Imagine a potential customer asks ChatGPT to recommend a business that offers exactly what you sell. AI gives them a few suggestions, but your business isn't one of them. And just like that, you missed out on a customer without even realizing it. 

For years, we've focused on SEO to help customers find our businesses through Google. Now, AI is changing the way people search, and customers can get answers without ever visiting a website.

That's where AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) comes in. But does that mean SEO is becoming obsolete? Not at all. This week, we're looking at how the two work together and what small business owners can do to make sure they're not getting lost in the AI revolution.

Your website ranks on Google, so why isn't AI recommending you?

Imagine you own a small accounting firm. You've spent years building your website, collecting customer reviews, and working to appear in Google search results. Business is good, and you feel pretty confident about your online presence.

Then one day, you ask ChatGPT to recommend accounting firms in your area.

Your competitors show up. Your business doesn't.

Wait a minute. You've done everything you were supposed to do to get noticed online. What happened?

The answer may be that traditional SEO is no longer the whole picture. More customers are using AI to find businesses, and showing up on Google doesn't mean you'll show up in AI answers. 

That's where AEO comes in. It builds on many of the same principles as SEO but focuses on helping AI-powered tools understand and potentially reference your business.

If you're wondering whether your marketing strategy needs an update, our guide to the best digital marketing agencies for small businesses compares providers, including those offering SEO and AEO services.

The takeaway: Getting found on Google still matters. But it's worth paying attention to where else your customers are searching, especially if AI is doing the recommending.

When Casie, the owner of Casie's Confections in Summerville, South Carolina, delivered an order, she asked her customer a simple question: How did you find me?

The answer wasn't Google, Facebook, or a friend's recommendation. It was ChatGPT.

According to web developer Peyton Winn, the customer had asked ChatGPT to recommend the best sourdough in Summerville, and Casie's bakery came up first.

Here's the interesting part. Winn had built the bakery's website with traditional SEO in mind. He hadn't specifically optimized it for AI search.

It's a reminder that good SEO can also help businesses get discovered through AI, even if there's no guarantee they'll appear in its recommendations.

For small business owners, the lesson is encouraging. You don't necessarily have to start from scratch to prepare for AI search. The work you've already done to make your business easier to find online may be helping in ways you never expected.

Organizational psychologist Dr. Jessica Sharp, CEO of Sharp Brain Consulting, joins HR Break Room® podcast host Ariana Stark to discuss how to create a sense of belonging in the workplace, including:

• practical strategies organizations can implement
• the role of effective communication
• key metrics to track for measuring belonging’s impact

Ever notice how often people search for things like "best accounting software for freelancers" or "lawn care vs. landscaping services"?

Customers love comparisons because they make decisions easier. And you don't have to be a big company to create helpful comparison content.

Here's your 15-minute challenge:

1. Pick two options customers often compare. A cleaning company might compare standard cleaning with deep cleaning. A bakery could compare custom cakes with ready-made cakes.
2. Create a simple comparison. Explain the differences in price, what's included, and who each option is best for.
3. Add it to your website. Use a clear heading and a small comparison table so customers can quickly find the information they need.
4. Help customers take the next step. Include a link to book, request a quote, or learn more about the service.

Why it works: Comparison content helps customers make decisions before they contact you. It also gives search engines and AI tools clear information about your offerings, which may help them understand when your business is relevant.

Your mission: Create one comparison that answers a question customers regularly ask before buying.

Have you ever asked ChatGPT to recommend a business like yours?

I’d love to hear from you 

Did something resonate with you, or is there a topic you'd like me to cover in a future issue? 

Feel free to reach out to me anytime at rayanne.harmon@technologyadvice.com

Rayanne Harmon

Senior Small Business Writer and Entrepreneur

Rayanne Harmon is an entrepreneur and finance professional with decades of experience building businesses while working in banking, accounting, and business finance. Inspired by a family of entrepreneurs, she successfully owned and operated a photography studio for 20 years before launching a social media marketing agency dedicated to helping small businesses grow. Through Small Business Insider, Rayanne shares practical advice, real-world insights, and actionable strategies to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting, managing, and growing a successful business.

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