AI news story

SEO is not dead: 5 ways to win more citations from AI search

Now that AI chat is becoming the new status quo of search engines, the rules for staying visible have changed for small businesses a…

  • AI
  • Source: ZDNet
  • Published: 2026-07-14

Editor's take

AI-driven search interfaces are shifting how users find information, necessitating an adaptation in citation strategies for businesses seeking online visibility.

This evolution directly impacts small businesses and solopreneurs who rely on organic search for customer acquisition. The emergence of models like Google's MUM and its integration into search results means traditional SEO tactics need recalibration to ensure businesses are discoverable within conversational AI responses, not just static SERPs. This presents a significant challenge for those lacking dedicated marketing teams.

Future developments will hinge on how effectively AI models can accurately attribute and prioritize citations from diverse sources, and whether platforms introduce new metrics for "AI discoverability." The success of strategies like focusing on niche expertise and structured data will be a key indicator of how the SEO landscape continues to transform.