Navigating the new frontier: What AI Search means for your business

The way people find information online is undergoing a monumental shift. Forget simply ranking for keywords; today, the goal is to be the authoritative source that AI models cite directly. At Yellowjelly, we're not just observing these changes – we're actively helping businesses lead the charge in this new era of AI search.

Beyond Blue Links: What is AI Search, Really?

For years, search meant typing a query into Google and sifting through a list of blue links. Now, AI Search is transforming this experience. Imagine asking a question and getting a concise, comprehensive answer, often summarised directly by an AI. This is the reality powered by platforms like:

• Google's AI Overviews [Search Generative Experience - SGE]: Google's integration of generative AI directly into search results, providing summarised answers at the top of the page.

• ChatGPT, Gemini: Conversational AI models that can answer complex questions, generate content, and even make recommendations based on their vast training data, often pulling information from websites.

• Microsoft Copilot [Bing Chat]: Microsoft's AI assistant integrated into Bing, offering conversational search and content creation.
  

The core difference? These AI models aim to understand user intent deeply and provide direct, synthesised answers, rather than just a list of potential sources. For your business, this means the battle isn't just for a click – it's for being the source that these powerful AIs choose to reference.

Why your business needs to adapt: The rise of Generative Engine Optimisation [GEO]

This evolution in search calls for a new approach: Generative Engine Optimisation [GEO]. Unlike traditional SEO, which primarily focused on getting clicks from search engine results pages [SERPs], GEO is about optimising your content to be easily understood, extracted, and cited by AI models.

 

The impact on businesses is significant:

• Reduced clicks for simple queries: If an AI can provide an answer directly, users might not click through to your website.

• Increased importance of authority: AI models prioritise information from trusted, authoritative sources. Building your brand's expertise [E-E-A-T] is more crucial than ever.

• New pathways to visibility: Being cited by an AI can boost your brand's recognition and establish you as a thought leader, even if it doesn't always lead to an immediate website visit.

 

The goal shifts: you want your business to be the answer to your customers' questions, whether they ask a search engine directly or a conversational AI.

 

How your business can be at the forefront of AI Search

Staying ahead in the AI search landscape requires a proactive and strategic approach. Here’s how we help businesses lead the way navigating what AI search means for your business:

1. Cultivate unrivalled expertise [E-E-A-T]:

   • Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness [E-E-A-T] are paramount. Showcase your team's credentials, publish in-depth content based on original research, and build a strong reputation in your industry.

   • Go beyond the surface: Provide comprehensive, nuanced answers to common and complex questions related to your products or services. AI loves depth and unique insights.

2. Structure content for AI ingestion:

   • Clear headings & formatting: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags effectively. Employ bullet points, numbered lists, and tables to break down information into easily digestible chunks.

   • FAQs sections: Create dedicated FAQ pages or sections that directly answer common customer questions in a concise, natural language format.

   • Schema markup: Implement structured data on your website. This code helps AI models understand the context and meaning of your content, making it easier for them to cite.

3. Prioritise conversational & direct answers:

   • Think about how people verbally ask questions. Your content should answer those questions directly, using natural language.

   • Focus on providing the answer, not just keywords. While keywords are still important for discovery, the content itself needs to fulfil the user's information need comprehensively.

4. Maintain impeccable data consistency:

   • Ensure your business name, address, phone number [NAP], and other key details are consistent across your website, Google Business Profile, social media, and all online directories. Inconsistent information can confuse AI.

   • Encourage reviews: AI often pulls insights directly from customer reviews. Actively solicit and respond to reviews on platforms like Google, industry-specific sites, and social media.

5. Strengthen your brand authority:

   • Seek mentions and links from reputable industry websites and publications. These signals help AI understand your brand's credibility.

   • Be active on relevant professional social media platforms.

6. Don't neglect technical SEO:

   • A fast, mobile-friendly website with a clear site structure is still fundamental. If AI crawlers can't access and understand your site, your content won't be considered.

Ready to lead the AI search revolution?

The future of online visibility is here, and it’s powered by AI. Businesses that adapt now will gain a significant competitive advantage. At Yellowjelly, we combine cutting-edge AI SEO and Generative Engine Optimisation strategies with our expertise to ensure your brand isn't just found – it's chosen by AI.

Get in touch for a no obligation consultation: hello@yellowjelly.co.nz