The rise of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence (AI) in search engines has led many businesses to wonder what their next move is in terms of visibility in search. With search engines becoming increasingly sophisticated, it is now more important than ever for businesses to focus on local SEO in order to stay ahead of the competition.
With Google’s announcement of Bard, the experimental conversational AI service powered by LaMDA and Microsoft’s new release of Bing, with over 1 million users signed up to try the new experience already, it’s clear that the SEO industry is going through massive change.
These new advances have made it clear that the future of SEO is deeply entangled with Artificial Intelligence. It’s not a case of “if” SEO will be changed by AI, but when and how soon.
So how can you make the most of the future in Search?
In this article from Tecmark’s SEO team, we discuss how AI will impact Local Search including:
- What is local SEO in 2023?
- AI and Local Search
- Benefits of Local Search in 2023
What is Local SEO in 2023?
Local SEO refers to the process of optimizing a website and its content to rank higher in search engine results for specific local search queries. This type of optimization helps businesses to reach customers in their local area and is critical for businesses that rely on local foot traffic for their success. In the age of AI, local SEO is becoming increasingly important in getting your website seen by the right people at the right time.
AI and Local Search Results
While AI is becoming better at answering informational queries, it’s still a far cry from replicating the human experience of shopping and searching for products or services in a specific area. This is why local SEO has become more important than ever.
For example, let’s say someone is searching for “best coffee shops near me”. A search engine powered by AI might be able to provide a list of popular coffee shops in the area, but it won’t be able to provide the personal recommendations that a human would be able to give. A well-optimised local business listing, on the other hand, could provide the searcher with all the information they need to make a decision about where to go for their coffee fix, including reviews, photos, and the business’s location.
A business with a strong local SEO presence will also be more likely to appear at the top of the list. This is because search engines prioritise businesses that have a consistent NAP (name, address, and phone number) across multiple directories and that have a high number of positive reviews and high engagement on their Google My Business listing.
In 2023, with the rise of AI in search, it’s more important than ever for businesses to focus on local SEO. This will help ensure that they are easily discoverable by people in their area and that they are able to stand out in search results, even as AI becomes more advanced. By investing in local SEO, businesses can be confident that they are reaching the right people at the right time, helping them to grow their customer base and ultimately increasing their bottom line
What are the benefits of Local SEO in 2023?
Boost Your Local Authority
With AI-powered search engines taking over, it will is essential that your business is represented in the best capacity from a local perspective. AI will likely rely on local search signals that are already in place, so ensuring that your business is up to scratch from a local SEO perspective to ensure that your business is chosen when a user searches for your type of business in their area. Local SEO helps to send more signals, through local listings, GBP, and even link building, about your business’s authority in your local area, so your business is more likely to be chosen by AI over others.
Reach Your Target Audience
One of the key benefits of local SEO is that it helps businesses to reach their target audience. With the rise of AI, search engines are becoming better at understanding the intent behind a search query. This means that they are able to provide more accurate results based on the user’s location, interests, and search history. By optimising for local search queries, you can ensure that your business appears at the top of the search engine results when potential customers are searching for products or services in your area.
Establish Brand Trust
Local SEO helps businesses to establish their brand and build trust with their target audience. When customers see your business appear at the top of the search engine results for local search queries with positive reviews and social proof, they will begin to associate your brand with being a top-tier provider in your area. This not only helps to establish your brand, but it also helps to build trust with your target audience. Trust is critical in any business relationship, and by using local SEO to establish your brand and build trust with your target audience, you can improve your customer retention rates and grow your business.
Improve User Experience
Local SEO can also help to improve their website’s user experience. With the rise of AI, search engines are becoming better at understanding what users are looking for and are able to provide more accurate and relevant results. This means that businesses need to focus on optimising their website’s user experience in order to ensure that they are providing a positive experience for their visitors. With Local SEO, you can ensure that your website is easy to navigate, provides relevant local information, and is ready for both desktop and mobile devices.
Stay Ahead of local Competition
With more and more businesses focusing on online marketing and search engine optimisation, it is more important than ever to stand out from the crowd. With local SEO, your website will be optimised to have a higher chance for your business to appear at the top of the search engine results and be easily accessible to your target audience. This not only helps to drive traffic to your website, but also helps to establish your brand as a top-tier provider in your area.
In 2023, with the rise of AI in search, Google’s Bard, and Microsoft’s AI-powered Bing, it’s more important than ever for businesses to focus on local SEO, ensuring they are easily discoverable by people in their area and that they are able to stand out in search results, even as AI becomes more advanced.
Tecmark has over 15 years of experience in delivering local SEO to businesses of all sizes, and with AI-powered search taking over, it’s crucial to ensure your business is optimised from a local perspective to not fall behind your competitors. Get in touch to see how we can help you.
Looking for information on local SEO? Check out this blog for more information on Local SEO and how it’s used.
