Tips to Safeguard Your SEO Efforts
Great SEO is no longer just about keywords and backlinks—it’s also about how you adapt to the ever-changing landscape of AI-driven search engines (like Google’s AI Overviews and Bing’s AI-powered results). Here are a few ways to safeguard your SEO efforts against AI challenges:
1. Build a Strong Brand Presence
AI tools prioritize trusted sources. The stronger your brand signals, the more likely AI is to surface your content.
- Focus on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust)
- Get featured in reputable publications or industry sites
- Build a consistent online identity across channels
2. Own Your Audience Directly
Reduce dependence on search engines by building channels you control.
- Grow your email list
- Launch a community (Discord, Facebook Group, Slack)
- Use SMS or push notifications
3. Optimize for AI Overviews and Zero-Click Searches
AI summaries may pull your content without sending traffic. Still, you want to be included.
- Use schema markup and structured data
- Provide clear, concise answers to common questions
- Use headings and bullet points for scannability
4. Prioritize High-Quality, Original Content
AI values content that reflects personal experience and unique insights.
- Include first-hand data, case studies, interviews, or original research
- Avoid rehashing generic content
- Demonstrate real-world experience (especially in YMYL industries)
5. Create Content That’s Hard to Replicate
Make AI hesitate to copy you by offering:
- Proprietary data
- Interactive tools or calculators
- Downloadables or gated content
- Personal stories and visuals (photos, videos, infographics)
6. Diversify Traffic Sources
Don’t put all your eggs in Google’s basket.
- Focus on YouTube SEO (owned by Google, but different algorithm)
- Use Pinterest or Reddit depending on your niche
- Invest in social and referral traffic
7. Stay On Top of AI Updates
AI search is evolving fast. Stay current by:
- Following SEO experts on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter/X
- Reading Google’s Search Central blog and documentation
- Testing changes on smaller pages before sitewide rollout
8. Monitor and Adapt Content Regularly
Content decay is real, and AI models may deprioritize outdated info.
- Set a schedule for refreshing top-performing content
- Use tools like Surfer SEO, Clearscope, or Ahrefs to monitor performance
- Update with new insights, facts, and formatting trends
It can all be overwhelming so if you get stuck, give us a shout! We’d love to help!