Last week, we wrote about how the digital landscape is shifting from traditional SEO to AI-driven GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). We covered the why; now, let’s talk about the how.
While technical optimization can be complex, some of the most powerful signals you can send to Google and AI engines are things you can do yourself, starting today.
Here are three high-impact actions you can take immediately to strengthen your digital footprint:
1) The Direct Ask (Using Your Secret Weapon)
The single most effective way to build authority is to get more reviews on your Google Business Profile (GBP). But don’t just wait for them—ask for them. Send an email to your customer base. Be honest and human. Tell them, “We would really appreciate your feedback—it helps a local business like ours a lot.”
Crucial Step: Do not make them search for you. Include your unique GBP review link directly in the email. If you make it easy, your conversion rate will be a lot higher.
2) Double Down on Social Proof
Reviews shouldn’t just live on Google; they should also be visible on your website. First, create a dedicated “Reviews” or “Testimonials” page on your site. Second, sprinkle specific reviews throughout your individual product and service pages.
Why this matters: This provides “Social Proof.” It serves a dual purpose:
- For the Bots: It validates your authority and relevance to the AI crawlers.
- For the Humans: It builds trust while they are vetting you, increasing the likelihood of a sale.
3) The Power of Consistency
In SEO, as in most things in life, consistency beats intensity. It is better to get one new review every week than to get 50 reviews in one day and then go silent for a year. It is better to add one paragraph of rich content to your site each week than to undertake a massive overhaul once a decade. Search engines and AI models crave fresh data. By being consistent, you prove to the digital world that you are active and relevant.
Bonus Tech Tip: Practical AI for Operations
We’re often asked: “How can I use AI in my business aside from marketing?”
Here is a simple way to start using AI as an executive assistant: Open ChatGPT or Google Gemini and upload a PDF of a recent vendor contract or an insurance policy. Then, provide the following prompt: “Please pull the key points from this contract and identify where the top risk factors are.”
Pro Move: If you have two contracts (for example, a new vendor versus an old vendor), upload both and ask, “Compare these two contracts.”
Note: AI isn’t perfect and can miss details, but using it to summarize dense documentation can save you hours of reading and flag issues you might have otherwise missed.
You have the power to move the needle on your own search rankings starting right now. However, remember that while you can do this alone, you don’t have to. If you need help finding your unique review link, want strategies for automating your review requests, or need website content ideas, reply to this email or ask your BAM. We are here to help you stay consistent, which wins the game.
Nick Saban could have been an SEO expert. Why? Because he understood that “The Process is the definition of what you have to do to accomplish the goal, but then you have to have the discipline…”
For non-Alabama fans, watch the first half of the video below; for Alabama fans, you can watch the full length.