The rise of semantic search has fundamentally changed how we approach marketing. No longer can we rely solely on keyword stuffing and exact match queries. To thrive in 2026, marketers need to understand how search engines interpret user intent and tailor content accordingly. Are you ready to learn how to leverage semantic search with cutting-edge tools?
Key Takeaways
- You will learn how to use Semrush’s ContentShake AI to identify semantically relevant keywords for your target audience.
- This tutorial will walk you through building a content brief in ContentShake AI that focuses on user intent and semantically related topics.
- You’ll discover how to measure the semantic relevance of your content using Semrush’s SEO Content Template.
Step 1: Keyword Research with Semrush ContentShake AI
Sub-step 1: Accessing ContentShake AI
First, log into your Semrush account. From the main dashboard, locate the “Content Marketing” section in the left-hand navigation menu. Click on “ContentShake AI.” This will open the ContentShake AI interface, which is your starting point for identifying semantically relevant keywords.
Pro Tip: If you don’t see ContentShake AI immediately, you might need to add it to your Semrush toolkit. Go to the “Add-ons” section and search for “ContentShake AI.”
Sub-step 2: Entering Your Target Keyword
In the ContentShake AI dashboard, you’ll see a large input field labeled “Enter a topic to generate content ideas.” This is where you enter your initial target keyword. For example, if you’re marketing legal services in Atlanta, you might enter “Atlanta personal injury lawyer.” Click the “Shake It!” button to generate content ideas.
Common Mistake: Don’t be too broad with your initial keyword. Starting with a more specific phrase will yield more focused and relevant results. “Lawyer” is too broad; “Atlanta personal injury lawyer” is much better.
Expected Outcome: ContentShake AI will generate a list of potential content ideas, along with suggested keywords and related questions that users are asking.
Sub-step 3: Analyzing Keyword Suggestions
ContentShake AI will present you with a list of article ideas, each accompanied by a set of suggested keywords. Pay close attention to the keywords listed under the “Related Keywords” section for each idea. These are the keywords that ContentShake AI has identified as being semantically related to your initial target keyword.
For example, for “Atlanta personal injury lawyer,” you might see related keywords like “car accident lawyer Atlanta,” “slip and fall attorney Atlanta,” “medical malpractice lawyer,” and “negligence claims.” These keywords are all related to the core topic of personal injury law but represent different specific areas of focus.
Pro Tip: Look for keywords with high search volume and low keyword difficulty. This indicates that there is a significant audience interested in the topic, but that it may not be overly competitive.
Step 2: Building a Semantic Content Brief
Sub-step 1: Selecting a Content Idea
From the list of content ideas generated by ContentShake AI, choose one that aligns with your marketing goals and target audience. For example, you might select the idea “What to Do After a Car Accident in Atlanta.” Click on the “Create Brief” button next to the selected idea.
Common Mistake: Don’t just pick the first idea you see. Take the time to review the suggested keywords and related questions to ensure that the content idea is truly relevant to your target audience.
Expected Outcome: ContentShake AI will create a content brief based on the selected idea, including a suggested title, outline, and list of keywords.
Sub-step 2: Refining the Outline
ContentShake AI’s generated outline is a good starting point, but you’ll likely need to refine it to ensure that it fully addresses user intent and covers all relevant semantically related topics. Review each section of the outline and make any necessary additions or revisions.
For example, for the “What to Do After a Car Accident in Atlanta” brief, you might add sections on “Gathering Evidence at the Scene,” “Reporting the Accident to Your Insurance Company,” and “Consulting with a Personal Injury Lawyer.”
Pro Tip: Think about the questions that users are likely to have when searching for information about this topic. Address those questions directly in your outline.
Sub-step 3: Incorporating Semantic Keywords
Review the list of suggested keywords and incorporate them naturally into your content brief. Don’t just stuff the keywords into the text; instead, use them to guide your writing and ensure that you’re covering all relevant aspects of the topic. To avoid sabotaging your SEO, focus on natural integration.
For example, you might use the keyword “car accident lawyer Atlanta” in a section discussing the importance of consulting with an attorney after an accident. You might use “slip and fall attorney Atlanta” to mention that personal injury lawyers also handle slip and fall cases.
Expected Outcome: A comprehensive content brief that addresses user intent and incorporates semantically related keywords.
Here’s what nobody tells you: ContentShake AI is great for getting started, but it’s not a replacement for human judgment. Always review and refine the generated content brief to ensure that it aligns with your marketing goals and target audience.
Step 3: Measuring Semantic Relevance with Semrush SEO Content Template
Sub-step 1: Accessing SEO Content Template
Once you have your content brief, it’s time to start writing. To ensure that your content is semantically relevant, you can use Semrush’s SEO Content Template tool. From the Semrush dashboard, navigate to the “SEO” section and click on “SEO Content Template.”
Pro Tip: You can also access the SEO Content Template tool directly from the ContentShake AI interface by clicking on the “Open in SEO Content Template” button.
Sub-step 2: Entering Your Target Keywords and Location
In the SEO Content Template tool, enter your target keywords and location. For example, you might enter “Atlanta personal injury lawyer” as your target keyword and “Atlanta, GA” as your location. Click the “Get Recommendations” button.
Common Mistake: Be sure to specify your location accurately. This will ensure that the recommendations you receive are relevant to your target audience.
Expected Outcome: The SEO Content Template tool will generate a list of recommendations for your content, including semantically related keywords, readability scores, and suggested word count.
I had a client last year who was struggling to rank for “Alpharetta divorce attorney.” We ran their existing content through the SEO Content Template and discovered they weren’t using nearly enough semantically related terms like “child custody agreements” or “division of assets.” Once we revised the content, their rankings improved dramatically.
Sub-step 3: Implementing Recommendations
Review the recommendations generated by the SEO Content Template tool and implement them in your content. Pay close attention to the semantically related keywords and try to incorporate them naturally into your writing. Also, pay attention to the readability score and word count recommendations to ensure that your content is easy to read and comprehensive.
For example, the SEO Content Template might recommend that you use keywords like “Georgia personal injury law,” “statute of limitations,” and “negligence.” It might also recommend that you increase the word count of your article to at least 1500 words to cover the topic in sufficient detail.
Pro Tip: Don’t just blindly follow the recommendations. Use your judgment to determine which recommendations are most relevant to your target audience and marketing goals.
Sub-step 4: Measuring Semantic Relevance
As you write, the SEO Content Template tool will provide you with real-time feedback on your content’s semantic relevance. Pay attention to the “Semantic Score” and aim for a score of at least 80%. This indicates that your content is highly relevant to your target keywords and is likely to rank well in search results.
Expected Outcome: Content that is optimized for semantic relevance and is more likely to rank well in search results.
Step 4: Analyzing Results and Iterating
Sub-step 1: Monitoring Search Rankings
After publishing your content, monitor its search rankings to see how well it’s performing. Use Semrush’s Position Tracking tool to track your rankings for your target keywords. If your rankings are not improving, you may need to revise your content to further optimize it for semantic relevance.
Pro Tip: Be patient. It can take several weeks or even months for your content to rank well in search results.
Sub-step 2: Analyzing User Engagement
In addition to monitoring search rankings, also analyze user engagement metrics such as bounce rate, time on page, and conversion rate. This will give you insights into how well your content is resonating with your target audience. If users are not engaging with your content, you may need to revise it to make it more appealing and informative.
Expected Outcome: Improved search rankings and increased user engagement.
Sub-step 3: Iterating Based on Data
Based on the data you collect, iterate on your content to further optimize it for semantic relevance and user engagement. This might involve adding new keywords, revising the outline, or making other changes to improve the quality and relevance of your content.
Common Mistake: Don’t just set it and forget it. Content marketing is an ongoing process that requires continuous monitoring and optimization.
We ran into this exact issue at my previous firm. We published a blog post about “workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia” but saw very little traffic. After analyzing the data, we realized that we weren’t adequately addressing the specific concerns of injured workers. We added sections on “how to file a workers’ comp claim” and “what to do if your claim is denied,” and traffic increased by 50%.
By following these steps, you can leverage semantic search to create content that resonates with your target audience and ranks well in search results. It’s not a magic bullet, but with the right tools and strategy, you can significantly improve your marketing performance. What are you waiting for? Get started today!
Remember, SEO is still king in 2026, so staying updated is essential. Also, to truly future-proof your marketing, consider how AI search will impact your brand and ensure your brand has brand authority to win trust in 2026.
What is semantic search?
Semantic search is a search engine’s ability to understand the intent and context behind a user’s query, rather than just matching keywords. It focuses on the meaning of the words and phrases used, as well as the relationships between them.
Why is semantic search important for marketing?
Semantic search is important because it allows marketers to create content that is more relevant and engaging to their target audience. By understanding user intent, marketers can tailor their content to address the specific needs and interests of their audience, leading to higher search rankings, increased traffic, and improved conversion rates.
How can I optimize my content for semantic search?
To optimize your content for semantic search, focus on creating high-quality, informative content that addresses user intent. Use semantically related keywords throughout your content, and structure your content in a way that is easy to read and understand. Use tools like Semrush’s SEO Content Template to get real-time feedback on your content’s semantic relevance.
What are some other tools I can use for semantic keyword research?
Beyond Semrush, other tools for semantic keyword research include Ahrefs, Moz Keyword Explorer, and Google Keyword Planner. These tools can help you identify semantically related keywords and understand user intent.
How often should I update my content to maintain semantic relevance?
You should regularly update your content to ensure that it remains relevant and accurate. Aim to review and update your content at least every six months to a year, or more frequently if there have been significant changes in your industry or target audience.
Implementing a semantic SEO strategy is a long-term investment, but the rewards are well worth the effort. By focusing on user intent and creating high-quality, relevant content, you can establish yourself as an authority in your niche and attract a loyal audience. Start small, experiment with different approaches, and track your results to see what works best for you.
