AI is taking the world by storm. With nearly a third of the U.S. population (about 112.6 million people) using AI-powered tools, according to Semrush, it's no longer a trend but proof that the search landscape is changing forever. Platforms like Google’s AI Overview, Perplexity.ai, and ChatGPT are redefining how people discover information, search for services, and make buying decisions. That means businesses can’t afford to ignore this shift.

We’re in the midst of a new dot-com bubble—and this time, it’s powered by AI.

Just as companies that ignored the internet in the early 2000s were left behind, businesses today risk becoming invisible if they don’t appear in AI-generated search results.

No matter the buzzwords—AI SEO, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), or Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)—this new frontier demands fresh strategies and proven expertise.

At Red Shark Digital, a leading North Carolina digital marketing agency, we strive to position clients at the forefront of AI-driven search, delivering real visibility, traffic, and results. Thanks to longstanding SEO strategy and consistent content creation, our clients are earning top placement in AI-generated search results. Our approach combines targeted keyword research, on-page optimization, structured data, and high-quality, intent-driven content—all supported by a strong technical SEO foundation and ongoing education in the latest SEO tools and practices.

In this article, we highlight recent successes with AI-powered platforms and show how your business can get ahead by shifting its AI search strategy.

Owning Google’s AI Overview with SpeechEasy

SpeechEasy, a leader in stuttering devices, now appears in Google’s AI Overview for key search queries that matter most to their audience. By creating clear, informative, and well-structured content that speaks directly to the needs of potential customers, we positioned their website as a reliable source both Google and real people can trust.

This kind of placement doesn’t happen overnight. As a multi-year client with Red Shark Digital, we have consistently generated strategic, impactful content. Our content mix focuses on a blend of targeting mid- and top-of-funnel audiences, ensuring it reaches users at key moments in their decision-making journey. A piece of the strategy centers around long-tail and question-based keywords that mirror how people naturally search—especially in conversational and AI-powered environments. These include queries like “how does SpeechEasy work for adults?” or “what helps with speech anxiety?” which are more likely to be surfaced in Google’s AI Overview. By creating educational blog posts, in-depth FAQs, and solution-driven landing pages, the content informs, builds trust, and gradually guides users from awareness to consideration. Through this strategic mix across the buying journey, it not only helps the customers better understand their options—it also provides structured, relevant content that supports how machine learning systems interpret and deliver helpful results. This dual benefit strengthens visibility while enhancing the experience for both users and AI platforms.

Through ongoing SEO efforts, technical optimization, and a deep understanding of their audience, they now rank for a multitude of high-value keywords and queries that earn visibility in Google’s AI Overview.

Today, SpeechEasy is recognized not just as a solution for stuttering, but as a trusted authority in the broader conversation around hearing and speech impairments. This level of recognition attracts new customers at every stage of the funnel — from early research to ready-to-convert — positioning the brand as a go-to resource in its space.

It’s a powerful place to be. When your business becomes the answer, you’re not just earning traffic — you’re building lasting trust and sustainable growth.

Driving Revenue through ChatGPT with Neuse Sport Shop

ChatGPT has rapidly become one of the most recognized AI platforms, transforming how people search for products and services. Industry tools like Google Analytics and Semrush now allow direct attribution of website traffic and revenue to ChatGPT-generated search results.

Reeling in a new revenue stream, Neuse Sport Shop, a leading outdoor equipment provider in Eastern North Carolina, has seen measurable purchase conversions driven by ChatGPT traffic thanks to an AI e-commerce strategy and conversational search optimization techniques.

Unlike traditional search engines such as Google or Bing, ChatGPT offers a conversational interface that lets users ask questions as detailed or broad as they wish—queries they might not typically enter into a standard search bar. Acting as a digital salesperson, ChatGPT delivers intentionally matched, relevant product recommendations, eliminating the need to sift through endless listings on Google Shopping or Amazon and helping users find exactly what they need, faster.

Neuse Sport Shop’s presence in these AI-driven results highlights Red Shark Digital’s ability to strategically position clients across the search landscape. This success stems from comprehensive content and SEO optimization across their product pages—including enhancements to metadata, keyword targeting, internal linking, and structured data. By aligning product content with both user intent and search engine requirements, we’ve helped unlock new revenue opportunities and drive meaningful conversions in the new age of e-commerce.

Perplexity AI: Red Shark Digital Stakes Its Claim

One of the most popular emerging platforms is Perplexity.ai — an AI-powered search engine that combines conversational responses with real-time web citations. It provides users with direct, sourced answers and lists exactly where that information came from. As perplexity prioritizes authoritative and well-structured content, appearing there requires more than basic SEO tactics.

That’s exactly why Red Shark Digital appears in Perplexity’s answers to questions like, “What are some marketing agencies in North Carolina?” We didn’t just optimize a page or chase a trend: We’ve earned that spot from invested time building a deep, strategic content library on our own site, testing it in the real world, and using it to establish authority across both traditional search engines and AI-generated platforms, consistently ranking ahead of our competitors.

We know what works for you because we’ve done it for ourselves. Our methods are researched, tested, and proven, refined through firsthand experience and constant adaptation. We’re not just following SEO trends; we’re helping define what effective, AI-ready content looks like.

If your business isn’t being cited in these AI-generated answers, you’re already one step behind. With the right SEO and content strategy, you can become the trusted source your audience is looking for.

AI Search Engine Optimization Best Practices

While much of AI search still feels like a black box, Google recently released clear, actionable guidance on how to improve your chances of being featured in AI Overviews. If you're serious about staying visible as the search experience evolves, these best practices are a must.

1. Start with real value, not just visibility.

Google emphasizes content that’s genuinely useful to readers. That means ditching filler and fluff in favor of clear, relevant answers that meet user needs. It’s not about “writing for algorithms”—it’s about writing with purpose for real people.

2. Performance still plays a role.

Your content could be great, but if the site is slow, hard to navigate, or not optimized for mobile, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage. Technical elements like page speed and mobile usability still influence AI Overview inclusion and overall SEO of your site.

3. Make sure your content is crawlable.

AI Overview can’t feature your content if Google can’t access it. Avoid technical barriers like disallowed pages, JavaScript-heavy layouts, or mismatched structured data that might confuse the system.

4. Use structured data correctly—or not at all.

While structured data can support your content, it’s not a shortcut. Google is clear: your structured data should reflect what’s actually on the page. Any attempt to mislead or "over-optimize" may backfire.

The Present Future of Search Engine Optimization

The new-age of search is unfolding before our eyes. AI-powered platforms are fundamentally reshaping how people seek information and make decisions.

The data is clear: early adopters who embrace AI-enhanced SEO are unlocking new revenue streams, increasing conversions, and building stronger overarching topical authority. Just as the rise of the internet transformed commerce decades ago, AI is ushering in a new era where search is smarter, faster, and more intuitive. Success depends on creating deeply relevant, well-structured content that not only answers questions but also earns placement in AI-generated responses millions rely on daily.

At Red Shark Digital, we don’t just anticipate this future—we help our clients own it. By integrating AI-driven strategies with proven SEO expertise, we position your business to become the leader and thrive in the new age of search.

Are you ready to own it? Contact us today and let’s put AI to work for your business. Stay tuned for upcoming content, resources, and actionable advice to get your site in the top of the SERPs.