processing and understanding the language used in search queries. It can provide valuable insights into the user’s search intent, allowing you to align your content accordingly. You can use this prompt:
“What is the search intent behind a search query [insert keyword]?”
Method 3: Use keyword research tools
SEMrush, Moz, and Ahrefs offer features that allow you to analyze keyword difficulty, search volume, and related keywords. They also provide information on the types of content that rank for specific keywords, giving you an indication of search intent.
So, if we come back to our example when users search for “how to create SEO content,” their intent is likely to obtain guidance and actionable steps. Your content should address this intent by providing comprehensive instructions, practical tips, and best practices.
Step 3: Study your top 10 competitors to end the search journey
Check out the top 10 articles for your keyword to create an article structure that Google would recognize as the most comprehensive. It’s important to cover everything that your competitors already explained and add additional information. Google loves articles that give unique insights, such as industry research or related case studies.
Why is it important to end the search journey with your content?
Google strives to deliver the most relevant results to users. By effectively ending the search journey through comprehensive content, Google recognizes the quality of your content, leading to improved search engine rankings of your article.
Step 4: Create content in Chat GPT
Ask Chat GPT to generate your article based on the article structure created when studying your competitors. You can use the following prompt:
As an experienced SEO specialist and content writer, create an in-depth, SEO-optimized article based on the following aspects:
Topic: [Main topic]
Primary keyword: [Main keyword]
Target audience: [Describe target audience]
Requirements:
Research this topic, gathering accurate and up-to-date information.
Write an engaging and informative article that caters to the target audience’s needs and preferences.
Ensure the article has clear headings, subheadings, and bullet points for easy scanning.
Article structure:
<H1> Article title
Intro
<H2> …
<H2> …
<H2> Summary
Proofread and edit the article for clarity, grammar, and punctuation.
Provide an SEO-optimized title and meta description.
Here is what Chat GPT generated for our topic “how to create SEO content”:
By giving Chat GPT more specific instructions, you’ll receive more focused and useful responses. For example, you can ask Chat GPT to:
Use the copywriting formula [insert formula]
Explain the benefits of [insert topic]
Provide three tips to [solve a specific problem]
Compare and contrast [two different concepts]
Describe the process of [performing a specific task]
Also, you can use Promptpal AI to discover the best prompts to get the most out of ChatGPT.
Step 5: Refine with Surfer SEO
After generating your initial content with the help of Chat GPT, you can further optimize and refine it using Surfer SEO. This AI tool will analyze your content, compare it to the top-ranking pages for your target keyword, and offer suggestions that can significantly improve its chances of ranking high on Google.
- Indicate your main target keyword in Surfer SEO’s Content Editor.
2. Copy and paste the content generated by Chat GPT.
3. Implement Surfer SEO’s recommendations that are based on the top-performing pages. Surfer will suggest the ideal word count range, semantically related keywords, headings, number of paragraphs and images, etc.
Step 6: Incorporate keywords with Chat GPT’s help
To integrate keywords into your content, paste your article into Chat GPT and use the following prompt:
Assist me in naturally incorporating the keyword ‘[insert keyword]’ into my content.
If you want to add a new sentence with a keyword to a particular paragraph, you can use the following prompt:
Add sentence to the paragraph ‘[insert paragraph]’ and logically incorporate keywords ‘[insert keywords]’
Step 7: Use Bing Image Creator to create featured image for your article
Bing Image Creator can generate AI images based on your text. Simply enter your requirements, and it will create images to complement your content.
Final thoughts
To speed up this process even more, Surfer SEO recently launched an AI writing tool. Also, you can integrate your Surfer SEO account within Jasper AI: Jasper will write content and Surfer will optimize it.
However, to rank on the first page of Google you’ll need to work on building high-quality backlinks from topically relevant websites with high domain authority.
Using recommendations of Surfer SEO helps to leverage the full on-page SEO capacity of your article: you’ll see what works right now for your main competitors and how you can outrank them.
