SEO has always been about getting found where people are searching.
And now, that’s not just Google—it’s AI-powered tools like ChatGPT.
As a digital marketing agency, we track and report on where leads come from, and this year, we’ve seen a new trend: leads are now coming through ChatGPT.
For our own business, we found that we rank in the top results when people ask ChatGPT for the “best web design agency in Melbourne.”
So, what does this mean for businesses?
What this means is that AI is becoming a Google alternative.
People are using ChatGPT and other AI tools instead of Google to find businesses, get recommendations, and make buying decisions.
Instead of scrolling through search results, they’re getting a direct answer from AI.
That doesn’t mean you should abandon SEO.
Google is still a major search engine, driving millions of visitors to businesses every day.
It remains a valuable marketing channel.
The good news?
Many of the same strategies that improve your Google rankings also help you appear in AI-generated search results.
Optimising for SEO and AI search go hand in hand.
How Can Businesses Optimise for ChatGPT?
From what we’re seeing in our tests, many of the same SEO strategies apply:
- Follow the Four Pillars of SEO: Content, technical SEO, on-page optimisation, and backlinks still matter.
- Content Summaries Help: AI tools prefer clear, structured content. A short summary at the top of an article increases the chances of getting picked up.
What’s Next with AI?
While we can’t predict exactly where AI-powered search is heading, one thing is clear: where there are users, there are opportunities.
If your business isn’t thinking about how to be found in AI-driven search, now is the time to start.
Our SEO Quick Start service helps you optimise your site for search engines, ensuring you’re visible in both traditional and AI-powered search results.
You’ll get expert guidance, a clear strategy, and quick wins to improve your rankings.
