AI Search Has Changed the Game , Are You Still Playing by 2022 Rules?
Google’s May 2025 update didn’t just tweak the algorithm , it reshaped the entire search landscape. With AI Mode, SGE, and AI Overviews becoming the default experience for many users, traditional SEO alone no longer guarantees visibility.
Most users now find answers without ever clicking a website. These “zero click searches” mean the fight for visibility now happens inside the AI generated answer box , long before a user reaches your homepage.
If your content isn’t structured to feed AI models, you’re invisible.
From SEO to AEO , What’s Actually Changed?
In 2025, visibility starts with AEO: Answer Engine Optimisation. Here’s how it differs from old school SEO:
- AI Overviews pull content from trusted sites with structured data and schema
- Zero click searches dominate, reducing traditional click throughs
- AI powered platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini prioritise clear, factual, authoritative content
- It’s no longer just about being on page one , it’s about being the source AI pulls from
Key Insight: If your site can’t be quoted in an AI answer, it won’t be seen , or clicked.
Your Website is Still the Home Base , Not Just a GBP Add On
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is crucial , but for local and service based businesses it’s like your 2IC, not the main act. Your website remains the primary home base for:
- Feeding AI Overviews with structured data
- Converting users who click through from GBP, AI Answers, or voice search
- Demonstrating authority and EEAT (Expertise, Experience, Authority, Trust)
A well built site works hand in hand with your GBP , structured pages drive visibility in AI, and clear call to actions turn interest into leads.
Why “Content Structure Is King” , Not Just Content
The old rule was “Content is King” , but that no longer cuts it. In 2025, content structure is king:
- Websites can’t just list services , they must guide users through the journey: Problem > Solution > Offer
- Your content needs to connect the service to the offer, and answer the user’s question with authority
- Site wide topical depth and page level clarity are what signal authority to AI models
Your website should operate like an expert library , with pillar pages, service clusters, and local insights that prove you’re a trusted source.
Major shake up in SEO! September 2025 “Perspective” Update
“Google’s Perspective Update is the biggest shift in search since the early dot com boom. It marks a new chapter in how websites are ranked , and more importantly, how people search. This is the dawn of a new era in digital visibility.”
, Vanessa Wood, Brighter Websites
Here’s our tips to Win in Search post Sept 2025:
- Expertise Recognition: Surface level tips, keyword stuffed fluff, or 100% AI generated content without oversight is no longer enough. Google now rewards deep analysis, real world examples, and clear subject matter expertise.
- Fresh Perspective Matters: Regurgitated content doesn’t cut it. To rank, your pages must offer unique insights, first hand experience, or original data , not just echo what others are saying.
- AI Content Detection Is Smarter: Google’s AI can now spot thin, artificially generated content at scale. What ranks is real, useful, expert led content with purpose.
- Tracking Visibility Has Changed: The removal of the &num=100 parameter has disrupted rank tracking tools. With SERP results now harder to scan in bulk, SEO strategy must shift from position obsession to visibility impact , how often, where, and how usefully you appear.
- Don’t Panic Over Drops: Search Console might show sudden drops in impressions or clicks , but that doesn’t always mean you’re losing ground. Instead, track what matters: qualified leads, AI answer visibility, voice share, and engagement.
- Content that Completes the Journey Wins: Your Conversion metrics will favours pages that guide users from question to clarity, and so will Search Engines delivering full answers in a clear, logical, and accessible way. Think: “one focused, expert page per search intent.” Google favours content that fully answers the user’s question in a clear, structured, and useful way , without forcing them to bounce between 10 half answered pages.
[Sources: Hyperweb, ByteInspired, Raw Marketing, Search Engine Journal]
Local SEO is Local Authority Building
Ranking for local terms now means proving you’re locally relevant. AI search doesn’t just rely on keywords, it looks for:
- Location specific service content
- Mentioned partnerships, press coverage, and event involvement
- Trust signals like reviews and case studies
💡 Real World Win: A Ballarat based lawn service restructured its site with suburb targeted landing pages and a stronger brand narrative. In 90 days, online enquiries rose by 22%. Read the case study →
What You Can Do Right Now to Stay Visible
If you’re worried about being left behind, you’re not alone. Here’s what you can start doing today:
- Audit your content structure , are your pages interconnected with intent?
- Add schema to services, people, FAQs, and locations
- Create topical authority , not random blogs, but structured expertise
- Invest in digital PR , local press mentions, guest features, and collaborations
- Rebuild your site if it’s still just a service list , it must guide, not just describe
Let’s Optimise for AI Visibility, Not Just Rankings
Want to know how your site stacks up in the age of AI search?
Book your **Free** AI SEO Audit today. We’ll show you where you stand in AI rankings , and what you can fix fast.
