As a leading marketing agency, The Web Guys prioritizes staying on top of the latest digital marketing changes. Just recently, Google announced it is rolling out search results pages organized with AI in the US. To make your questions more relevant and effective with Google’s new AI-powered search experience, you’ll want to tailor your queries to align with how Google’s AI understands and processes natural language. Continue reading for our guide on optimizing your search queries.
1. Use Conversational Language
- Example: Instead of typing “best Italian restaurants NYC,” ask, “What are the best Italian restaurants in New York City?”
- Why: Google’s AI search is designed to understand natural, conversational language. Using complete sentences or questions can yield more accurate and context-rich results.
2. Be Specific and Detailed
- Example: Instead of asking for a “good laptop,” try “What is the best laptop for video editing under $1500 in 2024?”
- Why: The more specific you are, the better Google’s AI can refine its answers to meet your needs, considering factors like budget, usage, and time frame.
3. Ask Follow-up or Contextual Questions
- Example: If you’ve just searched for “best vacation spots in Europe,” a good follow-up might be “What’s the weather like in Italy in May?”
- Why: Google’s AI can now handle follow-up questions that build on previous searches, leveraging the context of your recent queries to provide more relevant answers.
4. Use Natural Questions that Reflect Your Intent
- Example: Instead of a keyword phrase like “iPhone 15 vs. Samsung S24,” ask, “How does the iPhone 15 compare to the Samsung S24 in terms of camera quality?”
- Why: AI search focuses on user intent. By framing your question around what you truly want to know, you’re more likely to get a detailed and direct response.
5. Leverage “How,” “Why,” “What,” and “Which” Questions
- Example: “How can I improve my credit score quickly?” or “Why is my laptop overheating frequently?”
- Why: Questions starting with these words often trigger more comprehensive, informative answers because they align with common informational search intents.
6. Incorporate Current Context and Trends
- Example: Instead of a broad question like “What’s trending in tech?” ask, “What are the latest AI trends in 2024?”
- Why: Google’s AI is optimized to consider recent developments and current events, so including a time frame or specific context can help narrow down the search results.
7. Use Comparative and Exploratory Phrases
- Example: “Which is better for productivity: MacBook Air M2 or MacBook Pro M3?” or “What are the pros and cons of electric vs. hybrid cars?”
- Why: AI-powered search excels in comparing options and exploring nuanced differences, so these kinds of questions are well-suited for detailed AI responses.
8. Include Actionable and Instructional Queries
- Example: “How do I create a budget for a small business?” or “What are step-by-step instructions for planting a vegetable garden?”
- Why: Google’s AI can provide structured, actionable steps, making it useful for queries that involve how-tos and guides.
9. Use Long-Tail Queries for Niche Information
- Example: Instead of a generic question like “travel tips,” ask, “What are some travel tips for solo female travelers in Southeast Asia?”
- Why: Long-tail questions help Google’s AI understand more specific, niche topics, leading to more tailored and relevant results.
10. Ask Opinion-Based or Experience-Oriented Questions
- Example: “What’s the best way to learn a new language according to experts?” or “What are the experiences of digital nomads in Bali?”
- Why: AI search is also designed to understand subjective queries, so questions that seek opinions or experiential advice can produce richer responses.
Additional Tips for Optimizing Your Google Searches:
- Use Natural Language Keywords: Use natural language phrases instead of keywords
- Leverage the AI’s Ability to Understand Context: When possible, add context within your question (e.g., “for beginners,” “for families,” “during winter”) to get results that are more aligned with your needs.
- Experiment with New Features: Google’s AI search is evolving, so watch for prompts, suggested refinements, and interactive elements that appear during your searches.
By tailoring your questions to match how Google’s AI processes natural language, you can take full advantage of the enhanced capabilities of AI search, resulting in more precise and helpful answers. Contact The Web Guys today at our Carmel, IN, office at (317) 350-1955 to discuss your digital marketing solutions. With offices in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Florida, Indiana, and Michigan, we serve clients all across the US.