Small Businesses Advised on AI Search, Digital Channel Optimization

Image credit: Search Engine Journal

Small businesses must adapt their online presence for AI-powered search and diverse digital channels to enhance customer discovery and visibility, according to experts from Thryv during a recent webinar.

The session provided a channel-by-channel framework designed to help small businesses build an online presence that fosters trust and attracts customers increasingly using AI assistants, voice search, social platforms and review sites.

Kelli Henthorn and Kevin White, small business experts at Thryv, presented strategies for optimizing key digital assets, including Google Business Profile, social media presence and review management.

Attendees learned how to improve their chances of appearing in AI and voice search results by understanding the signals that AI assistants prioritize, Henthorn said.

The framework also covered methods for auditing a business’s current digital footprint to identify and rectify areas that may be causing customer loss, White reported.

Optimizing Google Business Profile is important for local search visibility, as it often serves as a primary source of information for customers using various search methods, according to Thryv’s experts.

A strong social media presence and an active review strategy are also vital components, as these channels increasingly influence customer decisions and contribute to a business’s overall online authority, they stated.

The webinar emphasized that a cohesive digital strategy across multiple platforms is essential for small businesses to remain competitive and accessible in a changing digital marketplace.

Source: Search Engine Journal