In This Article
SurferSEO vs BrandWell. I want to choose one. But I’ve been struggling.
I’m always on the lookout for SEO AI writing tools to streamline my content creation process and help my content rank higher in search.
I’ve been using both SurferSEO and BrandWell for a while now, and honestly, the thought of juggling two SEO platforms wasn’t ideal.
But could I really get everything I need from just one? To figure that out, I decided to do a deep-dive comparison of SurferSEO vs. BrandWell, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses across various key features.
SurferSEO vs BrandWell Comparison Table
| Feature | SurferSEO | Brandwell (Content at Scale) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content Audit | Full-site audit with Google Search Console (GSC) integration. Pulls data from all articles, not just those created in Surfer. | Does a complete audit, but it takes time. GSC is integrated for articles written in Brandwell only. | SurferSEO is better for auditing existing sites with many articles. Brandwell is more focused on content created within its platform. |
| Content Optimization | One-click optimization directly in SurferSEO or through WordPress plugin. AI suggestions for keyword integration, internal linking. | “Refresh” updates stats and links. “Rewrite” recreates articles with updated keywords. External links are automatically generated from client network. | Brandwell offers more natural-sounding AI writing, while SurferSEO’s AI requires more human supervision for content that doesn’t sound robotic . |
| Keyword & Topic Research | Deep, data-heavy research ideal for SEO professionals. Detailed SERP and keyword data. | User-friendly interface designed for content marketers who need intuitive keyword suggestions without being overwhelmed by data. | SurferSEO is more technical, whereas Brandwell is better for content marketers needing practical and intuitive keyword insights . |
| AI Writing Quality | Good, but AI needs careful editing for tone and style. Lacks a customizable training feature for personalized content. | Customizable AI trained with your tone and style. Combines multiple AI models for more human-like content. | Brandwell excels in creating more human-like, polished content, while SurferSEO’s AI is more mechanical and requires frequent edits. |
| Internal Linking | Excellent auto-linking feature that inserts internal links with one click. | No internal linking feature. Requires manual linking. | SurferSEO’s internal linking is more advanced and automated, whereas Brandwell lacks this function . |
| Backlinking | Provides a backlink analysis tool, but manual outreach is required. | Automatic backlinking from Brandwell’s client network, creating natural links without manual outreach. | Brandwell’s automatic backlink generation is a major advantage, saving time on manual outreach. |
| Writing & Publishing | Integrates with WordPress for seamless optimization. Word count limitations based on subscription tier (e.g., 300k characters/month). | Can publish directly to WordPress. Fewer limitations, especially in higher tiers. | SurferSEO may have more limitations depending on your subscription, while Brandwell is better for high-volume publishing . |
| Ease of Use | More technical, better suited for SEO professionals who prefer detailed analytics and data-heavy interfaces. | Designed for content marketers with a focus on simplicity and usability. Easy to navigate and intuitive. | SurferSEO can overwhelm users with data, whereas Brandwell is more user-friendly . |
| Best For | SEO experts who want to optimize their entire site and dive deep into SERP data. | Content marketers looking for AI writing assistance and easy-to-use keyword research tools. | Choose SurferSEO for data-heavy SEO tasks, and Brandwell if you prioritize content creation and ease of use . |
Content Audit: Uncovering Hidden Gems in Your Existing Content
Every content creator knows the struggle of reviving older content and giving it a much-needed SEO boost. For me, an effective content audit tool should quickly identify low-hanging fruit within hundreds of existing articles.
SurferSEO’s Audit: A Data-Driven Approach to Content Optimization
SurferSEO takes a data-driven approach by connecting directly to Google Search Console. This gives it a significant edge by pulling data for every single article on my website, not just the ones I crafted using SurferSEO. This is HUGE for getting a complete picture of your website’s content performance.
What impressed me the most was SurferSEO’s knack for highlighting articles with the highest potential. These are like hidden gems — posts primed for optimization that could significantly boost my search rankings.
BrandWell’s Content Audit: Insights from Within the Platform
BrandWell’s content analysis focuses primarily on content created within its platform. Now, it will crawl your entire site, but this will take time, especially if you have hundreds or thousands of articles on your site.
Although the insights into my BrandWell-generated articles are helpful.
BrandWell’s user interface is really simple and easy to understand. You can see how many articles need your immediate attention, how many need to be refreshed with the latest statistics and updates, and how many are optimized.
Since BrandWell is connected to your WordPress site, you can update content inside the platform (on BrandWell) and once you save, it will update your article.
I’m honesty finding this experience wonky. Often in creates duplicate articles for me, so I’m clearly not doing something right. Like most platforms, if you’re starting from scratch, it is a simple process, if you are adding BrandWell as a tool, be very careful as you update old content and make sure that you’re not creating duplicate posts.
Optimizing Content: Breathing New Life into Old Posts with SurferSEO vs. BrandWell
Keeping content fresh is important, and I needed a tool that could enhance the quality and ranking potential of my articles. Both SurferSEO and BrandWell have unique approaches to optimization, making this a close call in the SurferSEO vs. BrandWell showdown.
Effortless Optimization with SurferSEO’s Content Editor and AI
SurferSEO impressed me with its intuitive WordPress plugin, allowing me to optimize content directly within my website’s backend. Imagine: just a click of a button opens the SurferSEO Content Editor, revealing key metrics like SERP position, views, and clicks for that specific article.
Having that data front and center as I optimize is invaluable. SurferSEO’s “Auto Optimize” button became a game-changer in my workflow. This AI writing assistant seamlessly weaves relevant keywords throughout my articles, maximizing ranking potential.
Of course, I always review the suggestions; after all, AI still has its quirks and sometimes leans a bit too heavily on keywords. Another lifesaver is the “Insert Links” feature. A few clicks and SurferSEO intelligently sprinkles in internal links. This boosts my website’s SEO authority and helps readers discover more of my awesome content.
Streamlining Content Updates with BrandWell’s In-Platform Options
Optimizing existing content in BrandWell is super easy. They’ve got two key functions: “Refresh” and “Rewrite.”
Refresh is your go-to for quickly updating statistics and links within an article — think of it as a quick touch-up. Then there’s “Rewrite,” which recreates an entire article.
It’s great for a complete overhaul, and the platform lets you store the older version, just in case you need it down the road.
Keyword and Topic Research: Finding the Content Goldmines with SurferSEO vs. BrandWell
This is where my content strategy takes shape. Keyword and topic research is the heart of any successful content marketing strategy. It’s about understanding what my audience is searching for and aligning my content with their needs.
BrandWell’s User-Friendly Keyword Research: A Content Marketer’s Dream
BrandWell’s keyword research tool is designed with content marketers like me in mind. Seriously, it’s incredibly user-friendly, presenting all the information I need in a clear, easy-to-understand format. Their generosity with the research allowance seals the deal; I can dive deep into countless keyword possibilities.
BrandWell understands that crafting content that resonates with your audience starts with understanding their search intent and the language they use. This understanding is evident in BrandWell’s intuitive design and features, making it easy to pinpoint those golden keywords that drive traffic and engagement.
SurferSEO’s In-Depth SERP Analysis: Data for Days
SurferSEO targets DIY SEO tools, and it shows in their intensely technical keyword research. For experienced SEO professionals, this granular data is gold.
As someone who leans more towards content marketing, BrandWell’s interface just clicks better with my workflow.
AI for SEO and Content: Humanizing Your Content
AI content creation tools have exploded, which means it’s easier than ever to spot robotic, lifeless content from a mile away. This is where the “human” touch becomes super important in the SurferSEO vs. BrandWell debate. It’s not just about generating text; it’s about creating content that embodies my brand voice and engages my readers.
Training for a More Human Touch: Customization with BrandWell
For me, one of the standout features of BrandWell is its commitment to training their AI to write content that doesn’t scream “robot.” It’s all about customization and giving the AI a healthy dose of your brand personality. The platform encourages users to “train” their AI engine by feeding it original content samples, teaching it the nuances of their writing style and preferences.
This upfront investment pays off with consistently high-quality content that sounds like a human wrote it.
SurferSEO: AI Assistance with Room for Refinement
While SurferSEO leverages the power of AI for its optimization features, I noticed that the AI’s output requires more hands-on refinement. Its strength lies in suggesting relevant keywords. Don’t get me wrong, SurferSEO’s AI can whip up an initial draft quickly, which is a time-saver, but prepare to spend a bit more time fine-tuning the article for voice, tone, and natural flow to align with your brand’s voice.
The Verdict: Choosing the Right Tool (or Tools) for the Job
So, after putting both SurferSEO and BrandWell through their paces, did I manage to crown a single winner? To be honest, my experience mirrors so many other creators out there — I found myself relying on both platforms for different reasons. They each have unique strengths that complement my content strategy.
I gravitate towards BrandWell for its keyword research, AI content creation prowess (it really nails the human-like quality.), and seamless integration into my content marketing workflow. SurferSEO, with its detailed SERP analysis, comprehensive site audits, and content optimization tools, shines when I want to dig into data and fine-tune for SEO.
If you’re like me — someone who appreciates data-driven insights and AI-powered efficiency, especially on a larger site — trying out a combination might be the perfect solution. You may discover that a blended approach unlocks a whole new level of content marketing magic.
FAQs
Does BrandWell offer a FREE trial?
BrandWell currently offers a 7-Day free trial. So you can give the platform a good test before you invest.
Does SurferSEO offer a FREE trial?
Not exactly. SurferSEO offers a 7-Day money back guarantee if you don’t see results. Now, I’m not exactly sure what they mean by this. You might assume that it means that your article ranks — but I wouldn’t go that far because that’s really hard to do. Instead, think of this is a 7-day money back guarantee. Try it for 7 days and if you don’t like it, you’ll get your money back.
Conclusion
Navigating the SurferSEO vs. BrandWell decision ultimately comes down to your priorities and work style. Whether you choose just one platform or embrace a blended approach like myself, remember: the most successful content strategy starts with truly understanding your audience and crafting valuable, engaging content.