What Photographers Need to Know About Showing Up in AI Searches

Written By Kristie Allen

Just when we finally figured out how to show up in Google... along comes AI. And this is a topic that is changing quickly and often!!

More and more people are starting to ask ChatGPT and other AI search tools questions like: "Who is a good family photographer in Birmingham?", "Where should I take senior pictures in Birmingham, Alabama?", "Who photographs newborns in my area?"

So, does that mean everything we have learned about SEO is going out the window? NO

In fact, much of what you are already doing to help Google understand your website can also help AI search tools understand who you are, what you do, and whether your business is relevant to the question someone is asking.

Make Sure Search Engines Can Find Your Website

Before we start worrying about AI searches, we need to make sure your website can be found in the first place.

Start with the basics:

  • Set up Google Search Console.

  • Make sure your important pages are indexed.

  • Submit your sitemap.

  • Check for technical problems that could prevent search engines from crawling your site.

If Google can't properly find and understand your website, worrying about whether an AI tool can find you is putting the cart before the horse.

Be Really Clear About What You Do

Don't make people — or search engines — guess.

If you are a family photographer in Birmingham, Alabama, say that on your website. If you photograph high school seniors in Birmingham, say that.

Your website should clearly explain:

  • Who you are

  • What you do

  • Where you work

  • Who you serve

  • What services you offer

Pretty words are wonderful, but somewhere on your website we still need a clear explanation of what you actually do.

Keep Blogging

Yep. I said it. Blogging still matters!

But I don't mean writing 500 versions of: "Beautiful Family Session in Birmingham, Alabama."

Think about the questions your clients actually ask you. What should we wear for family pictures? Where are the best places for senior pictures in Birmingham? What happens if it rains on the day of our session? When should I schedule newborn pictures?

These are real questions from real people — and they are also the kinds of questions people ask AI. SO… Answer them!!

Write Like a Human

This one is becoming more important, not less. You do not need to stuff every keyword you have ever researched into every page..

Tell people what you have learned after photographing multiple sessions. Talk about what you recommend and WHY. Tell session stories. Talk about a dreamy session you would love to shoot.

Your experience is something a generic AI-written article cannot duplicate.

When using AI to help you write, give it a little information to start with, then direct it from there. Tell it when something doesn't sound like you. Ask it to make changes. Add your own stories, opinions, and experiences. Use AI as a tool to help you put your own voice into words.

Make Sure Your Business Information Is Consistent

Your website isn't the only place information about your business lives.

Keep your business information accurate and consistent across your online presence, especially your Google Business Profile.

Your business name, website, services, location or service area, photos, and other important information should accurately represent your business.

You want the internet to paint one very clear picture of who you are and what you do.

7. Build Real Authority

Real authority is something you build over time. Your experience, reviews, helpful content, portfolio, and mentions from other reputable websites all help establish that you know what you're talking about. Instead of asking, "How can I get AI to recommend me?" focus on making it incredibly clear that you are a trusted resource in your field. Share what you know, answer real questions, and use your own experience to create information that is genuinely helpful.

8. Keep Doing SEO

AI search does not mean SEO is dead.

Good SEO helps search engines find, understand, and organize the information on your website. Those fundamentals are still important as search changes.

So don't abandon:

  • Keywords

  • SEO titles

  • Meta descriptions

  • Clear page titles

  • Internal links

  • Helpful blog posts

  • Google Search Console

  • Google Analytics

  • Your Google Business Profile

The way people search is changing, but that doesn't make the foundation we have been building useless.

It makes having a strong foundation even more important.

Final Thoughts

I don't think any of us knows exactly what AI search will look like five years from now... but I do know what is working right now, and I am using those tools. About every three months, I ask ChatGPT what has changed with AI search and what I should be paying attention to, and then I pivot when I need to.

For now, my goal is to make it as easy as possible for Google, AI search tools, and most importantly PEOPLE to understand who I am, what I do, where I work, and why I know what I'm talking about.

And that really comes back to the basics:

A good website.

Useful content.

Sharing my own experience.

Making it clear what I do and who I serve.

Click here for more on my what to do to Make Your Website Show Up in Search Engines

or Reach Out for One on One Help

PS - This Post was written by AI and edited by Me ;-)

Kristie Allen
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