Google has just rolled out AI-generated search in Australia.

What on earth is that you ask?

I’ll keep it simple.

As you know, when you do a search, Google gives you a list of websites to choose from.

Thanks to this update, you’ll start to see an AI-generated summary above the usual search results.

To generate this summary, Google quickly searches the internet based on your question and uses AI to create a summary of the information it finds.

The idea is that Google does the legwork of visiting several websites, so you don’t have to.

(It also keeps you on Google’s front page for longer, so you’re more likely to click an ad and generate revenue for Google.)

In this article, I dive a little deeper into this change, what it means for your business and website traffic, and explain why creating unique, high-quality content is still your number one digital marketing priority.

What does Google's AI-generated search look like?

As you can see from the image, the AI-generated results are reasonably extensive and contain links to websites.

To see a moving example, check out the Google Blog.

There are also ads below the AI content before the familiar search listings.

At this stage, the AI roll-out is just for very broad informational searches on mobile devices.

So, if someone is looking for your company or very specific buying information related to your product or service, the search results will remain unchanged, and your website will still appear as usual.

Search results for ‘widgets near me’ have not changed.

But what does the future hold? Do you need to be worried or make changes to your marketing?

Keep doing the right thing

Honestly, if you’re doing all the right things with your website and digital marketing, you’ve got nothing to worry about.

Remember that Google has been using AI in some form for many, many years.

The rules of the game have not changed.

Here’s what you need to keep doing.

• Use professional content writers to create high-quality, user-first content. (Do not generate your content using AI).
• Make sure your content is interesting, helpful and engages with your ideal clients.
• Be strategic with your content plan, and make sure every hour spent at the keyboard is productive.
• Finally, put your content on a website structured and built for Google from day one.

Do these things and keep doing them week in, week out and your business will rise to the top and stay there.

Meet the author

I’m Deb Croucher, a former veterinary surgeon with a passion for digital marketing.

In 2008, I permanently traded my stethoscope for SEO after successfully leveraging Google to power my vet business.

Diagnosis and treatment is still part of my day though!

In Brilliant Digital, I identify issues, uncover opportunities and formulate marketing strategies that support business success and longevity.

You can read more digital marketing articles here. I love to chat so feel free to drop me a line!