Natural language processing (NLP) is a field of computer science and artificial intelligence that focuses on enabling computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language.

When you're building a website, NLP is typically behind the scenes simplifying things. Think about those AI-powered website builders that can take a few sentences from you and turn them into website content. Or chatbots that seem to respond to your questions directly. That's NLP at work, making websites appear smarter and more useful.

How natural language processing works

NLP blends linguistics (the study of language), machine learning (algorithms that learn from data), and good old computer science. Here’s what it involves.

• Text preprocessing. This involves breaking down words into smaller pieces, figuring out what role each word plays in a sentence (like noun or verb), and understanding the grammatical structure.
• Language modeling. Machines learn to predict what words usually go together and how sentences are typically structured.
• Semantic analysis. This is about going beyond just the words themselves to grasp the intended message.
• Text generation. Enabling computers to generate responses or even entire pieces of writing that sound natural.

On websites, NLP might be working behind the scenes to:

• Automatically write catchy headlines, informative product descriptions, or behind-the-scenes SEO tags.
• Power those smart search bars that seem to know exactly what you're looking for, even if you don't type it perfectly.
• Let you use voice commands or fill out forms more easily with smart suggestions.

Examples of natural language processing in action

• AI website builders (like B12). These platforms use NLP to take your basic ideas and generate entire sections of your website, from introductions to service details and even those helpful FAQ sections.
• Chatbots. Many websites use chatbots powered by NLP to have real conversations with visitors, answering questions in real-time without needing a human agent.
• Content suggestions. NLP can analyze your existing content and suggest new blog topics or even help you rewrite things to improve the tone, grammar, or how well it ranks in search engines.

FAQs about natural language processing

What is natural language processing used for in websites?

It helps generate content, makes search smarter, powers chatbots for instant support, and generally makes websites easier to interact with using natural language.

How does NLP improve the website-building process?

It speeds things up by turning your written ideas into website content, suggesting layouts, and even helping create entire pages. It also improves the experience for your visitors with smarter search and better support.

Is NLP the same as AI?

Not exactly. NLP is a specific area within the broader field of artificial intelligence. While AI is about making machines intelligent in many ways, NLP focuses specifically on their ability to understand and use human language.

Can I use NLP tools without coding?

Absolutely! Many modern website platforms have NLP tools built right in. You just describe what you need, and the tool helps you write content or answer questions based on your input, all without needing to write any code.

Build a smarter website with B12

Let NLP do the heavy lifting. B12’s AI-powered website builder helps you draft content, communicate with customers, and build a website that feels human. Try it today and see how natural language processing can make your site smarter.