Best of SearchBot: Create letter explaining SGE to clients and provide actionable steps

We ask Search Engine Land's SearchBot to create a letter an SEO consultant can send to clients, offering guidance on SGE.

Chat with SearchBot

Best of the SearchBot showcases Search Engine Land’s SearchBot’s responses to prompts submitted by readers. The language model is based on content from Search Engine Land layered on top of ChatGPT. The editors of Search Engine Land selected this response for its usefulness and have supplemented it with additional relevant content.

I am the first generative AI chatbot for search marketers. I am trained with Search Engine Land content.

Here’s something somebody asked me! After that, how you can improve prompts to get even better answers from me.

Prompt:

Give a brief overview of search generative experience.

Answer:

The Search Generative Experience (SGE) is a new AI-powered search engine developed by Google. It aims to provide users with more informative and interactive search results. With SGE, users may see an AI-generated answer displayed above the search results, clearly labeled as experimental. The answer is boxed in and accompanied by the websites used to generate it, which can be clicked on for further exploration. SGE also supports vertical search experiences, such as Google Shopping, and can provide AI-generated answers for specific product searches. Users can engage in conversations with SGE by adding more details or prompts, and the AI will generate follow-up answers. Google has trained SGE using a variety of language models to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information presented. The search experience prioritizes information quality, safety, and providing credits to the source of the content. It also emphasizes factual responses over fluid ones to maintain trust and avoid false or inaccurate information. SGE includes links to publisher websites and allows users to toggle for deeper dives into additional sources. Classic search results are still accessible in a more “snackable” format. Google takes a responsible and deliberate approach to introducing generative AI capabilities to Search, and feedback from search quality raters is used to improve the overall experience. SGE is not intended to replace the current Google search experience but will likely undergo adjustments based on user feedback before a full launch.

How this prompt could be improved:

You an experienced SEO consultant with clients in various industries. You specialize in improving online visibility through technical, on-site, and off-site recommendations. However, your biggest strength is content SEO; specifically, creating blogs that consistently rank well on Google.

Right now, your top priority is on the upcoming rollout of Google’s new search generative experience and how you can protect your clients’ websites from potential drops in rankings. You understand the importance of preparing for this change in advance by staying ahead of the curve. Your goal is to deliver practical advice and actionable tips regarding the Search Generative Experience and keep your clients up with the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing.

Create documentation for your clients explaining what Search Generative Experience is in detail, how search results will appear differently, why Google is making this change and why people are concerned about it. State when it is being rolled out, how this could impact their website traffic, and why it is important to start preparing for this change now.

Structure the documentation in a user-friendly format by incorporating headings where applicable and adopting a question-and-answer style for clarity.

Within the letter, propose a tailored SEO editorial strategy for your clients’ websites to ensure they are prepared for Search Generative Experience. Outline what actions you recommend taking now regarding their blogs to ensure that their search traffic is as best optimized as it can be. Emphasise why it is important to be proactive and start preparing for Search Generative Experience now, outline the risks of not doing so, and the benefits of taking action now.

Your tone is friendly, confident, insightful, and reassuring as you help clients choose the best approach for them. Make sure you simplify everything so that those who do not work in SEO can easily understand every point. Present various options that match their goals, resources, and preferences, making it easy for them to decide.

You are putting this documentation together for business owners and decision-makers. You want to reassure them that you are on top of upcoming Google changes and that they can trust you to be proactive, and avoid potential issues before they arise.

The key elements and enhancements to this prompt are as follows:

(Task)

Create documentation for your clients explaining what Search Generative Experience is in detail, how search results will appear differently, why Google is making this change and why people are concerned about it. State when it is being rolled out, how this could impact their website traffic, and why it is important to start preparing for this change now.

Within the letter, propose a tailored SEO editorial strategy for your clients’ websites to ensure they are prepared for Search Generative Experience. Outline what actions you recommend taking now regarding their blogs to ensure that their search traffic is as best optimized as it can be. Emphasise why it is important to be proactive and start preparing for Search Generative Experience now, outline the risks of not doing so, and the benefits of taking action now.

(Context)

You an experienced SEO consultant with clients in various industries. You specialize in improving online visibility through technical, on-site, and off-site recommendations. However, your biggest strength is content SEO; specifically, creating blogs that consistently rank well on Google.

Right now, your top priority is on the upcoming rollout of Google’s new search generative experience and how you can protect your clients’ websites from potential drops in rankings. You understand the importance of preparing for this change in advance by staying ahead of the curve. Your goal is to deliver practical advice and actionable tips regarding the Search Generative Experience and keep your clients up with the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing.

(Tone)

Your tone is friendly, confident, insightful, and reassuring as you help clients choose the best approach for them. Make sure you simplify everything so that those who do not work in SEO can easily understand every point. Present various options that match their goals, resources, and preferences, making it easy for them to decide.

(Format)

Structure the documentation in a user-friendly format by incorporating headings where applicable and adopting a question-and-answer style for clarity.

(Example) 

You are putting this documentation together for business owners and decision-makers. You want to reassure them that you are on top of upcoming Google changes and that they can trust you to be proactive, and avoid potential issues before they arise.

Answer:

Subject: Preparing for Google’s Search Generative Experience: Your Guide to Staying Ahead

Dear [Client’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well. As your trusted SEO consultant, I wanted to bring your attention to an upcoming change in the digital marketing landscape that could impact your website’s visibility and traffic. Google is rolling out its new Search Generative Experience (SGE), and it’s crucial to start preparing for this change now to ensure your online presence remains strong.

What is the Search Generative Experience (SGE)?
SGE is Google’s AI-driven initiative to provide personalized and conversational answers to user search queries. It leverages natural language processing (NLP) capabilities to understand complex topics and detailed search queries better. The goal is to provide comprehensive information without the need for follow-up questions, similar to a real human conversation.

How will search results appear differently?
With SGE, search results will focus more on conversational queries and featured snippets. Instead of traditional web content, AI-generated text will likely appear, providing personalized answers directly on the search engine results pages (SERPs). This change may increase the time users spend on SERPs, as they receive comprehensive responses akin to a real human conversation.

Why is Google making this change, and why are people concerned?
Google aims to enhance user experience by providing more accurate and detailed information directly on the SERPs. However, this change has raised concerns among marketers and website owners who fear a potential drop in website traffic. It’s important to note that SGE won’t steal your traffic; instead, it offers publishers more ranking opportunities. By understanding and adapting to SGE, we can leverage these opportunities to drive more traffic to your website.

When is SGE being rolled out, and how could it impact your website traffic?
SGE is still in its experimental phase, and Google is continuously refining its algorithms. While the exact timeline for the full rollout is uncertain, it’s crucial to start preparing now to stay ahead of the curve. By proactively optimizing your website for SGE, you can ensure that your content is well-positioned to benefit from this new search paradigm.

Why is it important to start preparing for SGE now?
Being proactive and preparing for SGE now will give you a competitive advantage in the evolving digital landscape. Waiting until the rollout is complete may put you at a disadvantage, as your competitors who have already optimized their content for SGE will have a head start. By taking action now, you can safeguard your website’s visibility, maintain or improve your rankings, and drive more targeted traffic to your site.

Tailored SEO Editorial Strategy for SGE Preparation:
To help you navigate the upcoming changes and optimize your website for SGE, I propose the following tailored SEO editorial strategy:

1. Move beyond traditional SEO strategies:
Focus on creating valuable, unique, and thought-provoking content that offers a personalized experience and reflects real human perspectives. This will set your content apart from generic offerings and align with the conversational nature of SGE.

2. Pay closer attention to E-E-A-T signals:
Demonstrate your expertise, experience, authority, and trustworthiness through your content. Leverage subject matter experts and incorporate their insights into your content creation workflow. Prioritize activities that boost your authority, such as link building and customer reviews.

3. Reputation management is key:
Maintain a positive online reputation by actively managing reviews, engaging on social media, and running PR campaigns to promote positive mentions of your brand. This will signal to search engines that you produce valuable and relevant content.

4. Own the narrative in your industry:
Become the go-to resource for information in your niche by creating comprehensive, in-depth content. Strategically build internal links to enhance the authority of your priority pages and earn backlinks to boost the authoritativeness of your content.

5. Embrace agility and experimentation:
Continuously evaluate your SEO approach based on data analysis and make necessary tweaks quickly. Experiment with new concepts and SGE-based content strategies to gain visibility in this evolving search paradigm.

6. Optimize for long-tail queries:
Create and optimize content specifically for question-based queries, as they are anticipated to gain prominence in SGE. Comprehensively answer user questions and provide detailed information to increase visibility and engagement on SERPs.

7. Leverage structured data markup and SEO strategies:
Implement effective structured data markup techniques to help search engines understand your content better. This can improve your chances of appearing in SGE carousels and enhance your overall visibility.

By implementing these strategies, you can proactively prepare your website for SGE and ensure that your content is optimized to drive targeted traffic and maintain or improve your rankings.

The Risks of Not Taking Action:
Failing to prepare for SGE could result in a potential loss of visibility, decreased organic traffic, and a competitive disadvantage. Your competitors who adapt to SGE early may surpass you in search rankings, making it harder for your target audience to find you. By taking action now, you can mitigate these risks and position yourself for success in the evolving digital landscape.

The Benefits of Taking Action Now:
By being proactive and preparing for SGE, you can:

1. Maintain or improve your website’s visibility and rankings.
2. Drive targeted traffic to your site through personalized and conversational search results.
3. Establish your brand as an authority in your industry.
4. Stay ahead of your competitors who may be slower to adapt.
5. Enhance user experience by providing comprehensive and valuable information directly on the SERPs.

I am confident that by implementing these strategies and staying ahead of the curve, we can navigate the upcoming changes brought by SGE and ensure your website’s continued success.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here to support you every step of the way.

Best regards,

[Your Name]
SEO Consultant


Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.


About the author

Nicola Agius
Contributor
Nicola Agius was Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land from 2023-2024. She covered paid media, retail media and more. Prior to this, she was SEO Director at Jungle Creations (2020-2023), overseeing the company's editorial strategy for multiple websites. She has over 15 years of experience in journalism and has previously worked at OK! Magazine (2010-2014), Mail Online (2014-2015), Mirror (2015-2017), Digital Spy (2017-2018) and The Sun (2018-2020). She also previously teamed up with SEO agency Blue Array to co-author Amazon bestselling book Mastering In-House SEO.

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