Outsmart SEO Costs: How Gen AI Can Do the Job for Free
Unlock the full potential of SEO without breaking the bank.
Learn how Generative AI is transforming the way businesses optimise their websites and stay ahead in search rankings.
As businesses increasingly rely on their online presence to thrive, the cost of maintaining a competitive edge in search rankings can feel overwhelming. Traditional SEO tools, often seen as essential, come with hefty price tags that aren’t always accessible to smaller businesses or freelancers. But what if there was a way to achieve the same results—without the expense? Enter Generative AI (Gen AI), a game-changing technology that’s not only reshaping SEO but also making it more affordable and efficient than ever.
Welcome to the world of Generative AI (Gen AI). In this article, we’ll explore how Gen AI is reshaping SEO, helping you optimise your website without the need for paid tools. And don’t worry, we’ll also walk you through actionable steps to put this technology to work.
At Rutland Digital, we specialise in helping small businesses optimise their online presence using cutting-edge tools like Generative AI. Whether you're looking to boost your SEO or streamline your content strategy, Gen AI is a powerful and affordable solution.
What is Gen AI?
Generative AI, often shortened to Gen AI, uses advanced machine learning models like GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) to generate human-like content, perform complex analyses and provide intelligent solutions autonomously.
For SEO, this means you can automate tasks such as content creation, keyword research, and even competitor analysis—all without costly software. And the best part? You don’t need to be a tech whiz to use it.
Why Paid SEO Tools Might Be a Thing of the Past
SEO platforms like Ahrefs, SEMrush and Moz have been the go-to tools for digital marketers for years. While undeniably powerful, they come with two significant drawbacks:
High Costs: These tools often require hefty subscription fees, which can be prohibitive for small businesses and solo marketers.
Complexity: Many of these platforms are packed with features that require a steep learning curve. It can take time to master the full suite of options, making it challenging for those without prior SEO expertise.
This is where Gen AI comes in as an alternative. It offers a simpler, more intuitive solution to many SEO tasks, without the high cost or complexity. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner or seasoned digital marketer, you can now compete on equal footing without breaking the bank.
How to Use Gen AI for SEO: A Practical Guide
Here’s how you can leverage Gen AI to replace expensive tools and optimise your site for search engines.
1. Automate SEO-Optimised Content Creation
The backbone of any successful SEO strategy is quality content and Gen AI excels at this. It can generate high-quality blog posts, product descriptions and website copy that is already optimised for SEO.
How-to:
Use a Generative AI tool to create SEO-friendly articles or web content based on your target keywords.
Simply input your keyword or topic and let the AI produce content that is both informative and optimised for search engines.
Example Prompt:
“Generate a 1,000-word blog post about ‘The Benefits of Vegan Diets’ using the keywords ‘vegan diet,’ ‘plant-based nutrition,’ and ‘healthy lifestyle.’”
With Gen AI, content creation becomes less about labour-intensive writing and more about guiding the AI to produce what you need. You save time and effort, all while keeping your content optimised.
If you need help automating your content creation, Rutland Digital can assist you in integrating AI-driven tools into your workflow.
2. Conduct Effective Keyword Research
Keyword research is a cornerstone of SEO, but it doesn’t need to involve paid tools. Gen AI can help you identify relevant long-tail keywords that align with search trends.
How-to:
Ask the AI to suggest valuable, low-competition keywords that fit your industry or niche.
Example Prompt:
“Provide a list of low-competition long-tail keywords for digital marketing services in the UK.”
This approach allows you to tap into highly relevant search terms without paying for traditional keyword research platforms.
Need personalised keyword research? At Rutland Digital, we help businesses discover the best keywords to improve their online visibility.
3. On-Page SEO Optimisation
On-page SEO elements, such as meta descriptions, headings and image alt texts, are crucial to ranking well. Gen AI can assist by making on-page SEO suggestions for your content.
How-to:
Input your blog or webpage into the AI and ask for recommendations to improve meta tags, headings or keyword placements.
Example Prompt:
“Evaluate this blog post and suggest SEO improvements for headings, meta tags and internal links.”
With AI-generated feedback, you can quickly ensure that your on-page elements are fully optimised, saving you time and improving your site’s SEO performance.
4. Understand and Optimise for Search Intent
Matching your content with the searcher’s intent—whether informational, transactional, or navigational—is key to improving SEO rankings. Gen AI can help you analyse search intent and suggest ways to tailor your content.
How-to:
Ask the AI to evaluate a specific keyword’s search intent and guide you on how to create content that aligns with user expectations.
Example Prompt:
“Explain the search intent behind the keyword ‘buy running shoes online’ and suggest content ideas to match that intent.”
Understanding and addressing search intent can lead to higher engagement, improved click-through rates and ultimately, better rankings.
Need help aligning your content with user intent? Contact Rutland Digital for expert consultation.
5. Refresh and Update Old Content
SEO isn’t just about creating new content—it’s also about keeping your existing pages relevant. Gen AI can help you refresh old content by suggesting updated keywords and better readability.
How-to:
Input your older blog posts or web pages into Gen AI and ask for recommendations to improve SEO based on current trends.
Example Prompt:
“Review my 2024 blog post on ‘Top SEO Trends’ and suggest updates based on 2025 SEO strategies.”
This keeps your content fresh and aligned with current search engine algorithms, ensuring continued visibility and engagement.
Need help with a content refresh? Rutland Digital can help you optimise and revitalise your older content.
6. Competitor Analysis Simplified
Competitor analysis is essential, but often requires expensive tools. Gen AI can simplify this process by providing insights into competitor strategies.
How-to:
Input a competitor’s website and ask the AI to evaluate their SEO strategy, highlighting areas where you can outperform them.
Example Prompt:
“Analyse the SEO strategy of [Competitor’s URL] and suggest ways I can improve my content to rank higher.”
By understanding where your competitors are excelling, you can adjust your own strategy to stay ahead—without the need for a dedicated SEO analysis tool.
At Rutland Digital, we offer in-depth competitor analysis to help you outshine your competition.
7. Local SEO Made Simple
For small businesses, local SEO is a critical driver of foot traffic and online visibility. Gen AI can help you create location-specific content that enhances your local SEO efforts.
How-to:
Ask the AI to generate location-based content that targets specific local search queries relevant to your business.
Example Prompt:
“Generate a 500-word blog post about ‘The Best Cafes in Bath,’ focusing on local SEO best practices.”
Localised content helps improve your ranking in local searches, making it easier for nearby customers to find your business online.
Want to improve your local SEO? Learn more about how Rutland Digital can boost your local presence.
Why Gen AI is the Future of SEO
Paid SEO tools have traditionally been viewed as a necessity, but Gen AI is challenging that notion. Offering the same benefits without the associated costs, it empowers marketers and business owners to take control of their SEO efforts without spending a fortune.
From automating content creation to analysing competitors, Gen AI is revolutionising SEO in a way that’s accessible to everyone—whether you’re running a small business or managing a larger digital marketing campaign.
Final Thoughts
The future of SEO is evolving and Generative AI is leading the way. By harnessing the power of Gen AI, you can streamline your SEO processes, improve your website’s performance and save money—all while maintaining a competitive edge.
If you haven’t started using Generative AI for your SEO strategy, now is the perfect time to make the switch. With its user-friendly interface and powerful capabilities, it’s set to become the go-to tool for marketers everywhere.
Ready to transform your SEO strategy with Gen AI? Contact Rutland Digital to see how we can help you implement these techniques and take your online presence to the next level.
About the Author
Lee Rutland is a freelance digital marketer and the founder of Rutland Digital, a venture focused on helping small and medium-sized businesses thrive in the ever-evolving digital world. Specialising in AI-driven strategies, web design, SEO and content creation, Lee offers personalised, hands-on solutions tailored to each client's unique needs. With a deep passion for digital marketing, Lee ensures that businesses can grow, adapt, and succeed in today’s fast-paced online landscape.