Cursor
AI DevelopmentAI-native code editor for building SEO tools
Overview
Cursor is an AI-native code editor built specifically for developers who want to ship code faster. Founded in 2023 by former OpenAI researchers, it's designed around the premise that AI should be deeply integrated into the coding experience, not bolted on as an afterthought. While general-purpose, Cursor has gained significant traction among SEO practitioners who need to build custom tools, scrapers, and automation scripts.
The editor combines traditional IDE functionality with advanced AI capabilities that understand your entire codebase. Unlike GitHub Copilot, which provides suggestions line-by-line, Cursor can generate entire functions, modify multiple files simultaneously, and answer questions about complex codebases. This makes it particularly valuable for SEO professionals who need to quickly prototype tools or integrate data from multiple sources.
Cursor's AI models are trained on vast amounts of code and can handle everything from simple data processing scripts to complex web applications. The editor supports all major programming languages but excels with Python and JavaScript — the two languages most commonly used in SEO tool development.
Key features
AI Code Generation
Generate complete Python scripts, JavaScript functions, and SQL queries with natural language prompts. Built specifically for developers who need to ship code fast.
Predictive Editing
Autocompletes entire functions and code blocks as you type. Learns from your coding patterns to suggest contextually relevant code snippets.
Codebase Chat
Ask questions about your entire project and get answers that reference multiple files. Understands relationships between different parts of your SEO tool stack.
Multi-File Editing
Apply changes across multiple files simultaneously. Essential for building comprehensive SEO dashboards or updating scraper configurations.
Terminal Integration
AI can suggest and execute terminal commands directly within the editor. Streamlines deployment and package management for SEO tools.
Python REPL
Built-in Python environment for testing data processing scripts and API calls. Perfect for validating SEO data transformations before deployment.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | AI completions, basic AI chat, unlimited local usage |
| Pro | $20/month | Fast AI, unlimited AI chat, premium AI models, private usage analytics |
| Business | $40/month | Centralized billing, admin usage analytics, enforced privacy mode, OpenAI zero data retention |
FAQ
Can Cursor help build custom SEO scrapers?
Yes, Cursor excels at generating Python scraping scripts using libraries like BeautifulSoup, Scrapy, and Selenium. The AI understands common scraping patterns and can help handle rate limiting, proxies, and data extraction.
Does Cursor work with SEO APIs like Ahrefs or Semrush?
Cursor can generate API integration code for all major SEO platforms. It understands authentication patterns, rate limits, and data structures for tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Google Search Console.
Is Cursor better than GitHub Copilot for SEO development?
Cursor provides a more integrated experience with chat functionality and codebase awareness that GitHub Copilot lacks. However, Copilot works in any editor while Cursor requires using their specific editor.
Can I build SEO dashboards with Cursor?
Yes, Cursor can generate complete dashboard applications using frameworks like Streamlit, Dash, or React. It's particularly strong at creating data visualization components for SEO metrics.
How does Cursor handle data processing for large SEO datasets?
Cursor can generate optimized pandas code for processing large CSV exports from SEO tools. It understands memory-efficient techniques and can suggest appropriate data structures for different use cases.
Review Sentiment
20 reviews across 1 source
Bottom line
A free tool that actually delivers: Cursor stands out for AI-powered code completion with deep codebase awareness that provides. The trade-off is subscription pricing is considered expensive, but at zero cost it's a must-have for developers.
People love
- +AI-powered code completion with deep codebase awareness that provides accurate, context-aware suggestions 70-80% of the time
- +Natural language editing and multi-file refactoring capabilities that feel like pair programming with an expert developer
- +Significant productivity boost with fast code generation that streamlines complex application development
Common complaints
- –Subscription pricing is considered expensive relative to free alternatives like GitHub Copilot's basic tier
- –Suggestions can be off-target for highly specialized or complex code, requiring careful review and manual corrections
- –Can slow down when handling very large repositories with limited customization options for prompt tuning
Last updated Feb 2026