Remember the old days of Google? You’d type in a few words like “best plumber Kingston,” and you’d get a list of ten blue links. It was a bit of a guessing game, wasn’t it? You’d click on one, get a load of ads, and maybe, just maybe, you’d find a plumber. That’s all changing now, and it’s a total head-spinner.
Google’s AI search, which you might see as “AI Overviews,” is like a wicked smart assistant who’s already done all the research for you. It uses artificial intelligence to read tons of websites and then gives you a straight-up, easy-to-read summary right at the top of the search results. It’s no longer about a list of links; it’s a quick, concise answer. This is a massive transactional shift in how people find information and, more importantly, how they find businesses. This change is a colossal deal for online marketing and for any business that relies on getting found online, from a local plumber to my clients at Kingston and Richmond Removals.
The Good and the Gnarly: What AI Search Means for Us
This new AI-powered search is a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. But if you’re smart about it, you can turn it into a fantastic commercial opportunity.
- Less Clicks, More Answers: The most obvious thing is that people are getting their answers without even clicking on a website. This is what’s called a “zero-click search.” For some sites, this might mean less traffic. However, for a business with a proper commercial strategy, it’s an opportunity to be the one giving the answer.
- Trust and Authority are Key: The AI doesn’t just pull from any old site. It’s trained to look for sources that have Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T). So, if you’re a business, you have to prove you’re the real deal. You need to show you’re a genuine expert in your field. This means creating high-quality, in-depth content that establishes you as a proper authority, which is what we do for clients like Simply Done Removals.
- The Power of the Niche: AI is brilliant at summarizing general information, but it struggles with the super specific, niche questions. This is where small businesses and content creators can absolutely smash it. If you write an in-depth guide on something very specific, like “how to move a grand piano down a spiral staircase,” the AI is more likely to use your unique, detailed content. This is a brilliant way to stand out and attract that valuable transactional traffic.
Your Mission: How to Get Your Site in the AI Overview
So, you can’t just sit there and hope for the best. You’ve got to be proactive. Here’s a quick plan on how to make sure your website is ready for the AI revolution. It’s a key part of your professional development.
- Be the Absolute Expert: Create content that is comprehensive and trustworthy. Don’t just rehash stuff; add your own unique insights, data, and stories. The goal is to become the go-to source in your field.
- Make It Easy for the AI: Use clear headers (H1, H2, H3) to structure your content. Use lists and bullet points for key information. This makes it super simple for the AI to find the main points and use them in its summaries. Chek our post Build Your Dream Website: A Powerful HTML Blueprint – Properclick to get the basics of html for your business.
- Think Like a Human: The AI is trying to answer a user’s conversational question. When you’re writing, think about the full question a person might ask. For example, instead of just a page about “removal costs,” write a guide titled “How Much Does It Cost to Move a House in Kingston?” This emotional and user-focused approach will make your content so much more valuable.
- Embrace the Future: Keep your site technically sound. Make sure it loads fast on mobile and is easy to use. The AI loves a smooth user experience. This is what we call digital marketing optimization.
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Interested in the specifics? See how we did it for Kingston and Richmond Removals and check out our latest posts.
