What Is AI Search and How Do you Show Up In It?
You’ve put time, energy, and money into your website. Whether you’ve had a website for years or you’ve just launched one, the goal is the same: You want your customers to find you online. Either way, you’ve probably noticed some changes.
Now, when you search for something online, there’s a big box of AI-generated text at the top of the search results offering an answer before anyone even sees a list of websites.
If you’re a business owner, this matters. It means your website might be getting pushed further down the page, even when your content strategy is solid. This shift is part of a new trend called AI search, and it’s becoming more common. Tools like Google’s AI Overview, Bing CoPilot, and platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity are using artificial intelligence to answer questions by pulling content from across the web.
But that doesn't mean you’re stuck. You can still show up and stay visible. How? By creating content that works with AI search. Here’s how:
Answer real Questions
AI search tools are built to identify content that answers questions directly and clearly. That means your blog posts, service pages, and FAQs should do the same.
Start by asking:
What are your customers Googling?
What problems are they trying to solve?
What would you type in if you were in their shoes?
Then, write your content in a way that makes it easy to pull from.
Use subheadings in the form of questions
Keep answers short and clear at the top of each section
Add supporting detail below for depth
This helps AI tools recognize your content as useful and they are more likely to quote or summarize it.
Stick to One Topic at a Time
AI search favors focused content. The more clearly your page is about one thing, the easier it is for search engines (and humans) to understand and trust it.
Instead of trying to cover everything in one post, break it out:
One page about your web design process
Another page about content strategy
One blog post answering a single customer question
Clarity helps your audience, and it helps you show up in AI-generated answers.
Be The Source, Not Just The Summary
If your content is helpful, original, and specific, AI tools are more likely to use it—and more importantly, people are more likely to trust it.
This means you should:
Share your unique perspective
Include examples, metaphors, or client scenarios
Offer insights that can’t be found anywhere else
Your voice and experience are what make your content yours. Don’t just repeat what others have said. Say it how you would say it, with your clients in mind.
Keep Your Site Simple and Searchable
You don’t need fancy tech to make your site AI-friendly. But you do want to make sure it’s:
Mobile-friendly and fast-loading
Easy to navigate
Using headings and structure that make sense
If your content is buried in huge paragraphs or confusing layouts, AI tools (and readers) may have trouble using it.
You can also help by:
Writing descriptive meta titles and descriptions for each page
Adding FAQs when appropriate
Linking related pages together to show topical depth
These are small things that help search engines understand your content, and they make it easier for AI tools to summarize and share.
Keep Showing Up, Even if the Rules Change
Whether you’ve been publishing content for years or you’re just starting out, the key is the same: keep showing up.
Yes, search is changing. But that doesn’t mean it’s broken.
People still go online looking for solutions, ideas, and expertise.
And when they find helpful, clear, human content? They trust it.
So, whether you’re rebuilding your rankings or starting from scratch, remember:
Show up with value
Speak to real people
Focus on what’s helpful, not what’s trendy
That’s what gets noticed by AI and actual humans alike.
Final Thoughts
AI search is here, and it’s changing how people find information online. But you don’t need to chase algorithms or become a tech expert to stay visible. You just need to write with intention, focus on clarity, and keep your audience in mind.
The rest will come.
Growing your business is a marathon, not a sprint. You can gradually build momentum by consistently implementing an integrated marketing strategy focused on quality content, SEO, social media, email, and strategic partnerships.
Need Content Support?
Reach out to the No Fear Media team. We’re based in Frederick, MD, and work with businesses locally and nationwide to create strategic content and digital experiences that connect.
