Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “do keyword research and SEO checks”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today and, for AI fixes, a prompt to copy.

60 min
typically, once a week
55%
of the time can be automated
Easy
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Software featureBest fix

Use the AI features in your SEO tool for keyword clusters and briefs

Semrush, Ahrefs, Moz and Surfer now group keywords into topics, show what ranks, and draft content briefs, which replaces a lot of spreadsheet work.

Typically saves about 45% of the time30 min to set up
  1. 1Use the SEO tool you have, plus Google Search Console for your own data.
  2. 2Run a keyword cluster or topic research report on your main subject.
  3. 3Generate a content brief for the top topic and adjust it.
  4. 4Check your pages' visibility in AI search answers too, since many tools now track that.

Tools: Semrush · Ahrefs · Moz · Surfer · Google Search Console

Fix 2 of 2

AI

Use AI research mode and check the sources

Deep Research modes in ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity read dozens of pages and give you a cited summary.

Typically saves about 55% of the time5 min to set up
  1. 1Write the exact question and what you will use the answer for.
  2. 2Run it in a research mode (ChatGPT Deep Research, Claude Research, Gemini Deep Research or Perplexity).
  3. 3Open the two or three key sources it cites and confirm them.
  4. 4Save the summary where your team can find it.
Prompt to copy
Research [QUESTION]. I need this to [DECISION OR USE]. Give me a one-paragraph answer first, then the key facts as bullets with a source link for each, then what is uncertain or disputed.

Tools: ChatGPT Deep Research · Claude Research · Gemini Deep Research · Perplexity

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

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Other common tasks for Content / Social Media teams