What Are AI Tokens?
Grants, packs, and what they power (2026)
Definition
AI Tokens are Keyword Tool Dominator's spendable balance for AI-assisted keyword discovery and content packaging. They are not the same as daily autocomplete search limits on Google, Amazon, YouTube, and other sources.
Key takeaways
- AI Tokens power Dominator, Intents, Super, Clustering, and the Article Generator.
- Live autocomplete research on each seed uses plan search limits, not AI Tokens.
- Free signup includes a one-time starter grant; plans and packs add more.
Think of tokens as fuel for AI proposals and structured drafts. Autocomplete remains the source of truth once seeds enter the unified keyword search queue.
AI Tokens vs plan searches
Two meters run in parallel:
- AI Tokens - charged when AI expands seeds, clusters themes, or builds an article package.
- Plan search limits - charged when live autocomplete researches a seed on a keyword source (platform tools and queue processing).
On-page demos for AI Keyword Dominator and Super Keyword Tool stay free (0 AI Tokens). After you queue real seeds, processing them still follows your daily search limits per source. Free accounts can process a small number of queue seeds per source per day; higher plans raise those caps.
Platform tools such as Google, Amazon, Bing, and eBay never debit AI Tokens for a normal autocomplete run. Classic research modes (Question, Longtail, Comparison, Preposition, Product) also use search limits only.
What burns AI Tokens
Current costs (product constants as of August 2026):
- AI Keyword Dominator - 5 AI Tokens per AI Keyword Search (~25 seeds into the queue). Guide: AI Keyword Dominator.
- AI Intents Keyword Tool - 5 AI Tokens per run (intent modifiers plus related AI seeds). Guide: AI Intents.
- Super Keyword Tool - 10 AI Tokens per full run; Max plan required. Guide: Super Keyword Tool.
- Keyword Clustering - 1 AI Token per 10 input keywords (minimum 1). Guide: Keyword Clustering.
- AI Article Generator - 1 AI Token per 10 keywords (minimum 1); long-length drafts use a 2x multiplier. Guide: AI Article Generator.
Optional speed boosts on research jobs can spend additional AI Tokens so incomplete queue batches finish faster. Refunds apply when a paid AI action fails before useful output lands.
Grants, packs, and claim
Starter grant
Create a free account and claim 25 AI Tokens once. That is enough for about 5 Dominator or Intents runs at 5 tokens each. Signup also unlocks saved keyword lists, CSV export, and extra free searches that day on the source you are researching.
Plan grants
One-time plans include larger AI Token grants (Plus 50, Pro 100, Max 250) plus higher daily search limits. Compare options on pricing. Super Keyword Tool full runs need Max.
Token packs
Buy additional AI Tokens anytime from the dashboard token store when a grant runs low. Packs top up the same balance used by Dominator, Intents, Super, clustering, and article generation.
No credit card is required to claim the free starter grant. Upgrade or buy packs only when you need more capacity.
How tokens fit the research workflow
- Spend AI Tokens to discover seeds (Dominator, Intents, or Super).
- Validate every seed with live autocomplete in the unified keyword search queue (plan searches).
- Save winners to a saved keyword list, then cluster and draft with more AI Tokens.
- Polish length and density with free utilities (no AI Tokens).
For the full path, read the AEO content workflow. Prefer ask-intent research without spending tokens? Start with the Question Keyword Tool.
Related Learn guides
AEO content workflow · Saved keyword lists · Research tools overview · Dominator · AI Intents · Super · Clustering · Article Generator · Keyword Score
Claim free AI Tokens
Sign up and claim 25 AI Tokens, or browse AI Keyword Tools and try the free Dominator demo (0 tokens).