About This Episode
Can artificial intelligence technology like OpenAI’s ChatGPT replace traditional search engines like Google?
This is the question many business owners are asking today. Many of these same business owners have based their marketing strategy on being found through SEO and Google, therefore creating a lot of concern around the subject.
Marcus Sheridan has been at the forefront of marketing innovation, and has used search and Google to his advantage in creating an industry-dominating swimming pool company. Rather than being concerned solely about Google, Marcus highlights the necessity for businesses to adapt swiftly to the current changes. “You cannot have your house built upon Google. Otherwise, you could be in very big trouble,” he asserts, emphasizing the impermanence of traditional SEO strategies.
Hearing this from the mouth of Marcus Sheridan could sound strange, given the fact that he created the They Ask, You Answer methodology, which emphasizes the importance of written content for your business. However, Marcus shares that ‘blogging’ isn’t what his methodology is about.
“The thing that most people misunderstand about ‘They Ask, You Answer’…is that they think it’s a blogging strategy, which breaks my heart.” He emphasizes, “What ‘They Ask, You Answer’ really is rooted in is how the buyer has changed, how they’re behaving, and how do we meet them where they are.”
Sheridan acknowledges the uncertainty but advises businesses to focus on immediate strategies to remain relevant. “We need to make sure we win the game of search when it comes to AI recommendations,” he explains. This involves creating high-quality content across various platforms, particularly YouTube and social media, to send strong signals to these platforms’ algorithms.
Sheridan emphasizes the importance of YouTube Shorts, describing it as a golden opportunity for businesses to gain visibility. “YouTube Shorts is wide open for the taking in many industries. You could rank number one in YouTube results tomorrow,” he claims. He advocates for a strategic approach to content creation, blending viral potential with search optimization.
Despite the technological upheavals, Sheridan remains optimistic, urging businesses to embrace change with enthusiasm and curiosity. He concludes with a rallying call for adaptation and innovation: “We have to look ahead with hope. We have to look ahead with curiosity. We should look ahead with enthusiasm.”
Connect with Marcus
Marcus Sheridan is a writer, speaker, and business expert who’s worked with companies all over the world. Marcus is the author of They Ask, You Answer and co-author of The Visual Sale.
Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn
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See how companies have used They Ask, You Answer to fuel their success
Keep Learning
Read: Why Trust is the True Currency for All Businesses
Watch: Winning with YouTube Shorts: Mastering the Algorithm on the Front Lines
Learn: What is a ‘Learning Center’ and Why Does My Business Need One?
