by ericstrate | 2025-06-21 18:10:52+00:00
The Future of SEO Is Generative — Are You Ready? Search engines are changing fast, and if you’re still relying on the same old keyword tricks and backlink routines, you’re already behind. I’ve spent over a decade in digital marketing, and it’s clear to me: AI isn’t just disrupting SEO, it’s rewriting the rules from the ground up.

I’m Eric Strate, and for the last twelve years, I’ve helped automotive brands and small businesses compete in some of the most cutthroat search markets. But nothing has upended the industry like the arrival of generative AI in search — especially Google’s AI Overviews.

What Is an AI Overview, and Why Should SEOs Care? If you’ve Googled anything recently, you’ve seen it: a big, AI-generated summary at the top of the results, sometimes pushing ten organic links below the fold. These AI Overviews pull information from websites, summarize it, and — crucially — don’t always link back to the original source. Suddenly, ranking #1 means less unless you’re part of the AI summary.

So, how do you get your site featured in those coveted spots?

Traditional SEO Isn’t Enough Anymore Sure, you still need rock-solid basics:

Fast, mobile-friendly site Clear headings, relevant content Authority-building backlinks But Google’s AI is hunting for more than keywords and links. It’s looking for entities, structured data, E-E-A-T signals (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust), and content that genuinely answers real user questions.

That’s where most tools and tactics fall short. They’re designed for ranking in “classic” search — not for influencing the generative answers that are now front and center.

Why I Built Rank GenAI I created Rank GenAI for one simple reason: to help SEOs, marketers, and business owners adapt to the new world of AI-driven search. This tool isn’t about guessing what might work. It’s about:

Analyzing your site and content to see if you’re AIO-eligible Identifying the exact keywords and questions likely to trigger AI Overviews Reverse-engineering Google’s new entity and schema preferences Helping you optimize FAQs, schema, and content to increase your chances of inclusion Put simply: if you want to show up in the answers, not just the links, you need to optimize for generative AI. Rank GenAI gives you a head start, for free.

How to Optimize for AI Overviews — Right Now I’ve tested this across dozens of sites and niches. Here’s what’s working (and what you can do today):

1. Use Entities, Not Just Keywords Google’s AI is entity-driven. That means it cares about people, places, products, and concepts — not just keyword repetition. Use clear, structured content. Mention related entities (think “Ford,” “hybrid SUV,” “car lease deals”) naturally.

2. Add Structured Data Everywhere Mark up your content with FAQPage, HowTo, and Organization schema. This isn’t just for rich snippets anymore — Google’s AI pulls directly from these data points.

3. Answer Real Questions — Specifically Generic content won’t cut it. Target specific, intent-driven queries:

“How much does it cost to lease a Ford Explorer in San Diego?” “What’s the difference between hybrid and electric SUVs?” Put the answer up top, then expand with context.

4. Build Trust Signals Show your expertise. Use a clear author bio, link to credentials, display real customer testimonials, and update your content regularly. E-E-A-T isn’t optional in the AI era.

5. Track and Iterate Use a tool like Rank GenAI to monitor which keywords trigger AI Overviews. Double down on the content that works and continually refine your approach.

The Bottom Line SEO is no longer just about chasing rankings — it’s about earning a seat at Google’s AI-powered table. If you want your business to thrive in this new era, you need to adapt your strategy, test relentlessly, and focus on what the algorithms value now.