There's a huge number of small businesses and bloggers that have been decimated over 2023-24 with Google's HCU and core updates. Also bigger businesses, have also been hit. Less so brands.

I wanted to put out into the community things that can help future proof your websites by driving demand away from Google dependence. In particular a fightback against Google overviews by giving some power back to site owners. Maybe a foundation to grow again.

Who knows, some of it might even set off some brand signals that Google may at some future point re instate. If not, consider a fresh approach based on your knowledge and start again.

ChatGPT:

How Small Businesses and Bloggers Can Use Low-Cost AI to Compete with Google’s AI Overviews

With Google’s AI overviews redirecting traffic, small sites need creative strategies to stand out. Here’s how low-cost AI tools can help boost your online presence:

1. Niche Content:Use tools like **ChatGPT** or **Copy.ai** for content ideas, drafts, and improvements. Focus on niche, long-tail keywords where AI summaries don’t go in-depth.

2. Schema Markup: Implement FAQ and How-To schema with **Surfer SEO** or **Merkle’s Schema Generator** to improve your chances of landing in featured snippets.

3. Community Engagement: Boost interaction on your site and social media with AI chatbots (e.g., **Tidio**), while tools like **Canva AI** and **Lumen5** help create social media graphics and videos.

4. Email & Push Notifications:Personalize with **Mailchimp** or **Sendinblue** for segmented emails, and **OneSignal** for behavior-based push notifications.

5. Content Quality: Use **Clearscope** or **MarketMuse** for content audits to enhance authority and trustworthiness in Google’s eyes.

6. Interactive & Visual Content: Create infographics and interactive quizzes using tools like **Canva AI** and **Outgrow**.

7. Local SEO:Optimize for local search with **BrightLocal** and **Whitespark** for AI-driven local insights and review management.

8. Affiliate & Influencer Marketing: Find budget-friendly influencer partners with **Heepsy** or **Upfluence** and track affiliate performance with **Impact.com**.

9. PWA Development: Build a Progressive Web App using no-code AI platforms like **Adalo** for continuous user engagement on mobile.

10. Voice Search:Tailor content to conversational searches using **SEMrush** for voice data insights and **ChatGPT API** to create natural-language responses.

By leveraging these AI tools, small businesses and bloggers can strengthen their brand, drive user engagement, and get seen outside of traditional search rankings.

Hopefully folks here can reflect on these prompts and provide some of their own thoughts and enhancements on directions that they recommend. I think if it's implemented correctly, even a small number of these, Google will be more likely to take notice and elevate you in search as a consequence.