What do search engines want you to know about SEO?
What is Search Engine Optimization?
Search Engine Optimization is a process used to improve the volume or quality of traffic to your website from search engines. SEO helps increases a website’s ‘organic’ search result ranking, and is FREE!
Search engine marketing (SEM), on the other hand, is a paid ad campaign placing ads in relevant search engine results.
What does this mean for your small business?
Search engines are the primary method of navigation for almost all Internet users – search engines like Google, Yahoo! and Bing drive product shopping, news reading and lead users to videos, blogs and other online content. View our SEO Company
Packages!
If your business website cannot be found by these search engines, your business will not appear on the search engine result pages (SERP) and will miss out on being visible to potential customers and clients who are searching specifically for your products, services and information online!
There are several best practices you can implement that are FREE and will transform the potential of your website, improve your online presence, and most importantly – improve website traffic!
Basic SEO Guidelines from the Largest Search Engines:
Google Webmaster Guidelines
- Create a useful, information-rich site, and write pages that clearly and accurately describe your content.
- Think about the words users would type to find your pages, and make sure that your site actually includes those words within it.
- Try to use text instead of images to display important names, content, or links. The Google crawler doesn’t recognize text contained in images. If you must use images for textual content, consider using the “ALT” attribute to include a few words of descriptive text.
- Check for broken links and correct HTML.
- If you decide to use dynamic pages (i.e., the URL contains a “?” character), be aware that not every search engine spider crawls dynamic pages as well as static pages. It helps to keep the parameters short and the number of them few.
- Make a site with a clear hierarchy and text links. Every page should be reachable from at least one static text link*.
- Offer a site map to your users with links that point to the important parts of your site. If the site map has an extremely large number of links, you may want to break the site map into multiple pages.
- Keep the links on a given page to a reasonable number.
From Yahoo! Webmaster Guidelines
- Create original and unique content of genuine value.
- Design your pages primarily for humans, with search engine considerations a secondary concern.
- Include hyperlinks intended to help people find interesting, related content.
- Include metadata (including title and description) that accurately describes the contents of a web page.
From Bing Webmaster Guidelines
- In the visible page text, include words users might choose as search query terms to find the information on your site.
- Limit all pages to a reasonable size. We recommend one topic per page. An HTML page with no pictures should be under 150KB.
- Make sure that each page is accessible by at least one static text link.
- Don’t put the text that you want indexed inside images. For example, if you want your company name or address to be indexed, make sure it is not displayed inside a company logo.
- Develop great, original content (including well-implemented, relevant keywords).
- Use well-architected code in your webpages (including images and Sitemaps) so that users’ web browsers and search engine crawlers can read the content you want indexed).
- Earn several, high-quality, authoritative inbound links (hyperlinks on other web pages that link back to your own website – these links are important in determining the importance and relevance of your site).
Imagine this: A shopper in Toronto types “best eco-friendly Shopify store for women’s clothing” into Google. Instead of scrolling through ten blue links, they’re greeted by Google AI Overview — a curated summary highlighting two stores, comparing their pricing, and even showing product images. One store gets recommended. Despite having a beautiful site and solid SEO, the other doesn’t appear. This is the new reality of AI search engines. With the rise of Google AI mode, Google AI Overview, ChatGPT, and Gemini, e-commerce discovery is no longer just ranking on page one. It’s about becoming the source that AI Agents cite directly. That’s where Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) comes in. For Shopify merchants, GEO is the strategy that ensures your products, content, and reviews are AI-ready. And for those who don’t adapt? Visibility will shrink. Partnering with an SEO or digital marketing agency for Shopify is often the fastest way to navigate this shift since GEO requires technical precision and content authority. Let’s explain how it works — and what you can do today. How Does Google AI Overview Decide Which Product Pages to Feature? Signals That Matter for Shopify Products Think of Google AI Overview as the world’s most demanding store associate. It doesn’t just grab the first product it sees — it looks for signals of trust and authority. Shopify product pages are judged based on: Structured data: If your product pages don’t have schema markup (Product, FAQ, HowTo), AI struggles to parse details like price, availability, and features. Pricing clarity: AI loves transparent, consistent pricing. Out-of-date or unclear product listings can push your store out of consideration. Authority signals: Mentions in trusted publications, backlinks, and consistent brand presence across multiple platforms build credibility. Customer reviews & engagement: A product with dozens of recent reviews is more likely to be highlighted than one with zero feedback. Example: Two stores sell vegan skincare. The WordPress site has thin descriptions, inconsistent pricing, and no Product schema. The Shopify site implements Product schema (price, availability, rating), keeps pricing consistent, and has 50 verified reviews. Google’s AI Overview is far more likely to surface the Shopify store. This is why Shopify's SEO services are no longer about sprinkling keywords. They’re about aligning product pages with the criteria AI uses. Do e-Commerce Stores Risk Losing Traffic Because AI Answers Questions Directly? Fewer Clicks, But Higher Conversions Yes, traffic patterns will change. With Google AI mode and Google AI Overview, casual traffic may never hit your site because answers are displayed directly. But here’s the silver lining: The clicks you get are from shoppers further along the buying journey. AI filters out low-quality browsing and highlights businesses it trusts. Conversion rates go up because visitors already believe you’re the right choice. The bottom line is, don’t chase lost casual clicks; optimize for the higher-intent ones AI now sends you. Treat AI Overview as your new homepage: tighten your Google Business Profile, add rock-solid schema and pricing consistency, earn fresh reviews, and answer real buyer questions with clear visuals and FAQs. Then track what matters (calls, forms, carts), not just sessions. Do this, and even with less “browse” traffic, you’ll see more qualified visitors, higher close rates, and steadier revenue. What Structured Data Should Shopify Stores Add? Schema for AI Visibility Structured data is the secret language that helps AI Agents understand your products. Without it, AI may overlook key details. Here’s what Shopify merchants need: Product schema: Includes pricing, availability, product description, and shipping info. FAQ schema: This is perfect for answering buyer questions like “Is this gluten-free?” or “What’s the return policy?” HowTo schema: Useful for tutorials — e.g., “How to apply mineral foundation” or “How to set up a Shopify app.” Example: If you sell electronics, adding the HowTo schema for “how to set up a smart home device” gives AI agents like Gemini content they can summarize and attribute back to you. Partnering with an SEO agency for Shopify ensures that this schema is implemented properly across all product pages, boosting AI readiness at scale. How Important Are e-commerce Product Reviews for AI Recommendations? Reputation as a Ranking Factor In the AI-driven search era, reputation is everything. AI systems like Google AI Overview and Google AI mode don’t want to risk recommending untrustworthy stores. That’s why reviews are so powerful. AI prioritizes: Consistent, verified reviews across Shopify, Google, and marketplaces. Keyword-rich customer feedback — reviews that mention product qualities (“fast shipping,” “sustainable materials”) reinforce relevance. The volume of recent reviews is steady, not just a spike from two years ago. 👉 Example: If your Shopify store has 300 reviews mentioning “eco-friendly” and “sustainable,” AI will likely flag your products for customers asking, “What’s the best sustainable clothing Shopify store?” That’s why modern SEO services for Shopify include review management. Automating review requests after purchases ensures AI sees your store as active, trustworthy, and relevant. Can Shopify Blog Content Get Featured in Google AI Overviews? Beyond Products: GEO for Shopify Content Yes! Google AI Overview doesn’t just feature product pages — it often cites educational blogs. Shopify stores can win visibility by creating content like: “Best skincare routines with vegan Shopify products” “Top 5 eco-friendly fashion Shopify brands compared” “How to choose the right CBD dosage” Example: A cannabis retailer on Shopify publishes an FAQ-driven guide on CBD tinctures. When someone asks ChatGPT or Gemini, “What’s the best way to take CBD?” , AI may pull directly from that guide — boosting brand credibility. This is where a Shopify digital marketing agency shines: creating AI-optimized editorial content that educates buyers and builds authority beyond your product pages. Does Google AI Overview Pull Product Images & Videos from Shopify Stores? Visual SEO for Shopify The future of GEO isn’t just text-based. AI search engines now pull images and videos into recommendations. For Shopify merchants, optimizing visual SEO is crucial. Add descriptive alt text and filenames (“organic-cotton-t-shirt-toronto.jpg”). Upload geo-tagged product photos if your store serves a local market. Create short videos — product demos, unboxings, and tutorials perform well. 👉 Example: A jewelry store uploads a 30-second product demo showing how a bracelet fits. Google’s AI Overview highlights the video next to the product description — giving shoppers immediate confidence. That’s why Shopify's SEO services must now include image optimization and video SEO. It’s proof, not just promotion. How Can Shopify Owners Track Their AI Overview Visibility? New KPIs for GEO Success Traditional metrics like keyword rankings no longer tell the whole story. Shopify merchants must track new KPIs for GEO: Appearances in Google AI Overview — keep screenshots of when your products show up. Branded search growth — if more people search “your brand + product,” AI visibility works. AI-qualified conversions — sales from customers who say they “found you on Google AI Overview” or through ChatGPT . Manual prompts in Gemini and ChatGPT — test if your brand is cited in answers. Example: A Shopify coffee brand begins appearing in AI summaries for “best fair-trade coffee Shopify store.” Their branded searches and subscription signups spike within weeks. A digital marketing agency for Shopify can provide dashboards to track these AI-first KPIs, ensuring you measure success where it matters. The world of SEO for Shopify has changed forever. Success is no longer about being on page one — it’s about being the store that AI search engines recommend. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the new foundation, built on structured data, trustworthy reviews, and visual proof. Merchants who adapt now will see higher-quality leads, stronger brand visibility, and more conversions. Those who don’t will disappear from the AI-driven buyer journey. To stay ahead, partner with a Shopify SEO agency offering comprehensive SEO services or work with a digital marketing agency covering everything from schema to review ops to content creation. The future of search is conversational, AI-driven, and trust-based. And when AI agents like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Google AI Overview recommend stores, the only question is: Will yours be one of them?
The cannabis industry in Toronto, North York, and across Ontario is highly competitive. Dispensaries need more than a website and a few keywords to appear in search. With the rise of AI search engines like Google AI Overview, Google AI mode, ChatGPT, and Gemini, visibility rules have changed. Customers are now asking AI assistants direct questions, and dispensaries that adapt with Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) will be the ones AI recommends. Partnering with an experienced SEO agency for cannabis dispensaries ensures your business isn’t just ranking but being recommended. Let’s answer the top questions cannabis dispensary owners ask about AI and modern SEO in 2025. Reality check for cannabis businesses: Google Ads and Meta restrict cannabis advertising because of U.S. federal illegality and their own policies. Ads for THC products and paraphernalia are banned outright; even CBD is tightly limited (often topicals only, select regions, strict landing-page rules). Add age-gating, state-by-state compliance, payment-processor risk, and frequent disapprovals/suspensions—and paid campaigns become unstable and hard to scale. That makes SEO the primary scalable growth lever. Double down on organic search—optimize your Google Business Profile, build authoritative location pages, and capture “near me” intent—because search is the one channel you can truly own, and it’s proven to drive meaningful revenue in this industry. What Is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and How Is It Different from Traditional SEO? Traditional SEO relied heavily on keywords, backlinks, and optimizing web pages for Google’s old algorithm. But in 2025, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) takes center stage. GEO is the process of shaping your dispensary’s content so AI Agents like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google AI Overview can extract and recommend it confidently. Instead of chasing rankings, cannabis dispensaries must now focus on: Structuring FAQs around common buyer questions (e.g., “What’s the difference between sativa and indica?”). Publishing detailed, authoritative guides on products, strains, and consumption methods. Building trust signals AI recognizes—reviews, photos, and consistent local listings. A digital marketing agency for cannabis dispensaries can bridge the gap, ensuring your content is AI-ready and optimized for GEO. How Do AI Search Engines Decide Which Dispensaries to Recommend? AI search engines don’t just look for keywords—they analyze authority, clarity, and trust. To be recommended in Google AI mode or featured in Google AI Overview, cannabis dispensaries need to provide: Structured content : Schema markup, FAQs, and clear Q&A sections. Strong reputation : Reviews on Google, Leafly, Weedmaps, and local directories. Visual proof : High-quality, geo-tagged images of your dispensary, menu items, and in-store events. Authority signals : Articles, local news mentions, and community involvement. An SEO agency for cannabis dispensaries will help you create and manage these signals. Hence, your store becomes the obvious recommendation when a customer asks an AI assistant for “best cannabis dispensary near me.” Will Keywords Still Matter in the Age of AI-Driven Search? Yes, but in a new way. Keywords are no longer the final destination—they’re intent signals that help AI Agents understand context. For example, instead of targeting just “dispensary Toronto,” your content should answer natural-language queries like: “What cannabis strains help with sleep in Toronto?” “Where can I buy edibles in North York?” The difference is that AI wants conversational, contextual answers, not keyword stuffing. That’s why SEO services for cannabis dispensaries now focus on creating content that mirrors customer questions, while still aligning with traditional keyword research. How Do Google AI Mode and AI Overviews Affect Click-Through Rates? Dispensary owners worry that Google AI Overview and Google AI mode may reduce traffic by answering questions directly on the search page. While overall clicks may decrease, the quality of the clicks you do get improves dramatically. Customers who find you through an AI recommendation are often ready to visit or purchase. They’ve already seen proof of your authority and trustworthiness. This means fewer “curious” clicks and more “conversion-ready” clicks. By investing in SEO services for cannabis dispensaries, you’re not just chasing volume—you’re positioning your dispensary as the one AI search engines trust enough to recommend. How Can Local Cannabis Dispensaries Optimize for AI Search Engines? Or what weed strign or brand to buy For cannabis dispensaries, local optimization is critical. AI tools prioritize businesses with a strong regional presence. Here’s how to do it: Google Business Profile : Update hours, services, and menus. Add geo-tagged photos of your store and products weekly. Reviews — Encourage a steady flow of Google and Weedmaps reviews. Respond to every review—AI notices. Visual SEO — Upload high-quality images of your dispensary, product packaging, and in-store experiences. Local Authority — Sponsor local events or publish educational blogs tied to your community. A digital marketing agency for cannabis dispensaries can manage your profile, generate reviews, and ensure your dispensary is AI-ready for local searches. In 2025, the dispensary AI recommendations will have the most active and trustworthy digital presence. Final Thoughts: GEO Is the Future for Cannabis Dispensaries In 2025, SEO is no longer about ranking but being AI-recommended. With Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), your cannabis dispensary can dominate local visibility by creating AI-ready content, building reputation signals, and optimizing visual proof. The dispensaries that thrive will partner with an SEO agency or a digital marketing agency to implement comprehensive SEO services. The future of search is conversational, AI-driven, and reputation-based. Make sure your dispensary is the one AI Agents trust to recommend first.
The shift from blue links to AI search engines has completely reshaped the digital landscape. Traditional SEO tactics—stuffing keywords into blogs, chasing backlinks, and tweaking metadata—were enough to stay visible for years. But in 2025, these tactics alone are no longer effective. Search has evolved into a conversation between users and intelligent assistants. Today, SaaS decision-makers are asking ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google AI mode for recommendations, not scrolling through endless results pages. This is where Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) comes in. GEO is optimizing your content so that AI assistants and Google AI Overview trust it enough to recommend. The stakes couldn’t be higher: SaaS companies that embrace GEO will dominate visibility in the AI era, while those clinging to outdated SEO strategies risk disappearing from the buyer journey. Partnering with an SEO agency for SaaS companies ensures you adapt to this shift with the right playbook, plan, and precision. From Keywords to Conversations — The SEO Paradigm Shift Why Traditional SEO Isn’t Enough in 2025 Keyword-driven SEO thrived when Google’s role was simply to list websites. But the search experience has changed. With Google AI mode and Google AI Overview, context, intent, and authority matter more than keyword frequency. For example, a search for “best CRM pricing for startups” no longer brings a top-ten list of links—it delivers an AI-written summary highlighting pricing tiers, pros and cons, and even recommendations. The contrast is striking: Old SEO was about ranking higher. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is about directly becoming the source that AI Agents cite . This means structuring your content to answer fundamental questions with authority, clarity, and supporting data. For SaaS companies, relying solely on traditional SEO is not enough. Instead, you need SEO services for SaaS companies that build conversational, answer-first content to secure AI citations—not just clicks. Understanding Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) What Is GEO and How Does It Work? Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the evolution of SEO in the AI-driven world. It focuses on shaping your content so AI Agents like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google’s AI tools can extract, summarize, and recommend it confidently. To achieve this, AI systems scan for key signals: Structured data : Schema markup like FAQPage and HowTo tags make your content machine-readable. Reputation signals : Verified reviews, online mentions, backlinks from authoritative sites. Content depth and clarity : Expert-level explanations broken into digestible sections. SaaS brands have a natural advantage in GEO because buyers demand educational content. They want detailed pricing breakdowns, integration comparisons, and ROI calculators. A digital marketing agency for SaaS companies bridges the gap between technical SEO and GEO by creating content that works for humans and AI-driven systems. The Role of AI Search Engines in Customer Journeys Where SaaS Buyers Are Getting Their Answers Today The SaaS customer journey no longer starts on your homepage. Buyers ask ChatGPT and Gemini for comparisons, pricing breakdowns, and recommendations. Prompts like “What’s the best SaaS for project management?” or “Which CRM integrates best with Slack?” are shaping decisions before they ever visit a vendor’s website. This shift is already measurable. SaaS companies optimizing for Google AI Overview capture more visibility, while those stuck in traditional SEO see organic traffic flatten or decline. Without GEO, your SaaS risks being invisible during the most critical discovery phase. Simply put, you may never be considered if AI doesn’t recommend you. GEO Strategy Pillar #1 — Structuring Content for AI Search Engines Answering Questions the Way AI Wants AI assistants thrive on structured, straightforward answers. To increase your chances of being cited in Google AI Overview, your SaaS content should: Use Q&A-style headings : Match common buyer queries (e.g., “How does SaaS pricing work?”). Provide summaries up front : Offer a concise TL;DR answer before diving into detail. Use lists and schemas : Bullet points, numbered steps, FAQ schema, and HowTo markup. Write conversationally : Mirror the way buyers frame questions in ChatGPT or Gemini . This structured approach ensures your answers are machine-readable and helpful to users. That’s why an SEO agency for SaaS companies doesn’t just optimize for humans—they optimize for AI systems scanning for clean, scannable data. GEO Strategy Pillar #2 — Building Trust Signals AI Relies On Why Reputation Is the New Ranking Factor AI won’t recommend a SaaS product with weak credibility. Instead, it prioritizes companies with a proven reputation. That includes: Customer Case Studies with Hard Metrics AI systems can parse content for data points. A case study saying “Client A reduced churn by 18% after adopting our SaaS” carries far more weight than vague testimonials. Action: Publish case studies that include measurable outcomes, not just “success stories.” Third-Party Review Platforms (G2, Capterra, TrustRadius) These are authoritative trust hubs that AI Agents scrape. Consistent positive reviews across multiple platforms make your brand look credible from multiple angles. Action: Build a systematic review-request engine that nudges customers after onboarding, quarterly check-ins, or successful support tickets. Consistency Across Digital Profiles AI checks for brand uniformity across LinkedIn pages, SaaS directories, GitHub, and product listings: a neglected profile or inconsistent messaging signals unreliability. Action: Audit all brand mentions and ensure logos, descriptions, and messaging are aligned everywhere. Reputation is harder to manipulate, making it the most powerful ranking factor in GEO. Today, SEO services for SaaS companies must include reputation marketing and review management, ensuring that your brand rises to the top when AI scans the web for trust signals. GEO Strategy Pillar #3 — Visual & Interactive Content for AI Agents Beyond Text: Feeding AI With Richer Inputs AI search systems can now interpret more than words—they analyze visual and interactive content. For SaaS companies, this means leveraging: Screenshots of dashboards and workflows that show product functionality. Explainer videos walking through core features or onboarding. Infographics simplify complex workflows or integrations. Structured markup like VideoObject and ImageObject to help AI parse media assets. When AI Agents see credible visual proof, they’re more likely to cite your brand. A digital marketing agency for SaaS companies can optimize these visual assets to help humans and AI systems. Practical GEO Implementation for SaaS Companies A Step-by-Step Roadmap 1. Audit — Find Your AI-Readiness Gaps Review your existing content library with an AI-first lens . Does it answer questions directly, or just describe features? Run sample searches in Google AI Overview, ChatGPT, and Gemini to see if your brand appears. If not, which competitors do? Evaluate technical setup: Do you have schema markup (FAQPage, HowTo, Product)? Are your review signals strong? Deliverable: An “AI Visibility Audit Report” highlighting content, structure, and reputation gaps. 2. Research — Map Buyer Questions Into Clusters Modern SaaS buyers don’t just type “CRM software.” They ask: “What’s the most affordable CRM for startups under 50 employees?” Use AI-powered tools (and even ChatGPT) to mine real buyer questions. Group them into clusters: Pricing (e.g., “How much does SaaS billing software cost?”) Comparisons (e.g., “HubSpot vs Salesforce for SMBs”) Integrations (e.g., “Does this SaaS integrate with Slack?”) ROI (e.g., “How to measure churn reduction with a CRM?”) Deliverable: A content cluster map aligning every buyer question to a page or section. 3. Create — Develop Content Built for AI and Humans Write expert guides that clearly explain pricing models, features, and ROI. Build comparison pages that fairly outline pros/cons (AI loves balanced, trustworthy answers). Use visual proof: screenshots, demo videos, and workflows that show real product value. Deliverable: A library of Q&A pages, pillar guides, and FAQs that AI can easily cite. 4. Optimize — Make Content Machine-Readable Add schema markup (FAQPage, HowTo, Product) so AI Agents can parse your data directly. Include TL;DR summaries at the top of every guide. Break content into bullet points, steps, and tables for quick AI extraction. Ensure visual assets (charts, screenshots, videos) have metadata and descriptive alt text. Deliverable: AI-ready content that’s structured for both readability and machine parsing. 5. Distribute — Push Content Where Buyers and AI Can See It Publish beyond your site: LinkedIn, Medium, YouTube, SaaS directories, Quora. Post bite-sized clips from explainer videos on social platforms, linking to the main guide. Use a syndication strategy so your content is cited in multiple trusted ecosystems that AI scrapes. Deliverable: An omnichannel distribution calendar ensuring visibility across the web. 6. Measure — Track GEO Success Metrics Monitor where your content appears in Google AI Overview (document with screenshots). Track mentions in ChatGPT and Gemini answers by testing queries. Watch for growth in branded searches (a sign AI-driven visibility is working). Measure AI-qualified leads—inbound contacts who have already referenced seeing you in an AI summary. Deliverable: A quarterly “AI Visibility Report” showing how your SaaS performs in AI search ecosystems. An experienced digital marketing agency for SaaS companies manages this process at scale, ensuring execution doesn’t bottleneck internal teams. Measuring Success in the Age of GEO Beyond Rankings: New KPIs That Matter Forget outdated metrics like keyword ranking. GEO success requires tracking: AI citations in Google AI Overview and conversational AI platforms. Growth in branded searches driven by AI-powered discovery. Conversion rates from AI-qualified leads arrive pre-sold based on your credibility. Example: A SaaS company optimizing FAQ pages saw a 30% increase in trial signups after their content appeared in AI-generated overviews. Choosing the Right SEO Agency for SaaS Companies What to Look For in a GEO-Ready Partner Not every agency understands GEO. The right SEO agency for SaaS companies should: Understand SaaS buyer journeys in detail, not just keyword research. Structure content specifically for AI readability. Offer review management, thought leadership, and visual SEO services. Monitor performance across AI search engines and AI Agents. A digital marketing agency for SaaS companies brings the expertise to align old SEO tactics with new GEO realities, ensuring long-term visibility. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is no longer optional—it’s the foundation of modern SEO. SaaS companies that act now will lead the AI-driven discovery era. Those who wait risk becoming invisible as AI assistants replace search lists with trusted answers. To thrive, partner with an SEO agency for SaaS companies that offers complete SEO services or work with a digital marketing agency to scale across content, reputation, and visual SEO. The future of search is here—and AI should recommend you, not your competitor.
