Why did the travel blogger start using AI tools? To get to the “write” destination faster! (And yes, that joke was crafted by our trusty AI assistant, so don’t throw any tomatoes at us.)
At the recent TBEX conference in San Sebastián, we presented our research and analysis on AI tools for travel blogging. And the response? Magical. People were excited to learn about AI secrets and how it can streamline their processes, boost creativity, and enhance their storytelling.
If you weren’t lucky enough to make it to San Sebastián, don’t worry: this article will tell you all about the brave new world of AI-enhanced blogging. Ready? Let’s get to it.
Why Should Travel Bloggers Consider Using AI?
Most bloggers fear that AI will kill their uniqueness and identity. Or, even worse, anger the Google Gods and further hinder their growth after an update decimated traffic for travel bloggers, many of whom are still trying to pick up the pieces.
But in reality, AI can be a game-changer for travel bloggers, since it can address many of the challenges we all face in our daily routines.
Don’t believe us? Here are three reasons to consider integrating AI into your blogging workflow.
Reason 1: It saves time without sacrificing quality
AI tools save time for bloggers, allowing them to focus on creating high-quality content rather than getting bogged down with repetitive tasks. This improved efficiency can reduce stress and make the blogging process more enjoyable.
- Data analysis: AI can quickly analyze vast amounts of data, providing insights that can help you improve your SEO strategies.
- Quick content creation: AI can assist in content production, allowing you to publish more articles without compromising quality.
- SEO optimization: AI can not only find the best keywords to rank for but, in some cases, can even create SEO-optimized text at the click of a button.
- Fine-tuned affiliate tools: Travelpayouts is getting ready to release an exclusive AI-powered function called the Emerald Tool, which monetizes your travel content in just a few clicks.
Reason 2: It can bring you more followers and money
- Follower growth: Bloggers using AI tools report significantly more followers than non-users. According to the same survey, AI users reported an average of 4,856 followers, while non-users had only 1,419. This indicates that AI might enhance audience engagement and reach.
- Increased income: AI users also see higher median incomes, reporting $15,831, compared with $12,366 for non-users.
Reason 3: AI Is the New Norm
With the introduction of tools like ChatGPT and the integration of AI functions into almost every tool we use, it’s clear that AI is here to stay.
In today’s digital age, AI has become beneficial if not essential for many industries, including blogging. In one survey, 89% of AI users said their content quality has improved, allowing them to write and publish more frequently.
AI Tools for SEO
Can AI ruin your SEO? On the contrary, if used correctly, you can skyrocket your blog’s SEO success. Let’s see how.
Keyword Research and Integration
🛠 Tools to use: Jasper, WriteSeed, Rytr
Myth: AI tools will ruin my blog by creating content hyperfocused on SEO. It might overload my posts with keywords and make them feel less authentic.
Debunking the myth: AI can be an intelligent tool to enhance your content without compromising your unique voice.
AI can identify high-traffic, low-competition keywords relevant to your travel topics. For example, tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Rytr can quickly generate 30 keywords or phrases that you can organically integrate into your articles, making them more recognizable and SEO-friendly. It’s much faster than, say, Semrush or Ahrefs.
One Travelpayouts partner who blogs about Asia used Jasper to discover that “Rooftops Bangkok” was a popular keyword. He integrated this keyword into his articles, resulting in a 35% boost in page views and SEO performance.
But Jasper and Rytr actually have much more powerful capabilities: they can write SEO-optimized content that’s original and written in your voice. That’s the promise, anyway; it’s still a good idea to give it a thorough edit and add some human charm.
AI for Content Creation
Creating high-quality content quickly and efficiently is crucial for travel bloggers. Whether you’re looking for help generating ideas, assisting with writing, or ensuring your posts are well-structured and error-free, AI can help.
Content Structuring and Readability
🛠 Tools to use: Grammarly, QuillBot, Jasper
Myth: I’ve been creating content for 10+ years. AI has nothing to teach me.
Debunking the myth: AI tools are designed to enhance, not replace, your voice. Think of AI as an editor that ensures your content flows beautifully and is easy to read.
AI can improve the readability and structure of your content by checking grammar, style, and sentence structure. It suggests headings and subheadings and breaks down long paragraphs, making articles more engaging and easier to navigate.
For instance, one of our partners who blogs about historical travel used AI to structure a detailed post about Greek ruins, The AI suggested catchy subheadings like “Majestic Temples” and “Hidden Gems,” which made the content easier navigate and increased his engagement rate by 40%.
Idea Generation
🛠 Tools to use: copy.ai, Perplexity, ChatGPT, Jasper, Rytr
Myth: AI-generated ideas might feel impersonal or irrelevant.
Debunking the myth: Think of AI as a brainstorming buddy. It throws out many ideas, and you pick what resonates with you. It sparks creativity rather than replacing it.
For example, a travel blogger who writes about eco-friendly travel destinations was stuck and consulted Jasper. The AI suggested topics like “Top 10 Eco-Lodges in Costa Rica” and “Sustainable Travel Tips for the Amazon.”
These ideas aligned perfectly with the blogger’s niche and helped him escape his rut. His content calendar was packed for the next three months, and his audience loved the new posts.
Writing Assistance
🛠 Tools to use: Grammarly, QuillBot, KoalaWriter, copy.ai, ChatGPT, Jasper, Rytr
Myth: AI will make me sound robotic.
Debunking the myth: AI copywriting tools are like having a co-writer who quickly helps you create more content. They can generate drafts and help you maintain a steady flow of posts.
Remember, the AI tool is only as strong as the writer. You will need to describe the task, input prompts, and questions. You’ll need to train the tool to mimic your voice and tone, which may take some time.
For instance, a travel blogger focusing on solo female travel had many great ideas but struggled with writing quickly enough to keep up with her posting schedule. Using Jasper, she was able to generate comprehensive drafts for her blog posts more efficiently.
For example, she used it to draft a detailed post about “Solo Travel Safety Tips” in just a few hours, which usually would have taken her days. This allowed her to maintain a consistent posting schedule and significantly grow her audience.
Image Generation
🛠 Tools to use: DALL-E, Leonardo.AI, Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, NightCafe
Semi-myth: My blog should only feature my own photos to maintain authenticity.
Debunking the myth: It’s a valid point – your readers connect with your personal experiences. However, on social media, AI can be a game-changer in creating high-quality images that supplement your personal content.
A travel blogger who primarily uses her own photos on her blog about solo female travel wanted to boost her social media presence. Using Midjourney, she created eye-catching images for her Instagram and Facebook, such as beautifully rendered travel quotes and destination highlights.
The travel blogger gained followers and saw higher engagement after she began using AI-generated images.
You can generate images and designs for your social media pages with AI. But be careful: posting photos of places you haven’t been is not a good idea. Your audience values authenticity and can detect insincerity.
AI for Research and Data Analysis
Customized Recommendations
🛠 Tools to use: Claude 3, Perplexity, ChatGPT, Jasper, KoalaWriter
Provide personalized suggestions based on audience interests and behavior.
You might think, “How can AI know what’s best for my blog?”
AI tools like Perplexity analyze your blog’s performance and provide tailored recommendations. It’s like having a personal coach. AI tools can also analyze patterns and suggest optimal posting times, content formats, and topics that resonate most with the audience.
For instance, a blogger writing about Southeast Asian backpacking received recommendations from Perplexity to write more about budget travel tips and local cuisines. He followed this advice, and these posts quickly became some of his most popular ones, increasing his overall engagement by 20%.
AI Won’t Replace Us, It’s Here to Assist
People will always be traveling and sharing their stories because travel evokes strong emotions and connections. While AI can help us better express our feelings, it can’t replace the genuine human touch crucial for travel blogging.
What do you think about AI and the AI tools mentioned in the article? Do you use AI? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments.