336 How AI Is Changing Google Search with Phil Evans

Episode 336 of the Grow My Salon Business Podcast podcast, hosted by Antony Whitaker, titled "336 How AI Is Changing Google Search with Phil Evans" was published on February 24, 2026 and runs 28 minutes.

February 24, 2026 ·28m · Grow My Salon Business Podcast

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Summary

AI is changing Google search faster than most salon owners realise, and whether you like it or not, it’s going to impact your business. In this episode, I'm joined by returning guest Phil Evans from Salon Guru, and we're diving into what AI is doing to Google search and what that means for your salon business.We break down how Google's AI is already showing up in your potential clients' search results, what's actually driving which salons appear at the top, and why content and reviews still remain the foundation of everything.We also get into the practical stuff, how to use AI tools like ChatGPT without sounding like a robot, why you need to know your traffic and rank numbers before anything else, and the simple phone test you can do today that will tell you exactly where your salon stands. Phil's homework at the end of this episode is worth the listen alone. IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Introduction and marketing course waitlist announcement [01:13] Welcoming Phil Evans from Salon Guru back to the show [02:00] What AI has actually changed about Google search [03:15] How AI search works in practice, with real examples[07:57] The numbers behind salon website traffic (and what "good" looks like) [09:13] What determines which salon ranks first for "best balayage near me" [10:00] Why content and reviews are 90% of the job [11:31] The three most important things a small salon owner should focus on [16:00] How to use AI writing tools without sounding like a robot [19:25] What happens if a salon ignores AI and search over the next few years [21:00] How to make your existing content AI-ready [22:39] Three practical takeaways you can action today [23:08] The free rank report from Salon Guru (and how to find your numbers) [25:10] How local search radius works, and the wake-up call most salons need Want MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/RATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!AntonyRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Join the waitlist for our Online Salon Marketing CourseSalon Guru - Rank Report 👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website👉 FOLLOW SALON GURU!Instagram | Website

Episode Description

We break down how Google's AI is already showing up in your potential clients' search results, what's actually driving which salons appear at the top, and why content and reviews still remain the foundation of everything.

We also get into the practical stuff, how to use AI tools like ChatGPT without sounding like a robot, why you need to know your traffic and rank numbers before anything else, and the simple phone test you can do today that will tell you exactly where your salon stands. Phil's homework at the end of this episode is worth the listen alone.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Introduction and marketing course waitlist announcement

[01:13] Welcoming Phil Evans from Salon Guru back to the show

[02:00] What AI has actually changed about Google search

[03:15] How AI search works in practice, with real examples

[07:57] The numbers behind salon website traffic (and what "good" looks like)

[09:13] What determines which salon ranks first for "best balayage near me"

[10:00] Why content and reviews are 90% of the job

[11:31] The three most important things a small salon owner should focus on

[16:00] How to use AI writing tools without sounding like a robot

[19:25] What happens if a salon ignores AI and search over the next few years

[21:00] How to make your existing content AI-ready

[22:39] Three practical takeaways you can action today

[23:08] The free rank report from Salon Guru (and how to find your numbers)

[25:10] How local search radius works, and the wake-up call most salons need

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Join the waitlist for our Online Salon Marketing Course

Salon Guru - Rank Report

👉 FOLLOW US!

Instagram | Facebook | Website