We’ve tested AI SEO tools extensively over the years—both at Backlinko and through broader SEO projects—and here’s what we’ve learned: Many tools rush to label themselves “AI-powered” just to keep up. As Leigh McKenzie, Backlinko’s Head of Growth, advises: AI SEO tools should excel at one thing—leveraging machine learning and automation to achieve better results faster, whether that’s uncovering valuable keywords, automating technical fixes, or scaling quality content creation. This guide provides an honest review of six AI SEO tools that genuinely improve SEO outcomes rather than just using AI buzzwords. --- **Top AI SEO Tools** **1. ChatGPT** – Best all-purpose AI SEO tool ChatGPT, OpenAI’s large language model, is extremely versatile in SEO tasks like content creation, SERP analysis, and market research. While it relies on general internet data, making outputs sometimes generic, it remains valuable for speeding up content creation, diagnosing SEO issues, and generating strategic insights. - *Content Creation:* ChatGPT helps move from blank page to draft quickly by crafting outlines, scripts, or social media videos. Precise prompts—specifying persona, context, task, and format—improve output quality. - *SEO Issue Diagnosis:* It simplifies technical SEO troubleshooting, such as explaining Google Search Console errors, translating PageSpeed reports, or identifying internal link opportunities. - *Strategic Insights:* With tools like Deep Research, ChatGPT quickly uncovers SEO trends, credible data, and keyword opportunities, aiding E-E-A-T signals and AI search optimization. **Pricing:** Free access with limited features; Plus at $20/month; Pro at $200/month; Team at $30/user/month; Enterprise offers custom pricing. --- **2. Semrush AIO** – Best all-in-one SEO with AI visibility tracking Semrush blends traditional SEO with AI features for keyword research, content creation, and monitoring brand presence in AI search engines. Highlights include: - *Answer Engine Optimization:* The AI SEO Toolkit lets you see your brand through large language models’ perspectives, track sentiment, and refine content based on user queries. - *Copilot Dashboard:* Automates daily insights across six SEO reports, alerts on ranking changes, competitors, keyword opportunities, and technical issues with actionable advice. - *Content Automation:* Topic Finder discovers promising subjects, AI Article Generator drafts posts, and Content Optimizer refines existing content. AI images help enhance visuals. **Pricing:** Semrush subscriptions start at $139. 95/month (Pro) to $499. 95/month (Business). The AI SEO Toolkit is an additional $99/month. --- **3.

MarketMuse** – Best for AI-driven content planning MarketMuse uses AI to analyze topical authority, identify content gaps, and suggest underused keywords, enabling teams to scale content creation efficiently. - *Content Planning:* Automates audits, reveals articles needing major or minor updates, and offers real-time SEO optimization suggestions during writing. - *Content Briefs:* Generates SEO-friendly briefs with titles, word counts, questions to answer, and subheadings—accelerating content production while adhering to SEO best practices. **Pricing:** Four plans available; specific pricing not publicly listed. --- **4. Yext** – Best for local search optimization Ideal for multi-location businesses, Yext centralizes brand info (hours, services) and syncs updates across platforms. AI features include: - *AI-Optimized Landing Pages:* Yext Pages create SEO-friendly pages pulling structured data, perfect for answering localized customer queries. These pages feature schema markup, clean HTML, and mobile optimization for better AI and search engine crawling. - *Visibility Tracking & Review Management:* Through Yext Scout and automated responses, it helps maintain local brand reputation. **Pricing:** Customized plans for enterprises, small businesses, and reseller partners; not publicly listed. --- **5. Alli AI** – Best for technical SEO optimization Geared toward agencies and teams, Alli AI automates technical on-page SEO fixes at scale. - *SEO Issue Resolution:* Automatically detects and resolves issues like missing canonical tags, duplicate meta descriptions, broken links, missing schema, and slow speeds. - *Automation:* Enables bulk or single-change approvals, schema generation, internal link automation, and page speed optimization—ensuring your content isn't hindered by technical flaws. **Pricing:** Plans range from Small Biz ($169/month) to Enterprise ($1, 249/month), including varying site and user limits. --- **6. ZipTie. dev** – Best for tracking brand visibility in AI answer engines ZipTie. dev monitors how your brand appears in AI-generated answers across tools like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. - *Brand Tracking in LLMs:* Shows if your brand is cited for meaningful queries, domain mentions, and brand sentiment. - *Competitor Comparison:* Offers side-by-side views of competitor presence and sentiment, serving as an AI SEO radar and early warning system for changes in your niche. **Pricing:** Basic plan at $99/month; Standard at $319/month; Pro at $699/month. --- **The Future of AI SEO Software in 2025** SEO now operates on two fronts: traditional search results and AI-driven search engines. Ranking for blue links remains important, but visibility and citation by LLMs are increasingly critical. Thus, AI SEO tools must do more than track rankings—they should boost your brand’s presence in AI results. **Key Takeaway:** Make sure your AI SEO tools support foundational SEO elements—clear site structure, quality content, strong technical health, and robust topical authority. These core principles improve rankings and increase your chances of being cited by AI answer engines. Thankfully, AI can help you perfect these basics efficiently and effectively.