top of page

Surviving the AI Takeover: How to Keep Your SEO Game Strong (Even When Robots Are in Charge)

Writer's picture: LEVEN MEDIA GROUP LTDLEVEN MEDIA GROUP LTD

Updated: Oct 24, 2024


AI and SEO

As AI-based search tools, like ChatGPTBing AI, and Google Bard, gain popularity, SEO strategies need to evolve to ensure content remains discoverable through these AI-driven searches. These AI models change how people search for information, often providing direct answers instead of a list of links like traditional search engines.


Here's how to adjust SEO for the AI-driven search era:

1. Optimise for Conversational AI

AI search tools often process natural language queries rather than keyword-focused searches. Optimising content for AI search means creating material that aligns with how people naturally ask questions. This involves:

  • Conversational language: Use more natural, question-answering formats.

  • Focus on intent: Ensure your content answers the user’s underlying intent clearly and concisely.

  • Long-tail keywords: Use more specific, conversational phrases that reflect how users might phrase their queries.


2. Structured Data & Featured Snippets

AI-driven search results often pull data directly from structured content like FAQs, lists, or key points. Implementing schema markup and creating content optimised for featured snippets will help AI tools find, interpret, and use your content in response to a query.

  • Schema markup: Add structured data to your site to improve the visibility of your content in AI searches.

  • Featured snippets: Craft content sections that answer common questions directly and succinctly, increasing the likelihood that AI will surface your content in its response.


3. Content Depth and Authority

AI searches pull information from authoritative, well-researched sources. Prioritise creating high-quality, in-depth content that thoroughly answers questions, presents accurate data, and establishes authority in your niche. This includes:

  • Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness (E-A-T): Demonstrate these qualities through content, with references, citations, and comprehensive coverage of topics.

  • Long-form content: While concise answers matter, AI also references longer, comprehensive guides when it needs deeper context.

Voice Search Optimisation

4. Voice Search Optimisation

Many AI-driven searches are conducted via voice assistants, which require optimising for voice search queries. Voice searches are typically more conversational and question-based, so content should:

  • Answer who, what, where, when, why, and how questions clearly.

  • Use natural phrasing and structure content in ways that easily provide answers to common spoken queries.


Voice searches are typically more conversational and question-based, so content should answer who, what, where, when, why, and how questions clearly.

5. Adapt to AI Content Integration

AI tools often present content in the form of summaries or direct answers, sometimes bypassing links entirely. One way to ensure your content is still useful and visible in this context is to:

  • Offer value beyond the AI response: Create in-depth content that complements what AI can offer. For example, after a short AI answer, users may want more details, visuals, or additional resources—your content should provide that.

  • Engage with multimedia: AI isn’t as adept at pulling detailed insights from images, videos, or interactive content. Use videos, infographics, and multimedia elements that provide additional layers of engagement.


6. Maintain Traditional SEO Fundamentals

While AI-driven search is changing the landscape, traditional SEO practices are still relevant:

  • Backlinks: High-quality backlinks remain important for establishing your site’s authority, which AI considers when pulling from authoritative sources.

  • Site performance: AI will still reference sites that load quickly and perform well on both desktop and mobile.


7. Human Curated Responses vs. AI Aggregation

AI often aggregates information from various sources, providing an answer rather than leading users to specific sites. However, some AI search engines (e.g., Bing with ChatGPT integration) still link back to the sources of their information. To benefit from this:

  • Be the cited source: Create authoritative, well-structured content that AI is likely to cite when compiling responses.

  • Use content hooks: Include hooks like statisticsexamples, or case studies that AI finds useful to pull into its answers.

Use content hooks: Include hooks like statistics, examples, or case studies that AI finds useful to pull into its answers
Understanding what's trending in SEO

8. Monitor AI Search Trends

Keep track of how people use AI in search and what kinds of content or queries are getting traction. This will allow you to tailor your SEO strategies to align with evolving AI behaviour. Stay updated on how AI tools like ChatGPT and Bing AI reference external content, and adjust accordingly.


9. Focus on Personalisation and Niche Content

AI search engines personalise results based on users’ preferences, history, and location. Focus on niche content and local SEO to cater to personalised AI results:

  • Local SEO: Optimise for local searches, especially if your business is location-specific.

  • Niche authority: AI tools often pull from experts in specific fields—become a recognised authority in your niche.


10. Leverage AI Tools for Your SEO

You can use AI-driven SEO tools to stay competitive:

  • AI content generators: Tools like Jasper and Frase help produce content tailored to AI-based search behaviours.

  • AI analysis tools: Use AI-driven tools to analyse how your content performs in AI search environments and optimise it further.


Conclusion
While traditional SEO will continue to play a role, the future of SEO lies in adapting to AI-driven search behaviours. By optimising for conversational language, focusing on quality and depth, leveraging structured data, and keeping up with AI trends, you can ensure your content remains discoverable and relevant in this new landscape.




 

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT HOW SEO OPTIMISATION CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS

For more information, or help in managing and optimising your SEO, contact us on:



SOME ADDITIONAL READING:

Here are some key insights from industry leaders on how AI is shaping the future of SEO, from voice search trends to the power of structured data and personalisation.

E-A-T and Content Authority:

  • Document Title: "Google’s Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines"

  • Author: Google

  • Summary: Outlines the importance of Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness in content creation.

  • Source: Google Quality Guidelines: https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/hsw-sqrg.pdf


Adapting to AI Content Integration:


Understanding User Intent with AI:


6 views
bottom of page