Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in the Age of AI.
The use of AI for completing tasks has been greatly increasing overall, but especially in the use of AI driven search engines. According to research done by Advanced Web Ranking, Google uses AI summaries in 50% of searches, compared to 25% of searches about 10 months ago. Businesses are also relying more on AI, 12.2% of businesses are using AI to produce inventory or deliver services, double the 6.1% of businesses doing the same in 2024. It is also noted that visitors from AI searches convert to customers at higher rates than traditional searches.
Clearly AI is benefiting businesses, big and small, but a Squarespace survey found that 80% of its users are not optimizing their website to improve their visibility in AI driven searches. By optimizing your SEO, your site visibility will be boosted during AI driven searches. I will share ways to improve your SEO for AI driven searches, so you don’t miss out on valuable exposure.
How Does It Work?
Before delving into how to optimize your SEO, it’s important to explain what AI driven searches are and how they work. There are a few ways AI is used in web searches: overviews and chatbot searches. AI overviews are meant to compliment traditional searches. They provide summaries of the search above the list of individual links. The other alternative is to use an AI chatbot. You type a question into a chatbot, like ChatGPT, and the AI will scan the web and answer the question based on its findings. Instead of providing a summary and a list of websites, the AI will answer the questions in its own words, usually with sources.
AI driven searches work just like traditional searches. Web crawlers are used to index websites and then rank them based on keywords, user experience, etc. before collating into the summary or response. They can also personalize the search data based on past searches, online activity, and site content.
How to Optimize Your SEO.
Updating your SEO is important to do regularly. However, there are ways to measure your SEO if you are curious about how much you need to improve. There are paid tools on the market. You could also easily check yourself using an AI chatbot. Simply type into the chatbot questions about your field that a customer would use to find your website. Keep track of how often your name comes up. It’s best to use several AI searches.
Now that you know how AI driven searches work and how to check your SEO, here are some ways to improve your visibility online:
Optimize your SEO basics.
Make sure your website is easy to navigate and content tags are clear and definite. Having multiple menus or using vague descriptors for pages makes scrolling your website challenging, which discourages potential customers or clients.
Keep your product or service list up to date.
Keeping your website up to date is important. Customers need to know what you have in stock, or how to best contact you. Having an updated website also keeps you
Add reviews and testimonials.
Be sure to include customer reviews and testimonials from clients that have used your services. Having a positive presence will boost website traffic. Adding these to review sites and places like social media helps boost your online presence.
Consider listing your business on other business listings or databases, like Google Business Profile.
Having multiple ways for your clients or customers to find you boosts the likelihood that they will view your website. Also, having others promote your business reflects well for you and increases your online presence.
Boosting your SEO for AI driven searches is a necessary and important step to take for your business. Doing so ensures that your business will be visible to search bots and increase your website traffic. If you would like some assistance with your SEO be sure to reach out, OmniWorx Design would be happy to help!