Find Your Ideal Customer's Search Terms on Google and ChatGPT, On Autopilot

Why finding search terms matters now

People no longer only search on Google. They ask questions in ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models. If you want your content to be found, you must meet your audience where they ask questions. That means capturing the exact phrases they type into search engines and LLMs, then answering those queries in a way only you can.

What is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?

AEO is the practice of targeting the places people ask questions, including LLMs, and writing content that directly answers those questions. It focuses on the user query first, not keywords alone. The result is content that ranks in search and is useful when someone asks an LLM for an answer.

Start with your story

Before you chase keywords, make sure your story is clear. This is about you as a person, not your company or offer. Run a conversation in a custom GPT or draft your personal narrative. Capture the full conversation, then use it as the core input for audience research. When your research knows who you are, results will be specific to your voice and experience.

Step-by-step: Use research agents to find active search terms

1. Sign up and set basic info.Create a free brandpod account and fill in your language, name, and target country. If you are doing this for a client, use their name and details.
2. Paste your custom GPT conversation.Copy the entire conversation you had in your custom GPT and paste it into the brandpod input. Click Analyze. The system will extract the key details it needs about you and your audience.
3. Review and edit the profile.Step through the prepopulated answers. Edit any details so the profile is accurate. Upload a photo and save. Remember, this profile is about the human behind the brand.
4. Run your agents.Run brandpod's agents to collect audience search habits, preferred publications, podcasts, events, and weekly search terms. Choose your personal goals when prompted, for example creating AEO content.
5. Connect Google Drive and set your brand kit.On paid plans, connect Google Drive so generated content can be exported. Create a brand kit with colors and a brand voice to keep output consistent.
6. Use the content agent to pick topics and formats.The content agent shows search terms across Google and LLMs. Pick a topic, choose formats like blog post, newsletter, or social, then edit the suggested primary and secondary keywords before generating content.
7. Export and iterate.Export content to your Drive, publish, then monitor the weekly search terms from the agents so you stay current.

What the free account gives you

You can access your brand profile, the audience research, and the exact search terms your audience is using this week. You will see their content habits, which publications they read, which podcasts they follow, and events they attend. Use those search terms by feeding them into the LLM of your choice and write content that directly answers the queries.

How to turn search terms into content that stands out

• Answer the specific question first. Start with the direct answer, then add context.
• Match answers to your story. Use examples and experience only you have to make the answer unique.
• Edit the keywords. Remove irrelevant terms, and separate primary and secondary keywords.
• Pick the right format. For each topic, create one in-depth blog post, one newsletter, and multiple social posts tied to the same search terms.
• Keep your voice consistent. Use the brand voice you created so AI output sounds like you.
• Focus on current trends. Use weekly search terms, not last year’s topics.

Quick checklist before running agents

• Your personal story or custom GPT conversation is complete and copied.
• Profile fields reflect you as a person, not your company.
• You uploaded a profile image.
• If using a paid plan, Google Drive is connected and brand kit is ready.
• You reviewed and cleaned keyword lists extracted by the agents.

What to expect from generated outputs

• One blog post per topic, tailored to the search terms.
• An email newsletter when you select that format.
• Between three and ten social posts per topic for platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook.
• A list of podcasts, publications, and events your audience follows, plus outreach suggestions.

Practical workflow if you stay on the free plan

Use the free research to gather search terms, then run your own LLM prompts with that data. The research will tell you what your audience is searching for this week. Feed those phrases into the LLM that knows you, and ask it to write an answer in your voice. Below is a simple prompt you can adapt.

Use these search terms: [paste list]
Write a short blog post that answers the top question first, then provides 3 practical steps.
Keep the voice personal and use a real example from someone building a brand.
Target length: 600 words.

When to use brandpod

brandpod is useful when you want research that links your personal story to the exact places your audience reads, listens, and asks questions. Use brandpod to validate content ideas, discover podcast and publication opportunities, and to collect weekly search terms that inform timely content.

FAQ

What is the difference between SEO and AEO?

SEO targets search engine ranking signals. AEO focuses on the questions people ask across search engines and LLMs, and on writing direct answers to those queries. AEO uses search behavior from both Google and LLMs to guide content topics.

Can I get useful audience data with the free plan?

Yes. The free plan gives access to your brand profile, audience habits, and the weekly search terms your target audience is using. You can export those terms and use them with your preferred LLM to write content.

How do I make sure AI content sounds like me?

Create a clear brand voice in your profile and feed it into the content generator. Use personal examples and edit the AI drafts to add your tone and preferences. The agents will perform better when your profile reflects who you are.

What formats should I create for each topic?

Create one comprehensive blog post, one newsletter if relevant, and several social posts. That gives you long form content to rank and short form content to attract attention across platforms.

How often should I re-run the agents?

Re-run agents whenever you want fresh weekly search terms. On paid plans you can run agents monthly or weekly. On the free plan, check the research regularly and update content based on the latest search behavior.

How do I use search terms with my LLM?

Collect the most active search phrases, then ask your LLM to answer the top phrase directly, followed by supporting points. Include your brand voice instructions and one real example. Edit the output for clarity and personality.

Next step

Get your story in one place, run research agents, and focus on the exact questions your audience is asking this week. If you want a streamlined way to find where your audience reads, listens, and asks questions, brandpod can collect the search terms and media opportunities you need to create relevant content.