Why Artificial Intelligence is essential in modern SEO and SEM

Discover how Artificial Intelligence powers modern SEO and SEM, improving positioning, segmentation and performance.

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3/9/2025
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1. From traditional search to the era of AI

Do you remember when you did SEO by filling in your texts with the same keyword over and over again? Those days are long gone. Digital marketing has changed completely, and if you don't adapt, you're left out of the game.

Evolution of SEO and SEM through machine learning

We no longer optimize for rigid algorithms that follow the same rules forever. Now you're working with intelligent systems that are constantly learning, evolving and adapting.

These AI systems analyze how users behave, what they are really looking for and thousands of signals to decide if your page deserves to be in the first results. This means that you need to stop thinking only about keywords and start thinking about the full experience you offer your visitors.

Try this: Search for one of your main keywords on Google and notice how the results vary depending on the time of day or your location. You'll see AI in action.

Changes in the algorithms of Google and other search engines

Google integrated AI into its core with updates like BERT and MUM, which understand natural language almost like you and me. This changed the rules completely.

These technologies allow Google to:

  • Understand complex questions such as “what restaurant near me serves vegetarian food and accepts dogs?”
  • Interpret the real context behind each search
  • Recognize if someone wants to buy, learn or just browse

If you used to optimize for “Madrid restaurant”, now you need to answer complete questions that your users ask naturally.

AI and the rise of semantic and voice search

“Hey Siri, where can I buy cheap running shoes near here?” These types of searches are exploding, and AI is the only way to interpret them correctly.

Semantic search goes beyond exact words to understand real meanings. Your content should now be:

  • Conversational (as if you were talking to a friend)
  • Rich in context and specific details
  • Structured to answer direct questions

Immediate action: Record 5 questions that your customers frequently ask you on your phone, then search for them by voice. Does your content appear as an answer?

Programmatic and automated SEM: a new paradigm

Your Google Ads campaigns are no longer working as they used to. AI transformed SEM with automatic bids and real-time optimization that no human could handle at that speed.

Advertising platforms use sophisticated algorithms to automatically determine:

  • The exact time to show your ads
  • Which specific users are most likely to buy
  • How much to pay per click to maximize your ROI
  • What message will work best for each person

This level of automation creates more efficient campaigns, but you need to understand how to feed these systems with the right data.

2. Main benefits of implementing AI in SEO and SEM

Integrating AI into your digital strategy isn't just about following a fashion—it gives you real competitive advantages that are reflected in your results.

Content optimization based on user intent

AI analyzes millions of searches to identify patterns that reveal the true intentions of your users. This allows you to create content that answers exactly what they need (not what you think they need).

With AI-powered tools, you can:

  • Discover related topics that complement your main content
  • Identify frequently asked questions that your users are asking but you're not answering
  • Structuring your content to maximize relevance

Practical example: If you sell exercise equipment, AI can reveal that people looking for “dumbbells” are also asking “how to avoid injuries at home” or “beginner's 15-minute routine”. That extra content can be the difference between a sale and a visitor who leaves.

Advanced segmentation and intelligent bidding

AI systems analyze previous user behavior, demographic and contextual data to show your ads only to people with a high probability of converting.

Smart bids automatically adjust how much you pay based on:

  • The actual likelihood that that person will buy
  • The device you're using (mobile vs. desktop)
  • The time of day and day of the week
  • Your exact geographical location
  • Your recent search history

Result: You invest your budget precisely where it is most likely to generate real sales.

Predictive analytics and reporting automation

Imagine being able to predict which keywords will generate the most traffic next month, or which products will be most in demand in your online store before it happens.

AI analyzes historical trends and seasonal factors to:

  • Anticipate changes in search behavior
  • Identify emerging opportunities before your competition
  • Alert you to potential traffic falls with enough time to react

Reports that used to take hours to compile are automatically generated, highlighting specific insights that might go unnoticed.

Real case: An online sportswear store used AI to predict that searches for “yoga wear” would increase 40% in January. They prepared content and campaigns in advance, capturing 25% more traffic than the previous year.

Reducing costs and improving ROI

Intelligent automation eliminates repetitive tasks and automatically optimizes resources. Not only does this save you time, but it significantly improves your return on investment.

AI-based systems can:

  • Adjust budgets between campaigns based on real-time performance
  • Automatically pause underperforming ads
  • Reallocate resources to more profitable opportunities
  • Identify budget leaks you didn't even know you had

These optimizations can reduce your cost per acquisition by up to 30% in many cases, freeing up the budget to test new strategies.

3. Essential AI tools and tactics

To effectively implement AI, you need to know the right tools and how to use them strategically. Here are the most important ones:

Big Data analysis software and deep learning algorithms

The real power of AI comes from processing massive volumes of data and finding patterns that would be impossible to detect manually.

Advanced analysis tools allow you to:

  • Identify correlations between different marketing channels (for example, discovering that your Facebook ads generate more organic searches)
  • Detect anomalies that indicate problems or opportunities before they are obvious
  • Create custom attribution models that show the true value of each touchpoint

Recommended tools: Google Analytics Intelligence, SEMrush Sensor, Ahrefs Content Gap (all have built-in AI components).

Dynamic ad creation and personalization in real time

AI revolutionizes the creation of ads with personalization that was previously impossible to scale.

Current systems can:

  • Automatically generate ad variations for different audiences
  • Adjust headlines, descriptions and images according to each user's specific profile
  • Adapt messages according to the stage of the conversion funnel (awareness vs. purchase)
  • Customize landing pages in real time based on how each visitor arrived

Example: An online academy uses AI to show different versions of its ads. It shows university students “Boost your career”, while experienced professionals are shown “Update your skills”. Same academy, adapted message.

Identifying opportunities through machine learning

Machine learning algorithms uncover hidden opportunities that manual analysis would completely overlook.

These tools help you:

  • Discover keyword niches with high commercial intent but low competition
  • Identify existing content that could be optimized to double its performance
  • Detect behavioral patterns that indicate a high probability of conversion

Practical action: Use tools like AnswerThePublic or AlsoAsked to discover questions related to your niche that are being sought after but have little competition.

Responsible and ethical use of AI

With great power comes great responsibility. The use of AI in marketing raises important ethical considerations that you can't ignore.

It is essential that:

  • Maintain transparency with users about how you use their data
  • Avoid biases in algorithms that could discriminate against certain groups
  • Make sure that personalization improves the experience without being invasive
  • Comply with privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA

Golden Rule: If you wouldn't like a company to treat you a certain way, don't treat your users that way. Trust is your most valuable asset.

4. How to integrate AI into your digital strategy

The transition to an AI-based approach requires a structured plan. You can't implement everything overnight, but you can start with concrete steps.

Initial Audit: Asset and Needs Assessment

Before implementing any AI solution, you need to know exactly where you stand right now.

Step 1: Evaluate your available data and identify gaps

  • What data are you currently collecting?
  • Where are they stored?
  • What important information are you missing?

Step 2: Analyze current processes that could be automated

  • What tasks do you repeat each week?
  • Where do you make the most mistakes due to manual labor?
  • What decisions do you make based on intuition vs. data?

Step 3: Identify areas of sub-optimal performance

  • What campaigns or content don't perform as expected?
  • Where do you lose the most traffic or conversions?
  • Which competitors are outperforming you and how?

This audit will help you set clear priorities and focus efforts on areas with the greatest potential for impact.

Team building and selection of specialized partners

AI requires specific skills that probably don't exist in your current organization. You have several options:

Option 1: Internal Training

  • Enroll your team in AI courses applied to marketing
  • Allocate specific time to experiment with new tools
  • Create an “AI lab” where they can test without pressure

Option 2: Specialized Hiring

  • Look for professionals with experience in data science and marketing
  • Prioritize candidates who understand both technology and business
  • Consider contracts per project to test before committing

Option 3: Strategic Partnership

  • Identify agencies or consultants specialized in AI for marketing
  • Establish agreements that include knowledge transfer
  • Always keep control over your data and strategic decisions

KPIs and Key Metrics to Measure Success

The implementation of AI must translate into measurable results. Set these metrics from day one:

Efficiency metrics:

  • Reduction in time spent on manual tasks
  • Increase in volume of work processed
  • Decrease in human errors

Performance metrics:

  • Reduction in CPA (Cost Per Acquisition)
  • Increase in conversion rate
  • Improved CTR (Click Through Rate)
  • Increase in customer lifetime value

Competitiveness metrics:

  • Increase in share of voice vs. competition
  • Improved rankings for target keywords
  • Speed of response to market changes

Crucial tip: Establish baselines before implementing changes. If you don't know where you started, you won't be able to measure real progress.

Continuous adaptation to innovations in AI

The field of AI is evolving so fast that what is revolutionary today could be basic in six months. Your strategy should include continuous learning.

Stay up to date by:

  • Subscription to specialized newsletters (Marketing AI Institute, Search Engine Land AI)
  • Participation in professional communities (LinkedIn groups, specialized forums)
  • Attendance to webinars and industry conferences
  • Monthly experimentation with new tools

Assign specific resources for:

  • 10% of your time experimenting with new technologies
  • Budget for testing emerging tools
  • Quarterly training for your team
  • Tracking success stories in your industry

The 70-20-10 rule:

  • 70% of resources on proven techniques that work
  • 20% on optimizing what you already have
  • 10% on experimenting with emerging technologies

Your Next Step

AI isn't the future of SEO and SEM—it's the present. As you read this, your competitors may be implementing these technologies to capture traffic and conversions that could be yours.

Start today with these concrete actions:

  1. This week: Do a quick audit of your current campaigns using the free AI tools of Google Ads and Analytics
  2. This month: Implement at least one AI tool to automate a task you do manually
  3. This quarter: Train your team in fundamentals of AI applied to digital marketing

The time of waiting to see what happens is over. Organizations that adopt AI today will have a decisive competitive advantage tomorrow.

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1. From traditional search to the era of AI

Do you remember when you did SEO by filling in your texts with the same keyword over and over again? Those days are long gone. Digital marketing has changed completely, and if you don't adapt, you're left out of the game.

Evolution of SEO and SEM through machine learning

We no longer optimize for rigid algorithms that follow the same rules forever. Now you're working with intelligent systems that are constantly learning, evolving and adapting.

These AI systems analyze how users behave, what they are really looking for and thousands of signals to decide if your page deserves to be in the first results. This means that you need to stop thinking only about keywords and start thinking about the full experience you offer your visitors.

Try this: Search for one of your main keywords on Google and notice how the results vary depending on the time of day or your location. You'll see AI in action.

Changes in the algorithms of Google and other search engines

Google integrated AI into its core with updates like BERT and MUM, which understand natural language almost like you and me. This changed the rules completely.

These technologies allow Google to:

  • Understand complex questions such as “what restaurant near me serves vegetarian food and accepts dogs?”
  • Interpret the real context behind each search
  • Recognize if someone wants to buy, learn or just browse

If you used to optimize for “Madrid restaurant”, now you need to answer complete questions that your users ask naturally.

AI and the rise of semantic and voice search

“Hey Siri, where can I buy cheap running shoes near here?” These types of searches are exploding, and AI is the only way to interpret them correctly.

Semantic search goes beyond exact words to understand real meanings. Your content should now be:

  • Conversational (as if you were talking to a friend)
  • Rich in context and specific details
  • Structured to answer direct questions

Immediate action: Record 5 questions that your customers frequently ask you on your phone, then search for them by voice. Does your content appear as an answer?

Programmatic and automated SEM: a new paradigm

Your Google Ads campaigns are no longer working as they used to. AI transformed SEM with automatic bids and real-time optimization that no human could handle at that speed.

Advertising platforms use sophisticated algorithms to automatically determine:

  • The exact time to show your ads
  • Which specific users are most likely to buy
  • How much to pay per click to maximize your ROI
  • What message will work best for each person

This level of automation creates more efficient campaigns, but you need to understand how to feed these systems with the right data.

2. Main benefits of implementing AI in SEO and SEM

Integrating AI into your digital strategy isn't just about following a fashion—it gives you real competitive advantages that are reflected in your results.

Content optimization based on user intent

AI analyzes millions of searches to identify patterns that reveal the true intentions of your users. This allows you to create content that answers exactly what they need (not what you think they need).

With AI-powered tools, you can:

  • Discover related topics that complement your main content
  • Identify frequently asked questions that your users are asking but you're not answering
  • Structuring your content to maximize relevance

Practical example: If you sell exercise equipment, AI can reveal that people looking for “dumbbells” are also asking “how to avoid injuries at home” or “beginner's 15-minute routine”. That extra content can be the difference between a sale and a visitor who leaves.

Advanced segmentation and intelligent bidding

AI systems analyze previous user behavior, demographic and contextual data to show your ads only to people with a high probability of converting.

Smart bids automatically adjust how much you pay based on:

  • The actual likelihood that that person will buy
  • The device you're using (mobile vs. desktop)
  • The time of day and day of the week
  • Your exact geographical location
  • Your recent search history

Result: You invest your budget precisely where it is most likely to generate real sales.

Predictive analytics and reporting automation

Imagine being able to predict which keywords will generate the most traffic next month, or which products will be most in demand in your online store before it happens.

AI analyzes historical trends and seasonal factors to:

  • Anticipate changes in search behavior
  • Identify emerging opportunities before your competition
  • Alert you to potential traffic falls with enough time to react

Reports that used to take hours to compile are automatically generated, highlighting specific insights that might go unnoticed.

Real case: An online sportswear store used AI to predict that searches for “yoga wear” would increase 40% in January. They prepared content and campaigns in advance, capturing 25% more traffic than the previous year.

Reducing costs and improving ROI

Intelligent automation eliminates repetitive tasks and automatically optimizes resources. Not only does this save you time, but it significantly improves your return on investment.

AI-based systems can:

  • Adjust budgets between campaigns based on real-time performance
  • Automatically pause underperforming ads
  • Reallocate resources to more profitable opportunities
  • Identify budget leaks you didn't even know you had

These optimizations can reduce your cost per acquisition by up to 30% in many cases, freeing up the budget to test new strategies.

3. Essential AI tools and tactics

To effectively implement AI, you need to know the right tools and how to use them strategically. Here are the most important ones:

Big Data analysis software and deep learning algorithms

The real power of AI comes from processing massive volumes of data and finding patterns that would be impossible to detect manually.

Advanced analysis tools allow you to:

  • Identify correlations between different marketing channels (for example, discovering that your Facebook ads generate more organic searches)
  • Detect anomalies that indicate problems or opportunities before they are obvious
  • Create custom attribution models that show the true value of each touchpoint

Recommended tools: Google Analytics Intelligence, SEMrush Sensor, Ahrefs Content Gap (all have built-in AI components).

Dynamic ad creation and personalization in real time

AI revolutionizes the creation of ads with personalization that was previously impossible to scale.

Current systems can:

  • Automatically generate ad variations for different audiences
  • Adjust headlines, descriptions and images according to each user's specific profile
  • Adapt messages according to the stage of the conversion funnel (awareness vs. purchase)
  • Customize landing pages in real time based on how each visitor arrived

Example: An online academy uses AI to show different versions of its ads. It shows university students “Boost your career”, while experienced professionals are shown “Update your skills”. Same academy, adapted message.

Identifying opportunities through machine learning

Machine learning algorithms uncover hidden opportunities that manual analysis would completely overlook.

These tools help you:

  • Discover keyword niches with high commercial intent but low competition
  • Identify existing content that could be optimized to double its performance
  • Detect behavioral patterns that indicate a high probability of conversion

Practical action: Use tools like AnswerThePublic or AlsoAsked to discover questions related to your niche that are being sought after but have little competition.

Responsible and ethical use of AI

With great power comes great responsibility. The use of AI in marketing raises important ethical considerations that you can't ignore.

It is essential that:

  • Maintain transparency with users about how you use their data
  • Avoid biases in algorithms that could discriminate against certain groups
  • Make sure that personalization improves the experience without being invasive
  • Comply with privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA

Golden Rule: If you wouldn't like a company to treat you a certain way, don't treat your users that way. Trust is your most valuable asset.

4. How to integrate AI into your digital strategy

The transition to an AI-based approach requires a structured plan. You can't implement everything overnight, but you can start with concrete steps.

Initial Audit: Asset and Needs Assessment

Before implementing any AI solution, you need to know exactly where you stand right now.

Step 1: Evaluate your available data and identify gaps

  • What data are you currently collecting?
  • Where are they stored?
  • What important information are you missing?

Step 2: Analyze current processes that could be automated

  • What tasks do you repeat each week?
  • Where do you make the most mistakes due to manual labor?
  • What decisions do you make based on intuition vs. data?

Step 3: Identify areas of sub-optimal performance

  • What campaigns or content don't perform as expected?
  • Where do you lose the most traffic or conversions?
  • Which competitors are outperforming you and how?

This audit will help you set clear priorities and focus efforts on areas with the greatest potential for impact.

Team building and selection of specialized partners

AI requires specific skills that probably don't exist in your current organization. You have several options:

Option 1: Internal Training

  • Enroll your team in AI courses applied to marketing
  • Allocate specific time to experiment with new tools
  • Create an “AI lab” where they can test without pressure

Option 2: Specialized Hiring

  • Look for professionals with experience in data science and marketing
  • Prioritize candidates who understand both technology and business
  • Consider contracts per project to test before committing

Option 3: Strategic Partnership

  • Identify agencies or consultants specialized in AI for marketing
  • Establish agreements that include knowledge transfer
  • Always keep control over your data and strategic decisions

KPIs and Key Metrics to Measure Success

The implementation of AI must translate into measurable results. Set these metrics from day one:

Efficiency metrics:

  • Reduction in time spent on manual tasks
  • Increase in volume of work processed
  • Decrease in human errors

Performance metrics:

  • Reduction in CPA (Cost Per Acquisition)
  • Increase in conversion rate
  • Improved CTR (Click Through Rate)
  • Increase in customer lifetime value

Competitiveness metrics:

  • Increase in share of voice vs. competition
  • Improved rankings for target keywords
  • Speed of response to market changes

Crucial tip: Establish baselines before implementing changes. If you don't know where you started, you won't be able to measure real progress.

Continuous adaptation to innovations in AI

The field of AI is evolving so fast that what is revolutionary today could be basic in six months. Your strategy should include continuous learning.

Stay up to date by:

  • Subscription to specialized newsletters (Marketing AI Institute, Search Engine Land AI)
  • Participation in professional communities (LinkedIn groups, specialized forums)
  • Attendance to webinars and industry conferences
  • Monthly experimentation with new tools

Assign specific resources for:

  • 10% of your time experimenting with new technologies
  • Budget for testing emerging tools
  • Quarterly training for your team
  • Tracking success stories in your industry

The 70-20-10 rule:

  • 70% of resources on proven techniques that work
  • 20% on optimizing what you already have
  • 10% on experimenting with emerging technologies

Your Next Step

AI isn't the future of SEO and SEM—it's the present. As you read this, your competitors may be implementing these technologies to capture traffic and conversions that could be yours.

Start today with these concrete actions:

  1. This week: Do a quick audit of your current campaigns using the free AI tools of Google Ads and Analytics
  2. This month: Implement at least one AI tool to automate a task you do manually
  3. This quarter: Train your team in fundamentals of AI applied to digital marketing

The time of waiting to see what happens is over. Organizations that adopt AI today will have a decisive competitive advantage tomorrow.

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