How to Show Up in AI Search as a Small Business Owner
We’re in the middle of a quiet revolution and if you’re a small business owner, it’s time to pay attention.
For years, we’ve optimized for traditional search engines: typing in keywords, scanning results, clicking on links. But in 2025, the landscape has changed. People are now talking to AI tools like ChatGPT, Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), and voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. Instead of typing “Vancouver massage therapist,” they’re asking, “Where can I book a relaxing massage in Vancouver with someone who uses a holistic approach?”
These tools are reshaping how people discover your business. And the best part? You don’t need a massive budget to show up you just need smart, intentional strategy.
Here’s how you, as a small business owner, can show up in AI search and continue connecting with your dream clients in this evolving digital world.
Understand What AI Search Actually Is (And Why It Matters)
Traditional search engines rank websites based on keyword relevance, backlinks, and user behaviour. AI search, by contrast, uses natural language understanding to generate answers, recommend services, and summarize websites even pulling information directly from your site without a user needing to click.
Imagine someone asking ChatGPT, “Where can I find an inclusive, LGBTQ2S+-friendly therapist in B.C.?” If your site clearly states that you offer inclusive therapy and includes content related to that experience, the AI may recommend your business.
Why this matters:
AI tools don't just crawl your site they interpret it. If your language is vague, your services are unclear, or your expertise is buried beneath marketing fluff, you won’t get surfaced.
To show up, your content needs to be:
Clear
Human
Helpful
Consistently structured
Write Like a Real Person Answering a Real Question
AI search thrives on content that mimics natural human conversation. When a user asks a question, the AI looks for content that directly answers it in plain language.
Examples:
Instead of “Transformational wellness experiences that transcend the ordinary,” say:
→ “I offer massage therapy and energy healing for people who feel disconnected from their bodies and want to feel more grounded and calm.”Instead of “Innovative strategy sessions for creatives and entrepreneurs,” try:
→ “I help small business owners figure out what’s next by offering one-on-one business strategy sessions tailored to your goals.”
You don’t need to “dumb down” your voice. You just need to answer real questions directly and clearly.
Helpful tip:
Make a list of the top 10 questions your clients ask you then turn each one into a blog post, services page blurb, or FAQ entry.
Don’t Just Think SEO, Think AI Optimization
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) still matters. But AI optimization includes other layers especially when it comes to context, depth, and clarity.
Here’s what to prioritize:
Clear and Descriptive Page Titles
Use titles that describe exactly what’s on the page.
❌ “Home”
✅ “Trauma-Informed Therapy in Vancouver – Jenna Lee Counselling”
Thoughtful Meta Descriptions
These are short summaries that show up in search—and they still matter in AI search too.
Use them to highlight your niche, values, or location.
Use of Headers (H1, H2, H3...)
Break up long pages with relevant, structured headers so AI (and your users!) can understand the layout.
Example:
H1: “Massage Therapy in Montreal”
H2: “Holistic Treatments I Offer”
H2: “Who I Work With”
H2: “How to Book a Session”
Embrace the Power of Long-Form Content
Yes, short content has its place but AI tools love long-form, well-structured, information-rich content. It signals depth and authority.
You don’t need to publish a 5,000-word manifesto every month. But you should write blog posts that dive into:
Common client pain points
Your process and why it works
How-tos and how-you-work posts
Seasonal content and FAQs
Personal stories that build trust
Why this helps:
AI tools are more likely to recommend a business whose site shows deep knowledge, helpfulness, and a unique point of view. Plus, long-form content keeps people on your site longer, which signals quality to both traditional search engines and AI platforms.
Make Your Site AI-Friendly Behind the Scenes
Add Alt Text to Every Image
This helps with both accessibility and search visibility. Use simple, descriptive language.
✅ “Woman receiving acupuncture in a cozy wellness studio in Kelowna”
✅ “LGBTQ2S+ friendly therapist’s office with soft lighting and plants”
Use Descriptive URLs
✅
/online-counselling-vancouver✅
/branding-for-small-businesses
Avoid generic slugs like/page-3or/home-old.
Include Internal Links
Link related blog posts, services, or resources together. This helps AI understand relationships between your content.
Build Your E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust
Google and AI search tools are trained to prioritize content with high “E-E-A-T”:
Experience: Have you done this work before?
Expertise: Do you have training or credentials?
Authoritativeness: Are you recognized in your niche?
Trustworthiness: Do real people trust you?
How to Show This:
Add a founder story or “About” section with your credentials and personal journey
Include testimonials and case studies from real clients
Link to features, collaborations, or guest articles
Use blog posts to show your thought leadership, values, and approach
Show Up in Local and Voice Search
Voice assistants like Siri and Alexa are often powered by AI. And those tools rely heavily on local listings and structured content.
To show up in voice and local search:
Claim and update your Google Business Profile
Add your location, hours, and services to your website footer and contact page
Encourage Google reviews (and reply to them!)
Use location-based keywords on your site (e.g., “Kelowna Reiki Practitioner”)
Get Featured and Mentioned (Even in Small Ways)
AI tools don’t just pull from your own website, they gather information from across the web.
If you’ve been:
Quoted in a blog post
Featured on a podcast
Listed in a local business roundup
Tagged in testimonials or social posts
…then you’re more likely to be surfaced in an AI recommendation. Even small mentions count. It builds a bigger web of context that AI can interpret.
Ways to Build Mentions:
Partner with fellow business owners for a joint blog post
Guest on a podcast in your industry
Reach out to journalists or local media
Submit your business to directories or lists (think “Top 10 Wellness Studios in B.C.”)
Stay Consistent (This Is a Long Game)
This isn’t about going viral. It’s about slowly building a web of content, credibility, and clarity that AI tools recognize and reward.
Keep showing up by:
Publishing a blog or update at least once per month
Updating your Google Business Profile regularly
Refreshing old content to make it current
Sharing your offers, values, and point of view on your website, not just social media
Are Websites Still Important for Business Owners in 2025?
Short answer: yes, more than ever.
Despite the rise of AI tools, social media platforms, and mobile-first everything, your website remains your home base. In fact, it’s even more essential now, because:
AI Tools Pull Content from Your Website
When someone uses AI to search for services, the tool often pulls answers directly from websites not Instagram captions, not TikTok videos. If you don’t have a site, you’re simply invisible in this context.
Your Website is the Only Platform You Truly Own
Social platforms can change their algorithms overnight. AI platforms might not prioritize your business if you don’t control your messaging. But your website? It’s yours. You set the tone. You tell your story. You control the experience.
It Builds Trust
A beautiful, functional website signals professionalism and builds credibility. It tells potential clients, “I’m real. I care. I’m ready to work with you.”
It’s a Foundation for All Digital Visibility
Your Google Business listing, social profiles, newsletter, booking software, all of these tools ultimately point back to your site. It's the digital equivalent of your studio, your storefront, your calling card.
So no, websites aren’t dead. In fact, they’re your most valuable digital asset in 2025 and likely beyond.
Real Talk: You Don’t Need to Be a Tech Expert to Show Up
You just need to:
Know what makes your business valuable
Write and design with humans in mind
Take small, consistent steps toward visibility
TL;DR: How to Show Up in AI Search as a Small Business Owner
✅ Use clear, helpful, and conversational language
✅ Structure your site with descriptive titles, headers, and meta data
✅ Write content that answers real client questions
✅ Add alt text, internal links, and make your site accessible
✅ Highlight your experience, values, and client trust
✅ Claim your Google Business Profile and get reviews
✅ Get mentioned, featured, and linked wherever possible
✅ Yes websites are still essential in 2025
✅ Be consistent, build long-term visibility with small steps
At Sáasil Ichi Studio, I help creatives, healers, and purpose-driven entrepreneurs design websites that not only look beautiful but they show up where it counts. That means clarity in your message, smart SEO foundations, and a strategy rooted in what makes you you.
If you want support navigating this new world of AI search, whether it’s with content, SEO, or a full brand refresh, I’d love to chat.
Let’s make sure your voice doesn’t get lost in the algorithm.
👉 Reach out for a free discovery call.
👉 Or read more SEO and storytelling tips on my blog.
