We’re not going to lie to you: the digital panorama for business is as unstable as the economy.
The presence of AI is certainly changing the world of digital businesses.
Particularly, the main concern for business owners working with organic marketing today is the Google AI Overview.
You have surely noticed that Google search results now include a section of AI-generated responses. While it can be useful for users, this feature can also generate chaos and have a negative impact on SEO.
Fortunately, SEO experts from Chicago will tell us how Google’s AI Overview is changing the rules in Google search engine positioning, what it means for businesses, and how to use it to your advantage.
The Impact of AI-Powered Responses by Google
AI Overviews have an impact on SEO.
Keep in mind that now, when users want information, what they see at the very top of the search results will be the AI-generated response.
And the Google AI can generate complete responses to complex and detailed queries.
For example, when looking for “low-cost activities in the US for rock and roll enthusiasts,” the AI Overview comprises information from different sources considered relevant to your search, and breaks it down into sections:
- Cheap and free activities, from festivals and concerts to musical landmarks.
- Budget-friendly cities, with free places to visit or activities that require little money.
- Money-saving tips while visiting those places.
It also includes a link to a video with musical destinations in the United States.
All of these sounds marvellous for users, but for businesses, the AI overview is the true villain of the story.
The capacity of this feature to summarize information from various sources and show them to users immediately in the first place makes them stop scrolling immediately. When users have all the information in one place, they won’t look any longer.
As a matter of fact, almost 60% of searches in Google now result in zero clicks.
This directly affects your click-through rate, as users won’t click on your website if they don’t scroll past the AI-generated responses.
If no one visits your website, it means that you have reduced chances of converting, fewer people will discover your brand, and your website will be like a cemetery: no activity at all.
So, How to Appear in Google AI Responses
Unfortunately, this technology won’t go anywhere, and resisting it is not an option.
However, what you can do is rank not only for customers, but also for AI to discover you and include your site in its summary.
Here are some ways in which you can adjust your content to appear in the AI Overview:
1. Include Valuable Information: Including first-person experiences and credible sources of information indicates to AI that you offer useful and trustworthy content. Focusing on long-tail keywords and questions is also a good way of providing answers that users look for.
2. Make Your Site Crawlable: AI has to be able to read and understand your content. Prioritize crawlability by fixing links, establishing a sitemap, and including schema markup.
3. Show Authority: To be included in AI Overviews, establish your topic authority. Cite credible sources, provide unique insights, and offer updated information.
Basically, the idea is to show that your site is useful, it offers accurate, timely, and real information.
And never overlook the implementation of technical SEO. Remember that search engines and humans have to find you and understand your content.
Your Friends Close, and Your Enemies Closer
In the end, you cannot fight against these innovations. Whether you like AI or not, it is here to stay.
But it doesn’t have to be the enemy of your business. Actually, if you adjust your content to appear in the AI-generated summaries, you can actually gain some points.
As the popular proverb goes, “keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.”
Appearing in Google AI Overview can help you increase visibility, bring traffic, and increase your revenue.
If you establish authority as a trusted and relevant source of information that both AI and users find useful and easy to understand, your business can keep a high ranking and increase conversion opportunities. Take advantage of the new technologies to succeed in this ever-changing digital world.