How to Use Squarespace’s SEO and AIO Tools to Boost Your Website’s Visibility

Written By Kirstie Pallier

Optimising your website for search engines is critical for driving traffic and growing your online presence. Squarespace’s AI-powered SEO and Artificial Intelligence Optimisation (AIO) tools simplify this process, making it accessible for business owners and creators without technical expertise. This blog walks you through how to use these tools effectively, with a focus on the importance of meta titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text for enhancing your site’s visibility and accessibility.

Why SEO and AIO Matter

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) improves your website’s ranking on traditional search engines like Google by optimising content, keywords, and metadata. Artificial Intelligence Optimisation (AIO) goes further, ensuring your site is discoverable in AI-driven search results, such as those powered by chatbots or voice assistants. Together, they increase your site’s chances of being found by potential customers.

Key elements like meta titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text play a pivotal role:

  • Meta Titles: These are the clickable headlines displayed in search results, summarising your page’s content. A clear, keyword-rich meta title (under 60 characters) boosts click-through rates and signals relevance to search engines.

  • Meta Descriptions: These concise summaries (up to 160 characters) appear below the meta title in search results, enticing users to visit your site. They should include target keywords and a compelling call-to-action.

  • Image Alt Text: Descriptive text for images improves accessibility for visually impaired users and helps search engines understand your visuals, enhancing SEO and AIO performance.

By leveraging Squarespace’s AI-powered tools, you can optimise these elements efficiently, saving time while maximising impact.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Squarespace’s SEO/AIO Tools

Here’s how to harness Squarespace’s SEO and AIO features to optimise your website:

1. Access the SEO/AIO Tools

  • Log into your Squarespace dashboard.

  • Navigate to SEO/AIO under “Website” to access the SEO Report.

  • This report highlights pages and images missing meta titles, meta descriptions, or alt text, giving you a clear starting point.

2. Optimise Meta Titles and Descriptions with AI

  • From the SEO Report, click Improve with AI.

  • Squarespace’s AI will analyse your page content and brand identity to generate optimised meta titles and descriptions.

  • Review and Edit: AI suggestions are a starting point. Ensure titles are under 60 characters and include your target keyword (e.g., “Watercolor Paintings for Sale | Jane’s Art Studio”). For descriptions, keep them under 160 characters, engaging, and keyword-focused (e.g., “Discover vibrant watercolor paintings at Jane’s Art Studio. Shop now!”).

  • If the suggestions don’t align with your brand, click Regenerate or edit manually to reflect your voice and goals.

  • Save your changes to apply them across your site.

3. Add Image Alt Text with AI

  • In the SEO Report, identify images missing alt text.

  • Click Improve with AI to generate descriptive alt text for each image.

  • Review and Refine: Ensure alt text is concise, descriptive, and includes relevant keywords (e.g., “Red watercolor floral painting by Jane’s Art Studio”). This boosts both SEO and accessibility for screen readers.

  • Edit or regenerate as needed, then save to update your images.

4. Leverage AIO for AI-Driven Discoverability

  • Squarespace’s AIO tools optimise content for AI search engines, which prioritise context and user intent over traditional keyword matching.

  • Ensure your site has robust content (text, headings, and images) to give the AI more data to work with, resulting in better suggestions.

  • Regularly update your Brand Identity (found in supported text areas under the three-circle icon) to align AI-generated content with your business tone and goals.

5. Maintain Ongoing Optimisation

  • SEO and AIO are not one-time tasks. Revisit the SEO Report whenever you add new pages or images to ensure all metadata and alt text are optimised.

  • Use tools like Google Search Console to submit your sitemap (yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml) and request indexing for new or updated pages.

  • Consider third-party plugins like SEOspace for additional guidance on keyword placement and broken link detection.

Best Practices for Success

  • Be Specific: Provide detailed prompts in the AI writer (accessible via the three-circle icon in text areas) to generate more accurate content.

  • Review Everything: AI-generated content is a draft. Always edit meta titles, descriptions, and alt text to match your brand voice and target keywords.

  • Keep It Concise: Meta titles (under 60 characters) and descriptions (under 160 characters) must be short yet impactful to avoid truncation in search results.

  • Prioritise Accessibility: Descriptive alt text not only boosts SEO but also ensures your site is inclusive for all users.

  • Stay Consistent: Regularly update your Brand Identity settings to maintain cohesive AI-generated content across your site.

Why Meta Titles, Descriptions, and Alt Text Are Critical

  • Improved Rankings: Search engines use meta titles and descriptions to understand page content, directly impacting your ranking for relevant keywords.

  • Higher Click-Through Rates: Compelling meta titles and descriptions entice users to click, increasing traffic. For example, a meta description like “Shop handcrafted jewelry at Sarah’s Boutique” is more inviting than a generic one.

  • AI Discoverability: AIO ensures your content is optimised for AI-driven platforms, which rely heavily on structured metadata and contextual cues like alt text.

  • Accessibility: Alt text makes your site usable for visually impaired visitors, aligning with ethical web design practices and boosting SEO.

  • Time Efficiency: Squarespace’s AI tools automate these tasks, saving you hours while delivering professional results.

Final Thoughts

Squarespace’s SEO and AIO tools empower you to optimise your website with ease, ensuring it ranks higher and reaches more customers. By focusing on meta titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text, you can enhance both traditional search visibility and AI-driven discoverability. Regular updates and careful review of AI suggestions will keep your site performing at its best.

We’re excited to partner with you to create a website that not only looks stunning but also drives real results. Start optimising your Squarespace site today and watch your visibility soar!

Kirstie Pallier

I’m Kirstie Pallier, the heart and hands behind BYKP Website Design, a boutique studio where I’ve brought over 400 websites to life for brands across diverse industries. My passion lies in crafting custom, conversion-focused websites on Squarespace and Shopify that don’t just look beautiful but work hard to elevate your online presence.

With years of experience, I approach each project uniquely—blending strategic insight, clean design, and technical precision. Whether it’s a full website build, a seamless eCommerce store, or custom code for that perfect touch, I’m dedicated to creating digital experiences that align with your goals, prioritise user experience, and reflect modern, accessible aesthetics.

I believe a website is your digital storefront, inviting and built to perform. My client-first approach ensures we collaborate closely to turn your vision into a reality that engages and converts.

https://www.bykp.com.au