AI Search Optimization 101: What is Search Everywhere Optimization Now?
Every time a new technology comes along, people start sounding the alarm that SEO is dead. It happened when Google shifted its algorithm, when social media started driving traffic, and now with the rise of AI search tools. The reality? SEO is not DEAD. SEO is doing what it's been doing all along... Evolving.
What we call it today is Search Everywhere Optimization. The game is no longer just about ranking on Google. It’s about making sure your brand gets mentioned wherever people are searching, whether that’s on TikTok, LinkedIn, AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, or in traditional search engines.
We have a quote below from Chris McElroy SEO Agency, from a recent post we did on the topic of AI search optimization. AI search optimization is about adapting your strategy so you’re visible across other popular platforms buyers go for answers, because AI answers don't use traditional SEO as we know it.
Here is a quote from a blog on Chris McElroy SEO Agency:
So, what’s different about optimizing for AI search results?
- In SEO, you have link building. In AI you are after brand mentions on trusted websites. AI doesn’t care whether it’s a link or not. You need people talking about your brand. Schema Markup can be used differently. Google only recognizes a few types of schema that it will consider including in rich snippets.
- Schema.org has more than 700 types of schema markup. All of them can help AI understand the content of your website better. AI doesn’t care which ones are Google-approved.
- You don’t have to go FAQ-crazy to do AEO. The structure of your headers can be changed a little to benefit your AI-SEO efforts. Try creating an H2 in the form of a question. Then answer it briefly in the paragraph just below it. You can write more paragraphs, but make sure you’ve provided a good answer in that first paragraph.
- Google has stated that site speed is not a ranking factor for SEO. For AI, site speed is essential. It’s focused on providing answers to it’s users quickly. While Google might rank the better answer or content over the faster website, AI is going to give you the fastest best answer. - Chris McElroy SEO Agency
We Call it Search Everywhere Optimization
AI Search Optimization is a real, evolving layer on top of traditional SEO. It’s about more than tweaking keywords; it means optimizing for answer engines, brand mentions, conversational search, and the way people interact with AI-driven tools.
Here are the key ideas covered:
AI isn't replacing SEO, but it’s changing the rules. Now you have to think about voice search, AI assistants, and social platforms as search sources. Brand visibility becomes more critical than ever. It’s less about ranking first on Google and more about being mentioned or having your content surfaced by AI when relevant.
On-page + off-page tactics both matter in AI search optimization: your content needs to be customer-focused, ask & answer real questions, and use schema or structured data to help AI understand what you offer. Off-page, you need people talking about your brand on different popular platforms, whether it's through reviews, mentions, shares, or trusted citations.
Strategies like FAQ schema, portable content, conversational tone, entity/brand signals, and attention to speed and user experience all play a part.
Don’t wait until your digital presence gets left behind. If you want to stay visible everywhere your customers search, it’s time to adapt. Let’s build your Search Everywhere Optimization strategy. Book your free, no-obligation consultation with Chris McElroy SEO today!
