Searching for answers online doesn’t look the same anymore. Thanks to AI, we’re no longer just typing a few keywords and hoping Google figures it out. Search engines and large language models have gotten smarter, and we’ve gotten way more conversational.
In fact, the way we search has shifted so much, it’s kind of like talking to a friend. And if you’re running a business, it’s time to start thinking differently about how people are finding you online. What used to be search engine optimization Is now adapted SEO and is now called artificial intelligence optimization, AIO.
Here’s what you need to know from our trusted digital marketing and AIO company!
We Don’t “Google” Like We Used To
Remember when you’d type something like “furnace repair near me” and click the first few results? That used to be the norm. Short search phrases, fast, and to the point. Fingers crossed that the results provided were the most relative to your search and had all the answers needed to make a decision.
But now? We’re saying things like:
“Who’s the best furnace repair company near me that offers a new client discount, has at least 4.5 stars, is close by, and supports local causes I care about?”
That’s a whole different vibe.
We’re not just looking for a service; we’re hunting for the right fit. Someone who’s close, trustworthy, and aligns with our values.
It’s a big change. And it’s all thanks to AI stepping in and making search engines more conversational, intuitive, and, dare we say, more human.
We don’t have to do our own research anymore. Let’s let AI do it for us! Faster, better, and more thoroughly than we have the time to do ourselves.
So, Why Should You Care?
If you’re a business owner, marketing director, or even a digital marketing company in Santa Rosa (nerds like us!), this shift matters. It means your website and content need to keep up with how people are actually searching. And even more so, understanding what signals AI is using to answer questions. Because let’s face it, you want to be the authority in your field or industry!
Short, generic keywords just won’t cut it anymore. Today’s searches are more like full-blown questions, even conversations! And your users, fans, and prospects are looking for personalized answers.
- Short-tail keywords (like “marketing agency”) are fading out. Dead like Elvis; we miss him but gone!
- Long-tail, natural-sounding questions (like “who’s the best marketing agency near me that specializes in small businesses?”) are the new norm.
- Search engines are becoming answer engines, and they’re favoring helpful, structured, well-written content. Content that answers real questions that real people are asking, in real time. Articles that solve problems. Blogs that teach us amazing things. Videos that help us “fix” things. Relative is the new norm.
AI Optimization: More Than Just a Buzzword
We’re entering the era of Generative Search Optimization. Yep, GSO. Or is it called AIO, Artificial Intelligence Optimization? Who knows right now, but we know this:
AI is constantly scanning for the most relevant, helpful, and well-organized content to serve as answers to user questions.
And you want to be the authority. The organization that everyone turns to when they need someone like you.
And content? It’s still the MVP.
If your content is solid, informative, and answers real questions people are asking, you’re already ahead. But it’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it and how you structure it.
That means:
- Writing consistently and with authority.
- Creating content that actually helps people.
- Structuring your pages with clear headlines, summaries, and Q&A-style answers; just like AI likes to deliver them.
Whether you’re talking to ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or another AI search tool, the content that gets pulled up first is the one that checks all those boxes.
4 Things You Can Do Right Now
If you’re starting to wonder how your website stacks up in this new AI-driven world, here are a few simple things you can do today:
1. Review your content
Does it sound like something your customers would actually search for? Are you answering a question in a clear, organized, and concise manner?
2. Structure smarter
Think summaries, clear headlines, and easy-to-skim answers. The easier the better.
3. Be local and proud
Make sure you’re showing up for local searches by showcasing your community ties and local credibility.
4. Stay flexible
AI search is still evolving, and keeping up with it doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you stay proactive. Never stop learning and never stop adapting.
Let’s Chat If You’re Ready to Keep Up with the Times
AI isn’t just changing how we search; it’s changing how businesses get found. If that sounds a little intimidating, don’t worry. You’re not alone. We’ve got you covered.
At WSI Smart Marketing, we help businesses like yours figure out how to show up online in all the right ways and all the right places. Whether it’s on AI overviews, Google, large language models like Chat GPT, or wherever your customers are searching.
Have questions? Want to brainstorm ideas?
Let’s talk. Your digital marketing and AIO company is just a message away.
Contact us online now or give us a call at (707) 843-3714 to get started.
