How Businesses Can Use SearchGPT To Drive Traffic
- October 21, 2024
- Blog
Some marketers and business owners might be panicked about this shift from website rankings to AI-powered searches. Change — it always has an element of anxiety about it. But as the light shines on how the potential future of answer search engines will work, it also highlights how businesses can use SearchGPT positively to boost their revenue.
The trick is to start adding answer engine optimization (AEO) into your online strategy now to prepare you for this exciting, emerging technology.
In this article, we look at strategies that you can incorporate into your online marketing plan to optimize your content for answer search engines, like SearchGPT. Traditional search engine optimization (SEO) and answer engine optimization (AEO) have a number of overlapping techniques, which make integrating new optimization methods for the new search engine type easy to manage. There is also a bonus tip at the end of the article on how to drive traffic to your site, even with answer search engines, so read till the end for that!
What is SeachGPT?
SearchGPT is an answer search engine created by OpenAI. It uses AI technology to scan the web for a user’s query and provide the result in a conversational, concise manner that fits contextually to the user’s question.
How is SearchGPT different from traditional search engines?
Results for user inquiries are about to become more conversational. The same developers as ChatGPT made SearchGPT, so it is no surprise that SearchGPT will have the same innovative natural language processing capabilities. Users will interact with it similar to a conversation with someone at an information kiosk or help desk.
Unlike traditional search engines, SearchGPT does not have a master algorithm, keyword rankings, or robot categorizations, resulting in a static web link response. Instead, It will give users direct, concise answers in a conversational tone.
If the user wants to know, they can continue the conversation and ask follow-up questions. The AI technology will remember the user’s previous queries and give answers within context.
Will AI-powered answer engines replace traditional search engines?
Yes, and no. AI technology will absolutely affect search engines. Some traditional search engines might still take a complete, algorithmic approach. Then there are those, like Google, who might choose to be hybrids.
For now, Google is keeping its explorative link results. But, it is starting to incorporate AI into features like the AI Overview and Snippets, which are concise answers above the link rankings.
Answer search engines, like SearchGPT and Perplexity, will probably stick to their natural language processing and not incorporate the traditional algorithm technique. Users will get to decide what type of search they want and go to the according search engine.
It is not so much about one technology replacing the other as about making more options available for the user and their preferences. AI technology has never been about replacing but about enhancing. It enhances the user experience and the way we interact with the web.
Will my click-through traffic drop even if I optimize for SearchGPT for business?
Probably, yes. While it will still take a few years for SearchGPT to get a decent market share of users, the way users interact with it will affect the click-through rate.
Due to the nature of answer search engine results, of a concise answer, users won’t need to click through to the website as frequently as with traditional search engines. All answers from SearchGPT will feature a citation of the original website on which it is based its result, but if the user is unlikely to click through for all results,
However, that doesn’t mean the end of traffic. In fact, there is an opportunity here for content creators, marketers, and business owners wanting to use SearchGPT for business.
Actionable tips to optimize SearchGPT for businesses
Learning how businesses can use SearchGPT in theory is great, but actionable tips are way better! Here are some strategies you can use to prepare your online business for the future of SearchGPT.
1. Be conversational with your content
The days of writing for keywords and keeping readability high are over. While you still need to ensure that your content is high quality, focused, and adds value, you can drop the formal tone and be more conversational.
Adapting your tone will enable you to write more naturally worded content around questions that users will ask and get in those long-tail keyword questions. Think about how someone might ask a voice assistant, like Siri, or an answer search engine, like SearchGPT, a question. Your content should reflect a response that matches.
Update your website’s content, frequently asked questions (FAQ), and blog posts to reflect the language of your target audience. Don’t just think about simple keywords; think about more complete questions.
Top tip
For example, instead of focusing on “lawnmower,” “best lawnmower for a small garden,” or “how do I choose the best lawnmower for a small garden,” focus on answering the question, “How do I choose the best lawnmower for a small garden?”
2. Use your headers to create a clear structure
Break up your content by using different headings, such as H1, H2, and H3, to create a clear, easy-to-read structure.
You probably already do this to make your content scannable for the reader, but now it is also a great optimization technique for answer search engines. When SearchGPT scans the web for the answer to a user’s inquiry, a clear, heading structure allows it to quickly identify the answer for the user.
Top tip
For example, use questions-based headings such as “How does my business qualify for tax incentives?” and then follow it with a detailed explanation.
3. Implement Schema Markup
A clear Schema Markup is a foundation for traditional SEO tactics, but if you haven’t incorporated it yet for your articles, then now is the time. Schema Markup helps SearchGPT understand your content better and provides the AI with key details about your business.
Top tip
When creating your Schema Markup, ensure you include essential elements such as your business name, location, products, and services. If you need help getting started, you can use tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper to get started.
Read: What Is Schema Markup, and How Do I Implement It for SEO?
4. Write more long-form content with detail
You know that saying, “It’s all in the details?” SearchGPT loves detailed articles, as they give the user a full answer to their query. Content that provides thorough, in-depth answers is likely to be picked up by AI-driven searches.
Top tip
Plan blog posts and guides that cover a specific topic, comprehensively. For example, if you are writing about “how to start an online boutique,” ensure you cover everything from product selection to marketing strategies. You can include a table of contents at the top to ensure readers can navigate the longer content with ease.
Bonus tip to keep traffic coming to your website
You can expand your channels to your website, so your traffic isn’t as reliant on search engines. Other channels include using social media and paid advertising. However, another element should be mentioned here that you can also use to get traffic to your site, regardless of the channel they are coming from.
And that is interactive content.
Why should you use interactive content?
- Visual content gets 94% more videos than static.
- Visual content increases sharing potential by 40%
- 87% of marketers say that adding video helped them generate leads
Entice visitors to make the trip to your site by offering a higher value with interactive content. You can use downloadable content, polls and forms, or calculators. Answer search engines will refer to your website if they recognize that your tool will answer the user’s inquiry.
Top tip
Increase the value of your content by offering different types. By expanding to webinars, podcasts, interactive tools, videos and downloadable content, you are giving a user a reason to visit.
Invest in higher content with WebFX
Need help diversifying your content for all channels and optimizing for different search engines? The WebFX team has the professionals and experts to help you move your business forward into an AI-technology-enhanced world.
Our digital marketing services can be tailored to match what you need for your objectives. Integrating answer engine strategies tailored for SearchGPT for business ensures that your content will rank higher and be featured in AI-driven search results.
Don’t be left behind — contact us today to drive revenue tomorrow!
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