Keywords Don’t Work for AI SEO

Posted on July 14, 2025
Source: SEO – Practical Ecommerce by Ann Smarty. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Navigating AI-Driven Search: Understanding and Optimizing Shopper Prompts

The rise of AI-powered search platforms is transforming how consumers input queries, shifting from simple keywords to complex, descriptive prompts. New prompt analytics tools like Similarweb’s AI Traffic Intelligence and Aiso provide valuable insights into these extended queries. Traditional keyword optimization falls short as AI interprets full sentences and context, making problem-solving content essential for online visibility. Businesses should focus on addressing customer needs rather than matching specific keywords to succeed in the evolving search landscape.

Optimixed’s Overview: Embracing AI Search Evolution with Prompt-Centric Strategies

How AI is Reshaping Search and Consumer Behavior

The search engine landscape is undergoing rapid change due to the integration of artificial intelligence technologies. Unlike traditional search engines, where users input concise keywords or phrases, AI platforms encourage longer, more detailed prompts that often include follow-up questions. These prompts tend to be voice-activated and context-rich, reflecting a deeper understanding of user intent.

Emerging Tools for Understanding Shopper Prompts

  • Similarweb’s AI Traffic Intelligence: An add-on to their Web Intelligence platform, this tool reveals the exact prompts driving traffic to any webpage, though it comes with a high entry cost and no free trial.
  • Aiso: Allows users to input business specifics and discover actual AI-generated prompts related to their niche, offering a lower-cost option with a free trial available.

Challenges and Strategies in Prompt Optimization

While understanding shopper prompts is critical, optimizing content specifically for AI prompts is complex because AI interprets entire sentences and context rather than matching isolated keywords. For example, a local hair salon owner’s prompt about attracting nearby customers leads AI to recommend local SEO strategies without the owner explicitly mentioning “local.”

The key takeaway is that AI-driven search prioritizes problem-solving content that addresses a variety of customer questions and situations. Traditional keyword-aligned landing pages remain effective for conventional search engines, but for AI visibility, businesses must create comprehensive content that serves as solutions, answering broad and unpredictable queries.