AI isn’t just changing how people search — it’s changing how search engines and answer engines decide what to show. Whether it’s Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), ChatGPT, or other AI-powered tools, the way content is ranked and recommended is shifting. If your site isn’t optimised for AI search, you could be missing out on valuable traffic.
Here’s how to prepare your SEO strategy for AI so your content is more likely to be found, cited, and recommended.
1. Focus on clear, direct answers
AI tools pull information that answers questions quickly and accurately. Write your content in plain language and address one main question or topic per section. This helps AI identify your page as a reliable source.
2. Structure content for easy scanning
Use short paragraphs, descriptive headings, and bullet points where possible. AI systems and human readers alike benefit from well-structured, easy-to-scan content.
3. Optimise for both keywords and context
Traditional keyword research still matters, but AI tools rely heavily on semantic search — meaning they look for related concepts, synonyms, and context. Write naturally around your main keywords while including related phrases.
4. Include authoritative sources
When relevant, link to high-quality, trustworthy sources. AI often weighs credibility when selecting content to feature in summaries or citations.
5. Create FAQ sections for AEO
FAQs are a powerful way to win AI-driven visibility. They give search engines and AI direct Q&A content that can be pulled into answers. Keep each answer under 50 words when possible for maximum snippet use.
6. Use schema markup
Structured data like FAQ schema or Article schema makes it easier for AI and search engines to understand your content. This can increase your chances of being featured in AI-generated answers.
7. Keep your content fresh
AI and search engines both prefer up-to-date information, especially in fast-changing industries. Review and update your content regularly.
8. Optimise for voice search
Many AI-driven queries happen through voice assistants. Use conversational phrasing and include question-style headings to capture these searches.
9. Make your site fast and accessible
AI doesn’t rank slow, hard-to-read websites highly. Prioritise page speed, mobile-friendly layouts, and accessible design.
10. Build topical authority
Publish a cluster of related articles on the same subject to show depth of expertise. AI looks for sources that cover topics comprehensively, not just one-off posts.
AI-powered SEO is the practice of optimizing content for search engines and AI tools that use artificial intelligence to find, summarize, and recommend information.
AI changes SEO by focusing on context, intent, and authoritative answers rather than just keyword matching.
AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, is the process of structuring content so AI-powered search tools can easily use it to answer user questions.
FAQs give AI systems clear, direct Q&A content that can be pulled into snippets, summaries, or voice search results.
Yes. Keywords remain important, but they should be combined with natural language and related terms for semantic search.
Write in a conversational tone, use question-style headings, and keep answers concise for voice assistants.
Semantic search focuses on understanding the meaning and context behind a query, not just matching exact keywords.
Schema markup provides structured data that helps AI understand your content’s format and purpose, increasing visibility.
Update important pages at least once or twice a year, or sooner if the information changes.
Yes, if your site has authoritative, well-structured content that directly answers search queries.
If you want content that ranks in both traditional search engines and AI-driven results, you need a strategy built for how search works today… not five years ago.
That’s where we come in. Hire Wet Coast Marketing to get content that works for both people and AI.