12 best AI SEO tools for 2026 ranked and reviewed

Written by
Oleksii Khoroshun
SEO Specialist at SE Ranking, Oleksii has extensive expertise in technical and on-page SEO as well as in content marketing and off-page optimization.
Jan 28, 2026
15 min read

The AI transformation of SEO brings new challenges to the table. Many discussions revolve around integrating LLMs into content processes, recommendations from ChatGPT, and developing GEO strategies. 

At the same time, AI is creating new methods of receiving insights, tracking rankings, and optimizing content. In 2026, many AI SEO tools exist, and you may be overwhelmed with the information on features and opportunities each tool may give. To help thrive, not survive during these transformative times, we tested the best AI SEO tools, ranking them based on performance, ease of use, features, and price. 

The list includes not only tools for content creation, but also tools for AI visibility tracking and platforms for broader tasks, including SEO and analytics.

Our quick choice singles out the best in their categories:

  • SE Ranking: Best platform with advanced AI SEO tools
  • SE Visible:  Best for understanding brand presence in AI search
  • Jasper: Best for AI-powered content creation

We chose these tools for their ease of use, capability to provide measurable results, and relevance. 

How did we choose and evaluate AI SEO tools?

  • Visibility tracking. In 2026, search results include generative elements and answers powered by AI. Efficient instruments must detect and measure visibility in traditional ranking positions as well as LLM answers and AI snippets.
  • AI platform coverage. We looked for tools that support multiple LLMs. These instruments suggest data compliance and operational reliability.
  • Ranking and query tracking. Tools should track rankings over time and demonstrate how visibility changes for particular AI prompts. We examined how each platform reports fluctuations, identifies trends, and captures ranking history.
  • Non-AI SEO features. Traditional SEO metrics do matter. We included factors like keyword research, site audits, and backlink analysis in our assessments to ensure the tools are totally functional.
  • AI-powered content generation and optimization. We evaluated tools based on their ability to suggest improvements, generate draft content, and optimize existing content for search. Powerful candidates integrate competitive benchmarks and semantic analysis. The best AI SEO optimization tools help teams effectively improve content.
  • Pricing flexibility and ease of use. We looked at whether the pricing tiers met the needs of both enterprise operations and small teams and how intuitive the interface was. While free SEO AI tools exist, the effective optimization typically requires scalable functionality, deeper insights, and reliable data that paid tools provide. We prioritized solutions that offer strong value at a reasonable price. 
  • Reporting and data freshness. We gave higher ratings to tools that contain SEO reporting, easy-to-understand dashboards, and real-time data. Platforms updating metrics frequently help act faster. 

Which all-in-one AI SEO platforms lead?

All-in-one platforms have both AI SEO optimization tools with classic SEO metrics, giving teams an opportunity to work in one structured environment. This allows teams using AI tools for SEO to analyze content performance, competitors, and visibility without switching between disconnected systems. By bringing ranking data, audits, content insights, and keyword research into one workflow, these AI tools for SEO help teams work more efficiently and make better-informed decisions. 

SE Ranking: Top AI SEO optimization tool

SE Ranking is one of the best AI powered SEO tools

SE Ranking is a professional platform that supports you in core SEO tasks. It serves as a central workspace where teams can manage audits, rankings, backlinks, content, and more. SE Ranking applies AI to analyze big datasets, deliver actionable insights, and automate routine SEO processes via API and an intuitive no-code platform Make. For other purposes, the platform integrates with Looker Studio, n8n, and offers MCP server connection. The platform is perfect for managing multiple projects, thanks to its scalable setup and intuitive interface. 

Since the introduction of AI-powered search, the platform offers specialized modules for analyzing visibility across AI platforms. The platform includes an AI Search Toolkit, which helps teams monitor visibility in AI Overviews, AI Mode, and AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini. 

The Content Editor uses AI to analyze successful competitor websites and provides writers with detailed instructions on keywords, structure, and content parameters. This results in immediately usable briefs for optimized content.

The integrated AI Writer allows you to streamline content creation and generate SEO-friendly texts. You can choose a preferred tone of voice, target audience, and content goals. It incorporates all the steps of a content creation workflow and guides you through each, helping to revise existing content and optimize it to support your expert knowledge and writing skills. For users who prefer working in Google Docs, an add-on is available.

The main AI features:

  • Automated traffic forecasting and rankings reporting
  • AI-powered content optimization tips 
  • Predictive keyword suggestions based on competitor data
  • Automated reporting and AI section summaries
  • AI search visibility tracking and optimization 

Pros:

  • Scalable pricing
  • User-friendly interface
  • A comprehensive platform that covers both traditional SEO and AI search optimization 

Cons:

  • New users may need time to learn its functionality. SE Ranking offers learning materials and tutorials.

Pricing: 

Pricing starts at $119 per month. Users choosing an annual subscription get a 20% discount.

Search Atlas: One of the best AI-based SEO tools

Search Atlas home page

Platforms like Search Atlas are among the best AI tools for SEO because they combine AI-powered content analytics with traditional SEO intelligence. Search Atlas is an AI powered SEO tool centralizing content optimization, keyword research, backlink analysis, technical site audits, local SEO management, and ranking tracking into one system. This tool applies its own OTTO SEO engine that helps automatically detect and deploy fixes to websites, and no manual intervention is needed.

So far, this tool helps optimize search for topic depth, entity authority, and semantic relevance. When we started testing Search Atlas, its interface turned out to be intuitive. 

The main AI features:

  • Competitive analysis of the content is among its best AI driven SEO tools
  • Predictive assessment of semantic relevance 
  • NLP-based topic clustering

Pros:

  • Quick content tasks
  • Great for optimization and content strategy 

Cons:

  • Performance concerns

Pricing: 

  • Starter – $99/mo
  • Growth – $199/mo
  • Pro – $399/mo
  • Agency – $999/mo

Semrush: Best choice for optimizing content

Semrush home page

Semrush is a widely-recognized leader in SEO analytics and AI SEO optimization tools. It combines traditional SEO features with advanced AI capabilities. Semrush boasts AI-driven features to simplify and enhance your SEO performance. We consider it one of the best AI SEO tools because it combines: 

  • Optimization
  • Content creation 
  • Competitor analytics
  • Rank tracking

Compared to Semrush alternatives, its AI-powered insights help users to better reduce guesswork, save time, and make data-driven decisions for both AI-powered results and organic search. Features worth noticing are how Semrush tracks websites’ performance, conducts site audits, creates optimized content, and researches niche keywords. 

The main AI features:

  • Automated keyword gap analysis
  • Intent determination and topic research
  • AI visibility tracking

Pros:

  • Powerful competitor analytics
  • A wide range of features for marketing, content, and SEO

Cons:

  • Difficult learning curve
  • High price for full functionality

Pricing:

  • Starter – $165.17/mo
  • Pro+ – $248.17/mo
  • Advanced – $455.67/mo 

Ahrefs: Brand Radar you should try

Ahrefs Home Page

Ahrefs is a powerful competitor analysis and backlink tool, improved with AI-powered keyword recommendations. Comparing Ahrefs vs Semrush, it’s worth noting that Ahrefs Brand Radar has AI on the platform for keyword research and brand tracking, while AI Content Helper shows the gaps existing content has compared to main competitors in SERP. The tool integrates AI capabilities that help predict ranking trends, identify keyword clusters, and optimize content for search results using AI. 

During our tests, we liked its content clustering and backlink opportunities modules the most.

The main AI features:

  • Brand Radar 
  • AI-powered keyword suggestions
  • AI Content Helper

Pros:

  • Powerful competitive analysis
  • Safe and efficient backlink checker

Cons:

  • High price for full functionality

Pricing:

  • Lite – $129/mo
  • Standard – $249/mo
  • Advanced – $449/mo

The best AI search visibility tracking tools

Visibility is no longer limited to positions 1–10 in search results. Now we have generative answers, AI summaries, and other non-traditional formats, which require a different approach to measurement. The tools covered in this section are designed specifically for AI search visibility, focusing on how brands, content, and sources appear within AI answers.

SE Visible: Best for strategic AI visibility analysis

SE Visible home page

SE Visible is built to monitor brand visibility in AI search and help businesses and marketing leaders make data-driven strategy decisions. It shows how, where, and how often brands appear within generative answers, where their competitors stand, what prompts users ask, and how positively or negatively brands are presented.

The platform collects real AI responses (not simulations), so the insights reflect what users see. Data updates regularly, and you always get the latest visibility, sentiment, and competitor insights.

The main features:

  • Brand visibility tracking across AI Overviews, AI Mode, Gemini, Perplexity, and ChatGPT
  • AI visibility share and trends data
  • Competitor visibility benchmarking
  • Sentiment score based on positive, negative, and neutral phrases used in answers mentioning your brand
  • Sourced domains and URL that AI systems site most often 

Pros:

  • Easy-to-understand dashboards
  • Precise AI visibility monitoring

Cons:

  • No built-in sharing features beyond CSV export

Pricing:

  • Core – $189/mo
  • Plus – $355/mo
  • Max – $519/mo

Profound: Best to measure brand visibility

Profound home page

Profound focuses on predictive AI analytics for SEO. It identifies behavioral patterns and trends that indicate changes in AI search results. Being an enterprise-only tool with quote-only pricing for a long time, it now offers more democratic plans. So smaller teams can now also predict emerging trends, correlate changes with search results features, and track competitor strategies.

The Main AI Features:

  • Citation Authority
  • Visibility Scores
  • Sentiment & Keyword Insights
  • Trends & Insights Over Time
  • Competitive Benchmarking and Platform Comparisons

Pros:

  • Detailed and clear visualization
  • Useful for planning

Cons:

  • Best combined with other SEO tools

Pricing:

  • Starter – $99/mo
  • Growth – $399/mo
  • Enterprise – custom pricing

Peec.AI: Accurate AI answers analytics

Peec AI home page

Peec AI helps to identify content opportunities and gaps, keyword research, and visibility analysis. This tool is built on AI-powered search performance tracking by adding competitor brands, customizing prompts, and selecting AI models to monitor. Peec AI also displays citation sources, sentiment, and visibility reports, as well as recommendations needed to improve the rankings.

The Main AI Features:

  • Share of voice analytics
  • AI-powered prompt suggestions
  • Automatic competitors monitoring

Pros:

  • Search volumes of prompts (in beta)
  • Easy-to-use interface

Cons:

  • Limited technical SEO audit and scanning 

Pricing:

  • Starter – €89/mo
  • Pro – €119/mo
  • Enterprise – €499+/mo

Otterly.AI: Top choice to detect AI brand mentions

Otterly AI home page

Otterly AI is a pick to track website citations and brand mentions across ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, Perplexity, Copilot, and Gemini. It is helpful to sharpen your AI visibility perspectives and include brand reporting, prompt monitoring, geo-auditing, and data export, as well as sentiment and position tracking.

The Main AI Features:

  • Analysis of content presence in AI search 
  • Link Citation Tracking
  • Real-time AI snippet monitoring

Pros:

  • Automated reports and analysis
  • Accurate AI visibility tracking
  • GEO Audit tool
  • Reasonable pricing

Cons:

  • No explicit gap analysis

Pricing:

  • Lite – $29/mo
  • Standard – $189/mo
  • Premium – $489/mo

Which AI content creation tools are best for SEO?

AI-powered content creation tools will not only generate text. They also help with semantic relevance, structure, and integration with classic SEO metrics.

The key platforms include generative capabilities, competitor analysis, readability scoring, and keyword analysis. These functions help users create well-structured, optimized content. 

Jasper: Top pick to create SEO content

Jasper home page

Jasper allows users to maintain their brand voice by applying predefined brand rules. For example, when creating blog posts focused on AI-driven SEO, its templates helped us structure content in a way that met both readability and keyword standards, saving the team several hours per article.

When testing Jasper, we found it to be useful for quickly creating drafts, meta descriptions, and optimized articles. Using its autonomous agents, one can delegate various marketing tasks like product page content and campaign copywriting, which accelerates the workflow significantly. 

The Main AI Features:

  • Jasper IQ – context hub for branding
  • Canvas platform for team collaboration
  • Content pipelines connecting data and creativity with distribution
  • LLM-optimized infrastructure

Pros:

  • Maintains consistency and voice of the brand
  • Rapid content creation with templates and pipelines

Cons:

  • Requires human editing and research

Pricing:

  • Pro – $59/mo
  • Business – custom pricing

Clearscope: Content optimization engine

Clearscope home page

Clearscope optimizes content relevance based on semantic analysis and top-ranking pages. It uses AI to: 

  • Suggest relevant keywords and their usage
  • Analyze the best-performing pages
  • Help write content that ranks
  • Automate readability improvements 

Being one of the most famous Surfer alternatives, Clearscope is designed to guide your copywriting to create content that ranks, analyze competitors’ pages, and suggest keywords and their proper usage.

The Main AI Features:

  • Editor optimization guidelines
  • Content relevance assessment
  • Topic and keyword recommendations

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use AI solutions
  • AI-powered deep keyword research tool

Cons:

  • Lacks of broad SEO features
  • High price for full functionality

Pricing:

  • Essentials – $129/mo
  • Business – $399/mo
  • Enterprise – custom pricing

Frase: Content writing AI SEO engine

Frase home page

Frase is a content optimization tool offering a host of handy AI-based SEO features. It includes content optimization, editing, and research, helping effectively create SEO-optimized content. Frase is used extensively for AI content marketing and planning. Its AI Writer feature stands out because we can see exactly how competitors structure their content and analyze SERP results for each target keyword.

The Main AI Features:

  • Structure generation using AI
  • SERP analysis and topic clustering 
  • Automated content aggregation

Pros:

  • Supports SEO strategy
  • Easy and applicable for beginners

Cons:

  • Needs human editing

Pricing:

  • Professional – $98/mo
  • Scale – $195/mo
  • Advanced – $297/mo

Writesonic: SEO content creation assistant

Writesonic home page

Writesonic is an enterprise-grade generative search engine optimization instrument that assists in tracking, comparing, and optimizing the brand’s visibility in AI search results. It offers AI-powered content creation with SEO optimization. We consider it perfect for marketing copy, landing pages, and blogs. It speeds content creation and SEO research with real-time SEO data. This tool is a practical and comprehensive solution for users who need a platform built specifically for the new world of AI-powered visibility.

The Main AI Features:

  • Quick template-based content creation
  • Automated SEO fixes 
  • SEO-friendly content generation

Pros:

  • Affordable pricing
  • Fast content retrieval

Cons:

  • Needs editing for a professional look

Pricing:

  • Lite – $49/mo
  • Standard – $99/mo
  • Professional – $249/mo
  • Advanced – $499/mo
  • Enterprise – custom pricing

How do we choose the best AI tools for SEO in 2026?

Each of the best AI tools for SEO has unique advantages. Here is the comparison table:

SE Ranking

Primary Focus

Comprehensive AI SEO platform

AI Strength

  • Automated ranking reporting
  • Predictive keyword suggestions
  • Traffic forecasting
  • AI Search Toolkit

Best For

SEO specialists, agencies, in-house teams who need reliable platform to automate SEO workflows

Pricing

From $119/mo
Search Atlas

Primary Focus

Competitive analysis & SEO automations

AI Strength

  • Brand mentions and placements monitoring
  • Content audits

Best For

Semantic SEO & Content strategy

Pricing

From $99/mo
Semrush

Primary Focus

AI workflows + full SEO suite

AI Strength

  • AI visibility monitoring
  • Market share comparisons

Best For

Multi‑team SEO & enterprises

Pricing

From $165.17/mo
Ahrefs

Primary Focus

Backlink data and AI brand visibility

AI Strength

  • AI Content Helper
  • Brand Radar
  • AI keyword suggestions

Best For

Data‑driven SEO teams

Pricing

From $129/mo
SE Visible

Primary Focus

Strategic AI visibility tracking

AI Strength

  • Visibility trends
  • Competitor benchmarking
  • Sentiment analysis

Best For

Agencies, business owners, marketing leaders

Pricing

From $189/mo
Profound

Primary Focus

AI visibility tracking and optimization

AI Strength

  • Trends over time
  • Citation authority

Best For

Large enterprise SEO

Pricing

From $99/mo
Peec AI

Primary Focus

AI brand performance tracking

AI Strength

  • Share of voice charts
  • Competitors monitoring
  • Prompts search volumes

Best For

Small and mid‑size teams

Pricing

From €89/mo
Otterly.AI

Primary Focus

AI fragment monitoring

AI Strength

  • AI visibility tracking
  • Dedicated country monitoring

Best For

SEO teams tracking authority

Pricing

From $29/mo
Jasper

Primary Focus

AI content generation

AI Strength

  • Canvas platform
  • Content pipelines

Best For

Content teams

Pricing

From $59/mo
Clearscope

Primary Focus

Content optimization

AI Strength

  • Semantic term recommendations
  • Editor guidelines

Best For

Optimization & refinement

Pricing

From $129/mo
Frase

Primary Focus

Content aggregation

AI Strength

  • Briefs & topic clustering

Best For

Intent planning

Pricing

From $98/mo
Writesonic

Primary Focus

Content generation

AI Strength

  • Quick content creation based on templates

Best For

Blogs & startups

Pricing

From $49/mo
Tool
Primary Focus
AI Strength
Best For
Pricing
SE Ranking

Comprehensive AI SEO platform

  • Automated ranking reporting
  • Predictive keyword suggestions
  • Traffic forecasting
  • AI Search Toolkit

SEO specialists, agencies, in-house teams who need reliable platform to automate SEO workflows

From $119/mo
Search Atlas

Competitive analysis & SEO automations

  • Brand mentions and placements monitoring
  • Content audits

Semantic SEO & Content strategy

From $99/mo
Semrush

AI workflows + full SEO suite

  • AI visibility monitoring
  • Market share comparisons

Multi‑team SEO & enterprises

From $165.17/mo
Ahrefs

Backlink data and AI brand visibility

  • AI Content Helper
  • Brand Radar
  • AI keyword suggestions

Data‑driven SEO teams

From $129/mo
SE Visible

Strategic AI visibility tracking

  • Visibility trends
  • Competitor benchmarking
  • Sentiment analysis

Agencies, business owners, marketing leaders

From $189/mo
Profound

AI visibility tracking and optimization

  • Trends over time
  • Citation authority

Large enterprise SEO

From $99/mo
Peec AI

AI brand performance tracking

  • Share of voice charts
  • Competitors monitoring
  • Prompts search volumes

Small and mid‑size teams

From €89/mo
Otterly.AI

AI fragment monitoring

  • AI visibility tracking
  • Dedicated country monitoring

SEO teams tracking authority

From $29/mo
Jasper

AI content generation

  • Canvas platform
  • Content pipelines

Content teams

From $59/mo
Clearscope

Content optimization

  • Semantic term recommendations
  • Editor guidelines

Optimization & refinement

From $129/mo
Frase

Content aggregation

  • Briefs & topic clustering

Intent planning

From $98/mo
Writesonic

Content generation

  • Quick content creation based on templates

Blogs & startups

From $49/mo

Choose the tools that fit your goals, budget, and teamwork skills. To explore platforms before fully committing, you can start with free trials.

FAQ

What are AI SEO tools?

AI SEO tools apply AI technologies like LLM and machine learning to optimize, automate, and improve traditional SEO workflows. These instruments support ranking prediction, keyword research, visibility tracking, and content optimization.

How do traditional SEO tools differ from AI SEO tools?

AI SEO tools analyze search results, draft content, and predict trends using AI. In turn, traditional tools measure performance not using AI-powered analytics.

How do AI SEO tools assist with SEO?

AI-powered SEO tools support core SEO workflows by analyzing large datasets, identifying patterns, and surfacing actionable insights. They assist with content optimization and creation, keyword research, SERP and performance monitoring, and trend analysis. Such tools automate processes and help teams make faster, more informed decisions.

How to choose the best SEO AI tools?

Consider your goals (general SEO, content creation, and AI visibility tracking), budget, and team experience to make a decision. Check the tool reviews and reputation.

What is the best AI tool for SEO?

It depends on the needs. If you need a platform with accurate data, powerful SEO features, and solutions for both traditional and AI search, SE Ranking is a solid choice. For content, Clearscope and Jasper are great. If you focus on AI search visibility only, consider SE Visible, as it gives a comprehensive overview of how your brand performs.

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