Graduate from "AI-generated headings just don't feel right!" 5 Tips for Creating SEO-Friendly Headings That Captivate Readers

Recently, more and more people are using generative AI to create article heading structures.

"AI is so convenient!"

You think that, so you just toss in some keywords and have it generate them for you.

...Sure, it comes up with headings that look the part.
They even include SEO keywords.

But don't you sometimes feel like they are "uninspiring" headings, or conversely, feel like "
they look interesting, but will search users actually be satisfied with this?"?

Actually, I hit the same wall when I first started using AI for article creation.

Having previously managed media with over 100 writers, I know all too well how important headings are.

I used to be disappointed, thinking, "This just won't work..."

However, I couldn't just give up there.

After more than a year of trial and error...
I have finally started to grasp the tricks to getting AI to create high-quality headings.

Today, I would like to share some simple
prompt tips I discovered after all that trial and error to create "
heading structures that are strong in SEO and capture the reader's heart" using AI.

I think this content will be something that even bloggers and writers who have just started using AI will find helpful!

Please stay with me until the end!

Tip 1: Specifically teach the AI "whose needs and what kind of needs" they are

First, this is the most important thing.
It is to clearly teach the AI "who it is for" and "what kind of information they are looking for."

If you have the AI think of headlines without those premises, it can only return vague answers.

With a human, you might get away with saying "Read the room!", but that doesn't work with AI (laughs).

Therefore, you should include at least the following three things in your prompt.

• Search keywords: Main terms and related terms

• Search intent: Just want to know? Want to solve? Want to buy? (Information gathering type, problem-solving type, etc.)

• Reader profile: What kind of person? A beginner? An expert? (Persona setting)

▼For example, something like this▼

# 見出し構成案を作成してください

## 与える情報
・検索キーワード：「ダイエット 効果的」
・関連キーワード：「痩せる」「運動」「食事」「簡単」「短期間」
・検索意図：問題解決型（効率よく痩せる方法を知りたい）
・読者像：ダイエット初心者の20-30代女性。運動は苦手、できれば楽したい。

Just by conveying this much, the AI's level of understanding will deepen significantly.

Tip 2: Provide a "blueprint" for the article to show the path

Next, you should instruct the "flow" of the entire article, in other words, thestructure.

This also applies when requesting an article from a writer; an article without a solid structure won't be read by readers, no matter how good the information inside is...

So it is exactly the same when having an AI create it.
If you don't provide a solid "blueprint," the AI won't know where it's supposed to be heading.

You should instruct the prompt like this.

• Headline hierarchy: Clarify the relationship between h2 and h3 (e.g., four h2s, with 2-3 h3s for each h2)

• Structure flow: What order to talk in (e.g., problem statement → cause → solution → specific examples)

• Role of headings: Ensuring the general content can be understood just by reading the h2s, etc.

▼ For example, something like this ▼

## 構成の条件
・h2見出しは4つ程度
・各h2の下にh3見出しを2〜3個設置
・h2だけ読んでも記事の全体像がわかる構造
・「3つの〜」のような数字表現を使う場合は、必ず対応するh3を正確にその数だけ設置
・【共感】→【原因】→【解決策】→【実践】の流れで構成してほしい

By providing a concrete "blueprint" like this, AI will be able to create logical and easy-to-understand heading structures.

Tip 3: Give specific instructions on "where to place" SEO keywords

AI is good at creating natural sentences, but keyword placement with SEO in mind is still difficult unless you give clear instructions.

However, if you just say "stuff the keywords in!", it tends to result in headings that look mechanical and turn readers away.

Therefore, instruct it to maintain naturalness while using effective placement.

• Keyword placement: Place the main keyword somewhere in the h2, and scatter related keywords in the h3s

• Naturalness: Don't overstuff keywords; keep it in natural Japanese!

• Numerical expressions: Use numbers like "X selections" or "X tips" effectively, without overusing them.

▼ For example, something like this ▼

## SEO・キーワード指示
・メインキーワード「ダイエット 効果的」をいずれかのh2見出し（できれば先頭）に含める
・関連キーワード（痩せる、運動、食事など）をh3見出しに自然に分散させる
・キーワードは無理やり詰め込まず、日本語として自然な流れで使うこと
・数字表現（「5つの方法」など）は記事全体で1〜2箇所、効果的な場面で使う

It's like handing over a recipe with a "secret ingredient" in this way.
This will bring you much closer to having headings that are also strong in SEO.

Tip 4: Have the AI think of expressions that pique the reader's interest

No matter how perfect it is for SEO, if the headings are mediocre, no one will read it.

Let's have AI think of compelling expressions that draw out the reader's desire to read!

Depending on your instructions, AI can also come up with properly creative expressions.

The key is to specifically convey what kind of expressions you want it to use.

• Expression patterns: Questions (Why? How to?), numbers (3 tips, 2x effectiveness), benefits (you'll be able to...), etc.

• Emotional appeal: Words that empathize with the reader's struggles (can't keep up with exercise, dieting is tough...), or words that tickle anticipation and curiosity.

• Call to action: Words like "Start today" or "Easy!"

▼For example, something like this▼

## 表現の指示
・読者の好奇心を刺激する疑問形（「なぜ〜？」「どうすれば〜？」）を使って
・具体的な数字や成果を示す表現（「3週間で」「マイナス3kg」など）を盛り込んで
・読者の悩み「運動ギライ」「食事制限ツライ」に共感する表現を入れて
・行動を促す言葉（「今日から始める」「簡単習慣」）も使ってみて

If you give instructions up to this point, AI should be able to create quite human-like, click-worthy headlines.

Tip 5: Give instructions to adjust the output for readability

Don't you find that AI suggestions are sometimes a bit long or use difficult technical jargon?

As a final touch, let's ask the AI to make adjustments from the perspective of readability.

Most people read articles on their smartphones these days, right? That's why it's extremely important for headlines to be
instantly understandable at a glance.

• Character count: Keep headlines short! Around 30 characters.

• Wording: Avoid difficult words so that even beginners can understand.

• Smartphone awareness: Put important words at the beginning so the content is understood at a glance.

• Consistency: Ensure the overall tone doesn't feel disjointed.

▼ For example, like this ▼

## 読みやすさのルール
・各見出しは30文字以内に収める
・専門用語は使わず、中学生でもわかるような簡単な言葉で
・スマホで流し読みしても意味がわかるように、重要なキーワードは前半に
・見出し全体のトーン＆マナー（文体、丁寧さなど）を統一する

By adding this final "little extra effort," the quality of the headings AI generates should improve significantly.

Summary: Make AI your ally and create heading structures efficiently!

Generative AI is truly convenient, but if you just "leave it all to the AI," you won't unlock its true potential.

The key is not just telling the AI "what" you want it to create, but also "
how" you want it created, by communicating specifically and carefully.

Based on my experience running media, it feels almost the same as commissioning an article from a writer.

Of course, it might be difficult to write the perfect prompt from the start.

Try it out little by little, observe the AI's reactions, and get a feel for
"Oh, so that's how I should phrase it to get through!"

The important thing is not to leave everything to the AI. And
to keep trying and experimenting without giving up.

AI is not a magic wand, but depending on how you use it, it can become the
best "partner" that powerfully supports your writing.

Please enjoy the "dialogue" with AI and create your own wonderful articles.

I'm rooting for you!

✅ Click here for Poke-Go's content