The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into mainstream technology is becoming increasingly prevalent, with industry giants such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google striving to incorporate voice commands and voice search into their operating systems and user experiences.
In the realm of search engine optimization (SEO), AI applications are expanding into new territories. For instance, RankScience, supported by Y Combinator, employs thousands of A/B tests to determine optimal strategies for enhancing search engine rankings. Despite this, a comprehensive AI solution for managing all facets of SEO is not expected to gain traction soon, as no current software addresses all critical aspects.
While there is no AI-driven software for link building, various tools can assist in different stages of the process, such as:
- Data collection: Using natural language processing to assess if sites are contextually and keyword relevant.
- Site analysis: Evaluating whether a site can positively impact rankings.
AI can thus enhance, automate, or mechanize processes. While link building cannot be fully automated, AI can augment human tasks, improving the efficiency of finding bloggers or influencers and enhancing the quality of sites approached for links. The following outlines how AI can be leveraged in link-building campaigns.
1. Prospect New Sites
Begin by evaluating websites holistically, especially those with multiple contributors or staff. These sites offer great link-building opportunities through sponsored or contributed content.
Search for industry publications or informative sites that resonate with your target audience. Use specific keywords alongside terms like "magazine," "journal," "digest," "newsletter," or "information" in search engines to identify potential matches.
Considerations include:
- Publishing frequency: Are they regularly updating content?
- Last publish time: Have they posted new content recently?
- User experience and design: Is the site well-designed and user-friendly? Avoid associating with outdated or spammy websites.
If suitable, add these sites to a candidate spreadsheet with notes and contact details. To keep this list updated, consider setting up alerts for new results in your searches.
2. Identify Blogs and Influencers
Targeting specific influencers and their blogs is another vital aspect of link building. These entities may have fewer staff than larger publications but often possess extensive networks.
To locate influential blogs and content that engage your target market, use text-processing analytics like Watson Analytics to search for industry terminology within the context of natural language.
For instance, AI tools predicting related text patterns might find influencers who haven’t directly used desired terms like "polymer manufacturing."
Software connecting your search criteria with what people are discussing online can expand your link-building opportunities.
Considerations include:
- Engagement: Do their posts receive significant comments and social shares?
- Publishing activity: Are they consistently producing fresh content?
- User experience and design: Is the design modern and functional?
- Social media presence: Do they have a substantial following on platforms relevant to your industry? Their sharing of your linked content can be advantageous.
- Reputation: Ensure their stance on various topics aligns with your values, especially regarding sensitive issues like politics or religion.
After assessing options, log potential blogs and influencers on your candidate list.
3. Analyzing Sites for Impact
With a list of publications, influencers, and blogs ready, the challenging task is determining their potential impact on your target keywords’ ranking.
AI excels here by processing data from diverse sources to identify variables correlated with search ranking success. It can reveal patterns that may not be immediately obvious, such as differing link generation strategies based on domain authority (DA) and site focus.
Tools such as Rulex can analyze this data, requiring you to gather relevant information, available through site APIs or tools like:
- Link metrics: Provided by Moz, Majestic, or Ahrefs.
- Technical optimization: Offered by BrightLocal, DeepCrawl, GTMetrix, and Google PageSpeed.
Final Thoughts
Artificial intelligence is a growing priority for search engines and major tech companies, with advancements in voice assistants enhancing users’ online interactions.
As AI continues to integrate with connected applications, smartphones, and the broader Internet of Things, those in SEO should explore how AI can streamline their work and yield better results for clients or their own business endeavors.
