Is keyword research still important in the age of AI?

Hello friends!
I am Somen — Your digital marketing friend who speaks straight from the heart but with a completely expert eye. Today, we will talk about a topic that is roaming in the mind of every new and old SEO expert: "After the advent of AI, is it still necessary to do keyword research?"

So come on, sit down with a cup of tea, and let's get started with this super interesting SEO gossip!

First, understand – was there keyword research?

Let's go back a bit...
Suppose you are running an online furniture business. You want that when someone searches on Google – “Best Sofa Online in India”, so your website appears at the top.

Now, for this, we needed such keywords:

• Those with high search volume
  
  
• and compete
  
  

This means people may be searching for it more, but other websites may not have targeted it. Jackpot!
We used to enter these keywords:

• In title tags
  
  
• In meta description
  
  
• In product headings
  
  
• In Schema
  
  
• And yes, in the blog too!
  
  

This entire process was called Keyword Research

 Now AI has entered… what changed?

Now, let's talk about today.
Where we use ChatGPT, Google SGE (Search Generative Experience), and AI tools. We are living in a world where the question arises –

Does the same old keyword game still work?

The answer is yes, but with a little twist!

Earlier, we used to just enter “keyword”.
Now we have to understand “user intent” and context।

What is Intent-Based Keyword Research?

Believe that now AI can build your website not just with words, "context and user intent" Have started understanding from also. So the keywords on your site should be understood not only by Google's bots but also by AI models.

That means now we have to focus on:

• What is the user searching for?
  
  
• What is his question?
  
  
• In what format does he want answers — list, guide, tutorial?
  
  

 Now, How do you do Keyword Research?

Keyword research is still done, but the method has become a little smarter. Let's see how:

1. It is the era of Conversational Keywords

People now type on Google as if they are talking:

• “How to rank websites in 2025?”
  
  
• "Best SEO strategy for AI tools"
  
  

Such keywords are more human-sounding, and Google also understands them.

2. Long Tail Keywords are important

Short keyword — “Furniture”
Long-tail keyword — “Affordable modern wooden furniture for living room in Delhi”

There is less competition in these and the intention is more clear.

3. LSI keywords are also useful

LSI meaning Latent Semantic Indexing — i.e. words that are related to your topic:

If you are writing on “Digital Marketing”, LSIs could be:

• THIS
  
  
• Content strategy
  
  
• Social media marketing
  
  

4. Take care of Commercial & Transactional Keywords

If your goal is to increase sales, then the keywords should also be the same:

• “Buy the best office chair under 5000.”
  
  
• “Top laptops for students 2025”
  
  

 Tools that are still useful today

AI arrived, but the tools below are still working magic today:

• Google Keyword Planner
  
  
• Ubersuggest
  
  
• Answer The Public (Best for conversation keywords!)
  
  
• SEMrush / Ahrefs (A little pro-level, but powerful)
  
  

Keyword Placement: Where to put these keywords?

Now, just searching keywords will do nothing. It is also important to put them in the right place:

• Title tag
  
  
• Meta description
  
  
• H1-H2 headings
  
  
• Blog content naturally
  
  
• Image Alt text
  
  
• URL slug (like the URL of this article)
  
  

Pro Tip: Don't Stuff! That means do not force keywords. Google has become very smart now.

Strategy for 2025 – What to do?

“Search is becoming more conversational, more personal, and more contextual.”

AI tools and chat-based search systems now prefer direct answers. Therefore, your website should be able to give a complete and clear answer to a question.

The keyword strategy in SEO for 2025 should be something like this:

• Convert keywords into question-answers
  
  
• Create FAQ sections
  
  
• Add schema markup (Yes! still required.)
  
  
• Use storytelling in blog posts
  
  
• Make voice search friendly – i.e., keywords should be colloquial
  
  

Think about mobile and voice SEO, too

Now, a large part of searches comes from mobile and voice searches.
Be sure :

• Site mobile responsive
  
  
• Keywords should be conversational (like Google can understand if someone says it)
  
  
• Content fast load
  
  

Recap: What does Keyword Research look like now?

What should you do?

1. Find intent-based long tail keywords for your site
   
   
2. Write content in a conversational manner
   
   
3. Maintain human touch with AI tools
   
   
4. And yes… keep visiting our website for updates
   
   

If you liked this article, then do not forget to share it, and if you have any questions, then please ask in the comments. 

What has changed now in the era of AI?

In 2025, SEO has to be done not only for Google's old bots but also for AI bots, voice assistants, and Google SGE (Search Generative Experience).

So now that's enough exact keyword match. Doing it won't work. Now, there are intent-based and conversational keywords.

What are Conversational Long-Tail Keywords?

Let's make it very simple.
Your users are no longer typing, the Lyrics Have been.

Like earlier, someone used to type:

"Best ethnic wear"

Now, someone is saying:

"What is the Best Indian Ethnic Wear for Wedding in 2025?".

This is it: Conversational Long-Tail Keyword!

Meaning-

• These show the user's intent
  
  
• These are natural and like full sentences
  
  
• These are easy for AI to digest
  
  

How to remove keywords from ChatGPT?

Here I am sharing a simple prompt that you can also use:

ChatGPT will give you—

• trending keywords
  
  
• Blog topics around them
  
  
• FAQs with answers
  
  

Isn’t that amazing?

Also, take help from SEMrush and keyword research tools

Apart from ChatGPT, you can also use tools like SEMrush, Ubersuggest, and Ahrefs.

Go to SEMush, enter any topic like "ethnic wear", then click on the Questions tab. You will get:

• "Which fabric is best for ethnic wear?"
  
  
• "What is trending in Indian wedding fashion 2025?"
  
  

You can create an FAQ or an entire blog post around these questions.

How to make your website AI and Voice Friendly?

Now comes the real game!

Step 1: Create an FAQ section

Insert an FAQ section at the bottom of every service page, product page or landing page. Put questions in it that people can ask Google or Alexa.

As:

• "What will be the best lehenga for the wedding in 2025?"
  
  
• "Can we wear silk suits in summer?"
  
  

Answer these in a conversational tone, not in robotic language.

Step 2: Simplify the content into pointers

Don't write paragraph-by-paragraph.
Instead:

• Use short sentences
  
  
• Use headings
  
  
• Use bullets and tables
  
  
• Make it readable for bots and humans
  
  

Step 3: Use Schema Markup

If you're a little technical or your team is, add "FAQ Schema" to your FAQ. This allows Google to show your FAQs directly in SGE or snippets.

Step 4: Use Brand + Navigational Keywords

As:

• WS Cube Tech SEO Course
  
  
• Learn Digital Marketing with WS Cube Tech
  
  

Such keywords create brand identity and help a lot in voice search.

In 2025, Exact Match vs Intent Match

Exact match This means the exact keywords that people type should be on your site as well.
Intent match: This means your website should be able to explain the meaning they are looking for.

Now, AI understands intent. So, it is not necessary to have the same words. It is important that context and meaning match.

Bonus: Digital Marketing Mentorship Program

If you want to learn all this practically, then I am inviting you to WS Cube Tech. Digital Marketing Mentorship Program.

You will find it in:

• Live classes with industry experts
  
  
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Final Words: What to remember in SEO Strategy of 2025?

🔹 Conversational long-tail keywords pay attention to
🔹 AI and voice search Write content with this in mind
🔹 In every page FAQ section keep
🔹 Do keyword research with tools like ChatGPT and SEMrush
🔹 Not an exact match; intent match is necessary

If you found this article helpful, then please share it with your SEO and marketing team.

See you again in the next article,
Till then, Keep Learning and keep growing!