Everything changed on November 30, 2022, when OpenAI released ChatGPT. While the tech giants scrambled to catch up, that release opened the gates for a shopper revolution as significant as the invention of the World Wide Web.
For your business, AI has now impacted operations across the entire organization—from the back office to the front office. But the biggest question we hear at BEST Digital is: Does AI make SEO unimportant?
Actually, it does the opposite. It makes SEO—and the new concept of GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)—a critical part of your future.
What is SEO in 2026?
Historically, SEO was primarily about convincing a search engine to list your website at the top of the results. Today, with the rise of GEO, it is about optimizing your digital footprint so that AI models trust you enough to recommend you as the answer. It’s not just about being found; it’s about being cited as the best solution.
Here is what you need to do starting now to position yourself for the AI era:
1) Master Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
Make sure your profile is not just “set,” but active. You need to regularly update posts, videos, Q&A, and photos. Why? ChatGPT and Google Gemini use this structured data to verify that you are still in business and relevant. Pro Tip: Our team can run a FREE GBP heatmap analysis for your business to see how your top three services rank. Reply to this email or ask your BAM to get started. A sample client report is below.
2) Treat Reviews as Data
Search engines have always liked reviews, but AI is obsessed with them. AI analyzes the sentiment of your reviews to understand how customers actually feel about you. You must build your review volume on Google and Facebook, but the real “hack” is writing well-thought-out responses to every review. This text provides context that AI reads to understand your customer service philosophy.
3) Depth of Content with Length
In the past, writing 1,000 words on a page might have helped you rank. Today, AI can spot “fluff” instantly. Your website content needs to be rich and authoritative. This means providing real-world examples, specific product comparisons, and unique insights that an AI couldn’t guess on its own. Show, don’t just tell. You need more content than ever on your website.
Navigating the shift from traditional SEO to AI-driven visibility can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. BEST Digital is here to ensure your business doesn’t just survive the AI revolution—but thrives in it. If you have questions about your current ranking or want to claim your free GBP analysis, reply to this email or reach out to your Business Account Manager (BAM) today. Let’s get your digital footprint ready for the future.