For years, the online search game was simple; it was all about the SEO. If you wanted people to find you, you had to convince Google that your website deserved to show up when someone typed “best tacos near me” or “how do I unclog a sink without summoning an overpriced plumber.” That’s still important. But search habits are changing faster than you can say “algorithm update.” More and more, people aren’t Googling—they’re asking AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Bing Copilot, or Google Gemini. Why? Because these tools don’t just hand back a list of links, they hand you answers wrapped in a neat little bow.
For businesses, especially small ones, this means you can’t just flirt with SEO anymore. You’ve got to commit to a relationship that includes both SEO and AI search. Think of it as dating in the digital age: you need to show up on Google’s radar and impress the AI matchmakers who are whispering recommendations in customers’ ears.
Why SEO Still Matters
Let’s clear the air: SEO isn’t dead. Google and Bing still drive most discovery, and if your site isn’t optimized with fresh content, clean code, and keywords that make sense, you’re going to be about as invisible as a mime in the dark. For local small businesses, polishing your Google Business Profile and racking up good reviews is still the secret sauce.
Think of SEO as the toothbrush of your digital presence. Skip it, and eventually nobody’s going to want to sit too close. Even AI tools need to see that your site is credible before they recommend you—robots don’t like bad breath either.
Where AI Search Comes In
Here’s the plot twist: when someone asks an AI tool “What’s the best pizza near me?” the AI doesn’t just spit out a list of Yelp links and wish you good luck. Instead, it gathers the best info it’s seen across the web and delivers a conversational answer. Kind of like that know-it-all friend who always has an opinion—except this one is powered by servers, not caffeine.
But what exactly is shaping these answers? Research presented in September of 2025 by Visual Capitalist showed that AI tools lean heavily on Reddit, Wikipedia, and YouTube. That means if your business shows up in Reddit threads, gets cited in Wikipedia articles, or has YouTube videos explaining what you do, your odds of making it into an AI-generated answer go way up. Basically, you want to be the cool kid that the robots can’t stop gossiping about.
Finding the Right Balance (SEO + AI = Your New Power Couple)
So, what’s the plan you ask? Keep your website optimized for Google—fast, mobile-friendly, keyword-rich, and glowing with reviews. But don’t stop there. Start showing up in the AI’s favorite hangouts: answer questions on Reddit, get mentioned in credible articles that make their way to Wikipedia, and post YouTube videos that actually help people. Think about your greatest FAQs.
It’s a bit like cross-training for your brand: cardio with Google, strength training with AI. Skip one, and you’re lopsided.
How to Get Started (Without Breaking Into a Cold Sweat)
Tune up your SEO. Think of it as checking the oil before a road trip—you don’t want to break down halfway. Then go where the AIs are listening. Join real discussions on Reddit, explore whether your industry has Wikipedia representation, and create simple YouTube explainers. Even short videos—like “3 Things Every Small Contractor Screws Up during Scheduling”—can get traction.
And finally, play with the AI tools yourself. Type in the questions your customers might ask. If your business doesn’t show up, don’t panic—just take it as a roadmap for where to plant your flag next. Remember, AI isn’t replacing SEO; it’s just demanding you dress up a little nicer for the algorithmic dinner party.
