How Google AI Mode Selects Websites to Rank (It’s Not Standard SEO)

Описание: G'day Rankers! This week, I'm answering a crucial question from Kim: How does Google's AI mode actually decide which websites to link to during a chat?.

We are witnessing a massive transition from traditional Google Search to a new "chat answer engine". With the announcement that ads are coming to chat, and the embedding of Gemini Pro into AI mode, the way results are serviced is changing fundamentally.

While the search algorithm looks at things like authority and experience, the AI model is trying to exactly match the user's queries based on deep data research.

In this video, I break down why traditional brand navigation doesn't work well in chat models and what you need to do differently.

Key topics covered:

The fundamental difference between Google Search algorithms and Gemini Pro AI matching.

Why you must pivot to advanced Structured Data so Large Language Models (LLMs) understand your content relationships.

Rethinking off-page SEO: Moving budget from buying backlinks to Digital PR and "newsjacking" for brand authority signals.

Crucial information e-commerce sites often hide that AI needs to see (like shipping and return data).

If you want to know how I got up to speed on this quickly, I also share my method using deep research reports and NotebookLM.

Remember to like, share, and subscribe!

Video Chapters
00:00 Intro and Kim's Question: How does AI choose links?

00:22 The transition from Search to "Answer Engine"

00:50 Gemini Pro embedded in AI Mode

01:26 Why Brand Search fails in AI Chat models

02:45 The difference between AI Matching and the Search Algorithm

03:18 Why Structured Data is crucial for LLMs

04:07 Brand signals, Freshness, and replacing backlinks with PR

05:19 Important content for E-commerce (Shipping & Returns)

05:49 My research method using NotebookLM

06:27 Wrap up and final show before Christmas