Last Updated: May 4, 2026
I’ve recently started writing with “intentional focus” on AI-forward blogging, writing tips on how to get cited, mentioned, and featured in Google’s AI Overviews – and – today, I’m excited because I’ve experienced a micro triumph with that effort.
Switching from a traditional SEO writing style to a more AI-friendly writing style, is not real difficult. It takes concentration in the moment, and patience to see evidence of the shifts we want to effect.
Why change writing focus from traditional SEO to AI SEO?
Because the AI influence has shifted attention from exact word matches (traditional keyword phrases) to concept matches (semantic meaning of phrases). You still need to identify keywords that will convey your semantic intent.
I have been studying, then practicing in my own blog. Also, I’ve been advocating and preaching to others about how they, too, can up-level their blogs to make them more attractive to the AI search bots.
April 1, 2026, I checked the statistics on my website.
Over 7 days, 4 out of the top 10 queries that generated impressions for my website, were AI-optimization related posts! I didn’t get the click-throughs, so this is a micro-success for sure, but this validates that the methods I am preaching and practicing work!
These micro successes tell us that we are on the right path. They are signals that Google IS paying attention to us, and, more importantly, is open to expanding your topic expertise.
In addition, my latest two articles, one written March 20, 2026 and the other updated on the same date, are listed within the top 6 most popular pages!
Another (tiny) validation that working the AI SEO angle pays off.
The small signs we see in the Google statistics reports provide the encouragement we need to continue in our endeavor to influence how Google sees us.
If we do not see any signs, that’s valid feedback too. No shift in the Google reports means we need to review our work, change things, re-publish, and wait until next month to see the effects of those changes on the Google statistics. And this cycle continues until we are able to push Google in our desired direction.
How do I adapt my Traditional SEO practice to attract the AI SEO bots?
Transitioning from applying traditional SEO tactics to applying AI SEO tactics is like “turning a ship around.” Turning a ship takes time, planning, and measuring to check that we are on course.
Our Google statistics are the updated coordinates that confirm we are heading in the desired direction.
As we transition in SEO focus, we check our statistics to ensure that we are on the correct course. When we see no validation, we change course. When we see validation, we continue with more content and strategies aligned with our current focus.
Oh, and in today’s example, I’m not only switching up SEO strategy, I’m switching up the “key phrases” that identify me as a web professional. I was formerly “WordPress website developer” heavy and now I’m putting AI SEO elements in place to shift to “AI SEO” heavy. And, we’re witnessing the initial results.
How do I get started with AI SEO?
If you want to learn the tactics and strategies I’ve used to attract the AI search bots to get myself listed in the AI Overviews (not there yet – but it is my focus), start with these two articles:
I train bloggers and business professionals on how to write in an AI-attractive way on each piece of content created for their website, and, I add the AI-attracting elements to each piece of content for business professionals who prefer to have me do it.