Content writing is a very vast field, writers need to conduct research for a better understanding and clarity of the topic. Good research ensures that the information provided is accurate and credible. It involves a deep analysis of the topic and gathering details about the same.
This helps in understanding the target audience and developing a tone and style according to that. In-depth research also ensures plagiarism-free content. Hence, good research enhances the content.
On the other hand, writing content without conducting research might not be relevant and relatable to the audience. It can lead to inaccurate and false information, and also increases the risk of plagiarism.
Conducting research used to be difficult, but with AI and other modern tools, it’s not difficult now. But it’s important to understand the role of these tools in conducting research. In this blog, we’ve discussed how Google and AI tools can be used in conducting research.
How To Use Google For Research?
Google is a powerful research tool. You can get information on any topic by just typing simple keywords. But sometimes, accurate results can’t be generated with just keywords. Being more specific can result in better results on Google.
Also Read: Unlock Your Content Writing Potential: 10 Types You MUST Know!
How Google Understands Your Research?
A precise search can save time and provide useful data. For example, instead of searching ‘digital marketing’, search for ‘digital marketing courses in Jaipur’. Google doesn’t only read your words, but tries to understand the intent behind your search.
The clearer you write, the more accurate the result will be. For example, if you write, ‘phones under ₹20,000’, then Google understands that you are looking for a list and reviews of budget-friendly smartphones.
Search Intent v/s Keywords.
Keywords and search intent are different things. Keywords are the words that the user types on Google, for example, ‘best running shoes’. But, search intent tells about the actual reason or goal of the user behind the search. Here, the intent was commercial because the user wanted to compare and buy running shoes. While writing content for Google, understanding intent is really important. There are generally 4 types of search intent:
- Informational:
When the user wants to learn about something.
(Ex- What is content marketing?)
- Navigational:
The user is looking for a certain brand or site.
(Ex- Skillwaala login page)
- Transactional:
At the point of registering or purchasing.
(Ex- Buy Zara slippers online)
- Commercial Investigation:
Analyzing products and services before buying.
( Puma v/s Nike sports shoes)
Also Read: Understanding Grammar, Punctuation, Style, and Niche in Content Writing
Google Ranks Pages Based On The Intent
Google shows results based on the search intent of the user, whether it be a blog, video, or product link, and ranks pages accordingly.
Modern SEO
Understanding the search intent is an important part of SEO. If the content doesn’t match the intent of the user, then Google will not rank it at the top. Doesn’t matter how strong the keywords are in the content.
Modern SEO includes writing for Google, users, and AI. While writing AIO-friendly content, the following structure should be considered:
- Question-based headings
- Use of H2s and H3s for organising the content
- Short paragraphs can help enhance readability
- Bullet points make the content more appealing
- Avoid sarcasm and be straightforward
- Use relevant FAQ’s
Use AI Tools To Understand That
AI tools enhance keyword strategy. These tools not only read the data but also provide insights about the type of content that works best for each keyword.
How To Check If A Website Is Trustworthy?
There are a lot of unreliable websites on the internet. While researching websites, authenticity can be an issue. Here are a few points on how you can check if a website is trustworthy or not:
- Look at the date of publishing, the name of the author, and the source.
- Don’t trust outdated or anonymous content.
- Double-check the information from other trusted sources.
- Clickbait and a lot of ads are an indication of unreliability.
Also Read: Understanding Audiences, & Developing a Writing Tone
How To Organise Your Findings?
Organising things is important at the time of research, as this makes the work much easier and faster. Some tips to organise your findings are:
- Use Google Docs or the Notes app
Organise everything in one place so that later reference becomes easy.
- Avoid copy–paste.
Don’t copy; bring originality to the content for better understanding.
How To Use AI Tools For Research?
AI tools are really helpful for research, they make difficult topics easy to understand. Also helps in making the research process fast and effective. But verifying the information generated from these tools is also important. It can write content, generate ideas, and organize data. Tools such as ChatGPT can quickly answer your questions in detail.
Know What AI Can and Can’t Do
AI tools are used in almost every field, whether it be content writing, marketing, or education. AI processes data at a faster rate and automates repetitive work, which makes it efficient. But AI only depends on existing data and patterns, it doesn’t include real-world emotions and experience.
AI is helpful in research for summarizing data and understanding topics, but real research needs original thinking, careful analysis, and ethics, which AI cannot do on its own. New ideas and deep understanding come only from humans.
- AI helps you think, not give final answers.
Information generated from AI gives direction, but a real answer depends upon your analysis and understanding. AI should be considered as a helper, not as the decision maker.
- AI can be wrong sometimes
AI tools are smart, but sometimes can provide inaccurate or outdated information. Hence, cross-checking the information is important for reliability.
Also Read: SEO Content Writing Essentials: A Beginner’s Guide
How To Talk To AI (Prompting Tips)
To get the best results from AI, you have to ask questions. Prompting tips teach you how to give simple and precise instructions for better answers. To generate accurate information, one should:
- Ask specific questions
General questions can confuse AI, so asking clear and specific questions results in relevant answers.
- Ask for sources or lists
When needed, ask for lists and sources from AI for detailed and organised information.
- Use follow-up prompts
If prior answers are not clear and more information is needed, then follow-up prompts can be used for better understanding.
Popular AI Tools Writers Can Use
Many AI tools are available that help writers do their work efficiently. These tools help write content, edit, and come up with new ideas. Herein, we’ve listed some of the popular AI tools:
- ChatGPT / Gemini / Cloud AI
Helps in understanding the topic, creating outlines, and generating examples or ideas.
- Perplexity AI
Ideal for quick research with genuine sources and generating sharp summaries.
- Google AI Overview
Helps understand the topic fast using Google’s AI-powered tools.
- Jasper AI
Assists in writing content for blog posts, email, and ad copy.
- Writesonic
This tool helps create marketing content that drives better sales and sign-ups.
- Copy AI
For creating quick content such as Instagram captions, product descriptions, and content drafts.
- Sudowrite
Best tool for generating characters and plot ideas for storytelling or other creative writing.
- GrammarlyGO
Helps improve grammar and writing style with the help of AI suggestions.
- Worldtune
It changes the length and tone of the content as per the requirement.
- Quilbot
Tool used for rephrasing and summarizing the content.
- ProWritingAid (It gives more in-depth reports and analyses than Grammarly)
Analyze the grammar, style, and readability of long content.
- SurferSEO
Optimizes written content for better visibility in search engine results.
- Frase IO
Develop SEO friendly content using SERP analysis.
- Neuron Writer
AI-powered content planning tool driven by top-performing search results.
- Notion AI
Supports idea generation, note taking, and content organization.
- Bearly AI
Versatile AI tool for reading, writing, and summarising quickly.
Also Read: Content Optimization for Yoast and Article Structuring for SEO
Using Google And AI Together for Research
Generating information has become easy, but for accurate and trusted information, it is important to use sources carefully. Both Google and AI are powerful tools, but should be used according to the situation. Google is the best for real data, latest news, and expert research. AI helps in understanding the topic, creating content, and also saves a lot of time. Correct use of both tools helps finish the task faster and with better results.
When To Use Google?
Google is very useful for finding facts, the latest news, and expert articles. For trusted information on research or current events, Google is very reliable. It provides updated information and details written by experts in that field. For authentic data, it is the best choice.
When To Use AI?
AI tools help simplify complex topics and save a lot of time. It can make, write, read, summarise, and even create an outline of the content. AI also helps organize ideas clearly and suggests ways to improve writing. It provides fast results, making tasks easier to complete. This makes learning and working more efficient for everyone.
How To Keep Everything In One Place?
It is important to keep all information in one place to stay organised. By saving results and useful Google links in one GoogleSheets, it becomes easy to find everything later. This saves time and avoids confusion.
Using Google Sheets
Putting AI work and links in Google Sheets helps keep ideas and resources together. Each row can have a link, a short note, or a summary. This makes it easy to check information whenever needed.
Bookmarks
Saving important websites as bookmarks in the browser helps. Bookmarks keep favorite or useful pages ready to open without the need to search again.
Using Google Sheets and bookmarks together makes work simple and helps keep all important things in one place.
Also Read: Conducting Research with Google, Chat GPT & Identifying Credible Sources
Conclusion: Make Research A Habit
Doing research is important, even for small writing. Good information helps make the content better and believable. If research is prioritized, your content will improve with time. Always try new tools that help with research and writing. Tools like AI and Google Sheets save time and help keep things organized. When research is conducted regularly with the help of tools, the work becomes seamless, and the credibility of your content is enhanced.
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