The AI Search Revolution Is Here – Is Your Brand Ready?

AI-powered search has transformed the way that people find information online. This change became especially apparent three months ago when Google released their new product, AI Overviews. This technology replaces the traditional search results of showing links with an AI-powered summary at the top of the page instead. As a result, brands now need to be on the first page of links for search results and included in the AI summary. 

Due to this change, SEO tactics are largely being replaced by answer engine optimizations (AEO) tactics to ensure a brand is recognized in an AI-powered search. We’ve collected our three key takeaways for how brands can integrate AEO tactics into their strategy.

Boost Your Brand’s AI Search Presence

Brands should be implementing AEO tactics into their own website so that AI picks up information directly created by them. Here are some of the ways companies can draw AI to their website: 

• Include an FAQ section since AI search engines have been trained on answering entire questions
• Ensure your site is primarily text-based as AI responds better to text than images and videos
• Include bullet points in web copy to make the content easily readable and scannable for AI
• Boost website reliability by mentioning brand accolades or referencing specific expertise

Niche Media Coverage Matters Now More Than Ever

Brands should prioritize earned media, specifically on more niche news outlets. AI values mainstream and niche news outlets over any website owned by a brand because of the tool’s dedication to authoritative content. Therefore, it is incredibly important that brands continue prioritizing earned media over owned media. More specifically, brands need to be getting mentioned on niche news outlets that have an expertise in their topics. A niche outlet’s hyperspecialization makes it easier for an AI summary to pick up on their content, rather than if the content is on a more generalized outlet.

Consistency Is Key: Shape Brand Narrative Everywhere

Brands should try to influence the narrative across all platforms as AI engines pull from a variety of many different sources. While adjusting their own website and earning publicity from publications is incredibly valuable, brands must remember that AI may pull information from other platforms like YouTube and Reddit. Brands should try to shape the narrative on these other platforms as well as provide useful information in the comment section. A brand that looks at the entirety of their online presence, rather than only a few platforms, will be successful in the AI era. 

Brands must take action now and begin implementing AEO tactics to stay visible in the evolving AI era. While traditional media still dominates AI search engines, things are changing fast and it is only a matter of time before AI search surges far ahead. There is no better time but the present to start adapting.