The Drop: How to Make Your Business Show Up When People Ask AI
For the last two decades, the game was simple: if you wanted to be found online, you had to win at Google. You learned about keywords, backlinks, and domain authority. You optimized your website, wrote blog posts, and fought your way to the top of page one. We all knew the rules of Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
Those rules are quietly being rewritten. And if your business relies on being found online, you need to pay attention.
Welcome to The Drop ✨, where we break down the strategic shifts that are shaping the future of business. Today, we’re talking about the biggest change to search in a generation, and what it means for you.
The End of the Ten Blue Links
Have you noticed it yet? You go to Google, you ask a question, and instead of just getting a list of websites, you get a direct answer, written by AI, right at the top of the page. This is what Google calls “AI Overviews.”
Instead of sending you to a website to find the answer, Google is finding the answer for you and presenting it directly. The result? Fewer clicks. Significantly fewer clicks.
For years, the goal was to rank on the first page. Now, even if you rank number one, the AI might answer the question before anyone ever scrolls down to your link. This is a fundamental threat to any business that relies on organic search traffic.
But it’s also a massive opportunity, if you know how to adapt.
From SEO to AEO: The Dawn of Answer Engine Optimization
SEO was about convincing a search engine that your website was the most relevant result for a keyword. The new game is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). It’s about convincing an AI model that your content is the most accurate, authoritative, and useful source of information to answer a question.
Your goal is no longer to be the #1 link. Your goal is to be the cited source in the AI’s answer.
When an AI answers a question, it often includes a link to its source. That link is now the most valuable piece of real estate on the internet. It’s a direct endorsement from the AI itself. So, how do you get it?
How to Become the Source AI Cites: 4 Practical Steps
You don’t need to be a tech wizard to win at AEO. You just need to shift your mindset from pleasing an algorithm to genuinely answering questions with clarity and authority.
Answer the Full Question, Not Just the Keyword.
Old SEO was about targeting keywords like “small business marketing.” New AEO is about answering full questions like, “What is the most effective marketing strategy for a new online coaching business with a small budget?” Your content needs to be structured as a clear question and a comprehensive answer. Use headings and subheadings to break down the answer into logical parts.
Structure Your Content for Machines, Not Just Humans.
AI models love structured data. This means using clear formatting: headings (H1, H2, H3), bulleted lists, numbered lists, and tables. When you spoon-feed the information in a structured way, you make it easy for the AI to understand and cite your content. Think of it as creating a well-organized filing cabinet for your knowledge.
Write with Authority and Specificity.
AI models are trained to identify and prioritize authoritative sources. This means:
Go deep: Don’t just scratch the surface. Write comprehensive, in-depth articles on the topics you know best.
Be specific: Use data, examples, and case studies. Instead of saying “automation is helpful,” say “automating my client onboarding with Zapier saved me 5 hours per week.”
Have a clear point of view: Don’t just aggregate information. Provide your unique perspective and analysis.
Build Your Authority Hub (This Is Where Substack Comes In).
AI models are looking for a central place where you consistently publish high-quality, in-depth content on a specific topic. A random collection of blog posts isn’t enough. A dedicated publication, like a Substack newsletter, is the perfect tool for this. It signals to the AI that you are a serious authority in your niche.
The Future is Answers, Not Links
The shift from a search engine to an answer engine is happening right now. You can either ignore it and watch your traffic slowly decline, or you can embrace it and become the trusted source that powers the next generation of the internet.
Start by changing how you think about your content. Stop writing for keywords. Start answering questions. The future of your business might depend on it.
Have you noticed AI answers showing up in your Google searches? How do you feel about this change? Let’s discuss the future-proof our businesses together.