How AI Search is changing SEO and what you can do about it

Search is evolving faster than ever. Tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Perplexity are reshaping how people find answers online and how your business gets discovered.

Traditionally, SEO was all about ranking high on Google. Authority equaled visibility: if your site appeared at the top, you won traffic. But with AI-driven search, the game has changed.

From Search Results to AI Answers

Instead of showing a list of links, AI engines now generate a single, conversational response by pulling insights from multiple sources. That means your content might be used to inform an answer without your brand necessarily being mentioned.

So, how do you make sure your business is still visible when AI does the talking?

Enter: AI Engine Optimisation (AEO)

AEO is the next evolution of SEO. It’s about helping AI understand your content, not just helping Google rank it.

• Structured data that clearly tells AI what your content means.
• Conversational content that matches how people actually phrase questions.
• Topical authority where your site covers a subject deeply and consistently, rather than chasing single keywords.

In short, SEO is no longer just about where you rank, it’s about how you’re referenced by AI. Businesses that adapt early will have a huge advantage as AI-powered search becomes the norm.

Introducing Our AI Search Audit

To help clients stay ahead, we’ve developed a new AI Search Audit is designed to show how your website currently performs in AI-generated search results.

• Which prompts and questions are currently triggering mentions of your brand.
• How your content is interpreted by AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini.
• How your visibility compares with competitors.
• Where to optimise next to strengthen your brand’s presence in AI search.

Future-Proof Your Digital Strategy

AI search isn’t replacing SEO... it’s expanding it. The earlier you start adapting your content and structure, the better your long-term visibility will be.

Interested in seeing how your business performs in AI search?
Email joanne@onlinedesigns.co.nz to request your AI Search Audit and start uncovering where your brand appears and where it should.

FAQs: AI Search & AEO

What is AI Engine Optimisation (AEO)?
AEO helps AI systems understand, trust, and reference your content in their answers - not just rank it on a page of links.

How is an AI Search Audit different from a normal SEO audit?
It checks which prompts currently trigger mentions of your brand in AI tools, how “AI-friendly” your content is, and how you compare to competitors in AI visibility.

What do I get from the audit?
A snapshot of current AI mentions, entity/structured-data gaps, conversational keyword opportunities, and a prioritised optimisation plan.

Will this replace traditional SEO?
No! AEO complements SEO. You still need technical and content fundamentals; AEO adds AI-readability and topical depth.

How do I get started?
Email joanne@onlinedesigns.co.nz and ask for an AI Search Audit.