If you’ve opened Google lately, you’ve seen it: AI answers sitting above the classic blue links. In India, AI Mode is now rolling out to everyone, which means your customer’s first impression is often a machine‑generated summary. That’s not the end of SEO—it’s a reset. Here’s how I, as a digital marketing strategist and web trainer, am helping brands win in this new reality.
1) Think in entities, not just keywords. AI summaries reward clear topical relationships. I map the key entities (brand, products, problems, outcomes) and link them with supporting pages. This builds topical authority so Google—and people—understand exactly what you stand for.
2) Design content for citations. AI summaries quote sources. I craft content that is quotable: original data, frameworks, FAQs, definitions, and crisp how‑to steps. I also structure content with schema, table of contents, and jump links to increase the chance of being referenced.
3) Blend formats. Short video (Reels/Shorts), carousels, and long‑form posts feed each other. I plan each topic as a “content cluster”: a 10‑minute YouTube video, a 1,200‑word guide, 3 Shorts/Reels, and a LinkedIn post. Every asset answers slightly different intent, but all interlink.
4) Capture the follow‑up. AI summaries spark new questions. I build “next‑step” internal links, glossary boxes, and calculators so when a user clicks through from an AI answer, the path—and the conversion—is obvious.
5) Build an author footprint. E‑E‑A‑T still matters. I maintain a consistent author bio, publications, speaking credits, case studies, and social proof across the web. This raises trust signals and helps surface my content in perspectives‑style results.
6) Measure what matters. I track not just rankings, but: how often pages are cited/quoted, brand search lift, dwell time from AI‑summary clicks, and assisted conversions from informational content.
Mini case pattern: Pick one flagship problem (e.g., “fast local delivery for __”). Publish a stats‑led explainer, a 3‑step framework, a comparison table, and a 60‑second short. Add product and FAQ schema. Within 4–6 weeks, you’ll often see impressions lift, with branded queries rising next.
Bottom line: SEO now means being the best summarized answer and the most credible next click. If we build for both, we win twice.
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