This playbook will guide you through setting up a custom ChatGPT that connects with real-time SEO data, allowing you to generate comprehensive keyword research plans in minutes.
This approach can save hundreds of dollars and hours compared to traditional SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush and provides actionable insights instead of guesses. Whether you are a small business owner or an agency, this method offers a conversational interface to flesh out entire SEO strategies.
Here are the steps to build your custom keyword research assistant:
Step 1: Meet the Prerequisites
You’ll need an account with DataForSEO, which you can sign up for free. You must also have a paid ChatGPT account to create custom GPTs.
Step 2: Create Your Custom GPT
Open ChatGPT and navigate to “GPTs.” Select “Create” and give your custom GPT a name, such as Keyword Expert Example. In the capabilities section, ensure that “Code Interpreter and Data Analysis” is enabled.
Step 3: Add Custom Actions with the DataForSEO JSON File
Click “Create new actions.” Access the DataForSEO GitHub repository. Locate the “DataForSEO researcher toolkit” JSON file. Copy the entire JSON file content and paste it into the schema section of your custom GPT’s actions. This grants your GPT access to keyword research-related API calls.
Step 4: Configure API Key Authentication
Under “Authentication type,” select “API key.” You’ll need to encrypt your API credentials. We recommend using a Base64 encryptor (for example, one created with Claude). Once encrypted, enter your API key details to secure the connection.
Step 5: Test Your Custom GPT
With authentication configured, test your new GPT by running a keyword query. For example, ask it to generate a keyword plan for “AI tools for small business.” The GPT should return real-time keyword data, search volumes, difficulty scores, and related queries pulled directly from DataForSEO.
Step 6: Build SEO Strategies Conversationally
Once tested, you can interact with your custom GPT just as you would with a human SEO consultant. Ask it to expand keyword clusters, identify long-tail opportunities, generate competitor comparisons, or even recommend content outlines—all within a conversational workflow.
Final Thoughts
By integrating DataForSEO into ChatGPT, you can automate keyword research at a fraction of the cost of traditional tools. The combination of real-time data and natural conversation makes SEO planning faster, cheaper, and more accessible.