Your SEO strategy is already outdated. Here's what's replacing it - and how to stay visible when AI decides who gets found.

If you're still obsessing over keyword rankings in 2026, I need to tell you something uncomfortable: you're optimising for a world that no longer exists.

Google hasn't disappeared. But the way people find businesses has fundamentally changed. And if you don't adapt, you'll become invisible - not because you're doing bad marketing, but because you're doing the wrong kind of marketing.

Welcome to the era of Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO).

The Death of "10 Blue Links"

Here's what's happening right now:

Your potential customers aren't just typing keywords into Google anymore. They're asking ChatGPT for recommendations. They're searching TikTok for reviews. They're checking Reddit for honest opinions. They're asking Alexa which service to book.

And here's the problem: traditional SEO doesn't help you show up in any of those places.

Nearly 1 in 5 people now use voice search. Statista predicts 36% of the global population will be searching via AI by 2028. When someone asks ChatGPT "What's the best marketing agency for small businesses?" - Google rankings don't determine the answer.

The AI decides. And it uses completely different criteria.

What Is AEO (And Why Should You Care)?

Answer Engine Optimisation is about making your brand visible across AI-powered discovery platforms - not just traditional search engines.

Think about it:

• ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity - these tools recommend brands directly in their responses

• Voice assistants - Alexa and Siri give single answers, not lists of options

• Social search - TikTok and Reddit users discover businesses through content, not keywords

The old approach was: rank for keywords, get clicks, hope people convert.

The new approach is: become the trusted answer that AI systems recommend.

The 3-Part Framework for AEO Success

1. Be the Answer, Not Just a Result

AI systems don't show 10 options. They summarise what they trust and recommend specific brands.

To get recommended, you need:

• Consistent, helpful content across multiple platforms

• Clear, structured information that AI can easily understand

• Third-party validation - reviews, mentions, citations from trusted sources

The more quality signals you create, the more likely AI is to mention your brand when someone asks a relevant question.

2. Optimise for Search Everywhere

Your audience searches differently on different platforms:

TikTok users want quick, visual tips. Create short, punchy content that answers specific questions.

Reddit users want authentic discussion. Participate genuinely in relevant communities. Answer questions. Share insights without being salesy.

YouTube users want depth. Create longer content that thoroughly covers topics in your expertise.

AI assistants need structured data. Use FAQ schemas, clear headers, and organised content that machines can parse.

This is "Search Everywhere Optimisation" - and it's becoming mandatory for survival.

3. Build Trust Through Citations

Here's what most businesses miss: AI cares more about what others say about you than what you say about yourself.

The brands winning at AEO aren't the ones shouting loudest. They're the ones being talked about - in blog posts, podcasts, reviews, and community discussions.

Focus on:

• Getting mentioned in relevant publications and podcasts

• Generating genuine customer reviews across platforms

• Contributing valuable insights to industry conversations

• Building relationships that lead to organic mentions

Sentiment matters too. Positive discussions boost your AI visibility. Negativity drags you down.

Real-World Example: The Salon That Disappeared

I worked with a salon owner who had great Google rankings for local keywords. Business was steady - until it wasn't.

Her bookings dropped 40% in six months. She couldn't understand why - her SEO hadn't changed.

The problem? Her customers had changed how they searched. Younger clients were asking friends on Instagram. Checking TikTok for "best salons near me." Asking AI assistants for recommendations.

She was invisible on all of those platforms.

The fix wasn't more SEO. It was creating short-form video content, encouraging clients to share their experiences, and building a presence where her audience actually looked.

Within three months, bookings recovered - and most new clients mentioned finding her on social media or through recommendations, not Google.

The Action Plan: What to Do This Week

Day 1-2: Audit Your Discovery Footprint Search for your business on ChatGPT, Perplexity, and through voice assistants. Do you appear? What does the AI say about you? This is your baseline.

Day 3-4: Identify Your Platforms Where does your target audience actually search? If you serve young consumers, TikTok matters more than you think. If you serve business owners, LinkedIn and podcasts might be key.

Day 5-7: Create Your First AEO Content Pick one platform and create content that answers a specific question your audience asks. Make it helpful, not salesy. Focus on providing genuine value.

The Bottom Line

SEO isn't completely dead. Google still matters. But if SEO is your only strategy, you're building on a shrinking foundation.

The businesses winning in 2026 are the ones visible across the entire discovery landscape - traditional search, social search, AI recommendations, and voice assistants.

Start optimising for answers, not just rankings. Become the brand that AI recommends.

Because in 2026, if the AI doesn't mention you, you might as well not exist.

Want help building an AEO strategy for your business? Get in touch with the Business Warriors team - we help businesses become visible wherever their customers are searching.