AI tolls have become a sensation in recent years, firmly integrating into our lives and assisting in content generation for profit. The influence has extended so far that Google has initiated measures against AI-generated content. The future of search engines merging with Ai tools is uncertain, prompting insights from three SEO specialists.
"If GPT-4 is the latest model, and assuming there will be a 4.5, I don't think SEO has much to fear," says Dmitry Mikhailov, founder of MIHAYLOV DIGITAL.
Hello, tell us about the beginning of your journey in SEO.
Hey everyone, my SEO journey began quite some time ago. When I was just 13, I created a website for my online gaming clan. This got me into HTML and eventually led me to take programming courses. Even though I didn't become a full-fledged programmer, I started delving into website promotion at the age of 15-16. I began writing SEO-focused texts for a website specializing in fire-resistant doors called PortaGroup, and they're still around today.
Do you work on client projects or your own?
In our studio, we handle several client projects, and we also own five websites, three of which are partnerships. We engage in direct partnerships with clients, bypassing any intermediary systems. Our approach involves generating leads through SEO, and we earn revenue for our efforts. The other two websites are our primary projects, and one more is a partnership where we receive a percentage of the pure profit. This setup helps us truly grasp our clients' needs, given our experience as clients ourselves.
In your opinion, what is more profitable: client projects or your own?
In the short run, client projects are more profitable because you receive upfront payments, making it easier to finance the project, at least up to a certain point. However, in the long run, your own projects tend to be more profitable. Although a portion of your business income goes directly to you, the risks are notably higher. Essentially, client projects are preferable for those in the early stages of their careers, while for those at mid-level and beyond, focusing on your own projects becomes a more lucrative path.
In which niche/vertical do you work?
I specialize in client SEO, managing about a hundred projects across a wide array of niches—literally millions of possibilities. Our studio also runs projects related to nursing homes and metal doors. While we may not be labeled as "top affiliate marketers" because we steer clear of niches like nutra, gambling, or finance, we find it more effective to enter less crowded niches and build strong relationships with business owners.
Google has already started gradually eliminating and detecting AI-generated content. What do you think about it, and does it affect your projects?
It takes a while for it to catch on. I believe the trend will persist. Essentially, a project is launched, runs for a month or two, and then fades away. Presently, there's a surge in websites solely relying on AI tools, and some of them manage to last for a considerable duration.
What are your overall thoughts on the future of AI tools in SEO?
If GPT-4 is the final model, and let's say a 4.5 version is released, I don't think there's much to be concerned about. Look at it from a different perspective. Searching on Google can be more challenging than asking the "all-seeing eye." AI tools are excellent for brainstorming when you're feeling tired. I frequently use them to assist in planning presentations for YouTube or finding related topics when sifting through search results for dropshipping. In our studio, we create texts using AI tools for our own purposes, and then the editor reviews them.
What are your thoughts on manipulating behavioral factors (BF)? How much does it help?
I have a distinctive viewpoint. First off, BF is not the same as CTR, and many people mix them up. Let's begin with Yandex. There are fast BFs and slow BFs. Fast BFs don't require much adjustment; there's almost no traffic through them, making it difficult to surpass, and as a result, the topic loses momentum. Deep personalization becomes noticeable. Hence, BFs are manipulated for positions that are supposed to generate traffic. If positions don't generate traffic, it indicates an issue with Yandex. Also, my primary query is "behavioral factors."
I believe it's evident how "manipulable" this query is, but despite being at the top, we haven't received a single click, and our CTR is 0. So, it's entirely feasible to achieve reasonable results without relying on behavioral factors (BF).
Fast BFs are certainly not a cure-all, so when you see claims like "to the top in an hour" once again, it's worth second-guessing. If you turn off the manipulation, the site can drop as quickly as it rose. Projects on Monster, Infinity, and other software often plummet within a day after experiencing growth. Therefore, if an unsuspecting programmer hits the wrong button, and the next update turns out to be flawed, and the site can't benefit from BF, you won't stay at the top until you invest again. Plus, there might be another Yandex update on text relevance, requiring you to modify all the text.
For CTR and fast BF, a significant number of bots are employed; they even used to employ IPv6 until Yandex took action. Now, everyone has redirected their proxy farms to modems once again.
In summary, from being a fan, I'm turning into a critic of this technology. In our studio, we aim for a win-win situation with the client, and realistically, it's only worthwhile when the client invests in traffic promotion. After all, what's the point of having top positions without any traffic?
"Where Manipulation Really Helps: Insights into the World of Behavioral Factors (BF)"
Where does manipulation really help?
Once you've secured a place in the top 10, start making gradual adjustments, preferably with real traffic. For less frequently searched queries, it's necessary to work with behavioral factors (BF), especially in niches where it's crucial; many partnership niches heavily rely on it. Unfortunately, the cost of manipulation is often higher than the income from partnership programs. As a result, you may find yourself resorting to white SEO. We're constantly manipulating various loans and bookmakers, but it's worth noting that the top positions are still largely dominated by sites with million-dollar budgets.
Take a look at the top players in the banking niche, like "banki.ru" and "sravni.ru." What distinguishes them from "bankiros"? This comparison will provide insight into what your website needs to consistently maintain a top position.
Slow and White Behavioral Factors (BF)
Slow behavioral factors (BF), particularly last clicks and long clicks, can be beneficial for a host. Usually, they are incorporated as an additional element alongside white SEO. Personally, I believe this is a sensible strategy for today, but it comes with substantial demands for white SEO. You need to invest at least 5 hours studying Yandex algorithm leaks, comprehend what actions to take on your host, achieve at least a top 20 ranking, and only then can you commence manipulation. The site doesn't lose traffic with this type of BF and can generate revenue. This form of BF can reach top positions in 3-4 weeks, although it might not be suitable for many partnership niches as the host may face penalties. Collecting such BF isn't possible with regular software; it's often simpler to order clicks at a low cost to avoid complications. Even when turned off, this type of BF doesn't lead to a rapid drop in site performance.
"Expecting groundbreaking articles from Chat GPT is not worth it. Research, discoveries—those are still on the side of humans," says Kirill Yandovskiy, founder of PPCAnalytics.
Hello, tell us about the beginning of your journey in SEO.
Hey there! My journey in SEO began back in 2007. At the time, I was the chief editor of a real estate magazine in Ivanovo, and I had a friend who worked as an SEO specialist in Moscow. I was highly intrigued by the world of SEO. During one visit, we grabbed some beer and shrimp, and for three days straight, he walked me through the ins and outs of website promotion and where to find valuable information.
Coincidentally, my friend's father owned a construction company and needed help boosting their website. In just two months, I utilized SeoPult's links to propel the site to the top 5 in Moscow for the search query "buy glued timber." I was hooked!
Do you work on client projects or your own?
I've been working on promoting websites for as long as I can remember, mainly with client projects. Client SEO is more within my comfort zone.
In your opinion, what is more profitable: client projects or your own?
It varies depending on the client and the nature of your personal projects. However, in my opinion, if you consistently work on and invest substantial budgets into your own projects over time, they tend to be more profitable in the long run.
In which niche/vertical do you work?
I work in various ones. Currently, my focus is primarily on promoting IT projects in the USA.
Google has already started gradually eliminating and detecting AI-generated content. What do you think about it, and does it affect your projects?
The main issue I notice is that even if we hire a copywriter to craft an article, we can't guarantee it's not written by Chat GPT. While there are services that claim to identify AI-generated content, they often come with a significant margin of error. However, regarding the heart of the matter, all the texts on my projects are still authored by humans, so I don't perceive any problems.
What are your overall thoughts on the future of AI tools in SEO?
We'll see. AI tools definitely simplify the process of generating new images and texts, but they can't invent entirely new entities or ideas. They're limited to utilizing existing information. So, don't anticipate groundbreaking articles from Chat GPT. When it comes to research and discoveries, humans still hold the edge. As for mundane tasks like meta tags, I personally prefer creating them manually. However, for handling a large volume of pages, using AI seems reasonable. I don't believe AI tools will be able to fully replace SEO experts in the future, but they can efficiently manage routine tasks at a level comparable to SEO juniors.
What are your thoughts on manipulating behavioral factors (BF)? Where and how much does it help?
Well, you know, in Yandex, it's pretty much the backbone for all the top rankings. You can criticize it, but at the end of the day, that's how the game is played now. I focus on promoting sites on Google in foreign markets, so I don't rely on manipulation. But for those diving into BF manipulation on Yandex, I'll spill the beans — Direct works just as effectively for BF manipulation.
"AI tools are an excellent tool in the hands of an SEO specialist who knows how to work with search engine algorithms," says Nikita Ikon, middle SEO.
Hello, tell us about the beginning of your journey in SEO.
Hi there, I'm Nikita Ikon. I entered the world of SEO in 2020. Originally, I had my own service for product delivery, but I was on the lookout for new sales channels, and that's when I stumbled upon SEO.
Over the course of two years, I went through various courses, including:
- Artem Pileptsa SEO School
- Offline training at the SEO School in Minsk
- Mikhail Shakin's SEO Shaolin
- Rush Academy from scratch to middle
While the product delivery venture didn't pan out as I hoped, it led me to a job in 2021 where I was selling goods in Russia, Europe, and the USA. It was during this time that I realized I was missing something in life, and I found SEO to be a much more lucrative and fulfilling path for development and earning.
Recently, I launched the YouTube channel "Ikon" focused on SEO, where I share my experiences. I also have a Telegram channel called SEO Hub.
Do you work with client projects or your own?
At the moment, I'm fully immersed in client projects. However, I understand the importance of handling personal projects to formulate and test hypotheses. Not only is it a valuable learning experience, but it's also more personally fulfilling. Given my background with my own business for five years, I plan to revisit that avenue in the future. For now, the key is to stay dedicated, work diligently, and continue learning from the best.
In your view, what is more profitable: client projects or personal ventures?
Personal projects may hold more promise, but for acquiring skills and initial capital, it's often safer to focus on client projects. And when I say capital, I'm not just referring to money – it's also about establishing connections with relevant professionals. Think about it: is it better to collaborate on project tasks with programmers, copywriters, and SEO specialists you know, or to blindly order services from strangers? In my view, building connections is crucial.
In which niche/vertical do you work?
Automotive, specialized machinery, factories producing various goods, construction.
Google has already started gradually eliminating and detecting AI-generated content. What are your thoughts on this, and does it affect your projects?
I frequently use Chat GPT 4, having developed my own prompts for everyday tasks. Regarding the question: Google has already done away with the label indicating "this content was created by AI." The key now is to ensure the content is of high quality and aligns with the user's query. I recommend checking out Google's blog for more insights on this.
What are your overall thoughts on the future of AI tools in SEO?
The future is headed in this direction. AI tools are powerful aids for SEO specialists who understand how to navigate search engine algorithms. Those who solely focus on text optimization in their career development might encounter challenges ahead. AI efficiently manages many tasks that are typically handled by junior-level SEO professionals. As time progresses, SEO specialists are likely to evolve into operators of AI tools.
What are your thoughts on manipulating behavioral factors (BF)? Where and how much does it help?
In general, we all aim to influence search results based on our knowledge and skills. It's not entirely accurate to claim that some manipulate search "righteously" while others don't. The real concern is that behavioral factors (BF) manipulation is a territory where practitioners risk disrupting the search results landscape. If it's essential in a highly competitive niche, it might be a viable strategy, but it's not for everyone — only for top-tier specialists. Boosting a site with Google links is another option, and it tends to be more conversion-oriented.
"Gradually, services will be able to help not only with 'junior' tasks, so specialists should not relax if they don't want to lose their jobs to robots," says Ayrat Rakhimzyanov, author of the Telegram channel SEO Secrets.
Hello, tell us about the beginning of your journey in SEO.
Hey there! I kicked off my SEO journey in 2011, diving right into mastering the AllSubmitter program. In those days, you could swiftly propel websites to the top of Yandex by boosting the TIC indicator. I spent five years working in agencies in Kazan, both in-house and external, and around 2017, I ventured out to start my own agency. SEO became our primary service, with a particular focus on link building. Alongside that, we offer services in contextual advertising (including foreign markets), content creation, and boast a technical department for implementing necessary changes.
Do you work with client projects or your own?
Our SEO department is split into two streams: client-focused and non-client-focused. This means we're juggling both simultaneously. In the non-client work, we often run experiments. Anything that proves stable and effective seamlessly transitions into our client projects.
In which niche/vertical do you work?
In our client projects, we deal with a mix of white-hat and grey-hat practices, like poker, for instance. In our non-client projects, we focus heavily on lead generation, acquiring traffic that we can monetize. We have a network in the gambling niche in the Russian-speaking internet (Runet), which took a hit during Google's last core update, and we're working on recovery. Additionally, a significant portion of our non-client traffic is in the crypto theme.
Google has already started gradually eliminating and detecting AI-generated content. What do you think about it, and does it affect your projects?
One of our client's major portals, which operates internationally, faced a setback. It had AI-generated content. Currently, we're overhauling our content strategy for this project. Google is relentless; we're now navigating the November core update, and it's clear that removal is inevitable.
What are your overall thoughts on the future of AI tools in SEO?
They will undoubtedly keep advancing. Over time, these services will be capable of assisting with more than just "junior" tasks. Specialists shouldn't get too comfortable if they want to avoid losing their jobs to robots. It's a natural progression.
What do you think about manipulating behavioral factors (BF)? Where and how much does it help?
In the past 2-3 years, this tool has become absolutely crucial for promotion in numerous niches. While we haven't tested it on Google, everything is running smoothly on Yandex. I'm hopeful that the entry barrier will continue to rise, helping to decrease competition in this niche.
Conclusion
As indicated by our speakers' comments, AI tools won't completely replace users and search engines, but they will undoubtedly bring about changes. It's certain that they are already proving beneficial to us, whether as regular users or individuals involved in generating income. Regarding the future of AI tools in SEO, Kirill Yandovskiy perhaps summed it up best: "Let's just live and see what’s gonna happen."
