SEO Tips for Optimizing AI-Generated Content Using the CRAFT Method

Craft Method Overview

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools like Content at Scale have made it easier than ever to generate large volumes of content quickly. However, raw AI-generated content often requires optimization to rank well in search engines and deliver value to readers. This article will explore the CRAFT method, which provides a simple framework for enhancing AI content for higher quality and better SEO. CRAFT stands for Cut, Review, Add, Fact-check, and Trust Building.  I will also share insights on the Craft method from our recent Software Spotlight podcast with Steve Harvey, Partnerships Manager at Content at Scale. The newly released Content at Scale 3.0 solution aspires to be the premier product in its category.

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CRAFT Method Step By Step Guide to Editing AI Content

Artificial intelligence (AI) writing tools like Content at Scale can generate high-quality first drafts of content quickly. However, AI-written content still requires extensive editing and optimization before it's ready for publishing. This is where the CRAFT method comes in. When using the Craft method, start by cutting repetitive or irrelevant sections to tighten up the content. The Craft method equips content marketers with a process for efficiently optimizing AI-generated content before publication.

CRAFT is an acronym that stands for the critical steps involved in editing AI content:

• Cut the fluff
• Review, edit, optimize
• Add images, visuals, and media
• Fact-check
• Trust-build with personal story, tone, and links

By following these steps, you can create effective prompts that yield better AI output. Then, you can refine the content through post-generation editing. Here are actionable tips for optimizing AI-written content using the CRAFT method. Let's go through each of these steps in detail:

Cut the Fluff

The first step is to cut any unnecessary fluff from the AI-generated content. AI tools sometimes include repetitive or redundant phrases, fancy-sounding but meaningless words, and overly lengthy and complex sentences. Following the Craft steps of cutting, reviewing, adding visuals, fact-checking, and building trust can transform raw AI output into polished content. As the editor of the content, be sure that you ruthlessly delete the following from the AI output:

• Repetitive explanations or phrases
• Unnecessary adverbs and adjectives
• Jargon and technical terms unfamiliar to readers
• Run-on sentences

Cutting the fluff makes the content more concise, clear, and reader-friendly.

Review, Edit, Optimize

Next, review and optimize the content for SEO by adding keywords, links, and formatting like headings and bullet points. This involves:

• Checking for proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Ensuring logical flow and transitions between paragraphs
• Adding section headings for scannability
• Breaking up dense blocks of text with lists, callouts, and subheads

As part of editing, also optimize the content for SEO by including relevant keywords naturally in the text. Double-check that the meta title, description, and H1/H2 tags contain primary and secondary keywords.

Add Images, Visuals, and Media

To boost engagement, insert relevant images, charts, videos, or other visual elements. Adding visual media will make the content more visually appealing. Create unique visual elements and ensure that:

• Images are high resolution, eye-catching, and have descriptive alt text
• Charts and graphs accurately illustrate vital data points
• Videos are embedded properly and help explain complex topics

Visuals make the content more engaging for the reader and easier to digest. Your aim should be to put out the best final piece of content on the subject that can be found anywhere online. It is unique, well-written, and researched content that provides value to the reader and will rank.

Fact-Check

Verifying accuracy is crucial. Fact-check all key statistics, quotes, and factual claims made in the AI content by:

• Looking for the original sources
• Cross-referencing facts using multiple authoritative sources
• Evaluating whether sources are reliable and unbiased

Fact-checking is an essential step in the Craft method for producing content and ensuring it is accurate before publishing. Fact-checking prevents misinformation and builds additional trust with readers. The bottom line is that using the Craft method on AI-generated content can help improve its quality and likelihood of ranking well in search engines. Applying the Craft framework systematically can enhance AI content with better flow, structure, and engagement.

This step removes AI hallucinations when artificial intelligence systems like large language models generate false or nonsensical information that does not correspond to reality. They are caused by insufficient or biased training data, overfitting, or the system's inability to interpret inputs correctly. AI hallucinations can spread misinformation, impact decision-making, and erode user trust. Careful, prompt engineering and thorough fact-checking are necessary to detect and prevent hallucinations.

Trust-Build with Personal Story, Tone, and Links

The final step is to add a human touch to the AI content. You can:

• Share a personal anecdote or story
• Use a conversational tone and natural language
• Add internal links to related materials
• Mention real customer stories and quotes

This helps build trust and rapport with readers. The content sounds less robotic and more authentic.

How Content at Scale Creates Content

Content at Scale is an AI content creation platform that helps businesses and agencies generate high-quality, SEO-optimized blog posts and articles at scale. Their advanced natural language generation technology produces custom content indistinguishable from human writing, as demonstrated in multiple reviews.

Combining Multiple AI Engines

The key innovation behind Content at Scale is combining multiple AI engines to produce high-quality content. Steve from Content at Scale explained, “Content at Scale is at its core; it's a stack of three different AI engines, which includes our very own proprietary engine.”

This allows Content at Scale to leverage the strengths of different AI models. Their proprietary engine provides industry-specific knowledge and expertise. ChatGPT contributes to conversational language skills. And the third engine enhances the content.

Content at Scale also utilizes two natural language processing algorithms. As Steve said, “We also have two different NLP's, natural language processors, which makes the content human readable or makes the content sound more like it's coming from a human.”

Combining multiple AI systems allows Content at Scale to generate content that is high-quality, readable, and optimized for both humans and search engines.

Analyzing Existing Top Content

A key advantage of Content at Scale is how it analyzes top-ranking content to inform its writing. As Steve explained, “It searches what's working well in Google right now at the top, finds out why those results are at the top, and then rewrites it to be as good or better than what's already there.

This ensures the AI-generated content is modeled after proven, high-performing articles and optimized for ranking well in search engines.

Constantly Evolving and Improving

A significant focus for Content at Scale is continually enhancing its AI technology. Customer feedback provides insights into areas for improvement. As Steve noted, “We have a dedicated success team which pretty much just talks to customers, and we always, you know, take on board their feedback.

As Steve noted, the company also has an AI director whose job is to evaluate content quality and find ways to make it even better. By constantly evolving its AI and incorporating user input, Content at Scale produces content that keeps getting more human-like, engaging, and optimized.

Advanced Tips On Optimizing AI-Generated Content

Provide Clear Context

The first step is setting the scene and background for your AI assistant. Introduce your business, industry, target keywords, and goals. Explain what topics the content should cover and what it aims to achieve.

Giving the AI more context results in more accurate, relevant content. As Steve suggested the following example: “Write a comprehensive beginner's guide to affiliate marketing for an ecommerce blog. Explain what affiliate marketing is, how to get started, tips for success, common mistakes to avoid, and top affiliate programs to join.” With clear instructions like this, the AI can tailor the content precisely to your needs.

Define The AI's Role And Expertise

Specify the perspective you want the AI to write from. This gives the content more authority.

For instance, ask the AI to write as an industry thought leader, marketing expert, or experienced affiliate marketer. Steve said, “Write an insightful blog post about affiliate marketing trends from the perspective of a seasoned affiliate marketing professional.”

Defining the AI's role focuses on the tone and style of the content.

Specify The Action Or Objective

Clearly state the purpose or goal of the content—the more detailed the action, the better the output. Steve proposed an example: “Write a comprehensive guide to starting with affiliate marketing for beginners. Include actionable tips and recommendations in an easy-to-follow format.”

Stating the objective explicitly tells the AI what kind of content you need.

We believe that AI-generated content holds great promise, but it requires thoughtful human guidance to thrive. The best results come from combining AI's tireless output with human creativity and wisdom. By curating AI-generated drafts with a critical eye, we can harness these tools to create content that is both high-quality and optimized for relevance. The future of content lies in this harmonious melding of humans and machines. Fast Company holds a similar view.

Format The Content For SEO

Ask the AI to use formatting like headings, bullet points, and quotes for scannability—request links to authoritative external sources to build trust and authority.

In this example, Steve illustrated, “Write an SEO-optimized guide to affiliate marketing. Use relevant subheadings and bullet points. Include insightful quotes from industry experts. Link out to authoritative sources.” Proper formatting enhances the content's SEO value.

Identify The Target Audience

Provide the AI with details on who the content is for. The more you tailor the tone, examples, and explanations to the reader, the better. Steve said, for instance: “Write beginner-friendly tips for starting with affiliate marketing. Explain concepts. Use basic examples a total novice would understand.” Specifying the audience results in more engaging, valuable content.

Conclusion

The CRAFT method allows you to transform AI-generated drafts into publishable content that is engaging, accurate, optimized, and aligned with your brand voice. With the proper editing, AI content can be indistinguishable from human-written content. You can ensure that your AI content connects with readers and drives results by cutting fluff, editing, adding visuals, fact-checking, and infusing your unique tone.

View Featured Content at Scale Podcast: Steve Harvey of Content at Scale joins host Michael Bernzweig to discuss their AI content creation platform for SEO agencies, site owners, and marketers. Powered by proprietary AI, it generates long-form, unique content optimized for search rankings. Key features include citations, headings, images, and more built-in. Software Oasis subscribers get 20% bonus article credits for life when subscribing to Content at Scale.