Quick answer – yes and no.
Let’s start by explaining what this is all about.
Google has launched a new search feature in the U.S. called Generative AI. Instead of showing results created by website owners, Google’s AI generates a detailed answer to your question, no matter how specific it is.
This is a huge change for SEO. Some people say it’s the biggest shift in the industry’s history, while others even think it could put SEO specialists out of work. But is that really going to happen? Let’s take a closer look.
In my opinion, they’re partly right – it will be the biggest change in the industry. No previous update has impacted SEO as much as this one will. But will the entire SEO industry die?
Generative AI will push some search results into the background. It will shine with its convenience and speed of providing necessary information, but the information itself… someone still needs to supply it.
For example, Generative AI can answer who was the U.S. President in 1967, what does “aberration” mean, or recommend a family-friendly movie. It provides the answer in one sentence because that’s all you need. But what if you’re looking for more than just a quick answer? What if you want to:
- Buy a phone case?
- Find a café nearby?
- Book a flight or hotel?
- Enroll in an online course?
- Find a specific image?
These types of searches aim to take you to a website, not just to give you a quick answer. So what does this mean for SEO? Website owners will still have control over what shows up in search results. There will still be competition to rank for terms like "microwave," "online course," or "book a hotel."
- 46% of all Google searches have local intent (people searching for nearby places or services).
- 84% of consumers sometimes or frequently discover new products, services, or businesses online.
- 18% of local searches on mobile lead to a purchase within one day.
Getting customers through Google has always been and will continue to be a competitive field. If you’re not active in this space, your competitors could easily take the lead, so don’t fall behind.
