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AI Unlocked: AI and the Future of SEO:
Navigating the Digital Shift 


Rosie Edwards


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Search has never been static, and as generative AI reshapes how users look for and discover information, organisations have a responsibility to ensure that every stakeholder—customers, employees, investors, regulators and communities—can still find timely, accurate and trustworthy information. 

AI-powered search experiences demand the same rigour in governance, brand consistency and measurement that stakeholders already expect elsewhere. Get it right, and you not only protect reputation—you expand the reach and relevance of your narrative in a world where answers are often delivered before a single click.

Recently, Positive Change Group companies, Black Sun Global and Stratton Craig, hosted a webinar on “AI and SEO: How to Ensure Your Content Is Visible in a Changing Search Landscape”. Nicole Ferger, Digital Account Director at Black Sun Global, Anna Corbett, Digital Marketing Specialist at Black Sun Global and Nina Whittaker, CEO at Stratton Craig, ran a detailed question-and-answer webinar, delving into the evolving landscape of SEO within the AI era. 


1. How does my content get featured in AI-generated answers like Google's AI Overviews or ChatGPT?

AI tools select answers from authoritative, structured content. To increase your chances:

  • Focus on E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness.
  • Use schema markup (like FAQ or Article tags).
  • Write clear, conversational, and semantically rich content.
  • Format your pages with bullet points, headers, and FAQs.
  • Align content closely with user intent and common questions.

Pro tip from Stratton Craig's Nina Whittaker: Keep content consistent across platforms to build trust with AI and human users alike.

2. Is there a ranking algorithm for AI Overviews like there is in traditional search results?

Not exactly. AI Overviews don't use ranked lists like search engine results pages (SERPs). Instead:

  • They answer contextually, pulling from various sources.
  • This creates a “black box” dynamic—less transparency, and more experimentation.
  • SEO still matters—but you’ll need to test, measure, and adapt continuously.

3. Do keywords still matter in an AI-driven SEO landscape?

Yes—but with a shift in focus:

  • Prioritise semantic SEO over exact-match keywords.
  • Group content around topics and user intent rather than isolated terms.
  • Use internal linking to build context and authority.

Nicole Ferger noted that “persona-based keyword strategies” are now essential—tailor your keywords to how specific audiences search.

4. How do AI Overviews impact click-through rates (CTR)?

Drastically.

  • Pre-AI Overviews: Around 60% of searches resulted in no clicks.
  • Post-AI Overviews: Some queries are seeing up to 70% fewer clicks (on top of the 60% mentioned above!).
  • Users get answers directly in the SERP, skipping source websites.

Despite this:

  • Google still dominates daily search activity (14+ billion vs. ~37 million for ChatGPT).
  • Your visibility still matters, even if users don’t click immediately.

5. Can I pay to be featured in an AI Overview?

Currently, no.

  • There's no paid placement in AI-generated summaries.
  • However, with a 12% CTR drop in paid ads, monetisation options may emerge soon.
  • Watch this space—Google likely won’t ignore this revenue stream forever.

6. Can I track how my content performs in AI Overviews?

Yes—but it’s early days.

  • Tools like SEO Monitor, SE Ranking, and Keyword.com help track visibility in AI Overviews.
  • Tools like Wayk track brand mentions in AI tools like ChatGPT.
  • Expect qualitative insights more than hard metrics for now.

Test a few platforms and keep iterating, as the environment is rapidly evolving.

7. Will traditional SEO still work in the age of generative AI?

Absolutely—if you’re doing modern SEO.

  • Techniques like schema markup, semantic relevance, and clear structure are more important than ever.
  • Google's E-E-A-T framework remains central.

If your content is:

  • Authoritative
  • Structured
  • Trustworthy
  • ...then it’s well-positioned for both AI and traditional search.

8. Do I still need a website if GenAI tools answer everything directly?

Yes—more than ever.

  • AI needs a reliable source, and your site is that source of truth.
  • Websites allow you to control the brand voice, messaging, and conversions.
  • Stakeholders still seek depth, research, and authenticity.

Expect to see growth in on-site AI chatbots and agents (like Black Sun Global’s AIVIA) to keep users engaged without leaving your ecosystem.

9. What if GenAI tools share incorrect or outdated info about my brand?

This is a real risk. Why?

  • AI can hallucinate or cite outdated third-party sources.

What you can do:

  • Use feedback tools in Google’s AI Overviews.
  • Keep all owned channels updated (website, press releases, social media).
  • Ensure consistency across platforms to avoid conflicting signals.

Take ownership of your brand narrative—don’t leave it to AI guesswork.

10. Can I safely use AI-generated content for SEO?

Yes—but with caution.

  • Google can detect AI content and won’t penalise it if it’s:
  • Original
  • Accurate
  • Valuable to the user

To do it right:

  • Pair AI content with human oversight.
  • Embed real stories, data, and brand voice.
  • Use formats AI and users both like (FAQs, summaries, clear headers).

A Binder study shows 52% of users trust content less if they suspect it’s AI-written—so authenticity is key.


Final Thoughts: How to Prepare for AI-Driven SEO

To stay visible:

  • Focus on authenticity, authority, and structure.
  • Monitor CTRs and adapt content for AI-readability.
  • Track performance using AI-specific SEO tools.
  • Prepare for zero-click futures with stronger on-site UX and chatbot support.

Do you have questions about what to do next?

The organisations that act now—auditing their content, implementing structured data and experimenting with AI-optimised formats—will secure disproportionate visibility while competitors play catch-up. If you’d like practical guidance, benchmark data or a tailored roadmap, our digital and content specialists are here to help.

Request the full webinar recording or book a discovery session to see how AI-aware SEO can safeguard your reputation, deepen stakeholder engagement and unlock measurable growth. Contact Bob Crosbie-Dawson at bcrosbie-dawson@blacksun-global.com, or win@strattoncraig.co.uk


About Black Sun

Black Sun Global is a stakeholder advisory and engagement agency that's been driving transformation and positive change for ambitious brands for more than 20 years. With deep expertise in disclosure and reporting, ESG, sustainability, and digital engagement, we reshape how organisations connect with customers, investors, employees, and the wider world. 

We are trusted partners to some of the most influential global organisations, sparking innovation and sustainable performance through our strategic insights, partnerships, and proprietary technologies.

As founders of the Positive Change Group, we are on a mission to create a new kind of stakeholder relations partner. Our world-class specialists work closely with executive leadership teams to protect reputations, inspire trust, and promote responsible business practices - building resilience and long-term value in a rapidly changing world.

For more information, please visit: www.blacksun-global.com





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