How to Write SEO Content That Ranks in Google and AI Search (Content Writing for SEO 2026 Guide)

Want to learn how to write SEO content that ranks in Google and AI search? In this step-by-step tutorial, Matt Kenyon walks you through the complete process of turning a single keyword into a fully optimized blog post using Surfer’s Content Editor – from search intent and outlining to optimization, internal linking, and publishing. You’ll see the exact workflow used to create content that performs in traditional search results and gets cited in AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. In this video, you’ll learn: How to analyze search intent before writing How to create SEO content outlines using competitor research The 70/30 rule for building better content structures How to optimize for Google rankings and AI citations How to use entities and facts naturally in your content The best internal linking strategy for new blog posts How to improve readability, originality, and topical coverage How to publish SEO blog posts that actually rank You’ll also see: ✅ Surfer Content Editor walkthrough ✅ AI-assisted content research workflows ✅ Real examples of SEO optimization in action ✅ Content Score optimization for SEO + AI Search ✅ A complete keyword-to-published-post workflow Whether you’re a content marketer, SEO specialist, founder, freelancer, or blogger, this tutorial will help you create higher-quality content faster, without relying on outdated SEO advice. ______________________________ 🎓 Get access to FREE AI Search Optimization Masterclass & learn everything about AI Search Optimization: https://surferseo.com/academy/ai-sear... 🎓 Watch this next: How to Dominate AI Search Results (ChatGPT, AI Overviews & More):    • How to Dominate AI Search Results in 2026 ...   How to Rank #1 in Google in 2026: The 3-Step SEO Playbook:    • How to Rank #1 in Google in 2026: The 3-St...   Optimize your content strategy:    • Optimize your Content Strategy   🔗 Try Surfer: https://surferseo.com 🔗 Watch the Keyword Research Tutorial:    • How to Plan 6 Months of SEO Content in Und...   Have questions or feedback? Drop a comment-we'd love to hear from you! ______________________________ ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:59 Check Search Intent 01:45 Research & Create Outline 08:07 Write & Optimize 17:30 Internal Links 19:20 Pre-Publish Review 22:17 Publish or Export 23:45 Summary & What's Next #SEO #ContentWriting #SurferSEO #AISEO #BlogWriting #ContentMarketing #SEOContent #GoogleSEO #AISearch #ChatGPTSEO