AI is changing the future of SEO
Remember when getting to the first page of Google felt like winning the lottery (almost)? Back when SEO was about keywords, meta descriptions and competing for one of those ten glorious top spots on Google’s first page? Well, AI is shifting how people search and that means we need to rethink optimisation as we know it—now we have to optimise for AI.
The switch from Search Engine Optimisation to AI Optimisation
The days of opening Google and typing in a keyphrase-laden sentence like “best website designers in Florida” and trawling through page after page are gone. People are now directly asking questions to AI like ChatGPT, Bard or Gemini. People are having conversations. AI understands these natural, flowing questions and so it follows up for clarification and delivers answers instantaneously. At this point in this blog, I’d like to admit I’ve renamed my ChatGPT Alan, it makes me feel better about myself for using it! This behavioural change isn’t just about people now using ChatGPT for information, it’s about how we now make our content valuable to ChatGPT and therefore discoverable. So, in short, we need to think about how we got about making our content valuable to these new AI-driven tools and not just optimise our content for Google alone.
Old School Google and New School AI
You’ve probably noticed when Googling things recently that it’s all looking a little too much. You’ve also probably clicked on what appeared to be a helpful article to find it was a bunch of AI generated text filled with buzzwords. In my opinion, and from my thoughts on research I’ve read, these ‘creators’ are trying to fool the system and ultimately that’s why I think people are now trying out ChatGPT and the likes for a clearer answer, without all the waffle.
AI can reference multiple sources (although you should always click on these to check they are legitimate) in a single answer, meaning it’s not about bettering your competition—it’s about being part of the conversation and adding genuine value. The focus now is on creating authentic, helpful and AI-friendly content.
How to Make Your Content AI-Friendly
1. Use Clear Headings and Conversational Structure
Think of your page headings like signposts—they help your readers and AI know exactly where they are. Start with a descriptive title (like you would for your pages H1) that clearly tells readers what your content is about. Your subheadings (your usual H2, H3, etc.) should lead people logically from one part of your content to the next, just like chapters in a book.
Take this heading, and these steps as an example of thing structure.
2. Keep It Digestible
Nobody likes skimming through endless text just to find what that snippet of information they’re looking for. Break your content down into digestible chunks. Use bullet points for points, numbered steps for instructions/tutorials and keep paragraphs short and focused on a single point. Doing this will not only help make your content more user-friendly but also help AI to determine what the key points are too.
3. FAQs are a Must!
As we know, people are asking AI tools direct questions, so let’s mimic that approach in your written content! Don’t just throw in any old questions as FAQs—really think about the questions you get asked from potential customers—covering basic questions, to more advanced answers too if required. Answering these in an FAQ format helps AI know exactly which parts of your content might be useful for specific queries.
Top tip: check your DMs/inbox and contact forms for queries that come up often and list them as your FAQs.
4. Connecting Topics
You may also find that a lot of your content informs something else within your business, and these connecting points are key for a better user experience but also to give context to AI to show how they’re related. Try linking your chunks of content with short snippets that briefly explain how the two are connected to one another and this will provide a better learning experience for human and AI.
5. Optimising your Visual Content
Much like SEO for websites, every image or video on your website is an opportunity to optimise. Alt-tags are often overlooked when website are built, but really making sure these are inserted will provide further content to AI and help your general SEO too. These should be accurate, helpful and not keyword/keyphrase crammed. Although there is no harm in trying to insert some if the context is right.
6. Provide your Credentials and Link to Sources
Treat every interested person that lands on your website like a stranger—introduce yourself and explain your expertise as if they know nothing about you. Not only does this help give the user a better understanding of who you are, what you do and position yourself as the expert. Another important thing to remember is also to cite your sources (and link to them where possible) in order to establish yourself as an authority in your field to humans and AI.
Get Started Today! First steps for AI-Optimised Content
Audit Your Existing Content: Start with one blog post—add clear headings, bridge sections logically and make it easy to follow.
Include FAQs: Answer real questions your potential customers or clients might have to make your content even more valuable.
Establish Authority: Clearly state why you’re qualified to speak on the topic.
Joined-up Thinking: Link related pieces of content to create an interconnected library of valuable resources.
The goal is no longer just to be found—it’s to be genuinely helpful when people (or AI) find you.
Are you ready to embrace the future of content creation? Let’s stop chasing outdated SEO tactics and start building a helpful library full of resources that truly help people—whether they’re reading it themselves or an AI is answering a question on their behalf.
Ready for business growth? George Builds Websites is proud to be a Florida based web design agency serving businesses in Boca Raton, Lakeland, Winter Garden, Davenport, Brandon & Lake Nona.
