Navigating the Future of SEO: The Role of AI for Technical SEO Audits
Leverage AI for technical SEO audits to identify and correct intricate site issues, enhancing your website's performance for better search results.
Technical SEO plays a critical role in digital marketing by ensuring that websites align with search engine requirements for better visibility and performance. A well-executed technical SEO strategy enhances a website’s crawlability, indexability, and user experience—ultimately leading to higher rankings and increased organic traffic.
This guide explores the step-by-step process of conducting a technical SEO audit, addressing common challenges, and leveraging AI-driven tools to improve efficiency.
Why Technical SEO Matters
Technical SEO ensures that search engines can properly access, understand, and rank a website’s content. Beyond content and keyword strategies, technical SEO focuses on factors like:
Crawlability & Indexability – Ensuring that search engines can easily navigate and interpret website pages.
Site Speed & Performance – Optimizing loading times to enhance user experience and SEO rankings.
Mobile Responsiveness – Making sure a website adapts to different screen sizes and devices.
Security & Structure – Implementing HTTPS, structured data, and clear navigation to improve usability and credibility.
A well-optimized website with strong technical SEO is more likely to rank well, attract more traffic, and provide a better user experience.
Step 1: Conducting a Technical SEO Audit
A comprehensive audit helps identify performance issues and areas for optimization. Below are the core elements to examine:
Website Crawlability & Indexability: Ensuring Search Engines Can Access Your Content
Crawlability and indexability are foundational to technical SEO. If search engines cannot properly crawl or index your website, even the best content will fail to rank. This step ensures that your website is fully accessible to search engines and optimized for discovery.
Use Google Search Console to Monitor Indexing
Google Search Console (GSC) provides valuable insights into how Googlebot interacts with your website. Here’s how to use it effectively:
Check Indexed Pages: Navigate to the “Pages” report under "Indexing" to see which URLs are indexed and which are excluded.
Identify Crawling Issues: Look for errors like "Crawled – currently not indexed," "Discovered – currently not indexed," or "Blocked by robots.txt."
Submit Sitemaps: Ensure your XML sitemap is submitted in GSC under "Sitemaps" to help Google understand your website structure.
Use the URL Inspection Tool: Test individual URLs to see their index status, any crawling issues, and recommendations for fixing them.
If important pages are not indexed, check for noindex tags, canonical errors, or crawl restrictions in robots.txt.
Identify and Fix Broken Links, Redirect Chains, and Orphan Pages
Broken links, excessive redirects, and orphan pages can prevent search engines from efficiently crawling your site.
Broken Links (404 Errors)
Occur when pages have been removed or URLs are misspelled.
Broken links can harm user experience and lead to wasted crawl budget.
Use Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or Google Search Console to detect and fix them.
Fix: Redirect broken pages to a relevant URL using 301 redirects, or update internal links to point to live pages.
Redirect Chains & Loops
Redirect chains occur when multiple redirects exist between an old URL and its final destination.
Redirect loops happen when a URL continuously redirects in a cycle, making it inaccessible.
Fix: Streamline 301 redirects by pointing all outdated URLs directly to the final target URL.
Orphan Pages
Orphan pages have no internal links pointing to them, making them difficult for search engines to find.
These pages might exist due to website restructuring or poor navigation design.
Use Screaming Frog or site search operators (site:yourwebsite.com) to locate them.
Fix:Internally link orphan pages from relevant sections of your website or add them to your sitemap.
Examine robots.txt and Meta Robots Tags
Robots.txt and meta robots directives control how search engines crawl and index your website.
Review robots.txt File
Robots.txt is a text file that instructs search engine bots on which pages they can or cannot crawl.
Access it at yourwebsite.com/robots.txt and check for any unintentional disallow directives blocking key pages.
Fix: Ensure no critical pages (e.g., category pages, blog posts, product pages) are accidentally blocked.
Example robots.txt file:
User-agent: *
Disallow: /private-page/
Disallow: /admin/
Allow: /
Sitemap: https://www.yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml
Check Meta Robots Tags
Meta robots tags control whether a page should be indexed or followed.
Pages with noindex or nofollow directives will be ignored by search engines.
Example of a noindex tag (which prevents indexing):
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow">
Fix: Remove noindex tags from important pages that should appear in search results.
Canonical Tags & Duplicate Content
Canonical tags tell search engines which version of a page to index when duplicate content exists.
Incorrect or missing canonical tags can lead to indexing issues.
Fix: Implement proper canonical tags to prevent duplicate content issues.
Summary: Best Practices for Crawlability & Indexability
Regularly audit your website using Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or Ahrefs to detect crawlability issues.
Fix broken links and optimize redirect paths to avoid unnecessary redirect chains.
Ensure key pages are linked internally to avoid orphan pages.
Check robots.txt, meta robots, and canonical tags to prevent accidental blocking of important content.
Submit and maintain an XML sitemap to guide search engines to all indexable pages.
Site Speed Optimization: Enhancing Performance for Better SEO & User Experience
Website speed is a critical ranking factor for search engines and a key determinant of user experience. A slow-loading website can increase bounce rates, reduce engagement, and negatively impact conversion rates. Optimizing site speed ensures that pages load quickly, enhancing user satisfaction and improving SEO rankings.
Measure Loading Speed with Google PageSpeed Insights & Core Web Vitals
Before making improvements, it's essential to analyze your website’s speed and performance using tools like:
Google PageSpeed Insights (PSI) – Provides a performance score and specific recommendations for improving load times.
Core Web Vitals Report (Google Search Console) – Evaluates real-world user experience based on three key performance metrics.
How to Test Your Site Speed:
Visit Google PageSpeed Insights and enter your website URL.
Review the performance score and identify critical issues.
Use Google Search Console’s Core Web Vitals report to track how real users experience your website.
Understanding Core Web Vitals: Google’s User Experience Metrics
Core Web Vitals are a set of page experience signals that Google considers crucial for a good user experience. They focus on three main aspects:
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – Measures Loading Speed
LCP measures how quickly the largest visible element on the page loads (e.g., images, videos, or large text blocks).
Good Score: Under 2.5 seconds
Needs Improvement: Between 2.5 and 4 seconds
Poor Score: More than 4 seconds
How to Improve LCP:
Optimize images by compressing them and using modern formats like WebP.
Use lazy loading to delay offscreen images from loading until needed.
Upgrade hosting servers for faster content delivery.
Implement a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to distribute content across multiple global servers.
First Input Delay (FID) – Measures Interactivity
FID tracks how quickly a webpage responds to a user’s first interaction (e.g., clicking a button or link).
Good Score: Below 100 milliseconds
Needs Improvement: Between 100 and 300 milliseconds
Poor Score: More than 300 milliseconds
How to Improve FID:
Minimize JavaScript execution time to prevent delays in user interactions.
Reduce third-party scripts that slow down responsiveness.
Use browser caching to store frequently used resources for faster loading.
Optimize code by minifying CSS, JavaScript, and HTML to remove unnecessary spaces and comments.
CLS evaluates how much page elements unexpectedly shift while loading, affecting the user experience.
Good Score: Below 0.1
Needs Improvement: Between 0.1 and 0.25
Poor Score: More than 0.25
How to Improve CLS:
Specify image dimensions in CSS to prevent layout shifts.
Reserve space for ads, embeds, and iframes so they don’t shift content while loading.
Use font-display: swap in CSS to ensure text loads smoothly without causing shifts.
Optimize Images for Faster Loading
Large, unoptimized images slow down websites and increase load times. Compressing and converting images to efficient formats can dramatically improve speed.
Best Practices for Image Optimization:
Use next-gen image formats like WebP, AVIF, or JPEG 2000, which offer better compression than PNG and JPEG.
Resize images to appropriate dimensions before uploading.
Implement lazy loading to defer image loading until they appear on-screen.
Use SVGs for icons and logos instead of PNGs for lightweight vector graphics.
Tools for Image Compression:
TinyPNG (WebP, PNG, JPEG)
Squoosh (Google’s image compression tool)
Imagify or ShortPixel (WordPress plugins)
Implement Browser Caching to Reduce Load Times
Browser caching stores website assets (images, scripts, CSS files) locally on users’ devices, so they don’t need to reload every time someone revisits the page.
How to Enable Browser Caching:
Set cache expiration headers in your .htaccess file.
Use a caching plugin (e.g., WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache) for WordPress.
Enable HTTP/2 and Gzip Compression to speed up data transfers.
Example of Browser Caching Code for Apache Servers:
<IfModule mod_expires.c>
ExpiresActive On
ExpiresByType image/jpeg "access plus 1 year"
ExpiresByType image/png "access plus 1 year"
ExpiresByType text/css "access plus 1 month"
ExpiresByType application/javascript "access plus 1 month"
</IfModule>
Minify CSS, JavaScript & HTML to Reduce File Size
Minification removes unnecessary characters (like spaces, comments, and line breaks) from CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files, reducing their size and speeding up loading times.
How to Minify Code:
Use MinifyCSS or CSSNano for CSS files.
Use Terser or UglifyJS for JavaScript.
Install Autoptimize (WordPress plugin) to automate code minification.
Example of Minified CSS Code:
h1{color:#333;font-size:24px}
(This is a compressed version of a normal CSS file without extra spaces.)
Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
A Content Delivery Network (CDN) speeds up loading by distributing website files across multiple global servers, ensuring users receive content from the nearest server.
Best CDN Providers:
Cloudflare (Free & Paid Plans)
Amazon CloudFront
Akamai
BunnyCDN
Benefits of a CDN:
Reduces server response time
Enhances website security against DDoS attacks
Improves global performance, especially for international users
Summary: Best Practices for Site Speed Optimization
Use Google PageSpeed Insights & Core Web Vitals to diagnose performance issues.
Optimize LCP, FID, and CLS to enhance loading speed, interactivity, and stability.
Compress and convert images to WebP, AVIF, or JPEG 2000 for faster load times.
Enable browser caching to reduce reloading delays for returning visitors.
Minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML to decrease file size and boost loading speed.
Implement a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for faster global performance.
Website Security & HTTPS: Protecting Your Site and User Data
Website security is a critical component of technical SEO, as search engines prioritize secure websites in their rankings. Security breaches, data leaks, or a lack of HTTPS encryption can harm both user trust and search performance. Ensuring that your website follows HTTPS best practices protects sensitive data and helps maintain search engine credibility.
Ensure All Pages Are Served Over HTTPS (SSL Certificate)
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is the secure version of HTTP, which encrypts data exchanged between a user's browser and your website. Google has made HTTPS a ranking factor, and browsers like Google Chrome flag non-HTTPS websites as "Not Secure."
Steps to Implement HTTPS:
Purchase and Install an SSL Certificate
Obtain an SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt (free) or paid SSL providers like DigiCert, GlobalSign, or Sectigo.
Most hosting providers offer one-click SSL activation via the control panel.
Redirect HTTP to HTTPS
Ensure all URLs redirect from http:// to https:// using a 301 redirect in the .htaccess file (for Apache servers).
Replace all http:// URLs with https:// in your site’s database, CMS settings, and hardcoded links.
Verify HTTPS in Google Search Console
Re-add your website under Google Search Console as an HTTPS property.
Update your sitemap and robots.txt to reflect HTTPS URLs.
Check for Mixed Content Errors (HTTP Elements on HTTPS Pages)
After migrating to HTTPS, some resources (images, scripts, stylesheets) may still load over HTTP, causing mixed content warnings. This can make pages appear partially insecure, affecting SEO rankings and browser security.
How to Detect Mixed Content Issues
Use Google Chrome DevTools (Ctrl + Shift + I → "Console" tab) to spot HTTP resources.
Run a scan using tools like JitBit SSL Checker, WhyNoPadlock, or Screaming Frog.
Use Google Search Console Security Issues Report to detect HTTPS-related problems.
How to Fix Mixed Content Errors
Update resource URLs: Change http:// to https:// for all images, stylesheets, and scripts in your HTML and CMS settings.
Use relative URLs: Instead of hardcoding http://www.yoursite.com/image.jpg, use relative paths like /image.jpg.
Use a Content Security Policy (CSP): A CSP ensures only HTTPS resources load.
This tells browsers to automatically upgrade HTTP requests to HTTPS, eliminating mixed content issues.
Secure Website Data with Regular Backups & Security Patches
Security threats such as hacking, malware, or server crashes can result in data loss and downtime. Regular backups and security updates help safeguard against potential breaches.
Best Practices for Website Security & Data Protection
Regular Backups
Schedule automatic backups using hosting provider tools or cloud services (UpdraftPlus, VaultPress, or Acronis).
Store backups offsite (Google Drive, Dropbox, or AWS S3) in case of server failure.
Maintain multiple backup versions (daily, weekly, monthly) for quick recovery.
Apply Security Patches & Software Updates
Keep CMS, plugins, and themes updated (WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, etc.).
Remove unused plugins/themes that may have security vulnerabilities.
Enable automatic security updates where possible.
Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF)
A WAF filters malicious traffic before it reaches your website.
Services like Cloudflare, Sucuri, and AWS Shield provide real-time protection against DDoS attacks.
Use Secure Passwords & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Enforce strong password policies (minimum 12+ characters, mix of letters/numbers/symbols).
Enable MFA for admin logins to prevent unauthorized access.
Monitor for Security Breaches
Set up Google Search Console’s Security Issues Report to detect malware.
Use security scanners like Sucuri SiteCheck, Wordfence, or Qualys SSL Labs to identify vulnerabilities.
Additional Security Measures for SEO & Website Integrity
Implement HTTP Security Headers
Security headers protect against cross-site scripting (XSS), clickjacking, and other attacks.
X-XSS-Protection – Protects against cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
Limit Login Attempts & Use CAPTCHA
Implement rate limiting for login pages to prevent brute-force attacks.
Add CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA to prevent bot logins and spam.
Restrict File Uploads & Permissions
Set secure file permissions (644 for files, 755 for directories).
Disable PHP execution in upload folders (.htaccess rule):
<FilesMatch "\.(php|phtml)$">
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
Summary: Best Practices for Website Security & HTTPS
Migrate your website to HTTPS with an SSL certificate and update all internal/external links.
Redirect all HTTP URLs to HTTPS using 301 redirects to maintain SEO rankings.
Fix mixed content issues to prevent browser security warnings.
Regularly back up website data to protect against hacking and server failures.
Keep CMS, plugins, and themes updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
Enable a Web Application Firewall (WAF) for DDoS and malware protection.
Use security headers, CAPTCHA, and login protection to safeguard against attacks.
Structured Data & Schema Markup: Enhancing SEO with Rich Snippets
Structured data and schema markup help search engines understand your content better, leading to enhanced search visibility, rich results, and improved user experience. Implementing schema correctly allows websites to display rich snippets in search results, increasing click-through rates (CTR) and engagement.
What is Structured Data & Schema Markup?
Structured data is a standardized format used to label and classify web content, making it easier for search engines to process and display information in enhanced search results. The most common structured data vocabulary is Schema.org, which helps define different types of content, such as:
Articles & Blogs
Products & E-commerce Pages
Events
Recipes
FAQs & How-To Guides
Local Businesses
Videos & Reviews
By integrating Schema.org markup, websites can enable rich snippets, such as star ratings, product prices, FAQs, and event details, directly in search results.
Example of Schema Markup in Action:
A regular search result looks like this:
Basic Title and Meta Description
Best Digital Marketing Strategies for 2024 - Learn top marketing strategies to boost your online presence and increase revenue.
A rich snippet with schema looks like this:
Enhanced Search Result with Schema Markup
4.9 | 100 Reviews
Best Digital Marketing Strategies for 2025
By MarketingPro | 10-Min Read | Updated Jan 2025
Learn the latest marketing strategies to drive growth, generate leads, and boost conversions.
The rich result grabs more attention and increases CTR by displaying additional structured information.
Implementing Structured Data (Schema.org) for Rich Results
To implement schema markup, you can use JSON-LD, the recommended format by Google.
Example of JSON-LD Schema Markup for an Article:
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Best Digital Marketing Strategies for 2024",
Adds star ratings, reviewer names, and dates to search results, increasing trust and engagement.
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Review",
"itemReviewed": {
"@type": "Product",
"name": "SEO Course 2025"
},
"reviewRating": {
"@type": "Rating",
"ratingValue": "4.8",
"bestRating": "5"
},
"author": {
"@type": "Person",
"name": "Jane Doe"
}
}
</script>
Where to Use Review Schema?
E-commerce product pages
Course or service pages
Business listings
Summary: Best Practices for Schema Markup & Structured Data
Use Schema.org markup to enable rich results in Google Search.
Implement JSON-LD format for easier validation and integration.
Test structured data with Google’s Rich Results Test to avoid errors.
Apply Breadcrumb Schema to improve navigation and increase CTR.
Use additional schema types (FAQ, Reviews, Products) to boost search visibility.
URL Structure & Canonicalization: Optimizing URLs for Better SEO and User Experience
A well-structured URL is not only SEO-friendly but also enhances user experience by making it easy to understand and navigate. Proper canonicalization ensures that search engines recognize the preferred version of a page, preventing duplicate content issues that can dilute SEO value.
Ensuring URLs Are Clean, Descriptive, and SEO-Friendly
A clean URL structure improves crawlability, click-through rates (CTR), and user trust. URLs should be concise, keyword-rich, and readable to both users and search engines.
Best Practices for SEO-Friendly URLs
Keep URLs short and descriptive – Avoid long, unnecessary strings or numbers.
Use hyphens (-) instead of underscores (_) or spaces – Hyphens separate words better for SEO.
Avoid special characters & dynamic parameters – Stick to alphanumeric characters.
By ensuring URLs are structured logically and clearly, search engines can better understand content, and users can easily share and navigate links.
Implementing Canonical Tags to Avoid Duplicate Content Issues
Duplicate content occurs when multiple URLs display identical or nearly identical content, causing search engines to split ranking authority among different versions of the same page.
Canonical tags (rel="canonical") help search engines identify the primary version of a page, consolidating SEO signals and preventing duplicate content issues.
Common Causes of Duplicate Content
URL Variations (e.g., HTTP vs. HTTPS, www vs. non-www)
Tracking Parameters (e.g., ?utm_source=google)
Pagination Issues (/category/page-2/)
Sorting & Filtering Options (?sort=price_asc)
Session IDs in URLs (common in e-commerce)
How to Implement Canonical Tags
Add a <link> tag inside the <head> section of duplicate pages, pointing to the preferred version.
This tells search engines that this is the main URL, preventing duplicate indexing.
How to Detect Duplicate Content Issues
Use Google Search Console (Coverage Report)
Crawl site with Screaming Frog or Ahrefs
Run a site search query in Google: site:example.com "specific content phrase"
If multiple URLs appear with identical content, canonicalization is required.
Maintaining a Logical Site Hierarchy to Enhance User Experience & Searchability
A well-structured site hierarchy improves navigation, crawlability, and indexation. A logical hierarchy ensures that search engines can easily understand website relationships.
Example of an Ideal Site Structure
Home
├── About
├── Blog
│ ├── SEO Tips
│ ├── Content Marketing
│ ├── Social Media Strategy
├── Services
│ ├── SEO
│ ├── PPC Advertising
│ ├── Content Creation
├── Contact
Best Practices for Logical Site Hierarchy
Follow a “pyramid” structure – Broad categories should lead to more specific subcategories and pages.
Ensure important pages are within 3 clicks of the homepage for easy navigation.
Use breadcrumb navigation to help users and search engines understand structure.
Optimize URL paths based on categories and subcategories.
Example of Good URL Hierarchy for an E-commerce Site:
This permanently redirects /old-page to /new-page, preserving SEO value.
Handling URL Parameters & Dynamic URLs
Some websites, especially e-commerce and search-filter-based sites, generate dynamic URLs with query strings (e.g., ?sort=price_asc).
How URL Parameters Affect SEO
Can cause duplicate content issues if multiple URLs display the same product/content.
Can waste crawl budget, as search engines may crawl unnecessary parameter variations.
How to Manage URL Parameters for SEO
Set Preferred URL Parameters in Google Search Console
Navigate to "Legacy Tools" > "URL Parameters"
Specify which parameters should be ignored.
Use Canonical Tags on Parameter-Based URLs
If /shoes?sort=price_asc is a filtered view of /shoes, use: <link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/shoes">
Use robots.txt to Block Unimportant Parameters
Prevent search engines from crawling unnecessary filtered pages. Disallow: /*?sort=
Disallow: /*?color=
Summary: Best Practices for URL Structure & Canonicalization
Use short, clean, and descriptive URLs with relevant keywords.
Implement canonical tags to prevent duplicate content issues.
Maintain a logical site hierarchy for better navigation and indexation.
Use 301 redirects for permanently moved pages.
Manage URL parameters to avoid duplicate versions of the same content.
XML Sitemaps & Internal Linking: Enhancing Website Crawlability & SEO Performance
An XML sitemap and an effective internal linking strategy are essential for SEO success. They help search engines discover, crawl, and index your pages efficiently, improving rankings and user experience. Ensuring proper linking structure prevents pages from being buried too deep, maximizing their visibility.
Generating and Submitting an XML Sitemap via Google Search Console
An XML sitemap is a structured list of all important website URLs, helping search engines identify and prioritize content for crawling and indexing.
Best Practices for XML Sitemaps
Include only indexable pages (no redirects, no noindex pages).
Use absolute URLs instead of relative URLs (https://example.com/page).
Keep sitemap updated automatically when new content is added.
including duplicate or thin content pages.
Ensure the sitemap does not exceed 50,000 URLs (split large sites into multiple sitemaps).
Use proper sitemap file location: /sitemap.xml
How to Create an XML Sitemap
For WordPress: Use Yoast SEO, Rank Math, or All in One SEO to generate a sitemap.
For Shopify/Wix/Squarespace: Sitemaps are generated automatically.
For Custom Sites: Use online tools like XML-Sitemaps.com or generate one manually.
How to Submit an XML Sitemap in Google Search Console
Go to Google Search Console.
Click on “Sitemaps” in the left-hand menu.
Enter your sitemap URL (https://example.com/sitemap.xml).
Click "Submit" and check for errors.
Use the "Coverage" report in Google Search Console to see which pages are indexed and fix any crawl issues.
Optimizing Internal Linking to Improve Navigation & Distribute Link Equity
Internal links connect pages within a website, helping search engines understand content relationships and distribute ranking power (link equity).
Best Practices for Internal Linking
Link to important pages within content (not just navigation menus).
Use keyword-rich anchor text (avoid generic text like “click here”).
Prioritize contextual relevance (link to related pages naturally).
Ensure every page is linked from another page (avoid orphan pages).
Use descriptive anchor text instead of generic terms like "Read More."
Limit the number of links per page (excessive links can confuse users and search engines).
Example of Effective Internal Linking:
"Learn more about [advanced SEO strategies](https://example.com/advanced-seo)."
Internal Linking Strategies for SEO Success
Create a Hub & Spoke Structure: Link related pages to a central pillar page.
Use breadcrumb navigation to reinforce site hierarchy (Home > Blog > SEO Tips).
Interlink older content in new articles to keep them relevant and drive more traffic.
Use a site audit tool (Ahrefs, Screaming Frog) to identify missing or broken internal links.
Example of an Internal Linking Structure for a Blog:
Home > Blog > SEO > Advanced SEO Strategies
This structure helps search engines understand topic relationships and boosts rankings.
Avoiding Deep-Linked Pages (Pages Buried More Than 3-4 Clicks from the Homepage)
Deep-linked pages (pages that take more than 3-4 clicks to reach from the homepage) are harder for search engines to crawl and index.
Why Deep-Linked Pages Hurt SEO
Search engines may struggle to find them due to lack of internal links.
Users may abandon navigation if content is too hard to find.
Link equity is not properly distributed, reducing ranking potential.
How to Fix Deep-Linked Pages
Ensure key pages are accessible within 3 clicks of the homepage.
Use category pages and breadcrumb navigation to reduce link depth.
Include important pages in the main navigation and footer links.
Audit website structure using tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs.
Use internal links to surface important but deeply buried content.
Example of Poor vs. Optimized Link Depth:
Bad Structure (Deep-Linked Page) Home > Category > Subcategory > Product > Specific Feature Page (5 clicks deep)
Optimized Structure (Improved Accessibility) Home > Category > Specific Feature Page (2 clicks deep)
How to Check Link Depth with Screaming Frog:
Run a full website crawl.
Go to Site Structure > Link Depth.
Identify pages buried beyond 3 clicks and adjust internal linking.
Summary: Best Practices for XML Sitemaps & Internal Linking
Generate an XML sitemap and submit it via Google Search Console.
Ensure all important pages are included and free of errors.
Optimize internal linking by linking relevant pages together with keyword-rich anchor text.
Ensure all pages are accessible within 3 clicks from the homepage.
Use breadcrumb navigation and hierarchical site structure for better usability.
Audit internal links with SEO tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and Google Search Console.
Step 2: Addressing Common SEO Audit Challenges
Manual Audits Are Time-Consuming
Manually reviewing every aspect of a website requires expertise and can be overwhelming. Without the right tools, it’s easy to miss critical errors that affect rankings.
Large Websites with Complex Structures
For websites with thousands of pages, maintaining optimal crawl efficiency is a challenge. Pages with dynamic content, JavaScript-driven navigation, or duplicate pages need careful auditing.
Keeping Up with Algorithm Changes
Search engines frequently update their ranking algorithms. SEO professionals must stay informed about updates that impact page experience, mobile usability, and Core Web Vitals.
Identifying Hidden Issues Without Advanced Tools
Manual audits often fail to uncover subtle issues such as:
Crawl budget inefficiencies (e.g., unnecessary redirects or non-indexable pages).
Structured data errors (e.g., incorrect JSON-LD implementation).
Step 3: Using AI to Accelerate SEO Fixes Based on Audit Findings
While AI plays a crucial role in streamlining SEO, it is not a replacement for the foundational tools used to conduct a technical SEO audit. To get the most out of AI, SEO professionals first need to run a comprehensive audit using industry-standard tools like SEMrush, Screaming Frog, and Google Search Console to uncover technical issues.
Once the audit findings are in place, AI can be leveraged to implement fixes faster and more efficiently—automating repetitive tasks, optimizing content, and providing data-driven recommendations.
Matching Audit Findings with AI-Powered Fixes
Duplicate Meta Descriptions & Title Tags
Audit Finding: Meta descriptions and title tags are duplicated across multiple pages, negatively impacting search rankings.
AI-Powered Fix: AI tools can rewrite meta descriptions and title tags to be unique, engaging, and keyword-optimized while maintaining brand tone and consistency.
Example: Before (Duplicate Meta) "Learn more about our services. Contact us today."
After (AI-Generated Unique Meta) "Discover expert SEO services tailored for your business. Get a free consultation today!"
Incorrect or Missing Structured Data
Audit Finding: Schema markup is either missing, incorrectly implemented, or causing validation errors.
AI-Powered Fix: AI can analyze existing structured data, identify errors, and generate correct Schema.org JSON-LD code for search engines to understand content properly.
Example of AI-Generated Fix for FAQ Schema:
json
Copy code
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is SEO?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which helps websites rank higher in search engine results."
}
}
]
}
</script>
AI ensures structured data is correctly formatted and optimized for rich results.
Unoptimized Images (Large File Sizes, Missing Alt Text, Poor Filenames)
Audit Finding: Images are too large, lack descriptive alt text, or use non-optimized filenames, affecting page speed and accessibility.
AI-Powered Fix: AI can compress images without quality loss, generate SEO-friendly file names, and write optimized alt text and captions.
Example of AI-Optimized Fix for an Image:
Before:
Filename: IMG12345.jpg
Alt Text: "image1"
After (AI-Optimized):
Filename: blue-running-shoes-nike.jpg
Alt Text: "Nike blue running shoes with breathable mesh and cushioned sole"
AI speeds up image optimization for SEO and user accessibility.
Slow Page Speed & Performance Issues
Audit Finding: Pages suffer from high load times, inefficient JavaScript execution, and lack browser caching or CDN optimization.
AI-Powered Fix: AI analyzes Core Web Vitals and suggests optimizations, such as minifying JavaScript, enabling lazy loading, and implementing a CDN.
Example AI-Recommended Fix for Page Speed Issues:
Before:
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 4.2s (Too slow)
Unused JavaScript slowing down render time
After (AI-Suggested Fixes):
Optimize images using next-gen formats (WebP, AVIF)
Enable lazy loading for images and videos
Minify JavaScript and CSS to reduce page load time
AI automates speed improvements to enhance both SEO rankings and user experience.
Poor Internal Linking Structure & Orphan Pages
Audit Finding: Key pages have low internal link equity, or some pages are not linked from anywhere (orphan pages).
AI-Powered Fix: AI can analyze website structure and suggest internal linking strategies to distribute authority and improve crawlability.
Example AI-Suggested Internal Links for a Blog Post:
Before: No internal links in an article about "SEO Strategies." After: AI suggests linking to relevant pages:
On-Page SEO Guide
Keyword Research for Beginners
AI enhances internal linking, boosting site structure and SEO performance.
Real-Time Monitoring & SEO Fix Alerts
Audit Finding: Sudden drops in organic traffic, indexing issues, or technical errors detected in Google Search Console.
AI-Powered Fix: AI continuously monitors site performance, detects anomalies, and suggests real-time fixes to prevent ranking drops.
Example AI Alert & Fix Suggestion:
Traffic Drop Alert: "Organic traffic to your top-ranking page dropped by 30% in the last 7 days."
AI Suggestion: "Your page's meta title and description no longer match user intent.
Suggested update: 'Best SEO Strategies for 2025 – Increase Your Rankings Fast!'"
AI automates insights so SEO teams can act faster and stay ahead of competitors.
Summary: AI as an Accelerator, Not a Replacement
AI doesn’t replace SEO audit tools—it enhances the implementation of fixes. The ideal workflow is:
Conduct an SEO Audit using tools like SEMrush, Screaming Frog, and Google Search Console.
Leverage AI to Implement Fixes Faster, such as rewriting meta descriptions, generating Schema markup, compressing images, and improving internal linking.
Continuously Monitor & Adjust SEO Strategies with AI-powered alerts and recommendations.
A strong technical SEO foundation is essential for any website’s long-term success in search rankings. Whether manually auditing or leveraging AI-driven tools, businesses that prioritize crawlability, speed, mobile-friendliness, and structured data will enjoy greater search visibility.
By integrating automation and AI into the SEO workflow, professionals can reduce manual workload, improve accuracy, and stay ahead of algorithm changes. The future of SEO is data-driven, and leveraging AI-powered insights will ensure continuous growth and competitive advantage in an evolving digital landscape.
How Gryffin Transforms SEO Audit Findings into Actionable AI-Powered Fixes
A successful technical SEO audit helps identify areas for optimization, but implementing the necessary fixes can be time-consuming and complex. This is where Gryffin steps in. Rather than just diagnosing SEO issues, Gryffin enables you to automate and accelerate the process of fixing them.
Gryffin’s Approach: Turning SEO Audit Findings into AI-Powered Solutions
Instead of manually handling every meta tag update, structured data error, or image optimization task, Gryffin provides AI-driven templates and automation tools that match the findings from your technical SEO audit.
By integrating audit insights with Gryffin’s automation capabilities, you can generate optimized SEO fixes at scale—saving time and improving performance faster.
AI-Generated Meta Titles & Descriptions
Audit Finding:
Duplicate or missing meta descriptions
Non-optimized or truncated meta titles
How Gryffin Helps:
Gryffin enables you to automatically generate structured data code based on your website’s content. By feeding your audit findings into Gryffin’s AI-powered automation, you can quickly generate the correct Schema markup for product pages, blog posts, events, and FAQs.
Gryffin’s AI Fix:
If your audit reveals a broken or missing FAQ schema, simply input the FAQs into Gryffin, and it will generate the correct JSON-LD code.
Example of AI-Generated Fix for FAQ Schema:
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is SEO?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of improving a website's visibility on search engines like Google."
}
}
]
}
</script>
Gryffin’s AI removes the guesswork, ensuring that your structured data is always correct and optimized for search engines.
Why Use Gryffin to Implement SEO Audit Fixes?
Automated Templates – Pre-built templates match audit findings to the right AI-powered fix.
AI-Driven Efficiency – Speed up implementation of technical SEO improvements.
Scalable SEO Solutions – Fix hundreds of pages at once without manual effort.
Real-Time Monitoring – Stay ahead of SEO issues with instant AI-driven alerts.
Ready to Automate Your SEO Fixes?
With Gryffin, technical SEO audits don’t just reveal problems—they get solved faster. Instead of spending hours fixing issues, Gryffin’s AI-powered automations allow you to implement solutions at scale, ensuring continuous optimization and better search performance.
Start using Gryffin today to turn SEO audit insights into real, actionable results!
