How to Rank Your Website for AI Search
Artificial intelligence is changing how people find information online, and how businesses get discovered. Tools like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overviews, and Perplexity are now answering questions directly instead of just listing links. That means your website needs to do more than show up in Google, it needs to show up in AI search results too. Here’s how to position your business for this new era of search.
Focus on Clear, Helpful Content
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Write in a conversational, natural tone that answers real questions customers ask.
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Use headings and short paragraphs that make it easy for AI to interpret your content.
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Think like your customer: what would they type, or say, when looking for your service?
Example: Instead of “We offer a range of professional landscaping solutions,” say “We help homeowners design and maintain beautiful, low-maintenance yards.”
Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)
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Add schema markup for your business info, products, FAQs, and reviews.
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This helps AI tools pull accurate, trustworthy details from your website.
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If you’re on WordPress, plugins like RankMath or Yoast can add schema easily.
Example: If you own a local café, adding schema for your hours, location, and menu helps AI tools display your business details accurately when someone asks, “Where can I get coffee near me?”
Build Authority
- Create content that answers related questions around your core services.
- Link between posts so AI can see you’re an authority on a topic.
- Keep your information current, outdated pages are often ignored.
Prioritize User Experience
- Fast loading speed, mobile-friendly design, and clear navigation all matter.
- Reduce pop-ups and distractions, friction makes visitors bounce faster.
- Include visible contact info, pricing clarity, and testimonials to boost credibility.
Example: Imagine a customer looking for surf lessons in Waikīkī. If your website loads quickly, shows prices upfront, and makes it easy to book from their phone, they’re more likely to stay and sign up, and AI notices that engagement.
Get Mentioned Beyond Your Website
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Encourage reviews on Google and local directories.
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Get listed on relevant business or industry sites.
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Share helpful insights on social platforms, AI often pulls from widely shared, reputable content.
Example: If a local wellness clinic has positive Google reviews, is featured in a Hawaii business directory, and shares educational posts on social media, AI recognizes those mentions as signs of credibility, making it more likely the clinic appears in AI-driven search results.
Write for Humans, Not Robots
The best way to rank in AI search is the same way you connect with people, through clarity, honesty, and real value.
- Be clear about what you offer and who it helps.
- Be trustworthy by sharing accurate, transparent information.
- Be genuinely helpful, answer questions before people have to ask them.
Example: A tax advisor who clearly explains complex terms like “deductions” or “quarterly filings” in simple language will connect better with readers, and AI. Content that helps people understand and take action performs far better than content written just to rank.
AI search isn’t replacing SEO, it’s refining it. The websites that rise to the top are the ones that understand their audience, write with purpose, and build digital trust. When your content is clear, consistent, and genuinely useful, both people and AI will find it.
