We're optimizing for AI Search - now and into the future!

This summer, we've been hard at work optimizing our clients' websites for the new era of AI-powered search. As AI tools like ChatGPT continue to change how people find services and information online, we're making sure your website isn't just keeping up, it's standing out. Behind the scenes, we've fine-tuned key elements to align with the latest shifts in AI search behaviour and visibility, helping you connect with potential customers in this evolving landscape.

At UpOnline, we've spent most of the last 20 years optimizing our clients for Search, and we've built great relationships around that strong base.

Given almost seismic changes as a result of the integration of AI in tools, specifically search, we thought it would be best to outline how those changes affect finding potential customers and what we're doing for our clients.

How has AI impacted "Search"

You've heard of ChatGPT, Copilot and other AI tools that users have been engaging with to solve problems, assist their work, and more so now: find providers and information that traditionally had been the domain of search engines like Google.

We've been writing about AI & Search, and invite you to read our recent blog post.
Read the full article here: Navigating AI in Search: What It Means for Dental and Healthcare SEO

As search volume on engines like Google has dropped about 30% since last year, Google has been making its "AI Overview" results show most prominently to help combat the loss of traffic to other AI-first tools, like ChatGPT.

How has AI impacted "Search Ads"

About a year ago, Google introduced AI overview in the results of some specific searches. Though this feature is new, Google has prioritized the results of the feature above ads. As a result, there are fewer views and engagements on search ads.

How do we navigate these changes in the landscape

There are a number of things we've been doing and exploring at UpOnline.

Tools to monitor how clients are being searched for using AI tools, in addition to search engines.

We can't report on what we don't know. So we've been working towards tooling our dashboards to show what interest practices have been getting from AI like ChatGPT in addition to search engines like Google, to generate a clearer picture of where traffic is coming from as search volume decreases, and use of other AI tools increases.

Optimizing for AI Overviews and AI tools

Just as there are best practices for search engine optimization, the same is true for AI-optimization. We've already been working to optimize clients' websites, social media posts, and eblasts so that key information that helps answer users' queries can be easily found by AI tools and search. This will translate to increased references and engagement.

The future of search is ever-evolving with the introduction of AI summaries; however, we are committed to updating our website optimization where needed to ensure that websites are included in new search models.