Nowadays, everyone wants answers to their questions as quickly as possible. Google has evolved over the years to provide consumers with the answers they need nearly instantly. That has recently been elevated a notch with AI-powered search engines. From a business standpoint, business owners are concerned with how AI will impact their search engine marketing efforts. We’ve examined some of the most important aspects business owners should pay attention to so their company website will stay relevant in search engine results.

How Exactly Do AI Overviews Work?

In past years, when you perform a Google search, the most relevant website will show up at the top with a snippet of what Google believes is the best answer to your query. AI overviews are similar, but the answers are created by gathering data and information from multiple sources and providing links to those sources. In many situations, AI overviews can provide the answers customers are looking for without having to click on a website link. While this is convenient for consumers, business owners can’t help but wonder how it will impact their organic website traffic, or if AI overviews could boost their visibility.

Will AI Overviews Help Or Hurt Organic Website Traffic?

One of the goals every business owner has with search engine marketing is showing up at the top of Google’s search results. But now with generative AI-powered search engines, the goal is to be a part of the AI overviews so their website is prominently displayed. With the AI overviews being precise and accurate, consumers sometimes don’t have a reason to look any lower than the overview presented at the top of the page.

It’s a mixed bag when it comes to whether AI overviews can help or hurt your organic website traffic. On one side, customers might not click to visit your website if they have the answer in the AI overview. But on the other side, if your website is featured in AI overviews, then it will have a ton of credibility in the eyes of consumers. So in many ways, the best search engine marketing strategy is to boost your content so you improve your chances of showing up in AI overviews.

Best SEO Practices Can Help Your Website Be Featured

You should already have SEO practices built into your search engine marketing strategy. If not, now is the time to revamp your content. Research relevant keywords, add effective images, and share your content so Google can view your website as a reliable source for consumers. The more visits you get to your website, the higher your ranking will be. Perform your own Google searches and see what the AI overviews entail. This can give you an idea of what SEO practices you may need to implement to improve the chances of your website being highlighted in them.

Utilize Long-Tail Keywords For Optimal Results

Long-tail keywords typically contain four or more terms that consumers use to find the answers they desire. By optimizing your website content with long-tail keywords, you’ll improve the chances of being highlighted in generative AI-powered search engines. Research the most relevant long-tail keywords for your business or industry so you can take advantage of the opportunity.

Always Create High-Quality Content

Whether it’s with being highlighted in Google’s snippets or in AI overviews, high-quality content is essential. The algorithms Google uses are strict when it comes to original content, accuracy, expertise, and value. If you aren’t a strong writer who can incorporate keywords while presenting value to consumers, then it’s best to hire a writer who can do so. Creating quality content will bring more people to your website, which will in turn prove your website is valuable and give you a better chance of showing up in AI overviews.

Create A Great User Experience On Your Website

Google also wants to know whether website visitors have good experiences on your site. They do this by analyzing your website speed, user-friendliness, mobile-friendliness, security, and more. All of these factors contribute to users having a great experience on your website, and none of them should be overlooked. No matter how great your content is, consumers won’t visit a slow website or one that is difficult to navigate.

Backlinks Are Valuable With AI Overviews

Generative AI-powered search engines love backlinks. This is when other websites link to your website. Google views this as your website being valuable and reliable if other websites would put their reputation on the line to link to your site. It takes some outreach to other companies in your industry to request them to link to your website content, but it’s well worth the effort. You can also create backlinks in your content to their website to return the favor, so make sure they are a company you trust.

Follow Expert Advice To Optimize Your Website

It can be challenging as a business owner to know how to make your website as relevant and visible as possible. Working with digital marketing experts is often the best choice so you can ensure your website is optimized as much as possible. And at the same time, you can focus more of your efforts on running your business.

Our team at iwebcontent can help optimize your content and stay ahead of the trends of AI overviews. Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about how we can help.