Is keyword research even useful now that AI is taking over?

Here’s my take: Keyword research is still useful, just not in the old-school “exact match” way. AI is changing search, but Google still needs keywords to understand intent. The real shift is that you have to think more about topics and search behavior instead of just stuffing in keywords. These days, it’s more about understanding **how** people search. Long-tail queries, intent-based topics, and using tools like Google Search Console, People Also Ask, and even Reddit can give you way better insights. AI might generate quick answers, but solid, well-optimized content still ranks. So yeah, keyword research isn’t dead—it’s just evolved. That’s my take, and I’d love to hear yours!