Old-school SEO taught me to include “LSI keywords” - related terms that help Google understand my topic.
Example for “project management”:
My question: Do AI systems care about LSI keywords? Or is this an outdated concept?
I’m trying to understand if I should: A) Still research and include LSI keywords B) Just write naturally about topics C) Something else entirely for AI
What actually helps AI systems understand my content?
The concept is valid but the execution is outdated. Let me explain:
What LSI keywords were trying to achieve: Help search engines understand topic context through related terms.
How AI actually works: AI systems use embeddings that capture meaning, not keyword lists. They understand “project management” includes concepts like task tracking, collaboration, etc. without you explicitly listing them.
The evolution:
| Old Approach | AI Approach |
|---|---|
| List related keywords | Cover topic comprehensively |
| Keyword density | Semantic depth |
| Synonyms for variety | Natural language |
| LSI keyword research | Topic coverage analysis |
What actually matters:
My recommendation: Stop thinking “LSI keywords.” Start thinking “topic completeness.”
Here’s how I translate this into practice:
Before (keyword-focused): “Let me check my LSI keyword list… I need to include ’task tracking,’ ’team collaboration,’ ‘workflow automation’…”
After (topic-focused): “Let me fully explain project management. What questions would someone have? What aspects should I cover?”
Natural coverage happens: When you thoroughly explain project management, you naturally discuss:
You don’t need a keyword list. You need thorough topic coverage.
The test: After writing, ask: “Did I fully explain this topic to someone who knows nothing about it?”
If yes, you’ve likely covered all the “LSI keywords” naturally.
Keyword research is evolving into query/prompt research:
Old approach: “What keywords do people search?”
New approach: “What questions do people ask AI?”
How to do prompt research:
Example for project management:
| Keyword Research | Prompt Research |
|---|---|
| “project management software” | “What’s the best way to manage projects for a remote team?” |
| “task tracking tools” | “How do I keep track of team tasks without micromanaging?” |
| “workflow automation” | “Can AI help automate my project workflows?” |
The difference: Keywords = phrases to include Prompts = questions to answer
Focus on answering the prompts - the semantic coverage follows naturally.
This clarifies things. My takeaways:
LSI keywords as a concept: Still valid The idea that related terms help understanding is true.
LSI keywords as a practice: Outdated Making lists of related terms to include is mechanical and unnecessary.
What to do instead:
The mental shift: From: “What keywords should I include?” To: “What does someone need to understand about this topic?”
My new process:
No more LSI keyword spreadsheets. Just thorough, helpful content.
Thanks for the clarity!
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