Did you know that AI does not use the whole internet to gather its information?
Over the last two years there is an increase in people have using AI bots such as Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot, Google Gemini and Perplexity as if they are search engines, they are not yet. This change in search behaviour by people means we all need to respond to ensure our businesses are seen.
The work you have already done on your site for visibility is not lost, this too is important. Click here to read about the basics of helping your SEO.
This is an opportunity
Search engines are not being replaced they are using AI to bring summarised information to the top of their searches. Adding the required text and code will enhance your visibility further.
AI overviews are showing for over 30% of searches on Google. Right now, not all businesses are visible and so making some small changes to attract AI bots will be very beneficial. Is it showing information from your website?
Why does this matter?
This matters because AI tools and bots are not using all the same information that search engines use to be seen. It is highly probable that your website has had attention paid to page titles, URLs (website address), keywords and descriptors that make them visible to search engines in the past. This needs to be adjusted for the future and the change in search behaviours.
However, AI tools and browsers both like seeing your experience, expertise, authority and trustworthiness (EEAT). This is shown through your website text, articles, blogs and insights.
AI gives results according to your profile
AI looks at all the information it has on you and then tailors the information it provides according to the profile you have curated with them. This means that you and I could search for the same thing but get very different results. Imagining your client and who they are will play a big part in your site being found, thinking through what questions they will be asking before they use your services will help you build blogs or articles that will bring you up in some searches.
What to do next
Test you site by asking your favourite AI tool to search for people working in your sector in your location. Also ask it to see what your company (or you personally) thinks about something or the news from your industry within your company.
Ensure you are showing your authority within your sector using up-to-date information, using case studies to show your expertise and testimonials to show your trustworthiness. This can be done through articles, insights, testimonials, reviews and case studies.
Adding schema code, this is structured data that informs large language modules of your presence and expertise. Add to key pages: Services, locations you work in, testimonials and FAQs.
Reviewing your site is always important, ensuring your up-to-date services are on offer and that your headings relate to what your clients are searching for.
If your site is larger, it may be worth adding a llms.txt file to your site to give AI a readable summary and targeted links to content without the noise of other code. However, not all AI tools read this summary.
What to do summary
- Test your site
- Show your experience, expertise, authority and trustworthiness
- Adding some structured data (often referred to as Schema code)
- Review the headings you are using on each page to mirror what people are searching for
- Adding a llms.txt file to your site
Being prepared for the years to come
2026-2028 are going to be the years when AI takes leaps and bounds in how it is used and how we use it. We are all exploring with using AI and learning how to make it a tool that serves us and saves us time. These next few years will allow us to take this to new levels when we can create processes and integrations that we haven’t yet seen.
The more we use these tools the more we will rely on them to source information for us and find businesses in the local area and in specific industries.
This is a moving situation we need to keep an eye of what is just around the corner; I have no doubt that the next couple of years will bring more changes.
Let us know if you need help adding schema code to your current site. We also offer a site review service to ensure all required content is in place, if you would like this please get in touch info@kitewebdesign.co.uk